GB2598897A

GB2598897A - Virtual meeting platform

Info

Publication number: GB2598897A
Application number: GB2014444.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Alison
Original assignee: Antser Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Antser Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-14
Filing date: 2020-09-14
Publication date: 2022-03-23
Also published as: GB202014444D0

Abstract

A method to conduct a real time virtual meeting, 200. A first participant connects to a virtual meeting platform using an associated control panel interface application or a virtual reality (VR) application, 202. If a second participant is determined to be connected then the connection technology of the second participant is determined from a list comprising VR technology, 360-camera technology and web-camera technology, 204/206. Media streams exchanged between the participants are displayed according to the determined connection technology of each participant, 208/210. The virtual meeting may include a hidden participant or hidden observer who is able to see the media streams associated with other active participants. Although a media stream associated with the hidden observer is not displayed to other participants, their presence in the meeting may be indicated by displaying a visual indicator to one or more of the other participants e.g. the host participant. The virtual meeting platform may be used to conduct training sessions, e.g. medical or care home staff or for social work such as observing the interaction between parents and children, e.g. fostering etc.

Description

VIRTUAL MEETING PLATFORM

Field of the Disclosure

The present application relates to a virtual meeting platform, a (computer implemented) method of conducting a virtual meeting, a system configured to perform the method and a computer program product.

Background of the Disclosure

Conventional virtual meeting platforms or systems include a number of end-points that communicate real-time video, audio and/or data streams to each other over the internet or other network.

Virtual meeting platforms are usually configured to allow participants to communicate using a particular type of endpoint technology. For example, a virtual meeting platform may be a dedicated videoconferencing platform in which users communicate via web-cameras as is well known in the art. Other types of virtual meeting platforms include those that involve the use of a virtual reality meeting environment in which participants experience an immersive virtual meeting using virtual reality (VR) headsets.

Known types of virtual meeting platforms are inflexible in the types of different meeting they can be used to implement Separate dedicated systems are usually used for different kinds of meeting that the user must install and learn how to use, European Patent number EP2569939B1 discloses an example of a system to support operations of a virtual meeting room (VIVIR) across multiple standard and proprietary video conference systems. Further improvements to allow greater integration of different types of virtual meeting technology are however desirable.

Summary of the Disclosure

A general problem to be addressed is how to provide a flexible virtual meeting platform which can be used to facilitate a connection between participants using different types of connection technology.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a method of conducting a virtual meeting using a virtual meeting platform whereby a plurality of participants are connected in a red time virtual meeting, the method comprising at least one of: allowing a (first) participant of the plurality of participants to connect to the virtual meeting platform using an associated control panel interface application or a virtual reality (VR) application to take part in the virtual meeting; determining if another (second) participant of the plurality of participants is connected to the virtual meeting; if a another participant is determined to be connected, determining a connection technology of the other participant, wherein determining the connection technology comprises determining between a connection technology being used from a list comprising VR technology, 360-camera technology, and web-camera technology; displaying a media stream associated with the other participant to the 20 participant according to the determined connection technology of the other participant; and sending a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the other participant according to the determined connection technology of the other participant.

By determining a connection technology of the other participant, the media streams associated with the participants can be displayed and sent for display by others accordingly. This provides a virtual meeting platform with the flexibility to allow connection using a choice of VR technology. 360-camera technology. and web-camera technology in a seamless manner whereby users can easily connect and switch between different technology types in real time. A separate dedicated platform for each technology is not therefore required.

The virtual meeting platform of the present application allows a number of different types of virtual meeting to be carried out in various different implementations. In one such example implementation, the virtual meeting platform may be used to facilitate doctor observation and consultation of a remotely located patient. The different connection options of the virtual platform allow a doctor to observe a patient behaving in their own environment and conduct a two-way consultation with them. For example, a patient may connect using 360-camera technology so that a medical professional can see how they behave in their surroundings. This may be particularly useful in the observation of patients living in a care home or the like. The medical professional may connect using a VR headset to have a more immersive experience, or using a web camera connection.

In other example implementations, the virtual meeting platform may be used to conduct training. In the patient observation example above, the medical professional may observe another practitioner (e.g. another doctor, nurse or care home staff) interacting with or treating the patient. Training can then be provided based on these observations. This can allow effective training to take place remotely.

The virtual meeting platform can be used in other implementations to allow observation of other interactions and other types of training. In another example, the virtual meeting platform may be used for observation of the interaction between parents and children. This may be particularly useful in the ease of foster parents, who can be observed interacting with foster children using the virtual meeting platform by a social worker.

In order to understand how children are adapting with their foster parents and their new home environment requires an advanced level of observational skills as well as establishing an open communication channel with total confidence. The 360 live streaming communication provided by the present application can be used for remote observation in a child's real environment in a non-intrusive way. The virtual meeting method of the present application is further advantageous as for children to really open up with a social worker they need to feel at ease without the natural intimidation that can be caused by the presence of adults. Transforming humans into avatars in this implementation is therefore useful to establish this level of confidence that enables children to truly express themselves. A combination of both 360-camera technology and VR technology communication provides vital information to the professional (social worker) and everything can be done remotely with the benefits of increasing efficiency and scalability of the service.

The "participant" may be referred to as a first participant, and the "other participant" that is detected to be connected referred to as a second participant.

The participant may connect to the virtual meeting using an associated endpoint technology selected from a list comprising: a) webcam technology using the control panel interface application, b) VR technology using the virtual reality application, and c) 360-camera technology using the control panel interface application.

Each of the plurality of participants may connect to the virtual reality platform using a choice of three different endpoint technology types, those types being webcam technology, VR technology and 360 camera technology.

Displaying the media stream associated with the other participant and sending the media feed associated with the participant may be further based on the connection technology of the participant.

