Flat Audio Volume Control Across Complex Setting Hierarchies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer systems lack an efficient method for users to control the overall output volume of audio signals from multiple software applications, as existing audio setting hierarchies are complex and often result in unintended volume modifications across applications.
Innovation Solution
A flat volume model is implemented, where a computer system generates a flat volume characteristics tree based on current hardware/software settings, allowing for optimized adjustments to audio hierarchy settings and user interface representations, enabling direct control of overall output volume without affecting other applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hierarchical audio setting structure is used to control volume at multiple levels (application, channel, main volume), then comprehensive volume control capability is achieved, but the system complexity increases and users cannot directly control the overall output volume of a specific application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flat volume model as an intermediary layer between the user and the hierarchical audio setting structure. This flat volume model presents a simplified, direct volume control interface to users while internally mapping adjustments to the appropriate levels in the existing hierarchy (application volume, channel volume, main volume), thereby resolving the contradiction between comprehensive control capability and user-facing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex hierarchical volume control system into distinct functional layers: the user-facing flat volume model layer and the underlying hierarchical audio setting layer. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with its own optimization criteria - the flat model optimizes for user simplicity while the hierarchy maintains comprehensive control capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio setting controls (application volume, channel volume, main volume) are provided, then flexible volume adjustment is enabled, but users cannot determine which control will achieve the desired overall volume output
Solution Approach 1:
The flat volume model acts as a mediator that translates user intent for overall application volume control into coordinated adjustments across the hierarchical controls. When a user adjusts volume in the flat model for a specific application, the system automatically calculates and adjusts the appropriate combination of application volume, channel volume, and main volume settings to achieve the desired effect, making the system as predictable as direct control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor the current state of the audio hierarchy and use this information to determine how flat volume model adjustments should be distributed across different hierarchical levels. This feedback loop ensures that volume adjustments produce predictable and consistent results regardless of the current hierarchy configuration
3Ease of operation
If the audio setting hierarchy is adjusted to control one application's volume, then that application's volume is modified, but volumes of other applications are also affected
Solution Approach 1:
The flat volume model implements local quality control by allowing users to adjust volume settings for specific applications independently through the flat interface. The system then applies adjustments locally to only the target application's volume in the hierarchy, while maintaining other applications' volume settings unchanged, thus eliminating unintended cross-application effects
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for implementing a flat volume model for software application audio signals is provided. A computer system generates a flat volume characteristics tree based upon current hardware/software values from an audio setting hierarchy. The computer system processes the flat volume characteristics tree and converts the optimized values into new audio hierarchy settings. The computer system can generate user interfaces representative of the flat volume settings for the software application. Adjustments to the flat volume settings result in modification to the flat volume characteristics tree and the audio setting hierarchy.