Patent Publication Number: US-2021166552-A1

Title: Sound detection and alert system for a workspace

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/817,265 filed on Mar. 12, 2020, which is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/569,198, filed Sep. 12, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/144,775, filed Sep. 27, 2018, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,453,326 on Oct. 22, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/720,461 filed Sep. 29, 2017, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,115,293 on Oct. 30, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/099,113 filed Apr. 14, 2016, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,805,581 on Oct. 31, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/911,654 filed Jun. 6, 2013. The contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is sound monitoring and alerting system, and more specifically a sound detection and alerting system for use in a designated area such as a workspace, an office, a conference room, or the like, for indicating when at least one characteristic of sounds exceeds a threshold level. 
     The office furniture industry is always evolving to meet the needs of customers. Communication is an important vehicle for human interaction in personal and business settings to convey information. In a time when electronic communication bombards individuals, people are increasingly returning to interpersonal communication with colleagues, customers and friends through face-to-face meetings, telephone calls, video chats, and other forms of direct verbal communication. 
     In many office settings, however, direct communication through one of the aforementioned methods is challenging for many reasons. In particular, offices, cubicles, conference rooms, and workspaces pose particular challenges with respect to the transmission of sound. In many work environments furniture artifacts are designed to stess, there is an open space work place, wherein the physical boundaries between offices are non-existent, minimal, temporary, or only provide a partial boundary that delineates individual workspace. In other instances, even where boundaries such as walls are provided to separate workspaces, boundaries often do not provide sufficient sound-proofing if the volume of a person&#39;s voice within a space exceeds a threshold level. 
     Further, in many instances, individuals are unaware of the volume of their voices and the sound that is being transmitted to adjacent spaces. This lack of awareness causes many issues in the workplace. For example, high volume speech often disturbs or disrupts individuals in adjacent or nearby workspaces. As another example, information disclosed in private or confidential conversations is not protected and may be inadvertently disclosed when people speak at high volume. As one other instance, conversations and/or work may be interrupted due to sound or noise from conversations that may be taking place in adjacent workspaces. 
     Existing work places are often designed to attempt to overcome the aforementioned problems through the use of various tools. In particular, some workplaces construct walls or barriers to define enclosed private spaces for workers. Such barriers typically extend from floor to ceiling and separate a workspace from adjacent workspaces. Workplaces may further include soundproofing material in the barriers and/or ceiling to further buffer sound that is emitted from workspaces. 
     In other instances, workplaces use other methods to try to control sounds transmitted between adjacent spaces. For example, many workspaces utilize noise generating systems to cover up or distort sound waves and noises. Such systems frequently emit sounds designed to cover up or mask sound generated by speech. 
     In still other workspaces, noise-cancelling systems are used to filter or cancel sound waves as they travel out of the vicinity of the workspace. The sound canceling systems are typically designed to emit white noise at frequencies that should cancel out sound waves before the sound waves reach adjacent workspaces. The sound canceling systems typically utilize a plurality of strategically located speakers (e.g., above a doorway) and a controller that is designed to control the white noise in ways calculated to cancel sound. 
     While existing systems and techniques for reducing noise travel among adjacent spaces work well in some applications, unfortunately known systems have several shortcomings. First, the option to place barriers between adjacent workspaces is not available in some cases where an open seating or workspace design is desired. Further, even where walls or other physical barriers can be used, such barriers often times do not block all sound. In these cases, where a space user perceives that walls are sound proof, the problems associated with high volume sound carrying from one space to another can be exacerbated as a space user may be encouraged to increase her volume in the “sound proof” space. 
     Second, where noise cancelling and generating systems are used, they are typically utilized throughout an entire workspace in a blanket manner and do not target noise levels near specific individuals or in specific workspaces. As a result, the noise cancelling systems are ineffective for use with various levels of sound that travels between one space and adjacent spaces. 
