Audio Volume Adjustment on Hinged Multi-Screen Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of multi-screen mobile devices face challenges in adjusting audio volumes of different applications or graphical user elements across varying device positions and orientations, as existing methods are cumbersome and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A mobile computing device with a housing featuring two displays coupled by a hinge, equipped with forward-facing cameras and sensors to detect user orientation and facial presence, allowing the processor to adjust audio settings and stream audio accordingly, ensuring optimal volume balance based on user focus and angular displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual volume adjustment controls are provided for each application on each screen, then users can precisely control individual audio volumes, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome controls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of audio volume adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of audio control interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts audio volume settings without requiring manual user intervention. The processor monitors device orientation via sensors and application usage, then autonomously configures volume levels for each screen and application, eliminating the need for complex manual controls while maintaining precise audio management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes audio volume parameters based on detected device orientation and active applications. When the device orientation changes or different applications are activated on each screen, the processor automatically adjusts the volume parameters accordingly, providing adaptive audio control without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If automatic volume adjustment based on device orientation is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision and reliability may worsen due to sensor dependency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic audio controlVSAvoidaccuracy of orientation detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system serves multiple functions: it detects both device orientation for audio adjustment and triggers different output modes based on angular measurements. By making the sensor system multi-functional and cross-validating its readings across different measurement purposes, the system improves reliability while maintaining automatic operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors device orientation through sensors and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust audio volume settings. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that volume adjustments remain synchronized with actual device position, improving measurement reliability through continuous validation and correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3625956B1Volume adjustment on hinged multi-screen device
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3625956B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3625956B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3625956B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile computing device including a housing having a first part and a second part, the first part including a first display and a first forward facing camera, and the second part including a second display and a second forward facing camera, at least one speaker mounted in the housing, and a processor mounted in the housing and configured to display a first graphical user interface element having an associated first audio stream on the first display and to display a second graphical user interface element having an associated second audio stream on the second display, wherein the processor is configured to perform face detection on a first and a second image, adjust an audio setting based on a result of the face detection, and play the first and second audio streams out of the at least one speaker based on the adjusted audio setting.