Speaker Volume Control for Anticipated Household Noise Events

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Solution Overview

Problem

Noise events can disrupt the quality of listening to audio by unexpectedly increasing noise levels, which existing technologies fail to anticipate and mitigate effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method that identifies future noise events and communicates a noise mitigation alert to adjust speaker volume concurrently with the commencement of the noise, using a system of interconnected electronic devices to synchronize volume adjustments with anticipated noise increases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If speaker volume is adjusted in real-time based on detected noise, then noise interference is reduced, but the system cannot anticipate or prepare for upcoming noise events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio listening qualityVSAvoidreaction time to noise events

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting scheduled noise events (from washing machines, microwaves, ovens) in advance and proactively adjusting speaker volume before the noise occurs. This allows the system to prepare for upcoming noise events rather than merely reacting to them, maintaining audio quality throughout the noise event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by counteracting the anticipated harmful effect (noise interference) before it occurs. By detecting scheduled noise events and adjusting volume in advance, the system prevents the degradation of audio quality that would otherwise occur during the noise event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If multiple electronic devices coordinate to detect and respond to noise events, then noise mitigation effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise mitigation effectivenessVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses communication between electronic devices as an intermediary mechanism to coordinate noise mitigation efforts. Devices such as washing machines, microwaves, and ovens communicate their scheduled noise events to the audio system, which then coordinates volume adjustments. This intermediary communication layer enables multi-device coordination without requiring complex direct interactions between all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where electronic devices report their operational status and scheduled noise events to the audio system, which then adjusts speaker volume accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables coordinated noise mitigation across multiple devices while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11194544B1Adjusting speaker volume based on a future noise event

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

For adjusting speaker volume based on a future noise event, a method identifies, by a first electronic device, a future noise event. The method communicates the noise mitigation alert to a second electronic device. The method further adjusts, by the second electronic device, the speaker volume concurrent with the commencement of the future noise event.