System and Method for Providing a Quiet Zone

Abstract

A system and method for quieting unwanted sound. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method, for example implemented in a premises-based or home audio system, for quieting unwanted sound at a particular location.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An audio system comprising:
 at least one module operable to, at least:
 characterize a relationship between a sound signal and a received sound utilizing a microphone that is positioned outside a target zone of sound cancellation, where the sound signal is used to cause a loudspeaker to output an output sound and the received sound is the output sound as received at a location; 
 identify a sound at the location; 
 determine, based at least in part on the characterized relationship, a cancellation signal that, when used to cause the loudspeaker to output a counteracting sound, will quiet the identified sound at the location; and 
 generate the cancellation signal to cause the loudspeaker to output the counteracting sound, 
 wherein the at least one module is operable to determine the cancellation signal by, at least in part, operating to, independent of user input, set a magnitude of the cancellation signal to a level below that determined for ideal cancellation. 
   
     
     
         24 . The audio system of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one module is operable to characterize the relationship by, at least in part, operating to:
 generate a test stimulus signal to cause the loudspeaker to output a test sound;   receive the test sound at the location; and   analyze the test stimulus signal and the received test sound to determine a functional relationship between the test stimulus signal and the received test sound.   
     
     
         25 . The audio system of  claim 24 , wherein the test stimulus signal comprises a pseudo-random noise signal comprising a pink noise signal. 
     
     
         26 . The audio system of  claim 24 , wherein the test stimulus signal comprises a swept frequency signal comprising frequencies in a range up to at least twice a quieting passband of the audio system. 
     
     
         27 . The audio system of  claim 23 , wherein the magnitude of the cancellation signal is 6-10 dB lower than the level determined for ideal cancellation. 
     
     
         28 . The audio system of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one module is operable to characterize the relationship between the sound signal and the received sound by, at least in part, utilizing a plurality of microphones where each of the plurality of microphones is positioned at a respective fixed geographical location. 
     
     
         29 . The audio system of  claim 28 , wherein each of the respective fixed geographical locations is within a same room of a premises. 
     
     
         30 . An audio system comprising:
 at least one module operable to, at least:
 characterize a relationship between a sound signal and a received sound utilizing a plurality of microphones, where each of the plurality of microphones is positioned at a respective fixed geographical location, and where the sound signal is used to cause a loudspeaker to output an output sound and the received sound is the output sound as received at a location; 
 identify a sound at the location; 
 determine, based at least in part on the characterized relationship, a cancellation signal that, when used to cause the loudspeaker to output a counteracting sound, will quiet the identified sound at the location; and 
 generate the cancellation signal to cause the loudspeaker to output the counteracting sound, 
 wherein the at least one module is operable to determine the cancellation signal by, at least in part, operating to, independent of user input, set a magnitude of the cancellation signal to a level below that determined for ideal cancellation. 
   
     
     
         31 . The audio system of  claim 30 , wherein each of the respective fixed geographical locations is within a same room of a premises. 
     
     
         32 . The audio system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one module is operable to characterize the relationship by, at least in part, operating to:
 generate a test stimulus signal to cause the loudspeaker to output a test sound;   receive the test sound at the location; and   analyze the test stimulus signal and the received test sound to determine a functional relationship between the test stimulus signal and the received test sound.   
     
     
         33 . The audio system of  claim 32 , wherein the test stimulus signal comprises a pseudo-random noise signal comprising a pink noise signal. 
     
     
         34 . The audio system of  claim 32 , wherein the test stimulus signal comprises a swept frequency signal comprising frequencies in a range up to at least twice a quieting passband of the audio system. 
     
     
         35 . The audio system of  claim 30 , wherein the magnitude of the cancellation signal is 6-10 dB lower than the level determined for ideal cancellation. 
     
     
         36 . An audio system comprising:
 at least one module operable to, at least:
 characterize a relationship between a sound signal and a received sound, where the sound signal is used to cause a loudspeaker to output an output sound, and the received sound is the output sound as received at a location; 
 identify an unwanted sound at the location; 
 determine, based at least in part on the characterized relationship, a cancellation signal that, when used to cause the loudspeaker to output a counteracting sound, will quiet the unwanted sound at the location; and 
 generate the cancellation signal to cause the loudspeaker to output the counteracting sound, 
 wherein the at least one module is operable to determine the cancellation signal by, at least in part, operating to, independent of user input, set a magnitude of the cancellation signal to a level below that determined for ideal cancellation. 
   
     
     
         37 . The audio system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one module is operable to characterize the relationship by, at least in part, operating to:
 generate a test stimulus signal to cause the loudspeaker to output a test sound;   receive the test sound at the location; and   analyze the test stimulus signal and the received test sound to determine a functional relationship between the test stimulus signal and the received test sound.   
     
     
         38 . The audio system of  claim 37 , wherein the test stimulus signal comprises a pseudo-random noise signal comprising a pink noise signal. 
     
     
         39 . The audio system of  claim 37 , wherein the test stimulus signal comprises a swept frequency signal comprising frequencies in a range up to at least twice a quieting passband of the audio system. 
     
     
         40 . The audio system of  claim 36 , wherein the magnitude of the cancellation signal is 6-10 dB lower than the level determined for ideal cancellation. 
     
     
         41 . The audio system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one module is operable to characterize the relationship between the sound signal and the received sound by, at least in part, utilizing a microphone that is outside a target zone of sound cancellation. 
     
     
         42 . The audio system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one module is operable to characterize the relationship between the sound signal and the received sound by, at least in part, utilizing a plurality of microphones positioned at fixed geographical locations.