Patent Description:
Indoor or interior environments are used to accommodate a varying number of occupants over the course of the day. For example, a restaurant may see an increased number of patrons during an evening period as opposed to a lunchtime period. Similarly, a conference hall or meeting center may accommodate different numbers of patrons depending on the type of event being held. This increased number of patrons may in turn result in an increased overall noise level within the indoor environment, which may be unpleasant to some individuals.

While some environments incorporate sound absorptive panels or sheets, interior design preferences are trending towards a simple, more utilitarian appearance where exposed structural elements are visible. Accordingly, the use of these panels or sheets may be aesthetically undesirable. Further, such units may preclude the incorporation of sprinkler systems and/or other safety features in the environment. Additionally, while some acoustic treatment devices may be adjustable in nature, these devices lack precise control. <CIT> describes a control system for controlling and synchronizing the rotational movement of rotatable cylinder sectors used for acoustic control and variation of acoustic properties, including a substantially instantaneously reversible motor which drives a takeup drum. The rotatable cylinder sectors may be located in a ceiling.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a dynamic acoustic system according to independent claim <NUM> for use in connection with an indoor environment includes a plurality of elongated acoustic bars and a controller operably to each of the elongated acoustic bars. Each of the bars is operably coupled to a ceiling member of the indoor environment and includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a plurality of side surfaces extending between the upper and lower portions, an interior region at least partially defined by the upper portion, the lower portion, and the plurality of side surfaces, and at least one movable element movable between first and second positions. The controller selectively controls operation of the at least one movable element of a desired number of the plurality of elongated acoustic bars to alter an environmental characteristic of the indoor environment.

In some approaches, the system may further include a sensor coupled to the controller that measures an environmental characteristic of the indoor environment. The sensor may be in the form of a microphone or a vibration sensor.

In some examples, the system may additionally include a sound absorbing material at least partially disposed within the interior region of the elongated acoustic bars. In any of these examples, the system may additionally include at least one sound generating device that is positioned at or near the acoustic bars. The at least one sound generating device is operably coupled to the controller in a manner that allows the controller to selectively control operation thereof.

In some forms, the at least one movable element is in the form of a plurality of louvres. In these examples, the controller is adapted to transmit a signal that selectively causes a number of the louvres to move. In some examples, the plurality of louvres are disposed on at least one of the plurality of side surfaces.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure and not forming part of the present invention, a dynamic acoustic accessory for use in connection with an indoor environment includes an elongated shell, at least one mounting structure operably coupled to the elongated shell, and a movable base member. The elongated shell includes an upper portion, a lower portion a plurality of side surfaces extending therebetween, and an interior region at least partially defined by the upper portion, the lower portion, and the plurality of side surfaces. The mounting structure is adapted to secure the elongated shell to a ceiling surface of the indoor environment. The movable base member is positioned at the lower portion of the elongated shell and is movable between a first position and a second position to selectively expose at least a portion of the interior region of the elongated shell to the indoor environment to alter an environmental characteristic of the indoor environment.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure and not forming part of the present invention, a dynamic acoustic accessory for use in connection with an indoor environment includes an elongated shell, at least one mounting structure operably coupled to the elongated shell, and a plurality of movable louvres. The elongated shell includes an upper portion, a lower portion a plurality of side surfaces extending therebetween, and an interior region at least partially defined by the upper portion, the lower portion, and the plurality of side surfaces. The mounting structure is adapted to secure the elongated shell to a ceiling surface of the indoor environment. The plurality of movable louvres are coupled to at least one of the side surfaces of the shell. Each of the movable louvres is movable between a first position and a second position to selectively expose at least a portion of the interior region of the elongated shell to the indoor environment to alter an environmental characteristic of the indoor environment.

The above approaches are at least partially met through provision of the smart dynamic acoustic ceiling panel described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show embodiments not forming part of the present invention:.

For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

Generally speaking, a dynamic acoustic ceiling system includes panelized ceiling elements equipped with components that can alter intrinsic acoustic characteristics of the indoor environment. Each panel includes active, operable, mechanical elements to conceal or expose, to varying degrees, an interior region that, in some examples, includes sound-absorbing materials. Such sound-absorbing materials may be passive or active sound absorbers. Each panel may additionally include embedded transducers (e.g., loudspeakers) to provide active, adjustable sound masking or voice reinforcement. All active and adjustable elements of each panel may be controlled by a programmable digital sound processor ("DSP") that receives an input by one or more integrated sensors (e.g., microphones). When multiple panels are combined as a system, they may communicate with each other via a unified digital control system to create a programmable, self-adjusting acoustic environment.

