BACKGROUND

[0001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to being prior art by inclusion in this section.

Field of the invention:

[0002] The subject matter in general relates to live video streaming. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to live video streaming and still image sharing.

Discussion of the related art:

[0003] Smartphones have become commonplace and is being used for a wide variety of applications. Such applications include communicating with others who are remotely located. Communication is generally carried out via text, audio, video and images, among other means. Among the various means of communication, video based communication has several advantages, since it is as close as one could probably get to in-person meetings.

[0004] Several conventional technologies exist that enable video based communication, in particular, live video based communication, which is generally referred to as video chat or live video streaming. While live video based communication is effective, it is often observed that the parties involved face difficulties in effectively communicating their thoughts, especially when reference has to be made to something seen previously in the live video stream.

[0005] In view of the foregoing discussions, there is a need for a technical solution that enables effective live video streaming based communication.

SUMMARY

[0006] In an embodiment, a system is provided for real-time video and still image sharing. The system comprises a first device and a second device. The first device comprises a capturing module for capturing a video and a first wireless communication module for streaming the captured video live to the second device. The second device comprises a second wireless communication module for receiving the streamed video from the first device, a second display screen for displaying the streamed video and an action button configured to be activated. A single activation of the action button results in obtaining at least one still image from the streamed video and communication of the still image to the first device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIAGRAMS

[0007] This disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures. Elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for video and image sharing in real-time, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 2A and 2B illustrates an exemplary block diagram of different modules of the first device 102 and the second device 104 of the system 100, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a flowchart 300 of a method for sharing video and image sharing in real time, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart 400 for obtaining the still image 710 by capturing a screenshot of the streamed video 708, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart 500, for obtaining the still image 710 by identifying an image frame from the streamed video 708, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flowchart 600 for obtaining still image by obtaining an identity of an image frame, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment for live streaming of video 708 and still images 710 between a first device 102 and a second device 104, in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment for emphasising still images 710 on the first device 102, in accordance with an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. However, it may be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural and logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0017] In this document, the terms“a” or“an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term“or” is used to refer to a non exclusive“or”, such that“A or B” includes“A but not B”,“B but not A”, and“A and B”, unless otherwise indicated.

[0018] It should be understood, that the capabilities of the invention described in the present disclosure and elements shown in the figures may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, software, recordable medium or combinations thereof.

OVERVIEW

[0019] Disclosed is a system 100 for video and still image sharing. The system 100 may comprise a first device 102, a second device 104 and a remote server 106. The first device 102, the second device 104 and the remote server 106 may be configured to communicate with each other wirelessly over a communication network 108. The first device 102 may include a capturing module 202A, a first display screen 702 and a first wireless communication module 212A. The second device 104 may include a second display screen 704, an action button 706 and a second wireless communication module 212B. The first device 102 may capture a video 708 and live stream the video 708 to the second device 104. The streamed video 708 may be displayed on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104. The action button 706 present on the second device 104 may be activated to obtain a still image 710 from the video 708. The still image 710 in the second device 104 may be communicated to the first device 102. Activation of the action button 706 may not only result in obtaining the still image 710 but also may communicate the still image 710 to the first device 102. Also, multiple activations of the action button 706 may result in obtaining multiple still images 710.

[0020] In an embodiment, the still image 710 may be obtained in the second device 104 by capturing a screenshot 710 on activation of the action button 706. The screenshot may be communicated to the first device 102 via the second communication module 214B of the second device 104, while the video 708 streaming is ongoing.

[0021] In another embodiment, the still image 710 may be obtained by identifying an image frame corresponding to an instance of the activation of the action button 706. The image frame may be one among a series of image frames that make up the streamed video 708. The identified image frame may be communicated to the first device 102, while the video 708 streaming is ongoing.

[0022] In yet another embodiment, an identity of the identified image frame may be communicated to the the first device 102, while the video 708 streaming is ongoing.

REAL-TIME VIDEO AND STILL IMAGE SHARING SYSTEM

Referring to the figures, and more particularly to the FIG. 1 a system 100 for sharing real-time video and still image is provided. The system 100 may comprise a first device 102, a second device 104 and a remote server 106. The first device 102, the second device 104 and the remote server 106 may be in wireless communication with each other via the communication network 108.

[0001] The first device 102 and the second device 104 may include smart phones, PDAs, tablet PCs, notebook PCs, laptops and computers among other computing devices. In an embodiment, the first device 102 and the second device 104 may be an electronic device equipped to communicate with the remote server 106.

[0002] The remote server 106 may include one or more processors, a memory coupled to the one or more processors, and a communication interface. The remote server 106 may communicate with one or more external sources, one or more devices i.e. the first device 102 and the second device 104 through the communication interface. The communication interface of the server may be connected to the communication network 108.

