Automatic Phone Call Elevation to Video Conferencing via ACE
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transitioning from a phone call to a video conference are cumbersome and prone to delays and errors, particularly when dealing with different communication networks, as participants need to manually find meeting dial-in numbers and IDs, disrupting the call flow.
Innovation Solution
The automatic call-to-conference elevation (ACE) process identifies user device capabilities and attributes to seamlessly transition from an audio call to a video conference, allowing participants to join a video meeting without disconnecting, using an ACE application that manages network connections based on device functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual method is used to transition from phone call to video conference, then participants can join the meeting, but the process is cumbersome and causes delays and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the meeting environment, dial-in numbers, and participant information before the actual transition occurs. The host or organizer sets up the video conference meeting in advance, and the system automatically retrieves meeting details when a phone call is detected, eliminating the need for manual lookup and reducing transition time while ensuring reliable joining.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary system (the ACE application or conferencing system) acts as a mediator between the telephone network and the video conferencing system. This intermediary automatically handles the transition by detecting phone calls, retrieving meeting information, and establishing connections without requiring manual intervention from participants, thus reducing both time loss and errors while maintaining high reliability.
2Ease of operation
If participants manually find meeting dial-in number and ID, then they can join the meeting, but the call flow is disrupted and the process is error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting incoming phone calls, retrieving the appropriate meeting information from pre-configured data, and initiating the connection to the video conference without requiring participants to manually search for dial-in numbers or IDs. This self-service approach simplifies the user experience while the system manages the underlying call flow complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conferencing system serves as an intermediary that handles the complex coordination between telephone networks and video conferencing systems. It automatically manages call routing, participant identification, and connection establishment, shielding users from the complexity while providing ease of operation through automatic call-to-conference elevation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional conference call method is used, then audio communication is established, but video and content sharing capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamics by allowing the communication mode to adapt dynamically based on participant capabilities and preferences. When a phone call is elevated to a video conference, the system dynamically adjusts the meeting configuration to accommodate both audio-only participants (from PSTN) and video-capable participants, enabling versatile communication modes while maintaining ease of transition through automatic detection and configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The conferencing system achieves universality by supporting multiple communication modes simultaneously - traditional audio calls, video conferencing, and hybrid combinations. The system can accommodate participants with different capabilities (audio-only, video-capable, content-sharing devices) within a single meeting, providing versatile functionality while keeping the transition process simple through automatic call elevation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and/or method discloses an automatic call-to-conference elevation (“ACE”) capable of facilitating a transition from a phone call to a video conference. An ACE process, in one embodiment, is able to activate an ACE application to elevate user devices from participating in an audio call to a video conference based on a conference selection selected by a meeting initiator, host, or attendee. After identifying the capabilities, attributes, and/or functionalities associated with the user devices in accordance with activation of ACE, a communication network coupling the user devices as meeting attendees is established for facilitating the video conference based on identified capabilities, attributes, and/or functionalities of the user devices. In one aspect, the process is capable of transitioning connections of the user devices from an audio call to a video conference.