Patent ID: 9666174
Date: 2017-05-30
CPC Classifications: G10K,H04K,H04R

Claim:
1. A sound masking system for providing a sound masking signal surrounding at least a portion of a defined area of a building, the system comprising: a plurality of loudspeaker assemblies, each loudspeaker assembly coupled to one or more sources of an electrical sound signal, the electrical sound signal comprising an electrical sound masking signal, wherein each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is operative to emit an acoustic sound signal in response to the electrical sound signal, the acoustic sound signal comprising, during activation of a sound masking function of the sound masking system, an acoustic sound masking signal; wherein each of the plurality of loudspeaker assemblies is constructed and oriented to provide the acoustic sound signal to a zone surrounding the at least a portion of the defined area of the building; and an exterior indicator panel positioned outside the defined area of the building, configured to provide at least an exterior visual indication, activated upon transition to full activation of the sound masking function and providing the exterior visual indication during full activation of the sound masking function of the sound masking system, that the acoustic sound masking signal is being emitted into the zone surrounding the at least a portion of the defined area of the building; wherein the exterior indicator panel is configured to provide the exterior visual indication uniquely for sound masking of the zone surrounding the at least a portion of the defined area of the building.