Ephemeral Content Layer for Video Conference Annotation Clutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video conferencing systems face challenges in managing annotations and content items, as they become distracting and cluttered when multiple annotations are made, and there is a need for a solution that allows for temporary emphasis on specific content without overwhelming participants.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of ephemeral content in video conferencing systems, where hosts and participants can create temporary annotations or content items that are displayed for a short period and automatically vanish, allowing for focused attention without cluttering the interface, with options to modify display time and continue display upon user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple annotations are displayed continuously in video conferences, then participants can refer to content throughout the meeting, but the interface becomes cluttered and distracting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements ephemeral annotations that automatically expire after a predetermined time period. Annotations are displayed temporarily and then removed without manual deletion, creating a periodic display pattern that prevents accumulation and clutter while maintaining usefulness during the conference.
2Ease of operation
If annotations are made to emphasize specific content, then attention is directed to important areas, but continuous annotations overwhelm participants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of annotations (drawing attention to specific content) while removing the harmful aspect (permanent display). By making annotations ephemeral with automatic expiration, the system keeps only the useful temporary emphasis function without the burden of accumulating annotations.
3Loss of time
If annotations remain visible for long periods, then participants can review content at their own pace, but the interface becomes less clean and more distracting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent treats annotations as disposable, short-lived objects that serve their purpose temporarily and then automatically disappear. This approach provides sufficient review time during the conference while maintaining interface cleanliness, as annotations do not persist indefinitely like permanent objects would.
Data Source
AI summary
One example method for displaying ephemeral content in video conferences includes receiving a video conference stream at a client device, displaying the video conference stream on a display in communication with the client device, displaying a content layer over the video conference stream on the display, receiving a content item from a user input device in communication with the client device, displaying the content item in the content layer at a first time, and when a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the first time, automatically removing the content item from the content layer.