Video Conference Scheduling Map with Participant Location Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video conferencing systems lack awareness of participants' geographical locations and time zones, making it difficult to schedule meetings effectively across different regions and time zones, potentially leading to inappropriate scheduling due to forgotten time differences.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that provides users with access to a directory service database, allowing them to select participants and visualize their geographical locations on a map, displaying graphical objects that represent these locations along with local times, enabling users to make informed scheduling decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video conferencing systems enable real-time communication across different geographical locations, then communication freedom and accessibility are improved, but awareness of participants' time zones and geographical locations is lost, leading to scheduling conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that automatically collects geographical location data from participants and presents it through visual metaphors (sun/moon icons, map displays) during conference setup. This intermediary layer bridges the gap between free real-time communication and necessary geographical awareness, allowing users to make informed scheduling decisions without restricting communication freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically gathering location information from participants before the conference actually starts. By displaying time zone and geographical data during the scheduling phase, the system enables users to plan appropriate meeting times in advance, preventing scheduling conflicts before they occur.
2Productivity
If users schedule conferences without geographical location information, then scheduling process is simple and fast, but inappropriate meeting times are chosen due to time zone differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically collecting geographical location data from participants without requiring manual input. The system autonomously processes location information and generates appropriate time zone displays, maintaining fast scheduling speed while ensuring reliable and appropriate meeting time selection through automated data gathering and presentation.
3Loss of information
If geographical location data is collected and displayed for all participants, then situation awareness is enhanced, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential geographical location information needed for scheduling decisions (time zone, general location) and presents it through simplified visual metaphors. By extracting and displaying only the most relevant location data rather than complete geographical information, the system enhances situation awareness while minimizing the added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for creating situation awareness when scheduling video conferences includes providing a user with access to a set of names stored in a directory service database, and allowing the user to select one or more of the names. In response to selection of one or more names, geographical location values associated with the names in the directory service database are retrieved, and a map is provided. The map and one or more geographical objects showing the geographical location of the users associated with the selected names is then displayed on a display.