Language-Based Muting for Multiuser Conference Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
During multi-user audio and video conferences, side conversations in different languages can be distracting for participants who do not understand the language, as existing technologies lack effective language-based muting solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine the language of speech in real-time, compare it to common languages among participants, and mute or translate speech to prevent distraction, using processors and network devices to manage audio transmission and translation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If side conversations in native languages are allowed during conference calls, then participants can communicate more naturally and efficiently, but participants who do not understand the language experience distraction and reduced focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates side conversations from the main conference audio stream. By detecting language usage and identifying when participants are engaged in side conversations in their native languages, the system extracts these conversations and routes them to only the participants who speak that language, removing them from the shared conference audio feed to prevent distraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different audio transmission qualities to different participants based on their language capabilities. Instead of uniform audio distribution, the system dynamically adjusts audio routing on a per-participant basis, providing translated audio streams to participants who need them while allowing native language conversations to proceed independently for participants who understand the language.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If language detection and muting functionality is added to conference systems, then distraction from side conversations is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional conference system that integrates language detection, real-time translation, audio stream routing, and muting capabilities into a single unified platform. This universal system handles multiple functions (language identification, translation, audio management) through coordinated interaction of existing components rather than adding separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a language detection and management module as an intermediary component that mediates between the audio stream and the participants. This intermediary layer analyzes speech language, determines appropriate routing, and coordinates the translation and muting processes, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing language-based control logic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time language detection and translation is performed, then communication accessibility is improved for all participants, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial translation and processing only when and where needed. Instead of translating all audio streams for all participants continuously, the system performs language detection and translation selectively - only when side conversations are detected and only for participants who do not speak the native language, reducing overall processing load while maintaining accessibility where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary language detection and participant identification before full translation processing begins. By first detecting the language of side conversations and identifying which participants need translation, the system prepares translation resources and routing configurations in advance, reducing delays during actual conversation moments.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, program products, and systems are disclosed for language-based muting during multiuser communications. A method includes determining, by use of a processor, a language of speech being spoken by a user of a plurality of users communicating over a network, comparing the determined language to one or more languages that each of the plurality of users has in common, and muting the speech in response to the determined language not matching a language of the one or more languages that each of the plurality of users has in common.