Interactive Canvas Synchronization via Dual Communication Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for interactive conference calls face challenges in maintaining reliable and synchronized content delivery across different bandwidths, often resulting in incomplete information being presented to participants, and require additional software or plug-ins, which decreases usability and increases the risk of connection failures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize two separate communication channels to synchronize content between digital content renderers, allowing for real-time communication of changes in content across devices, with one channel handling messages and the other handling content or digital work, enabling better control and synchronization without the need for additional software or plug-ins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If real-time video and audio streams are used for interactive conference calls, then direct contact and interactivity between participants are improved, but bandwidth requirements increase and content delivery reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments content delivery into two separate communication channels: a first channel for real-time video and audio streams, and a second channel for content data. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized independently, with the content channel ensuring reliable delivery while the media channel maintains interactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a content manager as an intermediary component that receives content from the presenter's device, manages the content data, and distributes it through the second communication channel to participant devices. This intermediary ensures reliable content delivery independent of the real-time media stream quality.
2Reliability
If bandwidth is reduced to maintain service levels, then content delivery reliability improves, but information completeness and presentation quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By separating content data transmission from real-time media streams into different channels, the system allows content to be delivered reliably even when media bandwidth is constrained. The content channel can maintain higher reliability settings while the media channel adapts to available bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-loads and buffers content data in advance through the second channel, so that when the presentation reaches that point, the content is already available for immediate display. This preliminary action ensures complete information delivery without requiring high sustained bandwidth during the actual presentation moment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If browser-specific plug-ins are required for content delivery, then content presentation capability is improved, but ease of use and system reliability deteriorate due to installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standard web technologies (HTML5, JavaScript, WebSocket) that are universally supported by all modern browsers without requiring device-specific or browser-specific plug-ins. The content manager and communication channels are implemented using platform-independent standards, making the system universally accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the inherent capabilities of modern web browsers to handle content rendering, communication, and synchronization without requiring additional software installations. The browser itself serves all necessary functions through standardized APIs and protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (100) provides synchronised content between participants (20, 30) in a presentation (e.g. conference call) using a presenter component without the need to download and install additional software or plug-ins. A method for synchronising content between two or more digital content Tenderers (40) comprises: Receiving over a first communication channel a first communication indicating a change in content rendered on a first digital content renderer. Transmitting over the first communication channel to a second digital content renderer, a second communication indicating the change in content rendered on the first digital content renderer. Receiving over a second communication channel a request from the second digital content renderer for the changed content. Transmitting over the second communication channel to the second digital content renderer data enabling the changed content to be rendered on the second digital content renderer. A presentation layer (45) combines the two streams or tiers and provides the presenter with an interactive presentation or interactive canvas (40). The interactive canvas (40) enables the presentation of content elements, which are available and utilises specialist tools available from the application layer (60). This provides both presenter (30) and viewer(s) (20) the ability to interact with the presentation or interactive canvas (40), whilst ensuring that face-to-face audio and/or visual elements from the communication layer (50) can continue uninterrupted. The presentation layer (45) also ensures that the presentation or interactive canvas (40) remains in synchronisation for all parties and that the presenter (30) and viewer(s) (20) have a consistent view at all times. The presentation layer (45) resides on both or all end points (viewer or presenter). The communication layer (50) may include a cloud-based server hosted by a webRTC platform provider, for example. The application layer (60) may include a cloud-based server hosted by ISP, for example. The use of indicators and traffic light tools may inform the presenter (30) that the viewer's interactive canvas (40) is in sync with their own canvas.