Portable Group Communication Device Full-Duplex Audio Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication devices are inadequate for group communication, as they often restrict conversation to one-to-one interactions, are not portable, lack full-duplex capability, and provide poor voice quality and limited range.

Innovation Solution

A portable, lightweight wireless communication device that enables full-duplex group communication among multiple users over long distances, using a radio frequency transceiver, application processor, audio codec, and digital signal processor to transmit and receive audio data simultaneously, allowing users to communicate while engaging in physical activities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cellular telephones are used for communication, then one-to-one communication is achieved, but group communication capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegroup communication capabilityVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into group formation module, audio data transmission module, and audio output module. Each module handles specific functions independently, allowing group communication capability to be added without overwhelming complexity in the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable communication device is designed to perform multiple functions: one-to-one communication, group communication, audio mixing, and direct wireless transmission. This multi-functionality allows the device to adapt to different communication scenarios without requiring separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two-way radio systems are used, then group communication is enabled, but full-duplex capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefull-duplex communication capabilityVSAvoidsimultaneous speaking capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous simultaneous transmission and reception of audio data between multiple devices. Full-duplex communication allows all group members to speak and listen at the same time without taking turns, maintaining continuous useful action for all participants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If conference calling devices are used, then group communication is achieved, but portability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability without backbone network
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/infrastructure-dependent conference calling system with a wireless direct communication system. Audio data is transmitted directly between portable devices via wireless medium, eliminating the need for backbone networks while maintaining communication reliability through direct peer-to-peer connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If direct wireless audio transmission is implemented, then portability and simultaneous communication are improved, but voice quality and range may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability and simultaneous communicationVSAvoidvoice quality and transmission range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges audio data from multiple sources directly at the receiving device without requiring central server processing. Each device receives and processes audio data independently, combining multiple audio streams locally. This approach maintains voice quality while enabling portable simultaneous group communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3311626B1Portable group communication device
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 LOOSE CANNON SYSTEMS INC
  • EP3311626B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3311626B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3311626B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A portable communication device comprises a user interface, one or more digital processors in electronic communication with the user interface, and at least one memory in electronic communication with the one or more digital processors, the one or more digital processors and the at least one memory collectively configured to implement simultaneous radio frequency voice communication between a user of the device and multiple other ones of the devices. The voice communication comprises: transmitting audio data corresponding to speech of the user to each of the other ones of the devices, receiving audio data from each of the other ones of the devices, and transmitting the received audio data to the user so as to direct to the user combined and simultaneous speech of users of each of the other ones of the devices.