Referring now to the drawings, a dynamic acoustic system <NUM> is provided for use in connection with an indoor environment <NUM> having a ceiling member <NUM>. The system <NUM> includes any number of elongated acoustic bars <NUM>, a controller <NUM> operably coupled to each of the acoustic bars <NUM>, and at least one sensor <NUM> operably coupled to the controller <NUM>. The acoustic bars <NUM> can be provided in a number of forms that include any or all of the following subcomponents. The acoustic bars <NUM> are in the form of a shell <NUM> having an upper portion 111a, a lower portion 111b, and a number of side surfaces <NUM> extending therebetween. The side surfaces <NUM> have any number of openings 112a. As illustrated in <FIG>, the acoustic bars <NUM> have a generally rectangular prismatic shape, though other shapes and configurations are possible. The shell <NUM> of the acoustic bars <NUM> define a generally hollow interior region <NUM> (<FIG>) therein. Accordingly, the openings 112a formed on the side surfaces <NUM> create a sound pathway between the environment <NUM> and the interior region <NUM> of the shell <NUM>.

The acoustic bars <NUM> may be mounted to the ceiling member <NUM> via any number of suitable mounting structures <NUM>. For example, the acoustic bars <NUM> may be directly adhered to the ceiling <NUM> via adhesives, fasteners such as bolts and/or brackets, and the like. Other examples of suitable mounting approaches will be discussed in further detail below.

Each of the acoustic bars <NUM> includes at least one movable element that selectively creates a pathway for sound waves to enter into the interior region <NUM> from the environment <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the movable element is in the form of a movable louvre <NUM> or baffle positioned along any number of side surfaces <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The movable louvre <NUM> is in the form of a generally flat panel having a rectangular shape extending along a longitudinal axis "L", though any desired shape or configuration may be used.

In some examples, the movable louvre <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the shell <NUM> via a pin <NUM> or other hinged mounting member. The movable louvre <NUM> may define a mounting orifice (not illustrated) through which the pin <NUM> is inserted to secure the movable louvre <NUM> to the shell <NUM>. In some approaches, the mounting mechanism may include a spring or other resilient member that maintains the movable louvre <NUM> in a normally-closed position. A drive mechanism <NUM> may be coupled to each movable louvre <NUM> that causes the movable louvre <NUM> to move. In some examples, the system <NUM> may use one drive mechanism <NUM> for each movable louvre <NUM> to allow for fine-turning a number of open sound pathways. In other examples, however, one drive mechanism <NUM> may be operably coupled to a number of movable louvres <NUM> to control their operation. In yet other examples, any number of drive mechanisms <NUM> may be used to drive any desired number of movable louvres <NUM>. Further, in some examples, the drive mechanism <NUM> may be releasably coupled to each movable louvre <NUM> such that the drive mechanism <NUM> may selectively exert a driving force on a desired movable louvre <NUM> when desired. One such example of a releasable coupling system is a cam system; though other examples are possible.

The drive mechanism <NUM> may be in the form of a motor, a servo-motor, a solenoid or other actuator, a geared mechanism, a pulley mechanism, and the like. Other examples are possible. The drive mechanism <NUM> may be uni-directional - meaning it exerts an urging force on the movable louvre <NUM> a single direction, or alternatively may be multi-directional - meaning it exerts an urging force on the movable louvre <NUM> in multiple directions.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in some examples, the pin <NUM> is positioned along the longitudinal axis L of the movable louvre <NUM> such that the movable louvre <NUM> is rotatable about the longitudinal axis L. In these examples, the movable louvre is rotatable between a first fully closed position (<FIG>) and a second fully open position (<FIG>). The movable louvre <NUM> may be positioned at any intermediate position between the closed and opened positions as desired to selectively alter a size of the opening into the interior region <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. In other words, any number of movable louvres <NUM> may be selectively rotated to provide for varying openings which create the sound pathways between the environment <NUM> and the interior region <NUM> of the shell <NUM>.

In some examples, the acoustic bars <NUM> may also include a sound-absorbing material <NUM> at least partially disposed within the interior region <NUM>. When the interior region <NUM> of the acoustic bars <NUM> is exposed to the environment <NUM> and air-borne sound waves, based on the positioning of the movable louvres <NUM>, the sound-absorbing material <NUM> will absorb the sound waves to reduce an overall decibel level of the environment <NUM>. In some examples, the sound-absorbing material <NUM> are passive absorbers such as glass fibers and/or mineral fibers. In other examples, the sound-absorbing material <NUM> are active, adjustable absorbers such as acoustic metamaterials. Any combination of passive and/or active materials may be used.

