Mobile Reminder Volume Adjustment Using Echo Path Feedback

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices often struggle to set reminder volumes effectively, as they can be too quiet in large spaces or too loud in small spaces, requiring user intervention and depending on forethought of the device's location.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that automatically adjusts the initial reminder volume by sampling sound via the device's microphone, estimating the space size based on echo path characteristics, and adjusting the volume accordingly, without user action, using a play alarm applet that repeats until the alarm is acknowledged or ceases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the reminder volume is set to be loud, then the reminder is audible in small spaces like pockets, but it becomes an annoyance to people in the vicinity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudibility of reminderVSAvoidannoyance to others

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the reminder volume based on the detected acoustic environment. The volume is not fixed but changes in real-time according to the space characteristics detected by the microphone, allowing the same device to adapt between quiet offices and noisy public spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the microphone to sample the acoustic environment and provides feedback about the space characteristics. This feedback loop allows the device to automatically determine whether it is in a confined space like a pocket or a larger space, and adjust the volume accordingly without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the reminder volume is set to be quiet, then it minimizes disruption to others, but the reminder may be too quiet to hear in large spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisruption to othersVSAvoidaudibility of reminder

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the reminder volume based on the detected acoustic environment. The volume is not fixed but changes in real-time according to the space characteristics detected by the microphone, allowing the same device to adapt between quiet offices and noisy public spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically detects its own acoustic environment and adjusts its reminder volume without requiring user input. The system serves itself by using its microphone to assess the situation and make appropriate volume adjustments, eliminating the need for manual volume control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the user manually adjusts the volume when changing location, then the reminder audibility is optimized, but it requires user forethought and intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudibility of reminderVSAvoiduser intervention required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically detects its own acoustic environment and adjusts its reminder volume without requiring user input. The system serves itself by using its microphone to assess the situation and make appropriate volume adjustments, eliminating the need for manual volume control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the microphone to sample the acoustic environment and provides feedback about the space characteristics. This feedback loop allows the device to automatically determine whether it is in a confined space like a pocket or a larger space, and adjust the volume accordingly without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Extent of automation

If the device uses echo path characteristics to estimate space size, then automatic volume adjustment is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic volume adjustmentVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing microphone, originally designed for voice calls and general audio input, for the additional function of acoustic environment analysis. This multi-functional use of the microphone avoids adding dedicated hardware while enabling automatic volume adjustment based on echo characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures audible reminders in small spaces while minimizing disruptions in large spaces, restoring the default volume after the reminder is acknowledged, without requiring user intervention.

Implementation Method 1

estimating the "size" of the space and adjusting the volume. This sequence is repeated until the alarm is acknowledged or ceases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEcho: Echo

Data Source

PatentUS8041055B2Method and apparatus for automatically adjusting reminder volume on a mobile communication device

Publication Date: 2011.10.18 MITEL CORP

AI summary

A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting volume of an audio signal on a mobile device, comprising playing the audio signal at an initial volume, sampling the audio signal, estimating a transfer function based on an echo path characteristic between the played audio signal and sampled audio signal, selecting a volume policy based on the estimated transfer function, and adjusting the volume of the audio signal in accordance with the selected volume policy.