A human-computer collaborative sleep assisting control method and system based on short timing cycle and fine volume adjustment

Abstract

This invention discloses a human-machine collaborative sleep aid control method and system based on short-timed looping and precise volume adjustment, belonging to the field of intelligent sleep aid technology. Addressing the anxiety caused by excessively long timers interfering with sleep, ineffective timers due to excessively short timers, the anxiety of needing to get up and restart the audio upon waking, and the anxiety of poor listening experience due to large volume adjustment ranges in existing sleep aid audio devices, this invention proposes the following core solutions: Bluetooth remote control + short-timed automatic pause + one-click replay at any time + high-precision volume control. By setting a short-timed automatic pause on the playback device, the user can replay the audio with a single click using the remote control. The human-machine collaborative loop continues until the user falls asleep, and the loop restarts with a single click upon waking. The system also allows for volume control with a precision smaller than the system's default step value. Furthermore, by defining multiple communication modes for the remote control and using a relay device, it adapts to various audio and video sleep aid applications, resolving the three major anxieties associated with audio sleep aids and improving the effectiveness and comfort of sleep aids.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of smart home and human-computer interaction technology, specifically to a control method and system for audio-assisted sleep, and more particularly to a human-computer collaborative sleep control method and system based on short timed cycles, manual remote control one-button restart, and fine volume adjustment. Background Technology

[0002] Audio-based sleep aids are becoming increasingly popular and effective. However, existing audio-based sleep aid devices and control schemes generally suffer from three major problems that can easily interfere with the user's sleep process and affect the effectiveness of the sleep aid: First, "timer anxiety": Users typically need to preset the audio's off time. If the time is set too long, the audio may continue playing after the user falls asleep, interfering with deep sleep; if the time is set too short, the user may be woken up before falling asleep because the audio stops, requiring them to restart the device, creating a dilemma between "long timers interfering with sleep" and "short timers being insufficient." Second, "restart playback anxiety": If a user wakes up in the middle of the night and wants to listen to the sleep aid audio again, they usually need to complete a series of cumbersome operations such as finding the device, unlocking it, opening the application, and clicking play, which can easily dispel sleepiness. Third, "volume anxiety": In a quiet environment at night, users are sensitive to changes in volume. Currently, the volume adjustment steps of physical buttons on mobile phones or ordinary Bluetooth devices are usually large (generally 10%-15% of the system volume), making fine adjustments difficult. For users to make fine adjustments, they often need to operate the mobile phone interface, which also interrupts the sleep preparation process. Furthermore, while existing remote control solutions based on the standard Bluetooth HID protocol are highly versatile, they cannot implement advanced control logic such as short-timed loops and intelligent status judgment, or fine-tuning volume, on third-party general audio playback applications (such as NetEase Cloud Music and TikTok), thus limiting the universality of the solutions. Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a sleep aid control method and system that does not rely on complex physiological monitoring, can effectively address the aforementioned three major anxieties, and has high compatibility. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Purpose of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a human-computer collaborative sleep aid control method and system based on short timed cycles and fine volume adjustment, so as to solve the problems of timing anxiety, restart playback anxiety and volume anxiety in the audio sleep aid scenario in the prior art, and improve compatibility with third-party applications.

[0005] Technical solution

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a human-machine collaborative sleep aid control method based on short-timed cycles, characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0008] S1: Setting the Short Timed Shutdown Duration: The playback device has a button for setting the timed shutdown duration T, which can be freely set by the user. It is recommended that users set T to 1 / 5 to 1 / 3 of the average sleep latency (a smaller denominator means T is too long, easily interfering with sleep; a larger denominator means T is too short, requiring too many restarts, easily causing user frustration), preferably 1 / 4 (this is the best balance point in actual testing), allowing the timed shutdown duration T to range from 5 minutes to 20 minutes, and keeping it fixed until the user modifies it again.

