Signaling Server Video Call Transition Between Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video calling systems lack the ability to seamlessly transition video calls between devices, particularly from small screens to larger screens, which can be inconvenient for users, especially those with visual impairments.
Innovation Solution
A signaling server-based mechanism that receives a 'flip' signal during a video chat, allowing media packets to be redirected from one device to another, enabling the transition of video calls from a first device to a third device, such as from a portable computing device to a larger screen device, while maintaining the first device's functionality as an input device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If video calls are conducted on portable computing devices with small screens, then device portability and mobility are improved, but user comfort and accessibility deteriorate due to small display size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a signaling server as an intermediary that enables seamless transition of video call media packets between devices. When a user wants to view the video call on a larger screen, the signaling server facilitates the redirection of media packets from the portable device to a second device (such as a television or computer with larger display), allowing users to maintain portability while accessing larger screens when needed.
2Ease of operation
If video call media packets are redirected to a third device, then display quality and user experience are improved, but system complexity increases due to additional device coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The signaling server acts as a centralized intermediary that manages the complexity of coordinating between multiple devices. It receives flip signals from the first device, sends call requests to the third device, and redirects media packets appropriately. This centralization of control logic in the signaling server simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having each device independently manage complex peer-to-peer coordination protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A flip signal is received from a first device, at a signaling server, during a video chat between the first device and a second device. The flip signal indicates that media packets from the second device intended for the first device are to be sent to a third device. Responsive to the signaling server receiving the flip signal, the signaling server sends a call request to the third device; and the signaling server sends a message to the second device to cause the second device to send the media packets to the third device. In another aspect, at the first device, during the video chat, a gesture is detected which indicates that media packets from the second device intended for the first device are to be sent to the third device; and, responsive to the detecting, the flip signal is sent.