Summary:

I suggest adding a feature to the user interface that allows users to temporarily completely hide their own camera image while still keeping the virtual background visible to all meeting participants.

Detailed description:

With the “pause” function, VCam.ai already offers an excellent tool, which I really appreciate. In addition, a new feature “Show background only” (or “empty chair” mode) would be of great value.

When this mode is activated, the person in front of the camera completely disappears from the picture, but the background rendered by VCam.ai (e.g. the virtual office, a logo background, etc.) remains. The result is a view of an empty but “active” workplace.

Use case/problem that is being solved:

In almost every meeting, there are brief moments when you have to leave your seat — be it to quickly grab a coffee, open the door for a biobreak or a parcel carrier, etc.

Current options are often unsatisfactory:

Pause camera: Freezes the last image, which often looks disadvantageous or strange.

Switch off the camera completely: Only shows initials or a profile picture. This seems abrupt and pulls you out of the visual context of the meeting.

Just get up and go: Makes the empty chair visible in the real room, which can violate privacy and look unprofessional.

The “empty chair” mode solves this problem in an elegant way. He subtly and professionally signals to the other participants: “I'm present, but I'm just out of place for a moment. I'll be right back.” The visual impression of an abandoned office chair is universally understandable.

Benefits at a glance:

Professional absence note: Subtle and clear communication without disrupting the meeting flow.

Maintaining privacy: The private background remains hidden and no unfavorable “freeze frames” are created.

Improved meeting context: The participant visually remains part of the meeting instead of becoming a black box.

Intuitive operation: The function would be a logical addition to the existing “pause” function.

Proposal for implementation:

A simple button in the main view, right next to the “pause” button, would be ideal. A stylized chair or a landscape symbol without a person could serve as an icon to clearly visualize the function.

I am convinced that this feature would be met with great enthusiasm among the user base and would further differentiate VCam.ai from the competition as a sophisticated and user-oriented solution.