Chroma-Key Video Overlay on PC Desktop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Video calls are hindered by the inability to simultaneously display a large video window and a PC desktop on a shared monitor without compromising font legibility or allowing user interaction, due to limitations in video phone hardware and software integration with PC systems, especially when using dedicated video compression standards like H.264 or H.265.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables a video phone to connect to a PC and monitor via HDMI or similar, using a control application to open a chroma-keyed window on the desktop, allowing the video phone to overlay video content while maintaining PC functionality and user interaction, with the ability to scale, move, and hide the video window as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a dedicated monitor is used for video calls, then video quality and viewing experience are improved, but cost and desktop area utilization worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the PC desktop display and video call display by overlaying the video call interface on top of the existing PC desktop window. This allows a single monitor to serve dual purposes - displaying both the PC workspace and the video call participants simultaneously, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated monitor while maintaining good video quality on the available display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional display choice (either full PC screen or full video screen) to a three-dimensional compositional approach by overlaying the video call interface layer on top of the PC desktop layer. This dimensional stacking allows both displays to coexist on the same physical monitor without requiring additional hardware.
2Illumination intensity
If video phone shares PC monitor in full screen mode, then video quality is improved, but PC functionality and user interaction are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitor display into two functional zones: the PC desktop window area for user interaction and the overlay video call area for video viewing. This segmentation allows users to interact with PC applications in the background while simultaneously viewing the video call overlay, maintaining both video quality and user interaction capabilities without requiring full-screen mode.
3Quantity of substance
If video window is enlarged to show multiple participants, then video call quality is improved, but PC desktop visibility and font legibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different display characteristics in different regions of the monitor. The PC desktop area maintains its original resolution and font size for legibility, while the overlay video call area can be optimized for displaying multiple participants. This localized optimization ensures that both font legibility and participant visibility are maintained simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for rendering a video from a video phone system to a monitor associated with a computing device such a PC. A chroma-key color is utilized to define a video window in the monitor and the video phone system will overlay video content in the window. A mouse pointer will continue to be visible even when it is in the video overlay location and continue to be able to manipulate and control content in the monitor, including the video layout.