Bridging Video Conference System Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video conference room systems are limited by their dedication to a single software platform, requiring users to interact with unfamiliar interfaces, are expensive to deploy and maintain, and restrict multiple simultaneous content sharing within a meeting.

Innovation Solution

A bridging video conference system that allows users to host meetings using a client device, detecting calendar invitations to launch video conference software and enabling multiple devices to share content without joining the conference separately, supporting various video conference applications and devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated video conference room system is used for a single software platform, then the system provides specialized functionality for that platform, but it cannot access or join conferences from other video conference services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform compatibilityVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud-based intermediary service that acts as a bridge between the dedicated room system and multiple video conference platforms. The room system connects to the cloud service, which handles platform-specific protocols and transcoding, allowing the room system to join conferences from any supported platform without direct integration with each platform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud-based service provides universal access to multiple video conference platforms (Skype, Zoom, GoToMeeting, etc.) through a single room system interface. The system can dynamically adapt to different platform requirements while maintaining a consistent user experience across all platforms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a dedicated video conference room system with specialized interface is deployed, then the system provides optimized conferencing functionality, but users unfamiliar with the specific interface experience difficulty operating the system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface familiarityVSAvoidplatform-specific optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud service acts as an intermediary that translates between the universal room system interface and platform-specific interfaces. Users interact with a familiar, consistent interface in the room system, while the cloud service handles platform-specific interactions, combining ease of operation with platform optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the user interface layer (in the room system) from the platform-specific protocol layer (in the cloud service). This segmentation allows the interface to be optimized for ease of use while the backend handles platform-specific complexities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If multiple users in the room want to share content simultaneously, then collaboration efficiency increases, but dedicated video conference software only allows one content source to be shared at a time requiring coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent sharing efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple content sources from different devices in the room into a single unified content stream. Multiple users can share their screens simultaneously on local displays, and the cloud service manages the aggregation and transmission of multiple content sources to remote participants without requiring users to coordinate turns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If a dedicated video conferencing host system or room PC is purchased and maintained, then the system provides stable conferencing functionality, but the deployment and maintenance costs are high making them unsuitable for small and informal spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconferencing stabilityVSAvoiddeployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system leverages the existing computing resources of users' personal devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) to provide conferencing functionality. Instead of requiring a dedicated host system, any device with a web browser can function as a conferencing endpoint, eliminating hardware costs while maintaining reliability through cloud-based processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces expensive, permanent dedicated conferencing hardware with inexpensive, readily available personal devices. Users can bring their own devices to informal meetings without requiring permanent installation of specialized equipment, dramatically reducing deployment costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11012665B2Bridging video conference room system and associated methods

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 MERSIVE TECH

AI summary

A bridging video conference room system and method provides for using a client device to leverage the conference room infrastructure to hold a video conference with remote users. A user may indicate an intent to host a video conference to a room-host device, which may then detect and parse a calendar invitation to cause the video conference software to launch on the user's client device as a host of the meeting. Other client devices may share content to the video conference by sharing to the bridging video conference room system without joining the video conference separately.