Network Controller for Mixed-Media Call Format Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication devices lack the ability to adapt to the most appropriate media type for each user's environment during mixed-media calls, preventing seamless interaction between users employing different communication methods, such as text and speech.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for selecting and converting mixed-media call formats at a portable communication device, allowing users to choose between text and speech formats, with automatic conversion capabilities based on user preferences, device capabilities, and environmental conditions, using a network controller to determine and adjust call formats for optimal communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a communication device supports multiple media formats (text and speech), then adaptability to different user environments is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A network controller is introduced as an intermediary component that receives media format mode signals from portable communication devices, determines the appropriate call format, and manages the conversion process. This external mediator handles the complexity of multi-format support, allowing individual devices to remain relatively simple while achieving system-level adaptability across text and speech formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The network controller is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle various media formats (text and speech), perform format determination, and execute conversion operations. This universal component serves multiple communication needs within a single system, enabling the network to support diverse media types without requiring each individual device to independently support all formats.
2Ease of operation
If automatic media format conversion is implemented, then ease of communication between different media types is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller serves as an energy-efficient intermediary by performing media format conversion centrally rather than requiring each portable device to perform conversion operations. This distributes the energy burden across the network infrastructure, allowing battery-powered portable devices to conserve energy while still achieving seamless communication between different media formats through the controller's conversion capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If media format mode signals are transmitted frequently to indicate preferred formats, then adaptability to user preferences is improved, but loss of information increases due to additional signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes media format mode signals during call setup or registration phases, determining and agreeing upon the preferred media format before actual communication begins. This preliminary action prevents the need for frequent format negotiations during the communication session, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining adaptability to user preferences by establishing the format early when both parties can agree on optimal settings.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for mixed-media call formatting. A preferred format for a call can be determined from different mixed media communication formats. The mixed media communication formats can include a text format and an audible speech format. A media format mode signal can be sent or received. The media format mode signal can indicate a preferred format for a call. The call can be connected in the preferred format.