[0009] S2: Start audio playback and timer: Start audio playback and begin the countdown for the timed shutdown duration T;

[0010] S3: Timed End and Waiting: When the audio playback reaches the timed shutdown duration T, the audio playback is automatically stopped, and a preset user response waiting period Δt is entered, wherein Δt is preferably 30 seconds to 2 minutes;

[0011] S4: Detect restart signal: During the user response waiting period Δt, continuously detect whether a restart playback signal manually triggered by the user is received;

[0012] S5: Loop playback: If the restart playback signal is received within the user response waiting period Δt, the countdown of the timed shutdown duration T is reset, and the audio is restarted, returning to step S2;

[0013] S6: Determine if the user has fallen asleep or is silent: If the restart playback signal is not received by the end of the user response waiting period Δt, it is determined that the user has entered a sleep state, and the playback device is controlled to enter a low-power standby or off state; at any time thereafter, if the playback restart signal manually triggered by the user is received again, the process returns to step S2.

[0014] S7: Fine-tuned volume adjustment: During audio playback in step S2 or S5, if a fine-tuned volume adjustment signal triggered by the user is received, a control command is sent to the playback device to adjust the playback volume with a precision less than the default volume adjustment step value of the operating system on which the device is located. In response to a single operation of the volume key by the user, a control signal is generated to change the playback volume by 1% to 5%; preferably, the change is 1%, allowing the volume to be precisely adjusted to the user's most comfortable state; and / or, in response to two quick consecutive operations of the volume key by the user, a control signal is generated to change the playback volume by 1% to 5%; preferably, the change is 5%, allowing the volume to be quickly adjusted to the user's comfortable range, and then fine-tuned by 1%.

[0015] Furthermore, the method can be implemented through a smart relay application running on the playback device. The smart relay application is configured to: communicate with a remote control terminal and receive its control commands; when the playback device is running a third-party audio application, intercept and parse the control commands, generate corresponding control signals based on the control commands and the aforementioned control method, and send them to the third-party audio application to control its playback, pause, and volume adjustment. Preferably, the smart relay application implements the fine-grained volume adjustment by calling the operating system's underlying audio management interface.

[0016] Secondly, the present invention provides a human-machine collaborative sleep aid control system for implementing the above-mentioned control method, characterized in that it includes:

[0017] The remote control terminal is used by the user to manually trigger and generate playback control signals and fine volume control signals;

[0018] The playback control terminal is communicatively connected to the remote control terminal and is configured to execute the human-machine collaborative sleep aid control method based on short time-cycle and fine volume control as described above.

[0019] Preferably, the remote control terminal is a Bluetooth remote control, and its Bluetooth communication module supports at least one of the following three communication modes:

[0020] (1) A proprietary protocol pattern for interacting with specific sleep aid applications using proprietary commands;

[0021] (2) HID keyboard control mode used to send standard keyboard key value commands to the operating system or foreground application;

[0022] (3) HID media control mode used to send standard media control commands to the operating system or foreground application.

[0023] Preferably, the volume adjustment unit of the remote control terminal is configured to: generate a control signal that changes the playback volume by 1% to 5% in response to a single operation of the volume key by the user; preferably, the change is 1%; and / or, generate a control signal that changes the playback volume by 1% to 5% in response to two quick consecutive operations of the volume key by the user; preferably, the change is 5%.

[0024] Thirdly, the present invention provides a smart audio relay device for sleep aid, characterized in that it comprises:

[0025] The communication module is configured to receive control signals from a remote control terminal, the control signals including at least a playback control signal and a volume adjustment signal;

[0026] The timing control module is configured to execute the short timing loop logic in the human-machine collaborative sleep aid control method described above.

[0027] The audio processing module is configured to respond to the volume adjustment signal by adjusting the playback volume with a precision less than the system default step value, either by calling the operating system's underlying audio interface or by sending a standard volume command at a high frequency.

[0028] Beneficial effects

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] 1. Effectively alleviates three major anxieties: The "short timer + manual one-click restart loop" mechanism solves the dilemma of timer length and the trouble of restarting playback; the high-precision volume adjustment eliminates the abruptness of nighttime sound adjustment and improves the comfort of sleep aid.

[0031] 2. Achieve true human-machine collaboration: Without relying on complex monitoring, the decision-making power of "whether to go to sleep" is returned to the user (judged by whether there is a response during the waiting period). The system executes operations based on user feedback or tacit consent, with clear decision-making logic and reliable execution.

[0032] 3. High compatibility and flexibility: The remote control terminal supports multiple Bluetooth communication modes and can be adapted to various scenarios such as sleep aid mini-programs, TikTok sleep aid audio and video, and sleep aid music players. In particular, through the aforementioned intelligent relay application, complete intelligent control logic can be achieved without modifying third-party applications, greatly expanding the practical scope of the solution.

[0033] 4. Low implementation cost and excellent user experience: The core of the system is innovative control logic and a remote control terminal that supports multiple modes and precise operation. It requires no expensive sensors and is easy to industrialize. The remote control can be designed as a ring, wristband, or other similar form, making it convenient for bedridden blind operation. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is an overall flowchart of the human-machine collaborative sleep aid control method described in this invention.

[0035] Figure 2a This is a schematic diagram of the human-machine collaborative sleep aid control system described in this invention operating in a private protocol mode.

[0036] Figure 2b This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the human-machine collaborative sleep aid control system described in this invention operating in the simplified HID keyboard control mode.

[0037] Figure 2c This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the human-machine collaborative sleep aid control system described in this invention, operating in HID media control mode and in collaboration with an intelligent relay App.

[0038] Figure 3This is a complete human-computer interaction timing diagram illustrating the solution to the three major anxieties in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of a Bluetooth remote control adapting to different application scenarios under multiple communication modes in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the embodiments of this invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. The names of third-party applications mentioned herein are merely examples to illustrate the applicable scenarios of this invention and are not intended to limit the invention, nor do they constitute any endorsement or association with these products.

[0041] Example 1: Core Control Flow

[0042] This embodiment combines Figure 1 and Figure 3 Taking a complete sleep aid cycle of user "Xiao Pang" using this system as an example, this paper specifically illustrates how to solve three major anxieties.

[0043] Background: User Xiao Pang has difficulty falling asleep, is sensitive to noise, and estimates that his average sleep onset time is 45 minutes.

[0044] System configuration: The remote control terminal is a Bluetooth ring remote control; the playback control terminal is a smartphone with a dedicated "Sleep Aid WeChat Mini Program" installed. Preset parameters: Short timer shutdown duration T = 15 minutes, user response waiting period Δt = 1 minute.

[0045] The workflow is as follows:

[0046] 1. Start before bedtime: Xiao Pang opens the mini-program, sets the countdown to T=15 minutes, presses the play button on the remote control, and the mini-program starts playing white noise. This reasonable timing helps alleviate "time anxiety."

[0047] 2. Initial Loop: The audio stops after 15 minutes, followed by a 1-minute wait. Xiao Pang, still awake, presses the play button ("One-Click Resurrection"). The system immediately restarts playback and resets the 15-minute timer. This process is seamless, resolving "restart playback anxiety."

[0048] 3. Sleep Determination: Xiao Pang falls asleep during the second playback cycle. The timer ends and enters a waiting period. If there is no operation, the system determines that Xiao Pang has fallen asleep and enters standby silence.

[0049] 4. Midnight Restart: At 3:00 AM, Xiao Pang wakes up wanting to listen to audio again to help him fall asleep. He simply needs to press the play button on the ring remote control again. The system receives this signal at "any subsequent time," immediately resets the 15-minute timer, and starts playing again, greatly alleviating the "restart playback anxiety" in the middle of the night.

