Video Conferencing GUI Layout for Multi-Participant Viewing Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video conferencing systems face issues with overcrowded graphical user interfaces (GUIs) during multi-participant conferences, leading to participant distraction and reduced engagement, especially in physical meeting rooms where participants have different viewing angles.
Innovation Solution
A GUI configuration system that allows users to rearrange visual elements based on user-defined characteristics, such as communication, participant arrival, and device modality, using two- or three-dimensional layouts, enhancing participant engagement and reducing interface clutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual elements are displayed for all participants in multi-participant conferences, then information completeness is improved, but GUI becomes overcrowded and causes participant distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different visual elements to have different characteristics based on their importance and type. Critical information elements are displayed with higher prominence and visibility, while less critical elements are displayed with lower prominence. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring important information is complete and visible, while reducing the visual clutter caused by displaying all elements equally, thereby preventing participant distraction.
2Device complexity
If visual elements are arranged in fixed layout, then interface simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different viewing angles is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the GUI layout adaptive and reconfigurable based on viewing conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the arrangement, size, and visibility of visual elements according to the participant's viewing angle and device characteristics. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining a relatively simple base interface structure while enabling dynamic adaptation to different viewing scenarios, thus achieving both interface simplicity and viewing angle adaptability.
3Loss of information
If more visual elements are displayed to provide comprehensive conference information, then information completeness is improved, but interface clutter increases and engagement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by implementing progressive disclosure and on-demand information display. Instead of displaying all information elements simultaneously, the system continuously provides information as needed based on participant interaction, viewing context, and conference dynamics. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring information completeness through progressive revelation while maintaining participant engagement by avoiding initial interface clutter and presenting information in a manageable, continuous flow.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical user interface (GUI) may be configured for display at an output interface during a video conference. The GUI may comprise visual elements associated with participant devices of the video conference. For example, the visual elements may include video feeds and/or images associated with the participant devices. During the video conference, a first visual element may be moved to a location in the GUI based on a characteristic associated with the first visual element. The characteristic and the location may be based on an input. In some implementations, the visual elements may be arranged in a two-dimensional visual layout. In some implementations, the visual elements may be arranged in a three-dimensional visual layout. The visual elements may be moved, for example, based on a communication sent during the video conference, an arrival of a participant to the video conference, and/or a communication modality used during the video conference.