Abstract: Disclosed is a device for use with communications equipment to provide privacy for the operator and reduce acoustic noise from the operator's voice in the area. The device uses active acoustic cancellation to silence the voice of the operator once past, and captured by the microphone. Embodiments include the all types of microphones for any type of telephone, transmitting radio, intercom or other communication devices where a operator speaks out loud to communicate with another location.

Abstract: A tinnitus method and device for providing relief to a person suffering from the disturbing effects of tinnitus is described. The method can be implemented entirely in software to spectrally modify an audio signal in accordance with a predetermined masking algorithm which modifies the intensity of the audio signal at selected frequencies. A predetermined masking algorithm is described which provides intermittent masking of the tinnitus wherein, at a comfortable listening level, during peaks of the audio signal the tinnitus is completely obscured, whereas during troughs the perception of the tinnitus occasionally emerges. In practice it has been found that such intermittent masking provides an immediate sense of relief, control and relaxation for the person, whilst enabling sufficient perception of the tinnitus for habituation and long term treatment to occur. Advantageously the predetermined masking algorithm is specifically tailored to the audiometric configuration of the person.

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: An active noise control system (100) and method modifies a noise made when a vehicle closure, such as a door, hood, or trunk, closes by detecting the closure's velocity and selecting a delay time and control noise amplitude appropriate for the velocity. By modifying the noise of a vehicle door closing, the system (100) can reduce the frequency and reverberation of the noise generated by the door, improving user perception of the vehicle itself.

Abstract: A portable sound playing device is presented that can be used in any household or office setting, the sound playing device capable of playing masking sounds or music. This device is particularly useful in bathrooms for entertaining occupants or masking the sounds of bathroom activities. The functional housing can be both decorative and useful, coming in tissue dispenser, lotion dispenser, or stylish shapes.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing the transmission of information to users—via peripheral, or background, auditory cues—in response to the physical action of the users in a particular environment, e.g., the workplace. The system combines three known technologies: active badges, distributed systems, and digital audio delivered via portable wireless headphones.

Abstract: A virtual interface is provided which allows a user to navigate through a representation of a physical target area, such as an office, school or home environment. Using the virtual interface, a user can alter the configuration of a system which transmits information to users via peripheral or background auditory cues in response to physical actions of the users in the environments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for use with communications equipment to provide privacy for the operator and reduce acoustic noise from the operator's voice in the area. The device uses active acoustic cancellation to silence the voice of the operator once past, and captured by the microphone. Embodiments include the all types of microphones for any type of telephone, transmitting radio, intercom or other communication devices where a operator speaks out loud to communicate with another location.

Abstract: A unique, fully integrated, fully programmable, and highly flexible sound distribution system and methodology for providing masking sound, background music, and paging capabilities in up to eight zones of a building or space is provided. The methodology embodied in the system includes internal masking sounds that are uniquely pre-filtered to provide efficient and effective masking of distracting sounds within selectable zones of the space with a minimum masking sound dB sound level and with a pleasant sounding and non-annoying masking sound. The system also incorporates the capacity to be controlled from a remote or local telephone to adjust the volume level in any zone serviced by the system by issuing appropriate DTMF codes from the telephone's keypad. Unique bi-tone diagnostic functions are provided for assuring that the entire system is correctly wired and installed and for troubleshooting operational anomalies.

Abstract: A system for identifying a model of an acoustic system in the presence of an external noise signal is disclosed. The system includes an acoustic actuator for generating controlled sound within the acoustic system. A sensor receives the controlled sound and the external noise signal and produces a sensed signal. A control system generates a control signal in response to an error signal. The control system includes a system model for generating an estimated response signal. The control system also generates the error signal representing the difference between the sensed signal and the estimated response signal. A masking threshold generator receives the sensed signal and the error signal and produces spectral shaping parameters. A shaped signal generator for receives the spectral shaping parameters and produces a test signal which is provided as an input to the control system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of developing an acoustic anti-transient-masking transform and an acoustic anti-transient-masking transform system for compensating effects of undesired vibrations impinging an audio component. The present invention also provides a method of compensating an audio signal for effects of undesired vibrations. In one embodiment, the method includes providing an impulse type signal to an undesired vibration compensated version of the audio component and an uncompensated version of the audio component. The method further includes computing a difference impulse response between a first sampled output from the compensated version and a second sampled output from the uncompensated version, and converting the difference impulse response to a signal representing the acoustic anti-transient-masking transform.

Abstract: In a coding method and a coder for introducing a non-audible data signal into an audio signal, the audio signal is first transformed to a spectral range and the masking threshold of the audio signal is determined. A pseudo-noise signal and a data signal are provided and multiplied with each other so a to provide a frequency-spread data signal. The spread data signal is weighted with the masking threshold, and thereafter the audio signal and the weighted data signal are superimposed. In a method and a decoder for decoding a data signal introduced into an audio signal in non-audible manner, the audio signal is first sampled and thereafter the sampled audio signal is filtered in non-recursive manner. The filtered audio signal is subsequently compared to a threshold value so as to retrieve the data signal.

