Remote Microphone Volume Limiting for Quiet Media Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Media devices often produce audio output volumes that can disturb others, particularly in unsupervised settings like children watching cartoons early in the morning or late-night movie watching, leading to annoyance and disturbance for household members or neighbors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a remotely located microphone to detect audio output levels from media devices, compares them to a predefined maximum volume limit, and generates a command to reduce the volume when exceeded, allowing for user-defined time-based volume limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user controls volume freely, then audio output quality is improved, but disturbance to others increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a microphone to detect the actual audio output from the media presentation device and feeds this information back to a controller. The controller compares the detected sound level against a predetermined maximum volume limit and automatically generates volume limit commands when the limit is exceeded, creating a closed-loop feedback system that enforces volume restrictions without requiring continuous user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The volume limiting system operates autonomously by automatically detecting audio output levels, comparing them to predefined limits, and generating corrective commands without requiring user supervision. The media presentation device itself participates in the limiting process by receiving and executing the volume limit commands from the remote controller, enabling the system to self-regulate volume levels
2Object-affected harmful factors
If volume limiting is implemented, then disturbance to others is reduced, but user control flexibility is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic configuration of volume limits through user-defined parameters including selectable time periods (e.g., nighttime hours, weekends) and adjustable maximum volume levels. The predetermined maximum volume limit can be modified based on different situations and requirements, enabling the system to adapt its restrictive behavior to match user needs while maintaining noise control benefits
Solution Approach 2:
Users can pre-configure volume limit parameters, time periods, and maximum volume levels before needing them. The system stores these predetermined settings and automatically applies them when the specified conditions are met, eliminating the need for real-time user intervention and allowing users to set up noise control policies in advance for various scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
Volume limiting systems and methods are operable to limit volume output from media presentation devices. An exemplary embodiment detects a sound using a microphone, wherein the sound corresponds to an audio output of at least one controlled media presentation device, and wherein the microphone is remotely located from the at least one controlled media presentation device; compares a level of the detected sound with a predefined maximum volume limit; generates a volume output limit command in response to the detected sound exceeding the predefined maximum volume limit; and communicates the volume output limit command to the media presentation device. The media presentation device then reduces a volume level of its audio output. In some instances, volume may be limited during user specified periods.