GB2446435A - Active noise reduction system for a lavatory - Google Patents

Active noise reduction system for a lavatory Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2446435A
GB2446435A GB0702644A GB0702644A GB2446435A GB 2446435 A GB2446435 A GB 2446435A GB 0702644 A GB0702644 A GB 0702644A GB 0702644 A GB0702644 A GB 0702644A GB 2446435 A GB2446435 A GB 2446435A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
toilet
sound
sensing
acoustic
signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0702644A
Other versions
GB0702644D0 (en
Inventor
Jonathan Kassam
David Hopkins
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0702644A priority Critical patent/GB2446435A/en
Publication of GB0702644D0 publication Critical patent/GB0702644D0/en
Priority to GB0713638A priority patent/GB2446474B/en
Publication of GB2446435A publication Critical patent/GB2446435A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G10K11/1781—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase characterised by the analysis of input or output signals, e.g. frequency range, modes, transfer functions
    • G10K11/17821—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase characterised by the analysis of input or output signals, e.g. frequency range, modes, transfer functions characterised by the analysis of the input signals only
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G10K11/1781—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase characterised by the analysis of input or output signals, e.g. frequency range, modes, transfer functions
    • G10K11/17821—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase characterised by the analysis of input or output signals, e.g. frequency range, modes, transfer functions characterised by the analysis of the input signals only
    • G10K11/17823—Reference signals, e.g. ambient acoustic environment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G10K11/1783—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase handling or detecting of non-standard events or conditions, e.g. changing operating modes under specific operating conditions
    • G10K11/17833—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase handling or detecting of non-standard events or conditions, e.g. changing operating modes under specific operating conditions by using a self-diagnostic function or a malfunction prevention function, e.g. detecting abnormal output levels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G10K11/1785—Methods, e.g. algorithms; Devices
    • G10K11/17855—Methods, e.g. algorithms; Devices for improving speed or power requirements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G10K11/1785—Methods, e.g. algorithms; Devices
    • G10K11/17857—Geometric disposition, e.g. placement of microphones
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G10K11/1785—Methods, e.g. algorithms; Devices
    • G10K11/17861—Methods, e.g. algorithms; Devices using additional means for damping sound, e.g. using sound absorbing panels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178—Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G10K11/1787—General system configurations
    • G10K11/17873—General system configurations using a reference signal without an error signal, e.g. pure feedforward
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K2210/00—Details of active noise control [ANC] covered by G10K11/178 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • G10K2210/10—Applications

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Toilet Supplies (AREA)
  • Soundproofing, Sound Blocking, And Sound Damping (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

Unwanted sounds produced by the use of a lavatory are reduced by an active noise reduction system. The system can be placed or affixed in the vicinity of a toilet or toilet bowl, incorporated into a toilet or bathroom accessory or d’cor, including being incorporated or affixed to a toilet seat lid or inside the bowl itself. The system may be activated by a noise sensor, motion sensor or other proximity sensor, and the system may include toilet bowl illumination preferably activated by the or those sensors.

Description

* . 2446435 Title: Sound Generator Back2round of the Invention The use
of a lavatory produces sounds. These sounds can be undesirable or embarrassing and therefore can be considered unwanted. These unwanted sounds particularly conspicuous and more noticeable at night.
Statement of the Invention
This invention concerns a method of, and apparatus for, reducing unwanted sounds generated by the use of a toilet by means of generating a sound which acts to nullify the source of the unwanted sound.
Introduction to Drawin2s
An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1: Principle function of the invention Figure 2: Peak sound detector Figure 3: Movement sensor and light level sensor and illuminator Figure 4: Block diagram of a typical function of invention
Detailed Description
This invention concerns a method of, and apparatus for, reducing unwanted sounds generated by the use of a toilet.
The source of the unwanted sound is converted by an acoustic transducer to produce an electrical signal. This signal is then inverted and amplified such that the waveform has the inverted shape of the original input signal. The inverted signal is then amplified and used to drive an electro-acoustic output device.
The resultant acoustic waves counteract the original unwanted sound thus reducing the audible level of the unwanted sound. Figure 1 shows the principle.
The acoustic transducer circuit can be also used to enable an auto-on (and off) feature by using peak detection thus enabling the device to function at a preset or controllable sound threshold. This serves to minimise the power consumption and can be used to restrict activation to a sound source within a prescribed locality. Figure 2 shows the principle.
A movement sensor can also be used to enable the device, allowing power consumption to be minimised and limiting activation to local movement of a body or physical movement of a seat or seat cover. The invention can also incorporate a light source to guide the user. This light source may also have a built in timer which will turn the light source off after a preset time or no sound has been detected after a specific time has lapsed. Figure 3 shows the principle of the movement sensor, the light detector, illuminator and timer.
The circuit incorporates an Automatic Gain Control feature which prevents the inverted uuEpui sound exceeding the amplitude of source sound.
Figure 4 shows is a functional block diagram of an example of the invention.
The invention can be powered by either mains electricity or by battery sources.

