Decentralized IP Intercom Connection Units for Redundant Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems with switching centers are prone to failure, are complex, and expensive to expand, and require central intelligence, which can lead to system failure if the center fails, and they often require different plug-in modules for microphone units with various interfaces.

Innovation Solution

An IP-based communication system that decentralizes intelligence by using connection units with network interfaces for each analog WL call station, allowing for decentralized organization and redundancy, eliminating the need for a switching center, and enabling the connection of both analog and IP-WL intercoms without hardware-specific configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a switching center is used to manage WL intercom connections, then connection switching and system control are centralized, but system reliability decreases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized system controlVSAvoidsystem failure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized switching center into distributed connection units, each independently managing its own connections. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure while maintaining operational simplicity through automated peer-to-peer connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each connection unit autonomously manages its own connections and status without requiring central control. The units self-organize the communication network, establishing and terminating connections independently, which eliminates dependency on a central switching center.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a switching center is used for WL intercom connections, then connection management is centralized, but device complexity and expansion cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized connection managementVSAvoidswitching center structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the switching functionality from a centralized device and distributes it across multiple simple connection units. Each unit contains minimal processing logic for local connection management, eliminating the need for a complex centralized switching center.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection units are designed as universal, multi-functional devices that can handle multiple connection types and protocols. This universality simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for specialized switching hardware for different connection scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different plug-in modules with different interfaces are used for microphone units, then interface compatibility is achieved, but system complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal connection unit that can interface with different microphone units and communication protocols through standardized digital interfaces. This universality eliminates the need for multiple specialized plug-in modules, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection unit dynamically adjusts its operational parameters and communication protocols based on the connected device type. This parameter adaptation allows a single universal module to work with different microphone units without requiring physical reconfiguration or specialized hardware for each device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1881687B1Decentrally organised IP-based communications system with analog WL-intercom station
Publication Date: 2012.10.31 NEUMANN ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP1881687B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1881687B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1881687B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The switching device (1) has an electronic programmed control element for controlling the switching device and for coding and decoding of data for the network transmission. A network interface is provided for connecting to the network. A noise filter element is connected to the control element for the modulation of transmitting and receiving voice signals and decoupling the sending and receiving directions. A line element is connected at the control element by an input-output extension element for the conversion of line signals. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an internet protocol two way connected loud speaker voice station has a microphone and a loudspeaker (2) a decentralized communication system has an internet protocol based network (3) a method for call transmission or signal transmission.