Telematics Unit Volume Limiting for Wireless Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Occupants in a vehicle may listen to audio content through wireless headphones or earbuds at volumes that can be heard by others, potentially causing disturbance and risking hearing damage, as existing systems lack the ability to effectively limit audio volume for wirelessly connected devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a telematics unit to establish a short-range wireless connection with wireless devices, receive commands to set a maximum volume level, and limit the audio output to that level, allowing for remote volume adjustment and balancing audio output between wireless devices and the vehicle's audio system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the wireless device plays audio content at high volume, then the occupant enjoys better audio quality and entertainment experience, but other occupants are disturbed and the occupant risks hearing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The telematics unit serves as an intermediary between the wireless device and the audio output. It receives audio data from the wireless device, processes it through a volume limiting module that enforces a maximum volume threshold, and then outputs the limited audio through the vehicle's audio system. This intermediary approach allows the system to benefit from the wireless device's audio content while preventing harmful volume levels from reaching the occupants.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system limits the audio volume through the telematics unit, then hearing damage and disturbance are prevented, but the audio output capability of the wireless device is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the volume parameter of the audio signal by imposing a maximum volume limit through the volume limiting module. The module compares the incoming audio signal's volume against a predetermined threshold and adjusts the output volume accordingly, ensuring it never exceeds the safe level. This parameter modification maintains the audio content's integrity while controlling the harmful volume aspect.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the telematics unit processes and limits audio from the wireless device, then volume control and hearing protection are achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telematics unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages wireless device connections, processes audio data streams, enforces volume limits through the volume limiting module, and outputs audio through the vehicle's audio system. By consolidating these functions into an existing multi-functional unit rather than adding dedicated separate components, the system achieves volume control capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
One general aspect includes a method of remote volume adjustment through a telematics unit of a vehicle, the method including: establishing a short-range wireless connection (SRWC), via the telematics unit, with a wireless device present within the interior of the vehicle; receiving, via the telematics unit, one or more commands to set a maximum volume level for the wireless device; and limiting, via the telematics unit, the audio output directed to the wireless device to the maximum volume level.