WO2017049337A1

WO2017049337A1 - Improvements in ambient sound management within built structures

Info

Publication number: WO2017049337A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/000330
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew Ross DARLING
Original assignee: Darling Matthew Ross
Priority date: 2015-09-26
Filing date: 2016-09-26
Publication date: 2017-03-30

Abstract

A method of sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said method comprising reducing or eliminating the ambient sound as it travels through the barrier element by applying a signal to the barrier element.

Description

Improvements in ambient sound management within built structures.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to improvements in ambient sound management and, more particularly, although not exclusively, to sound management in open spaces partitioned from other spaces.

BACKGROUND

[0002] the management of sound in urban environments has assumed greater and greater importance as populations have grown and living densities have increased. In addition the expectations of the populace that they may be able to work and live in a relatively quiet

environment has increased as well.

[0003] There are a number of patents assigned to Adaptive Sound Technologies which are directed at this issue. For example US 20120057716 discloses a technique for "quiet zone generation "by utilisation of acoustic/audio signals for mitigation of selected noise or interferences over limited areas in free space by injecting the very acoustic noise, interference or audio feedback signals thereby generating quiet zones dynamically. This application teaches the use of acoustic transducers in the form of, effectively, loudspeakers for generating mitigating acoustic signals.

[0004] W02012012452 assigned to Athanas Acoustic Devices LLC also discloses utilisation of an "active noise cancellation device "in the form of one or more directional loudspeakers working in conjunction with directional microphones to create "open air active noise cancellation systems ".

[0005] US 20100124336 assigned to Harman International industries describes an active noise control system for generating an antinoise signal to drive a speaker to produce sound waves to destructively interfere with an undesired sound in a targeted space.

[0006] These techniques are relatively complex relying on multiple components. In addition it is observed that these techniques often create pockets of controlled ambient sound interspersed with regions in a space where the sound is not controlled.

[0007] In alternative forms it would be advantageous if natural sound deadening properties of barriers defining spaces could be enhanced and preferably selectively enhanced to improve the sound characteristics of the whole defined space. [0008] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Notes

[0009] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of.

[00010] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[00011] Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said method comprising sensing ambient sound to reduce or eliminate the ambient sound as it travels through a barrier by applying a signal to the barrier.

[00012] Preferably the signal is produced by generating counter-frequencies or alternate non- audible frequencies and applying them to the barrier thereby to disrupt the vibrations of the barrier that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier to the other.

[00013] Preferably the counter-frequencies, anti-phase frequencies or alternate inaudible frequencies to vibrations derived from the ambient sound are calculated by sensing and processing the ambient sound and are then applied as a cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby causing the barrier element to vibrate such that audible sound space transmitted through the barrier is reduced or eliminated. [00014] In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a system for sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said system sensing ambient sound in order to reduce or eliminate the ambient sound as it travels through the banier element by applying a signal derived from the ambient sound to the barrier element.

[00015] Preferably the signal is produced by generating counter-frequencies or alternate non- audible frequencies and applying them to the barrier thereby to disrupt the vibrations of the barrier that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier to the other.

[00016] Preferably the counter- frequencies, anti-phase frequencies or alternate inaudible frequencies to vibrations derived from the ambient sound are calculated by sensing and processing the ambient sound and are then applied as a cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby causing the barrier element to vibrate such that audible sound space transmitted through the barrier is reduced or eliminated.

[00017] Preferably the system also tests and tunes frequency output to particular banier characteristics in order to optimise performance and prevent potentially harmful resonations that could damage the banier.

[00018] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said method comprising sensing ambient sound to produce an ambient sound signal; processing the ambient sound signal to generate a cancellation signal; applying the cancellation signal to the banier element thereby to cause the banier element to vibrate such that sound in the space is managed.

[00019] Preferably the barrier element is a window pane.

[00020] Preferably the barrier element is comprised of glass.

[00021 ] Preferably the barrier element is comprised of a plastics material.

[00022] In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of sound

management of a space comprising utilising a barrier element which defines at least a part of the space as a diaphragm of an acoustic transducer. 16 000330

4

[00023] Preferably the diaphragm is caused to vibrate such that at least some unwanted sound within the space is damped.