     Third, persons within a space have no way of knowing if the volume of their voices or other sound generating devices within their spaces is at a level that can be heard from outside their spaces. In this case, where a person believes a first space they occupy is sound proof, the person will do nothing to temper the volume of her voice in the first space potentially resulting in disclosure of private information to other spaces or a condition in which persons in adjacent spaces are at least bothered by sounds emanating from the first space. In other cases, where the person in the first space believes that the first space is not sound proof, the person in the first space will likely over-react and keep her voice and sounds in the space at an extremely low volume to avoid inadvertent disclosure or a bothersome condition for adjacent space users. Unnecessary low volume can adversely affect intended communication. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been recognized that the disadvantages associated with sound levels in a workspace can be substantially overcome by providing a sound detection and alert system that includes at least one sensor electronically connected to an output signaling device. The sensor is positioned in the vicinity of one or more individuals speaking within a space and may be designed to monitor sound levels being transmitted there from. The sensor transmits an electrical signal to the signaling device. The signaling device may include a visual display unit having a lighting scheme designed to alert the individual(s) speaking of the level of sound being generated by speech or more generally to indicate the level of sound being generated within a space associated with the individual. The individual(s) speaking may then adjust the volume of speech or sound in the space in response to the lighting scheme in an effort to reduce the volume of sound emanating from the space into adjacent spaces. 
     Consistent with the above, some embodiments include an alert system for generating a signal indicating at least one aspect of sound within a workspace environment, the system comprising at least a first sensor positioned one of within and proximate a workspace, the at least a first sensor sensing at least one aspect of sound generated within the workspace and generating a signal indicating the at least one aspect, a communication device located within the workspace, the communication device configured to generate a signal perceivable within the workspace and a processor receiving signals from the at least a first sensor and linked to the communication device, the processor programmed to perform the steps of identifying when the at least one aspect exceeds a threshold value and driving the communication device to indicate that the at least one aspect exceeds the threshold value. 
     In some cases the at least one aspect of sound generated within the workspace includes volume of the sound generated. In some cases the at least one sensor is positioned within the workspace. Other embodiments further include an interface usable to set at least the threshold value. 
     In some cases the communication device includes a display screen and wherein the interface is presented via the computer display screen. In some cases the at least one sensor is positioned outside the workspace. In some embodiments the at least one sensor includes a first sensor located outside the workspace and at least a second sensor located within the workspace. In some embodiments the processor uses signals from the first and second sensors to identify when the at least one aspect exceeds the threshold value. In some cases the communication device includes at least one illumination device that is illuminated to indicate that the at least one aspect exceeds the threshold value. 
     In some embodiments the communication device includes at least a second illumination device, the processor further programmed to illuminate the second illumination device when the at least aspect is below the threshold level. In some cases the communication device includes a plurality of illumination devices and wherein the processor is programmed to identify when the at least one aspect is within different ranges of values and to illuminate different subsets of the illumination devices to indicate that the at least one aspect is within the different ranges. In some cases each illumination device subset includes a different one of the illumination devices. 
     In some cases a first illumination device corresponds to a low sound level, a second illumination device corresponds to an intermediate sound level, and a third illumination device corresponds to a high sound level. In some embodiments the workspace is defined at least in part by partition walls that separate the workspace from adjacent workspaces. In some embodiments the workspace is a personal office space. 
     In some embodiments the office space includes at least one work surface for use by a space occupant and wherein the at least one communication device includes a visual communication device that is mounted adjacent the work surface for easy viewing by the space occupant at the work surface. In some cases the workspace is a conference space. In some cases the workspace includes at least one partition wall and wherein the at least one sensor is mounted within the at least one partition wall. 
     Other embodiments include an alert system for generating a signal indicating at least one aspect of sound within a workspace environment, the system comprising a workspace including at least one furniture artifact that encourages a space occupant to orient within the workspace to face a first direction, at least a first volume sensor positioned one of within and adjacent the workspace for sensing the volume of sound generated within the workspace and for generating a signal indicating when the volume exceeds a threshold volume level and a visual communication device located within the workspace and within a field of view aligned along the first direction, the communication device configured to generate a visual signal perceivable within the workspace whenever the volume exceeds the threshold volume. 