The method may comprise any of a) to h) below: a) when the participant connects using 360-camera technology and the other participant connects using VR technology the method may comprise: i) displaying a VR camera feed of the other participant in the control panel interface for viewing by the first participant; and ii) and sending a 360-camera feed of the participant for display in the VR headset of the other participant. The VR camera feed displayed to the participant may be a video signal of the virtual reality environment (e.g. the view of the virtual reality environment seen by the other participant). A 360 camera feed of the (first) participant may also be shown in the control panel interface of the (first) participant (e.g. as an inset view), and similarly for the other (second) participant using the web camera feed (e.g. as an inset view), b) when the participant connects using 360-camera technology and the other participant connects using web camera technology the method may comprise: i) displaying a web camera feed of the other participant in the control panel interface for viewing by the participant; and ii) sending a 360-camera feed of the participant for display in the control panel interface of the other participant.

c) when the participant connects using web-camera technology and the other participant connects using VR technology the method may comprise: i) displaying a VR camera feed of the other participant in the control panel interface for viewing by the participant; and ii) sending a web camera feed of the participant for display in a VR headset of the other participant. The web camera feed may be displayed in the VR headset as a flat 2D image within the virtual environment (e.g. on a virtual screen).

The other participant may be represented as an avatar in the control panel view of the participant. The VR camera feed displayed to the participant may include an avatar of the other participant on any suitable background environment, e.g. the video signal of the virtual reality environment. A web camera feed of the participant may also be shown in the control panel interface of the other participant, e.g. as an inset view.

d) when the participant connects using web-camera technology and the other participant connects using web camera technology the method may comprise: i) displaying a web camera feed of the other participant in the control panel interface for viewing by the participant; and ii) sending a web-camera feed of the participant for display in the control panel interface of the other participant. A web camera feed of the (first) participant may also be shown in the control panel interface of the (first) participant (e.g. as an inset view), and similarly for the other (second) participant.

e) when the participant connects using web-camera technology and the other participant connects using 360-camera technology the method may comprise: i) displaying a 360-camera feed of the other participant in the control panel interface for viewing by the participant; and ii) sending a web-camera feed of the participant for display in the control panel interface of the other participant. A web camera feed of the (first) participant may also be shown in the control panel interface of the (first) participant (e.g. as an inset view), and similarly for the other (second) participant using the 360-camera feed (e.g. as an inset view), f) when the participant connects using VR technology and the other participant connects using VR technology the method may comprises: i) displaying an avatar representing the other participant in a VR view displayed in a VR headset of the participant; and ii) sending an avatar representation of the (first) participant for display in the VR environment of the other participant via a VR headset of the other participant.

g) when the participant connects using VR technology and the other participant connects using web camera technology the method may comprise: i) displaying a web camera feed of the other participant in the VR view displayed in a VR headset of the (first) participant, preferably on a flat virtual screen in the VR view of the (first) participant; and ii) sending a VR camera feed of the participant for display in the control panel interface of the other participant. The VR camera feed displayed to the participant may be a video signal of the virtual reality environment (e.g. the view of the virtual reality environment seen by the other participant). The (first) participant may be represented as an avatar in the control panel view of the other participant. Another third participant of the plurality of participants may also be displayed a web-camera feed (e.g. as an inset) in the control panel interface. This other third participant may also be shown within the VR environment (e.g. on the virtual screen).

h) when the participant connects using VR technology and the other participant connects using 360-camera technology the method may comprise: i) displaying a 360-camera feed of the other participant in the VR view displayed in a VR headset of the participant; and ii) sending a VR camera feed of the participant for display in the control panel interface of the other participant.

Only one participant of the plurality of participants may be allowed to connect to the virtual meeting using 360-camera technology.

The plurality of participants may include at least one hidden participant from which no associated media stream is sent for display to the other participants. Such a participant can observe two other participants interacting, but is hidden from them.

The method may further comprise: allowing a hidden participant to connect to the virtual meeting platform using an associated control panel interface application or a virtual reality application; determining if another participant of the plurality of participants is connected to the virtual meeting; if another participant is determined to be connected, determining a connection technology of that other participant, wherein determining the connection technology comprises determining between a connection technology being used from a list comprising VR technology, 360-camera technology, and web-camera technology; and displaying a media stream associated with the other participant to the hidden participant according to the determined connection technology.

After determining a connection technology of the other participant and before sending or displaying a media stream, the method may further comprise: determining if the other participant is a hidden participant; and performing the step of displaying a media stream associated with the other (second) participant to the (first) participant only if the determination is negative (i.e. the other participant is not a hidden participant), otherwise no media stream associated with the other participant is displayed to the participant.

The method may further comprise determining whether the (first) participant has left the virtual meeting. If the participant has left the virtual meeting, the method may comprise determining if a time limit has been exceeded, and if the time limit has been exceeded, generating a session expired notification, or if the time limit has not been exceeded, allowing the participant to re-join the virtual meeting or join another virtual meeting.

The method may further comprise: determining if another (e.g. the second) participant in the virtual meeting has left; determining if the virtual meeting has finished; and exiting a virtual session of the participant if it is determined that the virtual meeting is finished, or remaining connected to the virtual session if the virtual meeting if determined not to have finished.

The method may further comprise: if it is determined that no other participant is connected to the virtual meeting, determining whether a time limit has been exceeded. If the time limit has been exceeded, the method may comprise generating a session expired notification. If the time limit has not been exceeded, the method may comprise determining if the virtual meeting has finished. The method may further comprise exiting a virtual session of the participant if it is determined that the virtual meeting is finished, or remaining connected to the virtual session if the virtual meeting if determined not to have finished.

According to a second aspect, the present application provides virtual meeting platform for conducting a virtual meeting in which a plurality of participants are connected in a real time virtual meeting, comprising at least one of: a server; and a plurality of virtual meeting endpoints each associated with one of the plurality of participants, the endpoints configured to communicate with the server via a network wherein the virtual meeting platform is configured to perform the method of the first aspect.

According to third aspect, the present application provides a system comprising one or more processors configured to perform the method of the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of the first aspect.

The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows an example embodiment of a virtual meeting platform; Figure 2 shows an example embodiment of a method of conducting a virtual meeting; Figures 3a to 3h show examples of a virtual meeting being carried out between a first participant and a second participant for different types of connection technology being used by each participant; Figure 4 shows another example embodiment of a virtual meeting platform; Figure 5 shows another example of the embodiment of Figure 2, in which a hidden participant can be connected to the virtual meeting; Figure 6 shows an example embodiment of a method of allowing a hidden participant to connect to a virtual meeting platform; Figures 7 and 8 show another example embodiment of a method of conducting a virtual meeting between a plurality of participants; and Figures 9 and 10 show another example embodiment of a method of allowing a hidden participant to connect to a virtual meeting platform.

