Device and Method for Measuring and Visualization of Sound Level

Abstract

Device and method for measuring and visualizing the sound level in a place where at least two people are gathered, comprising at least one sound detector which is connected to at least one visualization device in such a way that the visualization device responds to sound at the place. The visualization device is arranged so that it provides a gradually increasing response to gradually decreasing sound level. The visualization can be instantaneous or show average values for a defined period of time. The device is typically reversible so that it also provides a decreasing response to increasing noise levels. Instructions are given for use in gathering locations such as school classes, kindergarten rooms, meeting rooms, party rooms and group rooms for people with special behavioural challenges.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A device for measuring and visualizing sound level in a location wherein at least two persons are present, comprising at least one sound detector connected to at least one visualization device such that the visualization device responds to sound on the spot, wherein the visualization device is configured to provide a gradually increasing response to gradually decreasing sound level.

17. The device according to claim 16, further comprising a control device that allows the visualization device to provide a response based on registered average values of sound level within a defined period of time.

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein the visualization device is an analogue display.

19. The device according to claim 16, wherein the visualization device comprises a digital drawing program configured for generating graphic shapes.

20. The device according to claim 17, wherein the visualization device comprises a digital drawing program configured for generating graphic shapes.

21. The device according to claim 16, wherein the visualization device is a lighting device.

22. The device according to claim 17, wherein the visualization device is a lighting device.

23. The device according to claim 21, wherein the lighting device is configured to provide stronger light in response to decreasing sound level.

24. The device according to claim 21, wherein the lighting device is arranged to change from cold colors to warm colors in response to decreasing sound level.

25. The device according to claim 17, wherein the gradually increasing response to gradually decreasing sound level is based on one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of the number of persons gathered in the room, type of gathering, form of gathering and health-related data from authorities and professional communities for sound exposure of persons.

26. The device according to claim 17, wherein the device is configured to be controlled by an app wherein the number of people gathered in the room, type of gathering, form of gathering and health-related data from authorities and professional communities for sound exposure of people are entered in the app and the course of the gradually increasing response to gradually decreasing sound level is fed from the app into the device.

27. The device according to claim 17, wherein the device is configured to store history for any setup, and wherein the history forms the basis for statistics and comparison between recent and historical data.

28. The device according to claim 21, wherein the device is configured to store history for any setup, and wherein the history forms the basis for statistics and comparison between recent and historical data.

29. The device according to claim 23, wherein the device is configured to store history for any setup, and wherein the history forms the basis for statistics and comparison between recent and historical data.

30. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that the visualization device is available in different shapes and sizes which are adapted to different areas of use.

31. The device according to claim 16, wherein the device is additionally configured to provide a gradually decreasing response to gradually increasing sound level.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein the gradually decreasing response at gradually increasing sound level is configured to exhibit absence of response when the sound level has exceeded a predetermined threshold for a continuous period of time.

33. The device according to claim 17, wherein the gradually decreasing response at gradually increasing sound level is configured to exhibit absence of response when the sound level has exceeded a predetermined threshold for a continuous period of time.

34. A method for measuring and visualizing sound level in a location wherein at least two people are present, comprising providing at least one sound detector, connecting the sound detector to at least one visualizing device such that the visualizing device responds to sound on the spot, connecting the visualizing device to the sound detector such that the visualizing device provides a gradually increasing response to gradually decreasing sound level.

35. A use of the device according to claim 16 for visualizing sound in assemblies selected from the group consisting of school classes, kindergarten departments, meeting rooms, party rooms and group rooms for individuals with behavioural challenges.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail through some non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1A schematically shows an arrangement of a first embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 1B schematically shows an arrangement of a second embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 1C schematically shows an arrangement of a third embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 1 D schematically shows an arrangement of a fourth embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 2A schematically shows a graph of the first relationship between volume and visualization.

[0034] FIG. 2B schematically shows a graph of another relationship between volume and visualization.

[0035] FIGS. 3A-3F schematically show in several steps a specific type of visualization.

[0036] FIGS. 4A-4C schematically show in three steps an alternative visualization to that shown in FIGS. 3A-3F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1A shows a sound detector 11 which is connected to a visualization device 12 shown as an analogue meter. The reading on the meter can, for example, be proportional to 1/db. The desired area can be shaded as shown in the figure. Note that it is not necessarily the case that the lowest possible sound is the most desirable situation; where people meet, it is natural and usually desirable that the sound is kept within an area where some sound is present, not too loud, but also not completely quiet. In its simplest form, there is no control and no memory included, only an immediate display of the existing sound level at any given time. The detector 11 contains a microphone and sufficient electronics to provide an output signal, which is inverted in relation to the measured sound level.

