Conference Call Microphone Deactivation for Speech Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current conference call services in telephone networks, particularly in mobile networks, face issues such as multiple users speaking simultaneously, environment noise interference, and limited capacity, leading to poor speech intelligibility due to overlapping voices and noise.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing conference calls by setting up voice channels and deactivating microphones of participating terminals except for the primary speaker, allowing only the master user to speak during activation and enabling controlled microphone activation/deactivation based on intervention requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all users are bi-directionally linked to transmit and receive signals continuously, then user participation freedom is improved, but speech intelligibility deteriorates due to overlapping speeches and environment noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the communication mode from bi-directional to semi-duplex, allowing users to switch between speaking and listening states. The master user can activate or deactivate member users' microphones based on whether they are speaking or listening, creating a dynamic control mechanism that prevents simultaneous speech while maintaining user participation flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
Different communication modes are applied to different users based on their role. The master user has full bi-directional communication capability, while member users have conditional transmission rights depending on their current state (speaking vs. listening). This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing freedom of participation for the master user while ensuring speech intelligibility for member users
2Adaptability or versatility
If microphones of all terminals are activated, then user participation is improved, but environment noise interference worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone activation state is dynamically controlled based on the user's role and current activity. Member users' microphones are deactivated during listening phases and activated only when they need to speak, reducing environment noise transmission while preserving necessary user participation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (environment noise) is extracted from the transmission signal by selectively deactivating the microphone during listening phases. Only the necessary voice communication function is retained, while the noise-carrying transmission path is removed when not needed
3Productivity
If multiple users speak simultaneously, then communication efficiency is improved, but speech clarity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic switching between speaking and listening phases for different users. Instead of allowing simultaneous speech, users take turns in a structured periodic manner controlled by the master user, ensuring speech clarity while maintaining overall communication efficiency through organized turn-taking
Solution Approach 2:
The master user acts as an intermediary who controls the speaking rights of member users. By mediating who can speak and when, the master user prevents simultaneous speech and ensures clear communication, while still allowing multiple users to participate efficiently in the conference call
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing, in a telephone network, a conference call among a first terminal and a plurality of terminals, includes: setting up at least one voice channel for activating the conference call among the first terminal and the plurality of terminals; and causing deactivation of a microphone of at least one terminal of the plurality of terminals.