Noise-Adaptive Speech Volume Control for Stable Voice Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing noise adaptive volume control systems for mobile robots, such as those used in airports and offices, experience fluctuations in output volume due to varying noise levels, leading to user recognition issues and unnecessary volume increases during accidental loud noise events.
Innovation Solution
A volume control apparatus and method that includes an exception processing unit for calculating sound pressure in consideration of speech utterance, receiving, and temporal length states, mapping volume changes in response to noise sound pressure, and storing noise information for adaptive output, ensuring consistent and recognizable speech guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If volume is adjusted in real time according to noise levels, then speech recognition is improved, but volume fluctuates continuously which interferes with user recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring noise levels in advance and adjusting volume proactively before speech output, rather than continuously fluctuating during output. The system pre-adapts volume based on ambient noise characteristics, then maintains stable volume during actual speech delivery, preventing mid-speech fluctuations that interfere with recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by updating noise measurements and adjusting volume at discrete intervals rather than continuously. Volume is adjusted periodically based on measured noise levels, then held stable until the next measurement cycle, creating a rhythm of adjustment that prevents continuous fluctuation while still adapting to environmental changes.
2Measurement precision
If volume is increased in response to loud noise, then speech intelligibility is improved, but accidental loud noise causes unnecessary volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary noise measurement and evaluation before adjusting volume. It pre-identifies whether measured loud sounds represent genuine background noise requiring compensation or transient accidental noises that should be ignored, then adjusts volume accordingly before speech output begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation mechanism that mediates between raw noise measurements and volume adjustment decisions. This intermediary layer analyzes noise characteristics, duration, and context to filter out accidental loud noises from genuine background noise, preventing false volume increases while still responding to legitimate noise conditions.
3Measurement precision
If volume adapts to ambient noise, then user recognition rate is enhanced, but the system complexity increases due to exception processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing exception processing only for specific identified conditions (accidental loud noises, speech utterances) rather than complex global control logic. The system maintains simple adaptive volume control for normal conditions, then applies targeted exception handling only when specific local conditions are detected, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system simplifies complexity by changing parameters (noise threshold, measurement duration, volume adjustment magnitude) rather than adding complex control structures. It adapts volume control behavior by adjusting numerical parameters based on noise characteristics, maintaining algorithmic simplicity while achieving sophisticated adaptive behavior through parameter variation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling volume in an apparatus having a speaker and a microphone includes receiving, at the microphone, external noise and speech of a user, and calculating sound pressure of the noise received by the microphone. The method further includes performing exception processing of the sound pressure of some or all of the noise using the calculated sound pressure and one of a speech utterance state, a speech receiving state, or a temporal length state, of the noise, mapping volume of the speech in response to the sound pressure of the external noise, synthesizing speech guidance into a sound file, outputting the sound file, via the speaker, according to the mapped volume.