Audio Volume Range Control for Hearing-Safe Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MP3 players and similar portable electronic devices lack effective volume controlling mechanisms to prevent hearing damage from high sound levels and ensure minimum volume levels for audio playback, such as internet broadcasts or videoconferences.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts volume by determining if a requested volume is within a predetermined range and, if not, increments or decrements the current volume over time to bring it within a safe or minimum level, using a counter to monitor usage time and iteratively adjust the volume in increments or decrements based on predetermined values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the volume is increased to provide sufficient sound output, then the sound quality is improved, but hearing damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by setting a predetermined safe volume range before the user can cause hearing damage. When the user attempts to adjust volume beyond this range, the system proactively prevents the harmful action by limiting the maximum volume and providing warnings, rather than waiting for damage to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring the current volume level and providing real-time warnings to the user when approaching dangerous thresholds. The system continuously compares the current volume against the predetermined safe range and communicates the status back to the user, enabling informed volume management decisions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the volume is decreased to prevent hearing damage, then hearing safety is improved, but audio quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by allowing the volume to be dynamically adjusted within the predetermined safe range. The upper limit of this range can be flexibly configured based on user needs and environmental conditions, enabling the system to adapt between prioritizing hearing safety and maintaining audio quality depending on the situation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a strict volume limit is enforced to ensure safety, then hearing protection is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by enforcing volume limits only when necessary for safety, rather than imposing strict restrictions at all times. The predetermined volume range is configured to balance safety requirements with user convenience, allowing full volume control within safe boundaries while only intervening when the user attempts to exceed these boundaries.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the volume is automatically adjusted to maintain minimum level, then audio usability is improved, but user control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the predetermined volume range and safety thresholds before user operation. This allows the system to automatically enforce minimum volume levels for usability without requiring continuous user intervention, while still preserving user control within the established safe boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of volume controlling, including: (a) receiving a volume adjusting command; (b) determining if the volume corresponding to the volume adjusting command is in a predetermined volume range; (c) if the volume corresponding to the volume adjusting command is in the predetermined volume range, utilizing the volume adjusting command to adjust a current volume; (d) if the volume corresponding to the volume adjusting command does not fall in the predetermined volume range, then (d1) utilizing the volume adjusting command to adjust the current volume; and (d2) computing the using time for the current volume, and adjusting the current volume referring to the predetermined volume range when the using time reaches a predetermined value.