Sound altering apparatus

A sound altering apparatus for altering predetermined sound levels of a sound producing device, the sound altering apparatus comprising:

• at least one piezoelectric foil sensor disposed relative to the sound producing device for sensing sound wave energy emitted therefrom and converting the sound wave energy to an electric sound signal;
• a first electric circuit in electrical communication with the at least one piezoelectric foil sensor for receiving and analyzing the electric sound signal to determine audible frequencies that characterize the sound, and generating a first electric signal representative thereof, the electric circuit including a ground connection and being configured for shunting the at least a portion of the electric sound signal to the ground connection;
• and
• a second electric circuit including a frequency processor and generator in electrical communication with the first electric circuit for receiving the first electric signal and generating a second electric signal representative of sound cancelling frequencies;
• a third electric circuit in electrical communication with the second electric circuit and including a sound transducer disposed in audible communication with the sound generating device, the third electrical circuit being configured for receiving and processing the second electrical signal to produce sound cancelling sound waves using the sound transducer, thereby reducing sound heard outside the sound producing device.

A sound altering apparatus for altering predetermined sound levels of a sound producing device, the sound altering apparatus comprising:

• at least one piezoelectric foil sensor disposed relative to the sound generating device for sensing sound wave energy emitted therefrom and converting the sound wave energy to an electric signal;
• a first electric circuit in electrical communication with the at least one piezoelectric foil sensor for receiving and analyzing the electric sound signal to determine audible frequencies that characterize the sound and generating a first electric signal representative thereof;
• a second electrical circuit including a frequency processor and generator in electrical communication with the first electric circuit for receiving the first electric signal and generating a second electric signal representative of sound cancelling frequencies;
• a third electric circuit in electrical communication with the second electrical circuit and including a sound transducer disposed in audible communication with the sound generating element, the third electrical circuit being configured for receiving and processing the second electrical signal to produce sound cancelling sound waves using the sound transducer;
• and
• a control circuit in electrical communication with the third electrical circuit for controlling operation thereof, the control circuit having at least two selectively engagable operational modes including a first mode for real-time monitoring of the second electrical signal for controlling the third electrical circuit responsive thereto, and a second mode for operating the third electrical circuit in conjunction with predetermined operational modes of the sound producing device, thereby reducing sound heard outside the sound producing device.