UC Bridging Architecture for Multi-Client Audio Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unified Communications (UC) clients face limitations in interoperability due to the lack of standards for telephony controls and the inability to use multiple audio devices concurrently, requiring proprietary firmware and software for each client, and lacking the capability for multi-party bridged conference calls between different UC clients.
Innovation Solution
A UC bridging architecture that utilizes a virtual audio device driver interface to route audio streams and translate Human Interface Device (HID) commands to a common format, allowing multiple UC clients to share common interface devices and enabling audio bridging between clients, using a UC client driver module, UC audio assistant module, and device specific driver module to translate and route HID commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UC clients use proprietary firmware and software interfaces for each client, then each UC client can be supported, but device complexity increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal HID command set that allows a single audio device firmware to work with multiple UC clients (Skype, Lync, etc.). Instead of creating proprietary interfaces for each client, the device uses standardized HID commands that can be interpreted by different UC clients, making one firmware serve multiple functions and clients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a translation layer or adapter that mediates between the standardized HID commands from the audio device and the specific command requirements of different UC clients. This intermediary component enables compatibility without requiring separate firmware for each client.
2Ease of operation
If UC clients are developed to use only a single audio device, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio device functionality into multiple virtual audio devices or audio endpoints, each capable of being used independently by different UC clients concurrently. This allows the physical audio device to be divided into multiple logical devices that can be simultaneously accessed without conflict.
3Adaptability or versatility
If there are no standards for telephony controls, then vendor innovation is encouraged, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent standardizes the command interface by defining a common set of HID parameters and commands for telephony controls (dial, hangup, mute, etc.). This parameter standardization allows different vendors to implement their specific functionalities while maintaining a consistent interface that users can operate uniformly across different devices and clients.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a system and method that bridges communications between multiple unified communication (UC) clients. This disclosure provides a UC bridging tool configured to execute computer implemented instructions using the processor and memory. The processor is further configured to: receive UC client specific human interface device HID commands from a plurality of UC clients with a UC client driver module, wherein each UC client driver is configured to translate UC client specific human interface device (HID) commands for each UC client driver to a common format; receive HID commands in the common format and translate the HID commands from the common format into a device specific format with a UC audio assistant module; pass the HID commands in the device specific format to an output device with a device specific driver module that further comprises a set of device specific drivers.