Ultrasonic Ringtone Adjustment for Pocket and Noise Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication systems fail to automatically adjust ringtone volume effectively in response to changing ambient noise levels and signal attenuation, often resulting in missed calls or notifications, especially when the phone is in a pocket or bag, or in quiet environments.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication apparatus and accessory device that transmits ultrasonic signals to detect ambient noise and assess signal attenuation, allowing the main device to adjust the ringtone volume, pitch, or other properties to counterbalance noise and ensure the signal is perceivable by the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ringtone volume is increased to counterbalance ambient acoustic noise, then the audibility of the ringtone is improved, but the annoyance and embarrassment in quiet places increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ringtone volume is dynamically adjusted based on real-time ambient noise detection. The system continuously monitors acoustic environment and automatically modifies ringtone parameters (volume, frequency, duration) to match current conditions, eliminating the need for manual user adjustment and ensuring optimal audibility without causing annoyance in quiet places.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms using microphones and sensors to detect ambient noise levels and user proximity. This feedback loop enables the device to automatically adapt ringtone characteristics - increasing volume in noisy environments and decreasing it in quiet places - thereby resolving the contradiction between ensuring audibility and avoiding annoyance.
2Ease of operation
If the ringtone volume is decreased to avoid annoyance in quiet places, then the comfort in quiet environments is improved, but the risk of missing the ringtone in noisy environments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts ringtone parameters based on real-time environmental assessment. When quiet conditions are detected, the system maintains low volume for comfort; when noise is detected, it automatically increases volume and may adjust frequency characteristics to ensure detectability, thus resolving the contradiction between comfort and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Ambient noise sensors and microphones provide continuous feedback about the acoustic environment. This feedback enables the system to automatically adjust ringtone volume and characteristics - keeping it low in quiet places for comfort while ensuring it becomes sufficiently loud and distinct in noisy environments for reliable detection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of ringtone volume is required to suit different environments, then the adaptability to specific conditions is improved, but the user attention and time required for adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting ambient noise conditions and adjusting ringtone parameters without user intervention. The device monitors its own acoustic environment using built-in sensors and microphones, then autonomously modifies volume and frequency characteristics to suit different environments, eliminating the time loss associated with manual adjustment while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Continuous feedback from environmental sensors enables automatic adaptation to different acoustic conditions. The system processes sensor data in real-time and adjusts ringtone parameters accordingly, providing environment-specific optimization without requiring user attention or time for manual configuration.
4Extent of automation
If proximity sensors and complex algorithms are used to determine phone location and adjust volume, then the automatic adjustment capability is improved, but the system complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of automatic volume adjustment from complex multi-sensor systems. By focusing on acoustic noise detection as the primary mechanism and eliminating unnecessary proximity sensors and calibration routines, the system achieves effective automatic adjustment with reduced complexity, removing extraneous components while maintaining core functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures that ringtone notifications are consistently audible, reducing the risk of missing calls or messages by accurately measuring and adapting to environmental noise and signal attenuation in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
The acoustic noise may be detected by means of a microphone of the accessory device
Implementation Method 2
assesses the attenuation that the ultrasonic signal undergoes on the basis of the power of the received ultrasonic signal
Implementation Method 3
adjusts the acoustic signal, so as to counterbalance both the ambient acoustic noise and/or the attenuation of the acoustic signal along its propagation path
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication apparatus, an accessory device, and a method for adjusting one physical property of an acoustic signal, wherein the apparatus includes a ringtone generator adapted to generate the acoustic signal, an ultrasound receiver apt to receive an ultrasonic signal, and a processor configured for detecting at least a physical parameter and/or a content of the ultrasonic signal, determining, on the basis of the at least one physical parameter and/or content of the ultrasonic signal, attenuation information that can quantify the attenuation suffered by the ultrasonic signal and/or the acoustic signal, determining, on the basis of the attenuation information, the physical property of the acoustic signal to be generated, and generating the acoustic signal having the determined property, so that the probability to hear the acoustic signal increases.