Dynamic Sound Level Control

Project description

The project aims to find an efficient way to manage sound levels of students in Fontys Open ICT Labs (OILs) using embedded hardware. The OILs were established as an innovative learning environment at Fontys, offering both students and teachers a spacious area for both individual study and group work. However, the open layout has resulted in noise interference. To address this challenge, a software solution was previously developed, allowing the creation of sound threshold zones within the OILs. Although the software is sophisticated, it lacks the necessary hardware. This project seeks to design and implement a hardware solution that can measure noise levels, indicate the preferred noise level for each zone, and take appropriate action, such as notifying students if noise levels exceed the threshold. By reducing noise disturbances, the project aims to enhance the overall learning experience for FHICT students and create a more favorable study environment.

Context

Fontys has implemented a new learning environment called Open ICT Lab (OIL) to offer innovative education. However, maintaining a productive atmosphere in the OILs has been challenging due to different activities interfering with each other. The main issue is the spread of noise throughout the open space. To address this problem, a project was initiated to find a solution and enhance the learning experience for all students at Fontys.
In a previous semester, Software course students developed sophisticated software that dynamically divides the OILs into zones with assigned sound thresholds. These zones are equipped with devices to indicate the noise limit and measure the noise levels. However, the current solution lacks the necessary hardware to fully implement the project. By integrating the hardware component, the project aims to create a comprehensive system that will help maintain a pleasant learning environment by managing noise levels effectively.

Results

During the course of this project, we have encountered numerous ethical considerations that demand careful attention in order to ensure the successful deployment and efficacy of our product within the Fontys OILs. Several pivotal questions emerged during our exploration, including: How can we intuitively convey zone indications to users? How can we effectively measure sound levels without compromising privacy? And how can we implement effective intervention strategies when users exceed acceptable noise thresholds? Addressing these inquiries proves to be challenging due to the multifaceted nature of factors involved and the diversity of user perspectives.

About the project group

Our group primarily focuses on technology and encompasses various specializations from semester 4. The project's groundwork had been established by a previous group, and we dedicated one semester, working four days a week, to further develop it. Adopting a SCRUM methodology, we embraced an iterative approach in collaboration with the product owner.