Virtual Desktop Screen Sharing Without Hall-of-Mirrors Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current collaboration services only allow one user to share content of their virtual desktop at a time, leading to the 'hall of mirrors' effect when multiple users try to share, requiring frequent switching between screen sharer and viewer roles.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that enables multiple users to share their virtual desktop content simultaneously by using separate windows for shared and local desktop content, with authentication tokens and direct communication between virtual desktops to prevent interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users share virtual desktop content through the same virtual desktop path, then collaboration session is established, but hall of mirrors effect occurs causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the content delivery path by creating separate rendering paths for shared content and virtual desktop content. Each user's shared content is rendered independently through their own client device, preventing the hall of mirrors effect while enabling multiple users to share content simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary rendering mechanism where the shared content is captured and rendered as images on each participant's client device. This intermediary step breaks the direct feedback loop that causes the hall of mirrors effect, allowing multiple sharers without interference.
2Ease of operation
If shared screen content is displayed in the virtual desktop window, then integration is achieved, but interference with virtual desktop content occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into separate regions: the virtual desktop window and the shared screen window. This spatial segmentation allows both types of content to coexist without interference, while maintaining ease of operation through unified window management controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimensional aspect to the display by introducing a separate shared screen window that exists alongside the virtual desktop window. This dimensional separation resolves the interference problem while preserving content integration through coordinated window controls.
3Device complexity
If one user shares at a time, then system simplicity is maintained, but collaboration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by enabling multiple users to share content simultaneously through separate rendering paths. Each user can act as a sharer independently, and the system manages multiple sharing sessions concurrently, improving collaboration efficiency without significantly increasing perceived complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system includes a virtual server providing first and second virtual desktops. A first client computing device accesses the first virtual desktop via a communications network, and shares content of the first virtual desktop as a screen sharer in a collaboration session. A second client computing device accesses the second virtual desktop via the communications network, and displays content of the second virtual desktop in a virtual desktop window. The second client computing device participates in the collaboration session as a screen viewer, and receives the shared screen content of the first virtual desktop. The shared screen content is displayed by the second client computing device in a shared screen window, with the shared screen window being separate from the virtual desktop window.