FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the monitoring and/or management of spaces such as work or office spaces. More specifically, the invention aims to monitor and/or manage work or office spaces in order to facilitate and/or optimize a working environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is an increasing demand in the society for an efficient use of work or office spaces. This demand may be related to relatively high costs for some office spaces, especially in urban areas, and may alternatively, or in combination, be related to energy efficiency in terms of lighting, ventilation, etc. Furthermore, there is a wish to provide the most suitable work or office space to the intended activity taking place in the mentioned space.

An essential element of any work or office space strategy is the knowledge of activity types in the space(s) and their relevance for the occupier(s) and/or the business operations. Today, input to office or work place strategy is often based on assumptions, estimates, (sporadic) observations, or the like. This input is often inaccurate and/or is not representative enough to ensure that the strategy cater for the demand(s) of the work or office space personnel. Next to that, the approaches in the prior art fail to detect work changes over time that might evolve from changes in the required work type, changes in the work force (amount and type of people) and/or other factors affecting the business operations.

In order to try to optimize one or more aspects of work or office space utilization, it should be noted that some arrangements in the prior art use cameras. However, cameras are often not tolerated in professionally spaces, e.g. due to issues of privacy. Moreover, cameras and/or camera systems are also often too expensive for many workplaces. Furthermore, systems for booking office rooms or spaces cannot solve the problem entirely, even if the systems would be enhanced by some knowledge about the meeting and activity intentions, as many office or work space types often cannot be booked, but are occupied on demand (e.g. brief conversation). Hence, it is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more deficiencies of the prior art regarding office or work space monitoring and/or management, and to provide an efficient use of work or office spaces by determining and/or providing the most suitable work or office space for an activity taking place in the mentioned space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is of interest to overcome one or more deficiencies of the prior art related to office or work space monitoring and/or management, and to provide an efficient use of work or office spaces by determining and/or providing the most suitable work or office space for an activity taking place in the mentioned space.

This and other objects are achieved by providing a system, a method and a computer program having the features in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Hence, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for monitoring a space. The system comprises at least one audio sensor configured to detect an audio signal within the space. The system further comprises a processor configured to obtain the audio signal and to determine at least one first audio signal pattern based on the obtained audio signal. The processor is further configured to, based on a first list of audio signal patterns, wherein each audio signal pattern is associated with an activity within the space, determine at least one activity in the space by associating at least one of the at least one first audio signal pattern with at least one audio signal pattern of the first list of audio signal patterns. The processor is further configured to, based on a second list of at least one intended activity for the space, determine if the determined at least one activity in the space corresponds to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring a space. The method comprises detecting an audio signal within the space, and determining at least one first audio signal pattern based on the audio signal. The method further comprises, based on a first list of audio signal patterns, wherein each audio signal pattern is associated with an activity within the space, determining at least one activity in the space by associating at least one of the at least one first audio signal pattern with at least one audio signal pattern of the first list of audio signal patterns. The method further comprises, based on a second list of at least one intended activity for the space, determining if the determined at least one activity in the space corresponds to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer readable code for causing a computer to carry out the steps of the method according to the second aspect of the present invention when the computer program is carried out on the computer.

Thus, the present invention is based on the idea of providing a system for monitoring a space based on audio detection and processing thereof. The processor of the system is configured to compare and/or associate an audio signal pattern from the space with a predetermined list of audio signal patterns, which are linked or associated with (a) specific activity(ies). Hence, the processor is configured to identify the type of activity conducted in the space. The processor is thereafter configured to determine if the type of activity identified in the space is an activity which the space is intended for, or alternatively, is not intended for.

The present invention is advantageous in that the system, by virtue of its features as described above, may determine if the type of activity identified in the space is an activity which the space is intended for (or not). For example, in case the system determines that the type of activity taking place in a space is not what the space is intended for, or at least not primarily is intended for, the system may be configured to provide for an action as a result of this determination (e.g. via an alarm to alert the person(s) in the room to consider changing rooms). Instead of an action, increased insight may be provided about the actual use of the space (e.g. intended or not intended use) by means of e.g. providing statistic overviews. Consequently, a frequent misuse of work or office spaces, which may prevent an efficient and productive working environment in the spaces may be mitigated by the system of the present invention.

