Voice Assistant Volume Control via Spatial Audio Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual assistants struggle to determine an appropriate output volume level that balances user audibility with privacy, especially in varying environments and interactions, often disturbing bystanders or failing to be heard due to background noise.
Innovation Solution
The system determines output volume levels based on interaction context, including timing, spatial relationships, surrounding noise, and user feedback, using historical data to adapt and ensure the user can hear the assistant clearly without disturbing others.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the virtual assistant increases output volume level to ensure user audibility in noisy environments, then the user can hear the assistant clearly, but bystanders may be disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different volume levels to different spatial zones: high volume directed toward the user's location and low volume in directions where bystanders are present. This spatial differentiation allows the assistant to maintain reliability for the user while minimizing harm to bystanders.
Solution Approach 2:
The output volume level dynamically adjusts based on real-time interaction context, including user position, background noise levels, and detected presence of bystanders. The system continuously monitors these parameters and modifies volume accordingly, transitioning from static to adaptive volume control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the virtual assistant decreases output volume level to avoid disturbing bystanders, then privacy is maintained, but the user may not hear the assistant clearly in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a localized high-volume audio zone directed at the user while maintaining low volume in other directions. This directional audio output ensures that bystanders are not disturbed even when the user requires high volume for audibility in noisy environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces spatial directionality as an intermediary between the audio output and the environment. By controlling the directional propagation of sound, the system mediates between the need for high volume (for user audibility) and the need to minimize disturbance to bystanders.
3Device complexity
If the virtual assistant uses fixed output volume level, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different environments and interactions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual assistant autonomously determines the appropriate output volume level by analyzing interaction context, background noise, user position, and bystander presence without requiring manual user adjustment. The system self-regulates volume based on environmental feedback, reducing the need for complex user interface controls while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors environmental parameters (noise levels, user position, bystander presence) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust output volume. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables adaptability to different environments without requiring complex pre-programming or manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and product for interaction context-based control of output volume level. The method comprising: obtaining a vocal input from a user, wherein the vocal input is part of an interaction between the user and the voice-based interaction agent; determining an interaction context of the interaction between the user and the voice-based interaction agent; determining an output volume level of the voice-based interaction agent based on the interaction context; and providing to the user an output of the voice-based interaction agent, wherein the output comprises a voice-based output having a volume level of the output volume level.