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US6535521B1
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Distributed speech coder pool system with front-end idle mode processing for voice-over-IP communications
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1999-06-29
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Granted: 2003-03-18
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Expires: 2019-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for managing resources in a distributed Voice-over-IP (VoIP) speech coder pool arrangement including multiple speech coders each comprised of a first number of front-end modules and a second number of back-end modules. Each call session has assigned thereto a front-end module and a back-end module cooperatively functioning as a speech coder. In a preferred embodiment, voice samples are passed through the assigned front-end module to the back-end module where they are encoded and placed as speech frames on the IP network. As soon as absence of speech is detected by a Voice Activity Detector (which may or may not be shared by multiple front-end modules), processing is handed over to the front-end module freeing up the back-end module to sit idle resulting in reduced power consumption. In alternate embodiment, the freed-up back-end module is reassigned to a new VoIP call session for maximum resource utilization.
Inventors
- 👤 Rashad Barghouti
- 👤 John Jay Kaufman
- 👤 Farokh Parchekani
- 👤 John Crawford LeVieux
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
In a telephony gateway including a distributed speech coder pool system comprising a plurality of front-end modules and a plurality of back-end modules capable of contemporaneously servicing a plurality of Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) call sessions, a method of maintaining a physical layer link between the telephony gateway and users involved in a given call session for duration of call session, each call session being serviced by both a front-end module and a back-end module dynamically assigned thereto at call setup, the method comprising: (a) receiving, by a front-end module servicing a present call, non-coded speech frame information; (b) encoding, by a back-end module servicing the present call, the non-coded speech frame information to generate at least encoded speech frames in an internet protocol compatible format; (c) analyzing the non-coded speech frame information to identify a break in speech during the call session; (d) relinquishing control by the back-end module in response to a break in speech; (e) continuing to analyze subsequent non-coded speech information after the break in speech to identify when speech is transmitted; and (f) upon detecting that speech is transmitted, assigning a back-end module to generate associated encoded speech frames.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a telephony gateway including a distributed speech coder pool system comprising a plurality of front-end modules and a plurality of back-end modules capable of contemporaneously servicing a plurality of Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) call sessions, a method of maintaining a physical layer link between the telephony gateway and users involved in a given call session for duration of call session, each call session being serviced by both a front-end module and a back-end module dynamically assigned thereto at call setup, the method comprising: (a) receiving, by a front-end module servicing a present call, non-coded speech frame information; (b) encoding, by a back-end module servicing the present call, the non-coded speech frame information to generate at least encoded speech frames in an internet protocol compatible format; (c) analyzing the non-coded speech frame information to identify a break in speech during the call session; (d) relinquishing control by the back-end module in response to a break in speech; (e) continuing to analyze subsequent non-coded speech information after the break in speech to identify when speech is transmitted; and (f) upon detecting that speech is transmitted, assigning a back-end module to generate associated encoded speech frames.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the back-end module assigned in step (f) is different than the back-end module in step (b).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the back-end module assigned in step (f) is the same as the back-end module in step (b).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the back-end modules generate Silence Descriptor (SID) frames as well as encoded speech frames in response to non-coded speech frames received from associated front-end modules during transmission of speech.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-coded speech frames are sourced from a telephony device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the telephony device is coupled to the telephony gateway via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the telephony device is a wireline telephony device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the telephony device is a wireless telephony device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the telephony device is coupled to the telephony gateway via the a private telephony network capable of converting speech into packetized non-coded speech information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the telephony device is a wireline telephony device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the telephony device is a wireless telephony device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-coded speech frames are sourced from a PC user coupled to a modem.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the modem is a voice-band modem.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the modem is an xDSL type modem.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the analyzing steps are performed by a Voice Activity Detector (VAD) within the front-end module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the analyzing steps are performed by a Voice Activity Detector (VAD) located external to the front-end module.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the front-end module includes idle processing logic for coupling the front-end module to multiple back-end modules.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the front-end modules and the back-end modules include functionality to function as both front-end and back-end modules but not both simultaneously.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
175 words
A distributed speech coder pool system, for use in a telephony gateway, including a plurality of front-end modules and a plurality of back-end modules capable of contemporaneously servicing a plurality of Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) call sessions, the distributed speech coder pool system maintaining alive a physical layer link between the telephony gateway and users involved in a given call session for duration of call session, each call session being serviced by both a front-end module and a back-end module dynamically assigned thereto at call setup, the system comprising: (a) a front-end module for servicing during a present call non-coded speech frame information; (b) a back-end module for servicing during the present call the non-coded speech frame information to generate at least encoded speech frames in an internet protocol compatible format when the non-coded speech information includes speech; (c) a Voice Activity Detector (VAD) analyzing incoming non-coded speech frame information to be processed by the front end module to identify a break in speech during the call session and cause the back-end module to relinquish control.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
175 words
A distributed speech coder pool system, for use in a telephony gateway, including a plurality of front-end modules and a plurality of back-end modules capable of contemporaneously servicing a plurality of Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) call sessions, the distributed speech coder pool system maintaining alive a physical layer link between the telephony gateway and users involved in a given call session for duration of call session, each call session being serviced by both a front-end module and a back-end module dynamically assigned thereto at call setup, the system comprising: (a) a front-end module for servicing during a present call non-coded speech frame information; (b) a back-end module for servicing during the present call the non-coded speech frame information to generate at least encoded speech frames in an internet protocol compatible format when the non-coded speech information includes speech; (c) a Voice Activity Detector (VAD) analyzing incoming non-coded speech frame information to be processed by the front end module to identify a break in speech during the call session and cause the back-end module to relinquish control.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the back-end module includes a Comfort Noise generator (CNG) for generating Silence Descriptor (SID) frames.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the non-coded speech frames are sourced from a telephony device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein the telephony device is coupled to the telephony gateway via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the telephony device is a wireline telephony device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the telephony device is a wireless telephony device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein the telephony device is coupled to the telephony gateway via the a private telephony network capable of converting speech into packetized non-coded speech information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein the telephony device is a wireline telephony device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein the telephony device is a wireless telephony device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the non-coded speech frames are sourced from a PC user coupled to a modem.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein the modem is a voice-band modem.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein the modem is an xDSL type modem.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the (VAD) is located within the front-end module.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the (VAD) is located external to the front-end module.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the front-end module includes idle processing logic for coupling the front-end module to multiple back-end modules.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the front-end modules and the back-end modules include functionality to function as both front-end and back-end modules but not both simultaneously.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-17 | 2006-09-16 | 2007-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-17 | 2010-09-16 | 2011-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-17 | 2014-09-16 | 2015-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |