Audio Dose Management in Media Players
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable media players expose users to high sound pressure levels, increasing the risk of hearing impairments due to prolonged exposure to loud music, and existing solutions do not effectively manage cumulative audio dose to prevent hearing damage while maintaining user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine and manage the cumulative audio dose by selecting media tracks based on their audio dose contribution, using a scaling factor for rendering characteristics and weighting by human auditory perception, to create playlists that keep the cumulative sound pressure level within safe limits, ensuring the user experience is enhanced without manual volume adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users listen to music at high audio volume levels for longer periods, then user experience and music enjoyment are improved, but hearing impairments and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the cumulative audio dose and provides feedback by adjusting playlist selection and notifying users when exposure limits are approaching, creating a closed-loop control system that balances enjoyment with safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates audio dose values for all media tracks and proactively manages playlist composition to stay within safe cumulative exposure limits before harmful effects occur, rather than reacting after damage is done
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the media player limits the cumulative audio dose, then hearing safety is improved, but user experience and music enjoyment may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of playlist selection based on cumulative audio dose state, dynamically adjusting which tracks are recommended or played to maintain safety while preserving music quality and variety
Solution Approach 2:
The playlist management system dynamically adapts to the user's listening history and cumulative exposure level, adjusting track selection in real-time to balance safety constraints with user preferences and enjoyment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system monitors and manages cumulative audio dose, then hearing protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors, calculates, and manages audio dose without requiring user intervention, making the complex safety management transparent and effortless for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards tracks that would excessively increase cumulative audio dose from playlist recommendations, and recovers or prioritizes lower-dose alternatives that maintain music quality while staying within safety limits
Data Source
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AI summary
The present document relates to media players, such as portable electronic devices, vehicle audio systems, home stereo systems, etc. In particular, it relates to the management of the sound pressure level generated by portable electronic devices. A method and system for controlling the cumulated audio dose of a user of a media player is described. The method comprises the steps of determining the audio dose already consumed by the user and of selecting one or more media tracks for play back on the media player based on the audio dose of the media track and the already consumed audio dose of the user.