Prior art

US Patent 11204736, titled "Multi-frequency sensing method and apparatus using mobile-clusters," addresses systems and methods for autonomously managing audio environments, particularly focusing on detecting and mitigating hazardous sound frequencies using distributed networks of smart devices. The patent claims, as outlined in its "Summary of the Embodiments" section, describe a system and method that include an audio control source, at least one cluster of computing devices (each with a sound sensing mechanism and wireless transceiver), and at least one output device. The audio control source processes sensed noise to identify and isolate sounds, determine if any sound frequency falls outside a predetermined hazardous threshold, and, if so, alters the sound to bring its frequency within the threshold before outputting it. This emphasis on real-time, autonomous frequency alteration for safety, driven by a distributed sensing network, forms a core aspect of the invention.

The following prior art references were cited in US11204736 and are analyzed for potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, considering US11204736's priority date of September 23, 2014.

Most Relevant Prior Art Analysis for US11204736

Here are the prior art citations from US11204736, along with their details and an assessment of potential anticipation:

1. U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,884

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,884, "Audio enhancement system and method of use with a sound system for producing primary sound from at least one main loudspeaker located at a main position," issued September 16, 1997.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: September 16, 1997; Filed: March 24, 1995.
• Brief Description: This patent describes an audio enhancement system that uses a wireless transmitter to broadcast signals from a main loudspeaker to portable units (e.g., headphones) carried by individuals. Time delay circuitry in the system synchronizes the augmented sound produced by the portable units with the sound arriving directly from the main loudspeaker, thereby improving the listening experience for remote individuals.
• Potential Anticipation: While 5,668,884 utilizes wireless transmission and portable devices for audio, it primarily focuses on compensating for signal propagation delays to enhance perceived sound quality for individual listeners. It does not describe a system that senses ambient noise via "clusters" of devices, identifies sound frequencies exceeding a "predetermined hazardous threshold," or autonomously alters the primary sound system's output based on such a threshold to prevent harm. It anticipates the general concept of providing personalized, delayed audio via portable devices but not the real-time, environmental hazard mitigation aspects of US11204736's claims.

2. U.S. Pat. No. 7,991,171

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 7,991,171, "Method and apparatus for processing an audio signal in multiple audio frequency bands while minimizing undesirable changes in tonal qualities of the audio signal," issued August 2, 2011.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: August 2, 2011; Filed: June 23, 2008.
• Brief Description: This patent details a method and apparatus for processing audio signals across multiple frequency bands to maintain tonal qualities. It involves determining and adjusting gain factors for each band, with adjustments for one band influencing harmonic frequencies in other bands to reduce relative volume changes.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent certainly involves sophisticated audio signal processing and frequency band manipulation. However, its stated goal is to preserve "tonal qualities" and minimize "undesirable changes" in audio. It lacks the core elements of US11204736 related to sensing environmental noise through "mobile clusters," comparing sensed frequencies to a "predetermined hazardous threshold" (especially one related to bodily harm), and autonomously altering system output to conform to that threshold for safety. Therefore, it does not anticipate the specific problem or solution of US11204736.

3. U.S. Pat. No. 8,315,398

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 8,315,398, "Method of adjusting a loudness of an audio signal," issued November 20, 2012.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: November 20, 2012; Filed: December 14, 2010.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method for adjusting the loudness of an audio signal. It involves receiving an electronic audio signal, processing it to determine its loudness (approximating human hearing), computing a gain based on this loudness to keep it substantially constant, and then applying this gain to the audio signal.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent focuses on maintaining a constant loudness level for an audio signal based on a human hearing approximation. While it involves processing and adjusting audio parameters, it does not disclose a distributed network of "mobile clusters" sensing environmental noise, identifying specific hazardous frequencies against a "predetermined threshold," or autonomously altering output to mitigate potential harm. Its scope is limited to consistent loudness, not environmental hazard mitigation through a distributed sensing network.

4. U.S. Pat. No. 8,452,432

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 8,452,432, "User-friendly system for real time performance and user modification of one or more previously recorded musical compositions," issued May 28, 2013.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: May 28, 2013; Filed: November 29, 2011.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a user-friendly system, implementable on portable electronic devices like smartphones, that allows real-time modification of recorded musical compositions. Users can select different versions of musical components and apply digital sound effects via a graphical user interface.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent is directed towards user-driven creative modification of music. It focuses on facilitating user involvement in the creation of new compositions reflecting personal style. It entirely lacks the elements of autonomous environmental sensing, distributed "mobile clusters," identification of hazardous frequencies against a "predetermined threshold," and the subsequent alteration of system output for safety purposes, which are central to US11204736.