[00024] Preferably at least some of the unwanted sound derives from a source on the opposite side of the barrier element to the space.

[00025] Preferably management comprises sensing at least first and second components of sound within the space; defining and redefining the components such that the first component represents wanted sound and the second component represents unwanted sound; management further comprising causing the barrier element to vibrate such that the second component is damped within the space whilst the first component is not damped.

[00026] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said method comprising reducing the ambient sound as it travels through the barrier element by applying a signal to the barrier element.

[00027] Preferably the signal is produced by generating counter-frequencies, applying them to the barrier element thereby disrupting the vibrations of the barrier element that allow the

transmission of sound from one side of the barrier element to the other.

[00028] Preferably the signal is produced by generating anti-phase frequencies and applying them to the barrier element thereby disrupting the vibrations of the barrier element that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier element to the other.

[00029] Preferably the signal is produced by generating non-audible frequencies and applying them to the barrier element thereby disrupting the vibrations of the barrier element that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier element to the other.

[00030] Preferably one or more of the counter-frequencies, anti-phase frequencies or alternate inaudible frequencies to vibrations derived from the ambient sound are calculated by sensing and processing the ambient sound and are then applied as a cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby causing the barrier element to vibrate such that audible sound space transmitted through the T/AU2016/000330

5 barrier is reduced.

[00031 ] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention there is provided a system for sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said system sensing ambient sound in order to reduce the ambient sound as it travels through the barrier element by applying a signal derived from the ambient sound to the barrier element.

[00032] Preferably the signal is produced by generating counter-frequencies and applying them to the barrier thereby to disrupt the vibrations of the barrier that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier to the other.

[00033] Preferably the signal is produced by generating anti-phase frequencies and applying them to the barrier thereby to disrupt the vibrations of the barrier that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier to the other.

[00034] Preferably the signal is produced by generating non-audible frequencies and applying them to the barrier thereby to disrupt the vibrations of the barrier that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier to the other.

[00035] Preferably one or more of the counter-frequencies, anti-phase frequencies or alternate inaudible frequencies to vibrations derived from the ambient sound are calculated by sensing and processing the ambient sound and are then applied as a cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby causing the barrier element to vibrate such that audible sound space transmitted through the barrier is reduced or eliminated.

[00036] Preferably the system also tests and tunes frequency output to particular barrier characteristics in order to optimise performance and prevent potentially harmful resonations that could damage the barrier.

[00037] Preferably a communication signal is provided by a controller which drives an audible signal into the barrier for on-propagation into the space.

[00038] Preferably the communication signal is a verbal announcement. T/AU2016/000330

[00039] Preferably the communication signal is music.

[00040] Preferably a composite signal is injected into the barrier whereby the barrier functions both as an enhanced sound deadening device and also as a form of "loudspeaker" for dissemination of audible information to people within the space where the sound is to be controlled.

[00041] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said method comprising sensing ambient sound to produce an ambient sound signal; processing the ambient sound signal to generate a cancellation signal; applying the cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby to cause the barrier element to vibrate such that sound in the space is modified.

[00042] Preferably the barrier element is a window pane.

[00043] Preferably the barrier element is comprised of glass.

[00044] Preferably the barrier element is comprised of a plastics material.

[00045] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of sound management of a space comprising utilising a barrier element which defines at least a part of the space as a diaphragm of an acoustic transducer.

[00046] Preferably the diaphragm is caused to vibrate such that at least some unwanted sound within the space is damped.

[00047] Preferably at least some of the unwanted sound derives from a source on the opposite side of the barrier element to the space.

