Dynamic Background Sound Management for Audio Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Background noise from proximate devices interferes with audio/video conferences, as existing solutions like muting microphones or reducing device volumes are either impractical or disruptive.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a background sound management circuitry that dynamically discovers and controls audibly proximate devices, such as cellular phones and fans, to reduce or eliminate noise by modifying their functions during conferences, and manages incoming communications to maintain focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If microphones are muted to reduce background noise, then audio clarity is improved, but communication capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and identifies specific noise-producing devices (cell phones, fans, televisions, computers) in the vicinity of the microphone using device discovery and audio monitoring. By isolating and individually managing these specific devices rather than muting all audio inputs, the system reduces background noise while preserving necessary communication capabilities through selective device control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a background sound management circuitry as an intermediary between the noise-producing devices and the microphone. This intermediary system discovers devices, monitors their audio output, and selectively controls them (muting or volume reduction) based on their contribution to background noise, thereby resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and communication capability preservation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If device volumes are reduced to eliminate noise, then audio clarity is improved, but device functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic volume control for noise-producing devices based on real-time monitoring of their audio contribution to background noise. The system adjusts device volumes dynamically during conferences, reducing volume only when the device produces unwanted noise while maintaining normal functionality when not interfering with audio quality. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between noise reduction and functionality preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the volume parameter of noise-producing devices selectively and temporarily during conference calls when they contribute to background noise. The system monitors audio levels and adjusts device parameters (volume) based on their actual noise contribution, allowing full functionality when not interfering and reduced volume when interfering, thus resolving the adaptability contradiction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple devices are manually managed to control noise, then audio clarity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the background sound management circuitry automatically discovers noise-producing devices, monitors their audio output, and controls them without user intervention. The system autonomously identifies cell phones, fans, televisions, and computers in the vicinity and manages their volumes or mute states based on real-time noise monitoring, eliminating the need for manual device management while reducing background noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal background sound management system that can discover and control multiple types of devices (cell phones, fans, televisions, computers) through a single integrated circuitry. This multi-functional system handles diverse device types with unified discovery, monitoring, and control mechanisms, reducing system complexity compared to managing each device type separately while effectively managing background noise from various sources.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If users actively manage background noise, then audio clarity is improved, but user productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the background sound management circuitry autonomously discovers noise-producing devices, monitors their audio output, and controls them without user intervention. The system automatically manages cell phones, fans, televisions, and computers during conferences, freeing users from manual noise management tasks and maintaining audio clarity while preserving user productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary device discovery and audio monitoring setup before conferences begin. The background sound management circuitry proactively identifies potential noise-producing devices and establishes monitoring, so that when conferences start, the system is already prepared to automatically manage background noise without requiring user action during the conference, thereby maintaining user productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. In an example, the apparatus includes interface circuitry to communicatively couple a processor circuitry to a memory. The apparatus also includes the processor circuitry to perform at least one operation to instantiate circuitry. The circuitry includes device discovery management circuitry to discover a controllable device in audible proximity to a microphone, the microphone associated with a primary device and output sound capability determination circuitry to determine an output sound capability of the controllable device. Additionally, the circuitry includes function modification circuitry to modify a function of the controllable device to reduce the output sound capability.