Telematics Audio Alert Volume Control for Noisy Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telematics systems face challenges in effectively controlling audio output, particularly in noisy environments, where alerts may not be audible due to insufficient volume or may be disturbingly loud.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a telematics device sends an automatic volume control trigger message to an audio output device before sending an alert message, allowing the audio output device to perform an automatic volume control procedure, ensuring alerts are audible without being too loud.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the audio output volume is increased to overcome ambient noise, then the alert becomes more audible, but it may become disturbingly loud to the vehicle operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealert audibilityVSAvoiddisturbance to operator

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by sending an automatic volume control trigger message before the alert message. This trigger initiates the automatic volume control procedure that measures ambient noise levels and adjusts the audio output volume in advance, ensuring the alert is played at an appropriate level that overcomes ambient noise without being disturbingly loud

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using the automatic volume control procedure to continuously monitor ambient noise conditions and adjust the audio output volume accordingly. The audio output device receives feedback about the acoustic environment and automatically adapts its output level to maintain reliability while avoiding harmful disturbance to the operator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the audio components are always powered up to enable immediate alert playback, then the response time is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealert response timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary action by powering up the audio components and initiating the automatic volume control procedure in response to a trigger message before the actual alert needs to be played. This ensures the system is ready to play alerts immediately when needed, reducing response time, while avoiding continuous power consumption by only activating components when a trigger condition is met

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12328557B2Devices and methods for controlling audio output in a telematics system

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 GEOTAB INC

AI summary

Devices and methods for controlling audio output in a telematics system are provided. In on method a telematics device determines that a parameter has exceeded a first threshold and sends an automatic volume control trigger message to an audio output device. The telematics device determines that a second parameter has exceeded a second threshold and sends an alert message to the audio output device. The audio output device performs an automatic volume control procedure then plays back and audible alert message.