Patent Application
20240221717
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for adaptive additive sound, e.g., in shared workspaces.
Modern workspaces frequently include open floorplans with numerous desks disposed within shared spaces. In some open floorplans, low partitions are provided between adjacent desks. In other open floorplans, no partitions are provided between adjacent desks. Thus, privacy between adjacent workspaces can be limited, which can reduce productivity in some situations.
Shared workspaces can also be noisy working environments. For example, talking coworkers, nearby printers, and other noise sources can accumulate to increase the ambient noise level in the shared workspaces. Certain workers in shared workspaces can find the ambient noise level inherent in such arrangements distracting. Thus, noisy shared workspaces can be difficult for some workers and limit productivity.
Known methods for “sound masking” can provide constant, predictable background sound, and a single static sound can be played to mask other noise sources. Such static sound masking has drawbacks. For example, listener fatigue can set in after hearing the static sound for long time periods, and the static sound may be noticed by the listener as a foreign sound, which can also be distracting.
A workspace with features for reducing or masking ambient noise would be useful.
Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method for adaptive additive sound. The method includes receiving ambient sound data corresponding to ambient sound in a first zone acquired by a microphone in the first zone, analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone, generating audio signal data for the second zone based at least in part on the ambient sound data from the first zone, and transmitting the audio signal data for the second zone to a speaker in the second zone. The first zone is separate from the second zone within a space.
Aspects of the present disclosure are also directed to a system for adaptive additive sound. The system includes a first plurality of microphones distributed within a first zone. A first speaker is also positioned within the first zone. A second plurality of microphones is distributed within a second zone that is spaced from the first zone. A second speaker is also positioned within the second zone. The system also includes one or more processors and
These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles.
Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of ordinary skill in the art are set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that aspects of the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations.
As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”).
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent (10%) margin.
Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for adaptive additive sound. Using the systems and methods according to example aspects of the present subject matter can assist with dynamically adjusting additive zone sound levels, e.g., based on ambient noise in each zone. The systems and methods may receive data corresponding to ambient sound generated in each zone, analyze the ambient sound data relative to threshold sound levels, and inject composite sounds into the zones. The composite sounds may be a combination of ambient sounds from the zones with a recording of natural sounds, such as the sound of water, and masking noise. The systems and methods may thus create a background noise that is both lively for encouraging collaboration and steady state for masking.
Desks 20 and chairs 30 may be distributed within workspace 10. For instance, in
Sizing of first and second zones 12, 14 may be varied. For instance, in example embodiments, each of first and second zones 12, 14 may be no less than fifty square meters (50 m2) and no greater than five hundred square meters (500 m2), such as about two hundred and seventy-five square meters (275 m2). Moreover, first and second zones 12, 14 may be laid out in an “open office” floor plan for desks 20 and chairs 30 with various floorings, such as carpet, concrete, etc. The desks 20 and chairs 30 may also be laid out with the assumption that workers are desks 20 and chairs 30 in first and second zones 12, 14 may frequently conduct calls, such as telephone calls or video calls.
First zone 12 may be separated from second zone 14 in workspace 10. For example, first and second zones 12, 14 may correspond to discrete acoustic areas within workspace 10. Thus, e.g., users sitting at desks 20 and chairs 30 in first zone 12 may contribute significantly to the background or ambient noise at first zone 12, and, conversely, users sitting at desks 20 and chairs 30 in second zone 14 may not contribute significantly to the background or ambient noise at first zone 12 due to the spacing between first and second zones 12, 14. On the other hand, users sitting at desks 20 and chairs 30 in second zone 14 may contribute significantly to the background or ambient noise at second zone 14, and, conversely, users sitting at desks 20 and chairs 30 in first zone 12 may not contribute significantly to the background or ambient noise at second zone 14 due to the spacing between first and second zones 12, 14. As may be seen from the above, the spacing between first and second zones 12, 14 may limit the ambient sound travel between first and second zones 12, 14; however, it will be understood that ambient sound may travel between first and second zones 12, 14, e.g., due to the “open office” floor plan of workspace 10. As an example, first and second zones 12, 14 may be spaced apart by no less than one meter (1 m) and no greater than thirty meters (30 m) within workspace 10 in certain example embodiments. Such spacing between first and second zones 12, 14 may advantageously allow microphones within each of first and second zones 12, 14 to detect ambient noise in the other of first and second zones 12, 14, e.g., as the ambient noise level within the other of first and second zones 12, 14 rises. In example embodiments, first and second zones 12, 14 may be positioned adjacent each other, e.g., such without substantial partitions (such as floor-to-ceiling walls) or without any partitions between first and second zones 12, 14.
