Dynamic Video Resolution Adjustment for Seamless Conferencing Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-attendee video conferencing systems face challenges in providing seamless video format switching, as low-resolution video streams appear pixelated when enlarged to high-resolution display regions, leading to poor video quality during role changes in video conferencing.

Innovation Solution

The system dynamically adjusts the resolution and quality of video streams for non-dominant attendees based on historical data and bandwidth allocation, generating streams at higher resolutions than requested for low-resolution display regions, allowing seamless transitions and improved visual quality when scaled up.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a low-resolution video stream is enlarged to match the resolution of the high-resolution display region, then the display region can be filled, but the video quality becomes poor and pixelated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay region coverageVSAvoidvideo quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates a second video stream at a higher resolution than the low-resolution display region requires, in advance of the format switching event. This preliminary high-resolution stream is stored and ready for immediate use when the switching event occurs, eliminating the need to upscale a low-resolution stream and thus avoiding pixelation while still filling the display region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If a high-resolution video stream is provided for all attendees, then video quality is maintained during format switching, but bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo qualityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different quality levels to different video streams based on their intended use. The first video stream for the dominant attendee is provided at high resolution, while the second video stream for the non-dominant attendee is provided at a moderate resolution that is higher than the low-resolution display region but lower than full high-resolution. This local differentiation of quality ensures video quality during format switching while conserving bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides a second video stream at a resolution that is partially higher than what the low-resolution display region strictly requires. This excessive resolution (moderate resolution) is sufficient to prevent pixelation when enlarged, but not as high as full high-resolution, thus providing the necessary quality improvement while limiting bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If video format switching is implemented, then multiple attendees can be displayed in different resolutions, but video quality degrades when non-speaking attendees switch to speaking role

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformat flexibilityVSAvoidvideo quality during role change
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares a second video stream at moderate resolution in advance, before the format switching event occurs. When the non-dominant attendee switches to speaking role, this pre-prepared stream is immediately available for use in the high-resolution display region, ensuring seamless transition and maintaining video quality without degradation during the role change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3926947B1Dynamic video resolution and quality for improved video conferencing
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3926947B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3926947B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3926947B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for multi-attendee video conferencing are described. A system can receive a request to stream video associated with a first attendee for a high-resolution display region and video associated with a second attendee for a low-resolution display region at a client device. The system can generate a first video stream for the first attendee at a first resolution for the high-resolution display region. The system can determine a second resolution for a second video stream for the second attendee that is larger than a requested resolution for the low-resolution display region. The system can determine a video quality for the second video stream at the second resolution based on maximizing use of a bandwidth. The system can generate the second video stream for the client device.