Digital Curtain Mechanism for Selective Multimedia Stream Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication technologies lack a quick and simple method to temporarily block or mute multimedia streams during video conferences without disconnecting the session, leading to inefficiencies and resource wastage when reconnecting.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a 'digital curtain' mechanism that allows users to partially or fully block sending or receiving multimedia data streams without ending the connection, enabling users to maintain the communication session while controlling media streams through user interfaces or gestures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the video conference call is ended to block multimedia streams, then the blocking effectiveness is improved, but the reconnection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblocking effectivenessVSAvoidreconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control of multimedia streams by introducing independent control mechanisms for video and audio streams. The server can selectively block or allow specific media types (video, audio, or both) without terminating the entire communication session, thus achieving effective blocking while maintaining connection continuity and avoiding reconnection delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the video conference call is ended to ensure complete blocking, then the security is improved, but the network resources are wasted due to re-establishment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidnetwork resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of multimedia stream transmission. The server can adjust the transmission state of different media types in real-time based on control signals received from participants. This allows flexible security management where blocking can be applied selectively and temporarily to specific streams without permanently terminating connections, thereby securing communication when needed while conserving network resources by maintaining established connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multimedia streams are blocked without ending connection, then the time efficiency is improved, but the complexity of stream management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime efficiencyVSAvoidstream management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that centralizes the management of multimedia stream blocking. Instead of requiring complex client-side implementations, the server receives control signals from participants and manages the blocking of multimedia streams centrally. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling efficient stream management, as the server handles the complexity of selective blocking across multiple clients and media types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2797279B1Communications using at least two different media types
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 GURULOGIC MICROSYST
  • EP2797279B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2797279B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP2797279B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2E

AI summary

To avoid unnecessary release and reestablishment of a connection the connection is maintained but two or more media streams relating to a communication over the connection are blocked from the apparatus and/or to the apparatus in response to receiving information indicating that the two or more media streams relating to the communication are to be blocked.