Sound detection and alert system for a workspace

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12148284-B2
Application number	US-202017095531-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 11, 2020
Priority date	Jun 6, 2013
Publication date	Nov 19, 2024
Grant date	Nov 19, 2024

Abstract

A workspace assembly includes at least a first sound sensor located in a first facility space, at least one communication device located within the first space, and a processor in communication with the at least a first sound sensor and the communication device. The processor is adapted to compare the volume of sound emanating from within the first space to a threshold level and to generate a signal via the communication device when the volume of sound emanating from within the first space exceeds the threshold level. The processor also periodically automatically adjusts the threshold level.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A workplace assembly for use within a facility that includes a plurality of spaces including at least first and second spaces that are separated by a barrier, the workplace assembly comprising:
at least a first sound sensor located within the first space;
at least a second sound sensor located within the second space;
at least a first indicator located within the second facility space; and
a processor in communication with the at least first sound sensor, the at least second sound sensor, and the at least a first indicator, the processor programmed to perform the steps of:
(i) receiving sensor information from the at least first sound sensor and the at least second sound sensor;
(ii) using the sensor information from the at least first sound sensor and the at least second sound sensor to determine that a first sound is emanating from the second facility space;
(iii) comparing a volume of the first sound detected by the first sound sensor to a first threshold level and determining when the volume of the first sound detected by the first sound sensor is below the first threshold level; and
(iv) indicating that the first sound emanating from the second space is or below the first threshold via the at least first indicator.

2. The workplace assembly of claim 1 wherein the processor identifies sounds within a specific frequency range and compares sound volumes of sounds within the frequency range.

3. The workplace assembly of claim 2 wherein the frequency range is the range of a typical human voice.

4. The workplace assembly of claim 2 wherein the frequency range includes a range between 250 Hz and 4000 Hz.

5. The workplace assembly of claim 2 wherein the step of determining when the volume of the first sound detected by the first sound sensor is below the first threshold level includes determining that the first sound within the specific frequency range is at a volume that is below the first threshold level.

6. The workplace assembly of claim 1 wherein the indicator is not observable within the first space.

7. The workplace assembly of claim 1 further including an interface for selecting sound states to indicate via the at least a first indicator.

8. The workplace assembly of claim 1 further including at least a second indicator located within the first space, the processor further programmed to perform the steps of using the sensor information from the first and second sensors to determine that a second sound is emanating from the first facility space, comparing a volume of the second sound detected by the second sound sensor to a second threshold level and determining when the volume of the second sound detected by the second sound sensor is below the second threshold level, and indicating that the second sound emanating from the first space is below the second threshold via the at least second indicator.

9. The workspace assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least a first sound sensor includes a plurality of sound sensors located within facility space outside the second space.

10. The workspace assembly of claim 1 wherein a user uses a wireless portable communication device and wherein the portable communication device includes the first indicator.

11. The workplace assembly of claim 1 further including the steps of comparing the volume of the first sound detected by the first sound sensor to a second threshold level and determining when the volume of the first sound detected by the first sound sensor is above the first threshold level and indicating that the first sound emanating from the second space is above the second threshold via the at least first indicator.

Assignees

• Steelcase Inc

Inventors

• Scheper Robert
• Warner Matthew
• Mead Karl
• Kincaid Brett
• Heidmann Kurt

Classifications

• H04R29/00

  Monitoring arrangements; Testing arrangements {(for hearing aids H04R25/30; detection of loudspeaker connection H04R5/04; sound-field adaptation dependent on speaker detection H04S7/308)} · CPC title

• G08B21/182

  Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold · CPC title

• G01H3/10

  Amplitude; Power · CPC title

• H04S7/40

  Visual indication of stereophonic sound image · CPC title

• H04R29/008

  Visual indication of individual signal levels (visual indication of stereophonic sound image H04S7/40) · CPC title