Meeting Scheduling System Resource Delegation via Intermediary Queries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current scheduling systems for meetings, especially video conferences, face challenges in efficiently interacting with resource allocation systems to determine available resources, leading to potential scheduling conflicts and errors due to the independence of these systems and the need for complex synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A method where the scheduling system queries the resource allocation system with constructs representing previously scheduled meetings to determine resource availability, allowing the resource allocation system to allocate resources without requiring synchronization of calendaring and resource management logic, thus enabling efficient delegation of resources for new meetings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the scheduling system and resource allocation system operate independently with separate responsibilities, then the systems can be deployed in hybrid scenarios (on-premise and cloud) and maintain independence, but the systems require complex interaction and synchronization to avoid scheduling conflicts and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication mechanism where the scheduling system sends meeting requests with resource requirements to the resource allocation system, which responds with resource availability information. This intermediary interaction pattern allows independent systems to coordinate without direct coupling, resolving the contradiction between system independence and coordination complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the scheduling system attempts to understand resource allocation logic, then resource scheduling can be integrated, but the scheduling system becomes more complex and requires synchronization with resource management logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall scheduling function into two independent parts: the scheduling system handles meeting calendar management while the resource allocation system handles resource availability determination. This segmentation allows each system to remain simple and focused on its specific function, avoiding the complexity that would arise from integrating both logics into one system.
Solution Approach 2:
The systems interact through a well-defined interface where the scheduling system queries resource availability without needing to understand the underlying resource allocation logic. The resource allocation system provides standardized responses about resource availability, acting as an intermediary that shields the scheduling system from complexity while maintaining integration.
3Ease of operation
If the resource allocation system manages time and calendaring logic, then resource allocation can be centralized, but the resource allocation system becomes more complex and requires synchronization with scheduling logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments responsibilities by having the resource allocation system focus exclusively on resource management while the scheduling system handles time and calendar logic. This segmentation prevents the resource allocation system from becoming complex with calendaring logic, while still maintaining centralized resource control through standardized availability queries.
4Reliability
If the systems synchronize logic and calendaring systems, then scheduling accuracy improves, but the synchronization process introduces potential errors and increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary query-response mechanism where the scheduling system asks the resource allocation system about availability for specific time slots, and the resource allocation system responds with definitive availability information. This intermediary interaction ensures scheduling accuracy without requiring continuous synchronization of internal logics, reducing synchronization complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are presented herein for scheduling meetings for participants by a scheduling system in communication with a resource allocation system that determines and allocates the resources for a requested meeting, when the resources are available. The scheduling system receives a request from a client device, where the request is to schedule a first meeting. The scheduling system then sends a query to the resource allocation system, where the query includes one or more constructs that represent resources previously allocated to one or more scheduled second meetings by the resource allocation system. The scheduling system then receives a notification from resource allocation system. The notification includes one or more additional constructs representing the resources that the resource allocation system has allocated to the first meeting.