Dynamic Presence State Determination for Collaboration Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collaboration systems that utilize presence states are limited in accurately reflecting a user's availability based on their role and activities within an activity, leading to potential miscommunication, as they do not account for specific roles or actions during events like conference calls.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the activity and role of a user within a communication event, modifying their presence state based on actions such as talking percentage during a call or role as a moderator, and communicates this updated presence state to other users using protocols like SIP and XMPP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If presence state is based only on calendar availability, then system complexity is low, but presence accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The presence state is segmented into multiple granular states (e.g., available, busy, away, in meeting, on break) rather than using a single binary state. This segmentation allows for more precise representation of user availability while managing complexity through structured state definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts presence states based on real-time user activity detection during meetings. The presence state transitions from static calendar-based to dynamic activity-based, improving accuracy by reflecting actual user availability during events.
2Reliability
If presence state indicates user is busy during conference call, then user is protected from interruptions, but contact opportunity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different presence states are assigned different contact policies. For example, 'busy' state may block all contacts while 'in meeting' state allows selective contacts (e.g., urgent messages only). This local differentiation of contact policies enables both protection from interruptions and maintenance of contact opportunities based on meeting context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the contact accessibility parameter based on the specific presence state and meeting role. Moderators or speakers may have different contact policies compared to regular participants. The contact policy parameter is dynamically adjusted based on user role and meeting phase.
Data Source
AI summary
The system and method determine an activity associated with a user. An action associated with a media type of the activity or a role of the user within the activity is determined. For example, the activity can be how much the user talks during a conference call or if the user's role is that of a moderator. In response to determining the action associated with the media type of the activity or the role of the user within the activity, a presence state of the user is modified. The modified presence state is then communicated to a second user. This allows for a more accurate presence state of the user. It also allows other users to make contact at times where the user is more likely to communicate.