PTT Communication Buffering for Delayed Output Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication systems lack the ability to manage incoming communications effectively, particularly in environments where recipients may not be prepared to receive audio or video transmissions, leading to user experience issues due to unwelcome or inaudible audio and unvisible video outputs.

Innovation Solution

The system allows for delayed call acceptance and buffering of message segments based on ambient noise and user input, enabling recipients to manage output through playback status and deletion of buffered messages, with features like speech-to-text translation and automatic mode switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If immediate transmission of audio/video communications is provided in PTT systems, then communication speed and responsiveness are improved, but users cannot manage output in inappropriate environments leading to unwelcome or inaudible audio and unvisible video

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidoutput management capability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary buffering of message segments before transmission. When a recipient indicates they are not ready to receive communications, the system buffers the incoming audio and video data in memory, allowing the user to prepare beforehand and control when the communication output occurs, thus avoiding unwelcome or inaudible output in inappropriate environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a buffering mechanism as an intermediary between the immediate transmission source and the recipient device. This buffer acts as a mediator that decouples the real-time transmission from the actual playback, giving users control over when communications are output while maintaining the fast response characteristics of PTT systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If PTT systems provide fast call setup times of approximately 1 second, then communication responsiveness is improved, but recipients have no way of delaying or managing incoming communications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall setup timeVSAvoidcommunication management flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains the fast 1-second call setup time by establishing immediate communication channels, but then performs preliminary buffering of message segments. This allows the rapid connection establishment while subsequently giving users time to prepare and control when actual communication output occurs, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control where the communication system can switch between immediate transmission mode and buffered delay mode. The buffering mechanism is dynamically activated based on user readiness indicators, allowing the system to adapt its timing characteristics in real-time while maintaining the underlying fast setup capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If live communication transmission is provided without buffering, then real-time communication quality is improved, but users experience issues when not prepared or in inappropriate surroundings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time communication qualityVSAvoidenvironmental incompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary buffering of communication data before it reaches the user device. This preliminary action preserves the real-time communication quality by maintaining the original audio/video signal integrity, while simultaneously protecting users from environmental incompatibility by allowing them to control when the communication output occurs based on their current surroundings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a buffering mechanism that acts as a cushion between the live transmission source and the user device. This cushion absorbs the mismatch between real-time transmission and user readiness, protecting users from the harmful effects of being caught off-guard in inappropriate environments while preserving the underlying real-time communication quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2974206B1Output management for electronic communications
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2974206B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2974206B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2974206B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems and devices are provided for managing electronic communications on a communication device including receiving an incoming call indication from an originating device. The methods, system and devices may include transmitting a delay indication in response to determining the delayed call acceptance is warranted and receiving a first message segment and subsequently a second message segment from the originating device. Additionally, they may include outputting at least one of the first message segment and the second message segment in response to determining whether to output at least one of the first message segment and the second message segment. Further, they may include transmitting a playback status including a series of status indications reflecting an updated output progress of the first message segment at a recipient device in response to determining the first message segment should be output.