Videoconference Private Audio Routing Without Conference Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video conferencing systems do not effectively facilitate private conversations between participants without disrupting the ongoing conference, leading to inefficiencies and increased computational resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that enables private communication between specific participants by receiving interface data to limit transmission of communication data to a second participant while excluding others, using a private communication agent to surface the data only on the intended recipient's device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual chat function is used for private communication, then participants can communicate privately, but it is cumbersome to navigate through several windows to find the chat function and participants may accidentally broadcast private conversations to all participants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the private communication initiation function directly with the participant video feed display. By integrating the private chat trigger into the participant icon or video window itself, users can initiate private communication without navigating to a separate chat interface, thus merging multiple functions into a unified interaction flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages the private communication channel establishment and routing when a user initiates a private chat from a participant icon. The system self-services by automatically creating the private channel, routing the communication correctly, and managing the interface state without requiring users to manually configure settings or navigate complex menus.
2Productivity
If audio streams are provided to all participants, then discourse is fostered in the videoconference, but it becomes difficult to conduct private conversations without interrupting the entire conference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio communication stream into multiple channels: a public conference audio stream that continues for all participants, and a private audio stream that is routed only to the selected participant. This segmentation allows private conversations to occur simultaneously with the ongoing conference without interrupting or broadcasting to all participants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary private communication channel that mediates between the sender and the selected recipient. This intermediary channel allows audio data to be transmitted privately through the conferencing system infrastructure without affecting the public conference audio stream, thus enabling private communication while maintaining conference continuity.
3Loss of information
If participants navigate to a separate chat interface to communicate privately, then they can control the chat function personally, but addressees may not be aware they have received a message especially if it is in a different application or part of the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the private message notification with the existing participant video feed interface. When a private message is received, the notification appears directly on or near the participant's video window or icon in the main conference interface, ensuring the recipient is immediately aware of the message without needing to check a separate chat application or interface section.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a computer-implemented method for enabling private communications during a videoconference. The method includes receiving interface data associated with input from a first participant to a first participant device associated with the first participant and participating in the videoconference. The interface data includes requesting limiting transmission of communication data to a second participant device associated with a second participant and participating in the videoconference while excluding transmission of the communication data to third participant device(s) participating in the videoconference. The method includes obtaining the communication data associated with the first participant including audio data associated with the first participant. The method includes causing transmission of the communication data associated with the first participant to the second participant device for surfacing of the communication data on the second participant device but not the third participant device(s) participating in the videoconference.