Automatic Camera Selection for Asynchronous Video Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

VoIP video communications face challenges such as the need for synchronized user presence, high-end devices, and high bandwidth, as well as difficulties in initiating and maintaining video calls across varying time zones and device capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A video messaging application that enables asynchronous exchange of short video messages, allowing automatic camera mode selection, single-action recording and sending, and visual annotation of conversation status, with features like filmstrip playback and preemptive processing to facilitate easy use on lower-end devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synchronous video communication is used, then real-time interaction and video intimacy are achieved, but user convenience and accessibility are reduced due to synchronized presence requirements and high device specifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo intimacyVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to record video messages in advance and send them asynchronously. The video message is captured, stored, and transmitted without requiring the recipient to be present at the same time, thus preserving video intimacy while greatly improving convenience and accessibility across time zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional camera selection interface is used, then camera mode can be selected, but user interaction complexity increases when holding the device with one hand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera mode selectionVSAvoidsingle-hand operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the user's holding posture and orientation to determine whether the front or rear camera should be used. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual camera selection, greatly simplifying operation when the user is holding the device with one hand while maintaining adaptability to different usage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3103251B1Automatic camera selection
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3103251B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3103251B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3103251B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various embodiments enable a video messaging experience which permits the exchange of short video messages in an asynchronous manner. The video messaging experience preserves the video intimacy and experience of synchronous-type video communications, while at the same time provides the convenience of SMS-type message exchange.