Reconference Button for IP Phones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voice conferencing systems lack an efficient method to re-establish terminated conference calls, particularly for large groups, as current methods are time-consuming and require manual rescheduling or manual re-establishment through a conference server.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a 'reconference' button on IP phones and endpoints that allows users to automatically or semi-automatically re-establish previous conference calls by contacting a conference server, providing options for selecting participants and call formats, and maintaining state information for terminated conferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual rescheduling or manual re-establishment through conference server is used, then conference calls can be re-established, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of re-establishing conference callsVSAvoidtime required to re-establish conference calls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system stores conference call information (participants, settings, format) in advance when the conference is initially established. This preliminary storage of data allows the conference to be rapidly re-established by simply retrieving and replaying the stored information, eliminating the need for manual rescheduling or participant re-invitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of the original conference call configuration and participant list, storing it for later retrieval. When re-establishment is needed, this stored copy is automatically retrieved and used to recreate the conference, significantly reducing the time and effort required compared to manual processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If manual re-establishment procedures are used, then conference calls can be re-connected, but the process requires significant effort and coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of re-establishing conference callsVSAvoidoperational simplicity of re-establishing conference calls

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs the re-establishment process without requiring manual intervention. When a user initiates re-establishment, the system autonomously retrieves stored conference information, re-connects all participants, and restores the conference settings, eliminating the need for manual coordination and significantly improving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

All necessary conference information including participant lists, call settings, and format preferences are stored in advance during the initial conference setup. This preliminary preparation enables the system to automatically and efficiently re-establish the conference without requiring manual input or coordination at the time of re-connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If conference call information is stored for re-establishment, then quick reconnection is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to reconnect participantsVSAvoidcomplexity of storing and managing conference state information

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a conference server as an intermediary that centralizes the storage and management of conference call information. This server acts as a mediator between the user's phone and the conference data, handling all complexities of data storage, retrieval, and participant coordination, thereby simplifying the user interface while enabling rapid re-establishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9094520B2Reconferencing capability for networked phones

Publication Date: 2015.07.28 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method comprises storing information associated with a conference call that has previously been terminated. The method also comprises obtaining a request to re-establish the terminated conference call, and re-establishing the conference call in response to the request to re-establish the conference call. Re-establishing the conference call comprises using the stored information to set a first set of states associated with the re-established conference call.