Rotating Capture and Projection Module for Screenless Video Conferencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video conferencing technologies face challenges with space requirements, mobility, cost, and usability, particularly for novice users, those with physical disabilities, the elderly, and young users, as they often require screens or restrictive augmented reality headsets that impede face-to-face interaction.
Innovation Solution
A portable projection unit with a rotating capture and projection module that dynamically selects and projects images onto suitable surfaces in the environment based on user field of view and surface characteristics, allowing for screen-less video conferencing without the need for augmented reality headsets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If screens are used for video conferencing, then image quality and interaction clarity are improved, but space requirements and mobility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses projection technology to create a visual copy of the video conference content on ambient surfaces (walls, tables, windows) instead of requiring a physical screen. The projector generates an optical replica of the video feed that can be displayed on any suitable surface in the environment, eliminating the need for dedicated display hardware while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional screen-based display to three-dimensional spatial projection by utilizing vertical surfaces (walls, windows) and various surfaces (tables, desks) in the environment. This allows the video conference to be displayed in the spatial dimension rather than confined to a horizontal screen surface.
2Area of stationary object
If augmented reality headsets are used for video conferencing, then mobility is improved, but ease of operation and face-to-face interaction are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display function from the user's field of view (as in AR headsets) and places it in the environmental space. By projecting images onto surfaces in the room, the system removes the need for users to wear head-mounted displays, thereby eliminating the complexity and difficulty associated with operating such devices while preserving natural face-to-face interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection system acts as an intermediary between the video conference content and the users. Instead of users directly viewing content through headsets, the intermediary projection mechanism displays content on environmental surfaces, making the technology invisible and eliminating the need for users to interact with complex headset interfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If augmented reality headsets are used by both participants, then personal viewing is improved, but face-to-face interaction and mutual eye contact are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the personal viewing experience with shared environmental display by projecting video conference content onto surfaces that both participants can see simultaneously. This allows each user to have their own video feed displayed on different surfaces in the environment while maintaining the ability to see and interact with each other face-to-face, combining personalization with social interaction.
Data Source
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AI summary
A projection unit (400) has a rotating capture module (300) and a rotating projection module (304). The capture module (300) has at least one color camera (406), at least one microphone (404) and at least one depth camera (402) and is configured to capture images of an environment. The rotating projection module (304) is configured to project images onto at least one surface in the environment. The projection unit has a processor (306) configured to use data captured by the rotating capture module to select the at least one surface in the environment, the selection being dependent on a field of view of at least one user in the environment and dependent on characteristics of surfaces in the environment. The processor is configured to control rotation of the rotating capture module such that the data captured by the rotating capture module is suitable for computing field of view the user, and for determining characteristics of the surfaces.