The present invention is further advantageous in that the most dominant cases of use of the work or office space, i.e. the intended use of the space, as well as work or office space misuse, which may encompass a violation of the workplace strategic intend and non- compliance with a workplace code of conduct, may be covered by the system of the present invention.

The present invention is further advantageous in that the system may detect and/or register the type of activity in the space (only) based on an audio signal from the space. Hence, the system may perform the audio signal detection and/or registration based on the audio signal only in order to identify the activity(ies) in the space, i.e. without any additional device(s) or sensor(s) for detection, registration and/or identification such as one or more cameras, motion sensors, or the like. Hence, the system of the present invention provides a (cost) efficient system for activity identification. Furthermore, by the audio-based detection system of the present invention, i.e. without the use of camera(s) or the like, the privacy of the person(s) in the space may be maintained. Although an audio-based scene analysis in general could also be privacy-sensitive, it is important to emphasize that the system according to the present invention is configured to target the (type of) activity in the space. More specifically, the system may not be configured to reconstruct audio features such as speech or spoken content. Thus, no privacy-sensitive audio information is extracted or forwarded in the system according to the present invention.

The present invention is further advantageous in that the system may determine if the type of activity identified in the space is an activity which the space is intended for (or not) in an efficient manner, by the convenient comparison and/or association of an audio signal pattern from the space with a predetermined list of audio signal patterns.

The present invention is further advantageous in that the system, or at least some of the elements and/or components of the system, may be conveniently integrated in the infrastructure of the space, e.g. in a lighting arrangement of the space. Hence, the system according to the invention may be a lighting system.

The system comprises at least one audio sensor configured to detect audio signals within the space. The system further comprises a processor configured to obtain the audio signal and to determine at least one first audio signal pattern based on the obtained audio signal. The processor is further configured to, based on a first list of audio signal patterns, wherein each audio signal pattern is associated with an activity within the space, determine at least one activity in the space by associating at least one of the at least one first audio signal pattern with at least one audio signal pattern of the first list of audio signal patterns. The processor is further configured to, based on a second list of at least one intended activity for each space of the space, determine if the determined at least one activity in the space corresponds to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space.

As mentioned, the processor is configured to obtain the audio signal. The processor may thereby retrieve the audio signal, e.g. from another device, such as e.g. an external server. Or: The processor may alternatively determine the audio signal, e.g. by assessing an input received from the at least one audio sensor. Or: The processor may alternatively receive the audio signal, e.g. from the at least one audio sensor directly or from the at least one audio sensor but conveyed via an intermediate device.

The system for monitoring the space comprises at least one audio sensor configured to detect audio signals within the space. By “audio sensor”, it is here meant substantially any device which is able to sense, detect and/or register audible signals, such as one or more microphones. The system further comprises a processor configured to obtain an audio signal detected by the at least one audio sensor. Hence, the processor is connected to the audio sensor(s) and configured to obtain the audio signal. The processor is further configured to determine at least one first audio signal pattern based on the obtained audio signal. By the term “audio signal pattern”, it is meant a pattern, distribution, or the like, of the audio signal, which format may be configured to be compared to other patterns. The processor is further configured to determine at least one activity in the space. By the term “activity”, it is meant an activity, action, or the like, which may take place in the space. The activity(ies) may be determined by the processor by associating at least one of the at least one first audio signal pattern with at least one audio signal pattern of the first list of audio signal patterns, based on a first list of audio signal patterns, wherein each audio signal pattern is associated with an activity within the space. In other words, as the first list of audio signal patterns links and/or associates each audio signal pattern therein with an activity in the space, the processor is configured to determine the activity(ies) by associating and/or matching the first audio signal pattern(s) with the audio signal pattern(s) in the first list. Based on a second list of at least one intended activity for the space, the processor is further configured to determine if the determined at least one activity in the space corresponds to at least one intended activity of the second list in the space. By the term “intended activity”, it is meant an activity which the space is intended and/or designed for. In other words, the processor is configured to determine if the determined or presumed activity(ies) occurring in the space corresponds to the intended activity(ies) of the space. The microphone(s) may be embedded in lighting device(s) of a lighting system, e.g. a lighting system according to the invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system may further comprise at least one sensor configured to detect at least one property of the space, wherein the processor is configured to obtain the at least one property and configured to create the second list of at least one intended activity for the space based on the at least one property.

