VoIP Quality Indicator for Handheld Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld electronic devices with VoIP capabilities do not effectively inform users about network congestion, leading to poor voice quality issues that users mistakenly attribute to device hardware rather than network conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that monitor voice data packet transmission for missing or delayed packets and provide a user indicator of poor voice service, distinguishing between network congestion and device signal strength issues, and also handle bandwidth allocation rejections in Quality of Service protocols to alert users of potential call quality issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If VoIP calls are transmitted over IP connections using best-effort packet switching, then device complexity and ease of operation are improved, but voice quality reliability deteriorates due to network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by providing a network congestion indicator to the user that reflects real-time network conditions. The system monitors packet transmission quality and feeds this information back to the user through a visual indicator, allowing them to understand why voice quality may be poor despite good signal strength. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while improving perceived reliability through informed user decision-making.
2Ease of operation
If a signal strength indicator is provided to users, then ease of operation is improved, but user understanding of actual call quality deteriorates due to confusion between signal strength and network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall call quality indicator into distinct components: signal strength indicator and network congestion indicator. By separating these previously conflated pieces of information, the system maintains ease of operation through clear visual indicators while preventing loss of information by providing distinct feedback about different aspects of call quality. Users can now distinguish between hardware-related signal issues and network-related congestion issues.
3Reliability
If bandwidth reservation systems are implemented for VoIP calls, then voice quality reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to QoS protocol requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the network congestion indicator as an intermediary that simplifies the complex QoS bandwidth reservation process for the user. Rather than requiring users to understand or configure complex QoS protocols, the system automatically monitors network conditions and provides a simple visual indicator. This intermediary layer maintains reliability by implementing QoS mechanisms while hiding device complexity from the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of placing a call from a handheld device to a receiving device using VoIP includes initiating the call, transmitting a plurality of voice data packets to the receiving device, determining whether the receiving device has detected one or more missing or delayed packets, and providing a poor voice service indicator if it is determined that the receiving device has detected one or more missing or delayed data packets. Also, a method of placing a call to a receiving device over a network system which allocates bandwidth includes sending a request to the network system for a bandwidth allocation for the telephone call, determining whether the request has been granted, providing a poor voice service indicator to the user of the handheld electronic device if it is determined that the request has not been granted, and transmitting a plurality of voice data packets to the receiving device.