Methods and systems for using a mobile device to join a video conference endpoint into a video conference

• US 9,369,673 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Blue Jeans Network, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Ma, Luke, Hutchison, Benjamin J., Gal, Oded, Verwayen, Peter, Periyannan, Alagu
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier, Gerald
• Application Number:
  US14/217,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20140313282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/14.09, 348/14.13, 370/236, 455/412.2, 455/416, 455/415, 455/426.1, 455/518, 709/217, 709/204, 709/205, 725/62, 379/202.01, 715/719, 715/753, 726/3, 235/375, 382/190
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 Multipoint control units therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/155 involving storage of or access to video conference sessions tracking arrangements for later retrieval of a computer conference content or participants activities H04L12/1831

Abstract

Described herein are methods and systems for joining a video conference endpoint to a video conference. A user may use a mobile device to take a picture of a Quick Response (QR) code or may place the mobile device in close proximity to a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag. Such QR code or NFC tag may be associated with a video conference endpoint. The user may then transmit the information encoded by the QR code or NFC tag, along with a meeting identifier, to a server. The server, in turn, may instruct a video conference endpoint identified by the QR code or NFC tag to join a video conference identified by the meeting identifier.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a server used to host a video conference, a first signal from a mobile device, the signal including information content derived from a marker perceived by the mobile device, wherein the marker comprises one or more of a quick response (QR) code and a near field communication (NFC) tag;

determining, by the server, a room conferencing system that is associated with the information content included in the first signal from the mobile device; and

instructing, in response to the first signal, by the server, the room conferencing system to automatically join the video conference hosted by the server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to receiving the first signal from the mobile device, receiving, at the server, a meeting identifier from the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein prior to receiving the first signal from the mobile device, receiving, at the server, a meeting passcode from the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein in response to receiving the meeting identifier and the first signal from the mobile device, the server identifies a video conference endpoint associated with the information content derived from the marker perceived by the mobile device, and instructs the identified video conference endpoint to connect to a video conference specified by the meeting identifier hosted by the server.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the meeting identifier is selected from a calendar entry at the mobile device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein in response to selection of the calendar entry at the mobile device, an application is automatically launched on the mobile device to transmit the meeting identifier to the server.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein including information content derived from the marker perceived by the mobile device is captured by the application that is automatically launched on the mobile device.

8. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a server used to host a video conference, a first signal that is associated with a room conferencing system, the first signal received upon a mobile device being located in a proximity of a sensor or a marker, wherein the marker comprises one or more of a QR code and a NFC tag; and

instructing, in response to the first signal, by the server, the room conferencing system to automatically join the video conference hosted by the server.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein prior to receiving the first signal, receiving, at the server, a meeting identifier from the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein prior to receiving the first signal from the mobile device, receiving, at the server, a meeting passscode from the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein in response to receiving the meeting identifier and the first signal, the server identifies a video conference endpoint associated with information content derived from the sensor or marker, and instructs the identified video conference endpoint to connect to a video conference specified by the meeting identifier hosted by the server.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the meeting identifier is selected from a calendar entry at the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein in response to selection of the calendar entry at the mobile device, an application is automatically launched on the mobile device to transmit the meeting identifier to the server.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein including information content derived from the marker perceived by the mobile device is captured by the application that is automatically launched on the mobile device.