[0050] 5. Fine-tuned volume adjustment: When restarting playback late at night, Xiao Pang felt the environment was quieter and the current volume was slightly louder. Traditional device volume buttons have a large adjustment range (about 10%-15%), making fine adjustments difficult. He used the high-precision volume- button on the Bluetooth remote control; a double-click reduced the volume by 5%, a single click reduced it by 1%, and a cumulative reduction of 6%, precisely achieving a comfortable volume and completely solving "volume anxiety."

[0051] Example 2: Multi-mode remote control adaptation solution

[0052] This embodiment combines Figure 2a , Figure 2b , Figure 2c and Figure 4 This explains how Bluetooth remote control terminals can adapt to different application scenarios through various communication modes.

[0053] 1. Scenario A: Adapting to a dedicated sleep aid mini-program (private protocol mode, such as...) Figure 2a (As shown)

[0054] Users can switch the remote control to "private protocol mode" to establish a dedicated connection with WeChat mini programs such as "Deep Sleep Aid".

[0055] Short timer loop implementation: Set a 15-minute timer within the mini-program. Map the play button on the remote control to a custom command (e.g., 0x01). When pressed, the mini-program starts playing and begins the countdown. When the timer ends, the mini-program automatically pauses and enters a waiting period. If the 0x01 command is received during the waiting period, the timer is reset and playback resumes; otherwise, it enters sleep mode and standby.

[0056] Fine-grained volume adjustment: The volume + / - keys are mapped to fine-grained adjustment commands (e.g., 0x03 / +1%, 0x04 / -1%, 0x05 / +5%, 0x06 / -5%). After receiving the command, the mini-program directly adjusts the internal audio gain in 1% or 5% increments, achieving lossless fine-grained control.

[0057] 2. Scenario B: Adapting to Douyin sleep aid videos (HID keyboard control mode, such as...) Figure 2b (As shown)

[0058] Users switch the remote control to "HID Keyboard Control Mode," and the remote is recognized as a Bluetooth keyboard. A short timer loop is implemented: utilizing the Douyin app's built-in "Timed Off" function, the preset timer is 15 minutes. The remote's play button is mapped to the spacebar (Douyin play / pause shortcut). When the user presses the play button, the Douyin sleep aid video starts playing and begins its internal 15-minute countdown. The video automatically stops when the countdown ends. If the user is not asleep, pressing the play button again restarts the video and resets the countdown. This mode implements the core "short timer + manual restart" loop.

[0059] In this mode, the volume buttons are limited by the overall system adjustment precision. For finer adjustments, the smart repeater app solution described in Scenario C below can be used, which combines HID keyboard control mode with the smart repeater app method to achieve precise volume control.

[0060] 3. Scenario C: Compatible with general sleep aid music apps (HID media control mode + smart relay app, such as...) Figure 2c (As shown)

[0061] To achieve complete intelligent control of third-party applications (such as NetEase Cloud Music), this invention deploys an intelligent relay application (App). This App runs in the background, acting as an intelligent proxy between the remote control terminal and the third-party application, responsible for establishing an intelligent proxy layer between the remote control terminal and the foreground-running third-party application. Its main functions are: 1) monitoring control commands from the remote control terminal; 2) processing commands according to the core control logic of this invention (including short-time control, state management, and fine-grained volume adjustment logic); and 3) sending the processed control signals to the third-party application in a manner simulating user operations or system commands. This design achieves the core functions of this invention without requiring any modifications to the third-party application, greatly enhancing the versatility and scalability of the solution.

[0062] 3.1 Core Working Principle

[0063] After the smart relay app starts, it registers as a global listener for system media buttons or specific Bluetooth devices to intercept standard media control commands (such as MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE, VOLUME_UP, VOLUME_DOWN) issued by the remote control (operating in HID media control mode). For example, for Android systems, it can listen for system media button events by registering a BroadcastReceiver, or listen for HID reports from specific Bluetooth devices by using a BluetoothAdapter; fine-tuning of volume can be achieved through the setStreamVolume() method of the AudioManager class, calculating a precise percentage based on getStreamMaxVolume().

