Collaborative User Interface for Constraint-Aware Video Conferencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video conferencing platforms face challenges in enriching the user experience beyond basic video and audio communication, particularly in managing diverse network conditions, user interactions, and local constraints that affect the quality and functionality of multi-party video chats.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a collaborative user interface (UI) that allows for the exchange of local constraint information and control inputs across networked devices, enabling the creation and updating of collaborative objects within the video conferencing environment, while normalizing user views and optimizing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If video conferencing platforms extend functionality beyond basic video and audio communication, then user experience enrichment is improved, but device complexity and network resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality enrichmentVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments functionality by introducing a separate collaborative object layer that operates independently from the core video conferencing infrastructure. Collaborative objects (whiteboards, polls, documents) are modular components that can be added or removed without affecting the base video/audio communication system, allowing functionality enrichment while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary collaborative object model that mediates between user interactions and the video conferencing platform. This intermediary layer handles complex collaborative operations (synchronization, state management, local constraint processing) separately from the core communication framework, reducing the complexity burden on the main system while enabling rich functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If collaborative objects are synchronized across multiple devices with different local constraints, then collaboration capability is improved, but network data transmission and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaboration capabilityVSAvoiddata transmission volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by processing and filtering collaborative object data according to device-specific local constraints before transmission. Each device evaluates its own constraints (network bandwidth, processing capacity, display capabilities) and only transmits or processes data that is relevant and feasible for its context, reducing unnecessary data transmission while maintaining collaboration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by selectively synchronizing only the necessary portions of collaborative objects based on device capabilities and current user needs. Rather than transmitting complete object states to all devices, the system sends partial updates tailored to each device's requirements, reducing overall network data volume while preserving essential collaboration functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If user views are normalized across different devices, then interface consistency is improved, but processing requirements and adaptation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface consistencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves view normalization by dynamically changing display parameters (scaling factors, resolution adjustments, layout configurations) based on device characteristics. The collaborative user interface engine modifies rendering parameters locally on each device to present a consistent logical view while adapting to physical differences, maintaining interface consistency without requiring complex cross-device processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12425542B2Collaborative user interface and systems and methods for providing same

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 YUM CONNECT LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for using collaborative objects across a plurality of networked devices includes launching, at a first electronic device, a first instance of a collaborative user interface (UI), wherein the first instance of the collaborative UI is presented at a display of the first electronic device in conjunction with a video conferencing application, sending local constraint information of the first electronic device to a connection manager server. The method includes receiving from the connection manager server, data associated with a collaborative object, wherein the data associated with the collaborative object comprises a local constraint information of a second electronic device or a first control input received through a second instance of the collaborative UI launched at the second electronic device and displaying, through the first instance of the collaborative user interface, a token of the collaborative object.