GB2368958A

GB2368958A - Method of Crowd Control

Info

Publication number: GB2368958A
Application number: GB0030815A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Mcrobb Calder
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-14
Filing date: 2000-12-18
Publication date: 2002-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-18
Also published as: GB2368958B; GB0030815D0; GB0027830D0

Abstract

In a method for controlling behaviour, one or more persons are monitored so as to detect the generation of a predetermined type of sound by these persons. Acoustic waves are generated 5,6 in response to the detection 8 of a predetermined type of sound and directed in such a way that the acoustic waves mix with the sound. The acoustic waves are such that the sound generated by the persons is indecipherable from the mix of sound and acoustic waves. The invention may be used to detect and respond to the use of expletives or abusive language at sporting events.

Description

METHOD OF CROWD CONTROL The present invention relates to a method of controlling or influencing the behaviour of one or more persons and, particularly, but not exclusively, to a method of controlling or influencing the behaviour of a crowd or part of a crowd at a sporting event.

It is well known for sporting, musical or other social events to be used by sections of a crowd as a vehicle for expressing sectarian, racial, bigoted and/or other anti-social views. This in itself can often have the undesirable affect of inciting further offensive, immoral and/or anti-social behaviour from other sections within the crowd. Although this behaviour may initially involve simply the singing and chanting of objectionable material, violent clashes between conflicting sections of a crowd may ultimately result. This in turn inevitably tends to spoil the enjoyment for the majority of the crowd of the sporting, musical or other event in question. In extreme cases, violent clashes between conflicting sections of the crowd may be of such a nature as to warrant postponement or cancellation of the event.

An aspect of the present invention provides a method of using acoustic wave generating equipment so as to influence the behaviour of one or more persons, the method comprising the steps of : monitoring one or more persons so as to detect the generation of a predetermined type of sound from said one or more persons; generating acoustic waves with acoustic wave generating equipment in response to a detection of said predetermined type of sound from said one or more persons; and directing said generated acoustic waves in such a way that said acoustic waves mix with the sound generated by said one or more persons, wherein said acoustic waves are such that said sound generated by said one or more persons is substantially indecipherable from the mix of said sound and said acoustic waves.

Thus, a certain aspect of the present invention provides a method of rendering a predetermined type of sound (such as anti-social songs or chants) substantially indecipherable. In use of the method, a crowd may be monitored so as to detect the generation of any objectionable sounds. These sounds may well be songs or chants, but may also be the result of, for example, clapping or foot stamping. The predetermined type of sound will be one which would generally be regarded as offensive, immoral and/or anti-social or one which would generally be expected to encourage offensive, immoral and/or anti-social behaviour. When this type of sound is detected, the acoustic wave generating equipment is activated so as to produce acoustic waves for mixing with the objectionable sounds generated by, for example, a section of a crowd. The acoustic waves are such that, when mixed with the objectionable sounds, the objectionable sounds are rendered indecipherable. In practice, this may be achieved with acoustic waves which themselves form a sound both audible to the human ear and sufficiently loud to effectively drown out the aforementioned objectionable sounds. As a result, the objectionable sounds will be inaudible to other sections of the crowd and will not therefore tend to incite further anti-social behaviour.

Further novel and advantageous features are defined in the appended claims 2 to 12.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates the manual implementation of the method of the present invention in relation to a crowd in a stadium; Figure 2 schematically illustrates the automatic implementation of the method of the present invention in relation to a crowd in a stadium ; and Figure 3 schematically illustrates a plan view of a section of the stadium shown in side view in Figures 1 and 2.

A side view of a stadium 1 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. It will be seen that the stadium 1 comprises five sections A, B, C, D, E, in which a crowd may be located. Each stadium section A, B, C, D, E is provided with acoustic wave generating equipment 2,3, 4,5, 6 comprising a set of speakers. More specifically, each stadium section A, B, C, D, E is provided with four speakers located in opposite comers (see Figure 3 referring to the fifth stadium section E). An alternative number of speakers may be provided as required.

With reference to Figure 1, it will be seen that a steward 7 is assigned to each stadium section A, B, C, D, E so as to monitor the crowd located within the relevant stadium section and detect the generation of any audible and objectionable sounds. In the event that such sounds are detected, the steward 7 may then manually activate the acoustic wave generating equipment so as to direct acoustic waves at the crowd located in the particular stadium section in which said objectionable sounds were detected. In Figure 1, acoustic waves are shown being directed at the crowd located within the fourth and fifth stadium sections D, E.