By the term “property of the space”, it is here meant substantially any property of the space such as the size of the space, the amount of and/or arrangement of furniture within the space, the available connectivity of the space, the amount of windows of a space, the temperature of a space, etc. Hence, according to this embodiment, the sensor(s) of the system are configured to detect one or more properties of the space, and the processor may create the second list of intended activity(ies) for the space based on this information. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the sensor(s) of the system may conveniently and efficiently detect one or more properties of the space, which information the processor may use to determine the intended/suitable activity(ies) for the space. In aspects, the sensor may be arranged to convey the detected at least one property of the space to the processor, or the processor may be configured to retrieve the at least one property from the sensor. The at least one sensor may be at least one sensor common for monitoring a space, such as an office.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system may further comprise a user input device configured to receive an user input comprising (or alternatively: indicative of) the at least one property of the space, wherein the processor is configured to obtain (or: determine, or: receive, or: retrieve) the at least one property and configured to create the second list of at least one intended activity for the space based on the at least one property.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the audio signal may comprise human voice signals. By “human voice signals”, it is here meant sound signals from a human voice, e.g. when talking.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one first audio signal pattern may correspond to at least one of human speech, discussion, conversation, monologue and dialogue.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one first audio signal pattern is associated with a specific number of persons present in the space. Hence, the processor may be configured to associate the first audio signal pattem(s) with the number of persons present in the space(s), e.g. based on voice recognition techniques. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the processor may hereby more accurately determine the activity in the space.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may be configured to define a start and an end, respectively, of the at least one first audio signal pattern based on the obtained audio signal. For example, the processor may be configured to register sound such as the opening and/or closing of a door of the space, occupancy of the space, tracking of the persons in the space, etc., and define the first audio signal pattern within the interval of the start and the end. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the processor may even more accurately determine the activity(ies) in the space by associating the first audio signal pattern with the audio signal pattern associated with the activity in the space. More specifically, the present embodiment enables a relatively fine- granular assessment of the one or more activities taking place in the space and/or more defined intended activities, resulting in an even more accurate determination of the processor if the determined activity in the space corresponds to the intended activity, or not. Furthermore, the start/stop detection of the processor may allow for even more sophisticated detections, such as ’detected misuse’ (or ’unknown’ activities), e.g. for a certain percentage of a particular usage period.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the at least one activity and the at least one intended activity may comprise at least one of a meeting, a conference, a telephone call, a presentation, an interview and an activity associated with an audibility of the activity being below a predetermined threshold. Hence, the processor may be configured to determine that the activity(ies) is one or more of the mentioned, exemplified examples based on analysis and/or processing of the audio signals in form of human voices. Furthermore, the activity(ies) may constitute the intended or suitable activity(ies) for the space. By the wording “activity associated with an audibility of the activity being below a predetermined threshold”, it is here meant an activity during which the audio sensors do not detect (or detect only to a limited extent of) human voice signals, such as reading, programming, writing, etc.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may be configured to generate an output signal obtainable by a communication unit connected to the system, in case the determined at least one activity in the space does not correspond to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space. The purpose of the output signal is to receive the attention of one or more persons. Alternatively, the output signal may be used for information purposes, such as statistics. The output signal may be received by a communication unit coupled to the system, wherein the communication system may be configured to emit and/or display the output signal and/or to process the output signal for other purposes, such as statistics. The output signal may, for example, comprise one of more of a visual alert signal, an audible alert signal, a control signal, and a notification signal. By the term “visual alert signal”, it is here meant an alert signal which is distributed or emitted visually, e.g. by a setting/operation of the lighting of the space. By the term “audible alert signal”, it is here meant a sound or signal alarm. The term “notification signal” may encompass e.g. a notification to a handheld unit, e.g. a mobile phone. Hence, in case the system determines that the activity(ies) taking place in the space(s) does not correspond to the intended activity(ies) in the space(s), the system is configured to generate an output signal in form of an alert signal, control signal and/or information signal. For example, the person(s) in the space may be requested by a visual and/or audible alert signal to leave the space and/or to find one or more alternative spaces for their activity(ies).

