Conference System Audio Slot Assignment via Request Flag

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing conference systems face instability and increased processing load when the number of discussion units in a request waiting state increases, leading to failed speech requests due to the limitations in the number of units that can speak simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A conference system with a control unit and discussion units connected via a ring or daisy chain connection, where the control unit transmits and receives running packets with request flags, allowing for the assignment of audio slots based on availability, ensuring reliable speech requests are managed efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of discussion units in request waiting state increases, then the system can accommodate more participants, but the processing load becomes large and system stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of discussion unitsVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit segments speech requests into two distinct states: active speech units and request waiting units. This segmentation allows the system to manage different types of units separately, applying different processing rules to each group and preventing the processing load from becoming overwhelming when many units are in request waiting state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the speech request function from the normal running packet transmission and handles it through a separate mechanism. When a discussion unit is in request waiting state, its speech requests are processed independently from the regular audio slot management, reducing the processing burden on the control unit during high-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the control unit processes speech requests from multiple discussion units simultaneously, then more speech requests are handled, but the processing load increases and speech requests may be failed to receive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of speech requests handledVSAvoidspeech request reception
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements periodic action by processing speech requests in cyclic phases: first handling active speech units, then processing request waiting units. This periodic processing ensures that speech requests are handled systematically without overwhelming the control unit, maintaining reliable reception while managing multiple units effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit performs preliminary action by pre-assigning audio slots to discussion units before they actually need to speak. When a discussion unit enters request waiting state, the control unit has already prepared the necessary audio slots, so the unit can transition to active speech state quickly without adding processing burden at the moment of speech initiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3425891B1Conference system
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 AUDIO TECHNICA CORP
  • EP3425891B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425891B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3425891B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stable conference system, which is reduced in the processing load placed on the system and receives a speech request from a discussion unit reliably, is be provided. A conference system S includes a control unit 1 and a discussion unit 2, a running packet is repeatedly transmitted and received between both units, the discussion unit includes a DU control portion 26, and a DU communication portion 21, the control unit includes a CU communication portion 11, and an audio slot, the DU control portion adds a request flag to the running packet, the audio slot receives audio information from the discussion unit, and when the running packet, with the request flag added, is received from the discussion unit, the CU communication portion transmits a content acquisition packet, carrying an acquisition command to acquire a content, to the discussion unit, which added the request flag, if the audio slot is vacant.