Universal Conference Server for Automatic Participant Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio and web conferencing systems require unique participation codes for access, which can be inconvenient and insecure if participants lose access to the codes, especially during network failures, necessitating an alternative solution that provides restricted access without relying on unique codes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a universal conference number system that automatically connects users to their scheduled conferences by identifying them through methods such as RFID cards, biometric data, or interactive voice response, eliminating the need for unique participation codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unique participation codes are used for conference access, then security and restricted access are improved, but user convenience and system reliability deteriorate when codes are lost or network fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (the conference server with database) that mediates between users and conferences. Instead of users directly using participation codes to access conferences, the server acts as an intermediary that verifies user identity through multiple methods (email, RFID, biometric) and automatically connects users to their scheduled conferences. This intermediary layer eliminates the need for users to manually manage participation codes while maintaining security through centralized authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically identifying users and connecting them to appropriate conferences without requiring manual intervention. When a user contacts the conference number, the system automatically retrieves their identity, checks their schedule, and connects them to the correct conference. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to remember or manually enter participation codes, improving both convenience and reliability.
2Reliability
If unique participation codes are distributed to users, then restricted access to conferences is achieved, but the complexity of managing and tracking codes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the participation code management function from the user's responsibility and transfers it to the conference server. The server maintains a centralized database that stores all participation codes and user schedules. When a user needs to join a conference, they simply contact the conference number and provide identification; the server then retrieves the appropriate participation code from its database and connects the user. This extraction eliminates the complexity of code distribution and tracking from the user side while maintaining secure access control on the server side.
Solution Approach 2:
The conference server is designed as a universal system that handles multiple functions: storing participation codes, managing user schedules, identifying users through various methods (email, RFID, biometric), and connecting users to conferences. This multi-functional universal system replaces the need for separate code distribution, tracking, and verification mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If users must remember multiple participation codes, then security is maintained, but user burden and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the task of identifying users and connecting them to conferences without requiring users to manually manage participation codes. When a user contacts the conference number, the system automatically retrieves their identity information, checks their schedule in the database, determines which conference they should join, and completes the connection. This self-service automation eliminates the time users would otherwise spend remembering and managing multiple codes while maintaining security through automated authentication.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods and systems for automatically managing conference calls. More specifically, a user may join a conference call by calling a universal conference call number. The user is identified and connected with a specific conference call number without requiring the user to remember the specific conference call number.