Software Videophone Terminal for Cost-Effective Video Conferencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video conferencing technologies are expensive to purchase and operate, and often provide unsatisfactory quality, limiting their adoption despite advancements in networked video telephony.
Innovation Solution
A videophone terminal that is reliable, easy to use, and offers intuitive functionality similar to a desktop telephone, with added smartphone features, including a SIP endpoint, cloud-based software and data storage, and an application store with IT-approved apps for enhanced security and user experience, enabling seamless communication and enterprise-wide collaboration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional video conferencing equipment is used, then communication functionality is provided, but the cost of purchase and operation is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by using software-based video conferencing solutions that replicate the functionality of expensive traditional video conferencing equipment. Instead of requiring dedicated hardware appliances, the system uses software applications running on standard computing devices, thereby copying the essential communication functionality at a fraction of the cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the principle of using inexpensive, readily available computing devices (such as smartphones, tablets, and standard PCs) instead of expensive dedicated video conferencing hardware. These general-purpose devices can be repurposed for video conferencing through software applications, eliminating the need for costly specialized equipment that would otherwise become obsolete.
2Ease of operation
If traditional video conferencing equipment is used, then communication functionality is provided, but the quality is unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a video conferencing system that works across multiple device types and platforms. The software-based approach allows the same communication functionality to run on smartphones, tablets, PCs, and other devices with varying capabilities, adapting to each device's strengths while providing consistent user experience and communication quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamics by adapting its performance and interface based on the capabilities of the host device and network conditions. The software can dynamically adjust video resolution, frame rate, and interface complexity to optimize both quality and ease of operation for each specific usage context.
Data Source
AI summary
A network apparatus in a collaboration system with a plurality of participants, the apparatus comprising a processing structure and a non-transitory machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instruction executable by the processing structure to cause the processing structure to at least: automatically discover a network server configured to distribute shared content among the plurality of participants; couple the apparatus to the network server; present content on a display coupled to the processing structure; select a portion of the display for sharing, the portion having the shared content; and automatically send the shared content to at least one of the plurality of participants.