Detailed Description of preferred embodiments

The present application provides a virtual meeting platform for conducting a virtual meeting between a plurality of participants who are connected in a respective real time virtual session.

A virtual meeting platform 100 (referred to simply as the platform herein) is illustrated in Figure 1. The platform 100 comprises a plurality of virtual meeting endpoints 102, 104, 106. The platform 100 also includes a server 108. The server 108 includes a processor 108a, a memory 108b, and a communications module 108b. The server 108 may be configured to facilitate communications between the virtual meeting endpoints 102, 104, 106 to allow a virtual meeting to take place. The server may include a multipoint control unit (MCU) as is known in the art to allow the endpoints to intercommunicate.

The endpoints 102, 104, 106 are configured to communicate with the server 108 (and therefore with each other indirectly) through a communications network 110, such as a local area network (LAN), wireless location area network (WLAN), the Internet, or any other communications network or combination of networks.

Each of the endpoints 102, 104, 106 comprise an application 102a, 104a, 1006b running on an associated user device 102c, 104c, 106c. Each of the endpoints 102, 104, 106 comprises an input device or devices. The input devices are configured to obtain a media stream associated with the respective participant (e.g. a video or audio media stream). In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, each of the participants is therefore an active participant in the virtual meeting session (as opposed to a hidden participant described later) in that they both provide an input which is communicated and outputted to the other participants. The input devices may include a microphone configured to record audio input from the associated user, and a camera (e.g. web-camera) to record a video input. The input devices may further include sensors mounted on a VR headset (or other types of remote sensor) to detect the user's movements for avatar generation. The input devices may be integral with the user device of the endpoint (e.g. built in cameras and microphones) or external (e.g. connected to the user device, such as a VR headset, hands-free microphone etc).

Each of the endpoints 102, 104, 106 comprises an output device or devices. The output devices are configured to output a media stream associated with a participant.

The output devices may include visual display devices (e.g. display screens) configured to display a video feed to the user. The visual display device may be a VR headset. The output devices may further include audio output devices such as speakers. The output devices may be integral with the user device of the endpoint (e.g. built in display screens and speakers) or external devices (e.g. connected to the user device, such as a VR headset, connected speaker etc).

The endpoints illustrated in Figure I are each of a different type, and each are implemented using a different connection technology (e.g. different hardware type). The platform 100 is configured to allow participants to connect using a choice of three different connection technology types. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, a first of the endpoints 102 is implemented using web-camera technology, a second of the endpoints 104 is implemented using 360-degree camera technology and a third of the endpoints 106 is implemented using VR technology.

The first endpoint 102 comprises a user device 102c in the form of a laptop computer with the input devices being a built in web-camera 102b and microphone. In other embodiments, an external web-camera and/or microphone may instead be connected to the laptop. The application 102a is a control panel interface by which media streams of other participants can be output via a suitable output device of the user device 102c (e.g, display screen and speakers) and other user interaction provided.

The second endpoint 104 comprises a user device in the form of a laptop computer with the input devices being a 360-degree (omnidirectional) camera 104b connected to the laptop and either a separate external microphone or an internal microphone within the laptop or camera. The application 104a is again a control panel interface by which media streams of other participants can be output via a suitable output device of the user device 104c (e.g. display screen and speakers). The laptop web-camera may also be used to obtain an addition video stream.

The third endpoint 106 comprises a user device 106c in the form of a laptop computer with a VR headset 106b acting as the input and output device. The VR headset 106b includes a microphone and optionally further includes motion sensors to allow a media stream in the form audio and avatar movements of the user to be obtained. The application 106a is a VR application running on the user device and configured to communicate with the VR headset. The VR headset also acts as an output device by which a media stream can be output to the user.

Figure 1 illustrates only one example of the connection of a plurality of users to the platform, and provides an example of one participant connecting using each of the possible connection technology types. In other embodiments, other numbers of participants may be connected, such as only two, or more than three. The end points illustrated in Figure 1 are examples only. in some embodiments, the user devices on which the control panel interface application or a virtual reality application are configured to run may be any of a mobile communications device such as a smart phone, tablet or the like, or may be a computing device such as a laptop or desktop computer, or any other suitable electronic user device having a computer processor and memory configured to run the applications. In yet other embodiments, the user device illustrated as forming part of the end point 106 implemented using VR technology may be absent, with the VR application via which the participant connects being run on the VR headset itself In some embodiments, other additional technology types may also be supported.

The skilled person will understand that any suitable input device can be used for each endpoint in order to implement the desired connection technology method. The skilled person will understand that the webcam, 360-degree camera and VR technology connections can be implemented using any available suitable hardware known in the art. This includes any available webcam video conferencing system, 360-degree (omnidirectional) camera video conferencing system and VR video conferencing system hardware known in the art.

Figure 2 illustrates a method 200 of conducting a virtual meeting between a plurality of participants. The method 200 may be performed by any of the virtual meeting platforms described herein, for example using the virtual meeting platform illustrated in Figure I. The platform 100 is configured to facilitate a virtual meeting between the plurality of participants. Each of the participants connects to the virtual meeting by starting a respective virtual session in which they are connected to the platform to send a media stream associated with themselves to the other participants and receive media streams in return. A multiway virtual meeting between the plurality of users is therefore provided.

The method 200 comprises allowing 202 a participant (e.g. a first participant) of the plurality of participants to connect to the virtual meeting platform. The first participant connects using the control panel interface application or the virtual reality application of the participant endpoint associated with that user. The first participant connects to the virtual meeting using an associated endpoint technology selected from a list comprising: a) webcam technology using the control panel interface application, b) virtual reality (VR) technology using the virtual reality application, and c) 360-camera technology using the control panel interface application. These endpoint technology options may be implemented using the appropriate endpoints described above.

The method 200 further comprises determining 204 if another (second) participant of the plurality of participants is connected to the virtual meeting. This may be done after the first participant has joined a virtual meeting in which that participant wishes to take part, and their virtual session started, as will be described later.

