Mobile Audio Channel Control for Aircraft Cabin Noise Mitigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The nuisance and potential for tension or altercations caused by passengers engaging in loud or lengthy voice calls on commercial flights due to inadequate control over mobile device audio outputs in aircraft cabins.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising microphones, a transceiver, and a network element that processes audio streams to identify communication channels and modify data exchanged with mobile devices, allowing control over audio outputs to mitigate undesirable noise, including volume adjustment or channel disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile device audio output is allowed without control, then communication services can be provided freely, but nuisance and tension are caused to other passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes audio parameters (volume level, frequency spectrum) of mobile device outputs based on real-time analysis of the audio stream and environmental conditions. The data processing means modifies audio characteristics to reduce nuisance while preserving communication functionality, adjusting parameters such as gain and frequency filtering adaptively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of microphones, data processing means, and transceiver that mediates between mobile device audio output and the aircraft cabin environment. This intermediary captures audio, analyzes it, identifies communication channels, and modifies the audio stream before it reaches other passengers, thus resolving the conflict between communication freedom and noise control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If audio control measures are implemented, then noise nuisance is reduced, but communication service quality may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different quality levels to different parts of the audio spectrum and different communication channels. Instead of uniformly degrading all audio, it selectively modifies only the portions that cause nuisance while preserving the essential communication content. The data processing means identifies specific frequency ranges and channels that require modification while leaving others unchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the audio stream and the effects of modifications, using feedback loops to adjust control parameters in real-time. The microphones capture the modified audio output, the data processing means analyzes the results, and adjusts the modification parameters accordingly to maintain communication quality while reducing nuisance. This closed-loop control ensures that communication service quality is preserved.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual monitoring and control of audio outputs is performed, then audio nuisance can be managed, but operational complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to autonomously monitor, analyze, and control audio outputs without requiring manual intervention from cabin crew. The data processing means automatically identifies communication channels, determines appropriate modification parameters, and implements control measures independently. This self-service capability reduces operational complexity and frees up cabin crew resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring and control processes with an automated electronic system. Instead of cabin crew physically monitoring and intervening in audio issues, the system uses microphones, digital signal processing, and automated channel identification to manage audio outputs. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with electronic automation reduces operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes one or more microphones arranged to capture an audio stream, a transceiver arranged to exchange wireless data signals with mobile communications devices in a vicinity of the one or more microphones, a network element communicatively coupled to the transceiver, and data processing means communicatively coupled to the one or more microphones and the network element. The data processing means are configured to perform operations including comparing data indicative of a waveform within the audio stream with data transmitted within the network element, identifying a communication channel associated with the waveform and over which data is exchanged between the network element and a first mobile communications device via the transceiver based on the comparison, and modifying data exchanged between the network element and the first mobile communications device over the identified communication channel to control an audio output of the first mobile communications device.