Method and apparatus for voice latency reduction in a voice-over-data wireless communication system

• US 6,721,280 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2000
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Mauro, Anthony, Tomcik, James
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, DUC CHI
• Application Number:
  US09/551,920
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 370/229, 370/235, 370/465, 370/467, 370/412, 370/417, 370/332, 370/328, 370/335, 370/252, 370/253, 375/225, 704/200
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/18 Vocoders using multiple modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0014 by adapting the source coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing voice latency in a voice-over-data wireless communication system. In a transmitter, audio information to be transmitted is first encoded using a voice encoder operating in a first mode of operation. At least one operating parameter in the transmitter is measured by a processor, the least one operating parameter proportional to a latency between the transmitter and receiver. If the at least one operational parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold, the voice encoder is instructed to operate in a second mode of operation. When the at least one operational parameter falls below a second predetermined threshold, the voice encoder is instructed to operate in the first mode of operation.

Claims

1. A method for reducing voice latency in a voice-over-data wireless communication system, comprising the steps of:

operating a voice encoder in a first mode of operation in a transmitter;

measuring an operating parameter of said transmitter, said operating parameter proportional to a latency between said transmitter and a receiver;

operating said voice encoder in a second mode of operation if said operating parameter exceeds a first predetermined threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of operating said voice encoder in a first mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a first fixed data rate.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of operating said voice encoder in a first mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a first set of data rates.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of operating said voice encoder in a second mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a first predefined data rate.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of operating said voice encoder in a second mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a first set of data rates.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of operating said voice encoder in a first mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a first fixed data rate;

and

the step of operating said voice encoder in a second mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a second fixed data rate, said second fixed data rate less than said first fixed data rate.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of operating said voice encoder in a first mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a set of data rates;

and

the step of operating said voice encoder in a second mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a fixed data rate.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of operating said voice encoder in a first mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a fixed data rate;

and

the step of operating said voice encoder in a second mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a set of data rates.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of operating said voice encoder in a first mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a first set of data rates;

and

the step of operating said voice encoder in a second mode of operation comprises operating said voice encoder at a second set of data rates.

10. An apparatus for reducing voice latency in a voice-over-data wireless communication system, comprising:

a voice encoder for encoding audio information into data frames at a transmitter;

a processor for determining the value of an operating parameter within said transmitter, said operating parameter proportional to a latency between said transmitter and a receiver, said processor further for comparing said operating parameter to a predetermined threshold, said processor further for controlling said voice encoder to operate in a first mode of operation if said operating parameter is less than said predetermined threshold and for controlling said voice encoder to operate in a second mode of operation if said operating parameter is greater than said predetermined threshold.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first mode of operation comprises a fixed data rate.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first mode of operation comprises a set of data rates.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second mode of operation comprises a fixed data rate.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second mode of operation comprises a set of data rates.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:

said first mode of operation comprises a first fixed data rate; and

said second mode of operation comprises a second fixed data rate.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:

said first mode of operation comprises a fixed data rate; and

said second mode of operation comprises a set of data rates.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:

said first mode of operation comprises a first set of data rates; and

said second mode of operation comprises a second set of data rates.

18. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:

said first mode of operation comprises a set of data rates; and

said second mode of operation comprises a fixed data rate.