U.S. patent application number 10/102031 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for automatic adjustments of audio alert characteristics of an alert device using ambient noise levels.
Invention is credited to Cronin, Thomas.
Application Number | 20030179887 10/102031 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28040113 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030179887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cronin, Thomas |
September 25, 2003 |
Automatic adjustments of audio alert characteristics of an alert
device using ambient noise levels
Abstract
The automatic adjustment of audio alert characteristics of an
alert device using ambient noise levels is described. In one aspect
of the invention, a machine-readable medium has executable
instructions to cause a machine to perform a method to receive an
audio sample of ambient noise and adjust a characteristic of the
audio alert, such as, the volume level of the audio alert, based on
the ambient noise level.
Inventors: |
Cronin, Thomas; (Hillsboro,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Andre M. Gibbs
BLAKELY, SOKOLOFF, TAYLOR & ZAFMAN LLP
Seventh Floor
12400 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles
CA
90025-1026
US
|
Family ID: |
28040113 |
Appl. No.: |
10/102031 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H03G 3/32 20130101; H04M
19/044 20130101; G08B 29/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/57 |
International
Class: |
H03G 003/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A machine-readable medium having executable instructions to
cause a machine to perform a method comprising, receiving an audio
sample of ambient noise; and adjusting a characteristic of an audio
alert based on the audio sample.
2. The machine-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the
characteristic is a volume level of the audio alert.
3. The machine-readable medium of claim 2 wherein the audio sample
includes a decibel level of the ambient noise.
4. The machine-readable medium of claim 3 wherein the adjusted
volume level of the audio alert is greater than the decibel level
of the ambient noise.
5. The machine-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the audio sample
includes a frequency of the ambient noise.
6. The machine-readable medium of claim 5 wherein an adjusted
frequency of the audio alert differs from the frequency of the
ambient noise.
7. The machine-readable medium of claim 6 wherein a volume level is
increased based on where the lower frequency of the ambient noise
is greater than the higher frequency of the ambient noise.
8. The machine-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the receiving the
audio sample further comprising: receiving an analog audio sample
of the ambient noise; and converting the analog audio sample to a
digital audio sample.
9. The machine-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising:
broadcasting the adjusted audio alert from an audio output.
10. The machine-readable medium of claim 9 wherein the audio output
is an output speaker.
11. The machine-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving said audio sample from an audio input.
12. The machine-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the audio input
is a microphone.
13. An apparatus comprising: an audio input to receive an audio
sample of ambient noise; a processor to adjust a characteristic of
an audio alert based on the audio sample of the ambient noise; and
a circuit coupling the audio input and the processor.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the characteristic is a
volume level of the audio alert.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the audio sample includes a
decibel level of the ambient noise.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the adjusted volume level of
the audio alert is greater than the decibel level of the ambient
noise.
17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the audio sample includes a
frequency of the ambient noise.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein an adjusted frequency of the
audio alert differs from the frequency of the ambient noise.
19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the audio sample is an
audible tone of the ambient noise, an adjusted audible tone of the
audio sample to differ from the audible tone of the ambient
noise.
20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the audio input being a
microphone.
21. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising an audio output to
broadcast the adjusted characteristic of the audio alert.
22. An apparatus comprising: an audio alert manager to adjust a
characteristic of an audio alert based on an audio sample of
ambient noise.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the characteristic is a
volume level of the audio alert.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the audio sample includes a
decibel level of the ambient noise.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the adjusted volume level of
the audio alert is greater than the decibel level of the ambient
noise.
26. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the audio sample includes a
frequency of the ambient noise, the frequency of the ambient noise
to differ from an adjusted frequency of the audio alert.
27. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the audio sample includes an
audible tone, an adjusted audible tone of the audio alert to differ
from the audio sample of the ambient noise.
28. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprises an audio alert rule
to instruct the audio alert manager of the characteristics of the
audio alert to be adjusted based on the audio sample of the ambient
noise level.
29. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprises an audio output to
broadcast the adjusted characteristics of the audio alert.
