VoIP Terminal Diversity Quality Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
End users participating in VoIP conferencing sessions face varying voice transmission quality across different terminals due to factors like network performance and codec algorithms, making it challenging to identify the terminal offering the best perceived quality.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically select the terminal with the highest Mean Opinion Score (MOS) by sending audio samples to each terminal, computing MOS, and calculating a switching relevance score to authorize a switch to the terminal with the best quality, ensuring improved voice transmission quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple terminals are used for VoIP session access, then terminal diversity and connection flexibility are improved, but identifying the terminal with best perceived quality becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective human perception of voice quality with an automated MOS (Mean Opinion Score) calculation system. The MOS calculator automatically computes quality metrics based on audio samples from multiple terminals, eliminating the need for manual quality assessment and simplifying the selection process among diverse terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
Each terminal independently provides audio samples that are automatically evaluated by the MOS calculator. The system self-assesses the quality of each terminal without requiring external intervention, enabling autonomous quality-based selection among multiple terminals.
2Measurement precision
If network performance parameters are used to select terminal, then measurement simplicity is improved, but perceived quality accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces network performance parameter measurements with actual audio sample analysis. Instead of measuring abstract network metrics, the system captures and evaluates actual audio transmissions from each terminal, providing a more accurate reflection of perceived voice quality while maintaining automated operation through MOS calculation.
3Measurement precision
If audio sampling and MOS calculation is performed for all terminals, then quality selection accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs MOS calculation on audio samples from multiple terminals but applies a threshold-based filtering approach. Terminals with MOS scores below a certain threshold are automatically eliminated, and switching is only initiated when a candidate terminal exceeds the threshold, reducing unnecessary processing while maintaining quality accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the switching relevance threshold based on current network conditions and terminal performance. By changing this parameter, the system can balance between quality accuracy and processing efficiency - raising the threshold reduces the number of terminals requiring full evaluation, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining selection quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The technology relates to a method for testing the quality of a VoIP communication link between a multipoint control unit (31) and a terminal (11, 12), the method being performed at the multipoint control unit (31) providing the capability for terminals (11, 12, 21, 81) to participate in a VoIP session, the method comprising: - sending an audio sample to the terminal (11, 12), - receiving a reception report from the terminal (11, 12), the reception report containing reception statistics for the audio sample, - computing a Mean opinion score – i.e. MOS - based on the reception report.