In some examples, the acoustic bars <NUM> may additionally include at least one sound-generating device <NUM> coupled and/or disposed adjacent thereto. Specifically, in some examples, the sound-generating device <NUM> may be disposed at the upper portion 111a of the shell and may be pointed downwardly such that sound waves generated by the sound generating-device <NUM> are directed into the interior region <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The sound-generating device <NUM> may be an electroacoustic transducer that generates sound to provide adjustable sound masking and/or sound reinforcement, depending on the desired application. In some examples, the sound-generating device <NUM> is a loudspeaker, a cluster of loudspeakers, distributed mode loudspeakers, and/or focused loudspeaker arrays. Any number or combination of these sound-generating devices <NUM> may be positioned and/or disposed within the acoustic bars <NUM>.

The acoustic bars <NUM> may further include a programmable controller such as a digital signal processor (DSP) <NUM> that controls the active acoustic elements (e.g., the movable louvres <NUM>, the sound-absorbing material <NUM>, and/or the sound-generating device <NUM>. The DSP <NUM> may include a communication link <NUM> that communicates with the controller <NUM> in a manner described below.

Specifically, turning to <FIG>, as previously noted, the dynamic acoustic system <NUM> includes a primary controller <NUM> that is communicatively coupled with each of the acoustic bars <NUM> via connection <NUM> that communicates with the communication link <NUM> of the DSP <NUM>. In some examples, the controller <NUM> may not be communicatively coupled to each of the acoustic bars <NUM>, rather, any number of acoustic bars <NUM> may be daisy-chained to each other such that one acoustic bar <NUM> may control the operation of several additional acoustic bars <NUM>. The connection <NUM> may be any type of wired and/or wireless communications protocol adapted to transmit and/or receive electronic signals. In these examples, the controller <NUM> is in signal communication with at least one sensor, such as, for example, sensor <NUM> located in the environment <NUM> at any desired location. Any number of additional sensors capable of sensing any number of characteristics of the environment <NUM> and/or the acoustic bars <NUM> may be used and placed at desired locations.

The controller <NUM> can be disposed in a number of positions with respect to the environment <NUM>. As examples, the controller <NUM> can be placed on a wall or in a discrete location. In some examples, the controller <NUM> may be integral with one of the acoustic bars <NUM>, for example, the controller <NUM> may be contained in an enclosure that is mounted on one of the acoustic bars <NUM>, contained in a separate enclosure that is positioned adjacent or proximate to one of the acoustic bars <NUM>, or can be positioned remotely. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> can partially or fully control functions of the acoustic bars <NUM> via wired and/or wired signal communications as known and/or commonly used in the art.

The sensor <NUM> may be any type of sensor adapted to measure (either directly or indirectly) one or more characteristics of the environment <NUM> and/or the acoustic bars <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may measure any environmental characteristic, such as, for example, a decibel level, a vibration level, a number of people in the environment, illumination levels, motion (e.g., via a Pyroelectric ("Passive") InfraRed Sensors), temperatures, humidity, air flow, air particulates, gases such as carbon monoxide, air pressure, and/or electromagnetic disturbances, or any one or more of any number of additional characteristics which are indicative of these. Further still, sound (sonar) waves, radio waves, light waves (LIDAR), and computer vision may also be used to map and/or identify physical objects and/or people within the environment <NUM>.

As an example, the sensor <NUM> may be a microphone or array of microphones, though other examples are possible. When microphones are implemented, systems may be used to identify individual people using voice-recognition algorithms that identify unique voices. Such a system can be used in conjunction with speakers to generate a level sound volume throughout the environment <NUM> and/or to enhance the sound of human speech. Further, such a system may act as an intercom system, may be capable of responding to voice commands, and/or detect equipment failures.

The sensor <NUM> generates a signal which is transmitted to an input of the controller <NUM>. In some examples, the controller <NUM> can be set, configured, and/or programmed with logic, commands, and/or executable program instructions to provide appropriate correction factors to estimate or calculate values for the measured characteristic in the environment <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> generates a signal which is transmitted from an output of the controller <NUM> to the DSP <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can control any number of characteristics of the acoustic bars <NUM>, such as, for example, activation of any combination of drive mechanisms <NUM>, any active sound-absorbing materials <NUM>, and/or any combination of sound-generating devices <NUM>.