30. A method comprising, receiving an audio sample of ambient
noise; and adjusting a characteristic of an audio alert based on
the audio sample.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein the characteristic is a volume
level of the audio alert.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein the audio sample includes a
decibel level of the ambient noise.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein the adjusted volume level of the
audio alert is greater than the decibel level of the ambient
noise.
34. The method of claim 30 wherein the audio sample includes a
frequency of the ambient noise.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein an adjusted frequency of the
audio alert differs from the frequency of the ambient noise.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein a volume level is increased
based on where the lower frequency of the ambient noise is greater
than the higher frequency of the ambient noise.
37. The method of claim 30 wherein the receiving the audio sample
further comprising: receiving an analog audio sample of the ambient
noise; and converting the analog audio sample to a digital audio
sample.
38. The method of claim 30 further comprising: broadcasting the
adjusted audio alert from an audio output.
39. The method of claim 38 wherein the audio output is an output
speaker.
40. The method of claim 30 further comprising: receiving said audio
sample from an audio input.
41. The method of claim 40 wherein the audio input is a microphone.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to the field of notification
computing. More specifically, the invention relates to the
automatic adjustment of an audio alert characteristic of an alert
device using ambient noise levels.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] Portable consumer electronic devices allow users to receive
information while in remote locations. Many of these devices have
the capability to emit an audible alert notifying the user of a
happening of an event. For example, a mobile telephone may
broadcast a portion of the National Anthem upon receiving an
incoming call.
[0005] However, the audible alert on most consumer electronic
devices may, at times, become an annoyance to others when the
volume level of the device is set too loud for particular
environments. For example, the incoming call ringer of a mobile
phone may annoy third parties and cause embarrassment to the user
of the phone in a library, if the volume of the ringer is set to
high. The various sounds emulated from many of these portable
consumer electronic devices, have infuriated many to a point where
patrons are required to turn off or remove these devices before
entering particular environments, thereby increasing the likelihood
of the user of the device to miss an important message.
[0006] In addition, the user of the portable consumer electronic
device is frustrated when the volume level of the device is set too
low. For example, the user of the mobile phone may forget to
increase the volume level of the device after leaving the library
thereby increasing the likelihood of missing an important phone
call. In this situation, the user is unable to hear the ringing
phone because the ambient noise level is louder than the volume
level of the ringer of the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The invention may best be understood by referring to the
following description and accompanying drawings that are used to
illustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates the components of a typical alert device
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an automatic audio alert subsystem
according to one embodiment; and
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a processing flow diagram for adjusting
characteristics of an audio alert according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.
However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail
in order not to obscure the invention.
[0012] The automatic adjustment of audio alert characteristics of
an alert device using ambient noise levels is described. An audio
alert on an alert device uses one or more audible tones to inform
its owner that a certain event or condition has occurred. Examples
of an alert device include a pager, a mobile phone, a personal
digital assistance (PDA), a portable computer, among other consumer
electronics devices. Specifically, the following describes how an
alert device collects audio samples of ambient noise levels and
adjusts the audio alert characteristics (e.g., volume level) of the
alert device. For example, if the ambient noise level is low, such
as when the alert device is in a library, the volume level of the
alert device is automatically adjusted to a low volume level
setting so to not disturb others. Alternatively, if the ambient
noise level is high, such as when the alert device is in a
construction zone, the volume level of the device is automatically
adjusted to a high volume setting to overcome the high ambient
noise level and to alert the user of the alert device of an
event.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates the components of a typical alert device
100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The components
include a processor 110, a memory 115, an audio input 130, an audio
output 150, a power source 170, a digital-to-analog converter 175,
an analog-to-digital converter 176, and a communications port 180.
In one embodiment, each of the components are embedded on a circuit
board and interconnected by a circuit 102.
[0014] The processor 110 coordinates all of the processing of the
other components of the alert device 100 based on instructions
stored in the memory 115, including instructions (e.g., audio alert
rules) to adjust the audio alert characteristics of the alert
device 100, as will be described.
[0015] The audio input 130 changes ambient audio into an electrical
audio signal. Examples of an audio input 130 include a microphone.
