Audio Silencing Module with Dynamic Playback Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of information processing devices face discomfort due to uncontrolled audio output, either from constant noise disturbing others or inability to hear notifications when sound is muted, as existing systems lack user-selectable options for managing audio output during silencing.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with modules for silencing audio, detecting playback requests, displaying user-selectable options, and executing user-chosen processing, allowing users to select between disabling, temporarily disabling, or silencing audio output based on specific conditions, such as during present audio stream playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PC is set to always output sound, then the user can hear the sound, but the sound may cause discomfort to surrounding people
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the silencing state based on detected sound playback requests. When sound playback is detected, the system transitions from a silenced state to an unsilenced state, allowing the user to hear notifications while preventing constant noise disturbance to others.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects sound playback requests from application programs and autonomously adjusts the silencing state without requiring manual user intervention. The detection module monitors audio output and triggers appropriate silencing or unsilencing actions based on the detected sound events.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the PC is silenced, then the sound does not disturb surrounding people, but the user cannot hear the sound and cannot know whether sound is being output
Solution Approach 1:
The detection module provides feedback by monitoring sound playback requests and triggering appropriate responses. When sound is detected during a silenced state, the system receives this feedback and automatically adjusts the silencing setting to inform the user of the sound output while maintaining overall silence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary silencing to prevent noise disturbance, then detects sound playback requests and takes preliminary action to unsilence the output temporarily, ensuring the user is informed of important sounds before they occur.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If headphones are used to prevent annoyance to surrounding people, then the surrounding people are not disturbed, but the user cannot hear surrounding sound well
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and isolates notification sounds from the general audio output. By detecting specific sound playback requests and selectively unsilencing only those important notification sounds while maintaining overall silencing, the system provides awareness of critical sounds without requiring constant headphone use or exposing the user to all surrounding sounds.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an information processing apparatus capable of allowing a user to select appropriate processing beforehand when an application program outputs sound in a state in which an audio device is silenced. The apparatus in one embodiment includes a silencing module for silencing audio information output from an audio device, a detection module for detecting a sound playback request from an application program while silencing is set, a display module for displaying a select screen for allowing a user to select processing when the sound playback request from the application program is detected by the detection module, and a processing module for executing the processing selected by the user on the select screen.