[0038] FIG. 1B shows in principle the same as FIG. 1A, but with a visualization device in the form of a lamp 112. It is understood that the lamp is equipped with the necessary power supply, either from the mains or from the battery. The current of the lamp is controlled from the detector 11 in such a way that a weak sound level produces stronger (more) light than a high sound level.

[0039] FIG. 1C shows a variant of FIG. 1B, where more than 1 lamp is included. This may be appropriate if the area being measured is large and not everyone present is able to see a single lamp. However, one can also use a system of lamps connected so that more and more lamps are lit as the sound level decreases, and vice versa, instead of—or in addition to—the brightness of the individual lamp being adjusted step by step. Optionally, the colors may also be different in the different lamps as discussed in more detail below.

[0040] FIG. 1D shows a layout which basically corresponds to the layout in FIG. 1A, but which includes a control device 13 which is programmable, which means that the device can be changed as required, for example depending on the number of people present, what type of gathering is going on, for example party or meeting or lunch room, etc. The control device 13 can also contain a memory that enables storage of and comparison with historical data, reporting of development, etc. Finally, the control device can be arranged so that it is wirelessly programmable from a smart mobile phone 14 by means of a so-called app.

[0041] FIG. 2A shows a relationship between a visualized response (Viz) and a measured sound level. The response decreases with increasing volume from 0 db to a zero response at 75 db. When used in combination with a control device 13 as shown in FIG. 1D, e.g. the sound level at which the response becomes zero is reprogrammed as desired. In the opposite direction, the visualized response increases with decreasing sound level. The figure also illustrates the fact that with increasing sound level, a level will be reached after which no further change occurs. This means that in the event of a gradually decreasing response at a gradually increasing sound level, the device will show an absence of response when the sound level has exceeded a predetermined threshold, possibly for a continuous period of time.

[0042] FIG. 2B shows an alternative course where the maximum response is reached when the sound level drops to 30 db. Often there will be background noise at this level, or higher, and it would be unmotivating if you were not able to achieve maximum response due to conditions you are not able to influence. Again, it will be the case that if the device comprises a programmable control device, it can also be possible to adjust the level where the maximum response is achieved as desired.

[0043] In both FIGS. 2A and 2B, the area where the visualization changes is shown as a straight, sloping line. However, it is not a prerequisite that the visualization is linearly dependent on the (inversed) sound level. Moreover, the db scale in which sound volume is typically measured, has in itself an exponential scale, and a linear response to an exponentially produced base value (as sound volume) is not a linear response to the base value itself.

[0044] FIGS. 3A-3F show an alternative form of visualization of the measured sound by means of a digital drawing program, where the sound as shown in FIG. 3A is represented as a minimal circle segment when the sound exceeds a maximum level, for example 80 db, while increasingly of the circle is drawn out the more the sound is reduced down to a desired minimum level, which in FIG. 3F is shown as 30 db. It should be emphasized that the figures are only exemplary and that in various alternative situations a sound level of 35 db, 40 db, 45 db or 50 db can be regarded as within the optimal range. The visualization according to FIGS. 3A-3F can take place on a computer screen or the like by means of a digital drawing program known per se.

[0045] As mentioned, an increasing response can also be shown with colors, and more specifically that increasing response is to be understood as a shift from cold to warm colors, i.e. a shift from shortwave (blue) light in the direction of long-wave (red) light. Blue light has wavelengths in the range 445 to 520 nm, while red light has wavelengths in the range 625 to 740 nm.

[0046] The use of color can also be combined with such a drawing of a circle as shown in FIGS. 3A-3F, for example starting with blue color of the circle segment in the first quadrant (<90 degrees), transition to green into the second quadrant (>90 degrees), further transition to yellow into the third quadrant (>180 degrees), transition to orange into the fourth quadrant (>270 degrees) and change to red when the circle is fully drawn (360 degrees).

[0047] The FIGS. 4A-4C show an alternative visualization to that shown in FIGS. 3A-3F where the sound level is presented as a bar graph. A visible but minimal bar is drawn at 80 db and sound levels above this level. The height of the bar is gradually increased with decreasing sound down to 55 db and remains a fully subscribed bar at all sound levels below this level. The figure illustrates in addition to the form of the visualization that a sound level lower than 55 dB is not always of interest to strive for, either based on background noise or the type of gathering at which the measurement is made.

[0048] It is emphasized that the disclosed embodiments do not bring anything new with regard to lighting devices, analog displays, drawing programs, etc. It is assumed to use per se known technology when it comes to implementing such devices for the relevant displays of noise level.

[0049] The visualization devices can be used in different shapes and sizes that are adapted to different areas of use.

[0050] The disclosed embodiments can be used in many different contexts and places, such as in assemblies such as school classes, kindergarten departments, meeting rooms, party rooms and group rooms for people with special behavioural challenges.