# US 12,008,290 B2 · Methods and user interfaces for monitoring sound reduction

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- Number: US 12,008,290 B2
- Document ID: US12008290B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/195,331
- Filed: 2023-05-09
- Published: 2023-11-16
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2022-05-16
- Assignees: Apple Inc.
- Applicants: Apple Inc.
- Inventors: Nicholas D. Felton; Tyrone T. Chen; Ian M. Fisch; Ruchi N. Goswami; Andrew E. Greenwood
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12008290B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path}
- G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
- G06F 3/0484: for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
- H04R 29/008: {Visual indication of individual signal levels (visual indication of stereophonic sound image H04S7/40)}
- H04R 2499/11: Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K)

## Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces and techniques for managing and visualizing sound reduction using a computer system. In accordance with some embodiments, the computer system displays an indication that a second noise level is less than a first sound level when the computer system is using a sound reduction device. In accordance with some embodiments, the computer system displays a representation of a noise level at a plurality of different times that indicates a first noise level when a sound reduction effect was in effect, and that indicates a second noise level when the sound reduction effect was not in effect. In accordance with some embodiments, the computer system displays a representation of a sound reduction level for a first time period and receives an input selling a second time period different from the first time period, and in response to the input, the computer system displays a representation of the sound reduction level for the second time period.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computer system that is configured to communicate with a display generation component, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; and
memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
while a detected environmental noise level is at a first noise level:
in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met, displaying, via the display generation component, a first user interface that includes an indication that indicates a second noise level that is lower than the first noise level when a first user of the computer system is using a sound reduction device; and
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are not met, displaying, via the display generation component, a second user interface that indicates the first noise level;
while displaying the first user interface, detecting that the first user of the computer system is no longer using the sound reduction device; and
in response to detecting that that the first user of the computer system is no longer using the sound reduction device, displaying an indication that sound reduction is not active.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The computer system of claim 1, the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while displaying the first user interface, detecting that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are no longer met; and
in response to detecting that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are no longer met, replacing the first user interface with the second user interface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The computer system of claim 1, wherein:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met, the first user interface further indicates the first noise level.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The computer system of claim 1, wherein:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met and in accordance with a determination that the second noise level exceeds a first noise level threshold, the first user interface further indicates that the first noise level threshold has been exceeded.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The computer system of claim 1, the one or more programs further including instructions for:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met and in accordance with a determination that the second noise level exceeds a second noise level threshold, including, in the first user interface:
a first selectable graphical object, that when selected, causes display of a user interface of a hearing-related application; and
a second selectable graphical object, that when selected, initiates a process to suppress one or more noise-related notifications.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The computer system of claim 1, the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while the first noise level is above a third noise threshold:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are not met, including, in the second user interface, an indication that the first noise level has exceeded the third noise threshold; and
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met and a determination that the second noise level is not above the third noise threshold, forgoing including, in the first user interface, an indication that the second noise level has exceeded the third noise threshold.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The computer system of claim 1, the one or more programs further including instructions for:
in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more sound notification criteria are met:
issuing a first notification based on the set of one or more sound notification criteria being met; and
initiating a process to cause an external computer system that is in communication with the computer system to issue a second notification based on the set of one or more sound notification criteria being met.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The computer system of claim 1, wherein:
the computer system is in communication with one or more audio sensors;
the first and second noise levels are detected via the one or more audio sensors; and
the sound reduction device is an external sound reduction device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The computer system of claim 1, wherein:
in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met, the first user interface includes an indication that the second noise level is based on use of the sound reduction device; and
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are not met, the second user interface does not include the indication that the second noise level is based on use of the sound reduction device.