5. U.S. Pat. No. 8,594,319

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 8,594,319, "Methods and apparatuses for adjusting audio content when more multiple audio objects are directed toward a single audio output device," issued November 26, 2013.
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: November 26, 2013; Filed: June 28, 2012.
• Brief Description: This patent describes methods and apparatuses for adjusting audio content (amplitude, white noise, frequencies) when multiple audio objects are directed to a single output device. It uses classification and ranking of audio objects to prioritize processing and enhance overall sound quality or intelligibility.
• Potential Anticipation: This patent manages the mixing and output of multiple audio sources to a single device, using frequency and amplitude adjustments for quality and intelligibility. While it involves manipulating audio characteristics, it does not disclose the distributed "mobile cluster" sensing of environmental noise, the concept of a "predetermined hazardous threshold" for such noise, or the autonomous, system-wide alteration of output to mitigate environmental hazards as claimed in US11204736.

6. United States Patent Publication No.: 2007/0217623

• Full Citation: United States Patent Publication No. 2007/0217623, "Real-time processing apparatus capable of controlling power consumption without performing complex arithmetic processing and requiring a special memory resource," published September 20, 2007.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: September 20, 2007; Filed: March 14, 2006.
• Brief Description: This publication describes a real-time audio processing apparatus designed for power efficiency. It uses two audio encoders (one high-throughput, one low-throughput) and switches between them based on a measured processing "step number" (throughput level) compared to a predefined threshold. The goal is to control power consumption.
• Potential Anticipation: This publication focuses on internal system performance and power management based on processing throughput thresholds. While it uses "real-time processing" and "thresholds," these are distinct from the environmental sound frequency thresholds and hazard mitigation of US11204736. It does not teach the distributed sensing, hazardous frequency identification, or autonomous output alteration for safety.

7. United States Patent Publication No.: 2011/0134278

• Full Citation: United States Patent Publication No. 2011/0134278, "Image/audio data sensing module incorporated in a case of an electronic apparatus," published June 9, 2011.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: June 9, 2011; Filed: December 6, 2010.
• Brief Description: This publication describes a sensing module within an electronic apparatus, comprising image sensors and multiple audio sensors. A processor processes the sensed data, and a transceiver transmits a combined output data stream.
• Potential Anticipation: This publication teaches the use of multiple audio sensors within an electronic device to sense audio data and transmit it. This partially aligns with the "sound sensing mechanism" and "wireless transceiver" components of US11204736's computing devices. However, it does not describe these sensors as part of "mobile clusters" in a networked environment, nor does it detail an audio control source specifically identifying hazardous frequencies based on a "predetermined threshold" and altering output to mitigate such hazards. It's a general sensing and data streaming module, not a complete system for autonomous audio hazard control.

8. United States Patent Publication No.: 2013/0044131

• Full Citation: United States Patent Publication No. 2013/0044131, "Method for revealing changes in settings of an analog control console," published February 21, 2013.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: February 21, 2013; Filed: August 17, 2012.
• Brief Description: This publication describes a method to reveal changes in settings of an analog control console by superimposing a captured image of the console with a live image and displaying the composite.
• Potential Anticipation: This publication is entirely unrelated to audio sensing, processing, or output control, focusing instead on visual methods for monitoring analog console settings. It does not anticipate any claims of US11204736.

9. United States Patent Publication No.: 2013/0294618

• Full Citation: United States Patent Publication No. 2013/0294618, "Method and devices of sound volume management and control in the attended areas," published November 21, 2013.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: November 21, 2013; Filed: May 20, 2013.
• Brief Description: This publication describes a sound reproducing system for managing and controlling sound volume in attended areas. It includes a central station, peripheral stations for audio reception and playback, a listener location recognition appliance, and a computing device to calculate sounding and controlling parameters for system tuning. The system can operate wirelessly and form a local network.
• Potential Anticipation: This is the most relevant prior art. It clearly describes a distributed, wireless sound management and control system ("central station," "peripheral stations," "local network") in "attended areas." It identifies "listener's location recognition" and "calculating controlling parameters for system tuning" to adjust output. This broadly anticipates several elements of US11204736, including an audio control source, distributed sensing points (peripheral stations functioning somewhat like clusters), wireless communication, and varying audio output based on environmental conditions/listener location.
  However, the crucial distinction for US11204736 lies in the specific criterion for alteration: detecting if "one or more sounds includes a frequency outside of a predetermined threshold" that poses a "risk of harm to a human's body," and then altering those specific frequencies to fall within that threshold. While 2013/0294618 mentions "sound volume management and control" and "calculation of controlling parameters for system tuning," it does not explicitly disclose the detection of specific hazardous frequencies against a predetermined harm-related threshold and the subsequent alteration of those frequencies in the output. This specificity of hazardous frequency detection and precise alteration to mitigate harm based on distributed sensing by mobile clusters appears to be the novel contribution of US11204736 beyond the general sound management system of 2013/0294618. Thus, 2013/0294618 potentially anticipates the general system and method claims of US11204736 relating to distributed audio control and adjustment, but likely not the specific "predetermined threshold for harm" and "altering the sound so that the frequency does not fall outside the predetermined threshold" features.