[0064] Short timer loop implementation: The app maintains an internal state machine (e.g., "Playing", "Timed", "Waiting", "Sleep"). When a playback command is intercepted, it is not forwarded directly. Instead, if the state is "Sleep" or initial, the target music app is automatically launched / waked up and playback begins, while an internal timer (e.g., 15 minutes) is started. If a playback command is received within the "Waiting" period after the timer ends, it is considered a "one-click revival," the timer is reset, and playback resumes. If no command is received at the end of the waiting period, it is determined that the user has fallen asleep, a pause command is sent to the music app, and the app enters "Sleep."

[0065] Fine-grained volume adjustment: When a volume adjustment command is intercepted, the App calls the underlying audio management interface of the operating system (such as Android's AudioManager.setStreamVolume()) to directly and precisely set the absolute percentage of the media volume. For example, a single button press can increase or decrease the system media volume by 1%, thereby achieving fine-grained control far exceeding the system's default increment (usually 10%-15%).

[0066] In this way, the smart repeater app adds complete intelligent sleep aid logic and high-precision control capabilities to a regular Bluetooth media remote control on top of the standard HID protocol. Collaboration with third-party applications: Throughout the process, the smart repeater app operates as an "invisible controller." For the user and the sleep aid music app, the interaction appears as: remote control button -> sleep aid music app instant response (play / pause / volume change). In reality, all intelligent decisions (when to stop, when to play, how much to adjust the volume) are completed in the background by the repeater app; the music app is merely the "execution terminal."

[0067] 3.2 Specific Workflow (Taking NetEase Cloud Music as an Example)

[0068] 1) Preparation: Install and authorize the Smart Relay App, pair the remote control and set it to HID media mode, preset the short timer duration T in the App (e.g., T=15 minutes), and select your favorite sleep aid audio.

[0069] 2) Startup: Press the play button on the remote control, the smart relay app intercepts the command, automatically starts NetEase Cloud Music and begins playback, and at the same time starts the internal 15-minute timer.

[0070] 3) Loop: After 15 minutes, the App sends a pause command to NetEase Cloud Music and enters a waiting period of Δt=1 minute. If the user presses the play button during the waiting period, the timer is reset and playback resumes.

[0071] 4) Falling asleep: If there is no operation during the waiting period, the App determines that the user has fallen asleep and enters a low-power monitoring state.

[0072] 5) Fine-tuning: Press the volume button during playback, and the App will precisely adjust the system media volume up or down by 1% or 5% through the underlying interface.

[0073] 6) Restart in the middle of the night: Press the play button at any time, and the App will immediately reset the timer and control the music to play again.

[0074] Creative Achievement: Through the "Smart Relay App" software layer, this invention creatively overlays complete intelligent sleep aid control logic (short-timed loop, status determination) and high-precision volume adjustment capabilities onto the standard, universal HID media control protocol. It upgrades an ordinary Bluetooth media remote control into a dedicated sleep aid controller with scene awareness and intelligent decision-making capabilities, perfectly solving the compatibility issues of implementing all the functions of this invention in third-party applications.

[0075] Simplified compatibility solution: Users can also choose not to install the "Smart Relay App" and directly use the "Sleep Timer" function (set to 15 minutes) built into the sleep music app to use the Bluetooth remote control only as a standard media remote control. This solution can achieve basic short timer cycles, but it lacks intelligent silence detection and fine volume adjustment, resulting in lower flexibility and reduced effectiveness.

[0076] Industrial applicability

[0077] This invention can be widely applied to:

[0078] (1) Consumer electronics field: as the core control solution for hardware products such as smart rings, wristbands, and bedside remote controls.

[0079] (2) Software application area: integrated into various sleep aid apps, audio playback platforms and mini programs as value-added functions.

