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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A sound masking system for a multi-occupant work area includes a masking signal generator generating incoherent masking sound signals loudspeaker modules interconnected in a daisy-chain fashion, with each loudspeaker module receiving the masking sound signals on input connections and transmitting them to a successive loudspeaker module on output connections. The connections on which the masking sound signals appear in each loudspeaker are shifted by the inter-loudspeaker connections, such that successive loudspeakers automatically emit different masking sound signals for improved diffuseness in the overall masking sound in the work area. Each loudspeaker module has one jack having the input connections and another jack having the output connections, and each jack receives a detachable cable such as telephone cable to connect adjacent loudspeaker modules. The masking sound signals are shifted by a cross connection network between the two jacks in each loudspeaker module.

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.

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.

Abstract: A sound masking system for a multi-occupant work area includes a masking signal generator generating incoherent masking sound signals loudspeaker modules interconnected in a daisy-chain fashion, with each loudspeaker module receiving the masking sound signals on input connections and transmitting them to a successive loudspeaker module on output connections. The connections on which the masking sound signals appear in each loudspeaker are shifted by the inter-loudspeaker connections, such that successive loudspeakers automatically emit different masking sound signals for improved diffuseness in the overall masking sound in the work area. Each loudspeaker module has one jack having the input connections and another jack having the output connections, and each jack receives a detachable cable such as telephone cable to connect adjacent loudspeaker modules. The masking sound signals are shifted by a cross connection network between the two jacks in each loudspeaker module.

Abstract: A personal sound masking system for use in an individual workspace provides an optimized acoustic background environment by delivering a sound masking signal that is specifically matched to the individual user's location and physical relationship to other nearby offices. The sound masking system employs multiple loudspeakers and multiple mutually incoherent channels in order to obtain a desired degree of diffuseness. A control module includes an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) that stores data representing a number of samples of a masking signal segment, addressing logic that accesses the samples in the memory sequentially and repetitively to generate different series of data values each representing a different masking signal, digital to analog converters that convert the series of samples into analog masking signals, and power amplification circuitry that amplifies the analog masking signals to levels suitable for driving the loudspeakers.

Abstract: In the masking sound source disclosed herein, easily adjustable but matching acoustic energy spectrums are obtained from different channels by providing, for each channel, a plurality of bandpass filters, each of which is provided with a respective gain-controlled amplifier for selectively adjusting the respective signal level. The bandpass characteristics of each filter are matched to the corresponding filter in each other channel and a common control signal is applied to the respective gain-controlled amplifiers. The filtered and level-adjusted signals for each channel are then summed and applied to respective power amplifiers suitable for energizing loudspeakers. Accordingly, the frequency spectrum applied to all loud speakers will be the same even though the signals applied may be incoherently related within the spectrum.

Abstract: The partition system disclosed herein incorporates apparatus for generating a speech masking acoustic field. Respective speakers are mounted near the bottom of each of a plurality of partition panel segments defining each work space and are aimed horizontally. These speakers are driven by respective signals which are subjectively incoherent as to frequencies of interest in the masking spectrum, thereby to provide a sound field without perceptible discontinuities.

Abstract: The invention involves the use of a plurality of incoherent noise generators distributed, in one embodiment, along ceilings in open-plan and partitioned office spaces and the like, to diffuse masking sound energy through acoustical tile and other false ceiling structures while tailoring the same for speech privacy results, by providing a uniform, delocalized and incoherent masking sound space.