Adaptive Volume Input Range for Changing Ambient Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer electronic devices struggle to maintain optimal audio volume levels when transitioning from quiet to loud environments, as environmental noise significantly affects the desired volume, requiring users to manually adjust settings.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that dynamically adapt the user volume input range on electronic devices by detecting ambient noise levels or sound profiles, adjusting the range within the global volume range to maintain consistent user input selections, ensuring optimal audio output without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the device uses a fixed global volume range, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot adapt to different ambient noise levels requiring manual user adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic volume input range that automatically adjusts based on detected ambient noise levels. The processor monitors environmental noise and modifies the mapping between user volume inputs and actual audio output levels, transforming a static volume system into an adaptive one that responds to changing acoustic conditions without requiring structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting ambient noise levels and reconfiguring the volume input range without user intervention. The processor autonomously monitors acoustic environment changes and modifies volume mapping parameters, enabling the device to serve itself in adapting to different listening conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user volume input range is adjusted dynamically, then the audio output adapts to ambient conditions, but the user input mapping changes which may confuse users about their selections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter mapping between user input and audio output by adjusting the volume input range boundaries based on ambient noise. When noise levels increase, the system expands the effective volume range to higher output levels, allowing the same user input selection to produce appropriately louder audio without the user perceiving any change in their input action
3Ease of operation
If the device requires manual volume adjustment, then the volume control logic remains simple, but the ease of operation decreases in varying noise environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback loop where the processor continuously monitors ambient noise levels and uses this information to automatically adjust the volume input range mapping. This closed-loop control eliminates the need for manual user adjustment by providing real-time environmental feedback that drives automatic volume range adaptation, significantly improving operational convenience
Data Source
AI summary
Method of dynamically adapting user volume input range on mobile device having global volume range starts by receiving a volume input selection from a user that is level included in user volume input range. User volume input range is a portion of global volume range. Device's processor then detects ambient noise level surrounding device and adjusts user volume input range from current portion of global volume range to different portion of global volume range based on detected ambient noise level. Volume input selection remains at the same level included in user volume input range after user volume input range is adjusted. Processor may identify sound profile that corresponds to ambient noise level being detected and adjusts user volume input range to a different portion of the global volume range based on identified sound profile. Other embodiments are also described.