Centralized Control of Active Noise Cancellation Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In densely populated work environments, active noise cancellation technologies often fail to discern between important and irrelevant noise sources, leading to difficulties in communication and safety issues due to the indiscriminate cancellation of all environmental noise.
Innovation Solution
A centralized control system that maps indoor environments, identifies trigger events, and selectively disables active noise cancellation devices based on zone and device associations, allowing for targeted suspension of noise cancellation technologies to facilitate communication and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If active noise cancellation technologies are used to reduce environmental distractions and improve focus, then productivity is improved, but the ability to hear important environmental sounds such as announcements or alerts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the noise cancellation state of devices based on real-time environmental conditions and user context. A centralized controller monitors trigger events (such as detected keywords or environmental conditions) and dynamically enables or disables ANC on specific devices in specific zones, allowing the system to adapt between focus mode and awareness mode as needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the environment into multiple zones and divides control of individual devices, allowing selective application of noise cancellation. Instead of uniformly applying ANC across all devices, the system can enable ANC on devices in zones where focus is needed while disabling it in zones where awareness of environmental sounds is important
2Productivity
If active noise cancellation is enabled on all devices to maximize distraction reduction, then focus is improved, but communication between employees deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different noise cancellation qualities to different local contexts. Instead of uniform ANC application, the centralized controller evaluates local conditions (such as detected conversations, proximity of users, or specific trigger events) and applies ANC selectively to individual devices or zones, preserving communication quality in areas where interaction is occurring while maintaining focus in areas where concentration is needed
3Object-affected harmful factors
If centralized control system selectively disables ANC based on zones and trigger events, then ability to hear important sounds is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary between environmental conditions and individual noise-cancelling devices. This mediator monitors trigger events, determines which zones require ANC adjustment, and communicates control decisions to affected devices, thereby managing the complexity centrally rather than requiring complex logic in each individual device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for centralized control of multiple active noise cancellation devices. The method includes identifying a trigger event. Also, the method includes identifying at least one zone of a mapped area in response to identifying the trigger event. Further, the method includes identifying two or more devices based on the at least one zone of the mapped area, and transmitting a command to disable active noise cancellation on the two or more devices.