If another participant is determined to be connected, the method 200 then comprises determining 206 a connection technology of the other participant Determining the connection technology comprises determining between a connection technology being used from a list comprising VR technology, 360-camera technology, and web-camera technology. This reflects the three possible types of connection technology which another participant may be using to connect to the platform as described above in connection with Figure 1. The platform can manage the user's connectivity access. If a user connects using a VR headset the platform detects this and the virtual meeting is joined through VR. If a user connects using a user device (e.g. computer, laptop etc.) then they automatically have the options for webcam or 360 camera access to the virtual meeting if the platform detects that a 360 camera is connected (e.g. see later with reference to Figure 7 step 522).

Determining the connection technology being used may be performed by the platform based on settings in a preconfigured meeting session definition. The meeting connection technology requirements may be specified when scheduling a session, and stored in the meeting session definition. This may be done before the meeting using the control panel, and may be done via a meeting setup wizard (e.g. by the meeting host). The setup wizard highlights the session's user and connection technology requirements (e.g. which two technologies are being used by who and what types of participant are joining the session). Hidden observer participants may also be pre-configured in a similar way (see later) When a participant enters the virtual meeting (and is detected as being connected) the other participants may be notified e.g. using an audible indicator. Where a participant is a hidden (e.g. non-active) participant as will be described later, a visual indicator (e.g. an icon) may also be displayed to the other participants (e.g. the host) when the hidden participant connects. This allows other participants to know they are present.

The method 200 further comprises displaying 208 a media stream associated with the other second participant to the first participant. The media stream is displayed according to the determined connection technology. The method further comprises sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the other second participant according to the determined connection technology. The first participant therefore receives a media stream associated with the other second participant and sends one in return to allow a two way communication between them to take place.

The method 200 may be carried out for each participant as they each connect to the platform 100 via their respective control panel interface or VR application. The displaying step 208 may therefore involve displaying a media stream associated with the second participant that is received from second participant as a result of a corresponding sending step 208 being carried out for the second participant. The method may therefore comprise corresponding steps of displaying a media stream to the second participant, and sending a media stream from the first participant for display by the first participant.

Where the first participant determines that there is more than one other participant connected to the virtual meeting, the connection technology of each participant is determined. This allows the platform to facilitate the connection of any number of participants. The displaying step 206 may therefore further comprise displaying media streams associated with any of the other participants. Similarly, the sending step 208 may comprise sending the media stream associated with the first user to any one or more (or all of) the other participants.

The displaying 206 and sending steps 208 may be carried out concurrently to allow a real time communication between the first participant and the second participant (or any others connected). Sending the media stream associated with the first participant to the other participants may comprise sending the media stream via the network 110 and the server 108. This may allow the server to route the media stream to the correct location By determining the connection technology of another user connected to the platform, and configuring the sending and display of the media streams according to the determined connection technology, the method 200 allows the platform 100 to flexibly connect a plurality of users in a number of different ways. By allowing users to connect using a choice of VA, wcbcam and 360-camera technology a number of different types of virtual meeting can be implemented using the same platform. This provides an improvement over known virtual meeting platforms which are usually restricted to one connection technology, or it is difficult to switch between them Examples of a virtual meeting being carried out between a first participant and a second participant are illustrated in Figures 3a-h for different types of connection technology being used by each participant. The view of the first participant is shown on the left panel of each of Figures 3a-h, with the view of the second participant shown in the right panel.

The steps of displaying 208 a media stream associated with the other (second) participant to the first participant and sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the other (second) participant according to the determined connection technology may comprise any one or more of the following a) when the first participant connects using 360-camera technology and the second participant connects using VR technology: i) displaying 208 a media stream associated with the second participant to the first participant comprises displaying a VR camera feed of the other second participant in the control panel interface (via which the first user accesses the platform) for viewing by the first participant; and ii) sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the second participant comprises sending a 360-camera feed of the first participant for display in the VR headset of the second participant. An example of this is shown in Figure 3a. The VR camera feed displayed to the first participant may be a video signal of the virtual reality environment (e.g. the view of the virtual reality environment seen by the second participant). The first participant therefore sees the same 360-camera view as the second participant, but displayed in the control panel rather than in a VR headset.

b) when the first participant connects using 360-camera technology and the second participant connects using web camera technology: i) displaying 208 a media stream associated with the second participant to the first participant comprises displaying a web camera feed of the second participant in the control panel interface (via which the first user accesses the platform) for viewing by the first participant; and ii) sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the second participant comprises sending a 360 camera feed of the first participant for display in the control panel interface of the second participant. An example of this is shown in Figure 3b. The first participant is further displayed the media stream associated with the first participant as an inset view 252 (e.g. an inset view of their 360-camera feed). The second participant is similarly further displayed the media stream associated with the second participant as an inset view 252 (e.g. an inset view of their web camera feed). In some embodiments, these inset views are not displayed. In other embodiments, an additional inset view may be provided to allow more than two participants to connect. For example, the second participant may be displayed an additional inset view of a further participant that is connected (e.g. another participant using web camera technology). In one example therefore, when a participant is using a 360 camera, that participant can only use that 360 camera as their video feed. If they disconnect the 360 camera, the platform will revert to the webcam feed of the user device (e.g. laptop) to which the 360 camera was connected so that they are connected using web camera technology.

c) when the first participant connects using web-camera technology and the second participant connects using VR technology: i) displaying 208 a media stream associated with the second participant to the first participant comprises displaying a VR camera feed (or an avatar representation 268 of the second participant) of the second participant in the control panel interface (via which the first user accesses the platform) for viewing by the first participant; and ii) sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the second participant comprises sending a web camera feed of the first participant for display in the VR headset of the second participant. An example of this is shown in Figure 3c. The web camera feed may be displayed in the VR head set as a flat 2D image 254 within the virtual environment (e.g. on a virtual screen such as a virtual TV screen). The second participant may be represented as an avatar 256 in the control panel view of the first participant. In this case, the VR camera feed displayed to the first participant includes an avatar of the second participant on any suitable background environment, e.g. the video signal of the virtual reality environment. A web camera feed of the first participant may also be shown in the control panel interface of the first participant as an inset view 258.

