Distributed Call Audio Muting for Nearby Device Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is increasingly difficult to conduct or participate in calls without being interrupted by intruding noise from other devices, leading to embarrassing and unwelcome audio disturbances during work calls or online meetings.
Innovation Solution
Computing devices can enter a high priority call state and transmit messages via a distributed context network to reduce audio output volume on other connected devices, using priority call alerts and threshold volume levels to manage interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a computing device transmits messages to other devices via distributed context network to reduce audio output volume, then audio interference during calls is reduced, but device complexity and network infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distributed context network as an intermediary system that mediates between calling and non-calling devices. The network transmits priority call alert messages and coordinates volume adjustments across multiple devices, acting as a mediator that enables interference reduction without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between all device pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed context network serves multiple functions: it detects call states, transmits priority alerts, coordinates volume adjustments, and manages interactions between multiple devices. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single universal platform.
2Reliability
If computing devices monitor and respond to priority call states in real-time, then call quality is improved, but energy consumption and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting when a device enters a high priority call state and proactively transmitting priority call alert messages to the distributed context network before interference occurs. This advance notification allows receiving devices to pre-emptively adjust their audio output, ensuring call quality without requiring continuous monitoring during the entire call duration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous real-time monitoring, the system uses periodic action by triggering volume adjustments at specific events: when a call state is detected, when priority alerts are transmitted, and when call states change. This event-driven approach maintains call quality while reducing energy consumption compared to constant monitoring.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If audio output volume is reduced on non-calling devices, then audio interference is minimized, but notification delivery and user awareness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by differentiating between types of audio output: priority call-related notifications maintain normal volume levels while other audio content is reduced. This selective approach ensures that important information such as call notifications and messages are still delivered audibly to users, while non-essential audio interference is minimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed context network implements feedback mechanisms where devices report their audio output status and receive adjusted priority alert messages. This feedback loop ensures that notification delivery is maintained by allowing users to receive and perceive important information, while the system continuously monitors and adjusts audio levels to prevent interference.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for reducing audio interference to a call on a computing device may include, in response to the computing device entering a high priority call state, transmitting to one or more other computing devices via a distributed context network a message configured to cause the one or more other computing devices to reduce audio output volume. The one or more other computing devices may receiving via the distributed context network a message indicating that the computing device has entered a high priority call state, and may reduce audio output volume in response to receiving the message.