[00048] Preferably management comprises sensing at least first and second components of sound within the space; defining and redefining the components such that the first component represents wanted sound and the second component represents unwanted sound; management further comprising causing the barrier element to vibrate such that the second component is damped within the space whilst the first component is not damped. 00330

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00049] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[00050] Figure 1 graphically illustrates an environment applicable to embodiments of the present invention,

[00051 ] Figure 2 graphically illustrates a generalised application of the technique of an embodiment of the present invention,

[00052] Figure 3 diagrammatically illustrates an adaptive technique applied to the embodiment of figure 2,

[00053] Figure 4 is a block diagram of components forming an apparatus for application of the method of embodiments of the present invention

[00054] Figure 5 illustrates an application of the apparatus of figure 4 and

[000 5] Figure 6 is a second example of an application of an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[00056] Figure 1 graphically illustrates an environment applicable to embodiments of the present invention,

[00057] A typical scenario involves an ambient sound 100 generated by a point source or otherwise impinging on an element 101 which may, for example, be a barrier element made of glass or plastics material. The barrier element 101 defines a space 103 on the far side of glass from the ambient sound 100 but in which sound waves 102 will be heard arising from vibration of the element 101 caused by the ambient sound 100. [00058] Figure 2 graphically illustrates a generalised application of the technique of an embodiment of the present invention,

[00059] In this instance like components are numbered as for those of figure 1 except in the 200 series.

[00060] In this instance control apparatus 200 and 104 is affixed to barrier or element 201. The barrier 201 is caused to vibrate by the ambient sound 200 but a cancelling vibration is applied to the element 201 by control apparatus 204 such that the waves 102 become damped waves 203 thereby managing sound experienced within space 103.

[00061] Figure 3 diagrammatically illustrates an adaptive technique applied to the embodiment of figure 2,

[00062] Again, like components are numbered as for those of figure 1 except in the 300 series.

[00063] In this instance the control apparatus 304 senses a change in vibration of the element 301 arising from a change in the ambient sound 300 impinging on the element 301 and thereby varies the vibration it induces in element 301 in order to continue to damped the consequent sound waves flowing into space 103 in the form of reduced sound waves 303.

[00064] Figure 4 is a block diagram of components forming an apparatus 404 for application of the method of embodiments of the present invention

[00065] In this instance the apparatus 404 comprises a controller 402 powered by power source 400 and receiving ambient sound infomiation from sent source 401. The ambient sound infomiation he said as a signal to controller 402 which processes the signals in order to drive oscillator 403 to produce a cancelling oscillation which is applied mechanically to element 101, 201, 301 thereby to produce a reduced or damped soundwave 203, 303 as illustrated in previous figures.

[00066] Figure 5 illustrates an application of the apparatus of figure 4 where components are numbered as for those of figure 4 except in the 500 series. [00067] Finally figure 6 provides an "real world" scenario where the barrier element 101 may comprise a substantially planar class barrier interposed between a noise source in this instance in the form of truck 601 and space 610. In this instance apparatus 404 is affixed mechanically to a portion of the element 101 as illustrated thereby to utilise the element 101 in effect as a diaphragm for an acoustic speaker and use vibrations are controlled by the actions of control 404 thereby to manage the acoustic environment 610. More particularly in the present instance, the controller 404 separates the sound it senses into at least a first component and a second component. The first component can be, for example, what might be termed general background noise. The second component, in this instance, comprises polluting noise in the form of sound emanating from the vehicle 601. In preferred forms the controller defines and redefines the cut-off as between the background noise and the polluting noise-that is to say as between the first component and the second component thereby to finally define the first component and second component. The process of 404 then causes element 101 to vibrate mechanically so as to substantially damp the second component in element 101 thereby to substantially damp transmission of the second component into the controlled space 610.

Further embodiment.

[00068] With reference to the previous figures 1 to 6 and corresponding description it will also be understood that the controller is driving a signal into the barrier so that it vibrates in a way which enhances its properties of sound dampening. Most mechanical barrier elements will dampen sound waves seeking to pass from one side of the barrier to the other. In this instance embodiments of the invention cause oscillations or vibrations in the barrier in order to selectively enhance the dampening.

[00069] In summary there is disclosed a method of sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; the method comprising sensing ambient sound to reduce or eliminate the sound as it travels through a barrier. This effect may be achieved by generating counter- frequencies or alternate non-audible frequencies that disrupt the vibrations of the barrier that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier to the other. Counter-frequencies, anti-phase frequencies or alternate inaudible frequencies to vibrations caused by ambient sound are calculated by sensing and processing the ambient sound and applying the cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby causing the barrier element to vibrate such that audible sound space transmitted through the barrier is reduced or eliminated. The system also tests and tunes frequency output to particular barriers characteristics to optimise performance and prevent potentially harmful resonations that could damage the barrier.

