Vehicle Media Playback Pause Using Sound Level Deviation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media playback systems in vehicles are not user-friendly, as they require complex interfaces and fine motor skills to operate, are difficult to use while driving, and often drain battery power, with limited access to personalized media content due to network limitations and inconvenient connectivity with vehicle audio systems.

Innovation Solution

A personal media streaming appliance (PMSA) system designed for vehicle use, featuring a simplified interface, noise-cancelling voice interaction, and direct connectivity to vehicle audio systems, which measures sound levels to pause playback when not being listened to, thus conserving power and maintaining user focus on driving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mobile devices are used for personalized media playback, then media content flexibility and personalization are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex interfaces and legal restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia content personalizationVSAvoidinterface usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the media playback functionality from the mobile device by introducing a dedicated vehicle audio system with simplified controls. The mobile device handles content selection and personalization, while the vehicle system handles playback and audio output, dividing complexity between devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle audio system acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the vehicle speakers. It receives control signals from the mobile device, processes audio content, and outputs to the vehicle audio system, simplifying the interface the driver interacts with while maintaining access to personalized content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If media playback continues uninterrupted, then user convenience is improved, but energy consumption increases due to battery drain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayback continuityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sound level sensors to continuously monitor the acoustic environment and provides feedback to the playback control system. When ambient sound levels indicate the vehicle is stationary or the audio system is not actively being used, the system automatically pauses playback to conserve battery power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The playback state is dynamically adjusted based on real-time sound level measurements and vehicle status. The system transitions between play and pause states automatically, adapting power consumption to actual usage conditions rather than maintaining a fixed playback state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If sound level monitoring is implemented to detect listening status, then power management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption optimizationVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sound level monitoring system serves multiple functions: it detects whether media is actively being listened to for power management purposes, and it also provides data for voice interaction processing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the sound level detection capability with the existing voice interaction system. The same acoustic sensors and processing infrastructure used for voice commands are leveraged to monitor media playback status, consolidating hardware and software resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Provides a user-friendly, personalized media experience in vehicles by simplifying playback control, reducing battery drain, and ensuring continuous media access through efficient power management and noise-resistant voice interaction.

Implementation Method 1

obtain a sound measurement indicative of a sound level associated with playback of the media content by the media playback device in the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound level measurement: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS10320353B1Automated pause of media content playback based on sound level

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 SPOTIFY

AI summary

An example system for playing media content with a media playback device in a vehicle can be programmed to obtain a sound measurement indicative of a sound level associated with playback of the media content by the media playback device in the vehicle. The example system also can determine a deviation in an expected sound level based upon the sound measurement. Finally, the system can modify playback of the media content by the media playback device (110) based upon the deviation.