Centralized Virtual Session Media Stream Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current collaboration servers require separate services for different media types and protocols, leading to increased administration costs and complexity in managing virtual sessions with multiple participants.

Innovation Solution

A centralized process that evaluates individual participant requirements and network bandwidth to select the optimal media processing and signaling mode, using a generic signaling protocol for abstraction and conversion, allowing participants to connect via various protocols (VoIP/SIP, H323, web/http, WebRTC) and use their preferred clients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate collaboration services are provided for each media type and client, then the system can support specific media formats and protocols, but the device complexity and administration costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for specific media formats and protocolsVSAvoidnumber of separate collaboration services

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal collaboration service that can handle multiple media types (audio, video, data) and protocols (SIP, H.323, HTTP, WebRTC) through a single unified system. The service uses media processing modules that can dynamically adapt to different media formats and signaling protocols, eliminating the need for separate specialized services for each media type while maintaining full compatibility with various protocols and formats

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a media processing module as an intermediary between the collaboration service and participants' terminals. This mediator handles protocol conversion, media format transformation, and bandwidth adaptation, allowing the unified collaboration service to communicate effectively with diverse clients using different protocols and formats without requiring separate services for each type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If separate collaboration services are installed and maintained for each media type, then specific media requirements can be met, but the administration costs and maintenance burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeeting specific media requirementsVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate collaboration services into a single unified service that handles audio, video, data sharing, and various protocols through integrated media processing modules. This consolidation reduces the number of services that need to be installed, configured, and maintained, thereby lowering administration costs and maintenance burden while still meeting specific media requirements through the flexible media processing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a centralized process evaluates each participant's terminal and network bandwidth, then the optimal media processing mode can be selected, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimal media processing selectionVSAvoidevaluation and selection process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary evaluation of each participant's terminal capabilities and network bandwidth during the session setup phase. The media processing module collects information about supported formats, processing capabilities, and network conditions before the actual media transmission begins. This preliminary assessment allows the system to pre-select the optimal media processing mode for each participant, avoiding the need for complex real-time adjustments during the session

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11336474B2Collaboration system for a virtual session with multiple types of media streams

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 RINGCENTRAL INC

AI summary

A method for controlling data streams of a virtual session with several participants who access at least access one application in the virtual session can include use of a selected media processing and a signaling mode in a centralized process for each participant according to the individual requirements of the participant. The process can be controlled by a server. The selection of the media processing and/or signaling mode can be made on the basis of an evaluation of the terminal of the respective participant and the network bandwidth available to the respective participant. An evaluation scheme with a plurality of evaluation criteria can be provided for the evaluation, and possible media processing and/or signaling modes are ascertained for the respective participant.