Component-Based Multi-Screen Telepresence System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional telepresence systems are expensive and complex, limiting their accessibility and deployment to executive use due to high system and maintenance costs, as well as requiring extensive planning and specialized hardware.

Innovation Solution

A multiple screen telepresence style video conferencing system employing generic hardware and intelligent software based on existing unified communication systems, utilizing a component-based approach that can be easily set up by untrained users, accommodating any number of screens and providing a flexible, cost-effective solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional telepresence systems are deployed, then immersive video conferencing experience is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo conferencing qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into independent software components that can be deployed separately on standard hardware devices. Each component handles specific telepresence functions, allowing the complex telepresence functionality to be distributed across multiple simple devices rather than requiring a single complex system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Standard hardware devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) are made multi-functional by deploying telepresence software components on them. These generic devices can function as video sources, displays, or control units depending on the software component installed, eliminating the need for specialized telepresence hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional telepresence systems are deployed, then immersive video conferencing experience is achieved, but deployment time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo conferencing qualityVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Software components are pre-configured and packaged to be deployed automatically on standard hardware devices. The system allows for rapid provisioning where devices can be quickly set up with the necessary software components without requiring extensive on-site configuration or specialized installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional telepresence systems are deployed, then immersive video conferencing experience is achieved, but maintenance cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo conferencing qualityVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The distributed software component architecture enables automatic updates and self-management of telepresence functionality. Devices can automatically receive software updates and maintain optimal performance without requiring specialized maintenance personnel, reducing ongoing maintenance costs while preserving video conferencing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8290128B2Unified communication based multi-screen video system

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A multiple screen telepresence style video conferencing experience is provided employing generic hardware and intelligent software, which may be based on existing enhanced communication systems such as unified communication systems. Through a component based approach, the system can be deployed in any conference room, assembled on the spot by an untrained user, flexible to accommodate any number of screens.