Relay Device Selection for Balanced Video Conference Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current television conference systems experience delays in image and sound data transmission over communication networks, especially when conducting multiple conferences or transmitting data across long distances, leading to unsatisfactory user experiences due to imbalanced content data distribution among relay devices.

Innovation Solution

A transmission control system that selects a relay device based on zone identification information and priority information stored in a database, ensuring balanced high-quality content data transmission by considering the priorities of both the requesting terminal and the destination terminal, and dynamically adjusting image quality according to network conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a relay device close to the first transmission terminal is selected to transmit high-quality image data, then image quality is improved, but the distance to the second transmission terminal increases causing unbalanced transmission quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddistance to second terminal
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the selection parameters for relay devices based on multiple factors including distance to both terminals, current load status, and communication quality metrics. Instead of using a fixed selection criterion (closest to first terminal), the system adjusts parameters to evaluate overall communication balance across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The relay device selection moves from a one-dimensional approach (distance from first terminal only) to a multi-dimensional evaluation that considers distance to both terminals, current load conditions, and network communication quality. This dimensional expansion enables balanced selection that optimizes overall system performance rather than local optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple television conferences are conducted simultaneously via the communication network, then communication capacity is increased, but delay in reception of image and sound data occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoiddata reception delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device selection system dynamically adapts to changing network conditions and load states. When multiple conferences are conducted simultaneously, the system continuously monitors communication quality and delays, adjusting relay device assignments in real-time to balance load and minimize reception delays across all active conferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor communication quality, delay metrics, and relay device load status. This feedback information is used to continuously optimize relay device selection, ensuring that when multiple conferences run simultaneously, the system can redistribute load to prevent excessive delays while maintaining high communication capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If relay devices are used to distribute load among television conference terminals, then load on each relay device is reduced, but selection of appropriate relay device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload distributionVSAvoidrelay device selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Relay devices autonomously monitor their own load status, communication quality, and performance metrics. Each relay device self-evaluates its suitability for relaying specific conference traffic based on current conditions, reducing the need for complex centralized selection algorithms while maintaining effective load distribution across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3149935B1Transmission control system, transmission system, relay device selecting method, computer program product
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3149935B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3149935B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3149935B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4

AI summary

A transmission control system includes: a storage unit that stores therein zone identification information for identifying a zone in which each of transmission terminals is used, and priority information that indicates a priority at which a transmission terminal indicated by the zone identification information should use each of a plurality of relay devices, in association with each other; a reception unit that receives, from a first transmission terminal, first zone identification information for identifying a zone in which the first transmission terminal is used and second zone identification information for identifying a zone in which a second transmission terminal as a destination terminal is used; and a selection unit that selects a relay device to be used for relaying the content data based on first priority information associated with the first zone identification information and second priority information associated with the second zone identification information in the storage unit.