Cloud Server Mediator for Cross-Platform Video Conference Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network-based video conference software from different brands cannot interoperate, leading to communication obstacles and inconvenience when users need to download counterpart software for conferences.

Innovation Solution

A network conference convergence system that enables interconnection and interoperation between different conference software by using a cloud server to create a virtual conference room where multiple clients can transmit data, regardless of their specific applications, through a cloud conference application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different brands use independent video conference software, then each software can provide specialized functionality, but the software cannot interoperate and users must download counterpart software to hold conferences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware interoperabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud server as an intermediary component that mediates between different video conference software systems. The cloud server receives conference requests from clients using different brands of video conference software, manages the conference sessions, and facilitates communication between participants regardless of their original software brand. This intermediary approach enables interoperability without requiring the different software systems to directly integrate with each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud server implements a universal conference management system that can handle conference requests from multiple different video conference software brands simultaneously. It provides multi-functional capabilities including receiving conference initiation requests, managing conference sessions, coordinating audio-video streams, and ensuring seamless communication between participants from different software ecosystems, thereby achieving broad interoperability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If users download counterpart software to join conferences, then interoperability is achieved, but user convenience is reduced and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser access convenienceVSAvoidsoftware download time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud server acts as a mediator that eliminates the need for users to download counterpart software. When a user receives a conference invitation, the cloud server automatically handles the connection establishment, media stream coordination, and communication setup. Users can join conferences directly from their existing video conference software without installing additional applications, significantly improving ease of operation and eliminating time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service conference joining by automatically handling all the technical complexities of interoperability. The cloud server autonomously manages conference session establishment, participant connection, audio-video stream routing, and communication coordination. Users simply need to accept the conference invitation from their existing software, and the system takes care of all the underlying technical operations automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4254877B1Network conference convergence system and method
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 DOUYIN VISION CO LTD
  • EP4254877B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4254877B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4254877B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a network conference convergence system and method. The network conference convergence system includes a first client, a second client, and a cloud server. The first client is configured to create or enter a first virtual conference through a first conference application; and the cloud server is configured to join the first virtual conference through the first conference application according to a first join request. The second client is configured to create or enter a second virtual conference through a second conference application; and the cloud server is further configured to join the second virtual conference through the second conference application according to a second join request. The cloud server is further configured to create a virtual conference room according to a conference room creation request and add the first virtual conference and the second virtual conference to the virtual conference room. The first client and the second client are further configured to transmit data through the virtual conference room.