Synchronization Module for Screen Sharing Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Screen sharing over distributed networks is hindered by network latency and bandwidth requirements, leading to inconsistent synchronization among viewers, which disrupts the flow of presentations and causes confusion for both sharers and viewers.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that uses a sharing module to determine and display the synchronization status of viewers with respect to the sharer, allowing the sharer to automatically adjust the presentation based on viewer synchronization, thereby eliminating the need for explicit confirmation and maintaining a smooth presentation flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If screen sharing is performed over distributed networks with wide geographic distributions, then content can be shared among more viewers, but network latency increases leading to synchronization issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent sharing capabilityVSAvoidsynchronization delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively detecting synchronization status and notifying viewers before they fall out of sync with the shared content. The server continuously monitors packet arrival times and predicts synchronization issues before they occur, allowing viewers to take corrective action in advance rather than reacting to already-missed content changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the server sends notifications to viewers about their synchronization status and receives acknowledgments. This closed-loop feedback allows the system to detect and respond to synchronization issues dynamically, adjusting content transmission or viewer display timing to maintain synchronization across the distributed network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the sharer pauses to confirm viewer synchronization, then synchronization accuracy improves, but presentation flow is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidpresentation flow

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service synchronization where viewers automatically receive and process synchronization notifications without requiring manual confirmation from the sharer. The client devices autonomously monitor their own synchronization status and request corrections when needed, freeing the sharer to continue the presentation without interruption while maintaining high synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical interaction of manual pausing and verbal confirmation with an automated electronic notification system. The server automatically detects synchronization status and sends digital notifications to viewers, eliminating the need for the sharer to manually interrupt the presentation flow while still ensuring synchronization accuracy through automated monitoring and feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If high-resolution content is shared, then content quality improves, but bandwidth requirements increase leading to longer propagation times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent qualityVSAvoidcontent propagation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action by transmitting content in discrete packets or frames rather than continuous streams. High-resolution content is divided into manageable units that can be transmitted and acknowledged periodically, allowing the system to maintain quality while managing bandwidth usage through controlled, incremental transmission and synchronization checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3868120B1Dynamic user interface and module facilitating content sharing in a distributed computing environment

Publication Date: 2025.04.23 SYMPHONY COMMUNICATION SERVICES HOLDINGS LLC

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AI summary

A sharing client device shares content with viewing client devices. A sharing module operating on a sharing client device and on the viewing client devices facilitates the creation and analysis of viewer snapshots, permitting automatic determination of whether viewers are up-to-date with their display of shared content. Based on the analysis and on a policy of the sharing module, the sharing module can take a number of actions, such as generating and displaying a viewer summary that a user of the sharing client device may view to determine whether, or to what extent, the viewing client devices are up-to-date in their displays of the shared content.