Video Call Holding State Using Static Image Copy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users may feel uncomfortable transmitting their video data during video calls, as it can be intrusive and restrictive, and they may want to perform actions without being recorded, while still allowing the other user to receive video data.

Innovation Solution

A method for initiating a 'video hold' state, where live video data is not captured or transmitted, and instead, holding video data is output, which can include a still image or simulated movements to maintain the illusion of real-time video, allowing users to perform actions without being recorded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If live video data is transmitted in real-time during a video call, then the other user can see the user's actions and reactions, but the user feels intrusive and restrictive and may not want to be recorded while performing certain actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser freedom to perform actionsVSAvoidvideo data transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a still image copy of the user's video feed instead of transmitting live video data. The still image is captured beforehand and repeatedly transmitted to create the illusion of real-time video, allowing the user to perform actions without being recorded while the other user continues to see visual content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If video data transmission is suspended to allow user privacy, then the user can perform actions without being recorded, but the other user loses the ability to see real-time video

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo data transmissionVSAvoidreal-time video experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits a copy of the video feed in the form of a still image that is captured beforehand. This still image is repeatedly sent to the receiving end, creating the appearance of continuous real-time video transmission while actually using a static copy, thus maintaining reliability without requiring actual real-time data flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The video frame is captured and stored in advance before being repeatedly transmitted. This preliminary capture action allows the system to have video data ready for transmission without needing to continuously capture and transmit new frames, enabling the privacy feature while maintaining the illusion of real-time communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If continuous video capture and transmission is performed, then real-time video communication is maintained, but processing resources and network data usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time video communicationVSAvoidprocessing resources and network data
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous video capture and transmission, the system uses periodic transmission of a still image. The video frame is captured once and then repeatedly transmitted without continuous capture, reducing the frequency of processing operations and network data transmission while maintaining the appearance of continuous communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transmits a copy of a previously captured video frame instead of continuously capturing and transmitting new frames. This reduces the processing load on the camera and encoding systems, and significantly reduces network data usage, while the receiving end still displays video content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2798837B1Video calling
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2798837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2798837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2798837B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method and system for performing a video call between a first terminal and a second terminal. Video data for the video call is captured with a camera of the first terminal. The captured video data is transmitted in real-time to the second terminal for use in the video call. The captured video data is output in real-time at a display of the second terminal in the video call. A video hold input is received from a user at the first terminal to initiate a video hold state. Holding video data is determined for output at the display of the second terminal in the video hold state. In the video hold state, the determined holding video data is output at the display of the second terminal, instead of outputting video data captured by said camera of the first terminal in real-time at the display of the second terminal.