[00070] In a related embodiment the controller may drive an audible signal into the barrier for propagation into the space. In some forms the signal may be a verbal announcement. In other forms it may be music. In this arrangement the barrier functions both as an enhanced sound deadening device and also as a form of "loudspeaker" for dissemination of audible information to people within the space where the sound is to be controlled.

[00071 j The device may be retrofitted or it may be made integral to the barrier or the frame around the barrier/ glass.

[00072] With further reference to Figure 6 an implementation of this further embodiment is illustrated diagrammatical ly and comprises, in this instance, a transducer 404 comprises an oscillator 403 in this instance in the form of a solenoid whose movable core 403A is mechanically linked to the barrier element 401 via flexible linkage 403 B. The solenoid is driven by input output driver circuitry 412 which in turn is driven by processor 413 executing instructions 414 residing in memory 415. The instructions 414 process signal input 416 received from sensor 41 1 which in this instance also comprises a solenoid with a movable core acting as a diaphragm. In an alternative form a piezo electric sensor may be utilised to perform the function of generating signal 416 for input to processor 413. The assembly thus described acts to perform the function of the controller 402.

[00073] The graphs in Figure 6 illustrate the frequency domain situation for a scenario where only a single frequency Fl of amplitude Al impinges upon the barrier. In this instance the transducer 404 applies the same single frequency Fl but of amplitude minus Al to the barrier 101 thereby to substantially cancel the single frequency Fl as it passes through the barrier 101. At the same time the transducer 404 can inject an additional frequency of F2 of amplitude B 1 into the barrier for on-transmission into the space.

[00074] In a more complex scenario multiple frequencies Fl would comprise the incoming sound and require multiple corresponding negative amplitude frequencies for the purposes of substantial cancellation. Similarly the additional frequency F2 can comprise multiple frequencies thereby to communicate a voice signal or a music signal. [00075] In an alternative scenario the microprocessor 413 may be replaced by a digital signal processor (DSP) device in order to more efficiently model the required frequencies and drive the transducer 404 in the frequency domain.

[00076] The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said method comprising reducing or eliminating the ambient sound as it travels through the barrier element by applying a signal to the barrier element.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal is produced by generating counter-frequencies, anti-phase frequencies or alternate non-audible frequencies and applying them to the barrier element thereby disrupting the vibrations of the barrier element that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier element to the other.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the counter- frequencies, anti -phase frequencies or alternate inaudible frequencies to vibrations derived from the ambient sound are calculated by sensing and processing the ambient sound and are then applied as a cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby causing the barrier element to vibrate such that audible sound space transmitted through the barrier is reduced or eliminated.

4. A system for sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said system sensing ambient sound in order to reduce or eliminate the ambient sound as it travels through the barrier element by applying a signal derived from the ambient sound to the barrier element.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the signal is produced by generating counter-frequencies or alternate non-audible frequencies and applying them to the barrier thereby to disrupt the vibrations of the barrier that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier to the other.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the counter-frequencies, anti-phase frequencies or alternate inaudible frequencies to vibrations derived from the ambient sound are calculated by sensing and processing the ambient sound and are then applied as a cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby causing the barrier clement to vibrate such that audible sound space transmitted through the barrier is reduced or eliminated.

7. The system of any one of claims 4 to 6 which also tests and tunes frequency output to particular barrier characteristics in order to optimise performance and prevent potentially harmful resonations that could damage the barrier.

8. The system of any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the controller may drive an audible signal into the barrier for propagation into the space.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the signal is a verbal announcement.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the signal is music.

1 1. The system of any one of claims 4 to 10 wherein a signal is injected into the barrier whereby the barrier functions both as an enhanced sound deadening device and also as a form of "loudspeaker" for dissemination of audible information to people within the space where the sound is to be controlled.

12. A method of sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said method comprising sensing ambient sound to produce an ambient sound signal; processing the ambient sound signal to generate a cancellation signal; applying the cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby to cause the barrier element to vibrate such that sound in the space is managed.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the barrier element is a window pane.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the barrier element is comprised of glass.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the barrier element is comprised of a plastics material.

16. A method of sound management of a space comprising utilising a barrier element which defines at least a part of the space as a diaphragm of an acoustic transducer.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the diaphragm is caused to vibrate such that at least some unwanted sound within the space is damped.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17 wherein at least some of the unwanted sound derives from a source on the opposite side of the barrier element to the space.

19. The method of any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein management comprises sensing at least first and second components of sound within the space; defining and redefining the components such that the first component represents wanted sound and the second component represents unwanted sound; management further comprising causing the barrier element to vibrate such that the second component is damped within the space whilst the first component is not damped.

20. A method of sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said method comprising reducing the ambient sound as it travels through the barrier element by applying a signal to the barrier element.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the signal is produced by generating counter-frequencies, applying them to the barrier element thereby disrupting the vibrations of the barrier element that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier element to the other.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the signal is produced by generating anti-phase frequencies and applying them to the barrier element thereby disrupting the vibrations of the barrier element that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier element to the other.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the signal is produced by generating non-audible frequencies and applying them to the barrier element thereby disrupting the vibrations of the barrier element that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier element to the other.

24. The method of any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein one or more of the counter-frequencies, anti-phase frequencies or alternate inaudible frequencies to vibrations derived from the ambient sound are calculated by sensing and processing the ambient sound and are then applied as a cancellation signal to the banier element thereby causing the barrier element to vibrate such that audible sound space transmitted through the barrier is reduced.

25. A system for sound management of a space which is defined by at least one banier element; said system sensing ambient sound in order to reduce the ambient sound as it travels through the banier element by applying a signal derived from the ambient sound to the barrier element.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the signal is produced by generating counter-frequencies and applying them to the banier thereby to disrupt the vibrations of the barrier that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier to the other.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the signal is produced by generating anti-phase frequencies and applying them to the banier thereby to disrupt the vibrations of the banier that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the banier to the other.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein the signal is produced by generating non-audible frequencies and applying them to the banier thereby to disrupt the vibrations of the banier that allow the transmission of sound from one side of the barrier to the other.

29. The system of any one of claims 25 to 28 wherein one or more of the counter-frequencies, anti-phase frequencies or alternate inaudible frequencies to vibrations derived from the ambient sound are calculated by sensing and processing the ambient sound and are then applied as a cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby causing the bamer element to vibrate such that audible sound space transmitted through the barrier is reduced or eliminated.

30. The system of any one of claims 25 to 29 which also tests and tunes frequency output to particular banier characteristics in order to optimise performance and prevent potentially harmful resonations that could damage the barrier.

31. The system of any one of claims 25 to 30 wherein a communication signal is provided by a controller which drives an audible signal into the barrier for on-propagation into the space.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the communication signal is a verbal announcement.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein the communication signal is music.

34. The system of any one of claims 25 to 33 wherein a composite signal is injected into the banier whereby the banier functions both as an enhanced sound deadening device and also as a form of "loudspeaker" for dissemination of audible information to people within the space where the sound is to be controlled.

35. A method of sound management of a space which is defined by at least one barrier element; said method comprising sensing ambient sound to produce an ambient sound signal; processing the ambient sound signal to generate a cancellation signal; applying the cancellation signal to the barrier element thereby to cause the barrier element to vibrate such that sound in the space is modified.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the barrier element is a window pane.

37. The method of claim 35 wherein the banier element is comprised of glass.

38. The method of claim 35 wherein the barrier element is comprised of a plastics material.

39. A method of sound management of a space comprising utilising a barrier element which defines at least a part of the space as a diaphragm of an acoustic transducer.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the diaphragm is caused to vibrate such that at least some unwanted sound within the space is damped.

41. The method of claim 39 or 40 wherein at least some of the unwanted sound derives from a source on the opposite side of the barrier element to the space.

42. The method of any one of claims 20 to 24 or 35 to 41 wherein management comprises sensing at least first and second components of sound within the space; defining and redefining the components such that the first component represents wanted sound and the second component represents unwanted sound; management further comprising causing the banier element to vibrate such that the second component is damped within the space whilst the first component is not damped.