[0003] FIG. 2A and 2B illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the various modules of the first device 102 and the second device 104 of the system 100. [0004] The first device 102 may include a capturing module 202A, a processing module 204A, a memory module 206A, input/output module 208A, a first display module 210A and a first wireless communication module 214A.

[0005] The second device 104 may include a capturing module 202B, a processing module 204B, a memory module 206B, input/output module 208B, a second display module 210B, a second wireless communication module 212B and an activation module 214B.

[0006] The capturing module 202A of the first device 102 and 202B of the second device 104 may comprise a video camera that is capable of capturing moving images and a still image through a common photographic optical lens system.

[0007] The processing module 204A of the first device 102 and 204B of the second device

104 may be implemented in the form of one or more processors or may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof. Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of the processing module 204A and 204B may include computer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described. In an embodiment, the remote server 106 may also include a processing module.

[0008] The memory modules 206 A of the first device 102 and 206B of the second device 104 may include a permanent memory such as hard disk drive, may be configured to store data, and executable program instructions that are implemented by the processor. The memory modules 206A and 206B may be implemented in the form of a primary and a secondary memory. The memory modules 206A and 206B and may store additional data and program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processor, as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Further, the memory modules 206 A and 206B may be volatile memory, such as random-access memory and/or a disk drive, or non-volatile memory. The memory modules 206A and 206B may comprise of removable memory such as a Compact Flash card, Memory Stick, Smart Media, Multimedia Card, Secure Digital memory, or any other memory storage that exists currently or may exist in the future.

[0009] The input/output modules 208 A of the first device 102 and 208B of the second device 104 may provide an interface for input devices such as keypad, touch screen, mouse, and stylus among other input devices; and output devices such as speakers, printer, and additional displays among other. The input/output modules 208A and 208B may be used to exchange data between the first device 102 and the remote server 106 and the second device 104 and the remote server 106, using the communication network 108.

[0010] The display module 210A of the first device 102 and 210B of the second device 104 may be configured to display content. The display modules 210A and 210B may also be used to receive an input from a user. The display modules 210A and 201B may be of any display type known in the art, for example, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), Light Emitting Diode Displays (LED), Cathode Ray Tube Displays (CRT), Orthogonal Liquid Crystal Displays (OLCD) or any other type of display currently existing or which may exist in the future. The display module 210A and 210B may be used to display the data exchanged between the remote server 106 and the first device 102 and the data exchanged between the remote server 106 and the second device 104. In an embodiment, the first device 102 may include a first display screen 702 and the second device 104 may include a second display screen 704.

[0011] The first wireless communication module 212A may help the first device 102 to communicate wirelessly with the remote server 106 via the communication network 108. Similarly, second wireless communication module 212B may help the second device 104 to communicate wirelessly with the remote server 106 via the communication network 108. Further, the first wireless communication module 212A and the second wireless communication module 212B may help the first device 102 and the second device 104 to communicate with each other.

[0012] The first wireless communication module 212A and the second wireless communication module 212B may include a modem, a network interface card (such as Ethernet card), a communication port, and a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot, among others. The first communication module 212A and the second wireless communication module 212B may include devices supporting both wired and wireless protocols. The first wireless communication module 212A and the second wireless communication module 212B may transfer the data in the form of electronic, electromagnetic, optical, among other signals via the communication network 108.

[0013] The activation module 214B may be provided on the second device 104 to trigger an activation of the action button 706 displayed on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104 to capture still images and communicate the still image(s) 710 to the first device 102.

[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart 300 illustrating the real-time video and image sharing system 100, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0015] Referring to step 302, the capturing module 202 of the first device 102 may initiate capturing a video 708 in real-time. The captured video 708 may be displayed on the first display screen 702. In an embodiment, at least a part of the first display screen 702 may perform the function of the viewfinder window. As an example, referring to the FIG. 7, the first device 102 may capture a video 708 in real-time which may be displayed on the first display screen 702 of the first device 102.

[0016] In an embodiment, the first device 102 may live stream the video 708 to the second device 104. The second device 104 may obtain the still image 710 of the streamed video 708 which may be displayed on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104. The second device 104 may communicate the still image 710 to the first device 102 which may be displayed on the viewfinder window of the first display screen 702 of the first device 102. The second device 104 may be able to view the objects which may be viewed by capturing module 202A of the first device 102.

[0017] Referring to a step 304, the first device 102 may live stream the captured video 708 to the second device 104. The first device 102 may live stream the captured video to the second device 104 via the first wireless communication module 212A of the first device 102 over the communication network 108. As an example, referring to FIG. 7, the first device 102 may live stream the captured video 708 to the second device 104 via the first wireless communication module 212A.