In similar aspects, phrased differently, the processor may be configured to generate an output signal arranged for controlling an actuator in case the determined at least one activity in the space does not correspond to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space. The actuator may be a communication unit connected to the system according to the invention. The actuator may be a lamp, a display, a user device, a speaker, a vibrating device, a HVAC system, a window blind, etc. Hence, in examples, the output signal may comprise an instruction to control an actuator.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system may further comprise a memory connected to the processor, wherein the memory has stored at least one of the first list of audio signal patterns and the second list of at least one intended activity for the space. It will be appreciated that the memory may be connected to the processor by wire or by a wireless connection. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the processor may conveniently and efficiently be provided with the first and/or second lists from the memory when determining the activity(ies) in the space. Hence, in examples, the processor may be a local processor and the memory a local memory.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may further be configured to generate statistics based on a determination if the determined at least one activity in the space corresponds to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space. In other words, the processor may be configured to generate statistical data based on a correspondence between the activity(ies) in the space(s) and the intended activity(ies) in the space(s). The present embodiment is advantageous in that the statistical data generated by the processor may facilitate and/or improve space management. More specifically, the statistics generated by the processor about the usage of the space is beneficial information to decide whether the provided space support the (office) business operations appropriately.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a communication arrangement. The communication arrangement comprises a system according to any one of the preceding embodiments. The system further comprises a communication unit connected to the system, wherein the communication unit may be configured to communicate information based on a determination if the determined activity in the space corresponds to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space. In other words, the communication unit may be configured to communicate (transmit, send) information regarding the determination of the system whether the determined activity(ies) correspond to the intended activity(ies) in the space. For example, the information about a (mis)use of a space may be provided to one or more space misuse applications. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the information of the activity in the space generated by the system may be communicated to other unit(s), (computers) system(s), or the like, for processing, visualization, etc. Furthermore, based on the information, a management unit or the like may reemphasize and communicate the proper/intended use of the space and/or a work or office space strategy to office staff and/or administrators.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit may comprise at least one display configured to visualize the information. By “display”, it is here meant a screen, monitor, or the like, configured to show the information based on the determination if the determined activity in the space corresponds to the intended activity for the space. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the information may be communicated efficiently via a display in the space in which one or more persons are present.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit may be configured to communicate feedback information to the processor, wherein the feedback information comprises information of a correspondence of the determined at least one activity in the space and at least one actual activity in the space, wherein the processor may further be configured to determine the at least one activity in the space based on the feedback information. In other words, from one or more previously determined activity(ies) and one or more actual activity(ies) (e.g. as confirmed by the person(s) in the space, i.e. user feedback), the processor may be configured to determine the activity in the space based on this feedback information, wherein the feedback information comprises information whether the determined activity corresponds to the actual activity in the space, or not. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the processor of the system may improve future determinations/predictions of the activities taking place in the space.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement for organizing a space. The arrangement comprises a system according to any one of the preceding embodiments. The arrangement may further comprise a processor unit configured to optimize at least one property of the space based on a determination if the determined at least one activity in the space corresponds to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space. Hence, based on if the determined activity corresponds to the intended activity in the space, the processor unit is configured to optimize one or more properties of the space. For example, the processor unit may be configured to determine an optimal positioning of furniture, equipment, or the like, in the space dependent on the correspondence of the determined activity and the intended activity in the space. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the processor unit of the arrangement may conveniently and efficiently optimize one or more properties of the space in order to customize the space for the determined activity in the space.

Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

In aspects, the system according to the invention may be a lighting system. Hence, the invention may provide a lighting system for monitoring a space. The lighting system comprises at least one lighting device, wherein the at least one lighting device comprises at least one audio sensor configured to detect an audio signal within the space. The lighting system further comprises a processor configured to obtain the audio signal and to determine at least one first audio signal pattern based on the obtained audio signal. The processor is further configured to, based on a first list of audio signal patterns, wherein each audio signal pattern is associated with an activity within the space, determine at least one activity in the space by associating at least one of the at least one first audio signal pattern with at least one audio signal pattern of the first list of audio signal patterns. The processor is further configured to, based on a second list of at least one intended activity for the space, determine if the determined at least one activity in the space corresponds to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space. According to an embodiment thereof, the processor of the lighting system may be configured to generate a control signal configured to control the at least one lighting device in the space and/or to control at least one actuator in the space in case the determined at least one activity in the space does not correspond to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space. The processor of the lighting system may be embedded in a master lighting device of the at least one lighting device. Thereby, said master lighting device may comprise a memory, operatively coupled to said processor, wherein the memory stores the first list of audio signal patterns and the second list of at least one intended activity for the space. Hence, the lighting system of the present invention may thereby process audio signals locally so as to determine the intended use of the space without needing to connect to a backend, e.g. a cloud or server which perform e.g. elaborate audio analysis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

Figs la and lb schematically show a system according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention,

Figs. 2 and 3 schematically show systems according to exemplifying embodiments of the present invention, and

Fig. 4 schematically shows an arrangement comprising a system according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. la shows a system 100 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 is arranged to monitor a space 110, which is exemplified as a work or office space. It will be appreciated that there may be a plurality of spaces 110, and that only one space 110 is shown in Fig. la for reasons of convenience. The system 100 comprises an audio sensor 120 which is configured to detect audio signals 130 within the space 110. The audio sensor 120, which for example may comprise an array of microphones, is indicated schematically. For example, there may be a plurality of audio sensors 120 arranged at different locations in the space 110, and it should be noted that only one audio sensor 120 is shown in Fig. la for reasons of convenience. The audio signals 130, which the audio sensor 120 is configured to detect, may be human voice signals, such as human speech, conversation, monologue and/or dialogue. For example, the audio signals 130 may arise from a conversation between two persons 135a,b present in the space 110 as shown in Fig. la.

The system 100 further comprises a processor 140. It will be appreciated that the processor 140 is schematically indicated in Fig. la. Hence, it may have another form, it may be arranged at a different position within the space 110. The processor 110 may be integrated in a lighting arrangement of the space.

The processor 140 is connected to the audio sensor 120 by wire or via a wireless connection. The processor 140 is configured to receive the audio signals 130 detected by the audio sensor 120, and to process the detected audio signals 130 as described in Fig. lb.

The system 100 in Fig. la may further comprise a sensor configured to detect at least one property of the space 110. It will be appreciated that this sensor may be integrated in the audio sensor 120 or be provided separately from the audio sensor 120. The sensor is configured to detect one or more properties of the space 110, such as the size of the space 110, the furnishing (e.g. the amount of furniture and/or the arrangement thereof) of the space 110, etc. Based on this information of the space 110, the processor 140 is configured to create a list of at least one intended activity for the space 110. Alternatively, the sensor may be a user input device for receiving property of the space.

Fig. lb shows a part of the system 100 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention related to the processing of the detected audio signals 130 by the processor 140 of the system 100 as described in Fig. la. The audio signals 130 as schematically indicated in Fig. lb represent audio signals detected by the audio sensor 120 as a function of time. The processor 140 is configured to determine one or more first audio signal pattern(s) 150 based on the obtained audio signal 130. It will be appreciated that the processor 140 may apply one or more signal processing techniques known to the skilled person in order to provide the first audio signal pattern 150 from the audio signals 130 as detected.