[0080] (3) Health management field: Personalized sleep aid services applicable to hotels, nursing homes, homes and other scenarios.

[0081] This invention is based on mature Bluetooth technology and innovative interaction logic, is easy to implement, and has significant market prospects.

[0082] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings should also be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A human-machine collaborative sleep aid control method based on short-timed cycles, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Set a short timed shutdown duration: Set a timed shutdown duration T on the playback device. The timed shutdown duration T is 1 / 5 to 1 / 3 of the user's estimated average sleep duration and can remain fixed until the user modifies it again. S2: Start audio playback and timer: Start audio playback and begin the countdown for the timed shutdown duration T; S3: Timed End and Wait: When the audio playback reaches the timed shutdown duration T, the audio playback is automatically stopped, and a preset user response waiting period Δt is entered; S4: Detect restart signal: During the user response waiting period Δt, continuously detect whether a restart playback signal manually triggered by the user is received; S5: Loop playback: If the restart playback signal is received within the user response waiting period Δt, the countdown of the timed shutdown duration T is reset, and the audio is restarted, returning to step S2; S6: Determine if the user has fallen asleep or is silent: If the restart playback signal is not received by the end of the user response waiting period Δt, it is determined that the user has entered a sleep state, and the playback device is controlled to enter a low-power standby or off state; at any time thereafter, if the playback restart signal manually triggered by the user is received again, the process returns to step S2. S7: Fine volume adjustment: During audio playback in step S2 or S5, if a fine volume adjustment signal triggered by the user is received, a control command is sent to the playback device to adjust the playback volume with a precision less than the default volume adjustment step value of the operating system on which the device is located.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S1, the timed shutdown duration T is 5 to 20 minutes.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In step S3, the duration of the user response waiting period Δt is 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S7, the fine volume adjustment signal is generated by a dedicated remote control terminal.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, In step S7, the precision of adjusting the playback volume is as follows: in response to a single operation of the user on the volume key, a control signal is generated to change the playback volume by 1% to 5%; preferably, the change is 1%; and / or, in response to two quick consecutive operations of the user on the volume key, a control signal is generated to change the playback volume by 1% to 5%; preferably, the change is 5%.

6. A human-machine collaborative sleep aid control system, used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, include: (1) Remote control terminal, used for manual triggering by the user to generate playback control signals and fine volume control signals; (2) A playback control terminal, which is communicatively connected to the remote control terminal, is configured to execute the human-machine collaborative sleep aid control method based on short timed cycles.

7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The remote control terminal is a Bluetooth remote control, and its Bluetooth communication module is configured to support at least one of the following three communication modes: (1) A proprietary protocol pattern for interacting with specific sleep aid applications using proprietary commands; (2) HID keyboard control mode used to send standard keyboard key value commands to the operating system or foreground application; (3) HID media control mode used to send standard media control commands to the operating system or foreground application.

8. The system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The remote control terminal includes a volume adjustment unit, which is configured to: generate a control signal that changes the playback volume by 1% to 5% in response to a single operation of the volume key by the user; preferably, the change is 1%; and / or generate a control signal that changes the playback volume by 1% to 5% in response to two quick consecutive operations of the volume key by the user; preferably, the change is 5%.

9. A smart audio relay device for sleep aid, characterized in that, include: (1) A communication module configured to receive control signals from a remote control terminal as described in any one of claims 6-8, the control signals including playback control signals and volume adjustment signals; (2) A timing control module is configured to execute the human-machine collaborative sleep aid control method based on a short timing cycle as described in any one of claims 1 to 5; (3) An audio processing module is configured to adjust the playback volume with a precision less than the system default step value in response to the volume adjustment signal by calling the underlying audio interface of the operating system.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The device runs as an application on the playback control terminal and is configured to: when a third-party audio / video application is running on the playback control terminal, intercept and parse control signals from the remote control terminal, and control the playback, pause, and volume adjustment of the third-party audio / video application based on the control signals.

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