Concurrent Conference Call Audio Routing With Foreground Priority
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple concurrent conference calls is difficult due to challenges in controlling audio/video settings efficiently and determining the importance of calls in real-time.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system is configured to execute multiple conference calls, determine a foreground call, raise its volume, and route audio input to it, using a centralized virtual agent to manage call prioritization and context-based switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user joins multiple concurrent conference calls using standard conference call applications, then the user can participate in multiple calls simultaneously, but the user has difficulty controlling audio/video settings efficiently and the system cannot determine which call is most important
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a foreground/background call management system that acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple conference calls. This system automatically determines which call is in the foreground (most important) and which are in the background, and manages audio/video settings accordingly. The foreground call receives full audio input and has its volume raised, while background calls have their volumes lowered and receive audio input only when they become the foreground call. This intermediary management layer eliminates the need for users to manually control settings for each call, resolving the contradiction between multi-call capability and ease of operation.
2Quantity of substance
If the system routes audio input to all concurrent conference calls simultaneously, then all calls receive the user's audio, but the user cannot maintain focus on the most important call and audio quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic audio routing that changes based on the foreground/background status of calls. The system continuously monitors which call is in the foreground and dynamically redirects audio input devices (microphone) to only the foreground call. When a call transitions from background to foreground status, the audio routing dynamically switches to that call. This dynamic approach ensures high audio quality for the important call while still maintaining the capability to participate in multiple calls, resolving the contradiction between quantity of calls served and reliability of audio quality.
3Loss of information
If the system raises the volume level of the foreground call relative to background calls, then the user can easily identify the most important call, but the volume control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service volume control system where the foreground/background call management system automatically adjusts volume levels without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously raises the volume of the foreground call and lowers the volume of background calls, and automatically switches volume levels when calls transition between foreground and background states. This self-service approach provides clear call prioritization through volume differentiation while eliminating the complexity of manual volume control for each call, resolving the contradiction between information clarity and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system may include at least one processor, a memory, and an audio input device. The information handling system may be configured to: execute at least one conference call application, wherein the at least one conference call application is configured to join a plurality of concurrent conference calls; determine one of the plurality of concurrent conference calls as a foreground call; raise a volume level of the foreground call relative to another of the plurality of concurrent conference calls; and transmit audio input from the audio input device to the foreground call.