Fig. lb further shows a first list 170 of audio signal patterns 170a-d. It should be noted that the list 170 may be of arbitrary length, i.e. there may be an arbitrary number of audio signal patterns 170a-d. The list 170 of audio signal patterns 170a-d may be provided to the processor 140, i.e. the processor 140 may be configured to receive the list 170 of audio signal patterns 170a-d. Alternatively, the processor 140 may store the list 170 of audio signal patterns 170a-d.

Each audio signal pattern 170a-d of the first list 170 of audio signal patterns 170a-d is associated with an activity 180a-d within the space 110. Furthermore, the audio signal pattem(s) 170a-d may be associated with a specific number of persons present in the space. Accordingly, the processor 140 may compare the determined number of persons in the space 110 with the number of persons the space 110 is intended for. For example, the activities 180a-d may respectively be a conversation, meeting, dialogue, or the like, which may take place in the space 110.

The one or more activities 180a-d may be determined by the processor 140 by associating the audio signal pattern 150 with at least one of the at least one first audio signal pattern 170a-d, which in turn is associated with an activity 180a-d within the space 110. For example, the processor 140 may associate the first audio signal pattern 150 (which, for example, may be associated with a specific number of persons 135a,b present in the space 110) with the first audio signal pattern 170a based on one or more signal processing techniques. As the first audio signal pattern 170a is associated with the first activity 180a (e.g. a dialogue between two persons 135a,b in the space 110) of the list 180 of activities 180a-d, the processor 140 may hereby determine that the first activity 180a (e.g. a dialogue) is taking place in the space 110.

A second list 200 of one or more intended activities 200a-d for the space 110 may be created and provided to the processor 140. According to the described example above, the system may comprise a sensor configured to detect at least one property of the space 110. Based on this information of the space 110 from the sensor, the processor 140 may be configured to create the second list 200 of the intended activity(ies) 200a-d for the space 110. For example, the processor may estimate or determine that the space 110 may be intended for (i.e. suitable and/or designed for) a conference, or the like. Based on the second list 200 of the intended activities 200a-d for the space 110, the processor 140 is further configured to determine if the determined activity(ies) 180a-d in the space 110 corresponds to one or more intended activity(ies) 200a-d of the second list 200 in the space 110. By the term “intended activity”, it is meant an activity which the space(s) is intended and/or designed for. For example, the intended activities 200a-d may comprise at least one of a meeting, a conference, a telephone call, a presentation, an interview or the like. Alternatively, the intended activities 200a-d may comprise an activity during which the audio sensor 120 does not detect (or detect only to a limited extent of) human voice signals, such as reading, programming, writing, etc. In other words, the processor 140 is configured to determine if the determined or presumed activity(ies) 180a-d occurring in the space 110 corresponds to the intended activity(ies) 200a-d of the space 110. For example, in case the processor 140 has determined that the first activity 180a taking place in the space 110 is a dialogue between two persons 135a, b, the processor 140 may further determine that the first activity 180a corresponds to the intended activity 200a of the office 110, i.e. being intended and/or designed for a dialogue between two persons 135a, b. Alternatively, the processor 140 may determine that the first activity 180a of a dialogue between two persons 135a,b does not correspond to the intended activity 200a of the office 110, i.e. being intended and/or designed for a conference. Further examples may encompass

- a meeting room space 110, with a capacity of 4-6 persons, wherein the intended activity 200b may be a presentation, a discussion and/or a teleconference, and wherein an unintended (misuse) activity of the space 110 may be a phone call and/or focus work,

- a collaboration space 110, with a capacity of 2 persons, wherein the intended activity 200c may be a discussion, and wherein an unintended (misuse) activity of the collaboration space 110 may be a phone call and/or focus work, - a focus booth space 110, with a capacity of 1 person, wherein the intended activity 200d may be focus work, and wherein an unintended (misuse) activity of the focus booth space 110 may be a phone call, etc.