The audio output 150 changes an electrical audio signal into sound.
Examples of the audio output 150 include a speaker output,
piezoelectric buzzer, or other sound output devices. Typically, the
alert device 100 may receive a notification from a local
application (e.g., from scheduling software), or a remote
notification of an event via the communications port 180. Examples
of a communications port 180 on an alert device 100 include a
wireless radio frequency port, an infrared port, a telephone port,
an Ethernet port, a cable modem port, among other examples.
Examples of a notification event include an incoming phone call, a
pager alert, a reminder of an appointment on a PDA, an alert of
incoming email on a portable computer, among other examples. In one
embodiment, the processor 110 receives the notification event from
the communication port 180 and instructs the audio output 150
(e.g., speaker) to broadcast a predefined audio alert. For example,
a portable computer may broadcast an announcement when a user
receives a new incoming email message.
[0016] The audio alert on the alert device 100 may have
configurable characteristics that allow a user to adjust a specific
audible tone or set of audible tones (e.g., music), a volume level,
etc. Examples of audio alert characteristics of an audible tone
include duration of audible tone, musical key of audible tone, etc.
Typically, the adjustable characteristics of an audio alert differs
from device to device and the settings for one device may also have
different results for each device. For example, the medium volume
level on a PDA device might be five (i.e., the user may set the
volume level by a spindle controller, a sliding bar, etc.).
However, the actual loudness of the medium level may differ from
other PDA devices made by another manufacturer or another type of
alert device, such as a personal pager set to a medium volume level
of five.
[0017] The memory 115 may include a static RAM or Flash memory that
remains intact when the alert device 100 is shut down. The alert
device 100 is powered by the power source 170. Examples of the
power source 170 include a rechargeable battery, a disposable
battery, etc. At times, the analog-to-digital converter 176
converts the incoming analog audio sample signal of ambient noise
to a digital signal before the processor 110 determines which audio
alert to broadcast on the audio output 150. The sound of an audio
alert is generally stored as a digital audio file in the memory
115. Upon performing any necessary adjustments to the
characteristics of the audio alert, the processor 110 may direct
the digital audio file to the digital-to-analog converter 175 to be
converted to an analog signal that is broadcasted on the audio
output 150. It should be understood that in alternative embodiments
the audio input 130 and audio output 150 include the capability to
convert analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog when necessary.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an automatic audio alert subsystem 200
according to one embodiment. The subsystem 200 includes an audio
alert manager 210, audio alert rules 220, and a user interface 230.
The audio alert manager 210 includes logic to adjust the
characteristics of the audio alert of the alert device 100 based on
a given audio sample of the ambient noise. In one embodiment, the
audio alert manager 210 includes logic that instructs the processor
110 to select a rule from the audio alert rules 220 based on a
given audio sample of the ambient noise to determine whether to
adjust the audio alert characteristics of the alert device 100, as
will be described.
[0019] In one embodiment, the audio sample of the ambient noise
obtained by the audio alert manager 210 includes the decibel level
of the ambient noise. A decibel is a measurement of sound that may
be measured by a sound level meter. On the decibel scale, the
smallest audible sound (near total silence) is 0 dB. A sound 10
times more powerful is 10 dB. A sound 100 times more powerful than
near total silence is 20 dB. A sound 1,000 times more powerful than
near total silence is 30 dB. For example, 15 dB is the decibel
level of a whisper, 60 dB is the decibel level of normal
conversation, and the decibel level of a rock concert is 120 dB. By
obtaining the decibel level of the ambient noise, the audio alert
manager 210 may determine the ambient noise level that must be
overcome to notify the user of the notification event.
[0020] In one embodiment, the audio sample of the ambient noise
obtained by the audio alert manager 210 includes the frequency of
the ambient noise vibrations. The frequency of sound vibrations is
measured in cycles per sound, or Hertz (Hz). A low pitch makes
fewer vibrations per second than a high pitch. Therefore, the
higher the pitch sounds, the higher the frequency. Human speech,
which ranges from 300 to 4,000 Hz, sounds louder to most people
than noises at higher or lower frequencies.