User productivity within workspace 10 may be significantly affected by ambient noise. Thus, as discussed in greater detail below, system 100 may be configured for adaptive additive sound, e.g., in order to reduce or mask the ambient noise within workspace 10. As shown in
Microphones 110 within first zone 12 may be distributed and configured to collect ambient sound at first zone 12, and transmit data corresponding to the ambient sound at first zone 12. Moreover, microphones 110 within first zone 12 may be configured to output a signal or voltage corresponding to the ambient sound at first zone 12. Speakers 120 within first zone 12 may be distributed and configured to output noise to first zone 12. For example, as discussed in greater detail below, a composite sound may be emitted by speakers 120 within first zone 12 to assist with adaptive additive sound, e.g., in order to reduce or mask the ambient noise within first zone 12.
Microphones 110 within second zone 14 may be distributed and configured to collect ambient sound at second zone 14, and transmit data corresponding to the ambient sound at second zone 14. Moreover, microphones 110 within second zone 14 may be configured to output a signal or voltage corresponding to the ambient sound at second zone 14. Speakers 120 within second zone 14 may be distributed and configured to output noise to second zone 14. For example, as discussed in greater detail below, a composite sound may be emitted by speakers 120 within second zone 14 to assist with adaptive additive sound, e.g., in order to reduce or mask the ambient noise within second zone 14.
With reference to
In certain example embodiments, controller 130 may include one or more audio amplifiers (e.g., a four-channel amplifier), e.g., with each speaker 120 powered by a channel of the audio amplifier(s) of controller 130. Controller 130 may also include one or more preamplifiers for microphones 110, e.g., with each microphone 110 associated with a respective channel of the microphone preamplifier(s) of controller 130. Controller 130 may further include one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). Controller 130 may also include one or more computing devices, such as a desktop or laptop computer for various signal processing or analysis tasks.
Controller 130 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout workspace 10, such as within a utility closet. In alternative example embodiments, controller 130 (or portions of controller 130) may be located remote from workspace 10, such as within a basement, another building, etc. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller 130 and various operational components of system 100. For example, microphones 110 and speakers 120 may be in communication with controller 130 via one or more signal lines, shared communication busses, or wirelessly.
Controller 130 may also be configured for communicating with one or more remove devices 140, such as computers or servers, via a network. In general, controller 130 may be configured for permitting interaction, data transfer, and other communications between system 100 and one or more external devices 140. For example, this communication may be used to provide and receive operating parameters, user instructions or notifications, performance characteristics, user preferences, or any other suitable information for improved performance of system 100. In addition, it should be appreciated that controller 130 may transfer data or other information to improve performance of one or more external devices 140 and/or improve user interaction with such devices 140.
In example embodiments, remote device 140 may be a remote server in communication with system 100 through a network. In this regard, for example, the remote server 140 may be a cloud-based server, and is thus located at a distant location, such as in a separate city, state, country, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, controller 130 may communicate with the remote server 140 over the network, such as the Internet, to transmit/receive data or information, provide user information, receive notifications or instructions, interact with or control system 100, etc.
In general, communication between controller 130, external device 140, and/or other devices may be carried using any type of wired or wireless connection and using any suitable type of communication network, non-limiting examples of which are provided below. For example, external device 140 may be in direct or indirect communication with system 100 through any suitable wired or wireless communication connections or interfaces, such as a network. For example, the network may include one or more of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a personal area network (PAN), the Internet, a cellular network, any other suitable short- or long-range wireless networks, etc. In addition, communications may be transmitted using any suitable communications devices or protocols, such as via Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, wireless radio, laser, infrared, Ethernet type devices and interfaces, etc. In addition, such communication may use a variety of communication protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g., HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g., VPN, secure HTTP, SSL).
Turning now to
As shown in
At 220, the ambient sound data corresponding to ambient sound in first zone 12 from 210 may be analyzed. Similarly, at 222, the ambient sound data corresponding to ambient sound in second zone 14 from 212 may be analyzed. It will be understood that method 200 may also include similar steps for analyzing ambient sound data from microphones 110 in other zones of workspace 10. The analysis performed at 220, 222 will be described in greater detail below in the context of method 300 in
At 230, the audio signal data for the first zone 12 may be transmitted to and played on speakers 120 in the first zone 12. Similarly, at 232, the audio signal data for the second zone 14 may be transmitted to and played on speakers 120 in the second zone 14. Thus, e.g., speakers 120 within zones in workspace 10 may play respective composite sounds to assist with adjusting the ambient or background noise in the zones of workspace 10. The composite sounds may advantageously mask distractions and thereby increase productivity within workspace 10.