     In some cases the communication device includes at least one illumination device. In some cases the sensor is located within the workspace. In some cases the furniture artifacts include at least one work surface having at least one edge for accommodating an occupant and wherein the communication device is spaced away from the at least one edge and above the work surface. 
     These and other objects, advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention and reference is made therefore, to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a sound detection and visual alert system including at least one sensor electrically connected to a visual display unit that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of barriers that form external structure that defines a workspace that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of internal artifacts of the exemplary workspace shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a different embodiment of a sound detection and visual alert system having a sensor in communication with a controller and a plurality of light-emitting diodes disposed in a housing; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a single person telepresence system that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a conference space floor plan showing sensors and communication devices located in various public and semi-private spaces. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Referring now to the figures wherein like reference numerals correspond to similar elements throughout the several views and more specifically referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary sound detection and alert system  100  includes at least one sensor  102 , a controller or processor  106  and a communication device  104 . In at least some embodiments sensor  102  may include an acoustic sensor designed to detect sound waves. A typical acoustic sensor  102  measures one or more sound characteristics (e.g., sound pressure levels) and converts the sound wave data into a signal indicating the characteristic. Sensor  102  may detect an objective measure of sound such as a measurement of loudness of speech in decibels or intensity. In one particular instance, the sensor  102  detects frequency in the range of that of a human voice. For example, the sensor  102  preferably detects frequency in the range between about 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz and may detect a band of frequencies within the larger range (e.g., 250 Hz to about 4,000 Hz). 
     Consistent with the discussion herein, one suitable sensor  102  for use in the sound detection and visual alert system  100  is a microphone. In one instance, a suitable microphone is an electret condenser microphone that includes, for example, an membrane, a metal electrode, and a field effect transistor. In another instance, a sensor  102  includes a microphone that detects changes in decibel level, which triggers a high pulse to be sent through a signal pin of the sensor  102 . One suitable sensor  102  and associated microprocessor, for example, is the Sound Impact Sensor by Parallax, Inc. (Rocklin, Calif.). Other useful sensors for use in the sound detection and visual alert system  100  include electrostatic sensors, piezoelectric sensors, and other sensors that are capable of detecting sound produced by the human voice. Sensor  102  may include a microphone that is provided for other purposes. For instance, microphone  102  may be provided as part of a larger telepresence system along with a telepresence camera (not illustrated) and a display screen (e.g., see  120  in  FIG. 1 ) used to facilitate telepresence activity. In other embodiments microphone  102  may be part of a conferencing phone system or may include a stand alone microphone or other sensor dedicated to the sensing and alert system  100 . 
     Sensor  102  may include one or more sensors  102  in some embodiments and sound from any one of multiple sensors  102  may be used to drive the alerting function of system  100 . In other cases sounds sensed by multiple sensors  102  may be processed to identify conditions required to generate an alert signal. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an exemplary workspace  300  is defined by boundaries  200  including a floor structure  210 , walls  202 , a ceiling  206  and a door  204  which may close an egress. Furniture artifacts are located within workspace  300  including a credenza  208  that forms a worksurface and a computer including display  120  that is supported on the worksurface. A chair  220  is provided within space  300  for a space  300  occupant (see phantom  226  in  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , exemplary sensors  102  are shown in various locations within space  300  or adjacent space  300 . For instance, in  FIG. 3 , sensors  102  are shown mounted to or built into wall structures  202  as well as resting on the worksurface  208  or mounted within worksurface  208 . In  FIG. 2 , sensors  102  are shown mounted to or built into external surfaces of walls  202 , adjacent door  204  and within ceiling  206 . Sensors  120  may further be built into or supported by other structure outside space  300 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , processor  106  is designed to translate data captured by sensor  102  into an output signal which is in turn provided to device  104  to indicate a status of the signal generated by sensor  102 . Processor  106  may be integrated with sensor  102  into a single device, or may be separate there from. Processor  106  is programmed to manage operational aspects of the overall sound detection and alert system  100 . 
