Dynamic Bitrate Control for VoIP Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice call technologies over packet-switched networks face challenges in dynamically adjusting bitrate to optimize voice quality and efficiency, particularly during changes in communication environments, such as silent sections in VoIP calls.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a sound receiving circuit, communication circuit, and processor that makes a packet-based call, determines communication environment changes, identifies silent sections, and adjusts the bitrate from a first to a second bitrate based on these conditions to improve communication quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bitrate is increased to improve voice quality, then voice quality is improved, but network efficiency deteriorates due to increased data transmission during silent sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bitrate adjustment by detecting silent sections in the audio stream and switching between first bitrate (during speech) and second bitrate (during silence). The processor continuously monitors audio characteristics and adapts the encoding bitrate in real-time, transforming the static bitrate system into a dynamic one that responds to actual voice activity, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining voice quality and improving network efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bitrate parameter based on voice activity detection. During silent sections, the system switches from a first bitrate to a second bitrate (lower than the first), and during active speech, it switches back to the first bitrate. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize the balance between voice quality and network resource consumption by adapting the bitrate to actual communication needs.
2Productivity
If bitrate is decreased to improve network efficiency, then network efficiency is improved, but voice quality deteriorates during active speech sections
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts bitrate based on real-time voice activity detection. During active speech sections, the processor switches to the first (higher) bitrate to ensure voice quality, while during silent sections, it switches to the second (lower) bitrate to improve network efficiency. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by ensuring high quality only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by switching between two bitrate values based on voice activity. The processor detects the presence or absence of voice signals and accordingly changes the bitrate parameter: using first bitrate during speech and second bitrate during silence. This selective parameter change ensures voice quality is maintained during active communication while improving network efficiency during silent periods.
3Device complexity
If constant bitrate is used to simplify system complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing communication environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic bitrate control mechanism that automatically adapts to changing communication environments. The processor detects voice activity and environmental conditions, then dynamically switches between first and second bitrates. This dynamic approach enhances environmental adaptability while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through automated detection and switching logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously monitors voice activity and communication conditions, then uses this information to adjust the bitrate accordingly. The feedback loop detects silent sections and active speech, triggering appropriate bitrate changes. This feedback-driven adaptation enables the system to respond to environmental changes without requiring complex manual configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bitrate switching is implemented to improve adaptability, then environmental adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional detection and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves environmental adaptability through dynamic bitrate switching based on voice activity detection. The processor implements detection mechanisms that identify silent sections and active speech, then automatically switches between first and second bitrates. This dynamic system provides high adaptability while keeping complexity manageable through automated control logic that responds to clear voice activity signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from voice activity detection to control bitrate switching. The processor monitors the audio stream for presence or absence of voice signals and uses this feedback to trigger bitrate changes. This feedback mechanism provides adaptability without requiring complex decision-making algorithms, as the switching is driven by clear, detectable voice activity patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device including a sound receiving circuit, a communication circuit, a processor, and a memory. The memory may store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to control the electronic device to: make a packet based call with an external electronic device using the communication circuit, to obtain communication environment information of the electronic device, to determine a change in a bitrate of the packet based call based on the obtained communication environment information, to identify whether a voice is received through the sound receiving circuit, and to change the bitrate of the packet based call from a first bitrate to a second bitrate based on a silent section in which the voice is not received through the sound receiving circuit being identified.