Wearable Ambient-Noise Detection for Adaptive Media Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional volume adjustment methods for smart screen devices fail to consider ambient noise, leading to poor volume adjustment effects, making it difficult for users to clearly hear audio despite loud ambient noise.

Innovation Solution

A volume adjustment method and system that utilizes a wearable device to collect audio signals, separate sound and noise signals, and determine adjusted volume based on ambient noise intensity, enhancing the volume adjustment process to ensure clear audio playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automatic volume adjustment is implemented based on distance detection, then user convenience is improved, but the adjustment effect deteriorates because ambient noise is not considered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic volume adjustmentVSAvoidvolume adjustment effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by detecting ambient noise levels and using this information to dynamically adjust the volume. The noise detection module continuously monitors the acoustic environment and feeds this information back to the volume adjustment mechanism, ensuring the volume adapts to actual listening conditions rather than relying solely on distance-based preset values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting ambient noise and adjusting volume without requiring manual user intervention. The noise detection module and volume adjustment mechanism work together autonomously to optimize the listening experience based on real-time environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If volume is increased to overcome ambient noise, then audio clarity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio clarityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making volume adjustment adaptive and dynamic rather than static. The volume level changes dynamically in response to fluctuating ambient noise conditions, allowing the system to consume energy efficiently by increasing volume only when and where needed to maintain audio clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If manual volume adjustment is required, then energy consumption is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting ambient noise and adjusting volume without requiring manual user intervention. The noise detection module and volume adjustment mechanism work together autonomously to optimize the listening experience based on real-time environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4307692B1Method and system for adjusting volume, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4307692B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4307692B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4307692B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a volume adjustment method and an electronic device. The volume adjustment method includes: receiving target volume used when a media playing device plays content; obtaining an audio signal, where the audio signal includes a first signal and a second signal, the first signal is a sound signal that is collected by a wearable device worn by a user and that is generated when the media playing device plays the content, and the second signal is a noise signal collected by the wearable device; determining adjusted volume based on the audio signal and the target volume; and sending the adjusted volume to a target device through a communication connection to the target device, where the adjusted volume is used to update volume used when the media playing device plays the content. Volume adjustment is implemented by integrating noise on a user side, so that a volume adjustment solution is more robust, and the user can clearly hear a sound played by the media playing device.