L-Shaped Dividable Display for Collaborative Videoconferencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing videoconferencing systems are inadequate for collaborative meetings, as they restrict participants to predefined seats, fail to display interactions between remote participants and electronic documents, and do not support standing scenarios or shoulder-to-shoulder collaboration experiences.

Innovation Solution

A dividable display system with a 'L-shaped' or concave configuration, comprising multiple panels arranged in an angular relationship to create a collaboration section and a video section, allowing for panoramic views and shoulder-view camera capture to simulate real-world collaboration, along with a room arrangement that enhances participant interaction and engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional videoconferencing systems are used with predefined seat arrangements, then system simplicity is maintained, but participant mobility and natural interaction are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticipant mobilityVSAvoidroom arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is divided into multiple independent panels that can be individually positioned and configured. Each panel can display different content (video feeds, shared screens, annotations) and be placed at optimal locations around the room, allowing participants to move freely while maintaining access to relevant information streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single fixed display location to a three-dimensional arrangement of multiple displays distributed throughout the room. Displays are positioned at various heights, depths, and angles to create an immersive environment where content follows participants as they move, effectively adding spatial dimensions to the interaction space.

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

2Area of stationary object

If remote participants are displayed as small video images on the electronic board, then collaboration space is maximized, but user engagement and face-to-face interaction are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaboration spaceVSAvoidfacial expression visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the display system provide different qualities and scales of video presentation. Some panels show large-scale video feeds for face-to-face interaction, while others display smaller thumbnails or shared content. The system dynamically adjusts which panels show which content based on participant needs and interaction context, ensuring both engagement and collaboration space are optimized locally where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate collaboration systems and videoconferencing systems are deployed side-by-side, then functional versatility is achieved, but system integration and seamless interaction are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges videoconferencing, screen sharing, whiteboarding, and annotation capabilities into a single integrated platform. Multiple video feeds, shared screens, and collaborative tools are combined on the same display panels, allowing participants to switch between modes seamlessly without transitioning between separate systems. The underlying architecture unifies these functions while maintaining their distinct operational characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If participants are restricted to predefined seats, then system configuration simplicity is maintained, but shoulder-to-shoulder collaboration and standing scenarios are not supported

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaboration flexibilityVSAvoiddisplay configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display configuration is made dynamic rather than static. Panels can be repositioned, reconfigured, and reassigned in real-time based on participant movement and interaction patterns. The system automatically detects when participants stand or move to different locations and adjusts display content and positioning accordingly, supporting both seated and standing collaboration scenarios without requiring predefined seat assignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9998508B2Multi-site screen interactions
Publication Date: 2018.06.12 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A technology for interacting with a collaborative videoconferencing environment is disclosed. A display having a substantially “L-shaped” configuration allows for display of collaborative materials and video of remote participants simultaneously, which provides for a more natural interaction for a meeting participant interacting with the collaborative materials. Meeting participants in the collaborative videoconferencing environment, both locally and remote, can simultaneously interact with the same content as if they were in the same location.