Spatial Audio Volume Control for Program and Conversation Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Watching an audiovisual program in a noisy environment is challenging due to the interference from conversations, as both the viewer and conversants experience a less-than-optimal experience due to the competing audio signals.

Innovation Solution

A computing system with a listening device equipped with a microphone array that can differentiate between program audio and conversations, adjusting the volume of speakers accordingly by increasing the volume for the viewer and decreasing it for conversants, using machine learning to determine conversation locations and preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the volume of speakers is increased to make program audio audible over conversations, then the program audio becomes louder and more audible, but the conversation audio becomes more disruptive and annoying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram audio volumeVSAvoidconversation disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different volume adjustments to different spatial locations. Speakers positioned near the viewer have their volume increased, while speakers near conversants have their volume decreased. This localized quality adjustment allows the program audio to be audible for the viewer without disrupting the conversation for those nearby

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The speaker system is segmented into multiple independent controllable units based on their spatial positions. Each speaker or speaker group can be independently adjusted in volume based on the detected locations of the viewer and conversants, allowing differential volume control to resolve the contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the volume of speakers is decreased to reduce disruption to conversations, then the conversation audio becomes less disruptive, but the program audio becomes less audible and harder to hear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversation disruptionVSAvoidprogram audio volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The speaker volume levels are dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of viewer and conversant positions. The system continuously monitors the environment and modifies volume settings accordingly, transitioning between different volume states as people move or conversations begin and end

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a single volume level is applied to all speakers, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot simultaneously satisfy both the viewer's need for audible program audio and conversants' need for undisturbed conversation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume control simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the positions of viewers and conversants using sensors and microphones, then autonomously adjusts speaker volumes without requiring manual user input. This self-service capability provides complex adaptive behavior while maintaining operational simplicity for the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from environmental sensors and microphones to continuously monitor the presence and positions of people in the room. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts speaker volumes to optimize both program audibility and conversation comfort, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11323086B2Content audio adjustment

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for optimizing user content consuming experience by recognizing and classifying different sounds while a user views a program. The system may have or may access information related to the program audio being presented, enabling it to distinguish between conversations occurring in the program audio and conversations between users in the viewing environment. The system may turn the program volume down on one or more sound producing devices if it detects a conversation. The system may turn the program volume up if it detects an interrupting noise. The system may also adjust the program content based on locations of various objects within the listening or viewing environment, and types of users in the environment.