Side channel for employing descriptive audio commentary about a video conference

• US 9,077,848 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2011
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Alberth, William P, Thorson, Dean E
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US13/183,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20130016175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1401- 1416, 370260-261, 709/204
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/006 using audible presentation of the information
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

A side channel, networked with a real-time video conference feed, includes descriptive audio commentary. The side channel also includes an adjustable data handler for adjusting amount of the descriptive audio data correlated to audio commentary regarding the real-time video conference; and a means for prioritizing associated conversation links tied to the real-time video conference.

Claims

1. A side channel for descriptive audio commentary when networked with a real-time video conference, comprising:

an adjustable data handler for adjusting an amount of descriptive data for audio commentary regarding the real-time video conference, wherein the amount of descriptive data is decreased during talking by real-time video conference participants and descriptive data is increased during an absence of talking by real-time video conference participants; and

a means for prioritizing associated conversation links tied to the real-time video conference.

2. The side channel according to claim 1, wherein the side channel provides additional information to enhance visual aspect of the real-time video conference.

3. The side channel according to claim 2, wherein the additional information is selected from the group consisting of audio, large format text, Braille output, or haptic output.

4. The side channel according to claim 3, further including a speaker, and wherein the additional information is output via the speaker.

5. The side channel according to claim 2, wherein the additional information is generated from a server or at a mobile computing device.

6. The side channel according to claim 1, further including a slider mechanism coupled to the adjustable data handler.

7. The side channel according to claim 6, wherein the slider mechanism controls the adjustable data handler, the data handler controlled responsive to the slider mechanism to output descriptive audio in a range between full audio from the real-time video conference with nearly zero descriptive data and all descriptive data with nearly zero real-time video conference audio.

8. The side channel according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable data handler automatically reduces descriptive data associated with the real-time video conference and the communicative participation by a user of the side channel.

9. The side channel according to claim 8, wherein the amount of reduction of descriptive data is dependent on the amount of communicative participation generated by the user of the side channel.

10. The side channel according to claim 1, further comprising a selectivity filter wherein the descriptive audio commentary is selectable according to the group consisting of at least one of:

side channel user interest, video conference participant deemed a decision maker, and side channel user selection.

11. The side channel according to claim 1, wherein the descriptive audio commentary includes descriptive information about video conference participants selected from the group consisting of at least one of:

emotions, body movement, body posture, garments, and seating arrangement.

12. A method for employing descriptive audio commentary of a real-time video conference feed via a side channel, comprising the steps of:

adjusting, using an adjustable data handler coupled to an electronic device that includes an audio-video electronic component and receives the real-time video conference, an amount of descriptive audio data correlated to the real-time video conference; and

prioritizing, using the electronic device, associated links tied to the real-time video conference, wherein the prioritizing includes prioritizing preferred non-verbal cues higher than non-preferred non-verbal cues by providing more descriptive audio data regarding the preferred non-verbal cues.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of:

automatically reducing descriptive audio commentary associated with the real-time video conference and communicative participation by a user of the side channel.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the amount of reduction of descriptive data is dependent on the amount of communicative participation generated by the user of the side channel.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of:

selecting the descriptive audio commentary according to the group consisting of at least one of;

side channel user interest, video conference participant deemed a decision maker, and side channel user selection.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of:

employing descriptive information about video conference participants selected from the group consisting of at least one of;

emotions, body movement, body posture, garments, and seating arrangement.

17. A method for providing descriptive audio data about a real-time video conference to an output device, comprising the steps of:

receiving the real-time video conference on a mobile computing device comprising an audio/video electronic component;

receiving a side channel audio feed comprising descriptive audio commentary about the real-time video conference;

controlling the side channel audio feed with a user selectivity apparatus coupled to an adjustable data handler for adjusting amount of the descriptive audio data for the descriptive audio commentary about the real-time video conference, the adjustable data handler limiting descriptive audio data during talking and increasing descriptive audio data when participants are not talking; and

transmitting the side channel audio feed to the output device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the side channel audio feed is transmitted over a stand-alone speaker or a headset.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of:

transmitting additional information to enhance visual aspect of the real-time video conference;

wherein the additional information is selected from the group consisting of audio, large format text, Braille output, or haptic output.