Distributed Mobile Audio System for Conference Resource Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conferences often face challenges with inadequate audio and visual equipment, poor sound transmission, and difficulties in authenticating and managing devices and users, leading to reduced productivity and unclear participant information, especially in teleconferences.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that combine mobile devices' resources to enhance audio output, authenticate users, and manage access, using techniques like acoustic triangulation, spatial audio, and authentication methods to create a more immersive and secure conference environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile devices are combined into one audio system to improve sound transmission, then audio quality and voice comprehensibility are improved, but device complexity and authentication management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mobile devices' audio resources (microphones, speakers, processors) into a unified conference audio system. The conference server aggregates audio inputs from multiple devices, processes them centrally, and distributes outputs to multiple devices, creating a distributed audio system that improves sound quality while managing complexity through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile devices serve multiple functions: they act as both audio input devices (microphones) and audio output devices (speakers), and can function as either sending or receiving endpoints depending on the conference phase. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated equipment while maintaining audio quality.
2Reliability
If authentication and resource management are implemented for mobile devices, then security and controlled access are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic authentication where mobile devices self-register with the conference server by providing device identifiers. The server automatically provisions audio resources and configures the distributed audio system without requiring manual intervention from participants, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring security.
Solution Approach 2:
Authentication and resource allocation are performed in advance before the conference begins. Devices are pre-authenticated and pre-configured with their roles in the audio system, so that when the conference starts, participants can join immediately without dealing with authentication complexity.
3Reliability
If resources of multiple mobile devices are combined, then audio output quality is improved, but loss of time for setup and configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conference server performs automatic resource discovery and configuration before the conference begins. It identifies available mobile devices, assesses their audio capabilities, and pre-configures their roles in the distributed system, eliminating setup time during the actual conference.
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile devices automatically provide their audio resource specifications to the conference server, which then self-configures the distributed audio system based on device capabilities and conference requirements, eliminating manual configuration time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method can include the steps of logging in of mobile devices of participants when they are located in the same physical conference environment and managing the resources of these devices such that the resources of the logged-in devices are combined into an audio system to output audio conference information using a sound output process in the conference environment. The conference environment may be a conference room. The audio conference information may be audio to be output to the participants at the conference environment. The formed audio system can include speakers of the user devices for outputting such audio. The microphones of the user devices may also be used to form an audio input system for the conference for allowing audio of the participants to be received and transmitted during the conference. A communication system can be configured to implement embodiments of the method.