Call Manager Endpoint Prioritization for Conference Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internet telephone systems face bandwidth limitations in public switch telephone networks, leading to occupancy issues during multi-way conference calls, where available telephone lines are often fully utilized simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A call management system that utilizes a call manager to dynamically allocate endpoints as either participants or agents based on DSP channels, prioritizing agent endpoints using a weighted equation considering RTT, QoS, and DSP channels to efficiently manage and redirect calls, thereby optimizing the use of available bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional gateway-based conference call system is used, then multi-way conference calls can be achieved, but telephone lines become occupied and bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of conference call capabilities through software endpoints that can replicate conference mixing functions. Instead of requiring physical telephone lines for each participant, the system creates virtual endpoints that process audio streams digitally, allowing multiple participants to join conferences without proportionally increasing physical line requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical telephone network infrastructure with a software-based VoIP system. By substituting physical telephone lines and gateway hardware with software endpoints running on standard computing devices, the system eliminates the need for additional physical bandwidth while maintaining conference call functionality.
2Productivity
If more endpoints are added to conference calls, then conference capacity increases, but available telephone lines are exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic endpoint classification that automatically adjusts which endpoints act as agents versus participants based on real-time conditions. The call manager dynamically evaluates DSP channel availability, network conditions, and endpoint capabilities to optimize the distribution of conference mixing responsibilities, allowing the system to adapt to changing loads without requiring additional telephone lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables endpoints to self-classify and self-manage their conference call roles. Endpoints with available DSP channels automatically register as agents capable of mixing audio streams, while endpoints without sufficient resources register as participants. This self-service mechanism allows the system to automatically scale conference capacity without manual intervention or additional physical infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If agent endpoints are prioritized using weighted equation, then call management efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the complex multi-factor endpoint evaluation into a simplified weighted scoring system. By converting qualitative factors (DSP channel availability, network conditions, endpoint capabilities) into quantitative parameters with assigned weights, the system maintains operational simplicity while achieving efficient automatic endpoint classification and prioritization.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for extending during a conference call the number of telephone connections being utilized beyond strict numerical capacity is disclosed, together with a method. The method for call management comprises storing a conference table for recording information of agent endpoints that have joined a conference call and having two or more DSP channels. A call is received and the callee endpoint is identified. The number of available agent endpoints in the conference table is also identified, an agent endpoint being identified as available if the number of the DSP channels of the agent endpoint is greater than zero. If there are multiple available agent endpoints, the priority of each available agent endpoint is calculated and the call is redirected to the callee endpoint, with the high-priority agent endpoint in between.