Gateway for Heterogeneous Conference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current conference call systems face limitations in interoperability and user control due to separate command formats and user interfaces across different hosting systems, making it difficult to manage and automate controls in heterogeneous conferences.
Innovation Solution
A device control system that provides a user control graphical user interface capable of sending generic commands, which are translated by a server into formats recognizable by various conference hosting systems, allowing seamless control across different types of conference hosting systems such as mobile bridges, intermediate conference servers, and conference bridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single conference hosting system is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the adaptability to different conference sizes and requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that mediates between the conferencing system and multiple types of conference hosting systems (mobile devices, PBX systems, conference bridges). The gateway translates between different command formats and protocols, enabling the conferencing system to interact with heterogeneous hosting systems without requiring direct integration with each system type. This resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability through the gateway while maintaining system simplicity through centralized translation logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle different conference hosting system types (mobile bridges, PBX systems, conference bridges) through a single unified interface. It provides universal command translation, participant management, and conference control functions that work across all hosting system types, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different conference hosting systems are used in a heterogeneous conference, then the adaptability and participant capacity are improved, but the interoperability and ease of operation deteriorate due to separate command formats
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a mediator that receives high-level conference control commands from the conferencing system and translates them into system-specific command formats for different conference hosting systems. For example, a generic 'add participant' command is translated into the appropriate format for mobile bridges, PBX systems, or conference bridges. This enables heterogeneous conferences with improved participant capacity while maintaining ease of operation through unified command interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway dynamically changes command parameters and formats based on the target conference hosting system type. It adapts command structures, protocols, and data formats to match the requirements of each hosting system while maintaining a consistent command interface at the conferencing system level. This parameter transformation enables interoperability across diverse systems without requiring changes to the user interface or control logic.
3Productivity
If automated control is implemented across heterogeneous conference hosting systems, then the productivity and user experience are improved, but the device complexity increases due to command translation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as an automated intermediary that handles all command translation and protocol conversion between the conferencing system and diverse conference hosting systems. This automation eliminates manual configuration and intervention, improving conference management productivity. The gateway's centralized translation logic manages the inherent complexity by providing a single point of integration rather than requiring complex point-to-point integrations between the conferencing system and each hosting system type.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway implements self-service capabilities by automatically detecting the type of conference hosting system and selecting the appropriate translation rules and protocols. It autonomously manages command format conversion, error handling, and system-specific configurations without requiring manual intervention or complex external control, thereby improving productivity while containing translation complexity within the gateway itself.
Data Source
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AI summary
Presented are systems and methods for receiving one or more generic commands when coupled to a heterogeneous conference call, the conference call including a plurality of participants coupled to the conference call using one or more mobile devices. The system automatically translates, by a control module the one or more generic commands into one or more native commands recognized by a first conference hosting system, of the plurality of conference hosting systems. The system automatically sends the one or more native commands to the first conference hosting system.