Adjusting volume of a videoconference using touch-based gestures

• US 9,204,094 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2011
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Inventors: Mock, Wayne E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laekemariam, Yosef K
• Application Number:
  US13/171,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20130002801A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,617 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.01, 348/14.03, 348/14.05, 348/14.1, 348/14.16, 348/211.12, 348/385.1, 348/516, 348/739, 348/E7.083, 379/88.13, 379/93.21, 379/158, 379/202.01, 379/205.01
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

Controlling a videoconference based on gestures received to a touch interface. A gesture may be received to a touch interface. In response to the gesture, a videoconference action may be performed. For example, a first gesture may be received to mute the videoconference and in response, the videoconference may be muted. As another example, a second gesture may be received to adjust the volume of the videoconference, and the volume may be correspondingly adjusted. Further, various gestures may be received for controlling one or more cameras in a videoconference, accessing settings in a videoconference, interacting with a presentation, etc.

Claims

1. A non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium comprising program instructions for adjusting volume of a videoconference using a touch screen of a videoconference system, wherein the program instructions are executable to:

display, on the touch screen, a graphical user interface comprising one or more selectable options;

receive user input to the touch screen during the videoconference, wherein the user input comprises a complex touch gesture to adjust the volume of the videoconference independent of the one or more selectable options, wherein the complex touch gesture is performed over the one or more selectable options of the graphical user interface, wherein the complex touch gesture is associated with adjusting the volume of the videoconference, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a drag in a direction, wherein the direction of the complex touch gesture is associated with raising or lowering the volume of the videoconference, wherein the one or more selectable options are unrelated to volume control of the videoconference; and

adjust the volume of the videoconference based on the complex touch gesture without receiving further user input to adjust the volume;

wherein the videoconferencing system comprises a speaker phone, wherein the touch screen is comprised in the speaker phone, and wherein the touch screen is removable from the speaker phone.

2. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein the complex gesture is to increase the volume of the videoconference, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises increasing the volume of the videoconference.

3. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 2, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a vertically upward, multi-touch drag gesture.

4. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein the complex gesture is to decrease the volume of the videoconference, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises decreasing the volume of the videoconference.

5. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 4, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a vertically downward, multi-touch drag gesture.

6. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises adjusting the volume of the videoconference by a predetermined amount.

7. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises adjusting the volume of the videoconference based on a characteristic of the complex touch gesture.

8. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises:

adjusting the volume of the videoconference by a predetermined amount;

or

adjusting the volume of the videoconference by an amount indicated by the complex touch gesture.

9. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 8, wherein selection between adjusting by the predetermined amount or by the amount indicated by the complex touch gesture is based on the complex touch gesture.

10. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a two-touch drag gesture.

11. A method for adjusting volume of a videoconference using a touch screen of a videoconferencing system, the method comprising:

displaying, on the touch screen, a graphical user interface comprising one or more selectable options;

receiving user input to the touch screen during the videoconference, wherein the user input comprises a complex touch gesture to adjust the volume of the videoconference independent of the one or more selectable options, wherein the complex touch gesture is performed over the one or more selectable options of the graphical user interface, wherein the complex touch gesture is associated with adjusting the volume of the videoconference, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a drag in a direction, wherein the direction of the complex touch gesture is associated with raising or lowering the volume of the videoconference, wherein the one or more selectable options are unrelated to volume control of the videoconference; and

adjusting the volume of the videoconference based on the complex touch gesture without receiving further user input to adjust the volume;

wherein the videoconferencing system comprises a speaker phone, wherein the touch screen is comprised in the speaker phone, and wherein the touch screen is removable from the speaker phone.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the complex gesture is to increase the volume of the videoconference, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises increasing the volume of the videoconference.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a vertically upward, multi-touch drag gesture.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the complex gesture is to decrease the volume of the videoconference, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises decreasing the volume of the videoconference.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a vertically downward, multi-touch drag gesture.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises adjusting the volume of the videoconference by a predetermined amount.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises adjusting the volume of the videoconference based on a characteristic of the complex touch gesture.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises:

adjusting the volume of the videoconference by a predetermined amount;

or

adjusting the volume of the videoconference by an amount indicated by the complex touch gesture.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein selection between adjusting by the predetermined amount or by the amount indicated by the complex touch gesture is based on the complex touch gesture.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a multi-touch drag gesture.

21. A videoconferencing system, comprising:

a videoconferencing unit at a participant location;

at least one display coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one display is configured to provide video corresponding to other participant locations during a videoconference;

at least one audio output coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one audio output is configured to provide audio corresponding to the other participant locations during the videoconference;

at least one video input coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one video input is configured to capture video of the participant location for provision to the other participant locations;

at least one audio input coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one audio input is configured to capture audio of the participant location for provision to the other participant locations; and

at least one touch interface coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one touch interface is configured to;

display a graphical user interface comprising one or more selectable options;

receive a plurality of touch gestures to control the videoconference;

wherein, in response to a first complex touch gesture received to the at least one touch interface over the one or more selectable options of the graphical user interface, but independent of the one or more selectable options, the videoconferencing unit is configured to adjust volume of the videoconference without receiving further user input to adjust the volume, wherein the first complex touch gesture is associated with adjusting the volume of the videoconference, wherein the first complex touch gesture comprises a drag in a direction, wherein the direction of the complex touch gesture is associated with raising or lowering the volume of the videoconference, wherein the one or more selectable options are unrelated to volume control of the videoconference; and

wherein the videoconferencing system further comprises a speaker phone, wherein a first touch interface of the at least one touch interface is comprised in the speaker phone, and wherein the first touch interface is removable from the speaker phone.

22. The videoconferencing system of claim 21, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises decreasing the volume of the videoconference.

23. The videoconferencing system of claim 21, wherein said adjusting the volume of the videoconference comprises increasing the volume of the videoconference.