Claims (10)

  1. Claims What is claimed is: 1. Apparatus for the reducing unwanted sound
    emanating from a toilet bowl and or toilet tank by means of nullifying the unwanted sound through sound superposition. Apparatus senses unwanted sound by means of an electro-acoustic transducer and converts it to an electrical signal. Said signal in then inverted and amplified thus creating an inverted signal of opposite amplitude to the said signal. The resultant amplified output signal drives an electro-acoustic output device which is within acoustic range of the sound source, to produce a sound output in the same frequency range and of similar but inverted amplitude of the unwanted sound source and by acoustic wave superposition reducing the unwanted sound.
  2. 2. The device as claimed in claim I, wherein the apparatus is powered by either a battery source or a power supply derived from the mains electrical supply.
  3. 3. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, housed in such a way as to be waterproof and prevent water penetration of the housing of the electrical apparatus.
  4. 4. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, designed to activate circuit from a low power or standby mode by means of sensing by a movement sensing switch r.
  5. 5. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, designed to activate circuit from a low power or standby mode by means of sensing by said electro-acoustic input transducer.
  6. 6. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, designed to activate circuit from a low power or standby mode by means of sensing by a proximity detector.
  7. 7. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, including or incorporating a toilet bowl illuminator.
  8. 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, including or incorporating a low light level sensor in order to activate illuminator.
  9. 9. The device as claimed in claim 7, with illuminator activated one or more of the sensing means in claim 4.
  10. 10. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is: a stand alone unit which can be placed or affixed in the vicinity of a toilet or toilet bowl; incorporated into a toilet or bathroom accessory or decor, including being incorporated or affixed to a toilet seat lid or inside the bowl itself.
GB0702644A 2007-02-12 2007-02-12 Active noise reduction system for a lavatory Withdrawn GB2446435A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0702644A GB2446435A (en) 2007-02-12 2007-02-12 Active noise reduction system for a lavatory
GB0713638A GB2446474B (en) 2007-02-12 2007-07-12 Sound generator

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0702644A GB2446435A (en) 2007-02-12 2007-02-12 Active noise reduction system for a lavatory

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0702644D0 GB0702644D0 (en) 2007-03-21
GB2446435A true GB2446435A (en) 2008-08-13

Family

ID=37899130

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0702644A Withdrawn GB2446435A (en) 2007-02-12 2007-02-12 Active noise reduction system for a lavatory
GB0713638A Expired - Fee Related GB2446474B (en) 2007-02-12 2007-07-12 Sound generator

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0713638A Expired - Fee Related GB2446474B (en) 2007-02-12 2007-07-12 Sound generator

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB2446435A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102011085352A1 (en) * 2011-10-27 2013-05-02 Rebecca Scherer Device for use in toilets and beds for bypassing or damping of toilet motion- and snoring noise, has waterproof or non-waterproof acoustic input and waterproof or non-waterproof acoustic output, where device is activated by sensor

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10072406B2 (en) * 2016-06-08 2018-09-11 David R. Hall Quiet toilet apparatus

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH03181996A (en) * 1989-12-12 1991-08-07 Toto Ltd Low flushing sound toilet stool
JPH05132986A (en) * 1991-11-15 1993-05-28 Inax Corp Noise attenuating method for toilet bowl
JPH05143082A (en) * 1991-11-21 1993-06-11 Inax Corp Active sound elimination device and equipment installed room
GB2408568A (en) * 2003-11-27 2005-06-01 Daniel Peter Waterhouse Toilet facility
US20060039569A1 (en) * 2004-08-19 2006-02-23 Antaki Patrick R Noise canceling toilet
WO2006105553A1 (en) * 2005-03-30 2006-10-05 Geoffrey Donavan Strydom Eluminated lavatory

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH03181996A (en) * 1989-12-12 1991-08-07 Toto Ltd Low flushing sound toilet stool
JPH05132986A (en) * 1991-11-15 1993-05-28 Inax Corp Noise attenuating method for toilet bowl
JPH05143082A (en) * 1991-11-21 1993-06-11 Inax Corp Active sound elimination device and equipment installed room
GB2408568A (en) * 2003-11-27 2005-06-01 Daniel Peter Waterhouse Toilet facility
US20060039569A1 (en) * 2004-08-19 2006-02-23 Antaki Patrick R Noise canceling toilet
WO2006105553A1 (en) * 2005-03-30 2006-10-05 Geoffrey Donavan Strydom Eluminated lavatory

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102011085352A1 (en) * 2011-10-27 2013-05-02 Rebecca Scherer Device for use in toilets and beds for bypassing or damping of toilet motion- and snoring noise, has waterproof or non-waterproof acoustic input and waterproof or non-waterproof acoustic output, where device is activated by sensor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0702644D0 (en) 2007-03-21
GB2446474B (en) 2009-02-18
GB2446474A (en) 2008-08-13
GB0713638D0 (en) 2007-08-22

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)