d) when the first participant connects using web-camera technology and the second participant connects using web camera technology: i) displaying 208 a media stream associated with the second participant to the first participant comprises displaying a web camera feed of the second participant in the control panel interface (via which the first user accesses the platform) for viewing by the first participant; and ii) sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the second participant comprises sending a web-camera feed of the first participant for display in the control panel interface of the second participant. An example of this is shown in Figure 3d. A web camera feed of the first participant may also be shown in the control panel interface of the first participant as an inset view 260, and similarly for the second participant.

e) when the first participant connects using web-camera technology and the second participant connects using 360-camera technology: i) displaying 208 a media stream associated with the second participant to the first participant comprises displaying a 360-camera feed of the second participant in the control panel interface (via which the first user accesses the platform) for viewing by the first participant; and ii) sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the second participant comprises sending a web-camera feed of the first participant for display in the control panel interface of the second participant. An example of this is shown in Figure 3e. A web camera feed of the first participant may also be shown in the control panel interface of the first participant as an inset view 262, and similarly for the second participant using the 360-camera feed as an inset view 264.

0 when the first participant connects using VR technology and the second participant connects using VR technology: i) displaying 208 a media stream associated with the second participant to the first participant comprises displaying an avatar 268 representing the second participant in the VR view displayed in the VR headset of the first participant; and ii) sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the second participant comprises sending an avatar representation 268 of the first participant for display in the VR environment of the second participant via their VR headset. An example of this is shown in Figure 3f.

g) when the first participant connects using VR technology and the second participant connects using web camera technology: i) displaying 208 a media stream associated with the second participant to the first participant comprises displaying web camera feed of the second participant in the VR view displayed in the VR headset of the first participant (this may be displayed on a flat virtual screen 270 as mentioned above); and ii) sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the second participant comprises sending a VR camera feed (or an avatar representation 268 of the first participant) of the first participant for display in the control panel interface of the second participant. An example of this is shown in Figure 3g. The VR camera feed displayed to the first participant is again a video signal of the virtual reality environment (e.g. the view of the virtual reality environment seen by the second participant). The first participant may be represented as an avatar 272 in the control panel view of the second participant as illustrated.

Another participant may also be displayed a web-camera feed as an inset 274 in the control panel interface. This other participant may also be shown in the virtual screen 270 within the VR environment, h) when the first participant connects using VR technology and the second participant connects using 360-camera technology: i) displaying 208 a media stream associated with the second participant to the first participant comprises displaying 360-camera feed of the second participant in the VR view displayed in the VR headset of the first participant (this may be displayed as a virtual 3D environment view); and ii) sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the second participant comprises sending a VR camera feed (e.g. video signal of the virtual reality environment) of the first participant to the control panel interface for display in the control panel interface of the second participant. An example of this is shown in Figure 3h.

In the embodiment described above, a virtual meeting in which two participants are connected both via 360-camera technology is not provided for. in other embodiments, a connection between two participants both using 360-camera technology may also be provided. In addition to options a) to h) described above, the steps of displaying 208 and sending 210 media streams according to the determined connection technology may further comprise: when the first participant connects using 360-camera technology and the other second participant connects using 360-camera technology: i) displaying 208 a media stream associated with the second participant to the first participant comprises displaying a 360-camera feed of the second participant in the control panel interface (via which the first user accesses the platform) for viewing by the first participant; and ii) sending 210 a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the second participant comprises sending a 360-camera feed of the first participant for display in the control panel interface of the second participant.

The connection formats a) to i) above may also be provided for further participants connected to the virtual meeting (e.g. the formats may apply equally to a first participant and a third, fourth, Fifth etc. participant). This may be done by showing multiple media streams to each participant at the same time (e.g. multiple avatars, multiple virtual display screens in a VR environment or multiple web camera feeds) or switching between media feeds depending on which participant is speaking at a certain time. Additional participants may also be shown as insets in control panel display.

In the embodiments described above, a connection between two or more active participants in the virtual meeting is provided. in other embodiments, one or more hidden participants may also take part in the virtual meeting. By hidden participant, we mean a hidden observer (i.e. a non-active participant) who is able to see media streams associated with other active participants, but who does not send a media stream for display to any other participants in the virtual meeting (such that they are hidden from view of the others). Although a media stream associated with the hidden observer is not displayed to other participants, their presence in the meeting may be indicated by displaying a visual indicator to one or more of the other participants (e.g. the host participant).

Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a virtual meeting platform 300 in which three active participants are connected to a virtual meeting (corresponding to the embodiment above described in connection with Figure I, with corresponding reference numerals used to aid explanation), with an additional fourth participant that is a hidden participant.

Platform 300 comprises endpoints 302, 304, 306 along with an additional endpoint 312 corresponding to hidden participant. The hidden participant endpoint 312 comprises an application 312a running on an associated user device 312c. No input device (e.g. microphone, VR headset sensors, web-camera etc) is required to be connected to the user device 312c as no media stream associated with the observer participant is required to be obtained. The input device corresponding to the technology type used by the hidden observer may however still be present, but no media stream obtained from it (e.g. built in web camera and microphone switched off). As discussed elsewhere herein, the user device 31 2a may be any suitable electronic device such as a laptop, tablet computer, smart phone, desktop PC etc The hidden participant may connect via a control panel interface application or the virtual reality application (with connected VR headset) in a similar way as for an active participant of the virtual meeting. The hidden participant may therefore connect using webcam technology or virtual reality technology similarly to the active participants. In Figure 4 a single hidden participant is shown connected via the control panel interface application. In other embodiments, any number of hidden observers may be connected, each either via the control panel interface or the VR application (and headset) In order to allow the platform to correctly display media streams in the case of hidden participants being connected, the method illustrated in Figure 2 may further comprise further steps as illustrated in Figure 5. After determining 206 a connection technology of the other participant and before sending 210 or displaying 208 a media stream, the method further comprises determining 212 if the other participant is a hidden participant. This may be defined in the preconfigured meeting session definition discussed above. If the determination is positive (i.e. they are hidden), the method proceeds to the step of sending 210 the media stream associated with the first participant to the other participant (the hidden participant in this case). If the determination 212 is negative, the method proceeds to the step of displaying 208 the media stream associated with the other (second) participant to the first participant. Performing the step of displaying a media stream associated with the other participant to the first participant is therefore carried out only if the determination is negative, otherwise no media stream associated with the other participant is displayed to the first participant so that they are hidden.

