Conference System Automatic Priority Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current conference systems require time-consuming and inconvenient manual settings for priority settings, speech request processing, and connection management, especially in large-scale conferences with multiple discussion units.

Innovation Solution

A conference system with a network configuration that includes control units and discussion units, utilizing a packet-based communication system for efficient management of speech requests, priority settings, and connection modes, allowing for automatic voice recognition and button triggers for speech enablement, with integrated light emitting portions for visual status indication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual settings are used for priority and speech request processing, then system flexibility is maintained, but setup time increases and operational convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting convenienceVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically acquiring discussion unit information and pre-configuring settings before the conference begins. The control unit automatically retrieves unit information, determines priorities, and establishes speech request processing rules without requiring manual configuration, thereby reducing setup time and improving convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service through automatic information acquisition and self-configuration. Discussion units automatically transmit their information to the control unit, which then autonomously determines priorities and processes speech requests without operator intervention, enabling the system to configure itself and reducing manual setup requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automatic voice recognition and button triggers are used for speech enablement, then speech request processing speed increases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeech request processing speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of automatic speech request processing. It receives triggers from VOX or button operations, automatically determines speech eligibility based on pre-established priorities, and coordinates the speech enablement process, thereby increasing processing speed while containing system complexity through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical switching with automatic electronic triggers. VOX (voice-activated operation) and button depression automatically generate electrical signals that activate the control unit's processing logic, eliminating manual intervention and increasing speech request processing speed through automated electronic mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If priority rights are assigned to specific discussion units, then speech reliability for key participants is improved, but system flexibility for dynamic adjustments is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeech enablement reliabilityVSAvoidsetting adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic priority management where the control unit can adjust speech request processing based on real-time conditions. While priority rights are pre-assigned to ensure reliable speech enablement for key participants, the control unit dynamically evaluates each speech request against current system state and priorities, allowing flexible adaptation to changing conference needs while maintaining reliability for designated units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3425892B1Conference system
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 AUDIO TECHNICA CORP
  • EP3425892B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425892B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3425892B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A conference system, with which the convenience of setting work is high, is be provided. A conference system S includes a control unit (CU) 1 and a discussion unit (DU) 2, the DU transmits audio information to the CU, the CU includes a CU storage portion, an audio slot, and a CU control portion, the CU control portion assigns the audio slot to the DU that transmitted the running packet with the request flag added, control information for controlling operations of the CU and the DU includes addition mode information, specifying an addition mode among a plurality of addition modes for adding the request flag to the running packet, and assignment mode information, specifying an assignment mode among a plurality of assignment modes for assigning the audio slot to the DU, which transmitted the running packet with the request flag added, when the audio slot is not vacant, and the addition mode information is stored in the CU storage portion in association with the assignment mode information.