According to an alternative to a sensor configured to detect one or more properties of the space 110, the second list 200 of intended activities 200a-d may be provided to the processor 140 by a user input device. For example, the user input device may be a user interface (UI), which a person or site manager can use to put in the properties of the space 110, and the processor 140 may create the second list 200 of intended activities 200a-d based on the information from the user input device. According to yet another alternative, the processor 140 may be configured to receive the second list 200 of intended activities 200a-d. Hence, the processor 140 may receive a (predetermined) second list 200 of intended activities 200a-d for the space 110. Instead of receiving the second list 200 of intended activities 200a- d, the processor 140 may alternatively be configured to store the second list 200 of intended activities 200a-d.

It will be appreciated that the processor 140 may be configured to determine the number of persons 135a, b speaking in the space 110. The processor 140 may, for example, follow a staged decision tree with voice activity detection (VAD) as an initial condition. A refinement may thereafter be made by the processor 140 into the type of communication between the persons 135a,b and the number of active speakers, using e.g. differences in the frequency or time domain (pitch, talking speed, etc.). For example, the processor 140 may be configured to detect a phone call by processing the characteristic balance between a single speaker and listening periods (i.e. non-audible response by the counterpart).

The processor 140 may further be configured to determine the interval (i.e. with start and end events) of the audio signal pattern 150. Hence, the determination of the start/end by the processor 140 may refer to the usage period of the space 110, and it can be determined via audio or other means like an occupancy detector. For example, the processor 140 may be configured to register sound such as the opening and/or closing of a door of the space 110, occupancy of the space 110, tracking of the persons 135a,b in the space 110, etc. The knowledge about the length of the usage period of the space 110 can be put in relation to the activities and their particular length of occurrence. For example, in case of a space 110 being a collaboration booth intended to support the exchange/collaboration of two persons 135a, b, the processor 140 may determine that the interval or usage period is e.g. 1 h. Albeit one or both persons 135a,b would take a call (which would be associated with a misuse of the space 110) for e.g. 3 min, but that there would be a following discussion/collaboration (i.e. the intended use of the space 110) between the two persons 135a,b for the majority/remaining part of the usage period, then the processor 140 could be configured to determine that the (overall) activity still corresponds to the intended activity(ies) 200a-d in the space 110.

Hence, the processor 140 may thereby determine if the determined activity(ies) 180a in the space 110 corresponds to the intended activity(ies) 200a-d in the space 110 based on the interval. For example, the processor 140 may be configured to ‘allow’ or ‘disallow’ the determined activity 180a-d for a portion of the time interval.

Fig. 2 shows a system 100 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the system 100 in Fig. 2 corresponds to the system 100 in Fig. 1, and it is hereby referred to Fig. 1 for referrals and/or for an increased understanding of the system 100. In Fig. 2, the system 100 further comprises an information unit 300 which is configured to generate an output signal, e.g. in the form of an alert signal, an alarm signal and/or an information signal in the space 110. The output signal may be received by a communication unit (not shown) coupled to the system 100, wherein the communication system may be configured to emit and/or display the output signal and/or process the output signal for other purposes, such as statistics. An alert (alarm, information) from the information unit 300 is intended to receive the attention of one or more persons 135a,b in the space 110, in case the determined activity(ies) in the space 110 do(es) not correspond to the intended activity(ies) in the space 110. The information unit 300 may be configured to generate a visual alert, e.g. a setting/operation of the lighting in the space 110. More specifically, the alert in form of a visual feedback could be provided by the system 100 by linkage to a lighting structure for general illumination and/or to a peripheral/decorative lighting of the space 110. Hence, one of more elements and/or components of the system 100, such as the processor 140 and/or the audio sensor(s) 120, may be integrated in the lighting structure or arrangement provided in the space 110.

