Dynamic Resource Allocation for Multi-Party Video Conferencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current videoconferencing systems lack an efficient method for facilitating multi-party conferences, particularly in situations requiring quick setup or dynamic resource allocation, as traditional scheduled and ad hoc conferences either reserve resources unnecessarily or fail to support automatic dial-out, leading to potential participant exclusion due to resource exhaustion.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow specifying multiple participants in a conference, designating a chairperson, and dynamically allocating resources upon invocation, enabling efficient connection and resource allocation upon participant requests, including options for dial-in or dial-out connections based on location and capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resources are reserved in advance for scheduled conferences, then conference reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary reservations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically allocates resources based on actual conference invocation rather than static pre-reservation. Resources are reserved temporarily upon conference scheduling but only actively allocated when the conference is actually invoked, allowing flexible adjustment between reliability and efficiency based on real-time needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary resource reservation upon conference scheduling to ensure reliability, but delays actual resource allocation until conference invocation. This preliminary action secures resources without committing them permanently, resolving the contradiction between ensuring conference reliability and maintaining resource utilization efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If resources are allocated as participants connect to reservationless conferences, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but conference reliability deteriorates due to potential resource exhaustion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary resource reservation upon conference scheduling to guarantee reliability, then allocates resources dynamically as participants connect during invocation. This ensures resources are secured in advance while still allowing efficient allocation based on actual participation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and resource utilization efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If automatic dial-out is implemented for scheduled conferences, then participant accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a unified conference management platform that handles multiple conference types (scheduled and reservationless) and multiple connection modes (dial-in and automatic dial-out) through a single architecture. This multi-functional approach improves participant accessibility while avoiding the need for separate complex systems for each conference type.
4Ease of operation
If manual dial-out portal is provided for ad hoc conferences, then ease of operation is improved for users with access, but participant accessibility deteriorates due to lack of automatic dial-out
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a unified platform that supports both manual and automatic dial-out functionalities within the same ad hoc conference framework. Users can choose automatic dial-out for improved accessibility, while the system maintains manual options for ease of operation, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a network interface for sending and receiving one or more of video data and audio data between two or more endpoints. One or more of a video data source and an audio data source located at more than one endpoint and a control unit for controlling one or more of the video data and the audio data between endpoints. The control unit is operable to execute instructions to specify more than one participant in a conference, wherein at least one participant is remotely located and invoke the conference upon receiving one or more requests to connect to the conference by one or more participants. The control unit is further operable to allocate resources upon the conference being invoked and connect participants to the conference.