Telecommunication Terminals for Workplace Noise Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to effectively integrate acoustic sensors with telecommunications to measure and mitigate noise in office environments, leading to reduced worker productivity due to excessive noise levels, as they do not fully utilize existing infrastructure or capabilities of acoustic sensors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing microphones in telecommunication terminals to detect excessive noise, identify its source, and provide mitigation messages to reduce noise levels, integrating with a network to display noise data on a map and allow for noise control measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate alarm systems with dedicated wiring and sensors are used to monitor noise levels, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes existing telecommunication terminals (telephones, IP phones, mobile devices) to perform dual functions: their primary communication function and secondary noise monitoring function. The acoustic sensors (microphones) already present in these devices are utilized for noise detection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated alarm system hardware and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the self-contained capabilities of telecommunication terminals, which already possess acoustic sensors, processing units, and communication interfaces. Each terminal independently monitors its local acoustic environment and reports to the central server, eliminating the need for additional dedicated sensing infrastructure and reducing installation complexity
2Measurement precision
If dedicated acoustic sensor networks are deployed throughout the workspace, then noise monitoring coverage and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Existing telecommunication terminals distributed throughout the workspace are repurposed to serve as acoustic monitoring nodes. These devices already have microphones for communication purposes, which are now additionally used for noise detection, providing widespread monitoring coverage without requiring installation of separate sensor networks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the noise monitoring function with the existing telecommunication infrastructure. The acoustic sensing, data processing, and communication capabilities of telecommunication terminals are combined to create an integrated noise monitoring system, eliminating the need for separate dedicated infrastructure
3Measurement precision
If traditional sound level meters are used to measure office noise levels, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and ease of operation worsen due to specialized device requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Telecommunication terminals automatically perform noise monitoring and reporting without requiring manual operation or intervention. The devices continuously monitor acoustic levels, process the data, and transmit reports to the central server autonomously, eliminating the need for operators to manually deploy and read traditional sound level meters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sound level meters with electronic acoustic sensors (microphones) integrated into telecommunication terminals. The measurement capability is maintained through software-based sound level analysis, substituting dedicated mechanical measurement devices with multi-functional electronic communication devices
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively measures and mitigates noise sources, improving workplace productivity by using existing telecommunications infrastructure to detect and counteract noise, enhancing noise monitoring and control capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
detecting an excessive noise originating in the area monitored by the plurality of telecommunication terminals, the detection performed by one or more terminals of the plurality of telecommunication terminals
Data Source
AI summary
System and method are disclosed to mitigate noise in an area monitored by a plurality of telecommunication terminals in communication with a controller, the method including: detecting an excessive noise originating in the area monitored by the plurality of telecommunication terminals, the detection performed by one or more terminals of the plurality of telecommunication terminals; identifying a location of a first terminal of the plurality of telecommunication terminals by use of the detected excessive noise, wherein the first terminal is closest to a source of the excessive noise; and providing a mitigation message to the identified first terminal.