Endpoint MCU for Multipoint Audio Conference Echo Cancellation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multipoint audio conference systems in packet networks face issues with bandwidth efficiency, processing overhead, and echo cancellation, particularly in centralized modes, and require additional capabilities in participating endpoints.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multipoint control unit (MCU) within an endpoint that hosts and manages a multipoint audio conference, using existing communication standards like H.323, SIP, and MGCP, without relying on a separate MCU, and incorporating an echo canceller for reduced decision-making and processing overhead, and addressing echo issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) is used to provide control and processing functions, then multipoint conferencing capability is achieved, but device complexity and network resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultipoint conferencing capabilityVSAvoidseparate MCU requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) functionality with existing H.323 endpoints, gateways, or gatekeepers. Instead of requiring a separate dedicated MCU device, the control functions (call control, capability negotiation) and processing functions (audio mixing, video switching) are merged into entities that already exist in the telecommunication network infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining multipoint conferencing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables existing H.323 entities (endpoints, gateways, gatekeepers) to perform multiple functions - their original functions plus MCU functions. For example, an endpoint can simultaneously act as both a conference participant and a multipoint controller, or a gateway can provide both translation services and audio mixing, making the system more versatile and reducing the need for specialized dedicated devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If centralized mode is used with MCU unicast streams to each endpoint, then control and processing is simplified, but bandwidth consumption increases with more participants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol and processing simplicityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic stream distribution where the multipoint processor adapts its behavior based on the number of participants and network conditions. When the number of participants is small, it uses centralized unicast for simplicity. When participants increase, it dynamically switches to multicast for efficient bandwidth utilization, or implements selective unicast/multicast hybrid approaches, allowing the system to optimize between control simplicity and bandwidth efficiency in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If de-centralized mode is used with endpoint multicast, then bandwidth efficiency improves, but processing overhead in each endpoint increases tremendously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing overhead per endpoint

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a multipoint processor as an intermediary entity that handles the complex processing tasks. Instead of requiring each endpoint to perform speaker management, active speaker identification, and audio mixing, the multipoint processor acts as a central intermediary that receives streams from endpoints, performs all necessary processing (mixing, switching, echo cancellation), and distributes the processed streams back to endpoints, thereby maintaining bandwidth efficiency while dramatically reducing per-endpoint processing overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If proprietary methods are used to bridge multicast/unicast environment, then implementation flexibility is achieved, but interoperability and ease of manufacture decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation flexibilityVSAvoidinteroperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent standardizes the interface parameters and protocols between the multipoint controller and multipoint processor, and between the MCU and endpoints. By defining standardized parameter sets for capability negotiation, stream formatting, and control signaling, the system achieves interoperability across different vendors and implementations while still allowing flexibility in internal implementation details through configurable parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8270585B2System and method for an endpoint participating in and managing multipoint audio conferencing in a packet network

Publication Date: 2012.09.18 STMICROELECTRONICS INT NV

AI summary

A system and method is disclosed for implementing a multipoint control unit in an endpoint that is participating in and managing a multipoint audio conference in a packet network. The multipoint control unit establishes audio communications between a plurality of endpoints of the packet network, mixes audio communications from the plurality of endpoints, and provides echo cancellation for the endpoint that is managing the multipoint audio conference.