Presence Trigger System for Voice Conference Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voice conferencing systems require manual checks of presence status, which is distracting, unproductive, and time-consuming, affecting the success of conferences due to the absence of participants and the need for manual investigation.

Innovation Solution

A voice conference service system that automatically takes action based on the presence status of potential conferees by using a presence trigger system to initiate notifications and actions, such as adding participants to the conference when they become available, through a network of presence servers and media servers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If manual checking of presence status is implemented, then conferees can determine which potential conferees have joined the voice conference, but it causes distractions, time loss, and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresence status informationVSAvoidconference productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-monitoring of presence status through presence servers that continuously track and update conferee availability without requiring manual intervention. The voice conference system automatically receives and processes presence information, eliminating the need for participants to manually check status while ensuring information is always current.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic feedback loops where presence servers continuously monitor conferee status and provide real-time updates to the voice conference system. This automated feedback mechanism ensures that conference participants are immediately notified of presence changes without manual checking, maintaining information accuracy while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual investigation of presence status is performed, then conferees can identify absent participants, but it consumes time and distracts from conference participation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconference participation reliabilityVSAvoidtime spent checking presence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing presence monitoring for all potential conferees before the voice conference begins. Presence servers continuously track availability status in advance, so when a conference is initiated, the system already has current presence information ready, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual investigations during the conference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical manual checking process with an automated electronic monitoring system. Presence servers automatically track and report conferee status through digital communications, substituting the manual mechanical action of checking with an automated electronic process that provides real-time information without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Extent of automation

If automated presence monitoring is implemented, then the system can automatically take action based on conferee availability, but it increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresence monitoring automationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces presence servers as intermediary components that mediate between conferees and the voice conference system. These servers handle the complexity of presence tracking, monitoring, and notification automatically, allowing the core voice conference system to remain relatively simple while benefiting from automated presence management through the intermediary layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The presence servers are designed as multi-functional universal components that can monitor multiple conferees simultaneously, provide presence information to various voice conferences, and perform multiple tasks including tracking, notifying, and triggering automated actions. This universality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating functions into versatile components rather than requiring separate specialized systems for each function.

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

Data Source

PatentEP1980092B1Automatic voice conference actions driven by potential conferee presence
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 UNIFY INC
  • EP1980092B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1980092B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1980092B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A presence trigger system (106) and a service system (104) support automatic actions on a voice conference based on the presence state of potential conferees (114) of the voice conference. The systems (104, 106) may, for example, initiate contacting and joining the potential conferee (114) to the voice conference when the potential conferee presence state indicates that the potential conferee (114) is available. As another example, the systems (104, 106) may automatically notify participating conferees (112) that the potential conferee (114) has become available. Automatic notification allows participating conferees (112) to concentrate on and contribute to the voice conference without the distraction of frequently checking the presence status of expected, but absent, conferees.