An alternative is to convey the alert via a notification sent to e.g. a mobile phone of one of the persons 135a,b in the space 110.

Alternatively, or in combination with the previous example, the information unit 300 may be configured to generate an audible alert signal such as a sound signal or alarm signal. For example, in case the processor of the system 100 finds that the space 110 is not suitable for the identified activity of the persons 135a,b in the space 110, the persons 135a,b may be informed by the alert of the information unit 300 to leave the space 110 and/or to find one or more alternative spaces for their activity(ies). Hence, persons 135a,b that misuse the space 110, either deliberately or by mistake, can be informed immediately by the system 100.

Fig. 3 shows a communication arrangement 500 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the communication arrangement 500 in Fig. 3 comprises the system 100 as exemplified in Fig. 1 and/or Fig. 2, and it is hereby referred to those figures for referrals and/or for an increased understanding of the communication system 500. The communication arrangement 500 comprises a communication unit 510 which is configured to communicate information based on a determination if the determined at least one activity in the space 110 corresponds to the at least one intended activity of the second list in the space 110 according to one or more of the previously described examples. For example, the communication unit 510 may comprise or constitute the information unit 300 of Fig. 2 for alerting the persons 135a, b in the space 110 to leave the space 110 and/or to direct the persons 135a,b to one or more alternative spaces 110 for their activity(ies). Alternatively, or in combination herewith, the communication unit 510 may communicate the information comprising the activity(ies) of the persons 135a,b in the space 110 to other unit(s), (computers) system(s), or the like, for processing, visualization, statistics, etc. The information could be conveyed via various channels, e.g. as a message to a mobile application and/or to devices, units, systems, or the like, for booking and/or management of the space(s) 110. The communication unit 510 may comprise a display 520, e.g. in the form of a screen, monitor, or the like, configured to visualize the information. Hence, via the display 520, the persons 135a,b may be presented with the information that they should leave the space 110 and/or that they should enter another space 110 more suitable for their identified activity(ies). Alternatively, the display 520 may be arranged outside the space 110 in order to inform other personnel about any (mis)use of the space(s) 110. As yet another alternative, the communication unit 510 may send the information if the determined activity in the space 110 corresponds to the intended activity in the space 110 (or not) to other unit(s), (computers) system(s), or the like, for the purpose of generating statistical data for reasons of facilitating and/or improving space management.

In combination with the previous example, or independently thereof, the communication unit 510 of the communication system 500 in Fig. 3 may be configured to communicate feedback information to the processor of the system. The feedback information may comprise information of a correspondence of the determined activity in the space 110 and the actual activity in the space 110, i.e. the difference between the (previously) determined activity and the actual activity which took place in the space 110. Based on this feedback information, the processor may be configured to determine the activity in the space 110. The feedback information may, for example, be provided by the persons 135a,b in the space 110, i.e. a confirmation by the person 135a, b of the actual activity in the space 110. Alternatively, feedback information of the actual activity in the space 110 may be provided by other personnel, auxiliary equipment and/or methods, e.g. for providing occupancy of the space 110, tracking of the persons 135a,b in the space 110, etc.

Fig. 4 schematically shows an arrangement 600 comprising a system 100 according to any one of the preceding examples of Figs. 1 or 2. The arrangement 600 further comprise a processor unit 610. The processor unit 610 may be the same as the processor 140 of the system 100 of Figs. 1 or 2, or may alternatively be another (independent) processor unit 610.

The processor unit 610 of the arrangement 600 is configured to optimize one or more properties of the space 110 based on a determination if the determined activity(ies) in the space 110 corresponds to the intended activity(ies) of the persons 135a,b in the space 110, according to one or more of the previously described examples. For example, the processor unit 610 may be configured to determine an optimal positioning of furniture, equipment, or the like, in the space 110 dependent on the correspondence of the determined activity and the intended activity in the space 110.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, one or more of the space 110, the audio sensor 120, the processor 140, etc., may have different shapes, dimensions, sizes and/or functions than those depicted/described.