Dynamic Volume Step Control for Background Noise Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often need to provide numerous inputs to adjust the volume on devices like earbuds and smartphones to achieve a desired volume level, especially in environments with varying background noise levels, as the default volume increments and loudness deltas are not dynamically adjusted.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with microphones and processors that dynamically adjust the quantity of volume levels and loudness delta based on the background noise level, allowing for fewer user inputs to reach a desired volume by modifying the number of volume increments and the difference between each volume level in response to noise conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the default quantity of volume levels and loudness delta are kept fixed, then the device structure remains simple, but users require numerous inputs to adjust volume in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of volume levels and loudness delta based on detected background noise conditions. The system transitions from static default values to dynamically adapted values, automatically modifying the quantity of volume levels and loudness delta according to environmental noise, thereby reducing the number of user inputs required in noisy environments while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by detecting background noise levels and using this information to automatically adjust volume parameters. The noise detection module continuously monitors the environment and feeds this information back to the volume control system, which then adapts the quantity of volume levels and loudness delta accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that reduces manual adjustment needs
2Measurement precision
If the quantity of volume levels is increased to provide finer control, then volume precision improves, but the number of user inputs required increases in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the quantity of volume levels based on background noise conditions. In noisy environments, it increases the number of available volume levels to provide finer control precision, while in quiet environments it reduces the quantity. This dynamic adaptation ensures that users always have appropriate precision without unnecessarily increasing the time required for volume adjustment in all conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of quantity of volume levels based on detected noise conditions. By modifying this parameter dynamically - increasing it when noise is high to provide more granular control options, and decreasing it when noise is low - the system optimizes both volume precision and adjustment speed according to environmental context
3Ease of operation
If the loudness delta is increased to reduce the number of inputs needed, then ease of operation improves, but volume control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the loudness delta based on background noise levels. In noisy environments, it increases the loudness delta to reduce the number of inputs required, sacrificing some precision for ease of operation. In quiet environments, it decreases the loudness delta to provide finer volume control granularity. This dynamic behavior optimizes the trade-off between ease of operation and precision according to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the loudness delta parameter in response to detected noise conditions. By changing this parameter - increasing it when noise is high to enable faster volume adjustment with fewer inputs, and decreasing it when noise is low to maintain fine control granularity - the system adaptively balances ease of operation against volume level precision
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for dynamically adjusting the quantity of volume levels and/or the loudness delta are disclosed. The quantity of volume levels may the number of increments between a minimum and maximum volume. The loudness delta may be the difference between adjacent volume levels. The device may one or more microphones to determine a background noise level. Based on the determined background noise level, and after receiving a user input to adjust the volume, the device may adjust the quantity of volume levels and/or the loudness delta depending on if the background noise level is increased or low.