Lighting Controller Using Sound Feedback to Reduce Office Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
In open plan offices, background noise from one area often disturbs individuals in nearby areas, and existing solutions either disrupt the open space or increase overall sound levels, as they either block or mask sounds without effectively addressing the issue of noise disturbance.
Innovation Solution
A controller for a lighting system that detects sound levels in different locations, using a reference value to adjust illumination in areas where noise exceeds background levels, encouraging users to reduce noise through visual feedback like changes in lighting intensity or color, thereby reducing overall noise disturbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sound masking (adding noise) is used to reduce distraction by speech, then the openness of space is preserved, but the general sound level in the office increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing directional sound amplification only in specific zones where meetings occur, rather than masking the entire office space. The system uses multiple speakers arranged to create directional sound fields that amplify speech locally above meeting tables while leaving other areas unaffected, thus preserving openness without increasing overall sound levels
2Loss of information
If localised sound amplification is provided above meeting tables, then speech intelligibility is improved for participants, but users may not perceive when their conversation becomes loud enough to disturb others
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using microphones to detect speech levels and control the amplification system accordingly. The system continuously monitors the acoustic environment and adjusts amplification to maintain speech intelligibility for participants while preventing excessive noise levels that would disturb others, creating a self-regulating system that provides both intelligibility and noise control
3Object-affected harmful factors
If walls or partitions are used to block and absorb sound, then speech distraction is reduced, but the open character of the space is destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physical barriers (walls and partitions) with an acoustic field-based solution. Instead of blocking sound mechanically through solid structures, the system uses directional sound amplification and electronic control to manage speech propagation, preserving the physical openness of the space while achieving noise control through acoustic field manipulation
Data Source
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AI summary
In a lighting system, sound levels are detected in the vicinity of at least one lighting unit to determine when there is a sound level above a threshold. The illumination provided by the lighting unit is adapted in such a way as to encourage a reduction of noise generation.