Multi-Meeting Chat Overlay to Reduce Video-Stream Distraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video conferencing systems often overwhelm participants with numerous chat messages, distracting from the main video stream, especially in large meetings like webinars, and lack effective moderation of questions from chat messages.
Innovation Solution
Overlay chat messages from multiple video conferencing sessions onto the video stream, with filtering and moderation capabilities, allowing real-time question identification and selection by a moderator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If chat messages are displayed in a separate messaging pane, then participants can access messages, but the messaging pane becomes overwhelming and distracting from the main video stream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the chat messaging functionality with the video stream display by overlaying messages directly onto the video feed. This integration allows participants to access messages without leaving the video view, eliminating the need for a separate messaging pane and resolving the contradiction between message accessibility and distraction from the main content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional separate messaging interface to a three-dimensional overlay approach where messages are positioned at different depths or layers within the video stream. This dimensional change allows messages to be displayed without occupying the full screen real estate of a traditional chat pane, reducing distraction while maintaining accessibility.
2Loss of information
If all chat messages are displayed, then participants see all communications, but questions from chat messages are not effectively moderated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates questions from general chat messages through identification and classification mechanisms. By taking out questions as a distinct category and routing them to moderation systems, the patent enables selective display of messages while maintaining completeness of information flow. This allows the system to present only relevant messages to participants while preserving the ability to moderate question content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary moderation system that sits between the chat message source and the participant display. This intermediary component identifies, classifies, and filters messages, particularly questions, before they reach participants. The mediator enables effective question moderation while maintaining overall message completeness by allowing non-question messages to pass through unchanged.
3Ease of operation
If chat messages are overlayed onto the video stream, then message access is enhanced, but the video stream is modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the chat message overlay is embedded within the video stream container without altering the core video content. The overlay layer is nested inside the video stream display area, allowing message integration while preserving the original video stream's integrity and simplicity. This nesting approach enhances message access without requiring complex modifications to the underlying video transmission system.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for overlaying messages are disclosed. In an example, a method involves receiving, from a first client participating as a first virtual participant in a first virtual meeting hosted by a virtual conference provider, a first message from a first messaging channel of the first virtual meeting. The method further involves receiving, from a second client participating as a second virtual participant in a second virtual meeting, a second message from a second messaging channel of the second virtual meeting. The method involves generating an overlay that includes the first and second messages. The method further involves modifying a first video stream of the first virtual conference based on the overlay. The method further involves outputting the modified first video stream to a third participant of the first or second virtual meeting.