Multimedia collaboration and communications

• US 20060010197A1
• Filed: 07/06/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Ovenden, Francis
• Application Number:
  US10/884,896
• Publication Number:
  US 20060010197A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation

Abstract

A computer interface for facilitating collaboration using tools from different vendors includes an information base and a communications manager. Files created or shared in association with a collaboration may be automatically associated with a particular collaboration to facilitate access by all members. The information base may include a list of files associated with the collaboration, a folder with icons representing files and messages previously shared, and a calendar for scheduling events associated with the collaboration. The communications manager includes a list of applications available for use in conjunction with the collaboration, including communications tools, and a list of members of the collaboration. The interface is generated by a collaboration object which includes the files associated with the collaboration and code for interacting with the various, different applications employed by the members of the collaboration.

Claims

1. A computer interface that facilitates a collaboration between a plurality of users employing a plurality of distinct applications via a plurality of devices, comprising:

an information base containing information related to a task, said information base including information associated with a plurality of different applications and an accumulator for automatically adding new information related to the task to the information base; and

a communications manager for using and controlling different communications tools for communications with the users related to the task.

2. The interface of claim 1 wherein the information base includes a list of files associated with the collaboration, said files being available for use on the devices, and a calendar for scheduling events associated with the collaboration.

3. The interface of claim 1 wherein the communications manager includes a list of applications available for use in conjunction with the collaboration and a list of members of the collaboration.

4. The computer interface of claim 1 further including at least one native application which functions as part of the interface.

5. The computer interface of claim 3 further including a native application for creating and sharing hand drawings in real time.

6. The computer interface of claim 5 wherein said native application overlays said drawings on another file associated with another application.

7. The computer interface of claim 4 further including a native application for synchronizing internet browsing.

8. The computer interface of claim 1 wherein said information base includes at least one history file containing data associated with a completed collaboration session.

9. The computer interface of claim 8 wherein said at least one history file includes at least one audio file of a conference call.

10. The computer interface of claim 8 wherein said at least one history file includes at least one video file of a video conference.

11. The computer interface of claim 8 wherein said at least one history file includes at least one text file of an instant message sent pursuant to collaboration.

12. The computer interface of claim 8 wherein said at least one history file includes at least one file containing email messages sent pursuant to collaboration.

13. The computer interface of claim 8 wherein said history file includes at least one file containing a non-text file shared pursuant to collaboration.

14. The computer interface of claim 8 wherein said history file is automatically generated.

15. The computer interface of claim 1 wherein each said file is provided to said device associated with a member by dragging and dropping said file on an icon associated with said member.

16. The computer interface of claim 1 wherein a telephone call is initiated by dragging and dropping an icon associated with the member on a telephone icon.

17. The computer interface of claim 1 wherein the information base includes contact information, and wherein a contact may be added by selecting from a directory.

18. The computer interface of claim 17 wherein a subgroup of contacts is generated by selecting their associated icons and selecting an option to create a subgroup icon from a pull-down menu on the interface.

19. A communications object that facilitates collaboration between a plurality of users employing a plurality of distinct applications, comprising:

at least one file associated with at least one of said distinct applications, said file being provided to a plurality of devices in response to input; and

executable code operative to enable use of each said file in conjunction with its associated application by launching the application when the file is accessed.

20. The communications object of claim 19 wherein said at least one file includes a document associated with the collaboration.

21. The communications object of claim 19 wherein said at least one file includes at least one history file containing data associated with a completed collaboration session.

22. The communications object of claim 19 wherein said code includes at least one routine operative to interact with applications associated with the collaboration.

23. The communications object of claim 19 wherein said code includes at least one routine operative to reformat data from a first application format into a format readable by a second, different application.

24. The communications object of claim 19 wherein said code includes at least one routine operative to initiate a telephone call.

25. The communications object of claim 19 wherein said object is maintained on a server.

26. The communications object of claim 19 wherein said object is maintained as individual copies, one on each device.

27. A method for facilitating a collaboration between a plurality of users employing a plurality of distinct applications via a plurality of devices, comprising the steps of:

maintaining an information base containing information related to a task, said information base including information associated with a plurality of different applications;

automatically adding new information related to the task to the information base; and

providing a communications manager for using and controlling different communications tools for communications with the users related to the task.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the information base includes a list of files associated with the collaboration, said files being available for use on the devices, and including the further step of providing a calendar for scheduling events associated with the collaboration.

29. The method of claim 27 including the further step of providing a list of applications available for use in conjunction with the collaboration and a list of members of the collaboration.

30. The method of claim 27 including the further step of executing a native application for creating and sharing hand drawings in real time.

31. The method of claim 27 including the further step of generating at least one history file containing data associated with a completed collaboration session.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said history file is automatically generated.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the information base includes contact information, and including the further step of adding a contact by selecting from a directory.

34. The method of claim 33 including the further step of generating a subgroup of contacts by selecting their associated icons and selecting an option to create a subgroup icon from a pull-down menu on the interface.