[0021] The audio alert rules 220 include instructions of how the
audio alert manager 210 should adjust the characteristics of the
audio alert based on a given audio sample of the ambient noise. In
one embodiment, an audio alert rule instructs the adjustment of a
characteristic of the audio alert based on the decibel level of the
audio sample. For example, the volume level of the audio alert may
be configured to be 1.5 times greater than the decibel level of the
audio sample. Therefore, if the decibel level of the ambient noise
is determined to be 15 dB then the volume level of the audio alert
is adjusted to 22.5 dB (e.g., 1.5 times greater than the ambient
noise). In this way, the volume level increases incrementally as
the ambient noise level increases, yet only enough for the volume
of the audio alert to overcome the ambient noise.
[0022] In another embodiment, the volume level of the audio alert
is adjusted based on a range of the ambient noise level. For
example, if the audio sample of the ambient noise has a decibel
level within the range of fifteen to forty dB, the volume level of
the audio alert is set to a setting of 60 dB in order for the audio
alert to be heard but not too loud as to disturb others.
[0023] In one embodiment, an audio alert rule instructs the
adjustment of a characteristic of the audio alert based on the
frequency of the audio sample. For example, the audio alert rule
may instruct that when the audio sample has much more low frequency
sounds than high frequency, the alert device 100 is assumed to be
in a container such as a briefcase or coat pocket, and thus the
volume level of the alert device 100 is increased. Here, the user
or manufacturer of the alert device 100 may predetermine the
increased volume level, to overcome a type of container that the
device is frequently enclosed.
[0024] In one embodiment, an audio alert rule instructs an
adjustment of the frequency of the audible tone of the audio alert,
when the frequency of the audible tone of the ambient noise is
similar to the frequency of the audible tone of the audio alert. In
this way, the broadcast of the audio alert will not blend in with
the ambient noise.
[0025] In one embodiment, an audio alert rule instructs the
adjustment of a characteristic of the audio alert based on a
history of audio samples of the ambient noise levels. For example,
the audio alert rule may provide instructions to view the history
of audio samples stored in the memory 115. The volume level of the
audio alert is then based on the median of the ambient audio noise
level of the ambient samples taken. Therefore, storing a history of
audio samples could avoid the increase of the volume level, based
on an inaccurate assessment of the ambient noise levels. For
example, a live play may generally be quiet, but have some moments
of loud volume that the alert device 100 will be able to determine
from the history of audio samples.
[0026] In one embodiment, the audio alert rules 220 are stored in
the memory 115 and each rule of the audio alert rules 220 may be
customizable via the user interface logic 230. For example, a user
may customize the audio alert rules 220 on a mobile phone by using
a phone keypad and a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). It should be
understood that the invention is not limited to creating audio
alert rules based on an ambient noise decibel level and frequency.
In alternative embodiments, the user may create audio alert rules
based on alternative elements of sound or create a new sound
measurement level based on arbitrary sound levels created by the
user.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a processing flow diagram for adjusting
characteristics of an audio alert according to an embodiment of the
invention. At block 310, the audio alert 210 instructs a microphone
to receive an audio sample of the ambient noise. The audio sample
may be for a specific duration of time, such as, a half a second
(0.5 of a second) to one second (1.0 second). However, it should be
understood that the invention is not limited by these audio sample
durations. Alternatively, audio samples of less than a half a
second or greater than one second may also be used.
[0028] In addition, the audio alert manager 210 may direct a
microphone to receive the sample of the ambient noise level on a
periodic basis, if necessary. For example, the audio alert manager
210 may request an audio sample of the ambient noise levels every
30 seconds. This would be beneficial if the arrival of an alert
notification is unpredictable (i.e., a phone call). The number of
times to perform the audio sample may be based on the amount of
battery life the alert device 100 has, based on predefined time
intervals, the interval between when an audio alert is broadcasted
and the user acknowledges the audio alert, among other examples.
The periodic sampling of audio may also comprise awakening the
alert device 100 from a sleep state and placing the alert device
back to the sleep state, when necessary.
