System and method for exchanging information in a video conference environment

• US 8,446,455 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2010
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lian, TiongHu, Dunn, Chris A., Baldino, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US12/963,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20120147123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1401- 1416, 370260-261, 709/204, 715/753
• US Class Current: 348/14.09
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes monitoring a plurality of inputs associated with end users involved in a video session in which a plurality of displays are used. At least one of the inputs is associated with a frequency of speech of the end users. The method also includes determining a participation level for each of the end users based on the inputs, and determining which image data associated with the end users is to be rendered on a selected one of the plurality of displays based on the participation levels.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

monitoring a plurality of end users, wherein each user generates a plurality of inputs and the end users are involved in a video session in which a plurality of displays are used, wherein at least one of the inputs is associated with a frequency of speech of the end users;

determining a participation level for each of the end users based on the inputs; and

determining which image data associated with the end users is to be rendered on a selected one of the plurality of displays based on the participation levels.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the participation level includes calculating numeric values associated with the participation levels, and wherein the numeric values are used to assign virtual positions for the end users during the video session.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the participation levels of the end users is preconfigured to have a base level that is higher than the participation levels of the other end users, and wherein the base level is set in accordance with an identity of one of the end users.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the inputs include body language characteristics and eye gaze metrics of the end users.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the inputs include a volume of speech associated with the end users.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the inputs are weighted differently in order to determine the participation levels for each of the end users.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the participation levels can be adjusted by an administrator during the video session.

8. Logic encoded in non-transitory media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations comprising:

monitoring a plurality of end users, wherein each user generates a plurality of inputs and the end users are involved in a video session in which a plurality of displays are used, wherein at least one of the inputs is associated with a frequency of speech of the end users;

determining a participation level for each of the end users based on the inputs; and

determining which image data associated with the end users is to be rendered on a selected one of the plurality of displays based on the participation levels.

9. The logic of claim 8, wherein the determining of the participation level includes calculating numeric values associated with the participation levels, and wherein the numeric values are used to assign virtual positions for the end users during the video session.

10. The logic of claim 8, wherein one of the participation levels of the end users is preconfigured to have a base level that is higher than the participation levels of the other end users, and wherein the base level is set in accordance with an identity of one of the end users.

11. The logic of claim 8, wherein a higher participation level for a selected one of the end users is prioritized over a lower participation level for another one of the end users.

12. The logic of claim 8, wherein the inputs include body language characteristics and eye gaze metrics of the end users.

13. The logic of claim 8, wherein the inputs include a volume of speech associated with the end users.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory element configured to store data;

a participation module; and

a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data, wherein the processor, the participation module, and the memory element cooperate in order to;

monitoring a plurality of end users, wherein each user generates a plurality of inputs and the end users are involved in a video session in which a plurality of displays are used, wherein at least one of the inputs is associated with a frequency of speech of the end users;

determine a participation level for each of the end users based on the inputs; and

determine which image data associated with the end users is to be rendered on a selected one of the plurality of displays based on the participation levels.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the determining of the participation level includes calculating numeric values associated with the participation levels, and wherein the numeric values are used to assign virtual positions for the end users during the video session.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein one of the participation levels of the end users is preconfigured to have a base level that is higher than the participation levels of the other end users, and wherein the base level is set in accordance with an identity of one of the end users.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the inputs include body language characteristics and eye gaze metrics of the end users.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the inputs include a volume of speech associated with the end users.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the inputs are weighted differently in order to determine the participation levels for each of the end users.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the participation levels can be adjusted by an administrator during the video session.