Primary Data Stream Selection for Virtual Meeting Bandwidth Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data communication methods for virtual meetings, such as video conferencing, require substantial bandwidth, which can be costly and limiting, especially for attendees with limited resources, and existing solutions like source-specific multicast are complex and not widely supported.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that identifies and communicates a primary data stream from multiple streams, allowing users with limited bandwidth to participate in virtual meetings by selectively packetizing and prioritizing video and audio data streams using Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) and unique identifiers, enabling seamless participation with reduced bandwidth requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all data streams from multiple cameras and microphones are communicated to each location, then complete communication quality is maintained, but bandwidth requirements become excessively large and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the plurality of data streams from multiple cameras and microphones into a single representative data stream for transmission to limited bandwidth users. Instead of transmitting all individual streams, the system selects and transmits only one stream that represents the current active speaker or primary view, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining effective communication quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and transmits only the essential or primary data stream from the plurality of available streams. By identifying and transmitting just the most relevant stream (such as the active speaker's video and audio), the system eliminates the need to transmit all other streams, significantly reducing bandwidth requirements while preserving communication effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If source-specific multicast is used to select data streams based on IP address, then bandwidth is reduced, but the solution becomes complicated and costly with limited support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where each user's client software automatically identifies and transmits their own primary data stream without requiring complex external control systems. The system uses simple, widely-supported communication protocols where users independently manage their own stream transmission, eliminating the need for complicated centralized multicast management and reducing implementation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal communication protocols and methods that are widely supported across different platforms and systems. By using standard, multi-functional communication approaches rather than specialized multicast implementations, the solution achieves bandwidth reduction while maintaining broad compatibility and simplicity in implementation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for communicating a subset of data streams includes steps of monitoring a plurality of data streams communicated between a plurality of standard users, recognizing at least one primary data stream, and communicating the at least one primary stream to a primary user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the data streams include real-time audio and video data being communicated between attendees of a virtual meeting.