Method of passing signal events through a voice over IP audio mixer device

Abstract

In Voice-over-IP or like systems, audio mixers are used for implanting conferencing applications for IP networks. In such systems, a problem exists as how to pass through user signal events, such a DTMF digits, in-band as well as out-of-band telephony events (RFC 2833 / 4733) because they are not handled well in such systems. In accordance with certain embodiments, a signalling event in incoming audio packets or user signalling event received out-of-band is detected at one of the inputs. A meta-data representation of the signal event is attached to the audio and passed through the mixer for regeneration, as in-band or out-of-band telephony events, on the other side of the mixer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 023,724, filed Jan. 31, 2008, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 887,992 filed Feb. 2, 2007, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This disclosure relates to the field of voice-over-IP audio mixer devices, and in particular to a method of passing user signalling events through such a device.BACKGROUND[0003]Voice-over-IP audio mixer devices are used for implementing conferencing applications for IP networks. Audio signals, after being converted to IP packets are sent to these devices and the audio signals are mixed together and then output to the users such that they can hear a complete conference conversation without hearing their own voice. Such applications sometimes only mix certain users within the conference based on a criteria that they are th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This method guarantees the accurate detection of signal events across different types and ensures they are not interfered with by other users' speech, enabling seamless event transmission in all scenarios, including conferencing and recording, while preventing users from hearing their own input digits.

Problems solved by technology

Currently, voice-over-IP audio mixer devices have difficulty knowing how to handle these user signalling events for a conference.

If the IP mixer does not clamp the DTMF signals found in the audio stream then the digits will pass through the conference mixer but are likely to become distorted in the mixing process.

In addition, the quality of the in-band DTMF digits would be degraded by being mixed with the audio from other conference users thereby reducing the chances of proper digit detection at the receiving end.

Another issue is that conference mixers use algorithms that do not always mix all users at any moment during the conference.

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