Preferred User Access in Full Communication Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are unable to join virtual collaboration sessions when the maximum number of client devices are already connected, missing socializing opportunities, as existing systems do not allow preferred users to access full communication sessions.
Innovation Solution
A method where a communication server determines if a user is a preferred user based on provided identification information and allows their client device to join a communication session even when it is at maximum capacity, by querying a user profile data store to verify preferred status and granting access to preferred users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the maximum number of client devices are allowed to connect to a communication session, then the session capacity is optimized, but preferred users cannot join when the session is full
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between preferred users and regular users in the access control mechanism. When a communication session reaches its maximum client device capacity, the system selectively grants access based on user preference status. Preferred users receive special treatment allowing them to join full sessions, while regular users are blocked. This localized differentiation in access rights resolves the contradiction by maintaining session capacity limits while ensuring preferred user access.
2Reliability
If strict connection limits are enforced on communication sessions, then system resources are protected, but users miss socializing opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the access parameter from a binary allowed/disallowed state to a tiered system based on user preference status. By introducing the preferred user status as a differentiating parameter, the system maintains strict connection limits for regular users (protecting resources) while creating an exception pathway for preferred users (preserving socializing opportunities). This parameter change allows the system to simultaneously enforce resource protection and maintain user engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided that include receiving a request to couple a first client device to a communication session, wherein the request includes user identification information. The method may include determining a number of client devices coupled to the communication session and comparing the number of client devices coupled to the communication session to a maximum number of client devices to determine whether the maximum number of client devices are coupled to the communication session. The method may also include when the maximum number of client devices are coupled to the communication session, determining whether a user associated with the first client device is a preferred user based on at least the user identification information and when the user is the preferred user, coupling the client device associated with the preferred user to the communication session.