In order to allow the hidden participant to connect to the virtual meeting platform, the method 200 performed by the virtual meeting platform may further comprise the method 400 illustrated in Figure 6. in such an embodiment, the method 400 comprises allowing 402 a hidden participant to connect to the virtual meeting platform using an associated control panel interface application or a virtual reality application similarly to an active participant as described elsewhere herein.

Once a hidden participant has connected, the method 400 comprises determining 404 if another participant of the plurality of participants is connected to the virtual meeting. This may be done after the hidden participant has connected to the virtual meeting by starting a virtual session.

If another participant is determined to be connected, the method 400 further comprises determining 406 a connection technology of that other participant. This comprises determining between a connection technology being used from a list comprising VR technology, 360-camera technology, and web-camera technology as described above for an active non-hidden participant. Once another participant is detected, the method 400 comprises determining 412 if the other participant is a hidden participant.

The method 400 then comprises displaying 408 a media stream associated with the other participant to the hidden participant according to the determined connection technology. This step is performed if the determination that the other participant is a hidden participant is negative. If the other participant is determined to be another hidden participant, no media streams are sent or displayed that are associated with either of them so that they both remain hidden from each other.

No media stream associated with the non-active hidden participant is sent to the other participants for display so that they can act as a hidden observer, rather than taking part in any two-way communication. A step corresponding to the sending step 210 is therefore absent from the method 400. in some embodiments, only a single hidden observer participant may be allowed to connect. in such an embodiment it is not required to determine if other participants are hidden so that step 412 is absent.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate another method 500 of conducting a virtual meeting between a plurality of participants. The method 500 is shown spilt over Figures 7 and 8 and is connected at connectors A, B, C and D. The method 500 may be performed by any of the virtual meeting platforms described herein, for example using the virtual meeting platform illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 4. The method illustrated in Figure 500 comprises corresponding steps to those of method 200, which are given corresponding reference numbers. These steps may be performed as described elsewhere herein.

In the method 500 the step of allowing 502 a participant to connect to the virtual meeting platform comprises performing 514 a user login. This may include verifying the credentials of the user against those stored in a database of the platform and allowing the user to login if the verification is passed. If the credentials of the user are not verified successfully, an error message is displayed.

In the present embodiment, a number of different types of participant may access the virtual meeting platform to take part in a virtual meeting. The types of participant may include a host (e.g. professional giving training or medical practitioner), user (e.g. trainee or patient), guest (e.g. relative) or observer (e.g. other non-host professional) participant. These different types of participant are treated differently by the platform 100 to provide further flexibility to implement different types of virtual meeting.

Where the participant is a host or user type participant, the user credentials may include a usemame and password. Where the participant is an observer type participant, the user credentials may include a session ID and a password. Where the participant is a guest type the user credentials may include a name and session ID. in other embodiments, no distinction may be made between different participant types, with the same credentials being used for all users. The credentials mentioned above are examples only the skilled person will understand that any suitable credentials can be used.

The method 500 further comprises receiving 516 a selection of a virtual meeting a participant wishes to join. The selection may be made from a list of virtual meetings that have already been scheduled in advance. The list may be display to the participant via the control panel interface or the VR application and a user input received to perform a selection. Following this the virtual meeting selected may be entered by starting a virtual session 518. This may involve the participant accessing a call room in which the virtual meeting takes place. This may be an environment that is displayed in the control panel interface or the VR headset associated with the participant.

The step of selecting 516 the virtual meeting may only be performed for participants that arc the host/user typc. Where the participant is of the guest/observer type this step may not be required as those users can only access a virtual meeting to which they have been invited, and so cannot select to join other meetings. In other embodiments, the guest/observer type participant may be presented with a list of virtual meetings, but only be allowed access to those they are invited by entering a password or the like.

in embodiments where no distinction is made between types of participant, the method may proceed from step 514 to step 516 and to step 518 for all participants.

In some embodiments, the method 500 may further comprise allowing a participant to choose display content that can be displayed to other participants during the virtual session. This may be done after starting the session 518. Allowing a participant to choose display content may involve displaying a content gallery from which content may be selected. in some embodiments, only a host type participant may be allowed to choose content for display.

Where a participant has assessed the platform 100 via the VR application, the method 500 comprises configuring 520 an avatar for that participant. Configuring the avatar may comprise determining if an avatar configuration is stored by the platform 100 or generating a random avatar. Configuring the avatar may further comprise displaying the avatar to the participant via the virtual reality application and allowing the user to make modifications (e.g. change its appearance to match their own). Modified avatars may be stored by the platform for later use. Step 518 may be performed at other points in the method, e.g. before step 516 or before step 518.

Where the participant has accessed the platform via the control panel application, the method 500 comprises determining 522 whether they are using a web camera or have a 360 camera connected (i.e. determining between web camera technology or 360 degree camera technology connections). This allows the platform to send and display media streams associated with the participant accordingly as described above.

The method 500 also includes steps 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 which correspond to steps 204, 206, 208, 210, 212 of the method shown in Figure 5, and can be carried out as described above. In some embodiments, step 512 may be omitted if hidden participants are not implemented.

Referring to Figure 8, the method 500 further comprises steps that arc carried out if a participant leaves the virtual session or if no other participants are determined to be connected in step 504. Leaving the virtual session may include a participant deliberately leaving, or if they have fallen or dropped out of the session e.g because of a loss of connection with the network 108.

As illustrated in Figure 8, the method 500 comprises determining 524 if the first participant has left the present virtual session via which they are connected to the virtual meeting. The method further comprises, if the determination 524 is positive and the first participant has left, determining 526 if a time limit has been exceeded.

The time limit may be a time from a scheduled start of the virtual meeting or when the virtual session started (e.g. 24 hrs). The determination 526 may be made by comparing the current time to a stored start time of the virtual meeting.

