Teleconference Media Stream Resolution via Source Copying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current teleconference systems face issues with low-resolution media sharing, where wide-angle webcams and microphones capture and stream media at endpoint locations in a way that is difficult to view or hear for remote participants, often due to environmental factors like glare and noise, and existing solutions consume excessive computing resources with multiple application windows.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that detect and replace low-resolution media streams from telepresence devices with higher-resolution source media, mapping and inserting the source media directly into the performance surface within the video or audio stream, using a combination of hardware and software to enhance media fidelity while reducing computational overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If wide-angle webcams and microphones are used to capture and stream media at endpoint locations, then the coverage area is increased, but the resolution and clarity of the media deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidresolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a digital copy of the source media (video, audio, or data) and transmits it separately through the teleconference system. This copy is then displayed to remote participants with high quality, bypassing the limitations of wide-angle camera capture while maintaining wide coverage through the original source display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If multiple application windows are used to display media streams and source media, then the media fidelity is improved, but the computing resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia fidelityVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the source media display with the teleconference interface by integrating the media player within the teleconference application window. This allows simultaneous display of high-fidelity source media and teleconference video feed without requiring separate application windows, thereby maintaining media fidelity while reducing computing resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple application windows are used to display media streams and source media, then the media fidelity is improved, but the screen space utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia fidelityVSAvoidscreen space
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines the source media playback and teleconference video into a single integrated display window. The media player is embedded within the teleconference application, allowing participants to view both the high-fidelity source media and the teleconference participants simultaneously in one window, optimizing screen space utilization while maintaining media fidelity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If environmental factors like glare and noise are present at endpoint locations, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the quality of media transmission deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmedia quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a camera to capture the source media display at the endpoint location and creates a digital copy for transmission. This approach allows the physical display environment (with potential glare or noise) to remain unchanged for ease of operation, while the digital copy transmitted over the network achieves high quality by bypassing the environmental limitations of the physical capture environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3437321B1Teleconference transmission
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3437321B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3437321B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3437321B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A transmission of a representation of an endpoint is disclosed. A performance of a source media is detected in a transmission of the representation of the endpoint. The detected performance of the source media is replaced with the source media in the image during transmission.