Mobile Announcement Volume Control to Prevent Acoustic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing announcement systems in rail vehicles require the train conductor to move to a fixed location for each announcement, disrupting other activities and lacking flexibility, especially when recording and outputting acoustic voice signals in confined spaces.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the location of the speech-recording device relative to the output device, controlling the output volume based on this location to ensure flexible and efficient acoustic signal distribution, using transponder elements and Bluetooth technology for precise location determination and feedback avoidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the train conductor moves to a fixed announcement point for each announcement, then the announcement can be made using existing fixed-location systems, but other activities such as checking tickets must be interrupted and flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of making announcementVSAvoidflexibility of conductor activities

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically moving to fixed announcement points with an electronic/mobile recording system. The speech-recording device can be positioned anywhere in the vehicle, and the acoustic signal is transmitted electronically to output devices, eliminating the need for physical relocation and allowing concurrent activities like ticket checking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static fixed-location announcement points to a dynamic mobile recording system. The speech-recording device can move freely throughout the vehicle, and the system adapts the output volume based on the recording device's location relative to output devices, providing operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the output volume is increased to ensure clear announcement coverage, then passengers can detect the announcement better, but acoustic feedback between the speech-recording device and output device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveannouncement detection clarityVSAvoidacoustic feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback control by monitoring the location of the speech-recording device relative to output devices and adjusting the output volume accordingly. When the recording device is close to an output device, the system reduces that output device's volume to prevent acoustic feedback, while maintaining adequate announcement coverage through other output devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different output volumes to different output devices based on their relative positions to the speech-recording device. Output devices closer to the recording device operate at lower volumes to avoid feedback, while those farther away operate at higher volumes to ensure coverage, creating localized quality adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If fixed-location announcement points are used, then the announcement system is simple to implement, but the train conductor must interrupt other activities to move to the announcement point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of announcement systemVSAvoidtime lost moving to announcement point

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of physical movement to fixed points with an electronic mobile recording system. The speech-recording device can remain with the conductor throughout the vehicle, eliminating travel time while the electronic signal transmission maintains system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If the speech-recording device is positioned close to an output device for convenient access, then handling is easier, but acoustic feedback occurs due to the small distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of device handlingVSAvoidacoustic feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system adjusts the output volume of individual output devices based on their proximity to the speech-recording device. When a recording device is positioned close to an output device for convenient handling, that specific output device's volume is reduced to prevent feedback, while other output devices maintain normal volumes for coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the relative positions of the speech-recording device and output devices, and dynamically adjusts output volumes to prevent acoustic feedback while allowing flexible positioning for ease of handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10637425B2Method and arrangement for controlling an output volume of at least one acoustic output device

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH

AI summary

A method for controlling the output volume of at least one acoustic output device includes recording an acoustic voice signal using a speech recording device, and outputting the acoustic voice signal using the at least one output device. The location of the speech recording device relative to the at least one output device is determined and the output volume of the at least one output device is controlled as a function of the location. An arrangement for controlling the output volume of at least one acoustic output device is also provided.