Scrolling Video Grid for Large Videoconference Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing videoconferencing systems struggle to display all participants' videos simultaneously, especially in large meetings, resulting in an incomplete experience akin to in-person interactions, where leaders and participants cannot monitor nonverbal reactions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that scroll video feeds in a browser on a user's device, virtually arranging them on a rectangular grid and streaming only those within the current and next incremental time frame, allowing for continuous display of all participants' videos, with features like 'raise hand' and spotlighting for instructor interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all participants' videos are displayed simultaneously in a grid layout, then the completeness of participant visibility is improved, but the system complexity and computational load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the display area into multiple pages or sections, each showing a subset of participants. Users can navigate between segments to view different groups of participants, rather than attempting to display all participants simultaneously in a single view. This reduces the computational complexity of rendering and managing a massive grid layout while still providing complete visibility across multiple views.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional grid display to a multi-dimensional navigation space by introducing page navigation, scrolling, or hierarchical organization. Participants are distributed across multiple pages or levels, allowing the system to maintain complete visibility while reducing the complexity of any single display view through dimensional expansion of the interface.
2Loss of information
If video feeds are streamed for all participants, then the completeness of interaction is improved, but the network bandwidth and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system streams video feeds selectively rather than continuously for all participants. Video streaming is activated only for participants currently visible in the active display area or predicted to be viewed next, reducing overall network bandwidth consumption while maintaining interaction completeness through on-demand or predictive loading of additional video feeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-loads or buffers video feeds for participants who are likely to be viewed next based on predicted user behavior patterns. This preliminary action allows smooth transitions between participants without requiring continuous streaming of all feeds, optimizing network bandwidth usage while maintaining complete interaction capability.
3Ease of operation
If the display shows only a subset of participants at a time, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sense of presence and belonging deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous visibility or quick access to all participants through features like persistent sidebars, collapsible panels, or smooth scrolling mechanisms that allow users to continuously navigate through all participants without breaking the flow of interaction. This preserves the sense of presence by ensuring no participant is completely hidden or disconnected from view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary elements such as participant thumbnails, navigation controls, or summary views that mediate between the limited display area and the complete set of participants. These intermediaries provide continuous awareness of all participants' presence while maintaining ease of operation by organizing and presenting information in manageable formats.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for displaying a large number of participants in videoconference are described. The participant's video feeds are presented in a continuous scrolling manner, such that each participant's video feed is visible for a part of the time. The participants may select the number of videos displayed at one time on a grid. The system and method monitor which video feeds are being, or about to be displayed, and streams the feeds accordingly. The system and method also provide for classroom-like settings by allowing students to “raise their hand” and be “called on” by an instructor. By scrolling though all of the videos in a meeting, people that are running a session can monitor the other participants, permitting them to select someone to focus on, and allows the other participants to see each other, producing a “sense of belonging.”