Unified Presence Detection Through Multi-Device Signal Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unified communication platforms lack the ability to provide a single, accurate representation of user state across multiple devices and modalities, limiting the detail and consistency of presence information due to reliance on individual device broadcasts.
Innovation Solution
A presence detection engine that aggregates signals from multiple devices and modalities, storing and combining them to determine a unified and consistent presence state, which can be overridden by the user but not automatically by a single device or modality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If each modality or device broadcasts state changes individually, then the system maintains simplicity in implementation, but the presence information becomes inconsistent and loses detail across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a presence information server as an intermediary component that receives, aggregates, and manages presence state information from multiple devices and modalities. This server acts as a central coordinator that consolidates presence data into a unified representation, resolving the contradiction by maintaining information accuracy through centralized management while keeping individual devices relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges presence information from multiple independent sources (different devices, modalities, and users) into a single unified presence state representation. The presence information server combines these distributed data sources into one consistent view, achieving accurate and detailed presence information without requiring each individual device to be complex.
2Adaptability or versatility
If presence information is stored as a unique value per user, then the data structure remains simple, but the system cannot provide a single accurate representation of user state across multiple modalities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional presence representation (single value per user) to a multi-dimensional model that tracks presence across multiple devices, modalities, and time points. The activity history log introduces a temporal dimension, while the aggregation across devices adds spatial dimensions, enabling comprehensive user state tracking without losing information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary aggregation and analysis of presence information from multiple sources before generating the final presence state. The presence information server proactively collects, stores, and processes data from various devices and modalities in advance, so that when a presence query occurs, a complete and accurate representation is already available.
3Reliability
If the platform is unaware of user's current state on different devices, then the system maintains operational simplicity, but it cannot produce an accurate single representation of user state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where devices and modalities report their state changes to the presence information server, which then updates the aggregated presence representation. This feedback loop ensures that the system maintains an accurate and consistent view of user state across all devices, with the server automatically reconciling information from multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The presence information server autonomously manages the aggregation and reconciliation of presence data from multiple devices without requiring complex coordination between devices themselves. Each device independently reports to the server, which then handles the complexity of integrating information, allowing devices to remain simple while achieving reliable presence tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for receiving a first signal from a first client device, the first signal indicative of a first user activity is provided. The method includes receiving a second signal from a client device, and storing the first signal and the second signal in an activity history log associated with the first user. The method includes determining, by a server, a presence status of the first user, configuring a presence indicator for the first user based on the presence status, and receiving, from a second user, a request for the presence indicator for the first user. The method includes validating the request from the second user and providing the presence indicator for the first user to the second user. A system and a non-transitory, computer readable medium storing instructions to perform the above method are also provided.