Interactive Avatar Communication for Low-Bandwidth Video Calls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video communication technologies face bandwidth limitations, particularly with 2G/3G/4G wireless technologies, leading to degraded video call quality due to the high data transmission requirements of live images.

Innovation Solution

Implementing interactive avatars that reduce data transmission by using graphical representations animated based on user inputs and audio transformations, allowing communication over limited bandwidth networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If live video images are transmitted in real-time, then communication quality and user experience are improved, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses avatars as simplified copies of users instead of transmitting actual video images. The avatar system captures user inputs (gestures, expressions) and reproduces them through animated character representations, maintaining communication quality while dramatically reducing data transmission requirements compared to live video streaming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the communication medium from high-bandwidth video streams to low-bandwidth avatar parameters. By changing the representation parameters from pixel data to animated character state data (positions, expressions, gestures), the system maintains expressive communication capability while reducing bandwidth consumption by orders of magnitude

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If avatar animations are made highly interactive and responsive, then user experience is enhanced, but device complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidprocessing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the avatar animation system into distinct functional modules: input capture module (detecting user gestures and expressions), animation rule module (applying predefined animation rules), and rendering module (displaying the animated avatar). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enhancing user experience while managing device complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining animation rules and avatar behaviors before runtime. Instead of complex real-time processing, the system uses pre-programmed animation sequences and response patterns that automatically execute based on detected user inputs, reducing processing requirements while maintaining high interactivity and user experience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12556659B2Communication using interactive avatars

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Generally this disclosure describes a video communication system that replaces actual live images of the participating users with animated avatars. A method may include selecting an avatar; initiating communication; detecting a user input; identifying the user input; identifying an animation command based on the user input; generating avatar parameters; and transmitting at least one of the animation command and the avatar parameters.