     In at least some embodiments, processor  106  includes operational parameters used to characterize loudness or volume of sound detected by sensor  102 . For example, the volume of sound being detected may be classified as low, intermediate, or high. In one instance, the low sound level may be within a range between about 0 decibels to about 50 decibels, the intermediate sound level may be within a range between about 51 decibels to about 80 decibels, and the high sound level may be within a range between about 81 to about 120 decibels. In a different instance, the low sound level is between about 0 decibels to about 20 decibels, the intermediate sound level is between about 21 decibels to about 70 decibels, and the high sound level is greater than about 80 decibels. In still a further instance, the low sound level is between about 0 decibels to about 40 decibels, the intermediate sound level is between about 41 decibels to about 70 decibels, and the high sound level is between about 71 decibels to about 120 decibels. The sound levels provided herein are guidelines, and the actual levels of sound may vary according to various parameters including the size of a workspace being monitored, other devices generating noise in the vicinity of the workspace, and/or other environmental factors which can be considered during process or programming. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1 , exemplary communication device  104  includes a display screen  120  that includes a visual indicator  110  presented on the screen. The appearance of indicator  110  may be altered to indicate different volume conditions or other sound characteristics monitored by processor  106 . For instance, in some embodiments indicator  110  may be colored green to indicate a volume that is below a threshold volume at which sound is discernible from outside a space associated with sensor  102  and may be colored red to indicate a relatively high volume associated with sound that is likely hearable from outside the space. In other embodiments indicator  110  may be controlled to simply indicate when any sound is sensed by sensor  102 . For instance, where a sensor  102  is located in a space outside and adjacent or proximate a space in which sound is being monitored, any sound picked up by sensor  102  that is attributed to the monitored space may be indicated via indicator  110 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , display  120  may be mounted within a conference or other space  300  associated with sensor  102  and juxtaposed within the space to be viewed by one or more space users. 
     In other cases, display  120  may be associated with a person&#39;s laptop, a smart phone, a pad type computing device or other device. In this regard, see again  FIG. 1  where a pad type computing device or smart phone  104   a  is shown operating as a communication device where device  104   a  includes a display screen  120   a  and an indicator  110   a  on the screen  120   a . Here, device  104   a  may be used to download and run a sound sensing/alert application whenever in a space  300  where sensor  102  and processor  106  drive device  104   a  in a wireless fashion using Bluetooth or some other wireless communication protocol. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in other embodiments a communication device  104   b  may include a light source  130  to indicate sound characteristics. Light source  130  may include a light bulb (not shown), one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  132   a ,  132   b  and  132   c , or other illumination devices. Where device  104   b  includes multiple LEDs or other illumination devices, different LEDs or subsets thereof may be used to indicate different sound characteristics. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , at least some embodiments may include a housing  134  in which a sensor  102 , processor (not illustrated in  FIG. 4  but see again  106  in  FIG. 1 ) and output or communication device  130  are all housed. Exemplary communication our output device  130  includes three LEDs  132   a ,  132   b  and  132   c  that together provide output signals to indicate different sensed sound conditions. For instance, in some cases a first LED  132   a  may be illuminated green to indicate that the system is operating properly and that the volume of sound being sensed is below a threshold level at which the volume is too high. When the volume reaches a level within a range that may be too high but is still likely low enough to not be discernible from adjacent spaces, a second LED  132   b  may be illuminated. When the volume of the sound sensed reaches a level that is too high and that is likely to be heard in adjacent spaces, third LED  132   c  may be illuminated to indicate that a person within the space should reduce the volume of sound generated in the space. 
     In other cases one or more communication device LEDs may also be controlled to indicate when volume of sound is too low for optimal communication. For instance, in the context of a telepresence system, when the voice of a space  300  occupant is below a lower threshold optimal for audio communication, one or more LEDs  132   a - 132   c  may be illuminated to encourage the occupant to speak up. Indications may be via different LEDs or by changing the color of one or more LEDs. 
