Central Conferencing Routing Server Dynamic Bridge Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conferencing systems lack dynamic routing capabilities, leading to inefficient load management and billing challenges, as well as difficulties in disaster recovery, due to static connection of participants to conference bridges without consideration for regional preferences or technical features.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a central conferencing routing server (CCRS) that receives collaboration conference requests, selects an appropriate conference bridge based on criteria such as regional preferences, performance, and features, and dynamically reroutes participants in case of bridge failures, using a master control engine and slave servers to manage and route participants intelligently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If each participant request is routed to a conference bridge on an individual basis without centralized coordination, then the routing process is simple and decentralized, but load management becomes inefficient and conference bridges may become overloaded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting simplicityVSAvoidload management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a centralized conferencing routing server as an intermediary between participants and conference bridges. This server receives routing requests, determines appropriate conference bridges based on multiple criteria (load, regional preferences, technical features), and directs participants accordingly. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining routing simplicity for end users while implementing sophisticated load management through the intermediary server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If conference bridges are selected based on static connections without considering regional preferences or technical features, then the system is easier to implement, but adaptability to different conditions and user preferences is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem implementation simplicityVSAvoidrouting flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic routing where the conferencing routing server continuously evaluates multiple parameters including regional preferences, technical features of conference bridges, current load conditions, and participant requirements. The system adapts its routing decisions in real-time based on changing conditions, moving from static to dynamic selection criteria while maintaining ease of implementation through automated decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously when selecting conference bridges: geographic region, technical capabilities, current load status, and participant preferences. By evaluating and adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves high adaptability while the automated parameter evaluation process keeps implementation complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If participant information is distributed across multiple routing servers without centralization, then system complexity is reduced, but billing accuracy and information reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation management complexityVSAvoidbilling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates participant information management into a centralized conferencing routing server that maintains a unified database of all participants, their conference assignments, and billing information. This merging of information management functions eliminates data fragmentation, ensuring accurate billing records and reliable participant information while the centralized architecture manages complexity through standardized data structures and processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If conference bridges operate independently without centralized monitoring, then system complexity is lower, but disaster recovery capabilities and reliability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem architecture complexityVSAvoiddisaster recovery capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized conferencing routing server implements continuous monitoring of conference bridge status, receiving feedback about operational conditions, failures, and performance metrics. This feedback mechanism enables the server to detect failures, trigger automated disaster recovery procedures, and reroute participants to alternative bridges, significantly improving reliability while managing complexity through automated monitoring and response systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10848415B2Method for routing in a central conferencing routing server

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS LLC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, computer program products, and the like, for collaboration conferencing with multiple participants over a communications network, and more specifically for a conferencing routing service for managing and routing collaboration participants. A collaboration conferencing routing server may provide configurability in routing a collaboration conference to a conference bridge based on any number of criteria and information about the requester and the communications network on which the conference occurs.