Patent ID: 7953623
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: scheduling an electronic meeting using one or more server computer systems, the electronic meeting scheduled between a plurality of meeting members, one of the meeting members designated as an original meeting moderator, wherein the meeting members participate in the electronic meeting over a communications network using a plurality of client computer systems, a client computer system of a meeting moderator having moderator computer capabilities to perform actions within the electronic meeting; defining, using the one or more server computer systems, a set of custom rules comprising a failover rule and a failback rule instructing the one or more computer systems to select a replacement meeting moderator in response to an absence of the original meeting moderator in the electronic meeting, the failover rule specifying a custom hierarchy of one or more replacement meeting moderators from the plurality of meeting members, the failback rule specifying a custom rule for reestablishing control of the electronic meeting with the original meeting moderator in response to the original meeting moderator rejoining the electronic meeting; detecting during the electronic meeting, by the one or more server computer systems, that the original meeting moderator is absent by one of the original meeting moderator leaving the electronic meeting and the original meeting moderator failing to log on to the electronic meeting; designating, using the one or more server computer systems, a member of the plurality of meeting members as the replacement meeting moderator in response to the determination that the original meeting moderator is absent, the replacement meeting moderator designated based on the failover rule of the custom set of rules; and providing, using the one or more server computer systems, the moderator computer capabilities to a client computer system of the replacement meeting moderator, the moderator computer capabilities provided during the electronic meeting in response to designating the member of the plurality of meeting members as the replacement meeting moderator.