### Claim 10

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of a computer system that is in communication with a display generation component, the one or more programs including instructions for:
while a detected environmental noise level is at a first noise level:
in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met, displaying, via the display generation component, a first user interface that includes an indication that indicates a second noise level that is lower than the first noise level when a first user of the computer system is using a sound reduction device; and
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are not met, displaying, via the display generation component, a second user interface that indicates the first noise level;
while displaying the first user interface, detecting that the first user of the computer system is no longer using the sound reduction device; and
in response to detecting that that the first user of the computer system is no longer using the sound reduction device, displaying an indication that sound reduction is not active.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while displaying the first user interface, detecting that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are no longer met; and
in response to detecting that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are no longer met, replacing the first user interface with the second user interface.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met, the first user interface further indicates the first noise level.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met and in accordance with a determination that the second noise level exceeds a first noise level threshold, the first user interface further indicates that the first noise level threshold has been exceeded.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, the one or more programs further including instructions for:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met and in accordance with a determination that the second noise level exceeds a second noise level threshold, including, in the first user interface:
a first selectable graphical object, that when selected, causes display of a user interface of a hearing-related application; and
a second selectable graphical object, that when selected, initiates a process to suppress one or more noise-related notifications.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while the first noise level is above a third noise threshold:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are not met, including, in the second user interface, an indication that the first noise level has exceeded the third noise threshold; and
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met and a determination that the second noise level is not above the third noise threshold, forgoing including, in the first user interface, an indication that the second noise level has exceeded the third noise threshold.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, the one or more programs further including instructions for:
in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more sound notification criteria are met:
issuing a first notification based on the set of one or more sound notification criteria being met; and
initiating a process to cause an external computer system that is in communication with the computer system to issue a second notification based on the set of one or more sound notification criteria being met.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein:
the computer system is in communication with one or more audio sensors;
the first and second noise levels are detected via the one or more audio sensors; and
the sound reduction device is an external sound reduction device.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein:
in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met, the first user interface includes an indication that the second noise level is based on use of the sound reduction device; and
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are not met, the second user interface does not include the indication that the second noise level is based on use of the sound reduction device.

### Claim 19

A method comprising:
at a computer system that is in communication with a display generation component:
while a detected environmental noise level is at a first noise level:
in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met, displaying, via the display generation component, a first user interface that includes an indication that indicates a second noise level that is lower than the first noise level when a first user of the computer system is using a sound reduction device; and
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are not met, displaying, via the display generation component, a second user interface that indicates the first noise level;
while displaying the first user interface, detecting that the first user of the computer system is no longer using the sound reduction device; and
in response to detecting that that the first user of the computer system is no longer using the sound reduction device, displaying an indication that sound reduction is not active.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, further comprising:
while displaying the first user interface, detecting that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are no longer met; and
in response to detecting that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are no longer met, replacing the first user interface with the second user interface.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met, the first user interface further indicates the first noise level.

### Claim 22 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met and in accordance with a determination that the second noise level exceeds a first noise level threshold, the first user interface further indicates that the first noise level threshold has been exceeded.

### Claim 23 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, further comprising:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met and in accordance with a determination that the second noise level exceeds a second noise level threshold, including, in the first user interface:
a first selectable graphical object, that when selected, causes display of a user interface of a hearing-related application; and
a second selectable graphical object, that when selected, initiates a process to suppress one or more noise-related notifications.

### Claim 24 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, further comprising:
while the first noise level is above a third noise threshold:
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are not met, including, in the second user interface, an indication that the first noise level has exceeded the third noise threshold; and
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met and a determination that the second noise level is not above the third noise threshold, forgoing including, in the first user interface, an indication that the second noise level has exceeded the third noise threshold.

### Claim 25 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, further comprising:
in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more sound notification criteria are met:
issuing a first notification based on the set of one or more sound notification criteria being met; and
initiating a process to cause an external computer system that is in communication with the computer system to issue a second notification based on the set of one or more sound notification criteria being met.

### Claim 26 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein:
the computer system is in communication with one or more audio sensors;
the first and second noise levels are detected via the one or more audio sensors; and
the sound reduction device is an external sound reduction device.

### Claim 27 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein:
in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more sound reduction criteria are met, the first user interface includes an indication that the second noise level is based on use of the sound reduction device; and
in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more sound reduction criteria are not met, the second user interface does not include the indication that the second noise level is based on use of the sound reduction device.