Phone Audio Output Management for Video Conferencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users working from home face challenges managing two independent audio output devices for video conferencing and voice calls, leading to disruptions and inefficiencies, as they need to switch headsets or use expensive multi-headset solutions, and external callers are unaware of their video conferencing status.
Innovation Solution
A technology that allows a phone to connect to a computing system and manage incoming calls during video conferencing sessions by automatically putting audio on hold, enabling Do Not Disturb mode, call forwarding, or silent alerts, ensuring uninterrupted video conferencing and integrating phone and PC audio management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a headset is used for video conferencing to avoid disturbing others, then audio output quality is improved, but the user must switch headsets between phone and PC or use expensive multi-headset solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines phone and PC audio output by routing both audio streams to the same phone device. The phone receives audio data from the PC and plays it through its speaker or connected headset, eliminating the need for separate headsets for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The phone is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a communication device for voice calls and as an audio output device for video conferencing. This allows a single device to fulfill multiple audio-related functions that previously required separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the phone rings during video conferencing sessions, then incoming calls can be received, but the video conferencing session is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting incoming calls before they can disrupt the video conferencing session. When a call is detected during active audio output, the system automatically pauses the audio output and redirects it to the phone's speaker, allowing the user to answer the call without disrupting the conference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the phone's operational state (call status, audio output status) and automatically adjusting behavior based on this information. When a call is detected, the system responds by pausing and redirecting audio, then resuming when the call ends.
3Reliability
If Do Not Disturb mode is enabled to prevent calls during video conferencing, then video conferencing continuity is maintained, but phone calls are unnecessarily missed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts call handling behavior based on the current context. Instead of a static Do Not Disturb mode, the system automatically detects incoming calls during video conferencing and temporarily redirects audio output to the phone, allowing calls to be received without disrupting the conference. The audio is paused and resumed automatically based on call status.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology described herein includes a method of receiving, by a phone, audio data from an application running on a computing system coupled to the phone; sending the audio data to an audio output device coupled with the phone; and detecting an incoming phone call to the phone and automatically handling the incoming phone call, based at least in part on one or more preferences of a user of the phone, while receiving the audio data from the application and sending the audio data to audio output device.