Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Joshua Noble

Raymond Walter Riley

Brett D Christie

Kae-Ling Jacquline Gurr

Joshua David Maruska

Brett Delainey Christie

Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing selectable interaction elements in a 360-degree video stream. A selectable interaction element is an element (e.g., user interface element) for which selection of the element initiates the providing of information pertaining to an object with which the element is associated. For instance, the selectable interaction element may be positioned proximate the object in the 360-degree video stream (e.g., a portion of the 360-degree video stream or an entirety of the 360-degree video stream). Examples of a user interface element include but are not limited to text, an icon, and a widget.

Selectable interaction elements in a video stream

Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing a bowtie view of an environment. A bowtie view of an environment is a representation of a 360-degree image of the environment that is compressed at its center such that at least one side of the bowtie view is concave. For example, two opposing sides of the bowtie view may be concave. In accordance with this example, the two opposing sides may be top and bottom sides of the bowtie view. The 360-degree image is unwrapped to provide a flattened image. The flattened image is projected on an inner surface of a virtual object in a three-dimensional virtual environment. A portion of the flattened image is captured from the inner surface of the virtual object using a virtual camera to provide the bowtie view.

Bowtie view representing a 360-degree image

Techniques are described herein that are capable of performing action(s) based on automatic participant identification. For example, participants of a meeting may be automatically identified independently from an invitee list for the meeting. In another example, participants of the meeting may be automatically identified even if such participants are not indicated by the invitee list. An action is performed with regard to the participants of the meeting based at least in part on the participants being automatically identified.

Action(s) based on automatic participant identification

Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing a polyptych view that includes three or more designated video streams. A polyptych view is a view that includes multiple discrete sections. Each section includes a respective designated video stream. A designated video stream is a video stream of a participant of a video conference who is identified to be a designated participant in the context of the video conference. For example, a participant of a video conference may become a designated participant by speaking for at least a first threshold duration of time during the video conference and/or having a priority greater than or equal to a priority threshold. In another example, a participant may no longer be deemed a designated participant if the participant does not speak for a second threshold duration of time, speaks less than others, and/or has a priority that is less than others.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Joshua Noble