Selective Media Stream Blocking in Conference Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional multipoint conference systems lack the ability to selectively control the communication of media streams between participants, leading to potential confusion and exposure of confidential information when using IVR systems with automatic speech recognition.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows participants to control the communication of media streams by using control modules within a multipoint conference unit to block or enable the transmission of media streams to specific endpoints, enabling selective control over who receives audio or video streams, including the use of DTMF signals, speech, or instant messaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If media streams are transmitted to all participants in a multipoint conference, then all participants can receive information, but confidential information may be exposed to participants who should not access it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling selective media stream distribution where different participants receive different media streams based on their roles and security requirements. The system allows the IVR system to receive media streams for processing while blocking streams from agents, and conversely allows agents to receive streams while blocking IVR system streams. This creates localized quality control at the media stream level for different participants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the media stream transmission by separating different communication flows between IVR system and agents. Instead of a single unified stream, the system creates distinct segmented streams that can be independently controlled and distributed to different participants based on their access rights and conference roles.
2Reliability
If the IVR system receives all media streams, then the IVR can process all communications, but the IVR may be triggered by agent speech when training callers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful element (agent speech) from the media stream that reaches the IVR system. By implementing selective blocking, the system allows the IVR to receive and process media streams from callers while extracting/filtering out streams from agents, preventing false triggering while maintaining IVR processing capability for legitimate caller interactions.
3Ease of operation
If agents can hear all media streams, then agents can understand caller needs, but agents cannot hear confidential information that should remain private
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality control by enabling agents to receive media streams for effective communication while selectively blocking confidential information streams. Each agent can hear relevant conference audio except for designated confidential segments, maintaining communication effectiveness while preventing information leakage to specific participants.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the conference system provides full media stream communication, then all participants can interact freely, but the system lacks control over information flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic media stream control where the conference system can adaptively adjust media flow in real-time based on participant roles, conference state, and security requirements. The system dynamically blocks or allows specific streams to specific participants rather than using static communication patterns, providing flexibility while managing complexity through automated control policies.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a conference service includes hosting a conference between a plurality of endpoints and communicating at least one media stream received from at least one of the plurality of endpoints to the remaining plurality of endpoints. The method also includes receiving a request to block communication of the at least one media stream to a first endpoint of the plurality of endpoints and blocking communication of the at least one media stream to the first endpoint.