Remote Microphone Volume Limiting for Quiet-Time Media Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Media devices often produce audio output volumes that can disturb others, particularly in unsupervised scenarios or during specific times, such as early mornings or late nights, leading to annoyance or 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 output during specified periods, allowing users to set volume limits based on schedules or recurring times to mitigate disturbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user controls volume freely, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to disturbance to others
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 level and automatically generates volume limit commands when the threshold is exceeded, creating a closed-loop feedback system that enforces volume restrictions without requiring constant user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The volume limiting system operates autonomously by automatically detecting audio output levels, comparing them to preset thresholds, and generating corrective commands without requiring user supervision. The system serves itself by maintaining volume control through automated monitoring and adjustment, freeing the user from the burden of constant monitoring while still preventing disturbance to others
2Productivity
If maximum volume is allowed, then productivity is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes predetermined maximum volume levels and schedules in advance before media consumption occurs. Users can pre-configure volume limits and time periods during which these limits should be enforced, allowing the system to automatically apply appropriate restrictions without interfering with normal media consumption during acceptable periods
Solution Approach 2:
The volume limiting system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on time of day and predefined schedules. Rather than applying a static volume limit at all times, the system activates volume restrictions only during specific periods when disturbance might occur (such as nighttime hours), while allowing full volume freedom during other times, thus adapting to different usage scenarios
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
Effectively limits audio output during designated times or periods, ensuring that household members or neighbors are not disturbed by loud media device volumes, allowing for more controlled and considerate media consumption.
Implementation Method 1
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
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.