Virtual Channel Speaker Identification in Audio Conferencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

During media conferences, it is challenging to determine which participant is speaking, which hinders effective communication, especially in scenarios without video and when participants are unfamiliar with each other.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that simulate a virtual communication channel for each participant, using a communication module to identify the speaking participant by communicating audio input over a separate virtual channel, allowing other devices to determine the speaker's identity through unique IP addresses and directional triangulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single shared communication channel is used for all participants, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to identify the speaking participant deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication channel structureVSAvoidspeaker identity information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single shared communication channel into multiple separate virtual communication channels, with each participant having their own dedicated channel. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple channel architecture while enabling speaker identification through channel differentiation, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If virtual communication channels are created for each participant, then speaker identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeaker identity informationVSAvoidcommunication channel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces virtual communication channels as intermediary structures that mediate between participants and the communication system. These virtual channels serve as information carriers that enable speaker identification without requiring complex physical infrastructure, thus improving information retention while managing device complexity through software-based abstraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If audio input is communicated over separate virtual channels, then communication efficiency is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidaudio signal differentiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning unique characteristics to each virtual communication channel, such as distinct IP addresses or channel identifiers. This allows the system to maintain high communication efficiency through dedicated channels while managing measurement precision requirements through standardized channel identification protocols rather than requiring complex audio signal differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9106717B2Speaking participant identification

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

For speaking participant identification, a communication module simulates a virtual communication channel for each participant in a media conference. An identification module identifies a speaking participant. The communication module further communicates audio input over the virtual communication channel for the speaking participant.