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US 11,637,991 B2Granted
Video conferencing systems featuring multiple spatial interaction modes
AssigneeGoogle Inc.
InventorsColvin Pitts, Aaron Michael Donsbach
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for multi-attendee video conferencing are described. A system can convert from huddle video conference mode to spatial video conference mode. In particular, by assigning user roles, specific users can have greater control of the video conference as compared to other users. For instance, moderators may have a greater level of control of the video conferencing system. Thus, in example implementations of the present disclosure, specific users can affect transition between two or more video conferencing modes, such as between a huddle video conference mode and a spatial video conference mode.
Claims19
A computing system for video conferencing modes with spatial and non-spatial modes, the computing system comprising:
- one or more processors;
- and
- one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising:
- receiving a plurality of audiovisual streams respectively associated with a plurality of users;
- providing a video conference in a huddle operating mode, wherein, in the huddle operating mode, one or more audiovisual streams are rendered in a virtual meeting space of the video conference and a respective volume of audio playback for each audiovisual stream of the plurality of users is equal irrespective of a visual location of each user within the virtual meeting space;
- receiving an input from a first user of the plurality of users of the video conference that requests a transition of the video conference from the huddle operating mode to a spatial operating mode, wherein, in the spatial operating mode, each of the plurality of users has a respective visual location within the virtual meeting space of the video conference, and wherein, in the spatial operating mode, the respective volume of audio playback for each user is a function of the respective visual location of each user within the virtual meeting space, and wherein, in the spatial operating mode, at least one of the plurality of users has a dynamic ring in a user interface, wherein the dynamic ring is configured to provide information associated with a metric pertaining to the at least one of the plurality of users;
- and
- in response to the input from the first user, causing the transition of the video conference from the huddle operating mode to the spatial operating mode.
5 more elements
A computer-implemented method for video conferencing with spatial and non-spatial modes, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, a plurality of audiovisual streams respectively associated with a plurality of users;
- providing, by the computing system, a video conference in a huddle operating mode, wherein, in the huddle operating mode, one or more audiovisual streams are rendered in a virtual meeting space of the video conference and a respective volume of audio playback for each audiovisual stream of the plurality of users is equal irrespective of a visual location of each user within the virtual meeting space;
- receiving, by the computing system, an input from a first user of the plurality of users of the video conference that requests a transition of the video conference from the huddle operating mode to a spatial operating mode, wherein, in the spatial operating mode, each of the plurality of users has a respective visual location within the virtual meeting space of the video conference, and wherein, in the spatial operating mode, the respective volume of audio playback for each user is a function the respective visual location of each user within the virtual meeting space, and wherein, in the spatial operating mode, at least one of the plurality of users has a dynamic ring in a user interface, wherein the dynamic ring is configured to provide information associated with a metric pertaining to the at least one of the plurality of users;
- and
- in response to the input from the first user, causing, by the computing system, the transition of the video conference from the huddle operating mode to the spatial operating mode.
2 more elements
One or more non-transitory computer-readable media that collectively store instructions that when executed by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices cause the computing system to perform operations, the operations comprising:
- receiving, by the computing system, a plurality of audiovisual streams respectively associated with a plurality of users;
- providing, by the computing system, a video conference in a huddle operating mode, wherein, in the huddle operating mode, one or more audiovisual streams are rendered in a virtual meeting space of the video conference and a respective volume of audio playback for each audiovisual stream of the plurality of users is equal irrespective of a visual location of each user within the virtual meeting space;
- receiving, by the computing system, an input from a first user of the plurality of users of the video conference that requests a transition of the video conference from the huddle operating mode to a spatial operating mode, wherein, in the spatial operating mode, each of the plurality of users has a respective visual location within the virtual meeting space of the video conference, and wherein, in the spatial operating mode, the respective volume of audio playback for each user is a function the respective visual location of each user within the virtual meeting space, and wherein, in the spatial operating mode, at least one of the plurality of users has a dynamic ring in a user interface, wherein the dynamic ring is configured to provide information associated with a metric pertaining to the at least one of the plurality of users;
- and
- in response to the input from the first user, causing, by the computing system, the transition of the video conference from the huddle operating mode to the spatial operating mode.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.