The method 500 further comprises generating 527 a session expired notification in response to determining that the time limit has elapsed. The session expired notification indicates that the virtual meeting has expired and that the connection should not be re-established. If it is determined that the time limit has not been exceeded, the method may return to step 514 or 516 to allow the participant to join another virtual meeting or join back to the virtual meeting they were connected to.

The method 500 comprises determining 528 if the participant is a host/user type participant. If that determination is positive, the method proceeds to step 516 so that a selection of a virtual meeting may be made. If the determination is negative, and the participant type is guest/observer type the method proceeds to step 514 to allow the participant to access a virtual meeting to which they have been invited. In some embodiments, no distinction is made between active participant types. In that case, step 528 may be absent, with all participants either being able to choose another meeting or login as appropriate. In other embodiments, the time limit comparison may not be required, with step 526 being absent. In such an embodiment, the method may proceed from step 524 to step 528 (or to steps 514 or 516).

Referring again to Figure 8, the method 500 further comprises determining 530 if another participant (i.e. the second participant, or any other participant) has left the present virtual meeting. This step may be performed if it is determined 524 that the first participant has not left the virtual session as illustrated in Figure 8. in other embodiments, the determining of whether the first participant or any other participant has left may be performed independently of each other.

The method 500 further comprises determining 532 if the present virtual meeting has finished if it is determined at step 530 that another participant has left. The method 500 further comprises exiting 534 the virtual session if it is determined that the meeting has finished. If the meeting is determined 532 not to have finished, the participant may remain connected to the virtual session and wait for others to join. The method 500 may therefore return to the same state as after the virtual session has started as illustrated in Figure 7. The virtual session is therefore continued and a determination of whether another participant is connected performed.

In the present embodiment, method 500 comprises creating 536 an archive of the virtual session once the virtual session has been exited in step 534. Creating an archive may comprise storing media streams generated during the virtual session by any of the participants Referring again to Figure 7, if it is determined that no other participant is connected to the virtual meeting at step 504, a determination 538 is made as to whether a time limit has been exceeded (see Figure 8) similarly as for step 524 described above. if the time limit is exceeded the session expired notification is generated 527. If the time limit has not been exceeded, the determining 532 of whether the virtual meeting is finished may be performed as discussed above. Following this, the virtual session may be exited 534 or participant allowed to wait in the session for other participants to connect accordingly.

The method illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 may further include steps to facilitate the connection of a non-active hidden observer participant. The method 500 may therefore further comprise the method 600 illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. Referring to Figure 9, steps 602, 604, 606, 608, 612 correspond to steps 402, 404, 406, 408, 412 of the method illustrated in Figure 6 and described above.

Method 600 comprises allowing 602 a hidden participant to connect to the platform by performing 614 a hidden participant login by receiving credentials from the hidden participant that include a session ID and verifying the session ID against a stored database of session IDs to verify that the participant has been invited to take part in the virtual session. The hidden participants may include observer type participants and guest type participants. Where the hidden participant is an observer type participant, performing the user login 614 further comprises verifying a password provided by the user. Wherein the hidden participant is a guest type participant, performing the user login 614 instead further comprises verifying a name of the participant. if the credentials of the non-active participant are not verified successfully, an error message is displayed. In other embodiments, no distinction may be made between different participant types, with the same credentials being used for all participants. The credentials mentioned above are examples only; the skilled person will understand that any suitable credentials can be used.

Once the non-active participant has connected to the platform the virtual session for that participant may be started 618 in a similar way as described above in connection with Figure 7.

Where a hidden participant connects to the platform using the VR application (e.g. is using the VR technology type), the method further comprises blocking 638 the hidden participant VR interaction. This ensures that they have no interaction with the virtual environment which they are presented, or with the participants such that they remain as hidden non-active participants. The blocking 638 may include blocking interaction with any element of the VR environment (e.g. call room), muting any microphone device and blocking the display of any avatar associated with the hidden participant.

Following the session starting 618 and any required VR interaction blocking 638 the method 600 includes steps 604, 606, 612, 608 to detect other participants and display media streams accordingly. These steps correspond to those of Figure 6 so that anything described above in connection with steps 404, 406, 412 and 408 apply equally. The description of these steps will not therefore be repeated Referring to Figure 10, the method 600 further comprises steps that arc carried out if a participant leaves the virtual session or if no other participants are determined to be connected in step 604. These steps correspond to those of Figure 8. Specifically, the method of Figure 10 comprises steps 624, 626, 627, 630, 632, 634 that correspond to steps 524, 526, 527, 530, 532, 534. Anything described above in connection with those corresponding steps of Figure 8 apply equally to Figure 10. The steps in Figure 8 for an active participant may therefore be the same as those for a hidden participant. In the presently described embodiment, no archive of the session is created for the hidden participant. In other embodiments, method 600 may further comprise creating a session archive for the hidden participant similarly to as described above.

The methods described herein are to be understood as exemplary. The order of the method steps may be altered according to different implementations, or steps may be omitted in some embodiments.

The methods described herein may be performed by any one or more parts of the virtual meeting platform e.g. any of the method steps defined herein may be performed by any of the endpoints or the server, or a combination of any one of the end points and the server (they may be distributed between an end point and the server). Specifically, the methods may be performed by one or more computer processors provided in a device or devices forming the virtual meeting platform. In one embodiment, the methods described herein, such as methods 200, 400, 500, 600 may be performed by the user device of the respective participant (e.g. the first participant), and also by each of the other participants. in other embodiments, the methods may be performed by distributed parts of the platform.

The methods of the present application may be implemented using a conventional general purpose or a specialized digital computer or microprocessor(s) programmed according to the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Such devices may form the server or any of the user devices described herein. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art. The invention may also be implemented by the preparation of integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

In one aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer or computers, cause the computer(s) to perform any of the methods or features described herein. The present application also provides a machine readable medium (media) having the computer program product stored thereon. The machine readable medium can be used to program one or more hosts to perform any of the methods and features described herein. Such a machine readable medium may be a non-transitory computer readable medium.

The present application includes software stored on such machine readable media for controlling both the hardware of the general purpose/specialized computer or microprocessor, and for enabling the computer or microprocessor to interact with a human operator. Such software may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, execution environments/containers, and applications as would be understood by the skilled person.

