Visual Feedback for Natural Head Positioning in Videoconferencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Videoconferencing systems often result in an unsatisfactory user experience when a conferee moves out of the camera's field of view, as existing methods for providing visual feedback, such as displaying locally captured video in a separate window, can be distracting and intrusive.
Innovation Solution
The technique involves modeling remote video as if it were being viewed through a virtual portal corresponding to the display, where the remote video appears to move and change based on the conferee's position relative to the camera, providing unobtrusive feedback by simulating the effect of viewing an object behind a physical window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If locally captured video is displayed in a separate local window to provide visual feedback, then the conferee can see their position within the camera's field of view, but the user experience becomes distracting and intrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the visual feedback function with the remote video display by superimposing the locally captured video feed onto the remote video window. This integration allows the conferee to see their own position and the remote participant simultaneously in a unified display, eliminating the need for separate feedback windows and reducing distraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the remote video display as an intermediary carrier for the local video feed. Instead of displaying local video separately, the system overlays it onto the remote video window, using the existing display space efficiently and naturally guiding the user's attention without creating separate visual channels that would be intrusive.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conferee moves around the camera to change position, then they can adjust their framing, but they may move out of the camera's field of view causing the remote participant to see them fully or partly out of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time visual feedback by continuously displaying the locally captured video feed overlaid on the remote video window. As the conferee moves, they can immediately see their own position and framing in relation to the camera's field of view, enabling them to adjust their position to stay within the acceptable framing range and maintain reliable presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides preliminary visual information about the conferee's position and framing before they complete their movement. By displaying the local video feed in advance, the system allows the conferee to anticipate and adjust their positioning to remain within the camera's field of view, preventing them from moving completely out of frame.
Data Source
AI summary
A videoconferencing conferee may be provided with feedback on his or her location relative a local video camera by altering how remote videoconference video is displayed on a local videoconference display viewed by the conferee. The conferee's location may be tracked and the displayed remote video may be altered in accordance to the changing location of the conferee. The remote video may appear to move in directions mirroring movement of the conferee. This effect may be achieved by modeling the remote video as offset and behind a virtual portal corresponding to the display. The remote video may be displayed according to a view of the remote video through the virtual portal. As the conferee's position changes, the view through the portal changes, and the remote video changes accordingly.