The signal or signals from the controller <NUM> may be used to control operation of the system <NUM> such that variations in environmental characteristics influencing decibel levels are taken into account by the controller <NUM>. Adjustments may be made by the controller <NUM> in real time or in near-real time (that is, with a minimal delay between sensors <NUM> sensing values and changes being made to the system <NUM>), or corrections can be made with some delay. Furthermore, historical data may be used as a basis for making adjustments to the system <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be connected to the sensors <NUM> and the DSP <NUM> and/or any other components in the system <NUM> via any type of signal communication approach known in the art.

The controller <NUM> may also be a DSP that includes software <NUM> adapted to control its operation, any number of hardware elements <NUM> (such as, for example, a non-transitory memory module and/or processors), any number of inputs <NUM>, any number of outputs <NUM>, and any number of connections <NUM>. The software <NUM> may be loaded directly onto a non-transitory memory module of the controller <NUM> in the form of a non-transitory computer readable medium, or may alternatively be located remotely from the controller <NUM> and be in communication with the controller <NUM> via any number of controlling approaches. The software <NUM> includes logic, commands, and/or executable program instructions which may contain logic and/or commands for controlling the acoustic bars <NUM> according to a desired operational program. The software <NUM> may or may not include an operating system, an operating environment, an application environment, and/or a user interface.

The hardware <NUM> uses the inputs <NUM> to receive signals, data, and information from the components being controlled by the controller <NUM>. The hardware <NUM> uses the outputs <NUM> to send signals, data, and/or other information to the acoustic bars <NUM>. The connection <NUM> represents a pathway through which signals, data, and information can be transmitted between the controller <NUM> and the acoustic bars <NUM>. In various embodiments this pathway may be a physical connection or a non-physical communication link that works analogous to a physical connection, direct or indirect, configured in any way described herein or known in the art. In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> can be configured in any additional or alternate way known in the art.

The connection <NUM> represents a pathway through which signals, data, and information can be transmitted between the controller <NUM> and the injection molding machine <NUM>. In various embodiments, these pathways may be physical connections or non-physical communication links that work analogously to either direct or indirect physical connections configured in any way described herein or known in the art. In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> can be configured in any additional or alternate way known in the art.

In operation, the sensor <NUM> measures the environmental characteristic (e.g., airborne sound in the vicinity of the system <NUM>). Based on user settings of the controller <NUM> and the incoming signals from the sensors <NUM>, the controller <NUM> transmits signals to the outputs <NUM> that enables the adjustment of a particular number of acoustic bars <NUM> to enable the acoustic bars <NUM> to change its acoustic properties. The system <NUM> allows for high levels of granularity - for example, the controller <NUM> may only need to move a single movable louvre <NUM> on a single acoustic bar <NUM> to adjust the environmental characteristic to a desired level. Conversely, the controller <NUM> may move any number of movable louvres <NUM> on any number of acoustic bars <NUM> to adjust the environmental characteristic to a desired level. When multiple acoustic bars <NUM> are used in the system <NUM>, they may communicate with each other via a unified digital control system to create a programmable, self-adjusting dynamic acoustic environment.

In some examples, a routine may be implemented on the controller <NUM> that may or may not rely on sensed measurements. For example, the program may be time-based such that the active control elements of the acoustic bars <NUM> are activated and/or actuated at specific times (e.g., during busy periods within the environment <NUM>).

Turning to <FIG>, a system <NUM> having an alternative acoustic bar <NUM> design is provided that includes similar features as the acoustic bar <NUM> described in <FIG> and <FIG>, and thus will not be described in substantial detail. However, in this illustrated example, the movable louvres <NUM> are rotatably mounted to the sidewalls <NUM> in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis L. As a result, the movable louvres <NUM> rotate outwardly from the shell <NUM>, which may provide for more increased reflection of sound waves (compared to the example configuration illustrated in <FIG> where sound waves are less restricted from entering the interior region <NUM> of the shell <NUM> when the movable louvres <NUM> are in the open position). As before, any number of movable louvres <NUM> may be coupled to any number of drive mechanisms <NUM> to allow for individual control of the movable louvres <NUM> if desired.

Turning to <FIG>, a system <NUM> having an alternative acoustic bar <NUM> design is provided that includes similar features as the acoustic bars <NUM>, <NUM> described in <FIG>, and thus will not be described in substantial detail. However, in this illustrated example, the movable louvres <NUM> are slidably mounted to the sidewalls <NUM>. In other words, in these examples, the movable louvres <NUM> may slide relative to the openings 312a formed on the sidewalls <NUM> via any number of arrangements such as tracks, channels, and the like. As before, any number of movable louvres <NUM> may be coupled to any number of drive mechanisms <NUM> to allow for individual control of the movable louvres <NUM> if desired. The movable louvres <NUM> may be single or multi-layered as desired.

