Adaptive Volume Control for Consecutive Audio Commands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems face challenges in dynamically adjusting volume settings to accurately reflect user intentions, particularly when using voice commands or multiple consecutive inputs, as the granularity of volume adjustments can be either too coarse or too fine, leading to undesirable volume levels.
Innovation Solution
A playback device configured with a network interface and processor to receive multiple consecutive volume commands within a threshold period, adjusting the coarseness of volume increments accordingly, allowing for dynamic volume adjustments based on user input patterns to better align with desired volume levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed volume increment settings are used, then device complexity is reduced, but volume adjustment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the volume increment adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the volume increment size based on the current volume level and user interaction patterns. When volume is low, smaller increments are used for precise control; when volume is high or adjustment is urgent, larger increments are applied. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to achieve high precision when needed without the complexity of a fully adaptive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of volume increment size based on operating conditions. Instead of using a single fixed increment value, the system varies the increment parameter according to the current state (current volume level, number of consecutive adjustments, time between inputs). This allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving variable precision, resolving the contradiction between fixed complexity and variable precision.
2Productivity
If multiple volume commands are processed individually, then processing simplicity is maintained, but time efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual volume commands into a single composite adjustment operation. When consecutive volume commands are detected within a threshold time period, the system combines their effects and executes a single adjusted volume change. This eliminates the time loss of processing each command separately while maintaining the cumulative intent of multiple user inputs, directly resolving the productivity-time contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the command sequence to determine the optimal single adjustment that satisfies multiple user intents. Before executing the volume change, the system evaluates the pattern of consecutive commands and calculates the most efficient adjustment in advance, reducing the overall time required compared to sequential processing.
3Ease of operation
If coarse volume increments are used, then ease of operation is improved, but volume control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the volume increment dynamic, automatically adjusting between coarse and fine increments based on the current situation. When the system detects that the current volume is far from the target or urgent adjustment is needed, it applies coarse increments for ease of operation. When the volume approaches the target or precise control is needed, it automatically switches to fine increments. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing both coarse and fine control as needed without requiring manual user selection.
Data Source
AI summary
An example playback device is configured to receive a first volume command to adjust a volume level of audio playback by the playback device in a first direction. Based on the first volume command, the playback device causes the volume level of the audio playback to be adjusted in the first direction by a first increment. The playback device is further configured to receive a second volume command to adjust the volume level in a second direction and determine that the second volume command was received within a threshold period of time after receiving the first volume command. Based on (i) determining that the second volume command was received within the threshold period of time and (ii) the second volume command, the playback device causes the volume level of the audio playback to be adjusted in the second direction by a second increment that is different from the first increment.