[0029] At block 320, the audio alert manager 210 receives the audio
sample of the ambient noise levels. The audio sample may be an
analog signal that is processed through an analog-to-digital
converter, as described.
[0030] At block 330, the audio alert manager 210 selects the
appropriate audio alert rule 220 with which the necessary
characteristics of the audio alert may be adjusted based on the
audio sample of the ambient noise.
[0031] At block 340, upon selecting the appropriate audio alert
rule 220, the audio alert manager 210 adjusts the necessary
characteristics of the audio alert as identified by the selected
audio alert rule. The audio alert manager 210 receives the digital
audio file of the audio alert from the memory 115, directs
conversion of the digital audio file to an analog signal and
broadcast the adjusted audio alert. As stated, the selected audio
alert rule may instruct the adjustment of the volume level,
frequency of the audible tone, and the like as described above.
[0032] The description of FIG. 1 is intended to provide an overview
of the alert device hardware and other operating components
suitable for implementing the invention, but is not intended to
limit the applicable environments. It will be appreciated that the
alert device 100 is one example of many possible computer system
embodiments that have different architectures. A typical computer
system will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a bus
coupling the memory to the processor. One of ordinary skill in the
art will immediately appreciate that the invention can be practiced
with various computer system configurations, including a hand held
device, a multiprocessor system, various microprocessor based or
programmable consumer electronics, a network PC, a minicomputer, a
digital signal processing (DSP) processor, and the like. The
invention can also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communications network.
[0033] The audio alert rules and methods of the invention may be
implemented using computer software. If written in a programming
language conforming to a recognized standard, sequences of
instructions designed to implement the audio alert rules and
methods can be compiled for execution on a variety of hardware
platforms or machines and for interface to a variety of operating
systems. In addition the present invention is not described with
reference to any particular programming language. It will be
appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to
implement the teachings of invention as described herein.
[0034] It will be appreciated that more or fewer processes may be
incorporated into the method illustrated in FIG. 3 without
departing from the scope of the invention and that no particular
order is implied by the arrangement of blocks shown and described
herein. It further will be appreciated that the method described in
conjunction with FIG. 3 may be embodied in machine-executable
instructions, e.g. software. The instructions can be used to cause
a general-purpose or special-purpose processor that is programmed
with the instructions to perform the operations described.
Alternatively, the operations might be performed by specific
hardware components that contain hardwired logic for performing the
operations, or by any combination of programmed computer components
and custom hardware components. The method may be provided as a
computer program product that may include a machine-readable medium
having stored thereon instructions that may be used to program a
computer (or other electronic devices) to perform the method. For
the purposes of this specification, the terms "machine-readable
medium" shall be taken to include any medium that is capable of
storing or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by the
machine and that cause the machine to perform any one of the
methodologies of the present invention. The term "machine-readable
medium" shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited
to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic disks, and a carrier
wave that encodes a data signal. Furthermore, it is common in the
art to speak of software, in one form or another (e.g., program,
procedure, process, application, module, logic . . . ), as taking
an action or causing a result. Such expressions are merely a
shorthand way of saying that execution of the software by a
computer causes the processor of the computer to perform an action
or a produce a result.
[0035] It should be appreciated that the described invention
provides for the automatic adjustment of audio alert
characteristics on an alert device. The above description disclosed
the benefit of lessening the embarrassment of having the volume set
too loud while in a quiet environment and also lessen the
likelihood of missing a notification event when the volume level of
the alert device is too set low to be heard over the ambient noise
level. In addition, the invention will allow for the alert device
to be heard when it would otherwise be muffled by clothing or the
like.
[0036] It is understood that the alert device need not be a
portable device. The alert device may be for example a desktop PC
or set top box that adjust the audio alert characteristic of an
audio alert when appropriate, as described above. Also, the alert
device need not always adjust the audio alert characteristics upon
determining that the current audio alert characteristics are
adequate to notify the user of the alert device based on an audio
alert rule.
[0037] While the invention has been described in terms of several
embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The method
and apparatus of the invention can be practiced with modification
and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of
limiting on the invention.
* * * * *