Mobile Robot Audio Volume Adjustment via Ambient Sound Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telepresence robots face challenges in adjusting output volume due to factors like microphone type, distance, and gain, making it difficult for pilots to understand audio output, and often require manual adjustments by individuals in the area.
Innovation Solution
A method where a mobile robot device adjusts the volume of audio signals based on the size of the area and the average or median amplitude of frequencies received by its microphone, allowing remote control and automatic frequency adjustments for better audio output, including translation and emotional state detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the output volume is adjusted manually by individuals in the area or by the pilot, then the audio volume can be changed, but the adjustment process becomes complex and requires human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts audio output volume by having the robot's microphone monitor ambient sound levels and autonomously modify speaker volume accordingly, eliminating the need for manual intervention by pilots or individuals in the area while reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the microphone continuously monitors ambient sound levels and feeds this information back to the controller, which automatically adjusts the speaker volume based on the detected acoustic environment, enabling self-regulating volume control
2Measurement precision
If the audio volume is increased to improve clarity, then pilots can understand audio output better, but it may cause discomfort or harm to individuals in the area
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone continuously monitors ambient sound levels and provides feedback to the controller, which automatically adjusts speaker volume to maintain audio clarity while preventing excessive volume that could discomfort individuals in the area
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the audio output volume parameter based on real-time ambient sound level detection, adjusting the volume upward when ambient noise is high for clarity, and downward when ambient noise is low to prevent discomfort
3Device complexity
If the robot uses a fixed microphone type and gain setting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the audio output adaptability to different environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the microphone monitoring ambient sound levels to automatically adjust audio output parameters, enabling adaptation to different environments without requiring complex preconfiguration or manual setup
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed gain settings to dynamic automatic gain adjustment based on real-time environmental monitoring, allowing the audio output to adapt seamlessly to different acoustic environments while maintaining simple hardware configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a method of transmitting, from a mobile robot device, sound and/or at least one image captured by a sensor to a remote user device. The mobile robot device may receive at least one first control operation for the mobile robot device to move within an area via a communications network from a remote user device. An audio signal may be transmitted based on sound received at a microphone of the mobile robot device in the area. The audio signal received from the remote user device may be output at a speaker of the mobile robot device. A volume of the audio signal output by the speaker may be adjusted based on a size of the area and on an average or a median of an amplitude of frequencies in the area based on the sound received by the microphone.