Calendar Event Parser for Conference Call Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conference call systems require manual configuration and are inflexible, often necessitating compatible scheduling software for hosts and participants, leading to time overhead and compatibility issues when scheduling quick meetings.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an automatic discovery feature in communication devices that parses calendar event records to identify conference call scheduling information using keywords and natural language processing, allowing for automatic population of conference call details and seamless joining of calls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual configuration is used for conference calls, then conference call information can be accurately entered into specific fields, but time overhead is required to set up the meeting and users are distracted from the substantive content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconference call information accuracyVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically parses calendar event records to extract conference call information, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user input. The parser identifies conference calls and automatically populates scheduling information, eliminating the need for users to manually configure each field while maintaining accuracy through structured data extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Conference call information is pre-configured in calendar event records before the actual conference call occurs. By preparing and storing the conference call details in advance within the calendar system, the setup work is performed preliminarily, eliminating time overhead during the actual meeting scheduling moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated templates with specialized features are used, then conference call scheduling can be enhanced, but both host and participant must have dedicated or compatible software applications to recognize the particular template

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconference call scheduling capabilityVSAvoidsoftware compatibility requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a universal parser that can handle multiple calendar event record formats and conventions without requiring dedicated software for each template. The parser is designed to recognize various calendar standards and extract conference call information universally, allowing participants using different scheduling applications to join conferences without compatibility issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The parser acts as an intermediary layer between diverse calendar event record formats and the conference call system. Rather than requiring direct compatibility between host and participant software, the parser mediates by translating and standardizing the extracted information, enabling seamless integration across different scheduling platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If calendar standard format is used for communicating conference details, then compatibility between different calendar applications is improved, but specialized conference call features cannot be recognized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalendar application compatibilityVSAvoidconference call scheduling information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The parser extracts specialized conference call information from within the standard calendar event record structure. By taking out and identifying specific fields and conventions that indicate conference calls, the system recovers lost information while maintaining compatibility with standard calendar formats. The extraction process isolates conference-specific data from the general calendar framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The parser applies localized recognition rules to specific portions of the calendar event record, such as examining particular fields for conference indicators or recognizing specific pattern conventions. This local quality approach allows the system to identify conference calls within the broader standard calendar format without requiring the entire system to be specialized, thus maintaining compatibility while recovering specialized information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9154631B2Method and apparatus for identifying a conference call from an event record

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A method for identifying a conference call from a communication device, wherein the communication device includes a memory for storing a calendar event record. The method includes: parsing at least some of the calendar event record, wherein the parsing includes an automatic discovery feature; determining, based on the parsing, whether the calendar event record includes conference call scheduling information in relation to a scheduled conference call session; generating, based on the parsing, one or more identifiers for at least some of the conference call scheduling information; and storing in the memory the one or more identifiers. A host communication device and a non-host participant communication device can also be configured for performing the method.