Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is an acoustic technology that relies on the measurement of extraneous noise and creating a control signal that can cancel the extraneous noise at a particular point in space. These systems though complex are well understood and widely applied.
For example U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/952,250 filed Dec. 7, 2008 discloses an electronic pillow that can abate the sounds of snoring. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,996 that integrates ANC into the headboard of a bed.
In spite of theses developments there is a continuing need to develop devices with larger “sweet spots” for noise cancelation and improved comfort for users.
In contrast to prior art designs the device of the invention incorporates both active ANC technology as well as passive sound absorption technologies that are applied to a unique “pillow” geometry. Together all of these disparate elements provide wide band noise suppression and cancelation in a portable unit that can be used in either a hospital or home setting. In general the active quiet pillow device will be used with a conventional bed. The user will lie down supine with the users head cradled in the active quiet pillow device. The device incorporates a soft comfortable foam liner covering the interior surfaces. The device contains several active speaker components under the foam that cooperate with an ANC controller to cancel sound at the users ears. The soft cushion material or “foam” supports the head with comfort and acts to attenuate noise as well. The active components are largely placed under the foam in experimentally determined locations that greatly improve the observed performance in contrast to prior devices.
Throughout the figures of the drawing, like reference numerals indicate identical structure wherein:
The interior volume is large enough to carry a subwoofer active speaker 42 which is coupled to the ANC controller 32 output directly below the user's head, and two mid-range active speakers 34 and 46 located proximate the user's ears on the two inclined side walls. Typically the ANC control module 32 and associated wiring will be positioned within this volume 44 as well however remote location is acceptable, for example the controller may be attached to the bed 40. It is anticipated that the controller and its associated audio amplifiers will be line powered and a cord and switch will be found on the exterior surface, although not all of the wiring is shown to simplify the figures and improve clarity.
An active subwoofer speaker 42 is positioned proximate the back of the user's head in the lower bottom wall of the acoustic volume. Separate first and second mid range speakers typified by speaker 34 and 46 are located in the side walls proximate the user's ears. One or more error microphones 30 maybe mounted proximate the ears as well as typified in the figure by microphone 30 and 31. The ANC controller 32 may be mounted in either the acoustic volume or exterior of the acoustic volume. A remote reference microphone designated 26 in the figure is coupled to he ANC controller. Wires 48 connect the ANC controller 32 to the various speakers and microphones. In use the ambient noise is sampled and the speakers driven to cancel the ambient sound as measured near the user's ears by microphones 30 and 31. In use the ANC system is used actively suppress noise have a characteristic frequency below about 400 Hz. Attenuation above 400 Hz is managed with the acoustic foam liner and interior geometry of the device. Together this active and passive system provides a quiet environment at the ears of the user.
The present case is the utility conversion of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/696,484 filed Sep. 4, 2012, entitled “Active Quiet Pillow” which incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61696484 | Sep 2012 | US |