Terminal Volume Control Using Sound Composition Scene Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing volume adjustment methods for user terminals, such as mobile phones, fail to accurately match the real scenario due to low precision in identifying the environment, leading to inappropriate volume settings.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that analyze the composition of sound signals to determine the current scene mode by distinguishing between blank sound, human sound, and noise, and adjust the volume accordingly, using a volume adjustment coefficient based on the proportions of these sound types to ensure accurate volume matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If volume is adjusted based only on environment sound decibels, then the adjustment process is simple, but the accuracy of matching the real scenario is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume adjustment processVSAvoidscenario identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the environment sound into different components (human sound, noise, music, etc.) and analyzes each component separately. By dividing the sound signal into distinct categories and evaluating their proportions, the system achieves more accurate scenario identification while maintaining a manageable adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional approach (overall decibel level) to a multi-dimensional approach by analyzing the composition and proportions of different sound types. This dimensional expansion allows the system to distinguish between different scenarios more accurately, such as differentiating a meeting with intense discussion from actual noise environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Extent of automation

If environment sound is used to determine volume, then automatic adjustment is achieved, but mistaken determination occurs when human sound is present

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume adjustmentVSAvoidscenario determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the sound environment, analyzing its composition, and adjusting volume based on the identified scenario. The system uses the analyzed sound composition as feedback to make informed volume adjustments, reducing mistaken determinations while maintaining automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters used for volume determination from a single decibel threshold to multiple parameters including the proportions of different sound types (human sound, noise, music). By monitoring and responding to changes in these parameters, the system achieves more reliable automatic volume adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3611910B1Method and apparatus for adjusting volume of user terminal, and terminal
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3611910B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3611910B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3611910B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a volume adjustment method and apparatus, and a terminal. After a sound signal surrounding a user terminal is collected, analysis is performed on the collected sound signal, so as to obtain composition information of the sound signal, where the composition information includes sound types included in the sound signal and proportions of sounds of the various types, and the sound types include blank sound, human sound, and noise; a current scene mode of the user terminal is determined according to the composition information of the sound signal; and volume of the user terminal is adjusted according to the determined scene mode. When a current scene mode of a user terminal is determined, because reference of composition information in a sound signal is added, a corresponding current scenario is closer to a real scenario, and can more precisely match a situation in which a user is located, thereby significantly reducing occurrence of a case, caused by mistaken determining of the scenario, in which play volume adjustment does not conform to the scenario, and enhancing user experience.