System and method for communication channel and device control via an existing audio channel

• US 7,821,918 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2003
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polycom Incorporated (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Rodman, Jeffrey, Drell, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo; Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONGCHAU BA
• Application Number:
  US10/378,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20040022272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,794 Days
• Field of Search: 370/202, 370204-205, 370212-213, 370260-261, 370412-418, 370/443, 370/468, 370/494, 348/14.01, 348/14.09, 348/14.1, 348 1411- 1413
• US Class Current: 370/212
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6025 implemented as integrated speech networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/568 audio processing specific to telephonic conferencing, e.g. spatial distribution, mixing of participants echo suppression in two-way loud-speaking telephone systems H04M9/02; sound field processing per se H04S7/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0057 Services where the data services network provides a telephone service in addition or as an alternative, e.g. for backup purposes, to the telephone service provided by the telephone services network

Abstract

A system and method for communication channel and device control via an existing audio channel. A combined communication signal is received from a communication device comprising an audio signal and a modulated carrier signal via an audio channel. The audio signal is separated from the carrier signal. Digital data is extracted from the carrier signal. Device control is performed utilizing the extracted digital data.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a communication channel or a connected conference device via an audio channel, comprising:

receiving an audio signal;

receiving control data, wherein the control data is to control the communication channel or the connected conference device;

modulating the control data onto an audio carrier signal;

combining the modulated audio carrier signal and the audio signal to form a new audio signal, wherein the modulated carrier signal is embedded in the audio signal at a very low amplitude, making the modulated carrier signal amplitude undetectable by a human ear; and

sending the new audio signal to the connected conference device via the audio channel wherein the control data includes a command to establishing a new communication channel in addition to the audio channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications channel is an IP connection.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications channel is established with a multimedia conference bridge.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio channel is a POTS connection.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the control data include commands to manipulate one or more functionalities of the connected conference device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the control data include commands to manipulate one or more functionalities of a second device coupled to the connected conference device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the new audio signal by the connected conference device via the audio channel;

separating the audio signal and the modulated audio carrier signal from the new audio signal;

demodulating the modulated audio carrier signal to extract the control data; and

performing a device control function or a communication channel control function indicated by the control data at the connected conference device.

8. A method for controlling a communication channel or a conference device via an audio channel by a remote conference device, comprising:

receiving an audio signal via the audio channel from the remote conference device, wherein the audio signal contains a modulated audio carrier signal and another audio signal, wherein the modulated audio carrier signal is embedded in the audio signal at a very low amplitude, making the modulated carrier signal amplitude undetectable by a human ear before being separated from the audio signal;

separating the audio signal into the other audio signal and the modulated audio carrier signal;

demodulating the audio carrier signal and extract digital data, wherein the digital data includes a command to control a device function;

performing the device control function indicated by the control data; and

producing sound of the other audio signal through a loudspeaker, wherein the device control function is to establish a new communication channel in addition to the audio channel.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the communications channel is an IP connection.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the communications channel is established with a multimedia conference bridge.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the audio channel is a POTS connection.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein another local conference device is coupled to the conference device, the method further comprising:

manipulating one or more functionalities of the other local conference device as indicated by the control data.

13. A conference device for controlling a communication channel or a connected far end conference device via an audio channel, the conference device comprising:

a microphone to generate an audio signal;

an interface to couple with the far end conference device via the audio channel; and

a processing module coupled to the microphone and the interface;

wherein the processing module is operable to,

issue control data which is a command to control a functionality of the far end conference device;

receive the audio signal from the microphone;

modulate the control data onto an audio carrier signal;

combine the modulated audio carrier signal and the audio signal to form a new audio signal, wherein the modulated carrier signal is embedded in the audio signal at a very low amplitude, making the modulated carrier signal amplitude undetectable by a human ear; and

send the new audio signal to the connected far end conference device via the audio channel, wherein the control data includes a command to establishing a new communication channel in addition to the audio channel.

14. The conference device of claim 13, wherein the communications channel is an IP connection.

15. The conference device of claim 13, wherein the communications channel is established with a multimedia conference bridge.

16. The conference device of claim 13, wherein the audio channel is a POTS connection.

17. The conference device of claim 13, wherein the control data include commands to manipulate one or more functionalities of the connected device.

18. The conference device of claim 13, wherein the control data include commands to manipulate one or more functionalities of a second device coupled to the connected device.

