Conference Server Resource Allocation and Dynamic Reallocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conferencing systems face inefficiencies in resource allocation due to inaccurate prediction of user location, leading to suboptimal performance in signal latency, timing, and synchronization, which affects the quality of conference calls.
Innovation Solution
The use of user history and presence information, combined with decision algorithms like weighted average probability calculations, to predict the likely location of participants and select optimal conference resources, such as bridges, for minimizing latency and improving Quality of Service (QoS).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If resource usage statistics are used to allocate conference bridges, then resource allocation can be automated, but the accuracy of predicting user location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by collecting user presence information and historical data before the conference session begins. This allows the resource allocation system to pre-determine the optimal bridge location based on predicted user locations, rather than relying solely on automated statistics during the allocation moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that combines automated resource usage statistics with user presence information and historical data. This intermediary layer processes multiple data sources to improve location prediction accuracy while maintaining automated allocation, resolving the contradiction between automation and precision.
2Productivity
If conference resources are allocated based on current network conditions, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but signal latency and timing performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of user presence information and historical data to predict where users will join from, allowing optimal bridge selection to be made in advance. This preliminary action ensures that even when resources are allocated based on current network conditions for efficiency, the predicted user locations are factored in to maintain latency performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes allocation parameters by combining resource usage metrics with user presence and historical data. This allows the system to adjust the optimization criteria based on predicted user locations, balancing resource utilization efficiency with signal latency requirements through parameter adjustment.
3Reliability
If multiple conference servers are used to host sessions, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified resource allocation system that manages multiple conference servers through a single intelligent interface. This allocation system performs multiple functions including predicting user locations, selecting optimal bridges, and dynamically reallocating resources across servers, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing the operational complexity of managing multiple servers.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3B
AI summary
In one embodiment, a system for conducting a conference session among a group of participants includes a server for establishing communication channels over a network connected with endpoint devices of the participants. The server operates to allocate initial resources on the network to conduct the conference session, the initial resources including the communication channels and at least one conferencing bridge. Code running on the server selects one or more different resources currently available during the conference session. The one or more different resources is selected to optimize a quality of service (QoS) criteria. Execution of the code causes the server to move the conference session to the one or more different resources responsive to a triggering event.