Teleconference Content Distribution Across Multiple User Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional teleconferencing systems limit display space due to the inability to efficiently utilize multiple devices owned by participants, leading to incomplete viewing of content items and disruptive transitions between devices.

Innovation Solution

A teleconference computing system dynamically distributes and duplicates content items across multiple devices associated with the same user, allowing seamless participation and efficient utilization of available display space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a participant uses a single device for teleconferencing, then the device can be fully dedicated to the session with capture and output devices, but the display space is limited and content items cannot be fully viewed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay spaceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the teleconference content display across multiple devices associated with a single participant. Each device displays a portion of the content items, allowing the participant to view more content than any single device could display independently. The system divides the content distribution task among multiple devices while maintaining coordinated synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-device display model to a multi-device display model, adding the dimension of device quantity. By distributing content across multiple devices in the participant's possession (smartphone, wearable, tablet, laptop, XR device), the system effectively expands the total display space available to the participant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a participant switches between multiple devices during a teleconference session, then more display space becomes available, but the transitions are disruptive and require re-joining sessions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice utilization flexibilityVSAvoiddevice switching ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing the participant's association with multiple devices before device switching occurs. The teleconference computing system identifies and links all devices belonging to a participant in advance, so when switching occurs, the transition is seamless. The system proactively prepares the content distribution across devices rather than reacting to switching events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous teleconference participation across device switches by preserving the session state and content distribution. When a participant switches from one device to another, the system continues the teleconference session without interruption or re-joining requirements, ensuring the useful action of participation remains continuous across different devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If multiple devices are used for teleconferencing, then more content items can be displayed, but the system cannot efficiently coordinate content distribution across devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of content items displayedVSAvoidcontent distribution complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the teleconference computing system receives information about which content items are currently displayed on each participant's devices. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically determines and adjusts the content distribution strategy, selecting which content items to display on which devices to maximize overall visibility while avoiding redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables each device to autonomously receive and display assigned content items based on instructions from the teleconference computing system. Each device independently manages its display of content items while the system coordinates the overall distribution, allowing devices to serve themselves with appropriate content without requiring manual configuration or complex inter-device communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12598223B2Dynamic teleconference content item distribution to multiple devices associated with a user

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A session join request to join an active teleconference session is provided to a teleconference computing system that hosts the active teleconference session. The session join request can include information that identifies a first participant associated with the first computing device. Responsive to providing the session join request to join the active teleconference session, interface display information is received from the teleconference computing system. The interface display information can include information indicating that a second computing device associated with the first participant is already connected to the active teleconference session. The interface display information can include instructions to display a first candidate content item of a plurality of candidate content items. Display of either the first video stream or the second video stream within an interface associated with the active teleconference session is caused.