Abstract: An input image is distorted so that it has less correlation to a watermark and the distorted image is subtracted from the input image to provide a preprocessed image. If the correlation between the preprocessed image and a watermark is sufficient then the watermark is detected in the input image. The distortion may be a spatially-variant distortion such as stretching, shrinking, shearing or rotation or the distortion may be a non-linear transforming or filtering such as median, local minimum or local maximum filtering.

Abstract: An adaptive sound masking system and method portions undesired sound into time-blocks and estimates frequency spectrum and power level, and continuously generates white noise with a matching spectrum and power level to mask the undesired sound.

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: In a method for reproducing sound signals by means of headphones provided with microphones, unwanted sound signals from at least one external sound source are compensated by sound signals, simulating in anti-phase the sound signals from said at least one external sound source. The anti-phase sound signals being generated in the headphones in response to signals derived from audio input signals of the at least one external sound source in a first filter device which is controlled by the resulting microphone signals. Further, wanted sound signals are generated in the headphones in response to signals derived from further audio input signals in a second filter device with transfer functions substantially equal to the corresponding transfer functions of the first filter device.

Abstract: Methods of processing audio to convey auxiliary control information therein without audible evidence of data alteration. Various arrangements are disclosed. One receives plural bit auxiliary data in which the auxiliary control information is included, and modulates same with noise data to yield intermediate data. The intermediate data is then summed with the original audio to produce the encoded audio. The noise can be tailored to enhance performance, and the intermediate data can be scaled in amplitude so as to better hide the auxiliary data within the audio. One application of the technology is in consumer audio appliances, where the auxiliary control information can be used to trigger some response in the appliance, such as enabling or disabling certain operations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sound masking system including an airflow unit housing at least one speaker generating a masking sound field. The airflow unit is often an air diffuser set into a conventional suspended ceiling comprised of ceiling tiles. The air diffuser provides an acoustic hole in the ceiling plane whereby sound can travel into the room unencumbered by the plane of ceiling tiles. The speaker is housed within the air diffuser and is directed into the room to be treated. The speaker is capable of producing sound waves in a frequency that masks the human voice.

Abstract: This invention concerns environmental noise monitoring, and more particularly a system and method for environmental noise monitoring. The environmental noise monitoring system comprises three or more sound level transducers arranged apart from each other in an environment containing one or more noise sources. Each transducer is arranged to pick up sounds arriving from all directions and to transduce the sounds into electrical signals. The sound level and direction measuring equipment includes signal samplers connected to respective transducers to receive electrical signals representing environmental sounds and to sample the electrical signals. A computer processor is further provided to perform cross correlation calculations to generate a cross correlation function for each pair of sampled signals.

Abstract: A sound masking system for shaping the ambient noise level in a physical environment. The sound masking system comprises a networked and distributed system having a number of master units coupled together and to a control unit. One or more of the master units may include satellite sound masking units which function to reproduce the sound masking signal generated by the master sound masking unit. Each of the master units is addressable over the network by the control unit enabling the control unit to program the contour, spectral band, and gain characteristics of the sound masking output signal. The system may also include a remote control unit which provides the capability to tune and adjust each master sound masking unit in situ without requiring physical access through the ceiling installation.

Abstract: A method of improving the quality of sounds produced from a device provided with a mechanical drive mechanism and the like is provided. In this method, by using either one of or both of units for suppressing noise of a noise source produced in said device and of its transmission path, a discomfort index S of a sound obtained by inputting a value of loudness and a value of sharpness of psychological sound parameters obtained from a sound at a position apart by 1 meter from the exterior of said device into the following equation (a): S=0.01024269×(loudness value)2+0.30996744×(sharpness value)−2.1386517  (a) will satisfy the following condition (b): S<−0.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing acoustic and/or gesture input commands by an entertainment device begins by detecting an acoustic initiation command and/or a gesture initiation command. The initiation command may be directed to a particular entertainment device, which may be a part of an entertainment center, or to the entire entertainment center. In addition, the initiation command corresponds to a particular operation of the entertainment device. Having detected the initiation command, the process proceeds by detecting an acoustic function command and/or a gesture function command, which is associated with the detected initiation command. The flnction command indicates the particular change desired for a corresponding parameter. Having detected the function command, it is interpreted to produce a signal for adjusting the parameter of the entertainment device.

Abstract: An active noise insulation wall includes an active sound reduction apparatus disposed on an upper end surface of a noise insulation wall. The active sound reduction apparatus comprises a combination of an active acoustic control cell and a sound tube. The active acoustic control cell controls a coming noise such that a diffracted sound pressure component of the coming noise at the upper end surface of the noise insulation wall is actively reduced. The sound tube decreases a sound wave of a frequency different from a target frequency of the active acoustic control cell. Thus, the active noise insulation wall can effectively reduce noises including many frequency components.

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 noise environment is sampled via microphone. A processor generates a cancellation signal to offset the effects of the noise to a listener. The cancellation signal is converted into a sample signal compatible with a synthesizer. The synthesizer adjusts the pitch, amplitude and timing of a sample of a patch set to create a substantially continuous output cancellation signal. The continuous output cancellation signal is output via a speaker. The output cancellation signal combines with the noise environment to reduce the effects of the noise environment on the listener. Alternatively, in previously characterized noise environments, one or more cancellation signals may be stored in processor. The processor receives a user input selecting the appropriate cancellation signal and adjusting the parameters of the cancellation signal.

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.