Audio Notification System Self-Testing via Sequential Signal Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio notification systems face challenges in ensuring comprehensive coverage and quality of audible notifications across large areas, such as buildings and public transportation vehicles, due to difficulties in testing and maintaining the system, echo issues, and the impact of defective devices on sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a database-connected audio notification system where each device emits and monitors a test sound, allowing for the collection of information on device functionality and audio levels, enabling continuous system verification and adjustment to maintain effective coverage and quality without regular testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all audio devices are simultaneously activated for testing coverage, then area coverage can be verified, but system complexity and testing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing process by having audio devices emit test sounds sequentially rather than simultaneously. Each device takes turns emitting a unique test signal while others listen, dividing the complex simultaneous testing into manageable sequential steps that are easier to coordinate and measure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where monitoring audio devices detect test sounds from emitting devices and report back to a central controller. This feedback loop enables automatic verification of coverage areas and sound quality, replacing manual testing with automated data collection and analysis.
2Measurement precision
If audio levels are increased to ensure message clarity, then information quality improves, but distortion and echo increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of test sound emission by having devices emit sounds at controlled, varying levels rather than maximum power. The system measures sound pressure levels and adjusts emission parameters to find the optimal balance between clarity and avoiding distortion, preventing harmful effects from excessive volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic test sound emissions where each audio device emits test signals at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action allows the system to measure sound propagation characteristics at different times and locations, enabling precise adjustment of audio levels to prevent distortion while maintaining information quality.
3Reliability
If regular manual testing is performed to verify system functionality, then reliability is maintained, but time consumption and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the audio notification system to test itself automatically without requiring external manual intervention. Audio devices emit test sounds, monitor their own and others' performance, and report status to the central controller autonomously. This self-service capability maintains reliability while eliminating the time loss and operational difficulty of manual testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous automated testing where audio devices regularly emit test sounds and report status without interruption. This continuous monitoring maintains system reliability constantly rather than through periodic manual checks, eliminating downtime and ensuring the system is always verified without consuming operational time.
4Area of stationary object
If audio devices are distributed across large areas to ensure coverage, then area coverage improves, but echo and sound quality degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical acoustic measurement methods with electronic signal processing. Instead of relying on human ears to detect echoes and sound quality issues, the system uses microphones and digital signal processing to automatically detect, measure, and analyze test sounds. This substitution enables precise identification of echo problems in large areas without the limitations of human perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the audio notification system dynamic by enabling automatic adjustment of emission parameters based on measured conditions. When echo or sound quality degradation is detected in certain areas, the system dynamically adjusts test sound frequencies, volumes, or timing to optimize performance across the entire large area, adapting to local acoustic conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method ensures that all areas are covered by audible notifications, maintains sound quality, and compensates for defective devices by adjusting audio levels, thereby ensuring the system's reliability and effectiveness in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
emitting, by means of the loudspeaker of a currently emitting audio device, an audible test sound; monitoring, by means of microphones of the audio devices in the system, for the audible test sound
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed towards a method for collecting information pertaining to an audio notification system comprising a plurality of audio devices and a database, wherein each of the plurality of audio devices comprises a loudspeaker and a microphone, the method comprising: sequentially for each of the plurality of audio devices: emitting, by means of the loudspeaker of a currently emitting audio device, an audible test sound; monitoring, by means of microphones of the audio devices in the system, for the audible test sound; and for each monitoring audio device, if the audible test sound is detected by the monitoring audio device, storing, in the database, information pertaining to the currently emitting audio device and information pertaining to the monitoring audio device detecting the audible test sound.