Scrollable Document Twin for Independent Videoconference Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

During videoconferencing, users are limited to viewing only the portion of a shared document that is currently displayed, requiring manual navigation by the presenter to show specific pages or sections, which is inefficient and disrupts the meeting flow.

Innovation Solution

Creating a scrollable, real-time document twin for each user, allowing them to navigate independently within their own document twin, while maintaining the original as read-only and ephemeral to prevent unauthorized editing or distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single screenshare is used to display a document, then all users see the same content, but users cannot view different sections independently and must wait for manual navigation by the presenter

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent document navigationVSAvoidDocument viewing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single shared document into multiple independent 'document twins' - one for each user. Each document twin allows independent navigation while maintaining synchronization with the original document, resolving the contradiction by enabling individual customization without increasing system complexity through manual coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copy instances (document twins) of the original shared document for each user. These copies allow independent viewing and navigation while maintaining real-time synchronization with the source document, eliminating the need for manual navigation while preserving content consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If the presenter manually navigates to show specific pages, then all users see the intended sections, but this disrupts the meeting flow and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMeeting efficiencyVSAvoidTime spent on manual navigation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables each user to self-serve by independently navigating their own document twin to view any section they need. This eliminates the need for presenters to manually navigate through the document, allowing users to access required information autonomously and continuously, thereby improving meeting efficiency and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading the complete document into each user's document twin before the meeting begins. Users can then immediately access any section without waiting for presenter navigation, eliminating delays and improving productivity from the start of the meeting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If users can scroll independently in document twins, then users can access any document section on demand, but there is a risk of unauthorized editing or distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDocument access flexibilityVSAvoidDocument security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality attributes to different aspects of the document twin system: read-only access controls are applied to prevent editing, while scroll and navigation freedoms are applied locally to allow flexible viewing. This resolves the contradiction by granting adaptability in navigation while maintaining reliability through selective access restrictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The document twin acts as an intermediary between the original document and the user. It provides a controlled interface that allows flexible viewing and navigation while enforcing security policies that prevent unauthorized editing or distribution, thus mediating between adaptability and reliability requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If multiple document twins are created for each user, then independent navigation is enabled, but system resources and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent scrolling capabilityVSAvoidDocument twin management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The document twin system is designed to be universal, serving multiple functions simultaneously: it enables independent navigation, maintains real-time synchronization with the source document, enforces security policies, and provides a consistent interface across different users and devices. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple features into a single unified mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11934649B2Scrollable real-time presentation document twin
Publication Date: 2024.03.19 KYNDRYL INC
  • US11934649B2 patent drawing
  • US11934649B2 patent drawing
  • US11934649B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method includes: hosting, by a computing device, a videoconference among plural users; receiving, by the computing device, input from a sharing user of the plural users, wherein the input initiates a screenshare in the videoconference; creating, by the computing device, document twins of a document shown in the screenshare; and providing, by the computing device and to other users of the plural users, access to respective ones of the document twins in an interface of the videoconference; wherein each of the other users may scroll within a respective one of the document twins independently of other ones of the other users and independently of the screenshare.