Adaptive Audio Volume Control for Hearing and Ambient Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal devices often cause personal privacy leakage or interference by playing content loudly in public scenarios, affecting others nearby.

Innovation Solution

A volume adjustment method that adjusts the play volume based on ambient noise and user hearing levels, using microphones to collect signals and adjust sound levels dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the terminal device plays content at a high volume in public scenarios, then the user can hear the audio clearly, but it causes privacy leakage and interferes with others nearby

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio clarityVSAvoidprivacy leakage and interference to others

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic volume adjustment by continuously monitoring ambient noise levels through microphones and automatically adapting the playback volume in real-time. The system transitions from static volume settings to dynamic adjustment based on environmental conditions, allowing the device to play at higher volumes in noisy environments for clarity while reducing volumes in quiet environments to prevent interference with others

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the volume parameter based on measured ambient noise characteristics. By analyzing the noise level, frequency spectrum, and environmental context, the device adjusts the playback volume parameter dynamically, ensuring adequate audio clarity in noisy public spaces while minimizing disturbance in quieter settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the terminal device adjusts volume based on ambient noise only, then it can reduce interference to others, but it cannot meet individual user hearing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference to othersVSAvoidindividual hearing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a hearing test function that performs preliminary measurement of the user's hearing thresholds across different frequencies before normal use. This preliminary action establishes a personalized hearing profile that the system later uses to adjust volume settings, ensuring that individual hearing requirements are met while also considering ambient noise levels to prevent interference with others

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops that continuously monitor both ambient noise levels and user-specific hearing characteristics. The hearing test results provide feedback about the user's auditory sensitivity, which is combined with real-time noise level feedback to dynamically adjust the playback volume, balancing individual hearing needs with consideration for surrounding environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the terminal device uses fixed volume settings, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot adapt to different environments and user needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume control systemVSAvoidenvironmental and user adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where the device automatically performs hearing tests and ambient noise measurements, then adjusts volume settings without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously adapting to environmental conditions and user characteristics, reducing the need for complex manual configuration while maintaining high adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The volume control system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both environmental adaptation (adjusting to ambient noise levels) and user-specific customization (adapting to individual hearing thresholds). This universal approach allows a single system to handle multiple functions that would otherwise require separate mechanisms, managing complexity while enhancing adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260019055A1Volume Adjustment Method, Electronic Device, and System

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A method includes, in response to a user operation of starting a hearing test, an electronic device separately plays preset audio at a plurality of volumes, where the volumes include a first volume; determines, based on a confirmation operation for the first volume, that a hearing level of a user is a first hearing level corresponding to the first volume; when playing a downlink signal by using a sound-emitting apparatus, collects the downlink signal and an ambient noise signal by using at least one microphone; and adjusts a play volume of the sound-emitting apparatus from a first sound level to a second sound level based on the first hearing level when at least one of the collected downlink signal and the collected ambient noise signal changes.