     In any of the configurations discussed herein, it is contemplated that system  100  operating parameters may be set in several different ways. For example, as indicated above, where one or more sensors  102  are located outside a space  300  (see again  FIG. 2 ), processor  106  may be programmed to indicate any sound having a volume greater than a threshold level. As another instance, where at least one sensor  102  is located within a space  300  and at least one sensor  102  is located outside the space  300 , signals from both sensors may first be used to identify and distinguish sound generated within space  300  from sound generated outside space  300  and second to identify any sound from within space  300  having a volume that exceeds a threshold level. To this end, processor  106  may be programmed to correlate sounds sensed within space  300  with sounds sensed outside space  300  to discern sounds generated in space  300  and may then process the correlated sound from outside space  300  to identify an alert condition. 
     As another example, it is contemplated that a system  100  may be used with a specific type of wall and ceiling structure having known dimensions and known sound blocking characteristics where at least sensors  102  may be integrated into the structure at known locations. In this case, the processor  106  may be pre-programmed to indicate an alert when a specific set of sound characteristics occurs. For instance, Steelcase Inc. manufactures glass and other types of architectural wall structures that can be used to configure barriered workspaces. In many cases these wall structures are configured in standard use configurations for specific applications. For instance, wall structures may be configured to provide a standard eight by ten foot office space with a specific set of furniture artifacts arranged in a specific way to support a single office occupant. In this case, because the wall structures are known, sound absorbing characteristics may also be known. To this end, see  FIG. 8  that includes glass and other walls  202  and a glass door  204  that form a telepresence space  402  for use by a single occupant to participate in a telepresence activity using a portable smart phone  400 . As illustrated, a stand or other support device  408  is provided within space  402  to support device  400  in an optimal orientation to facilitate a telepresence activity. In  FIG. 8 , one sound sensor  102  is shown mounted to an internal surface of one of the walls. Here, a light panel  104   c  is provided as a communication device where brightness or color of the light may be controlled by a processor to indicate volume alert conditions. Thus, panel  104   c  may illuminate with white light to indicate a suitable volume below a threshold and the color of the light may be changed to be more red as volume increases above a threshold level. By building one or more sensors into the wall structures or by locating one or more sensors at specific locations with respect to the standard configuration, either volume thresholds can be calculated or the thresholds may be identified empirically for the standard structure and used to program processor  106 . Other standard space configurations and sound thresholds are contemplated including other size office spaces, different size conference rooms. 
     As still one other example, where at least one sensor  102  is located inside a space  300  (see again  FIG. 2 ), after the space is configured, a commissioning procedure may be performed whereby a temporary sensor  102  is located outside space  300  and is used to identify a volume sensed by the sensor  102  within space  300  that correlates to a threshold volume sensed by the temporary sensor. After the correlated volume sensed by the space  300  sensor is identified, that volume may be used by processor  106  as the threshold value. 
     Other more complex commissioning systems may employ a speech recognition engine to process sound sensed outside a space  300  to identify a higher volume required for recognizable speech to travel out of a space  300 . Here it has been recognized that physical barriers like a wall operate as filters for certain frequencies of sound and therefore, even if sound can be heard, often times words associated therewith cannot be discerned. Thus, until an engine can recognize speech, volume may be increased without affecting confidentiality. 
     In other cases a commissioning procedure may be more manual where a person who installs a system  100  may control a sound generating device within space  300  to increase volume while being located outside space  300  and the person may manually perceive an automated voice recording as the volume is increased and may manually select one or more volume thresholds for programming a processor  106 . 
     As still one other example, referring again to  FIG. 1 , an interface  108  for system  100  may be provided via screen  120  for selecting various sound characteristics used by processor  106  to drive the alerting application. Exemplary settable parameters may include frequencies to sense, threshold volume levels to identify, a range of distance at which speech should be non-discernible, etc. Other parameters may include space characteristics that processor  106  can use to calculate volume thresholds. For instance, space  300  dimensions may be specifiable, types of barrier constructions (e.g., wall types, insulation types, whether or not barriers are floor to ceiling, ceiling structures, etc.) may be specifiable, etc. 
