Distributed Media Control in Multi-Point Video Conferencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current H.323 video conference systems face limitations in interconnection and scalability, requiring costly hardware upgrades to support more users, while SIP-based systems lack multi-point conference functionality, making it difficult to establish large-scale networks.
Innovation Solution
A multi-point video conference system utilizing a softswitch, application server, and terminals with SIP modules for protocol adaptation and media processing, allowing any registered terminal to act as a conference chairman for media control and processing, segmenting sessions for independent media handling and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional H.323 video conference system uses MCU core-based media controller, then media transmission and control function is achieved, but system cost increases and scalability is limited when more users need to be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the media control function from the traditional MCU and relocates it to the terminal devices themselves. Each terminal performs media control and processing locally, eliminating the need for a centralized MCU. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing the scalability bottleneck (MCU configuration complexity) while maintaining the ability to support multiple users through distributed terminal capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling terminals to autonomously perform media control and processing without relying on external MCU infrastructure. Terminals independently manage their own media streams and coordinate with other terminals directly, allowing the system to scale without additional centralized control resources.
2Ease of manufacture
If SIP protocol is used for video conference system, then network construction becomes easier and cost is reduced, but multi-point conference function is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of SIP protocol (ease of network construction, low cost) with the multi-point conference capability by combining SIP for signaling with enhanced terminal-based media control. Terminals use SIP for simple signaling while independently handling complex media coordination, achieving both ease of deployment and multi-point functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes terminals universal by enabling them to perform multiple functions: SIP signaling, media control, media processing, and conference coordination. This multi-functionality allows the system to support both simple point-to-point and complex multi-point conferences using the same terminal infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between SIP's simplicity and multi-point capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Focus and Media Policy server are deployed in SIP-based system, then conference management and media distribution are achieved, but system complexity increases and specialized servers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts conference management and media distribution functions from specialized servers (Focus and Media Policy server) and relocates them to individual terminals. Each terminal independently manages its own media distribution and coordinates directly with other terminals, eliminating the need for complex server architecture while maintaining full conference management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Terminals perform self-service by autonomously handling conference management tasks such as media distribution, synchronization, and coordination without requiring external specialized servers. This self-service approach reduces system complexity while maintaining adaptability for multi-point conferences.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention discloses a multi-point video conference system and the media processing method thereof. The multi-point video conference system includes a softswitch, an application server and terminals. The softswitch is responsible for protocol adaptation and calling process, and performing the interconnection with other systems as an external interface of the conference system. The application server is responsible for service logic control and charging. The characteristic of this invention lies in that: the terminals behaved as conference participants including a conference chairman and ordinary conference members. Any terminal registered on the softswitch could be a conference member, and the conference chairman must be a SIP soft terminal with video conference service capability in order to realize the media control. The invention realizes the media control on the basis of the soft terminal behaved as the conference chairman, therefore any terminal user that has registered on the softswitch can initiate or participate a multi-point video conference, and the participant terminal number of the video conference is not limited.