[0018] Referring to a step 306, the second device 104 may receive the streamed video 708 from the first device 102 using the second wireless communication module 212B. As an example, referring to the FIG. 7, the streamed video 708 may be received by the second device 104 via the second wireless communication module 214B. The streamed video 708 may be displayed on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104.

[0019] Referring to a step 308, an action button 706 may be configured to be displayed on the second device 104. In an embodiment, the action button 706 may be configured to obtain one or more still images 710 from the streamed video 708. The still image 710 obtained may be displayed on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104. In an embodiment, the still images 710 may be displayed at the bottom of the second display screen 704, while the video 708 is being live streamed from the first device 102. As an example, referring to the FIG. 7, the action button 706 may be activated to obtain the still image 710. The still image 710 may be displayed on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104. It may be noted that, a single activation of the action button 706 may result in instant capture of a single still image of the streamed video 708. Upon multiple activations, the action button 706 may capture multiple still images 710 of the streamed video 708.

[0020] Referring to step 310, the second device 104 may communicate the one or more still images 710 to the first device 102. In an embodiment, the activation of the action button 706 may be configured to capture the still image 710 on the second device 104 and communicate the captured still image 710 to the first device 102. The still image 710, that may be communicated by the second device 104, may be displayed on the first display screen 702 of the first device 102.

[0021] In an embodiment, the still image 710 that may be communicated to the first device 102 may be displayed on the first display screen 702 such that the displaying of the still image 710 does not interrupt the capturing of the video 708 in the first device 102. The communicated one or more still images 710 may be displayed in a separate window on the first display screen 702. In an embodiment, the still images 710 may be displayed at the bottom of the first display screen 702, so that the video 708 being captured is displayed on the remaining part of the first display screen 702 that may be acting as a viewfinder window.

[0022] As an example, referring to FIG. 7, the still image 710 which may be displayed on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104 may be communicated to the first device 102. The still image 102 may be displayed on the first display screen 702 of the first device 102.

[0023] Various embodiments for capturing a still image 710 on the second device 104 and communicating the captured still image 710 to the first device 102 are discussed below.

[0024] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart 400 for obtaining the still image 710 by capturing a screenshot of the streamed video 708, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0025] Referring to step 402, the second device 104 may be configured to receive a streamed video 708 from the first device 102 via the second wireless communication module 212B.

[0026] At step 404, activation of the action button 706 on the second device 104 may result in obtaining a screenshot of the streamed video 708. The still image 710 may be a screenshot of the streamed video 708. As an example, referring to FIG. 7, the screenshot of the streamed video 708 may be captured by the second device 104 with the activation of the action button 706. The screenshot may be displayed on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104.

[0027] In an embodiment, multiple activation of the action button 706 may result in obtaining a plurality of still images 710 by capturing the screenshots of the streamed video 708. As an example, referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of still images 810, 812, 814 may be obtained by capturing screenshots of the streamed video 708 which may be displayed on the second display screen 704.

[0028] Referring to a step 406, the second device 104 may communicate the still image 710, obtained by capturing the screenshot of the video 708, to the first device 102. In an embodiment, activation of the action button 706 may obtain the still image 710 by capturing the screenshot of the video 708 and may also communicate the obtained still image 710 to the first device 102.

[0029] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart 500, for obtaining the still image 710 by identifying an image frame from the streamed video 708, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0030] Referring to step 502, the second device 104 may receive the streamed video 708 from the first device 102 via the second wireless communication module 212B.

[0031] At step 504, the action button 706 which may be displayed on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104 may be activated during the course of the video 708. Upon activation, the second device 104 may capture a still image 710 by identifying an image frame from the streamed video 708. The identified image frame may be one among a series of image frames that make up the streamed video 708. Each of the image frames may be stored in the remote server 106 against corresponding instances. As the action button 706 is activated, the remote server 106 may determine the image frame against the instance when the action button 706 was activated. The remote server 106 may communicate the determined image frame to the second device 104. The second device 104 may display the determined image frame as still image 710 on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104.

[0032] In another embodiment, each of the image frame may be stored within the second device 104 against the corresponding instances. As the action button 706 is activated, the processing module 204B of the second device 104 may determine the image frame against the instance when the action button 706 was activated. The processing module 204 may communicate the determined image frame to the display module 210B of the second device 104. The display module 210B may display the determined image frame as still image 710 on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104. As an example, referring to FIG. 7, the still image 710 may be an image frame which may correspond to the instance of the activation of the action button 706.