Turning now to
At 310, ambient sound data corresponding to ambient sound in first zone 12 may be acquired by microphones 110 in first zone 12. Thus, e.g., microphones 110 in first zone 12 may record and output the ambient sound data corresponding to ambient sound in first zone 12 at 310. As an example, controller 130 may receive analog signals from microphones 110 in first zone 12 at 310, and controller 130 may include an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signals from microphones 110 in first zone 12 to digital signals. The ambient sound data at 310 may include sounds from various sources in the first zone 12, such as people in the first zone 12 (e.g., talking, moving, typing, etc.), HVAC noise, and other background noises. The first zone 12 may be selected for various parameters that provide suitable background noise, such as ceiling height, ceiling type, floor type, space finishes, number of workers, type of workers, number of adjacent doors, types of adjacent spaces (such as kitchens, reception areas, etc.), and other factors. In certain example embodiments, the first zone 12 may be selected such that an average background noise in first zone is about forty decibels (40 dB).
At 320, the ambient sound data from 310 may be analyzed. For instance, the ambient sound data from 310 may be analyzed in order to determine a spectral balance of the ambient sound of the first zone 12 in a plurality of octave bands. It will be understood that the term “octave band” is used broadly herein to describe a frequency band. In example embodiments, each octave band may span one octave or a fraction of an octave. At 320, the level or intensity of the ambient sound of the first zone 12 from 310 may be determined for each octave in the octave band at 320. Thus, method 300 may include calculating a spectral balance and overall level of incoming microphone signals at 320. As a particular example, at 320, method 300 may filter the ambient sound data from 310 by octave band and average the level or intensity in each octave band over a rolling window, such as about one second.
At 320, the ambient sound data from 310 may also be compared to target values. For instance, the spectral balance of the ambient sound of the first zone 12 in each of the plurality of octave bands may be compared to respective target values. Moreover, differences between the target values and the spectral balance of the ambient sound of the first zone 12 in the plurality of octave bands may be calculated. An overall sound level for the second zone 14 may thus be offset depending on the noise level in the first zone 12 and may also be bounded by workspace minimum/maximum levels, such as between about forty-one decibels (41 dB) and about forty-nine decibels (49 dB), which may correspond to minimum and maximum background noise requirements for the workspace 10.
At 330, a delay may be applied to the ambient sound data from 310. Thus, e.g., a delay effect may be added to the ambient sound data acquired by the microphones 110 in first zone 12. For instance, the delay may be configured as a studio delay, such that the ambient sound data from 310 is reintroduced at diminishing levels or intensity until the ambient sound data is reduced to nothing or zero. The duration of the delay may be varied, such as no less than five seconds (5 s) and no greater than fifteen seconds (15 s). As described in greater detail below, the delayed ambient sound data for the first zone 12 generated at 330 may be used as part of a composite sound for the second zone 14. Utilizing the delayed ambient sound data for the first zone 12 from 330 (e.g., rather than undelayed ambient sound data from 310) as part of the composite sound for the second zone 14 may limit or prevent a listener in the second zone 14 from simultaneously or closely hearing both the actual ambient noise from the first zone 12 and the reproduced ambient noise from the first zone 12 over speakers 120 in the second zone 14 as part of the composite sound.
At 340, natural noise data corresponding to natural sounds may be generated. As an example, controller 130 may generate or retrieve an audio file of a natural sound at 340. The natural noise data may include a suitable one or more natural noise sounds, such as e.g., a waterfall sound, a stream sound, a wind sound, a wave sound, movement of another fluid in nature, and/or other natural sounds. As described in greater detail below, the natural noise data generated at 340 may be used as part of the composite sound for the second zone 14. The natural noise data may advantageously provide acoustically interesting sounds for the composite sound at the second zone 14.
At 350, pink noise data for the second zone 14 corresponding to pink noise may be generated. In general, the term “pink noise” may refer to a signal with a frequency spectrum having a power spectral density that is inversely proportional to the frequency of the signal. Thus, each octave interval may carry an equal amount of noise energy in the pink noise. As an example, the pink noise data for the second zone 14 may be generated at 350 such that a spectral balance of the pink noise in the plurality of octave bands is correlated (e.g., matched) to the spectral balance of the ambient sound of the first zone 12 in the plurality of octave bands. For instance, uncorrelated pink noise data may be generated, and the uncorrelated pink noise data may be filtered such that the spectral balance of the pink noise in the plurality of octave bands is correlated (e.g., matched) to the spectral balance of the ambient sound of the first zone 12 from 310, e.g., as determined at 320 during the analysis of the ambient sound data from 310. Thus, the pink noise data for the second zone 14 may be advantageously correlated or matched to the ambient sound of the first zone 12 to assist with provide acoustically matched sounds for the composite sound at the second zone 14. The pink noise data may advantageously provide a masking noise for the composite sound at the second zone 14.
At 360, audio signal data for the second zone 14 may be generated. For example, the audio signal data for the second zone 14 may be generated based at least in part on the delayed ambient sound data for the first zone 12 from 330, the natural noise data generated at 340, and the pink noise data for the second zone 14 generated at 350. As a particular example, at 360, the delayed ambient sound data for the first zone 12 from 330, the natural noise data generated at 340, and the pink noise data for the second zone 14 generated at 350 may all be convolved to generate the ambient sound data for the second zone 14 at 360. The convolving may include applying reverberation to the composite sound data from the delayed ambient sound data for the first zone 12 from 330, the natural noise data generated at 340, and the pink noise data for the second zone 14 generated at 350. The reverberation may advantageously provide a “washy” sound.
In example embodiment, the audio signal data for the second zone 14 may be generated such that the audio signal data for the second zone 14 is less than and/or optimized for acceptable workplace noise levels, such as between about forty-one decibels (41 dB) and about forty-nine decibels (49 dB). Thus, e.g., the audio signal data for the second zone 14 may be limited despite increasing noise within first zone 12. Moreover, if ambient sound in the first zone 12 exceeds the acceptable workplace noise levels, method 300 may limit the audio signal data for the second zone 14 to avoid generating unacceptable noise in the second zone 14.
At 370, the audio signal data for the second zone 14 from 360 may be transmitted to speakers 120 in the second zone 14. Moreover, the audio signal data for the second zone 14 from 360 may be played on the speakers 120 in the second zone 14. The composite sound data that includes the delayed ambient sound data for the first zone 12 from 330, the natural noise data generated at 340, and the pink noise data for the second zone 14 generated at 350 may advantageously provide background noise for the second zone 14 that is both lively for encouraging collaboration and steady state for masking.
As may be seen from the above, the present subject matter may advantageously provide dynamic, adaptive soundscaping for an open office area. For example, when workspace 10 is laid out for a mix of focus work and video calls, system 100 may create a sonic environment that masks distracting chatter without contributing to distraction. To mask speech, the composite sound may include the pink noise for speech frequency spectrum masking. To mask speech and unwanted noise, the delayed ambient noise from another zone may overcome the irrelevant speech effect, which frequently reduces the efficacy of conventional sound masking. To mask unwanted noise, the natural sound may also provide additional masking and/or engender biophilic affinity. Thus, the adaptive acoustics system may dynamically adjust additive zone sound levels based on the amount of current ambient noise in a space. Moreover, the system may capture ambient sound from another space, analyzes the sound level against acoustic guidelines, and then inject a composite sound to assist with limiting acoustic distractions in the target space. The composite sound may adjust the ambient noise to be both lively enough to maintain speech privacy and steady state enough to decrease conversational distractions.
While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
First example embodiment: A method for adaptive additive sound, comprising: receiving ambient sound data corresponding to ambient sound in a first zone acquired by a microphone in the first zone; analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone; generating audio signal data for the second zone based at least in part on the ambient sound data from the first zone; and transmitting the audio signal data for the second zone to a speaker in the second zone, wherein the first zone is separate from the second zone within a space.
Second example embodiment: The method of the first example embodiment, wherein receiving the ambient sound data corresponding to the ambient sound in the first zone comprises receiving the ambient sound data corresponding to the ambient sound in the first zone acquired by a plurality of microphones in the first zone.
Third example embodiment: The method of either the first example embodiment or the second example embodiment, wherein: analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone comprises analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone in order to determine a spectral balance of the ambient sound of the first zone in a plurality of octave bands; the method further comprises generating pink noise data for the second zone corresponding to pink noise such that a spectral balance of the pink noise in the plurality of octave bands is correlated to the spectral balance of the ambient sound of the first zone in the plurality of octave bands; and the audio signal data for the second zone comprises delayed ambient sound data from the first zone, the pink noise data for the second zone, and natural noise data corresponding to natural sounds.
