The video call user interface

Video calls can be operated easily and intuitively on the Sessionboard as well as on the laptop / PC. They are reduced to the essential functions to enable you to run your video call effectively.

 

CONTENT

• The Video Call Widget
  
  • Statuses of the Video Call Widget
  • States of the Video Call Widget
  • Positioning and Scaling
• Layout of the video call
• Controls of the video call
• The control panel
• Microphone and camera states
• States of the avatar
• Why is the thumbnail currently not available?

The Video Call Widget

The Video Call Widget is located on the Workspace of each Session that has a host. You can join and operate a video call via the widget.

 

Please note: Each Session created with a cannyboard Account on a personal device has a host. Therefore, the Video Call Widget is not available only when a Session is started directly on the Sessionboard.

 

Statuses of the Video Call Widget

Video Call available

This is the default status of the Video Call Widget. Tap/Klick "Join" to join a video call.

Video Call is running

This status is displayed while an ongoing video call. You can switch the microphone on and off and maximize the Video Call Widget. Tap "Leave" to end the video call.

 

States of the Video Call Widget

During an ongoing video call, you can switch between the states of the Video Call Widget by tapping the "Maximize" or "Minimize" button or by opening or closing the camera flap on the Sessionboard.

 

Please note:You can also switch between the states of the Video Call Widget by opening and closing the camera flap on the Sessionboard.

Minimized Video Call Widget:
You can telephone with participants in the video call, but you cannot see any video transmission. Your own video image is transmitted as long as the camera flap is open or the camera is activated on the laptop / PC. When minimized, you have a clear view of the Workspace.

 

Maximized Video Call Widget:
You can see the video transmission of the participants and further control elements of the video call are available to you.

 

Please note: Regardless of the state of the Video Call Widget, your video image will be transmitted as soon as you are in a running video call and the camera flap is opened or the camera is activated. Close the camera flap or deactivate the camera if you do not want any video transmission.

Positioning and Scaling

The maximized Video Call Widget can be scaled to any size and freely arranged on the Workspace.

 

On the Sessionboard

Use the pinch gesture to scale the widget to the desired size and move it to the desired location by dragging with one finger. Double tap the Video Call Widget to display it in full screen mode.

 

On the laptop / PC

Move the cursor over the edge of the maximized widget and drag the window to the desired size. To move, left click and hold on the widget. Drag the cursor to the desired position on the Workspace and release it.

 

Please note: The changed position of the maximized Video Call Widget is retained even after switching to the minimized state and back.

 

Layout of the video call

Grid View

In an ongoing video call, the participants are displayed by default as a video preview or  avatar in a grid view. So you always have an overview of all participating persons. With the help of various indicators in the individual grids, you can also keep an eye on who is speaking, has muted their microphone or deactivated the camera.

Portrait view

For example, you can actively set a currently speaking participant to portrait view by tapping or clicking the corresponding tile. The tile is enlarged to the entire area of the window. By tapping or clicking on the "Grid" button in the upper right corner of the window you can switch back to the grid view with an overview of all participants.

 

Controls of the video call

Video calls by cannyboard are set up in the same way on Sessionboards as well as on laptops / PCs. These are the elements using the portrait view of a participant as an example:

1. Control panel
2. Context menu
3. Grid view

   Switches to the grid view with the overview of all participants.

4. Participant information

   Displays the name of the participant and the status of his/her microphone.

Please note: The video call controls will automatically disappear after a few seconds, giving you a clear view of the video transmission. Tap the Video Call Widget once to show the controls again.

The control panel

The control panel is the main menu of the video call. Here you will find all essential functions. Depending on the device from which you participate in the video call, whether from a Sessionboard or via laptop / PC, the contents of the control panel differ.

Control panel on the Sessionboard

The elements of the control panel

1. Fullscreen

   The Video Call Widget is enlarged to the entire cannyboard display.

2. Minimize
   

   Minimizes the Video Call Widget.

3. Volume
4. Microphone
5. More
6. Leave

The elements of the context menu under "More"

1. Mute all

   Mutes all participants except you.

2. Help

Please note:The control panel disappears automatically after a few seconds and reappears by tapping the Video Call Widget once.

 

Control panel on the Laptop / PC

The elements of the control panel

1. Fullscreen

   Sets the Video Call Widget to full screen mode.

2. Minimize

   Minimizes the Video Call Widget. The toolbar still provides access to the most important functions of the video call and the option to maximize the Video Call again.

3. Camera
4. Microphone
5. Screen sharing
   

   Shares your screen with all participants in the video call.

6. More
7. Leave

The elements of the context menu under "More"

1. Mute all
2. Settings

   Settings can be made on the microphone, speaker and camera.

3. Help

Please note:The control panel disappears automatically after a few seconds and reappears by tapping the Video Call Widget once.

Microphone and camera states

The microphone and camera can have different states during a video call. These provide you with information about the current status of the video and audio transmission of the participants.

Microphone states

1. The microphone is muted.
2. The microphone is switched on.
3. The microphone is on and the participant is speaking.

Camera states

1. The camera is deactivated.
2. The camera is active.
3. The camera is activated and the thumbnail is currently not available, but can reappear at any time.

States of the avatar

The avatar of a participant is composed of the first letters of the first and last name. It replaces the thumbnail if it is not available or the camera is deactivated. Depending on the states of the video or audio transmission, the avatar can have different states.

Camera is deactivated

The camera is deactivated and:

1. The microphone is muted. The avatar remains in his basic state.
2. The microphone is on, but the participant is not speaking at the moment. The avatar remains in its default state.
3. The microphone is on and the participant is speaking. The avatar pulses to signal that the participant is speaking.

Camera is active and the thumbnail is not available

The camera is active, the thumbnail is not available and:

1. The microphone is muted. The avatar remains in his basic state.
2. The microphone is on, but the participant is not speaking at the moment. The avatar remains in its default state.
3. The microphone is on and the participant is speaking. The avatar pulses to signal that the participant is speaking. 

 

Why is the thumbnail currently not available?

The dynamic fading in and out of the thumbnail of participants is due to a limitation of the respective system (CPU, bandwidth, etc.). The available resources are distributed accordingly so that the currently speaking and the frequently speaking persons are displayed in the best possible quality, whereas the other participants can be currently faded out.