With reference to Figure 3, it will be seen that the acoustic waves are directed towards the crowd from the side of the relevant stadium section. However, in an alternative arrangement, the acoustic waves may be directed downwardly onto the crowd from the roof area of the stadium. In this way, exposure of adjacent stadium sections A, B, C to the acoustic waves may be reduced.

In Figure 2, the stadium 1 is provided with automatic means for monitoring a crowd within each stadium section. The automatic means comprises one or more microphones (not shown) located in each stadium section for receiving sound generated by the crowd. The microphones are connected to a computer 8 which receives the sound detected by a microphone and compares said sound with sounds which have been previously identified as being objectionable.

If the computer 8 determines that an objectionable sound is being omitted from a particular stadium section, the computer 8 will activate the acoustic wave generating equipment relating to that particular stadium section. The computer 8 may be programmed so as to compare the sounds received by the aforementioned microphones with musical rhythms or melodies typically associated with antisocial songs or chants.

The acoustic waves may form a sound sufficiently loud to effectively drown out the objectionable sounds produced by a crowd. The acoustic waves may produce a constant tone alarm, a musical melody or some other type of sound.

It is preferable for the acoustic waves to produce a sound having a calming affect.

Since the volume of sound associated with the acoustic waves is sufficient to effectively drown out the objectionable sounds produced by a section of the crowd, said objectionable sounds will become inaudible/indecipherable to other sections of the crowd and also to those persons taking part in the event (for example, the footballers at a football match). As a consequence of the objectionable sounds being inaudible, there will be a reduced risk of violence being incited and a tendency for the section of crowd generating the objectionable sounds to be dissuaded from continuing their anti-social behaviour. The attention of the crowd as a whole will then tend to focus on the sporting or other event in question as is desirable.

In an alternative arrangement, the acoustic waves may be generated so as to have a suppressive effect. Objectionable sounds generated by a section of crowd may be thereby attenuated. In this way, the volume of objectionable sounds are reduced to such a low level that they are either inaudible or drowned out by the normal acceptable crowd noise within the stadium. This arrangement may be particularly desirable since it will not necessarily be obvious to the crowd that acoustic wave generating equipment for suppressing crowd noise has been activated.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 3, the acoustic waves for rendering objectionable sounds indecipherable are directed at the source of the objectionable sounds. However, in an alternative arrangement, the acoustic waves can be directed at persons who are to be protected from hearing the objectionable sounds. Such an arrangement may be of particular use where a public speaker is to be protected from heckling so as to assist with the speaker's concentration.

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above. Alternative arrangements will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art. For example, the invention may be used to increase safety at public events by discouraging people from standing. This may be achieved with reference to the characteristic sound of larger numbers of people simultaneously standing up or jumping up and down on the solid flooring of a stadium.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method of using acoustic wave generating equipment so as to influence the behaviour of one or more persons, the method comprising the steps of : monitoring one or more persons so as to detect the generation of a predetermined type of sound from said one or more persons; generating acoustic waves with acoustic wave generating equipment in response to a detection of said predetermined type of sound from said one or more persons; and directing said generated acoustic waves in such a way that said acoustic waves mix with the sound generated by said one or more persons; wherein said acoustic waves are such that said sound generated by said one or more persons is substantially indecipherable from the mix of said sound and said acoustic waves.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring said one or more persons comprises the comparison of sound generated by said one or more persons with sound of a predetermined type.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said comparison of sounds is undertaken by automated means.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said automated means comprises a computer.
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said predetermined type of sound would generally be regarded as offensive, immoral and/or anti-social.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said predetermined type of sound comprises an orally generated sound.
7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said generated acoustic waves act to suppress said sound generated by said one or more persons.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said generated acoustic waves attenuate said sound generated by said or more persons.
9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said generated acoustic waves are directed at those persons generating said predetermined type of sound.
10. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, where said generated acoustic waves are directed at persons who are intended not to hear said predetermined type of sound.
11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising the further steps of : monitoring said one or more persons so as to detect a cessation in a generation of a predetermined type of sound; and ceasing said generation of acoustic waves in response to a detection of a cessation in a generation of a predetermined type of sound.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said generation of acoustic waves is ceased only when no predetermined types of sound are detected.