The machine readable medium can include, but is not limited to, one or more types of disks including floppy disks, optical discs, DVD, CD-ROMs, micro drive, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, DRAMs, VRAMs, flash memory devices, magnetic or optical cards, nanosystems (including molecular memory ICs), or any type of media or device suitable for storing instructions and/or data.

Various modifications will be apparent to the skilled person without departing form the scope of the claims. The embodiments described above should be understood as exemplary only. Any feature of any of the aspects or embodiments of the disclosure may be employed separately or in combination with any other feature of the same or different aspect or embodiment of the disclosure and the disclosure includes any feature or combination of features disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of conducting a virtual meeting using a virtual meeting platform whereby a plurality of participants are connected in a real time virtual meeting, the method comprising: allowing a participant of the plurality of participants to connect to the virtual meeting platform using an associated control panel interface application or a virtual reality (VR) application to take part in the virtual meeting; determining if another participant of the plurality of participants is connected to the virtual meeting; if a another participant is determined to be connected, determining a connection technology of the other participant, wherein determining the connection technology comprises determining between a connection technology being used from a list comprising VR technology, 360-camera technology, and web-camera technology; displaying a media stream associated with the other participant to the participant according to the determined connection technology of the other participant; and sending a media stream associated with the first participant for display to the other participant according to the determined connection technology of the other 20 participant.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the participant connects to the virtual meeting using an associated endpoint technology selected from a list comprising: a) webcam technology using the control panel interface application, b) VR technology using the virtual reality application, and c) 360-camera technology using the control panel interface application.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein displaying the media stream associated with the other participant and sending the media feed associated with the participant is further based on the connection technology of the participant.
A method according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein any one or more of: a) when the participant connects using 360-camera technology and the other participant connects using VR technology the method comprises: i) displaying a VR camera feed of the other participant in the control panel interface for viewing by the first participant; and ii) and sending a 360-camera feed of the participant for display in the VR headset of the other participant; b) when the participant connects using 360-camera technology and the other participant connects using web camera technology the method comprises: i) displaying a web camera feed of the other participant in the control panel interface for viewing by the participant; and ii) sending a 360-camera feed of the participant for display in the control panel interface of the other participant; c) when the participant connects using web-camera technology and the other participant connects using VR technology the method comprises: i) displaying a VR camera feed of the other participant in the control panel interface for viewing by the participant; and ii) sending a web camera feed of the participant for display in a VR headset of the other participant; d) when the participant connects using web-camera technology and the other participant connects using web camera technology the method comprises: i) displaying a web camera feed of the other participant in the control panel interface for viewing by the participant; and ii) sending a web-camera feed of the participant for display in the control panel interface of the other participant; e) when the participant connects using web-camera technology and the other participant connects using 360-camera technology the method comprises: i) displaying a 360-camera feed of the other participant in the control panel interface for viewing by the participant; and ii) sending a web-camera feed of the participant for display in the control panel interface of the other participant; f) when the participant connects using VR technology and the other participant connects using VR technology the method comprises: i) displaying an avatar representing the other participant in a VR view displayed in a VR headset of the participant; and ii) sending an avatar representation of the first participant for display in the VR environment of the other participant via a VR headset of the other participant.g) when the participant connects using VR technology and the other participant connects using web camera technology the method comprises: i) displaying web camera feed of the other participant in the VR view displayed in a VR headset of the participant, preferably on a flat virtual screen in the VR view of the participant; and ii) sending a VR camera feed of the participant for display in the control panel interface of the other participant; and/or h) when the participant connects using VR technology and the other participant connects using 360-camera technology the method comprises: i) displaying a 360-camera feed of the other participant in the VR view displayed in a VR headset of the participant; and ii) sending a VR camera feed of the participant for display in the control panel interface of the other participant.
5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein only one participant of the plurality of participants can connect to the virtual meeting using 360-camera technology.
6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of participants include at least one hidden participant from which no associated media stream is sent for display to the other participants.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises: allowing a hidden participant to connect to the virtual meeting platform using an associated control panel interface application or a virtual reality application; determining if another participant of the plurality of participants is connected to the virtual meeting; if a another participant is determined to be connected, determining a connection technology of that other participant, wherein determining the connection technology comprises determining between a connection technology being used from a list comprising VR technology, 360-camera technology, and web-camera technology; and displaying a media stream associated with the other participant to the hidden participant according to the determined connection technology.
8, A method according to claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising.after determining a connection technology of the other participant and before sending or displaying a media stream, the method further comprises: determining if the other participant is a hidden participant; performing the step of displaying a media stream associated with the other participant to the participant only if the determination is negative, otherwise no media stream associated with the other participant is displayed to the participant.
9. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising: determining whether the participant has left the virtual meeting; if the participant has left the virtual meeting, determining if a time limit has been exceeded, and if the time limit has been exceeded, generating a session expired notification or if the time limit has not been exceeded, allowing the participant to rejoin the virtual meeting or join another virtual meeting.
10. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising: determining if another participant in the virtual meeting has left; determining if the virtual meeting has finished; exiting a virtual session of the participant if it is dete mined that the virtual meeting is finished, or remaining connected to the virtual session if the virtual meeting if determined not to have finished.
11. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising if it is determined that no other participant is connected to the virtual meeting, determining whether a time limit has been exceeded; if the time limit has been exceeded, generating a session expired notification; if the time limit has not been exceeded, determining if the virtual meeting has finished; and exiting a virtual session of the participant if it is determined that the virtual meeting is finished, or remaining connected to the virtual session if the virtual meeting if determined not to have finished.
12. A virtual meeting platform for conducting a virtual meeting in which a plurality of participants are connected in a real time virtual meeting, comprising: a server; and a plurality of virtual meeting endpoints each associated with one of the plurality of participants, the endpoints configured to communicate with the server via a network, wherein the virtual meeting platform is configured to perform the method of any preceding claim.
13. A system comprising one or more processors configured to perform the method ofanv of claims Ito II.
14. A computer program product comprising instructions which when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of any of claims I to II.