Patent ID: 8054984

Claim:
A sound altering apparatus for altering predetermined sound levels of a sound producing device, the sound altering apparatus comprising: an array of piezoelectric foil sensors disposed relative to the sound producing device and operable to be influenced by sound wave energy emitted from the sound producing device and operable to convert such sound wave energy into an electric sound signal; and an electric circuit in electrical communication with the at least one piezoelectric foil sensor for receiving the electric sound signal, the electric circuit including a ground connection and being configured for shunting the electric sound signal to the ground connection, thereby reducing sound heard outside the sound producing device, wherein the sound producing device is a dishwasher having a pump and a dishwashing compartment with the array of piezoelectric foil sensors including at least one sensor disposed within the sound producing device for sensing pump sound and at least one other sensor disposed adjacent the dishwashing compartment for sensing sound produced by water circulating within the dishwashing compartment.