Video Conference Framing Stability via Timer-Based Participant Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing videoconference systems experience unstable framing due to temporary changes in the number of participants, leading to unnecessary changes in identifiers and tracking status, which can result in an unpleasant viewing experience.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a timer-based system to differentiate between temporary and permanent changes in the number of participants, where changes within a defined threshold period are considered temporary and do not alter the framing, while persistent changes trigger adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system immediately updates framing when participant count changes, then the framing reflects current participant numbers, but temporary changes cause unnecessary framing instability and poor viewing experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframing stabilityVSAvoidresponse to participant changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its response to participant count changes based on the duration of the change. Temporary changes within the threshold period do not trigger framing updates, while persistent changes do. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive to different change scenarios while maintaining stability for transient fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a threshold period in advance before committing to framing changes. When a participant count change is detected, the system waits for the threshold period to elapse before updating the framing, allowing temporary changes to revert without causing unnecessary framing updates. This preliminary timing mechanism prevents premature framing changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the system maintains strict tracking of participant changes, then accurate participant count is maintained, but temporary fluctuations cause unnecessary identifier expansion and contraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticipant count accuracyVSAvoididentifier set stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically evaluates the persistence of participant count changes before updating the identifier set. By introducing a threshold period, the system distinguishes between temporary and permanent changes, updating identifiers only when changes persist beyond the threshold. This dynamic approach maintains measurement accuracy while stabilizing the identifier composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The threshold period acts as a cushioning mechanism that protects the identifier set from temporary fluctuations. By requiring changes to persist through the threshold period before updating identifiers, the system cushions against premature identifier expansion and contraction caused by transient participant changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If the system updates framing frequently to reflect real-time changes, then current participant information is displayed, but viewing experience deteriorates due to constant framing changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation update speedVSAvoidviewing experience quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic checking with a threshold period interval to determine whether to update framing. Instead of continuous or immediate updates, the system checks whether changes persist through the threshold period before committing to framing updates. This periodic action reduces update frequency while maintaining information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary verification by monitoring changes through the threshold period before executing framing updates. This preliminary action ensures that only persistent changes result in framing updates, preventing premature updates that would degrade viewing experience while still maintaining current information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11777754B1Multi-person tracking and identification for robust framing experience

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

The number of persons in a still image acquired during a videoconference may change over time due to movement or persons entering or exiting a conference room. Minimizing the number of person identifiers that are tracked is beneficial for framing purposes. Typically, a stream of frames is sent to a far side, such as another endpoint device, for viewing. If the number of persons identified keeps changing, the composition of the stream of frames will be constantly changing as well. By using person identification and the use of timers, movement by the same person or a temporary change in a number or set of persons may be detected without making changes to the number of identifiers and persons being framed. It is only when a change has persisted past a period of time that changes are made to the frames, thereby improving the overall viewing experience.