HVAC-Based Volume Control for Automatic Audio Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumer HVAC equipment noise interferes with home entertainment systems, requiring frequent manual volume adjustments as the HVAC components cycle on and off, leading to intermittent audio interference.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a processor, memory, and emitter that determines when HVAC components are activated or deactivated, transmitting volume control signals to home entertainment devices to automatically adjust the volume, either increasing or decreasing it accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If manual volume adjustment is used to compensate for HVAC noise, then audio interference can be mitigated, but user convenience deteriorates due to frequent manual adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio interferenceVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic volume adjustment by having the thermostat detect HVAC component activation and autonomously transmit volume control signals to entertainment devices, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while continuously mitigating audio interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the thermostat monitors HVAC operational status and automatically adjusts entertainment device volume in response, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing acoustic conditions without user input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Temperature

If HVAC equipment is operated to regulate temperatures, then temperature control is achieved, but audio interference increases due to noise from HVAC components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidaudio interference

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting HVAC activation and preemptively increasing entertainment device volume before the noise fully interferes with audio output, thereby counteracting the harmful acoustic effect of HVAC operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful noise signal from HVAC components into a beneficial trigger signal that automatically adjusts entertainment device volume, transforming the problematic correlation between HVAC operation and audio interference into a useful control mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If automatic volume control is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration between thermostat and entertainment devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic controlVSAvoidsystem integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermostat is extended to perform multiple functions: traditional temperature control plus detection of HVAC component activation and transmission of volume control signals, allowing a single device to orchestrate both environmental control and audio volume management without adding separate dedicated hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11736772B2HVAC-based volume control

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A system, apparatus and method for automatically controlling the volume of a home entertainment device by an HVAC component. An HVAC component determines when it, or another HVAC, is active or not, and causes a home entertainment device to adjust its volume accordingly.