Communication Apparatus Selective Codec Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional IP-FAX systems are limited by slow processing speeds due to software codecs, which fail to utilize the high-speed capabilities of IP networks, leading to increased costs from time-based charging and inability to exceed 14400 bps when communicating with analog facsimile machines, and require dedicated hardware codecs for multi-session communications, making them costly.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a first codec unit for encoding and decoding images and a second codec unit that operates at higher speeds, allowing selective use of hardware or software codecs based on network type and communication speed thresholds to optimize performance and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a software codec is used for image encoding and decoding, then the device cost is reduced, but the processing speed becomes too slow to utilize the high-speed IP network performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between software codec and hardware codec based on communication speed requirements and network conditions. The control unit determines whether to use the software codec (first codec unit) or hardware codec (second codec unit) depending on whether the communication speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, allowing the system to adapt its resource allocation to current operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of codec selection based on communication speed thresholds. When communication speed exceeds the threshold, the hardware codec is activated to provide high-speed processing; when below the threshold, the software codec is used to reduce device cost and complexity. This parameter-based selection resolves the contradiction between cost and performance.
2Productivity
If a hardware codec is equipped for each communication line to enable multi-session communications, then the processing speed is improved, but the device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions by dynamically allocating the single hardware codec resource across different communication sessions. Instead of requiring dedicated hardware codecs for each line, the control unit manages the shared hardware codec to handle multiple sessions sequentially, making the hardware resource universal and applicable to various communication scenarios without increasing device cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by seamlessly switching between software and hardware codecs based on session requirements. The control unit ensures that high-speed hardware codec processing is applied continuously to sessions that require it, while lower-speed sessions utilize the software codec, maintaining optimal performance across all active communications without idle hardware resources.
3Ease of manufacture
If communication speed is reduced due to software codec processing, then device cost is reduced, but communication charges increase due to time-based charging on the public IP network
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the codec selection parameter based on network charging conditions. When communicating over the public IP network where time-based charging applies, the system activates the hardware codec to increase processing speed and reduce communication time, thereby reducing communication charges. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between device cost and operational cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus which is capable of selectively using codecs appropriately. The communication apparatus is provided with a software codec configured to encode and decode images and a hardware codec configured to encode and decode images at higher speed than the software codec. In facsimile communication with an IP-FAX machine connected to an IP network, the communication apparatus causes the hardware codec to encode or decode an image. In facsimile communication with an analog facsimile machine connected to an analog network, the communication apparatus causes the software codec to encode or decode the image.