Relay Device Dynamic Group Management Voice Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voice communication systems lack the flexibility for users to form arbitrary groups, limiting the freedom of group communication among terminal devices connected over a network.

Innovation Solution

A voice communication system that allows users to dynamically select and change user groups, enabling flexible group communication by transmitting group membership information from terminal devices to a server, which manages and facilitates communication sessions without the need for pre-defined groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If groups are pre-defined and registered in the main control device, then system management is simplified, but user freedom to form arbitrary groups is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser freedom to form groupsVSAvoidgroup management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic group formation where terminal devices can freely join or leave groups at any time during communication sessions. The group composition is not fixed but can be dynamically adjusted by users, allowing arbitrary groups to be formed without pre-definition. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by enabling user freedom while the server automatically manages the changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between terminal devices and the main control device. The server handles the complexity of group management, membership tracking, and communication routing, freeing terminal devices from direct management complexity. This intermediary absorbs the management burden while enabling flexible user-driven group formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If terminal devices can freely change groups dynamically, then communication flexibility is enhanced, but system control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegroup switching flexibilityVSAvoidsystem control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables terminal devices to autonomously initiate group changes and join/leave groups without requiring complex approval processes or manual intervention from system administrators. Each terminal device can independently manage its own group memberships by sending simple join/leave requests to the server, which automatically processes these requests. This self-service mechanism enhances operational flexibility while keeping system control manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The server implements automatic feedback mechanisms that track group membership changes in real-time. When a terminal device joins or leaves a group, the server automatically updates the group composition, notifies relevant devices, and adjusts communication routing. This automated feedback loop handles the control complexity behind the scenes while presenting a simple interface to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple groups are managed with arbitrary members, then communication versatility improves, but information management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegroup communication versatilityVSAvoidgroup membership tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as a central intermediary that maintains accurate records of all group memberships and communication sessions. It tracks which terminal devices belong to which groups, manages the allocation of communication resources, and ensures that information is correctly routed to the right groups. This centralized tracking prevents information loss while enabling versatile multi-group communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server implements a universal group management system that handles multiple groups with arbitrary compositions through a single unified mechanism. The same server infrastructure manages all groups, tracks all memberships, and routes all communications, regardless of group size or composition. This universal approach prevents information loss by using a consistent tracking method across all groups while maintaining communication versatility.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3226526B1Relay device, voice communication system, voice communication method and program
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 ICOM INC
  • EP3226526B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3226526B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3226526B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

[Problem] To enable group communication with a high degree of freedom in a voice communication system in which a relay device and a terminal device are connected over a communication network. [Solution] A voice communication system comprises a terminal device and a relay device which transmit and receive a voice signal with each other over a network. The relay device has a group table. The terminal device transmits, to the relay device, specifying information specifying a group to which the terminal device belongs. When receiving the specifying information from the terminal device, the relay device registers the terminal device in the group table, so as to belong to the designated group. The terminal device transmits, to the relay device, a voice signal destined to the group to which the terminal device belongs. When receiving, from the terminal device, the voice signal destined to the belonging group, the relay device transfers the voice signal to another terminal device belonging to the specified group.