Video Feedback for Participant Image Alignment in Videoconferences

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Solution Overview

Problem

Participants in web-based videoconferences often have suboptimal image views due to the use of portable devices, leading to poor image capture and reduced motivation to adjust their position for better viewing, as they are not the primary presenter and may not prioritize their appearance.

Innovation Solution

A system that detects distorted participant images and sends a corresponding distorted image of the presenter to the participant's device, serving as feedback to intuitively adjust the device for optimal image alignment, exposure, and scaling, using image detection and generation circuits within user devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If participants use portable devices for videoconferencing, then accessibility and convenience are improved, but image quality and alignment deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of using portable devicesVSAvoidimage quality and alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies feedback by displaying a distorted version of the participant's own image on their portable device screen. This visual feedback shows participants exactly how their image appears distorted to the presenter, enabling them to intuitively adjust their device orientation and position to minimize the distortion and achieve optimal image alignment without requiring technical knowledge of camera angles or coordinate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If participants are provided with real-time image feedback, then image alignment is improved, but display space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage alignmentVSAvoiddisplay space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a simplified copy of the participant's image - specifically, a distorted representation showing only the alignment issues. This copy is displayed on the participant's device screen, providing essential feedback information while occupying minimal display space. The copy conveys the necessary alignment information without requiring full-resolution or multi-view displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If participants focus on optimizing their image view, then video quality is improved, but participant engagement may be reduced due to self-consciousness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo qualityVSAvoidparticipant engagement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system inverts the traditional feedback approach by showing participants a distorted version of their image rather than the optimized version. This inversion makes the optimization process intuitive - participants naturally adjust their device to minimize the distortion and achieve the desired aligned view. This approach reduces self-consciousness by framing the task as minimizing distortion rather than maximizing self-presentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3033883B1Video feedback of presenter image for optimizing participant image alignment in a videoconference
Publication Date: 2017.05.17 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3033883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3033883B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3033883B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method comprises determining that a participant image has a distorted view relative to an optimized view of a participant within a corresponding participant image frame for a web-based videoconference with a presenter; and sending, to a display of a device having generated the participant image, a distorted image of the presenter corresponding to the distorted view in the participant image frame, enabling the participant to adjust the device to minimize the distorted view.