Presenter Queue Notifications for Out-of-Turn Speaker Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collaborative systems face inefficiencies and security issues due to uncoordinated speaker permissions during meetings, leading to frequent interruptions, missed information, and increased computing resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A system that provides gentle graphical and audio notifications to participants speaking out of turn, using AI models to analyze conversations and automatically control permissions based on hand raises and voice activity, ensuring coordinated speaker order and reducing manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual permission control is implemented by a moderator, then security and coordination of speaker permissions can be maintained, but the complexity of operation increases and efficiency decreases due to multiple manual inputs required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepermission coordinationVSAvoidmanual control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting hand raise gestures and voice activities, then autonomously assigning speaker permissions without requiring moderator intervention. The computer implementation monitors participant actions in real-time and dynamically adjusts permissions based on detected gestures and voice patterns, eliminating the need for manual permission management while maintaining security and coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual control system with an automated computer-based detection and control system. Instead of moderators manually adjusting permissions through interface inputs, the system uses computer vision to detect hand raise gestures and audio processing to identify voice activities, then automatically translates these detections into permission assignments, substituting human manual operations with automated computational processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If audience members are allowed to address all participants, then communication flexibility is improved, but meeting efficiency deteriorates due to frequent and prolonged interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidmeeting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic permission control where audience member speaking rights are not fixed but adapt in real-time based on detected hand raise gestures and voice activities. When a hand raise is detected, the system dynamically adjusts permissions to grant speaking rights to that participant. The system continuously monitors and updates permissions based on current meeting state, creating a dynamic balance between communication flexibility and meeting efficiency rather than using static permission settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring participant actions (hand raise gestures and voice activities) and using this information to automatically adjust speaking permissions. The detection of hand raise gestures provides feedback about which participants wish to speak, and the system responds by granting appropriate permissions. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that communication flexibility is provided exactly when needed while preventing unnecessary interruptions, thereby maintaining meeting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If automated detection of hand raise gestures and voice activities is implemented, then speaker permission coordination is improved, but computing resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker coordinationVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by selectively processing only the specific gestures and voice activities relevant to speaker coordination rather than continuously analyzing all participant behaviors. The computer implementation focuses detection resources on identifying hand raise gestures and voice activities that indicate speaking intentions, rather than monitoring all possible participant actions. This selective processing approach maintains reliable speaker coordination while reducing unnecessary computing resource consumption compared to comprehensive continuous monitoring of all participant behaviors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250260770A1Enhanced control of presenter queue notifications
Publication Date: 2025.08.14 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US20250260770A1 patent drawing
  • US20250260770A1 patent drawing
  • US20250260770A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system provides notifications when a meeting participant interrupts another participant who has been selected as a speaker during a meeting. A notification is displayed when a first participant raises their hand, and prior to the first participant having a chance to speak, the system detects that a second participant has interrupted. The notification can be in the form of an animated gesture to gently remind the second participant that the first participant had requested to speak and that the second participant had taken the first participant's turn. The animation can include an icon that increases in size over time or the system performs other forms of a graphical transformation. The system can also control the volume of the interrupting user, which may be decreased after the interrupting user speaks for a period of time. The system can also utilize AI models to analyze the context of a conversation to determine if a participant is interrupting a designated speaker.