Group Chat Video Playback Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current group communication systems do not allow users to simultaneously watch a shared video and participate in discussions, requiring complex switching maneuvers that are cumbersome and time-intensive, especially for mobile device users, discouraging video sharing during group communications.

Innovation Solution

Implementing various display states for shared videos within the messaging application's UI, including a collapsed, inline expansion, and persistent state, enabling concurrent video playback and messaging without the need to switch between applications or screens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a video is shared in a group communication, then the video content can be transmitted to participants, but users cannot simultaneously watch the video and chat about the video, requiring complex switching maneuvers between video-watching and discussion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of video sharing and viewingVSAvoidtime spent switching between video and chat
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the video playback function and group chat function into a single integrated interface. The video player is embedded within the messaging application window, allowing users to watch videos and participate in group discussions simultaneously without switching between separate applications or modes. This consolidation eliminates the need for complex switching maneuvers and reduces time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging application is enhanced with multi-functionality by incorporating video playback capabilities directly within the chat interface. The same application window that handles text messaging also plays videos, making the application universal for both communication and media consumption purposes, thereby eliminating the need to switch to separate video playback applications.

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

2Illumination intensity

If the video playback interface is expanded to full screen, then the video viewing experience is improved, but the user cannot simultaneously access the group chat messages for discussion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo display visibilityVSAvoidaccess to chat messages
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into multiple functional regions that can coexist within the same window. The video player occupies a portion of the interface while the group chat messages are displayed in another region. This segmentation allows users to view video content with sufficient visibility while simultaneously accessing chat messages for discussion without requiring full-screen expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface utilizes spatial arrangement in two dimensions to accommodate both video playback and chat functionality. Instead of using full-screen single-dimensional display, the system arranges video and chat elements in a multi-region layout, allowing users to access both functions simultaneously through strategic positioning and sizing of interface elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Duration of action of moving object

If the messaging application window is minimized to view video externally, then video playback is possible, but the user loses access to playback controls and chat functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo playback continuityVSAvoidaccess to playback controls
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The playback controls and chat functionality are merged with the video player within the same application window. This integration ensures that users can access playback controls (play, pause, stop, seek) and participate in group discussions simultaneously while the video is playing, without needing to restore or switch to a separate window. The controls remain accessible throughout the video playback duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3532917B1Video playback in group communications
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3532917B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3532917B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3532917B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure describe video playback in group communications. A method includes receiving a request for a video from a messaging application providing a group communication comprising messages, instructing a first client device to display a graphical representation of a video in a user interface (UI) of the messaging application, the first client device associated with a first user participating in the group communication with other users, receiving first user input comprising a selection of the graphical representation of the video in the UI during the group communication, responsive to the first user input, initiating playback of the video in a video playback portion of the UI, allowing input, via the UI, of other messages for the group communication during playback of the video, and maintaining the video playback portion of the UI visible to the first user while the first user scrolls through the messages of the group communication.