19. A conference device operable to be controlled by a remote conference device connected via an audio channel, the conference device comprising:

a loudspeaker;

an interface to couple with the far end conference device via the audio channel; and

a processing module coupled to the loudspeaker and the interface,

wherein the processing module is operable to,

receive an audio signal via the audio channel from the remote conference device, wherein the audio signal contains a modulated audio carrier signal and another audio signal, wherein the modulated audio carrier signal is embedded in the audio signal at a very low amplitude, making the modulated carrier signal amplitude undetectable by a human ear before being separated from the audio signal;

separate the audio signal into the other audio signal and a modulated audio carrier signal;

demodulate the audio carrier signal and extract digital data, wherein the digital data includes commands to control device functions;

perform a device control function indicated by the control data; and

send the other audio signal to a loudspeaker, wherein the device control function is to establish a new communication channel in addition to the audio channel.

20. The conference device of claim 19, wherein the communications channel is an IP connection.

21. The conference device of claim 19, wherein the communications channel is established with a multimedia conference bridge.

22. The conference device of claim 19, wherein the audio channel is a POTS connection.

23. The conference device of claim 19, wherein another local device is coupled to the conference device, the processing module is further operable to:

manipulate one or more functionalities of the other local device as indicated by the control data.

24. A conference system for controlling one conference device by another via an audio channel, the conference system comprising:

a local conference device includes;

a microphone to generate an audio signal;

an interface; and

a processing module coupled to the microphone and the interface; and

a remote conference device includes;

a loudspeaker;

an interface; and

a processing module coupled to the loudspeaker and the interface,

wherein the interfaces of the local conference device and the remote device are connected through an audio channel;

wherein the processing module in the local conference device is operable to,

issue control data which is a command to control a functionality of the remote conference device;

receive the audio signal from the microphone;

modulate the control data onto an audio carrier signal;

combine the modulated audio carrier signal and the audio signal to form a new audio signal, wherein the modulated carrier signal is embedded in the audio signal at a very low amplitude, making the modulated carrier signal amplitude undetectable by a human ear;

send the new audio signal to the connected far end conference device via the audio channel; and

wherein the processing module in the remote conference device is operable to,

receive the new audio signal via the audio channel;

separate the new audio signal into the audio signal and the modulated audio carrier signal;

demodulate the audio carrier signal and extract digital data;

perform a device control function indicated by the control data; and

send the audio signal to the loudspeaker, wherein the device control function is to establish a new communication channel in addition to the audio channel.

25. The conference system of claim 24, wherein the communications channel is an IP connection.

26. The conference system of claim 24, wherein the communications channel is established with a multimedia conference bridge.

27. The conference system of claim 24, wherein the audio channel is a POTS connection.

28. The conference system of claim 24, further comprising:

a second remote conference device coupled to the remote conference device,

wherein the remote conference device is operable to manipulate one or more functionalities of the second remote conference device as indicated by the control data.

29. A method for controlling a communication channel or a connected conference device via an audio channel, comprising:

receiving an audio signal;

receiving control data, wherein the control data is to control the communication channel or the connected conference device;

modulating the control data onto an audio carrier signal;

combining the modulated audio carrier signal and the audio signal to form a new audio signal, wherein the modulated carrier signal is embedded in the audio signal at a very low amplitude, making the modulated carrier signal amplitude undetectable by a human ear; and

sending the new audio signal to the connected conference device via the audio channel wherein the control data includes a command to establishing a new communication channel in addition to the audio channel.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the communications channel is an IP connection.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the communications channel is established with a multimedia conference bridge.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the audio channel is a POTS connection.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the control data include commands to manipulate one or more functionalities of the connected conference device.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the control data include commands to manipulate one or more functionalities of a second device coupled to the connected conference device.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

receiving the new audio signal by the connected conference device via the audio channel;

separating the audio signal and the modulated audio carrier signal from the new audio signal;

demodulating the modulated audio carrier signal to extract the control data; and

performing a device control function or a communication channel control function indicated by the control data at the connected conference device.

36. A conference device for controlling a communication channel or a connected far end conference device via an audio channel, the conference device comprising:

a microphone to generate an audio signal;

an interface to couple with the far end conference device via the audio channel; and

a processing module coupled to the microphone and the interface;

wherein the processing module is operable to,

issue control data which is a command to control a functionality of the far end conference device;

receive the audio signal from the microphone;

modulate the control data onto an audio carrier signal;

combine the modulated audio carrier signal and the audio signal to form a new audio signal, wherein the modulated carrier signal is embedded in the audio signal at a very low amplitude, making the modulated carrier signal amplitude undetectable by a human ear; and

send the new audio signal to the connected far end conference device via the audio channel, wherein the control data includes a command to establishing a new communication channel in addition to the audio channel.

37. The conference device of claim 36, wherein the communications channel is an IP connection.

38. The conference device of claim 36, wherein the communications channel is established with a multimedia conference bridge.

39. The conference device of claim 36, wherein the audio channel is a POTS connection.

40. The conference device of claim 36, wherein the control data include commands to manipulate one or more functionalities of the connected device.

41. The conference device of claim 36, wherein the control data include commands to manipulate one or more functionalities of a second device coupled to the connected device.