Automated Conference Call Connection via Calendar Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conference call systems require pre-configuration and administrator intervention to connect participants, lacking automation for individuals without outgoing call capabilities, and burden administrators with managing participant lists, while participants lack control over their connection.

Innovation Solution

An IP telephony system automatically connects individuals to scheduled conference calls by extracting information from their electronic calendars, using a conference connection unit that includes an electronic calendar interface to obtain necessary access codes and numbers, and a communication channel setup unit to establish connections without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the conference call bridge places outgoing calls to participants, then participants can be automatically connected without remembering access codes, but the system requires pre-configuration of participant telephone numbers and outgoing call capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticipant connection processVSAvoidconference call bridge configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system (automated calling system) that mediates between the conference call bridge and participants. This intermediary handles the outgoing calls and access code provision, allowing the conference call bridge to focus solely on hosting the conference without needing outgoing call capabilities or pre-configured participant numbers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the conference call functionality into separate components: the conference call bridge handles only the conference hosting, while a separate automated calling system handles participant invitation and connection. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler and more specialized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Extent of automation

If the conference call bridge has outgoing call capability, then automatic connection is possible, but administrators must manage participant lists and the bridge requires multiple telephone lines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticipant connection automationVSAvoidtelephone lines and administrative overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The automated calling system provides self-service functionality by automatically retrieving participant telephone numbers from the calendar system, placing outgoing calls, and providing access codes without administrator intervention. The system serves itself by automatically managing the entire participant connection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically obtaining participant information from the calendar before the conference call, pre-configuring the outgoing calls and access codes. This preliminary automation eliminates the need for administrators to manually prepare participant lists and reduces the number of telephone lines needed at the conference bridge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If administrators pre-configure participant telephone numbers, then the bridge can dial out to participants, but participants lack control over their connection and administrators bear the burden of managing lists

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidadministrative burden and participant control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by having the system automatically initiate calls to participants rather than participants dialing in. This inversion gives participants control through their calendar entries while eliminating administrative burden, as the automated system handles all connection management without requiring administrator intervention for each participant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10937002B2Systems and methods for accessing conference calls

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 VONAGE BUSINESS INC

AI summary

A service for automatically connecting an individual's telephony device to a conference call when the conference call is about to begin is provided by a telephony system. The telephony system obtains information about a scheduled conference call directly from the individual's electronic calendar. When it is time for the conference call to begin, the telephony system dials into the conference call bridge and automatically provides the information needed to access the conference call. The telephony system then connects the individual's telephony device to the conference call.