Remote Conference Manager for One-Button Initiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conferencing systems, particularly video conferencing, are complex for users to navigate due to the need for multiple pieces of information such as phone numbers, conference IDs, log-in IDs, and passwords, and compatibility issues between different devices, leading to increased complexity for both users and IT personnel in setting up conferences.
Innovation Solution
A method for establishing a remotely hosted conference that allows users to initiate a conference with a single button push by registering with a remote conference manager, querying for available conference rooms, updating directories, and transmitting connection details to local conference rooms, enabling seamless audio, video, or data conferencing across different sites and devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually configure conferencing parameters (phone numbers, conference IDs, passwords), then conferencing functionality can be established, but user operation complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The conference management system automatically performs configuration tasks including retrieving conference parameters, establishing connections, and managing resources without requiring user intervention. The system self-configures by querying the remote conference manager and automatically obtaining connection details, eliminating the need for users to manually input phone numbers, conference IDs, or passwords.
Solution Approach 2:
A remote conference manager acts as an intermediary between the local conference room and the conferencing network. This mediator handles all complex configuration tasks, parameter retrieval, and connection establishment, presenting only a simple one-button interface to users while managing the complexity in the background.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conferencing systems support multiple features and options, then functionality increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the complexity of feature management and configuration into a separate remote conference manager system. The local conference room only needs to handle basic initiation, while all complex feature negotiation, compatibility checking, and configuration are extracted to the remote manager that automatically adapts features based on participant capabilities.
3Reliability
If users need to know multiple conference parameters (phone numbers, IDs, passwords), then secure conferencing can be established, but information requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The remote conference manager performs preliminary actions by automatically retrieving and validating all conference parameters including secure authentication credentials before the conference starts. The system pre-establishes secure connections and prepares all necessary information, presenting only a simple initiation command to the user while ensuring security requirements are met in advance.
4Reliability
If IT personnel manually setup conference components, then device compatibility can be ensured, but setup time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs compatibility checking and configuration adaptation without IT personnel intervention. The remote conference manager queries participant devices, determines capability sets, and automatically configures appropriate features and parameters, ensuring compatibility while eliminating manual setup time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes registering with a first remote conference manager operated by a first entity and a request to enable conferencing with a second entity. The method also includes querying the first remote conference manager for at least one conference room hosted by the second entity and updating a directory of conference rooms comprising at least one local conference room to further comprise the at least one remote conference room. The method further includes receiving a request to schedule a conference. Upon determining at least one remote conference room is to be used for the scheduled conference, the method also includes transmitting the request to the first remote conference manager. Upon the second remote conference manager transmitting an acceptance of the conference, the method also includes receiving details from the first remote conference manager for establishing a connection for use with the conference and transmitting the details to the at least one local conference room.