Redirecting Video Controls to Smartwatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
In videoconferences and video recording applications, accessing user interface controls on a device with an image capture function can disrupt the image capture operation, as the user's hand may obscure their face, causing irritation and potentially breaking the session's rhythm.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves dynamically redirecting user interface controls from the primary electronic device to a companion electronic device, such as a smartwatch, when the primary device is engaged in a videoconference or video recording and capturing images, allowing users to control the session without obstructing the image capture field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user interface controls are accessed on the primary electronic device during videoconference or video recording, then user control capability is improved, but image capture quality deteriorates due to hand obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a companion electronic device as an intermediary to handle user interface controls. The primary electronic device maintains its image capture function while the companion device receives and processes user interactions, acting as a mediator that separates the control function from the capture function to eliminate hand obstruction issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electronic device functions by separating the image capture function (remaining on the primary device) from the user interface control function (transferred to the companion device). This functional segmentation allows each component to operate independently without interfering with the other, solving the contradiction between control accessibility and image quality.
2Area of stationary object
If content is redirected to a larger display device, then videoconference visibility is improved, but user interface control access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The companion electronic device serves as an intermediary that receives control inputs from the user and transmits them to the primary electronic device. This allows the primary device to display content on a large screen while the companion device handles the tactile control interface, resolving the conflict between large display area and ease of control access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the control interface to a different spatial dimension by using a separate companion device rather than attempting to provide controls on the large display itself. This dimensional separation allows the large display to maintain its visibility advantage while the companion device provides accessible control points.
3Manufacturing precision
If the electronic device captures images of the participant, then videoconference quality is improved, but user access to controls is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The companion electronic device acts as an intermediary control interface that allows users to access and manipulate videoconference controls without needing to physically approach the primary device. This mediator role enables high-quality image capture while maintaining easy control access through the companion device's interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the control access function from the primary electronic device and relocates it to the companion device. This extraction removes the conflict between control access and image capture, as the controls are now accessible through a separate device that does not interfere with the camera's field of view.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for an electronic device includes detecting, by one or more processors, the electronic device engaging in a video recording session while electronically in communication with both a companion electronic device operating as a primary display for the electronic device and a smartwatch. In response, the method redirects one or more video recording session controls to a user interface of the smartwatch when user interaction with the one or more video recording session controls at a user interface of the electronic device will at least partially obscure depictions of a subject of the video recording session in one or more video recording session images captured by an image capture device of the electronic device.