Fourth example embodiment: The method of the third example embodiment, wherein analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone comprises analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone in order to determine the respective spectral balance of the ambient sound from the first zone in the plurality of octave bands for each of a plurality of microphones in the first zone.
Fifth example embodiment: The method of either of the third example embodiment or the fourth example embodiment, wherein generating the pink noise data for the second zone comprises generating the pink noise data for the second zone such that the spectral balance of the pink noise in the plurality of octave bands is correlated to the spectral balance of the ambient sound in the plurality of octave bands for each of the plurality of microphones in the first zone.
Sixth example embodiment: The method of any one of the third through fifth example embodiments, wherein analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone comprises averaging a level of the ambient sound data from the first zone over an interval.
Seventh example embodiment: The method of any one of the third through sixth example embodiments, wherein generating the pink noise data for the second zone comprises generating the pink noise data for the second zone such that a level of the pink noise in each of the plurality of octave bands over the interval is correlated to the level of the ambient sound in each of the plurality of octave bands over the interval.
Eighth example embodiment: The method of any one of the third through seventh example embodiments, wherein the natural noise data comprises one or more of a waterfall sound, a stream sound, a wind sound, and a wave sound.
Ninth example embodiment: The method of any one of the third through eight example embodiments, further comprising generating the audio signal data for the second zone by convolving the delayed ambient sound data from the first zone, the pink noise data for the second zone, and the natural noise data.
Tenth example embodiment: The method of any one of the third through ninth example embodiments, wherein convolving the delayed ambient sound data from the first zone, the pink noise data for the second zone, and the natural noise data comprises applying reverberation.
Eleventh example embodiment: The method of any one of the first through tenth example embodiments, further comprising playing the audio signal data for the second zone on the speaker in the second zone in order to adjust the ambient sound in the second zone.
Twelfth example embodiment: The method of any one of the first through eleventh example embodiments, wherein: the first zone is disposed at a first plurality of desks; the second zone is disposed at a second plurality of desks; and the first plurality of desks is spaced from the second plurality of desks.
Thirteenth example embodiment: A system for adaptive additive sound, comprising: a first plurality of microphones distributed within a first zone; a first speaker positioned within the first zone; a second plurality of microphones distributed within a second zone that is spaced from the first zone; a second speaker positioned within the second zone; one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media that store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing system to perform operations, the operations comprising receiving ambient sound data corresponding to ambient sound in the first zone from the first plurality of microphones, analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone, generating audio signal data for the second zone based at least in part on the ambient sound data from the first zone, and transmitting the audio signal data for the second zone to the second speaker.
Fourteenth example embodiment: The system of the thirteenth example embodiment, wherein: analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone comprises analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone in order to determine a spectral balance of the ambient sound of the first zone in a plurality of octave bands; the method further comprises generating pink noise data for the second zone corresponding to pink noise such that a spectral balance of the pink noise in the plurality of octave bands is correlated to the spectral balance of the ambient sound of the first zone in the plurality of octave bands; and the audio signal data for the second zone comprises delayed ambient sound data from the first zone, the pink noise data for the second zone, and natural noise data corresponding to natural sounds.
Fifteenth example embodiment: The system of the fourteenth example embodiment, wherein analyzing the ambient sound data from the first zone comprises averaging a level of the ambient sound data from the first zone over an interval.
Sixteenth example embodiment: The system of either of the fourteenth example embodiment or the fifteenth example embodiment, wherein generating the pink noise data for the second zone comprises generating the pink noise data for the second zone such that a level of the pink noise in each of the plurality of octave bands over the interval is correlated to the level of the ambient sound in each of the plurality of octave bands over the interval.
Seventeenth example embodiment: The system of any one of the fourteenth through sixteenth example embodiments, wherein the natural noise data comprises one or more of a waterfall sound, a stream sound, a wind sound, and a wave sound.
Eighteenth example embodiment: The system of any one of the fourteenth through seventeenth example embodiments, wherein the operations further comprise generating the audio signal data for the second zone by convolving the delayed ambient sound data from the first zone, the pink noise data for the second zone, and the natural noise data.
Nineteenth example embodiment: The system of any one of the fourteenth through eighteenth example embodiments, wherein convolving the delayed ambient sound data for the second zone, the pink noise data for the second zone, and the natural noise data comprises applying reverberation.
Twentieth example embodiment: The system of any one of the thirteenth through eighteenth example embodiments, wherein the operations further comprise playing the audio signal data for the second zone on the speaker in the second zone in order to adjust the ambient sound in the second zone.
