Acoustic Push-to-Talk State Switching in Mobile Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional push-to-talk mobile communication terminals require continuous pressing and holding of a dedicated button, making them inconvenient for use, especially in situations like driving or with hands-free headsets, and necessitate additional keypad buttons, compromising ease of use and size considerations.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication terminal with a processor unit that operates in latency and active states based on sound processing, allowing voice recognition and speech commands to initiate and end push-to-talk communications, eliminating the need for a dedicated PTT button and enabling use as a baby-phone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated PTT button is provided, then push-to-talk functionality is enabled, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to continuous button pressing requirement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepush-to-talk functionalityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with an acoustic detection system. The processor detects sounds captured by the microphone to activate and deactivate push-to-talk communication, eliminating the need for mechanical button interaction and enabling hands-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects sound levels and state transitions (latency to active and vice versa) without requiring user intervention. The processor monitors acoustic environment and autonomously controls the communication state, making the system self-regulating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated PTT button is provided, then push-to-talk functionality is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to additional keypad buttons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepush-to-talk functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The microphone, originally designed for voice call functionality, is repurposed to detect sound levels for push-to-talk activation. This multi-functional use eliminates the need for dedicated PTT hardware buttons, reducing device complexity while maintaining push-to-talk capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes mechanical button hardware with an electronic sound detection mechanism. The processor unit uses software-based sound level monitoring to control push-to-talk states, eliminating the need for additional physical buttons and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If continuous button holding is required, then push-to-talk communication is maintained, but usability deteriorates in driving or hands-free scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepush-to-talk communicationVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-holding requirement with acoustic field detection. The system activates when sound levels exceed a threshold and deactivates when they fall below it, enabling natural hands-free operation during driving or other mobile activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically transitions between latency and active states based on real-time sound level detection. This dynamic response allows the push-to-talk functionality to adapt to the user's speaking state automatically, maintaining communication without requiring sustained physical input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables convenient push-to-talk communication by switching states based on sound detection, allowing hands-free operation and reducing the need for additional buttons, improving usability and accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

a microphone, and a sound processing module for processing sounds captured by the microphone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrophone sound conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS7366535B2Push-to-talk mobile communication terminals

Publication Date: 2008.04.29 III HOLDINGS 3 LLC

AI summary

Mobile communication terminals comprising a processor unit, a microphone, and a sound processing module for processing sounds captured by the microphone. The processor unit is configured to operate the terminal for a push-to-talk communication with at least one other mobile communication terminal via the communication network, and to operate the terminal during said push-to-talk communication in a latency state or in an active state in which sound captured by the microphone is processed by the sound processing module and sent to the at least one other mobile communication terminal. The processor unit is also configured to change from the latency state to the active state in dependence of the sound captured by the microphone.