Method and apparatus for controlling actions based on triggers in a conference

• US 20070150583A1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Asthana, Aseem, Vadlakonda, Sravan, Chotai, Ashish, Sarkar, Shantanu, Baird, Randall
• Granted Patent: US 7,886,001 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Disclosed are conferencing systems, devices, architectures, and methods for implementing a trigger-based conferencing system to facilitate increased productivity meeting participation. An exemplary method, in accordance with embodiments, of managing a workflow application in a conference, where the conference includes a plurality of events, can include: (i) creating a trigger by defining a predicate and action for the trigger; (ii) registering the trigger to at least one of a plurality of detection points; (iii) evaluating the trigger'"'"'s predicate each time any of the detection points against which it is registered are encountered; and (iv) executing actions associated with the trigger if the predicate evaluation is positive, where execution of the actions can result in a state change in the conference.

Claims

1. A method of managing a workflow application in a conference, the conference having a plurality of events, the method comprising:

receiving a trigger having a predicate and an action;

registering the trigger to a detection point;

evaluating the predicate when the detection point is encountered; and

executing the action in response to a positive evaluation of the predicate, wherein the executing the action results in a state change in the conference.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the detection point is based on one or more of the plurality of events.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the detection point is based on a state of the conference.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the detection point is based on a state transition in the conference.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection point includes one or more of the following:

displaying content;

a participant joining or leaving the conference; and

/or starting or stopping the recording of the conference.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection point includes one or more of the following:

reaching of a resource capacity percentage;

a floor control event occurring; and

/or starting or stopping a video.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection point includes one or more of the following:

time elapsing;

starting or stopping the conference; and

/or

releasing a resource.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes one or more of the following:

executing a script having a sequence of actions;

dialing out to a prospective participant; and

/or

ejecting a participant.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes one or more of the following:

executing a security function;

changing a policy of the conference; and

/or

executing a floor operation.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes one or more of the following:

sending a message via text messaging;

sending a message via e-mail;

locking or unlocking the conference; and

/or

controlling enable of an encryption.

11. A computer readable medium on which is stored a sequence of instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the processors to perform the method of:

managing a workflow application in a conference, the conference having a plurality of events, the method comprising;

creating a trigger having a predicate and an action;

registering the trigger to a detection point;

evaluating the predicate when the detection point is encountered; and

executing the action in response to the evaluating of the predicate, wherein the executing the action results in a state change in the conference.

12. A rich media conferencing device coupled to a conference network, the rich media conferencing device being configured to register a trigger against a detection point, wherein:

the conference includes a plurality of events;

the trigger includes a predicate and an action;

the detection point is associated with at least one of the plurality of events; and

the action is configured to be executed in response to an encountering of the detection point during the conference and a positive evaluation of the predicate, wherein an execution of the action results in a state change in the conference.

13. The rich media conferencing device of claim 12, further comprising:

a controlling server.

14. The rich media conferencing device of claim 12, further comprising:

a user interface.

15. The rich media conferencing device of claim 12, wherein the detection point includes one or more of the following:

a display of content;

a recording start or stop; and

/or

a participant joining or leaving the conference.

16. The rich media conferencing device of claim 12, wherein the detection point includes one or more of the following:

a resource capacity percentage being reached;

a floor control event; and

/or

a video start or stop.

17. The rich media conferencing device of claim 12, wherein the detection point includes one or more of the following:

an elapsed time;

a start or stop of the conference; and

/or

a resource release.

18. The rich media conferencing device of claim 12, wherein the action includes one or more of the following:

execution of a script having a sequence of actions;

a dial-out to a prospective participant; and

/or

ejection of a participant or a security function.

19. The rich media conferencing device of claim 12, wherein the action includes one or more of the following:

a change in a policy of the conference;

execution of a floor operation; and

/or

sending a message via text messaging.

20. The rich media conferencing device of claim 12, wherein the action includes one or more of the following:

sending a message via e-mail;

locking or unlocking the conference; and

/or

control of enable of an encryption.

21. The rich media conferencing device of claim 15, wherein:

the content includes presentation materials.

22. A means for managing a workflow application in a conference, the conference having a plurality of events, the means comprising:

a means for creating a trigger having a predicate and an action;

a means for registering the trigger to a detection point;

a means for evaluating the predicate when the detection point is encountered; and

a means for executing the action in response to the evaluating of the predicate, wherein the executing the action results in a state change in the conference.