Heterogeneous Conference Moderation Control via Server Mediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current conference call systems face limitations in scalability and moderation control when combining conferences from different hosting systems, particularly due to participant limits and the lack of methods for establishing and transferring moderation control in heterogeneous conferences.

Innovation Solution

A moderator control system that allows merging of conferences across different hosting systems, including mobile bridges, intermediate conference servers, and conference bridges, enabling the transfer of moderation controls and adding participants by utilizing a server to manage connections and format controls appropriately for each hosting system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conferences are merged from different hosting systems to increase participant capacity, then scalability is improved, but moderation control is lost because moderation controls are specific to each hosting system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticipant capacityVSAvoidmoderation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A server acts as an intermediary between multiple conference hosting systems (mobile bridge, intermediate conference server, conference bridge). The server receives moderation controls from the moderator device, formats them according to the specific requirements of each hosting system, and transmits them to the appropriate system. This enables unified moderation control across heterogeneous conferences while maintaining compatibility with each system's specific control requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server implements a universal control formatting mechanism that can handle multiple types of conference hosting systems through a single interface. The server is configured to establish conference connections with different hosting systems and automatically format controls appropriately for each system, making the moderation control system multi-functional and adaptable to various hosting platforms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single conference hosting system is used to maintain system independence and simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but scalability is limited due to participant limits of individual systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem independenceVSAvoidparticipant capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent conference hosting systems (mobile bridge, intermediate conference server, conference bridge) into a single heterogeneous conference. The server establishes connections with each hosting system and combines their capabilities, allowing participants from different systems to join the same conference. This resolves the participant limit issue while preserving the independence of each hosting system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The server serves as a mediator that connects multiple independent hosting systems without requiring them to be reconfigured or replaced. It manages the connections between different systems and participants, enabling scalability while maintaining system independence and avoiding the need to terminate existing conferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If conferences are merged across different hosting systems, then scalability and participant capacity are improved, but control formatting complexity increases because each system has specific control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticipant capacityVSAvoidcontrol formatting
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as a control formatting intermediary that receives generic moderation controls from the moderator device and automatically formats them according to the specific requirements of each hosting system. The server is configured to establish conference connections with different hosting systems and format controls appropriately for each system, eliminating the need for manual formatting and reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server dynamically changes control parameters based on the target hosting system. It automatically adjusts the format of moderation controls according to the specific requirements of each conference hosting system (mobile bridge, intermediate conference server, or conference bridge), enabling seamless integration without requiring the moderator to understand system-specific control formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2587721B1Moderation control method for participants in a heterogeneous conference call
Publication Date: 2016.06.08 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2587721B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2587721B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2587721B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

Presented are systems and methods for providing moderator control in a heterogeneous conference including acquiring a merge control to merge a first conference with a second conference to create a single heterogeneous conference, wherein the first conference and the second conference utilize different types of conference hosting systems. The system sends the merge control to a server, wherein the server is configured to establish conference connections with the first conference and the second conference. The system then merges the first conference with the second conference to create the heterogeneous conference and determines a moderator for the heterogeneous conference. The system automatically transfers one or more moderator controls to the moderator of the heterogeneous conference.