Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Horrall

Thomas R. Horrall 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
  • Patent number: 11622182
    Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Cambridge Sound Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gordon V. Cook, Edward Driscoll, Thomas R. Horrall
  • Publication number: 20210235177
    Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gordon V. Cook, Edward Driscoll, Thomas R. Horrall
  • Patent number: 10979792
    Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE SOUND MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gordon V. Cook, Edward Driscoll, Thomas R. Horrall
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200053447
    Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gordon V. Cook, Edward Driscoll, Thomas R. Horrall
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10455307
    Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Cambridge Sound Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gordon V. Cook, Edward Driscoll, Thomas R. Horrall
  • Publication number: 20180279030
    Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gordon V. Cook, Edward Driscoll, Thomas R. Horrall
  • Patent number: 9955245
    Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nightingale Smart Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gordon V. Cook, Edward Driscoll, Thomas R. Horrall
  • 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: 20170214990
    Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gordon V. Cook, Edward Driscoll, Thomas R. Horrall
  • Patent number: 9666174
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a sound masking system is used to produce a sound masking zone in the vicinity of a defined area, for example in an area surrounding a conference room, an area within a medical office, or an area within a place of worship. A screen of loudspeakers around the defined area is used to create the sound masking zone. An indicator light, outside the defined area and unique to the sound masking zone around the defined area, is used to indicate that the sound masking system is active or ramping up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Cambridge Sound Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gregory Saunders, Mitchell Nollman, Gordon V. Cook, Thomas R. Horrall, Stephen Shenefield
  • Publication number: 20170078789
    Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gordon V. Cook, Edward Driscoll, Thomas R. Horrall
  • Patent number: 9596539
    Abstract: A wireless sound-emitting device includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a wall at a source of electric power, a loudspeaker positioned at a periphery of the housing, a control module outputting an electric audio signal to the at least one loudspeaker, and a wireless communications module in electrical communication with the control module. The loudspeaker emits acoustic signals in a direction parallel to the wall, when the housing is coupled to the wall, with the acoustic signals reflecting off the wall. The device may produce a sound masking noise or play a sound recorded on an internal memory. The device may include an electric plug or be adapted to replace an electric outlet faceplate. The device may have electric pass-through outlets and may be powered by the source of electric power. The device may be controlled remotely, for example via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nightingale Smart Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gordon V. Cook, Edward Driscoll, Thomas R. Horrall
  • Publication number: 20160293155
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a sound masking system is used to produce a sound masking zone in the vicinity of a defined area, for example in an area surrounding a conference room, an area within a medical office, or an area within a place of worship. A screen of loudspeakers around the defined area is used to create the sound masking zone. An indicator light, outside the defined area and unique to the sound masking zone around the defined area, is used to indicate that the sound masking system is active or ramping up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gregory Saunders, Mitchell Nollman, Gordon V. Cook, Thomas R. Horrall, Stephen Shenefield
  • 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
  • Patent number: D838397
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Cambridge Sound Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Calisi, Gregory Saunders, Mitchell Nollman, Gordon V. Cook, Thomas R. Horrall, Stephen Shenefield