Mute processing apparatus and method for automatically sending mute frames

Abstract

A mute processing method used in a multi-person communication system is provided. The method is capable of automatically sending mute frames when there are no sound inputs from terminals of the multi-person communication system. The method includes the steps of: collecting input signals from a microphone; calculating an energy level of the input signals within a time span; sending a mute frame if the energy levels of the input signals within previous continuous time spans are less than a predetermined energy level and the energy level of the input signals within the time span is still less than the predetermined energy level, otherwise, coding the input signals within the time span; and outputting the mute frame or coded signals. A related apparatus is also provided.

1 . A mute processing apparatus for automatically sending mute frames during a multi-person communication over a network, the apparatus comprising: 
 a sampling unit, for collecting input signals from a microphone;    an energy calculating unit, for calculating an energy level of the input signals within a time span;    a coding unit, for coding the input signals within the time span;    a processing unit, for sending a mute frame within the time span if the energy levels of the input signals within previous continuous time spans are less than a predetermined energy level and the energy level of the input signals within the time span is still less than the predetermined energy level, otherwise controlling the coding unit to code the input signals within the time span; and    an output unit, for outputting the mute frame from the processing unit or coded signals from the coding unit.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a counter for providing a value indicating a count of continuous time spans in which the energy levels are less than the predetermined energy level.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit sends the mute frame within the time span, if the value of the counter is equal to a predetermined value and the energy level of the input signals within the time span is less than the predetermined energy level.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the value of the counter increases by one if the energy level of the input signals within the time span is less than the predetermined energy level.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the processing unit resets the value of the counter if the energy level of the input signals within the time span is equal to or greater than the predetermined energy level.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a volatile storage unit for storing the input signals of each time span and the energy level of the input signals of each time span.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a non-volatile storage unit for storing the predetermined energy level and the predetermined value.  
   
   
       8 . A mute processing method for automatically sending mute frames during a multi-person communication over a network, the method comprising the steps of: collecting input signals from a microphone; 
 calculating an energy level of input signals within a time span;    sending a mute frame if the energy levels of the input signals within previous continuous time spans are less than a predetermined energy level and the energy level of the input signals within the time span is still less than the predetermined energy level, otherwise, coding the input signals within the time span; and    outputting the mute frame or coded signals.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising the step of: providing a counter with a value indicating a count of continuous time spans in which the energy levels are less than the predetermined energy level.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the sending step further comprising the step of: sending the mute frame if the value of the counter is equal to a predetermined value and the energy level of the input signals is less than the predetermined energy level.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: increasing the value of the counter by one if the energy level of the input signals within the time span is less than the predetermined energy level.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of: resetting the value of the counter if the energy level of the input signals within the time span is equal to or greater than the predetermined energy level.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the step of: providing a volatile storage unit and a non-volatile storage unit, the volatile storage unit for storing the input signals of each time span and the energy level of the input signals of each time span, and the non-volatile storage unit for storing the predetermined energy level and the predetermined value.