Sound attenuation system for personal seat

• US 4,977,600 A
• Filed: 06/07/1988
• Issued: 12/11/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Noise Cancellation Technologies, Inc. (NCT Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Noise Cancellation Technologies, Inc. (NCT Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ziegler, Eldon W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Application Number:
  US07/203,114
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 381/71, 381/94, 381/72
• US Class Current: 381/71.6
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/145 electric, e.g. for active noise reduction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17857 Geometric disposition, e.g. placement of microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17883 the reference signal being derived from a machine operating condition, e.g. engine RPM or vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/106 Boxes, i.e. active box covering a noise source; Enclosures
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3221 Headrests, seats or the like, for personal ANC systems

Abstract

A sound cancellation system wherein a pair of sensors and actuators are positioned immediately adjacent an associated ear of an inhabitant of an enclosure so as to provide a cancellation zone immediately adjacent an associated ear without interfering with adjacent zones. A controller receives a synchronization signal so as to cancel a selected noise associated with a synchronization signal. The sensors and actuators are mounted to a seat which is to be occupied by an inhabitant of the enclosure.

Claims

1. An active noise attenuation system for attenuating selected noise at selected areas about an individual comprising:

synchronization means for producing a synchronization signal for a source of noise to be attenuated;

first and second acoustic actuators respectively mounted proximate each ear of the individual;

first and second acoustic sensors respectively mounted between a corresponding one of said first and second acoustic actuators and a respective ear of the individual to be adjustably positionable in a lateral direction between said first and second acoustic actuators and the respective ear of the individual to accurately sense the sound adjacent the respective ear; and

control means for independently controlling said first and second acoustic actuators using said synchronization signal and sounds sensed by the respective said first and second acoustic sensors to cancel the noise from said source of noise in a selected area limited to the individual without adversely affecting other locations in the vicinity.

2. The active noise attenuation system of claim 1 wherein said individual is positioned in a seat, said first and second acoustic actuators are mounted in respective first and second wrap-around wings of said seat proximate the respective ear, and said first and second acoustic sensors are respectively mounted via first and second adjustable supports on said seat.

3. The active noise attenuation system of claim 2 wherein said seat is positioned within an enclosure.

4. The active noise attenuation system of claim 3 wherein said enclosure includes a plurality of individuals positioned in respective seats and which cancels noise from said noise source in respective selected areas limited to each of said plurality of individuals.

5. The active noise attenuation system of claim 4 wherein said enclosure is that of a vehicle.

6. A method of active noise attenuation of selected noise at selected areas about an individual comprising the steps of:

producing a synchronization signal for a source of noise to be attenuated;

mounting respective first and second acoustic actuators proximate each ear of the individual;

sensing the sound adjacent each respective ear with first and second acoustic sensors mounted between a corresponding one of said first and second acoustic actuators and the respective ear of the individual to be adjustably positionable in a lateral direction between said first and second acoustic actuators and the respective ear of the individual; and

independently controlling said first and second acoustic actuators using said synchronization signal and sounds sensed by the respective said first and second acoustic sensors to cancel the noise from said source of noise in an area limited to the individual without adversely affecting other locations in the vicinity.

7. The method of active noise attenuation of claim 6 further comprising positioning said individual in a seat, mounting said first and second acoustic actuators in respective first and second wrap-around wings of said seat proximate the respective ear, and respectively mounting said first and second acoustic sensors via first and second adjustable supports on said seat.

8. The method of active noise attenuation of claim 7 further comprising positioning said seat within an enclosure.

9. The method of active noise attenuation of claim 8 further comprising positioning a plurality of individuals in respective seats and cancelling noise from said noise source in respective selected areas limited to each of said plurality of individuals.

10. The method of active noise attenuation of claim 9 wherein said enclosure is that of a vehicle.

11. An active noise attenuation seat for attenuating selected noise in respective first and second zones corresponding to each ear of a user comprising:

synchronization means for producing a synchronization signal for a source of noise to be attenuated;

first and second acoustic actuators, mounted in respective first and second wrap-around wings of the active sound attenuation seat to be located proximate a respective ear of the user;

first and second acoustic sensors, mounted on respective first and second adjustable supports to the active sound attenuation seat to be adjustably positionable in a lateral direction between the respective said first and second actuators and the respective ear of the user to accurately sense the sound in the respective first and second zones; and

control means for independently controlling said first and second acoustic actuators using said synchronization signal and sounds sensed by the respective said first and second acoustic sensors to cancel the noise from said source of noise in the respective first and second zones without adversely affecting other locations in the vicinity.

12. An active noise attenuation seat comprising:

synchronization means for producing a synchronization signal for a source of noise to be attenuated;

first and second wrap around wings extending from the seat to be proximate a respective ear of a user;

first and second acoustic actuators mounted in a corresponding one of said first and second wrap around wings;

first and second adjustable supports mounted to and extending from the seat, each of said adjustable supports including respective first and second ends, said first end mounted on the seat with said second end laterally positionable between a corresponding one of said first and second acoustic actuators and a respective ear of the user;

first and second acoustic sensors, mounted on a respective one of said second ends of said adjustable supports to accurately sense the sound in first and second zones corresponding to a respective ear of the user; and

control means for independently controlling said first and second acoustic actuators using said synchronization signal and sounds sensed by the respective said first and second acoustic sensors to cancel noise from said source of noise in each of said first and second zones without adversely affecting other locations in the vicinity.

13. An active noise attenuation seat comprising:

synchronization means for producing a synchronization signal for a source of noise to be attenuated;

first and second acoustic actuators respectively mounted on the seat proximate each ear of a user;

first and second adjustable supports mounted to the seat;

first and second acoustic sensors respectively mounted on a corresponding one of said first and second adjustable supports to be adjustable between a corresponding one of said first and second acoustic actuators and a respective ear of said user to accurately sense the sound adjacent the respective ear; and

control means for independently controlling said first and second acoustic actuators using said synchronization signal and sounds sensed by the respective said first and second acoustic sensors to cancel noise from said source of noise in a selected area limited to said user without adversely affecting other locations in the vicinity.

14. The active noise attenuation seat of claim 13 wherein said first and second acoustic actuators are mounted in respective first and second wrap-around wings of the seat proximate the respective ear.

15. The active noise attenuation seat of claim 14 wherein said seat is positioned within an enclosure.

16. The active noise attenuation seat of claim 15 wherein said enclosure is that of a vehicle.