Virtual Meeting Server Private Communication Channel Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern virtual-meeting systems lack the ability to enable private communications among participants without disrupting the main conference, as all participants typically hear and see each other, making it difficult to have side conversations without disturbing others.
Innovation Solution
A virtual-meeting system that allows a subset of participants to engage in private communication by modifying the audio and video data streams, using a virtual-meeting server to manage separate media paths and spatial audio rendering to distinguish private communications from the main meeting, facilitated by user requests or server-initiated suggestions based on participant connection quality and absence duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all participants in a virtual meeting can hear and see each other, then full communication transparency is achieved, but private side conversations cannot occur without disturbing others
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual meeting communication into multiple distinct channels: a main conference channel and private side conversation channels. Each channel operates independently with its own audio and video streams, allowing participants to engage in private discussions while the main conference continues uninterrupted. This segmentation enables simultaneous public and private communication without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts private communication functionality from the main conference stream by creating separate media paths. The side conversation audio and video are removed from the general conference distribution and delivered through dedicated channels to specific participant pairs, preventing disturbance to other conference attendees while maintaining full conference awareness.
2Reliability
If separate media paths are created for private communications, then privacy is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a session manager as an intermediary component that automatically handles the complexity of media path management. The session manager receives participant requests, identifies suitable candidates for side conversations based on connection quality metrics, and orchestrates the creation and management of separate media paths. This intermediary abstracts the complex routing logic from individual participants, making the system easier to use while maintaining privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service functionality by automatically monitoring participant connection qualities and autonomously identifying suitable pairs for private conversations. The session manager continuously assesses network conditions and participant availability, then proactively establishes side conversation channels without requiring manual intervention from participants, reducing operational complexity while ensuring optimal privacy channels are created.
3Adaptability or versatility
If participants can initiate private communications freely, then communication flexibility is improved, but difficulty in identifying suitable conversation partners increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the session manager continuously monitors connection quality metrics for all participant pairs and uses this information to provide intelligent suggestions for private conversations. The system feeds back real-time network condition data and participant availability status to help users identify suitable conversation partners, combining automatic analysis with user-initiated requests to balance flexibility and ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of connection qualities and participant availability before private communication requests are made. The session manager pre-identifies suitable conversation partners based on current network conditions and participant states, preparing potential matches in advance. This preliminary action reduces the effort required by participants to find suitable conversation partners while maintaining communication flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus comprising an interface for receiving a respective uplink data stream from each of three or more further apparatuses, and for transmitting a respective downlink data stream to each of the further apparatuses; and a logic system in communication with the interface. The logic system is configured: to receive first data in the uplink data stream received from a first one of the further apparatuses; and in a first mode, to include at least some of the first data in the respective downlink data streams transmitted to every other one of the further apparatuses, or, in a second mode, to include at least some of the first data in the downlink data stream transmitted to a second one of the further apparatuses and to omit or attenuate substantially all of the first data in the downlink data stream transmitted to at least a third one of the further apparatuses. Corresponding methods and computer readable media are disclosed.