PC Voice Call Ringer Tone Attenuation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In voice call systems using PC terminals, it is challenging to accurately differentiate and control ringer tones from other sound sources, leading to interference during calls, as conventional software struggles to identify and manage sound sources in real-time, resulting in either missed notifications or unwanted ringer tone interference.

Innovation Solution

A voice call system with a PC terminal and voice exchanger connected through a voice communications network, featuring a sound source interface, storage for setting data, and a communication control unit that determines the call state and sound source association to adjust ringer tone volume or mute it during calls, ensuring ringer tones are attenuated and OS system sounds are managed appropriately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional software is used to control ringer tone volume, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot accurately identify and control sound sources in real-time, leading to ringer tone interference during calls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound source identification accuracyVSAvoidsoftware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dedicated ringer tone control module as an intermediary between the voice call system and sound sources. This module specifically manages ringer tone generation and volume control, separating it from general OS sound management. The module identifies ringer tone sound sources through dedicated interfaces and controls their volume independently, achieving accurate sound source differentiation without requiring complex overall system software.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the ringer tone volume is attenuated during calls, then interference with the conversation is reduced, but the called party may not be notified of incoming calls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveringer tone interferenceVSAvoidcall notification reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality control by differentiating volume settings for different sound sources and operational states. During calls, the system selectively attenuates ringer tone volume from the sound source being used for the conversation, while maintaining normal volume for other sound sources. This localized approach ensures that incoming call notifications remain audible through unaffected sound sources, preserving notification reliability while reducing interference in the active conversation channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sound sources are connected to the PC terminal, then sound output flexibility is improved, but it becomes difficult to identify which sound source is generating the ringer tone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound source configuration flexibilityVSAvoidsound source identification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the ringer tone control module continuously monitors the operational state of connected sound sources and adjusts ringer tone generation accordingly. When a sound source is identified as being used for voice communication, the module receives feedback about this state and automatically adjusts or suppresses ringer tone output from that source, ensuring proper behavior without requiring manual user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the volume of OS system sound is decreased during calls, then interference with conversation is reduced, but OS system sounds are needed when no call is in progress

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOS system sound interferenceVSAvoidsystem usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic volume control for OS system sounds based on the operational state of the PC terminal. During active voice calls, the system automatically decreases OS system sound volume to prevent interference with the conversation. When no call is in progress, the system dynamically restores OS system sound volume to normal levels, ensuring full functionality and usability. This dynamic adjustment is transparent to users and automatically adapts to calling states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8594316B2Voice call system adapted to support a computer terminal and that adjusts a ringer tone

Publication Date: 2013.11.26 NEC PLATFROMS LTD

AI summary

A ringer tone signal is attenuated, during a state in which a call is in progress, below the ringer tone signal level that occurs when no call is in progress, when a PC terminal is utilized as a telephone. A voice call system includes a handset unit for making a call, and a hook switch detection unit for detecting an on-hook/off-hook state of the handset unit. The PC terminal includes a sound source interface unit connected to a sound source, a fixed storage device for storing setting data indicative of a sound source for making a voice call, and a communication control unit responsive to a ringer tone generating operation command issued by the voice exchanger for determining whether or not a call is in progress from an on-hook/off-hook state detected by the hook switch detection unit.