Smart Device Management Platform for Dynamic Sound Level Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to effectively regulate and control sound levels from smart home devices, leading to noise disturbances in residential and commercial environments, as they often rely on self-reported volume settings or fixed maximum limits, which can be exceeded due to amplification and fluctuation in music normalization.
Innovation Solution
A Smart Device Management (SDM) platform that measures sound levels using network-connected devices with microphones, compares these measurements to predefined policies, and adjusts the volume of sound-generating devices automatically when thresholds are exceeded, utilizing sound fingerprinting for accurate identification of noise sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If self-reported volume settings or fixed maximum limits are used to control sound levels, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of noise control deteriorate due to amplification and fluctuation in music normalization
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where sound levels are continuously measured by microphones, compared against policy thresholds, and automatically adjusted by controlling the sound-generating device. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate noise control despite music normalization fluctuations and amplification effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces self-reported volume settings (mechanical/manual control) with electronic sound level measurement and automated policy-based control. This substitution uses digital signal processing and network communication to achieve more precise and reliable sound level management.
2Reliability
If remote sound level measurement and automatic adjustment is implemented, then noise control effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and system infrastructure requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional components: microphones serve both voice command recognition and sound level measurement; network-connected devices perform both media playback and policy enforcement; the SDM platform provides both device management and noise regulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated noise control hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables sound-generating devices to self-regulate their volume levels based on policy thresholds and real-time sound measurements. The devices automatically receive control commands from the SDM platform without requiring manual intervention, making the noise control system self-managing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dynamic sound level adjustment based on real-time measurements is implemented, then noise disturbance reduction is improved, but response time and measurement frequency requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic sound level measurements at configured intervals and automatically adjusts volume when thresholds are exceeded. This periodic monitoring approach balances timely noise disturbance reduction with acceptable measurement frequency, avoiding continuous measurement overhead while maintaining effective control.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling one or more devices based on measured sound levels. A device management system may access managed devices on a network, determine if any managed devices are generating sound, identify the sound-generating device, access a loudness policy associated with the sound-generating device, select a sound measuring device near the sound-generating device, receive from the sound measuring device a measured sound level of the sound-generating device, determine if the measured sound level exceeds a threshold from the loudness policy, and issue a command to the sound-generating device to reduce the volume. The sound measuring device may be selected because it is close to or in the same room as the sound-generating device. A management system may set and store a sound level limit as a loudness policy for a device, room, building, community, or more.