Plantronics, Inc.

Evan Harris Benway

Kwangsee Allen Woo

Erik Keil Perotti

Ken Kannappan

Dolores Frances Nelson

Jacob T Meyberg

Philip Sherburne

Erick Castillo

Vijendra G R Prasad

Beau Wilder

Darrin Caddes

Jeffrey Michael Larson

Collin Robert Brown

Marcus Dennis Rose

Ken Kannapppan

Jeff Larson

Methods and apparatuses for environmental control systems are described. In one example, a method includes monitoring a voice communications call between a local call participant located in a building space and a remote call participant. The method includes detecting a change in a user state of the local call participant from the voice communications call. The method further includes adjusting an environmental parameter in the building space responsive to detecting the change in the user state of the local call participant.

Environmental control systems utilizing user monitoring

Methods and apparatuses for addressing open space noise are disclosed. In one example, a method for masking open space noise includes optimizing a recorded naturally occurring sound signal. The method also includes outputting the optimized recorded naturally occurring sound signal from a plurality of speakers distributed in the open space. Further, the method includes displaying a natural system complementing the optimized recorded naturally occurring sound signal.

Masking open space noise using sound and corresponding visual

Methods and apparatuses for visualizing distractions are described. In one example, audio data is received from microphones in an open space. A human speech distractor presence is identified by one or more of: (a) detecting voice activity from the audio data, (b) receiving motion sensor data from motion sensors in the open space and detecting motion activity from the motion sensor data, or (c) receiving video sensor data from video sensors in the open space and detecting a human presence from the video data. A source location of the human speech distractor presence within the open space is identified utilizing one or more of the audio data, the motion sensor data, or the video data. A distraction index parameter is generated from the audio data. The distraction index parameter is visually indicated on an open space map at the source location of the human speech distractor presence.

Generation and visualization of distraction index parameter with environmental response

Methods and apparatuses for addressing open space noise are disclosed. In one example, a method for masking open space noise includes outputting from a speaker a speaker sound corresponding to a flow of water, and displaying a water element system, the water element system generating a sound of flowing water.

Methods and apparatuses for noise management are disclosed. In one example, a method includes receiving a plurality of noise level measurements taken at a plurality of headsets. The method includes receiving a plurality of location data, including receiving a location data associated with each headset in the plurality of headsets. In one example, the method further includes adjusting an environmental parameter utilizing the noise level measurements. In one example, the method further includes providing location services to a user directing the user to a geographical area having a lower noise level.

Noise level measurement with mobile devices, location services, and environmental response

Methods and apparatuses for addressing open space noise are disclosed. In one example, a method for masking open space noise includes receiving a sensor data from a sensor arranged to monitor an open space over a time period. The method includes generating a predicted future noise parameter in the open space at a predicted future time from the sensor data. The method further includes adjusting a sound masking noise output from a loudspeaker prior to the predicted future time responsive to the predicted future noise parameter.

Predictive soundscape adaptation

Methods and apparatuses for noise masking are described. In one example, a location data is received or identified at a noise masking system, the noise masking system including a plurality of selectable noise masking sound audio files and a plurality of selectable video files. A noise masking sound audio file is selected from the plurality of selectable noise masking sound audio files and a video file is selected from the plurality of selectable video files utilizing the location data. The noise masking sound audio file is output to a loudspeaker and the video file is output to a video display device.

Locality based noise masking

Methods and apparatuses for addressing open space noise are disclosed. In one example, a method for masking open space noise includes receiving a microphone output signal from a microphone, the microphone one of a plurality of microphones in an open space. The method includes detecting a presence of a noise source from the microphone output signal, and determining whether the noise source is capable of being masked with a noise masking sound. The method further includes increasing a volume of a noise masking sound output from a loudspeaker responsive to a determination that the noise source is capable of being masked, the loudspeaker located in a same geographic sub-unit of the open space as the microphone. The loudspeaker is one of a plurality of loudspeakers in the open space.

Intelligent dynamic soundscape adaptation

Methods and apparatuses for headphones are disclosed. In one example, a noise cancelling signal is generated with an active noise cancelling system, and the noise cancelling signal is output at a headphones speaker. An undesirable user effect resulting from the noise cancelling signal output at the headphones speaker is mitigated with a noise cancelling adverse effect counteraction signal output simultaneously with the noise cancelling signal.

Headphones with active noise cancellation adverse effect reduction

Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media comprises: a speaker configured to provide a masking sound to an individual; a biometric sensor configured to collect biometric data from the individual; and a controller configured to modify the masking sound based on the biometric data.

Biometrics-based dynamic sound masking

Apparatus having corresponding computer-readable media and methods comprise a steerable loudspeaker system configured to produce sound based on audio delivered to the steerable loudspeaker system; a masking audio source configured to generate individualized masking audio based on preferences of a listener, and to deliver the individualized masking audio to the steerable loudspeaker system; and a controller configured to steer the steerable loudspeaker system based on a position of a listener.

Steerable loudspeaker system for individualized sound masking

Methods and apparatuses for addressing open space noise are disclosed. In one example, a method for masking open space noise includes outputting a test signal from a speaker, the test signal operable to measure a speech transmission quality of a transmission channel. The method includes receiving the test signal at a microphone, outputting a detected test signal, and processing the detected test signal to determine the speech transmission quality of the transmission channel. The method further includes adjusting an output level of a noise masking signal from the speaker responsive to the speech transmission quality.

Speech intelligibility measurement and open space noise masking

An interactive voice response method and system is described. A computerized IVR dialer signals to an IVR system that it is capable of high speed operations. The IVR system completes the high speed operations handshake with the IVR dialer. The two IVR components then continue processing of the IVR call at speeds higher than likely obtainable in a conventional IVR call, e.g., one in which the IVR dialer is performed by a human caller. The IVR system and the IVR dialer may employ a high speed IVR script that eliminates many of the instructional messages provided to human IVR callers and also eliminates or reduces the duration of pauses between the communication of information.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

Evan Harris Benway