Robotic Dock Rotation for Natural Video Conference Eye Contact

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Video conferencing lacks the natural interaction elements of in-person communication, such as eye contact and dynamic positioning, which can inhibit effective communication among participants.

Innovation Solution

A robotic dock equipped with a motor, microcontroller, and microphone array that rotates an Information Handling System (IHS) to face the active speaker and adjusts lighting to indicate the direction of participants, enhancing eye contact and conversation followability during video conferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If video conferencing is conducted using fixed-position IHS, then device simplicity is maintained, but natural interaction elements such as eye contact and dynamic positioning are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenatural interactionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by implementing a motorized robotic dock that enables the IHS to dynamically rotate and reposition itself during video conferences. The system transitions from a static, fixed-position device to a dynamic one that can automatically adjust its orientation based on detected speech sources, thereby restoring natural interaction elements like eye contact and dynamic positioning while maintaining relative device simplicity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If robotic dock with motor and sensors is implemented, then natural interaction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenatural interactionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Self-service principle by designing the robotic dock with autonomous capabilities to detect speech sources using microphone arrays, determine their locations, and automatically rotate the IHS toward them without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by integrating sensors, motors, and control logic that enable automatic adjustment, reducing the need for external control while managing the inherent device complexity through智能化 automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If IHS rotates to face active speaker, then eye contact and communication dynamics are improved, but mechanical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication dynamicsVSAvoidmechanical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Mechanics substitution principle by replacing complex manual mechanical positioning with an automated motorized system controlled by speech detection algorithms. Instead of requiring manual adjustment of the IHS orientation, the system uses microphone arrays to detect active speakers, processes their locations, and commands a motor to rotate the IHS automatically, thereby improving communication dynamics while managing mechanical complexity through electronic control and software intelligence.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The robotic dock facilitates more natural and engaging video conferencing by ensuring the IHS, such as a smartphone or tablet, faces the active speaker and allows participants to establish eye contact, improving communication dynamics within virtual meetings.

Implementation Method 1

The program instructions, upon execution by the microcontroller, may cause the dock to detect a voice in a direction of the participant using the microphone array

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoice detection: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS11671528B2Robotic dock for video conferencing
Publication Date: 2023.06.06 DELL PROD LP
  • US11671528B2 patent drawing
  • US11671528B2 patent drawing
  • US11671528B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A robotic dock for video conferencing is described. In some embodiments, a dock may be configured to receive an Information Handling System (IHS), the dock comprising: a motor; a microcontroller coupled to the motor; and a memory coupled to the microcontroller, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the microcontroller, cause the dock to control the motor to rotate the IHS toward or away from a participant of a video conference.