Push-to-talk System Using Speech-to-Text Conversion for Large Group Scalability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push-to-talk (PTT) systems struggle to support large and asymmetric groups, where most users are listeners and do not need or cannot maintain handsets in optimal positions for low-power radio reception, due to scalability constraints and inefficient resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
The system converts audio utterances into text messages using speech-to-text technology and transmits them via a text delivery optimized network, which are then converted back to audio using text-to-speech technology, leveraging the Iridium MSS system's SBD and GDB services for efficient communication, allowing listeners to receive messages with less capable or non-optimally deployed antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional PTT systems use direct radio communication or repeater topology, then real-time voice communication is achieved, but the system cannot support large groups (thousands to millions of users) due to channel resource limitations and scalability constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between speakers and listeners. The server receives text messages from speakers, converts them to speech, and broadcasts to multiple listeners. This intermediary architecture enables scalable group communication by centralizing resource management and eliminating the need for each user to maintain direct radio connections with all group members.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical radio communication system with a hybrid system that uses text messaging infrastructure (SMS/MMS protocols) combined with speech synthesis. This substitution allows the system to leverage existing text delivery networks optimized for large-scale message distribution, thereby supporting millions of users without proportionally increasing channel resources.
2Use of energy by moving object
If PTT systems require handsets to be held in optimal positions for low-power reception, then power consumption is reduced, but users cannot freely move or use hands for other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses text messages as a copy of the original speech that can be transmitted through optimized text delivery channels. Listeners receive text copies that are then converted to speech, allowing them to use non-optimized antennas or even hands-free operation while maintaining communication capability. This copying approach decouples the transmission medium from the reception requirements.
3Reliability
If the system transmits full audio utterances to all group members, then real-time communication quality is maintained, but channel resources are wasted when most users are only listening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels to different users based on their role. Speakers receive full audio processing and transmission, while listeners receive optimized text-based transmissions that are converted to speech. This local quality differentiation allows the system to maintain communication reliability for all users while significantly reducing channel resource consumption for the majority of listeners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameter from audio format to text format for listener communications. By transmitting text instead of audio to listeners and using speech synthesis at the receiving end, the system dramatically reduces the bandwidth and power requirements for listener channels while maintaining the essential communication function.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, various methods, and a specific apparatus are provided for the purpose of supporting push-to-talk (PTT) service for a very large group featuring a significantly higher number of listeners than the number of potential talkers, as well as a constrained vocabulary in normal usage. The invention takes advantage of speech-to-text and text-to-speech conversion in end user devices for maximum utterance compression. The invention uses the Iridium Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) system and its Short Burst Data (SBD) service for unicast transmission of talker utterances to a PTT Server, and the same system's Global Data Broadcast (GDB) service for multicast retransmission of utterances from the PTT Server to an effectively unlimited number of listeners. The PTT Server provides priority ordering and preemption as necessary when multiple talkers provide near-simultaneous utterances, effectively managing the floor without interactive protocols among the talkers.