Ringtone Source Identification via Acoustic Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users experience confusion when hearing the same ringtone assigned to their electronic device from another user's device, as it is unclear whether the ringtone is coming from their own device or someone else's, especially in crowded environments.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a microphone, speaker, and controller that compares the sound of a ringtone from another device with its own assigned ringtone, outputting an alert, such as a melody or vibrations, to differentiate between the two, thereby informing the user that the ringtone is from another device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the same ringtone is assigned to multiple electronic devices, then users can easily recognize their device's notification sound, but users experience confusion when hearing the ringtone from another device in crowded environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary alert signal that mediates between the heard ringtone and the user's understanding. When the microphone detects a ringtone matching the assigned ringtone, the controller generates an additional alert signal through the speaker to clarify the source. This intermediary alert resolves the confusion without changing the original ringtone assignment, maintaining both ease of recognition and source identification clarity.
2Reliability
If the electronic device outputs an alert to clarify the ringtone source, then user confusion is eliminated, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing components multi-functional to avoid increasing device complexity. The speaker serves both as the original ringtone output device and as the alert notification device. The microphone serves both as an ambient sound sensor and as a ringtone detection device. The controller performs both normal audio processing and ringtone comparison functions. This universal approach achieves reliable notification accuracy without adding dedicated hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic device uses its own assigned ringtone characteristics stored in memory to identify and compare against detected ringtones. The device serves itself by using its pre-configured ringtone data as the reference standard for detection, eliminating the need for external databases or complex identification systems. This self-service approach maintains simplicity while achieving reliable source identification.
3Measurement precision
If the electronic device continuously monitors ambient sound for ringtone detection, then accurate source identification is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the patent implements periodic sampling of ambient sound through the microphone. The controller periodically analyzes the detected sound to determine if it matches the assigned ringtone characteristics. This periodic action maintains adequate detection accuracy for the application while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring, as the processor remains inactive between sampling intervals.
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
The alert clarifies for the user that the heard ringtone is from another device, eliminating confusion and ensuring appropriate action is taken based on the correct device's status.
Implementation Method 1
a microphone for receiving sound of a ringtone output by another electronic device
Implementation Method 2
the controller is configured to cause the speaker to output the alert as a melody
Implementation Method 3
the controller is configured to cause the vibrator to output the alert as one or more vibrations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electronic device (1) includes a data storage (4) storing information on a ringtone assigned to a function of the electronic device (1). A speaker (5) is provided for outputting the ringtone assigned to the function of the electronic device. A microphone (6) is provided for receiving sound of a ringtone (29) output by another electronic device (20). A controller (8) is provided and is configured to: compare a ringtone (29) output by another electronic device (20) with the ringtone assigned to the function of the electronic device (1); and cause an alert (10) to be output by the electronic device (1) when the ringtone (29) output by another electronic device (20) is the same as the ringtone assigned to the function of the electronic device (1).