Patents by Inventor John C. Heine

John C. Heine has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230353935
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a-selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine
  • Patent number: 11700483
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a-selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Cambridge Sound Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine
  • Publication number: 20200177991
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a-selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine
  • Patent number: 10555078
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a-selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE SOUND MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine
  • Publication number: 20180041831
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a-selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine
  • Patent number: 9820040
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a-selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Cambridge Sound Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine
  • Publication number: 20160112784
    Abstract: A sound vibration excitation assembly, for producing direct field sound masking, paging and/or music, comprises a ceiling coupler configured to be coupled to a discrete area sound-absorbing ceiling surface comprising mineral fiber or fiberglass, and a vibration exciter that is both configured to be electrically coupled to one or more sources of an electrical sound signal and is coupled to the ceiling coupler to produce vibrations in the ceiling coupler in response to the electrical sound signal. Related sound systems and methods are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: John C. Heine, Gordon V. Cook, Thomas R. Horrall
  • Publication number: 20150350780
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a-selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine
  • Patent number: 9076430
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Cambridge Sound Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine
  • Publication number: 20130089213
    Abstract: A method of providing an improved learning environment in a classroom setting area in which at least one human listener is attempting to focus on at least one speech sound source in the presence of at least one distracting sound source is disclosed. At least one electrical sound masking signal is generated by at least one sound masking signal generator as output, received by at least one system controller, and then provided to one or more loudspeaker assemblies. At least one acoustic sound masking signal corresponding to the at least one electrical sound masking signal is emitted by the one or more loudspeaker assemblies into the classroom setting area, providing an essentially uniform level of acoustic sound masking signal, thus improving the ability of the human listener(s) to focus on the intended speech sound source in the presence of the distracting sound source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: John C. Heine, Thomas R. Horrall, Jonathan D. Kemp
  • Publication number: 20100027806
    Abstract: A system and method of providing sound reinforcement in a classroom, an office, a conference room, an auditorium, or any other suitable venue. The system includes at least one microphone, a receiver, a sound masking signal generator, a system controller, and a plurality of spatially distributed loudspeakers. The microphone detects the speech of a talker, generates at least one voice signal corresponding to the detected speech, and provides the generated voice signal to the receiver. The sound masking signal generator generates at least one sound masking signal having a specified sound masking spectrum. The system controller receives the voice signal and the sound masking signal from the receiver and the sound masking signal generator, respectively, and provides the voice and sound masking signals to the loudspeakers over respective channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE SOUND MANAGEMENT, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Heine, Thomas R. Horrall, Jonathan D. Kemp
  • Patent number: 7248703
    Abstract: A system (400) for reducing non-acoustic noise includes a primary sensor (420), at least one secondary sensor (410), a filter (415), and a summation unit (425). The primary sensor (420) measures pressure and produces a primary pressure signal. The at least one secondary sensor (410) measures pressure and produce a secondary pressure signal. The filter (415) processes the secondary pressure signal to produce a filtered pressure signal. The summation unit (425) subtracts the filtered pressure signal from the primary pressure signal to reduce non-acoustic noise in the primary pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: John C. Heine, Istvan L. Ver, William B. Coney, Robert D. Preuss
  • Patent number: 7194094
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Acentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine
  • Patent number: 6859420
    Abstract: A system for rejecting wind noise at a plurality of sensors includes input logic, a processor and output logic. The input logic receives a signal from each of the plurality of sensors. The processor assigns a weight value to each of the received signals. The output logic derives a wind noise rejected output signal based on a function of the assigned weight values and the received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: BBNT Solutions LLC
    Inventors: William B. Coney, Gregory L. Duckworth, John C. Heine
  • Publication number: 20030219133
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: ACENTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine
  • Publication number: 20030091199
    Abstract: A sound masking system according to the invention is disclosed in which one or more sound masking loudspeaker assemblies are coupled to one or more electronic sound masking signal generators. The loudspeaker assemblies in the system of the invention have a low directivity index and preferably emit an acoustic sound masking signal that has a sound masking spectrum specifically designed to provide superior sound masking in an open plan office. Each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is oriented to provide the acoustic sound masking signal in a direct path into the predetermined area in which masking sound is needed. In addition, the sound masking system of the invention can include a remote control function by which a user can select from a plurality of stored sets of information for providing from a recipient loudspeaker assembly an acoustic sound masking signal having a selected sound masking spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas R. Horrall, John C. Heine