Motorized Potentiometer for Software Audio Level Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for adjusting sound levels on computers during multitasking activities are cumbersome and disruptive, requiring multiple screen interactions and often resulting in the user being unable to appreciate the adjusted sound level due to the need to minimize or leave full-screen displays.
Innovation Solution
A sound level adjustment device with motorized potentiometers that allows physical adjustment of sound levels for software applications without screen intervention, featuring selection modules for assigning applications and peripherals, enabling two-way communication with the computer for precise and intuitive control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If software audio mixer is used to adjust sound level, then sound level adjustment capability is provided, but user activity is disrupted and visual comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the software-based audio mixer (which requires screen interaction) with a physical control device featuring motorized potentiometers. This mechanical/physical interface allows users to adjust sound levels without interacting with the computer screen, thereby maintaining full-screen displays and uninterrupted user activity while providing tactile feedback and immediate adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical control device acts as an intermediary between the user and the computer's audio system. It includes a microprocessor that communicates with the computer via USB or serial connection, translating physical potentiometer positions into digital audio level commands. This intermediary layer enables sound level adjustment without requiring the user to directly interact with the software audio mixer on screen.
2Ease of operation
If software audio mixer window is displayed for adjustment, then sound level control is enabled, but visual comfort deteriorates and activity continuity is broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the audio level control functionality from the software audio mixer interface and relocates it to a dedicated physical control device. This separation allows the software audio mixer window to remain hidden or minimized, eliminating the visual clutter and interface complexity on the computer screen while preserving the sound level control capability through the physical device's potentiometers and display.
3Ease of operation
If physical potentiometer is used for sound level adjustment, then adjustment simplicity is achieved, but application-specific control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic functionality in the physical control device through a microprocessor that can identify and control different software applications. The device dynamically adapts its behavior based on the active application, allowing users to select and adjust sound levels for specific applications (e.g., video games, music players, video conferencing software) while maintaining the simplicity of physical potentiometer adjustment. The motorized potentiometers can be electronically controlled to match the selected application's sound level.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sound level control device (100) adapted for connection to a computer (210) configured to run at least one software application that generates or uses a sound signal. The control device comprises at least one selection and control module (110, 120) including: - a means for selecting a software application (112, 122) to be assigned to said selection and control module, - a means for adjusting the sound level (113, 123) of said sound signal generated or used by said software application assigned to said selection and control module, allowing physical adjustment of the sound level of the selected software application. This means is a motorized potentiometer capable of being electronically adjusted via a control signal from said computer. The invention also relates to a computer system (200) and a method (400) for sound level control.