Audio-Visual Telecommunication via Network Address Translation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio-visual telecommunications solutions require users to purchase additional devices or subscribe to video connection services, and often involve a high hardware and network resource commitment, limiting flexibility and resource efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows seamless transition from voice to audio-visual communication by establishing a voice connection via a telephone network and then a video connection via an IP network, using existing voice communication devices, with a central network service managing the assignment of video connection addresses and merging voice and video connections to conserve resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users purchase additional devices or subscribe to video connection services for audio-visual communication, then audio-visual communication capability is achieved, but hardware cost and network resource commitment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio-visual communication capabilityVSAvoidhardware and network resource commitment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables existing voice communication devices to perform both voice and video communication functions by integrating video components into the telecommunication network infrastructure. The network provides video connection address translation and routing services, allowing single devices to access both voice and video capabilities without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a central network service that acts as an intermediary between voice and video communication components. This service receives connection requests, performs address translation between voice component identifiers and video component addresses, and establishes video connections without requiring users to directly manage complex hardware or network resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate voice and video components are used, then audio-visual communication is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio-visual communicationVSAvoidnumber of devices and hardware components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables existing voice communication devices to perform both voice and video communication functions by integrating video components into the telecommunication network infrastructure. The network provides video connection address translation and routing services, allowing single devices to access both voice and video capabilities without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complexity of video connection management from user devices and relocates it to the network infrastructure. The central service handles address translation, connection establishment, and resource allocation, freeing user devices from needing to manage complex video communication protocols and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If video connection service subscription is required, then audio-visual communication is enabled, but service accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio-visual communication functionalityVSAvoidservice accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables users to access video communication services using existing voice communication credentials without requiring separate subscriptions or registrations. The central network service automatically resolves voice component identifiers to video component addresses and establishes connections, allowing users to simply initiate video calls through familiar voice communication interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables existing voice communication devices to perform both voice and video communication functions by integrating video components into the telecommunication network infrastructure. The network provides video connection address translation and routing services, allowing single devices to access both voice and video capabilities without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2405638B1Method and system for audio-visual telecommunication

Publication Date: 2015.03.18 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C

AI summary

The method involves establishing a voice connection between two or more communication partners (A,B) over a telephone network. Another connection for video communication is established through video components (3,3'), video communication medium, or equipment functional units. The connection for video communication is established by actuation of a control to the video components, where a connection request is transmitted to a central network service. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a system for audio-visual telecommunications between two communication partners; and (2) a communication device with transmitting and receiving unit.