Automatic web conference presentation synchronizer
View Patent ↗A beacon signal including image information and an application to cause acknowledgment of receipt of the beacon signal is transmitted in order to measure approximate latency in transmission over a communication link that exhibits latency such as a packet switched digital network. Transmission latency for image information for an image included in a web conference is then estimated and elapsed time after transmission of such image information is measured and an indication provided to a presenter or conference monitor when the image should be visible to a conference participant which can be easily selected by the presenter.
1. A method for synchronizing presentation of content of a web conference over a real-time communication link with content over another communication link which includes data latency, said method including
transmission of a beacon message containing image data and software for transmitting an acknowledgment of receipt of said image data to determine approximate latency time of said another communication link,
sending a web conference image,
determining elapsed time subsequent to said sending of said web conference image, and
displaying an indication to a web conference presenter when said elapsed time equals or exceeds a time corresponding to said approximate latency time.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 , including the further step of
displaying said indication to a web conference monitor.
3. A method as recited in claim 2 , including the further step of
displaying an indication to a web conference presenter when said elapsed time approaches a time corresponding to said approximate latency time.
4. A method as recited in claim 2 , including the further step of comparing a parameter of said web conference image to a corresponding parameter of said beacon message.
5. A method as recited in claim 4 , wherein said parameter of said web conference includes a includes message length or image complexity.
6. A method as recited in claim 4 , including the further step of adjusting said approximate latency is scaled and/or augmented based on a result of said comparing step.
7. A method as recited in claim 2 , including a further steps of
monitoring said another communication link, and
repeating said step of transmission of a beacon message when said monitoring step detects a change in said another communication link.
8. A method as recited in claim 2 , including the further step of selecting an approximate latency time corresponding to a participant in said web conference.
9. A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein said indication to a web conference presenter comprises a change in visual appearance of a display area or icon.
10. A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein said indication to a web conference presenter is in the form of an image of a traffic signal.
11. A method as recited in claim 1 , including the further step of
displaying an indication to a web conference presenter when said elapsed time approaches a time corresponding to said approximate latency time.
12. A method as recited in claim 1 , including the further step of comparing a parameter of said web conference image to a corresponding parameter of said beacon message.
13. A method as recited in claim 12 , wherein said parameter of said web conference includes a includes message length or image complexity.
14. A method as recited in claim 12 , including the further step of adjusting said approximate latency is scaled and/or augmented based on a result of said comparing step.
15. A method as recited in claim 1 , including a further steps of
monitoring said another communication link, and
repeating said step of transmission of a beacon message when said monitoring step detects a change in said another communication link.
16. A method as recited in claim 1 , including the further step of selecting an approximate latency time corresponding to a participant in said web conference.
17. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said indication to a web conference presenter comprises a change in visual appearance of a display area or icon.
18. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said indication to a web conference presenter is in the form of an image of a traffic signal.
19. Apparatus for conducting a web conference comprising
a transmitter to transmit an audio portion of said web conference over a communication link,
a transmitter to transmit image information of said web conference over another communication link exhibiting latency,
a generator to transmit a beacon signal over said another communication link,
a processor to determine approximate latency of said beacon signal in said another communication link,
a timer for measuring elapsed time from transmission of said image information, and
a display, responsive to said timer for indicating when said elapsed time equals or exceeds said approximate latency.
20. A method for synchronizing presentation of content of a web conference over a real-time communication link with content over another communication link which includes data latency, said method including
configuring a data processor to provide a transmitter to transmit image information of said web conference over another communication link exhibiting latency,
configuring a data processor to provide a generator to transmit a beacon signal over said another communication link,
configuring a data processor to provide a processor to determine approximate latency of said beacon signal in said another communication link,
configuring a data processor to provide a timer for measuring elapsed time from transmission of said image information, and
displaying, responsive to said timer, an indication of when said elapsed time equals or exceeds said approximate latency.