Decentralized Video Communication System Using PBX and Webcam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current videoconference systems for commercial communication require specific equipment, high bandwidth, and complex software installations, limiting universal access and efficiency, especially in domestic settings with limited upload speeds and restrictive geographical distribution of contact centers.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized system using a webpage server connected to a main Internet server with automatic telephone connection and videoconference capabilities, allowing bidirectional audio and unidirectional video communication, utilizing a PBX or secondary automatic private center for universal access and low bandwidth requirements, enabling flexible location and scalability of contact centers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If videoconference systems are used for commercial communication, then direct contact between agent and user is improved, but equipment complexity and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows standard telephones to function as videoconference devices by integrating webcam video input with the telephone's audio capabilities. The telephone handles both voice communication and video reception, eliminating the need for specialized videoconference hardware while maintaining direct contact quality between agent and user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual videoconference environment by combining separate communication channels (telephone audio + webcam video) into a unified interaction experience. The webcam captures video that is transmitted alongside audio, replicating the functionality of dedicated videoconference systems using common devices.
2Reliability
If integrated videoconference equipment is used, then communication quality is improved, but user accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables standard telephones and webcams to perform videoconference functions, making the technology accessible to all users with common devices rather than requiring specialized equipment. This universal approach maintains communication quality while dramatically expanding user accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring users to adopt specialized videoconference equipment, the system inverts the approach by making standard devices (telephone + webcam) capable of videoconferencing. The familiar telephone becomes the videoconference interface, reversing the traditional model of requiring new equipment for new functionality.
3Illumination intensity
If high bandwidth videoconference systems are used, then video quality is improved, but connection robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits only the essential video feed from the webcam to the user's telephone, rather than full-duplex high-definition video. This partial transmission approach provides sufficient video quality for communication purposes while significantly reducing bandwidth requirements and improving connection robustness on standard domestic connections.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional software or plug-ins are required, then communication functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages existing software and hardware capabilities (standard telephone, webcam, browser) that users already possess, eliminating the need for additional software installation or configuration. The communication functionality is achieved through services already available to the user, making the system immediately operational without technical setup.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
System comprising a server of webpages (2) containing a form which is accesible from a remote computer (52) by the user, a main server (1) and a number of contact centres (4) which have, at least, a telephone terminal (43), a computer (44) and a webcam (41) connected to a videoconferencing server (42), to link an agent to the user, and a PBX or secondary automatic private centre (3) connected to the main server (1 ) to establish a telephone connection between the user and the agent, and the main server (1) comprises routing means of the computer (44) and of the videoconferencing server (42) of the contact centre (4). The procedure consists in that, once the form has been filled out, the PBX carries out a call to the user, and if picked up, searches for the most appropriate contact centre, establishing a direct telephone communication, while the main server (1) creates a videoconference virtual room through which the unidirectional video transmission of the webcam (41) is routed exclusively for the user.