[0033] At step 506, after obtaining the still image 710, the second device may communicate the still image 710 to the first device 102 which may be displayed on the first display screen 702 of the first device 102.

[0034] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary flowchart 600 for obtaining still image 710 by obtaining an identity of an image frame.

[0035] Referring to step 602, the second device 104 may receive the streamed video 708 from the first device 102 via the second wireless communication module 212B.

[0036] Referring to a step 604, upon the activation of the action button 706 the second device 104 may capture a still image 710 by identifying an image frame from the streamed video 708. The identified image frame may be one among a series of image frames that make up the streamed video 708. Each of the image frame may have an identity of its own that may be stored along with the image frame in the remote server 106 against corresponding instances. As the action button 706 is activated, the remote server 106 may determine the image frame and the identity of the image frame against the instance when the action button 706 was activated. The remote server 106 may communicate the determined image frame and its identity to the second device 104. The second device 104 may display the determined image frame as still image 710 on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104.

[0037] In another embodiment, each of the image frame and their corresponding identity may be stored within the second device 104 against the corresponding instances. As the action button 706 is activated, the processing module 204 of the second device 104 may determine the image frame and its identity against the instance when the action button 706 was activated. The processing module 204 may communicate the determined image frame to the display module 210 of the second device 104. The display module 210 may display the determined image frame as still image 710 on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104. As an example, referring to FIG. 7, the still image 710 may be an image frame which may correspond to the instance of the activation of the action button 706.

[0038] At step 606, the second device 104 may communicate the identity of the identified image frame to the first device 102.

[0039] In an embodiment, the first device 102 may be configured to identify the corresponding image frame, using the identity, from a buffer of image frames which may be present in the first device 102. The first device 102 may extract the corresponding image frame using the identity from the buffer of image frames and may obtain the still image 710. The still image 710 may be displayed on the first display screen 702 of the first device 102.

[0040] In another embodiment, the first device 102 may be configured to identify the identity of the corresponding image frame by communicating the identity to the remote server 106. The processing module of the remote server 106 may have buffer of image frames that may be stored against identity of each of the image frames. The remote server 106 may retrieve the corresponding image frame and may obtain the corresponding still image 710. The still image 710 may be communicated to the first device 102. The still image 710 may be displayed on the first display screen 702 of the first device 102.

[0041] In an embodiment, the second device 104 may be configured to select and delete the still images 710 that may be captured by the second device 104 and displayed on the second display screen 704. The selection and the deletion of the still images 710 may be done while the streaming of the video 708 is ongoing. The selection and deletion of the still images 710 in the second device 104 may result at least in prevention of display of the deleted still images 710 (in the second device 104) on the first display screen 702 of the first device 102, while capturing the video 708 is ongoing. It may be noted that, the deletion of the still images 710 from the second device 102 may prevent the display of the deleted still images 710 on the first device 102 but the still images 710 may not be deleted from the first device 102.

[0042] As an example, referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of still images 810, 812, 814 may be captured by the second device 104 which may be displayed on the second display screen 704 of the second device 104. The still images 810, 812, 814 may be communicated to the first device 102 and displayed on the first display screen 702. The still image 814 may be selected and deleted from the second device 104. Consequently, the still image 814 may be prevented from being displayed on the first display screen 702 of the first device 102.

[0043] In an embodiment, the first device 102 and the second device 104 may be configured to display a plurality of still images 810, 812, 814, when the action button 706 may be activated multiple times. The second device 104 may be configured to enable selection of one of the still image 812 among the plurality of the still images 810, 812, 814. When one of the still image 812 may be selected on the second device 104, the corresponding still image 812 on the first device 102 may be emphasised, relative to the plurality of still images 810, 812, 814.

[0044] In an embodiment, the first device 102 may use a highlighter to highlight the selected still image, relative to the plurality of still images 810, 812, 814.

[0045] In another embodiment, the first device 102 may use a pop up window which may display the selected still image 812, relative to the plurality of still images 810, 812, 814.

[0046] As an example, referring to FIG. 8, the second device 104, upon multiple activations of the action button 706 may capture a plurality of still images 810, 812 and 814 which may be displayed on the second display screen 702 of the second device 104 and the same may be communicated to the first device 102 to be displayed on the first display screen 702. The still image 812 may be selected on the second device 104. The first device 102 may highlight the selected still image 812, relative to the still images 810 and 814.

[0023] The processes described above is described as a sequence of steps, this was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be re-arranged, or some steps may be performed simultaneously. [0024] The example embodiments described herein may be implemented in an operating environment comprising software installed on a computer, in hardware, or in a combination of software and hardware.

[0025] Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0026] Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention.