US4010324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Background noisemasking system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-04-12
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Granted: 1977-03-01
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Expires: 1996-04-12
Abstract
Abstract Noisemasking speakers are positioned in an array to direct noise into a space which is to be used by a number of people so that individual privacy is assured. The array is divided into four or more sets of speakers. The single noise source is equalized, and the same equalized noise is fed to the four speaker sets through time-delay devices so that the noise from each set has low correlation with each of the other sets.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Jarvis
- 👤 Ludwig W. Sepmeyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R27/00; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/16; G10K11/175; G10K11/1752
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for noisemasking having a noise generation and masking system comprising of: a single noise generator for producing random noise; a single equalizer connected to the output of said noise generator for producing electronic noise signals equivalent to equalized non-delayed audio noise in a first channel; and means connected to said first channel for receiving the equalized audio noise electronic signal and for introducing a first time delay therein to produce a second channel and for introducing a second time delay therein for producing a third channel of equalized audio noise electronic signals, each channel driving selected speakers of an array.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for noisemasking having a noise generation and masking system comprising of: a single noise generator for producing random noise; a single equalizer connected to the output of said noise generator for producing electronic noise signals equivalent to equalized non-delayed audio noise in a first channel; and means connected to said first channel for receiving the equalized audio noise electronic signal and for introducing a first time delay therein to produce a second channel and for introducing a second time delay therein for producing a third channel of equalized audio noise electronic signals, each channel driving selected speakers of an array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The noisemasking system of claim 1 wherein: said time delay means further includes means for producing a third time delay to provide a fourth channel of equalized audio noise electronic signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The noisemasking system of claim 2 including: first, second, third and fourth power amplifiers respectively connected to said first, second, third and fourth channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The noisemasking system of claim 3 including: an array of speakers positioned to direct masking noise into workspace, said first, second, third and fourth power amplifiers each being connected to selected ones of said speakers in said array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The noisemasking system of claim 4 wherein: said array includes first, second, third and fourth sets of speakers arranged in rows, one of said rows of speakers alternately containing speakers in two of said sets and alternate ones of said rows containing speakers in the other two sets, said speakers being arranged in said rows to form lines of speakers so that along any row and along any line, adjacent speakers belong to different sets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
A noisemasking signal system comprising: a loudspeaker array positioned to provide masking noise into a space, said loudspeaker array comprising first, second, third and fourth sets of speakers; a single noise generator, a single equalizer connected to said noise generator to produce a first channel carrying electric signals corresponding to equalized audio frequency noise; and means connected to said first channel for time delaying the electrical signal in said first channel for producing second, third, and fourth channels of equalized audio frequency electrical signals, said first, second, third and fourth equalized audio frequency electrical signals, said first, second, third and fourth equalized audio frequency electrical signals being respectively connected to said first, second, third and fourth sets of speakers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
A noisemasking signal system comprising: a loudspeaker array positioned to provide masking noise into a space, said loudspeaker array comprising first, second, third and fourth sets of speakers; a single noise generator, a single equalizer connected to said noise generator to produce a first channel carrying electric signals corresponding to equalized audio frequency noise; and means connected to said first channel for time delaying the electrical signal in said first channel for producing second, third, and fourth channels of equalized audio frequency electrical signals, said first, second, third and fourth equalized audio frequency electrical signals, said first, second, third and fourth equalized audio frequency electrical signals being respectively connected to said first, second, third and fourth sets of speakers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 6 wherein: said sets of speakers are arranged in an array such that each speaker has only speakers of other sets adjacent thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 7 wherein: said speaker array is arranged in rows and in lines with speakers of two sets being located in one row and the two speakers of the other sets being located in adjacent rows.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 6 wherein: said means for providing a time delay is a digital time delay device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 6 wherein: said means for providing a time delay is an analog time delay device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3272198A
Cited
US3567863A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-29 | 1980-08-30 | 1981-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-29 | 1984-08-30 | 1985-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-08-30 | 1989-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |