Playback Volume Startup Limits Based on Command Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems lack the ability to effectively limit playback volume when starting or adjusting playback, potentially startling users due to unknown or unintended volume levels, especially when commands are received from sources that do not indicate the current volume.
Innovation Solution
A playback device that stores active and volume limit state variables, detects the source of playback commands, and adjusts the startup or increased volume accordingly, using a processor and non-transitory computer-readable medium to execute program instructions for managing playback volume based on the source of the command.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the playback device uses the current active volume state variable for startup playback, then the playback quality and user preference are maintained, but the user may be startled by unexpectedly loud sounds when the device has been paused for an extended period
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting the pause duration before playback starts and proactively adjusting the volume based on this information. When the device has been paused for an extended period, the system preemptively reduces the startup volume to prevent startling the user, while still allowing high quality playback when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the playback volume dynamic rather than static. Instead of always using the active volume state variable, the system dynamically selects between the active volume and a reduced volume based on the pause duration. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the volume to the specific playback context.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the playback device always limits the startup volume to a lower level, then user comfort is improved, but the playback quality and user preference for high volume are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the startup volume based on the pause duration detected before playback. When the pause duration is short, the system uses the full active volume state variable to maintain playback quality. When the pause duration is extended, the system reduces the volume to prevent startling the user. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making volume adaptation context-dependent.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the volume parameter based on the pause duration condition. Instead of using a fixed volume limit or always using the active volume, the system modifies the volume parameter dynamically based on temporal information about the pause state, allowing optimal playback quality and user comfort in different scenarios.
3Device complexity
If the playback device does not track or remember pause duration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide context-aware volume control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary tracking of the pause duration using existing playback state information that is already maintained by the playback device. This requires minimal additional complexity since the device already tracks playback state, and uses this information proactively to adjust startup volume appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the playback state (pause duration) to automatically adjust the startup volume. The playback device monitors its own state and uses this feedback to make intelligent volume decisions, providing context-aware control without requiring complex external systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An example playback device may store an active volume state variable in memory, where the active volume state variable corresponds to a current playback volume. The playback device may also store a volume limit state variable in memory, where the volume limit state variable corresponds to a playback volume limit of the playback device. The playback device may detect a command to begin playback of media from a given source and then select a startup playback volume to be one of the current playback volume and the playback volume limit based on the given source of the command to begin playback. The playback device may then play back media at the startup playback volume.