Coordinated Mobile Devices for Synchronized Multi-Room Teleconferencing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing teleconferencing systems struggle to facilitate seamless communication between multiple participants in different rooms using incompatible VoIP-based systems, often requiring specialized hardware and failing to integrate audio streams effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing mobile devices as leader and client devices to establish a teleconferencing system, where a leader device selects and transmits the best audio packets based on metrics, synchronizes playback, and integrates with other rooms through VoIP protocols, eliminating the need for specialized hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional telephone systems with specialized hardware are used for teleconferencing, then reliable communication between multiple rooms is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) as copies of traditional teleconferencing systems. Instead of requiring specialized hardware, the invention leverages existing mobile devices with built-in microphones, speakers, and network capabilities to perform teleconferencing functions, thereby eliminating the need for complex dedicated hardware while maintaining communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes mobile devices universal by enabling them to serve multiple functions: they act as both audio capture devices (microphones) and audio output devices (speakers), and can function as either leader devices or client devices depending on the conference role. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized teleconferencing hardware while achieving reliable multi-room communication
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple VoIP-based systems are deployed for different participant groups, then communication flexibility increases, but system compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple participant groups into a single unified teleconference by having leader devices from different rooms connect through VoIP networks. Instead of maintaining separate incompatible VoIP systems for different groups, the invention combines them into one interoperable conference where all participants can communicate reliably regardless of their original system affiliations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standardized communication protocol and leader device architecture as an intermediary layer between different VoIP systems. This intermediary enables compatibility by translating and coordinating communications between otherwise incompatible systems, allowing flexible multi-group participation while maintaining reliable interoperability
3Ease of operation
If multiple mobile devices are used in a room for teleconferencing, then communication coverage improves, but audio stream integration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio management function by designating one device as the leader and others as clients. The leader device is responsible for receiving audio from all client devices, selecting the best audio stream based on metrics, and transmitting it to remote participants. This segmentation simplifies audio stream management while allowing multiple devices to participate easily
Solution Approach 2:
The leader device acts as an intermediary between multiple client devices and the remote conference participants. It receives audio streams from all clients, processes and selects the best quality stream, and transmits it outward. This intermediary role simplifies the complexity of managing multiple audio streams while improving accessibility by allowing any device to join as a client
4Measurement precision
If audio packets from multiple devices are transmitted to remote participants, then audio quality options increase, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the leader device receive audio packets from multiple client devices but only selecting and transmitting one best-quality stream to remote participants. Instead of transmitting all audio streams (excessive action), it selectively transmits only the necessary single best stream, thereby maintaining high audio quality while conserving network bandwidth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of audio stream selection by evaluating multiple incoming audio streams based on quality metrics and selecting only the best one for transmission. This parameter-based selection approach ensures optimal audio quality is transmitted while avoiding the bandwidth consumption of transmitting multiple streams simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
A method of setting up a teleconferencing system using mobile devices is disclosed. Participants with mobile devices in multiple rooms may communicate based on the disclosed teleconferencing application executed on the mobile devices. Each room has one of the mobile devices designated as a leader device for that room. The leader devices may communicate using VoIP over the Internet. Other mobile devices in a room are designated as client devices associated with the leader devices. Participants operating the client devices can talk to other participants in that room and the other rooms through the client device communicating through the leader device of the room. The leader device synchronizes the playing of received audio between all of the client devices in the room. The leader device includes a selection algorithm that selects one of the devices to act as the microphone for audio signals generated in the room.