Mobile Audio Conferencing With Mixed Channels and Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conference call systems face challenges such as feedback issues, limited mobility, and inconvenience due to the need for special equipment, as they often require participants to be in close proximity and can only operate in one direction at a time, leading to difficulties in hearing and being heard by all participants.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilizes a cellphone with a built-in audio mixer and Bluetooth capabilities to establish a piconet network, allowing multiple participants to connect via wireless headsets and cellular networks, enabling full duplex communication and equalized audio distribution to each participant, and supporting up to seven slave devices with independent communication paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conference phone is used with microphones and speakers on multiple sides, then the ability to conduct conference calls is improved, but feedback issues occur when both sides speak at the same time
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the conference call into multiple independent audio channels, each assigned to a specific participant or device. The audio mixer separates and manages each participant's audio stream independently, allowing simultaneous speech without feedback by preventing cross-channel interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio mixer acts as an intermediary device that receives audio inputs from multiple sources, processes them separately, and distributes the mixed audio to appropriate outputs. This intermediary processing prevents direct feedback loops between microphones and speakers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conference phone is placed in a conference room, then group conferencing is enabled, but participants not directly in front of the speaker cannot hear or be heard
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs multiple functions: it acts as a microphone, speaker, audio mixer, and distribution hub all in one device. This allows any participant to be the conference host using their personal device, ensuring equitable audio distribution to all participants regardless of physical position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical speaker system of traditional conference phones with wireless digital audio distribution. Audio is transmitted electronically to multiple participants' devices simultaneously, eliminating the physical limitation of speaker directionality and ensuring all participants receive audio equally.
3Ease of operation
If a hand-held conferencing device with headsets is used, then distance problems are solved, but the need to carry special equipment reduces mobility and convenience
Solution Approach 1:
Participants use their own personal mobile devices and existing wireless headsets for conferencing. The system leverages equipment participants already possess and carry daily, eliminating the need for specialized conferencing equipment while maintaining audio clarity and mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves as a universal conferencing solution that combines phone, audio mixer, and conference host functions. Participants use their existing personal devices for which they already have wireless headsets, eliminating the need for dedicated conferencing equipment.
4Reliability
If traditional conference phones operate in one direction at a time, then feedback is controlled, but participants cannot speak simultaneously reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The audio system is segmented into multiple independent channels, each handling a different participant's audio stream. The audio mixer processes and manages these channels simultaneously, allowing full-duplex communication where all participants can speak at the same time without feedback interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus is provided for setting up a voice conference call or sharing audio content. The method includes the steps of providing an audio mixer that receives an audio input from each of at least three audio interfaces of the conference call, mixes the audio inputs and provides an equalized audio output to each of the at least three audio interfaces, providing a first local wireless interface between a first audio interface of the at least three audio interfaces and a first headset, providing a second local interface between a second audio interface of the at least three audio interfaces and a second headset and coupling a third audio interface of the at least three audio interfaces to a third headset through a base station of a cellular network, wherein the communication paths to the first, second and third persons are all different.