Shared Canvas for Synchronized Video Chat Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video chat services do not fully utilize the potential of web-based social networking, lacking a shared canvas feature that enables immersive and interactive experiences for participants.

Innovation Solution

A platform that combines live video stream signals from multiple participants into a shared canvas, allowing participants to interact, play games, and engage in activities as if they were in the same physical venue, with options for manipulating the canvas, virtual object sharing, and synchronized experiences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If video chat services use traditional multi-window display, then all participants can be seen, but the interaction experience remains limited and lacks immersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction experienceVSAvoiddisplay structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple video chat participants into a single shared canvas view, combining their video feeds and chat interfaces into one integrated display area. This allows all participants to be visible simultaneously within a unified interface, enhancing interaction experience while maintaining manageable display complexity through intelligent layout algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional window-based display to a canvas-based interface that utilizes spatial arrangement and positioning within the shared canvas. Participants are positioned at different locations within the canvas space, creating a more immersive and natural interaction environment that resembles physical presence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If a shared canvas is implemented to enable immersive interaction, then user engagement increases, but system complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shared canvas serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays video feeds of all participants, presents chat messages, enables virtual object sharing, and supports interactive activities. This multi-functionality increases user engagement while avoiding the need for separate systems for each feature, thereby controlling overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that manages the shared canvas and coordinates interactions between participants. The server handles canvas state synchronization, virtual object distribution, and activity coordination, which simplifies client-side complexity while enabling rich interactive experiences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If virtual objects and games are added to the shared canvas, then collaboration and entertainment value increase, but processing load and bandwidth requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaboration capabilityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses virtual copies of objects and activities within the shared canvas. Virtual objects are represented as data structures that can be replicated and distributed to participants without requiring physical transmission of heavy media files. Games and activities are implemented as software simulations that run efficiently on participant devices, reducing processing load while maintaining collaboration capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11451741B2System and method for providing a shared canvas for chat participant
Publication Date: 2022.09.20 AIRTIME MEDIA
  • US11451741B2 patent drawing
  • US11451741B2 patent drawing
  • US11451741B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer-implemented method and system of providing a video chat experience in a network are described. The method may include: receiving live video stream signals, including audio signals, from a plurality of participants of a live video chat session; combining the live video stream signals into a shared canvas; providing the shared canvas to the plurality of participants, wherein the shared canvas is substantially synchronized among the plurality of participants; and providing options for the specific chat participant to manipulate the shared canvas.