     In at least some embodiments, in addition to providing systems  100  in office spaces, conference spaces and other spaces in which formal and generally private communications occur, systems  100  or at least components thereof may also be provided within more public spaces such as a public hallway outside conference spaces. In this case, referring to  FIG. 6  that shows a conference space floor plan  450 , sensors  102  in the hallway or within adjacent more private spaces may be used to drive communication devices  104   b  (see also  FIG. 1 ) located in the hallway to indicate to persons in the hallway when volume in the hallway exceeds one or more thresholds. The indication should encourage persons in the hallway to reduce the volumes of their voices. Here, multiple sensors in private spaces may be used to identify hallway noise volume and to drive the hallway communication devices  104   b . Other sensors in the private spaces and in the hallway may be used to obtain sound volumes and to drive indicators in the private spaces. Thus, one or more sensors may drive one or more communication devices and combinations of sensor signals may be used to drive indicators in either private or public spaces. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , sensors  102  in at least some embodiments may not be able to distinguish the voice of a space  300  occupant from other sound generated within space  300  such as, for instance, the voice of a remote person conferencing with the occupant via a speaker feature of a space telephone  240 . In this case a space occupant  226  would have to recognize via a communication device  104   b  or a screen indicator  110  that a speakerphone volume is too high and would then manually turn down the volume to an appropriate level. In other embodiments processor  106  may be linked to the speaker phone  240  or to other telepresence equipment (e.g., a computer) and may automatically turn down the volume of sound generated equipment to a level below a threshold. 
     In still other embodiments, the sound sensing/alerting method may be at least substantially performed via a smart phone or other portable device used by a space occupant. In this regard, it has been recognized that a smart phone or other similar device includes all hardware required to perform a sensing/alerting process. Referring again to  FIG. 3 , after a sensing/alerting application has been downloaded to a portable device  104   a  when a device user  226  brings device  104   a  into a space  300 , location of device  104   a  may be triangulated or otherwise determined (e.g., via a sensor or indicator adjacent a space egress) and volume or other threshold values may be provided automatically to device  104   a  via a wireless access point  250  or the like where the threshold values are specific to the space  300  occupied. Here, brief instructions may instruct the device use to place device  104   a  at a specific location such as in front of the occupant and within 3 to 5 feet of the occupant&#39;s face. A device  104   a  processor may then obtain sound signals from a device microphone  102   a , process the sound to identify when volume exceeds a threshold value and indicate via an on screen indicator  110   a  or even a space mounted indicator  104   b  when the value is exceeded. 
     In some embodiments furniture artifacts within space  300  may be configured to encourage a space occupant to orient toward a communication device within the space during sound generating activities. For instance, in a personal space  402  used for telepresence activities as in  FIG. 5 , via a display screen, device  104   c  may be mounted above and to the side of screen to be within the field of view of a user facing the screen. In other cases such as a conference room including a large conference table having a defining edge around which conferees can gather communication devices (e.g.,  104   b ) may be mounted within the table top structure within a field of view associated with people about the top structure. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , in still other embodiments, when a portable device  400  is associated with a space  402 , device  400  may wirelessly (e.g., via an access point  250 ) or in a wired fashion link to various components within the space automatically so the other components can automatically be used to enhance activities performed using device  400 . For instance, in addition to sensor  102  and communication device  104   c , other space  402  components may include one or more speakers  410 , a high definition larger display screen  412 , a high quality camera  414  and other devices. Here, for instance, device  400  may be used to drive a telepresence activity where all the other components including sensor  102  and device  104   c  cooperate to enhance the overall experience. 
     In at least some cases where sensors  102  are located both inside and outside a work space (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ), the system processor may be programmed to have an initial volume threshold driven by sound in the space where the initial threshold volume level may be raised as the volume of sound outside the space increases. Here, where there is no appreciable sound outside the space, the initial volume threshold level may be maintained and a communication device  104 ,  104   a ,  140   b , etc., may indicate when volume in the space exceeds the initial threshold. However, if there is a lot of noise outside the space, the initial volume threshold may be raised to a different level calculated to result in a case where the combination of sound deadening aspects of barriers and the sound outside the space should block any discernible speech outside the space. 
     While communication devices  104 ,  104   a ,  104   b  are described as being visual, in other embodiments a device  104  may include a speaker for generating an audio alert or may include both audio and visual components. 
     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Thus, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims. 
     To apprise the public of the scope of this invention, the following claims are made: