Foldable Device Speaker Volume Control for Echo Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In foldable electronic devices, the changing distance between a microphone and a speaker during folding can cause echo generation, leading to poor sound quality and difficulty in predicting echo cancellation.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device includes a processor that identifies the folding angle between the device's housing areas and adjusts the speaker output accordingly, reducing the volume of the speaker to a specified value when the folding angle reaches a threshold, thereby minimizing echo generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the speaker and microphone are positioned close to each other in a folded state, then the device can maintain a compact form, but echo generation increases due to the louder incoming sound being input into the microphone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the speaker output dynamically adjustable based on the folding state. The processor detects the folding state and automatically adjusts the speaker output level, transitioning from a static to a dynamic system that adapts to different spatial configurations, thereby resolving the echo issue while maintaining compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of speaker output level based on the folding state. By detecting whether the device is folded or unfolded, the processor modifies the speaker output parameter accordingly, reducing it in folded state to prevent echo. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between compact form and echo generation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the echo reference input to the microphone increases during folding, then the incoming sound becomes louder, but the echo canceling solution cannot predict the echo properly, resulting in sound quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively adjusting the speaker output level before echo cancellation becomes problematic. The processor detects the folding state in advance and pre-adjusts the speaker output, preventing the sudden increase in echo reference input that would otherwise overwhelm the echo canceling algorithm and degrade sound quality.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the speaker volume is reduced during folding, then echo generation decreases, but the outgoing sound quality may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts speaker output based on real-time detection of folding state, ensuring optimal sound quality for each configuration. When unfolded, full speaker volume maintains high sound quality; when folded, reduced volume prevents echo while maintaining adequate outgoing sound quality for the compact state.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker output parameter is changed according to the folding state, with the processor selecting appropriate volume levels to balance echo reduction and sound quality. This parameter adaptation ensures that sound quality remains acceptable while minimizing echo in folded state.
Data Source
AI summary
The present document relates to a foldable electronic device and to an electronic device and method for decreasing echo generation in the foldable electronic device. An electronic device, according to one embodiment, identifies a folding angle between a first housing area and a second housing area when the first housing area of the electronic device and the second housing area of the electronic device are folded. The electronic device, according to one embodiment, decreases the volume of at least one speaker of the electronic device to a specified value on the basis of the folding angle being a first critical angle. The electronic device, according to one embodiment, carries out a call in a fully folded state on the basis of identifying that the first housing area and the second housing area are in the fully folded state. Other embodiments are also possible.