Rescue Vehicle Interface Router for Multi-Party Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems in rescue vehicles lack flexibility, as they typically operate on a one-to-one basis, preventing simultaneous communication between multiple transmitters and receivers, and do not allow for broadcasting signals to multiple recipients or managing complete audio communication effectively.

Innovation Solution

A communication system with a flexible interface router that connects multiple speech input channels to multiple speech output channels, enabling simultaneous communication between multiple transmitters and receivers, and allowing for broadcasting signals, regardless of signal transmission modes or compatibility, using a programmable integrated circuit connected to an internal bus system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a one-to-one communication channel is used between transmitter and receiver, then the communication connection is simple and reliable, but the flexibility to address multiple receivers or enable simultaneous communication between multiple participants is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in addressing receiversVSAvoidcommunication system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface router is designed as a universal communication device that can handle multiple communication modes simultaneously: one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many communications. It provides a unified interface that adapts to different communication requirements without needing separate dedicated systems for each mode, thereby achieving multi-functionality in a single device.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The interface router acts as an intermediary between transmitters and receivers, managing all communication routing centrally. Instead of direct peer-to-peer connections, all communication flows through the router which intelligently directs signals to appropriate receivers based on the selected communication mode, enabling flexible addressing while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmitters and receivers are connected simultaneously, then communication flexibility is improved, but managing complete audio communication and signal routing becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous communication capabilityVSAvoidsignal management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface router incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the communication state and automatically adjust signal routing. When multiple transmitters and receivers are active, the router receives feedback about which participants should communicate, and dynamically configures the audio paths without requiring manual intervention, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining simultaneous communication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system is designed to be dynamic, allowing the router to reconfigure audio paths in real-time based on operational needs. The system can switch between different communication modes (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many) dynamically during rescue operations, adapting to changing situations without requiring system reconfiguration or interrupting ongoing communications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If broadcast signals are transmitted to multiple receivers, then information dissemination is improved, but the ability to manage selective communication becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmission efficiencyVSAvoidselective communication control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The interface router segments the audio communication system into independently controllable channels, where each receiver can be selectively addressed or grouped. This segmentation allows the system to transmit broadcast signals to multiple receivers simultaneously while also enabling selective communication with individual receivers or specific groups, as the router can independently manage each audio path without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3412008B1Communication system of a rescue vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 IVECO MAGIRUS AG
  • EP3412008B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3412008B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Communication system of a rescue vehicle, comprising a plurality of speech input channels and a plurality of speech output channels, and an interface router connecting the plurality of speech input channels and the plurality of speech output channels in a way that each of the plurality of speech input channels can be linked to communicate with a plurality of the speech output channels at the same time.