Turning to <FIG>, a system <NUM> having an alternative acoustic bar <NUM> design is provided that includes similar features as the acoustic bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described in <FIG>, and thus will not be described in substantial detail. However, in this illustrated example, the movable element is in the form of a movable base member <NUM> operably coupled to the shell <NUM>. In these examples, the movable base member <NUM> lowers from the lower portion 411b of the shell <NUM> to expose the interior region <NUM> (which may accommodate sound-absorbing material <NUM> and/or a sound generating device <NUM>) thereof.

More specifically, the acoustic bar <NUM> is coupled to the ceiling member <NUM> via a mounting structure <NUM>, which, in these examples may be a chain or rod member. The movable base member <NUM> is in the form of an elongated platform <NUM> extending all or a portion of the length of the acoustic bar <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the movable base member <NUM> is secured to the shell <NUM> and/or the mounting structure <NUM> via a base support <NUM> that is driven by a drive mechanism <NUM>. In some examples, the base support <NUM> may be in the form of a pulley system, a piston or other telescoping mechanism, and/or any other mechanism that generates axial movement. The drive mechanism <NUM> may be a solenoid actuator, a motor, a resilient member (e.g., a torsion spring, an axial spring, a watch spring, etc.) capable of urging the base support <NUM> downwardly. In examples where the mounting structure <NUM> is a rod member, a portion of the rod member <NUM> may form the base support <NUM> and/or the drive mechanism <NUM> that lowers the movable base member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, upon receiving an input from the controller <NUM>, the DSP <NUM> activates the drive mechanism <NUM> to extend the movable base member <NUM> to a desired level relative to the lower portion 411b of the shell <NUM>, thus exposing the interior region <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The extension of the movable base member <NUM> can be adjusted based on the desired environmental characteristic. As before, the controller <NUM> may further cause the DSP <NUM> to activate the sound absorbing material <NUM> (if so equipped) and/or the sound-generating device <NUM> (if so equipped).

Turning to <FIG>, a system <NUM> having an alternative acoustic bar <NUM> design is provided that includes similar features as the acoustic bar <NUM> described in <FIG>, and thus will not be described in substantial detail. However, in this illustrated example, the acoustic bar <NUM> is in the form of an elongated shell <NUM> having a wave-like or curved pattern.

Turning to <FIG>, a system <NUM> having an alternative acoustic bar <NUM> design is provided that includes similar features as the acoustic bars <NUM>, <NUM> described in <FIG>, and thus will not be described in substantial detail. However, in this illustrated example, the components of the acoustic bar <NUM> are generally reversed in that the shell <NUM> is movable downwardly relative to an upper base member <NUM>, which is mounted to the ceiling via any number of approaches.

In some examples, any desired combination of movable elements (e.g., movable louvres and movable base members) may be used that move relative to the shell in any of the described approaches. In other words, any number of movable louvres <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the sidewalls <NUM> along the longitudinal axis L, any number of movable louvres <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the sidewalls2112 transversely to the longitudinal axis L, any number of movable louvres <NUM> may be slidably coupled to the sidewalls <NUM>, and any number of movable base members <NUM> may be coupled to the shell <NUM> to extend therefrom as desired.

So configured, the system provides enhanced sound altering characteristics while covering a limited amount of ceiling surface. Such a system is tunable as desired to allow for an adjustable amount of reverb in certain situations (e.g., when the environment is less populated) and more absorptive in other situations (e.g., when the environment is more populated). Further, by incorporating speakers into each of the panels, additional speakers are no longer needed, thus reducing assembly steps and complexity of the panels.

Claim 1:
A dynamic acoustic system (<NUM>) for use in connection with an indoor environment (<NUM>), the dynamic acoustic system comprising:
a plurality of elongated acoustic bars (<NUM>) each being operably coupled to and positioned below a ceiling member (<NUM>) of the indoor environment, each of the plurality of acoustic bars including:
an upper portion (111a),
a lower portion (111b),
a plurality of side surfaces (<NUM>) extending between the upper portion and the lower portion,
an interior region (<NUM>) at least partially defined by the upper portion, the lower portion, and the plurality of side surfaces, and
at least one movable element (<NUM>) positioned on at least one of the plurality of side surfaces, the at least one movable element being movable between a first position and a second position;
a controller (<NUM>) operably coupled to each of the plurality of elongated acoustic bar to selectively control operation of the at least one movable element of a desired number of the plurality of elongated acoustic bars to alter an acoustic characteristic of the indoor environment.