Method for establishing interpersonal communication and system

A method includes determining a set of individuals available to participate in a chat event, and determining a pairing of individuals from the first set including a first individual and a second individual, the pairing based on matching criterion. The method also includes providing an invitation to the first individual and to the second individual, establishing communication between the first individual and the second individual in response to an acceptance of the first invitation by the first individual or in response to an acceptance of the first invitation by the second individual.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to information handling systems, and more particularly relates to a system and a method for establishing interpersonal communication using information handling systems.

BACKGROUND

Computer technology today provides the foundation for nearly every aspect of business activity and is equally ubiquitous in our personal and social lives. Information handling systems and associated software applications have greatly increased worker productivity and have provided businesses and organizations with altogether new capabilities and opportunities. On a seemingly daily basis, breakthroughs in computer technology continue to reshape business, society, and our personal lives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows an information handling system100capable of administering each of the specific embodiments of the present disclosure. The information handling system100may include a processor102such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the information handling system100can include a main memory104and a static memory106that can communicate with each other via a bus108. As shown, the information handling system100may further include a video display unit110, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT). Additionally, the information handling system100may include an input device112, such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device114, such as a mouse. The information handling system100can also include a disk drive unit116, a signal generation device118, such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device120. The information handling system100can represent a server device whose resources can be shared by multiple client devices, or it can represent an individual client device, such as a desktop personal computer. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an interpersonal communication system can be implemented using one or more server devices and multiple client devices.

Computer technology is present in nearly every facet of our lives. This is particularly true in a business environment where information handling systems such as the information handling system100can be used to automate manufacturing processes, to store, manipulate, and transfer information, to facilitate human communication, and more. For example, multiple information handling systems can be interconnected via a variety of communication networks to implement electronic mail services, browser based internet services, video conferencing, voice telephony services, and the like. Interpersonal communications, such as between business associates or between members of an organization, can be vital for maintaining a productive operating environment. This is especially true as the size of a business or organization grows, and particularly so when parties are located remotely from one another. For example, today an organization may have individual facilities all over the world, yet there remains a need to interoperate efficiently. In addition to increasing worker productivity, quality interpersonal communications can improve morale and stimulate respectful community behavior. Unfortunately, such interaction can be quite difficult to establish in many situations.

Techniques disclosed herein can be used to facilitate interpersonal communications between employees at a business, members of an organization, or a network of friends. For example, systems and methods disclosed can be implemented to promote human interaction that emulates “hall way” encounters and fosters natural community behavior. While these techniques can be applied equally to any organization of individuals, for simplicity they are described in the context of a business and employees. In addition, for simplicity the term “chat” is used herein to represent an interpersonal communication event. In an embodiment, a chat server can maintain a list of employees who are presently available to participate in a chat with another employee; determine one or more pairings of the available employees based on matching criteria; provide each individual of a particular pairing with an invitation to chat with the corresponding individual; and facilitate a chat between any pair of individuals based on acceptance of the invitation by either party. In an embodiment, individual employees or a business administrator can configure matching criteria to determine preferred pairings of available employees. For example, weighting factors can be assigned to potential chat partners based on a degree of separation between prospective employees on an organization chart, job function, and the like. The availability of potential chat participants can be determined based on a variety of criteria including determining their physical presence at a work station. In addition, automated systems can identify whether an employee is currently busy with a telephone call, actively using a keyboard or other machinery, has an appointment scheduled by an office automation calendar program, and the like. The term work station is used herein to refer to a location at which an employee typically performs their work duties, such as an office, cubical, desk, post, an assigned location, and the like.

FIG. 2shows an implementation of a chat system200in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. The chat system200includes a chat server202and multiple chat clients, including a client210and a client220. Each chat client includes a client server211, a user interface212, and an availability detection module213. The chat server202can include a software process that is actively executing at an information handling system, such as the information handling system100ofFIG. 1. In an embodiment, the chat server202can operate substantially continuously, monitoring the status of each chat client. Each chat client, including the chat clients210and220, is typically associated with a corresponding employee, and can include another software process that is actively executing at an information handling system associated with an employee, such as a desk top personal computer.

The chat server202is configured to administer chat services by maintaining a list of employees who are participating and are presently available to engage in a chat with another employee and soliciting pairs of individuals to chat, the pairing based on one or more criterion. The chat server can communicate with each chat client using any type of interconnect or network and a suitable communications protocol. For example, the chat server can communicate with each client via an Ethernet network, a wireless network, a telephone network, and the like. Chat clients210and220also can initiate communication with the chat server202. For example, the user interface212can display a graphical button or icon at a video display unit connected to the employee's desk top computer, and an employee can issue a request to participate in the chat service by using a mouse or other pointing device to select the button. In response, the client server211can forward the employee's request to participate to the chat server202, indicated by the signal REQUEST atFIG. 2. The availability detection module213at each chat client can proceed to keep the chat server202informed of the employee's presence and availability to participate in a chat with another individual, indicated by the signal AVAILABLE atFIG. 2. The chat server202substantially continuously monitors the availability of each participant and can determine preferred pairings of individuals based on one or more matching criteria. Having determined at least one suitable pairing, the chat server202can invite each individual to participate in a chat with one another, indicated by the signal INVITE atFIG. 2. An employee can accept an invitation to chat with a particular individual using the user interface212, and the client server211can notify the chat server202of this event using the signal ACCEPT.

The operation of the chat system200can be better understood with reference to the flow diagram300illustrated atFIG. 3. Flow diagram300shows a method for establishing interpersonal communication in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. The method begins at block301where a request to participate in a chat system is received at a chat server from an employee. For example, employees associated with each of the chat clients210and220can inform the chat server202that they would like to participate in the chat system by asserting their respective REQUEST signal. The flow proceeds to block302where the chat server202can maintain a list of employees that have requested participation. The flow proceeds to block303where the chat server202determines the current availability of each participant. For example, multiple employees may desire to participate in the chat service. Throughout a work day, at any particular moment individual employees may be busy or otherwise unable to participate in a chat. The availability detection module213at each chat client can keep the chat server202informed as to the presence and availability of each participating employee using their respective AVAILABLE signal.

The flow proceeds to block304where the chat server202can match two available participants, the preferred pairings based on matching criteria stored at the chat server202. For example, if two available employees work on the same project, knowledge of this mutual relationship can determine that the two employees are better candidates for engaging in a mutual chat than are two available employees that do not have a close working relationship. Furthermore, ideal candidates for a chat may well include employees whose mutual work is related, but who are geographically isolated from one another. Accordingly, the chat server202can determine pairings of participants based on multiple matching criteria. Each criterion can be associated with a weighting factor to allow the chat server to determine preferred pairing of individuals for participation in a chat. Furthermore, the chat server202can determine more than one match. For example, the chat server202can identify the four best matches based on the matching criteria and optional weighting factors. Matching criteria weighting can be specified by the client server211based on an employee's preferences, by the chat server202based on employee management preferences, or a combination of employee and employer preferences.

The flow proceeds to block305where, having determined a pairing of two employees, the chat server202sends each of the matched participants an invitation to chat. For example, if two employees, Tom and Sally, are each available to chat and are paired based on matching criteria, an invitation to chat with Sally can be sent to Tom, while an invitation to chat with Tom can be sent to Sally. In an embodiment, an invitation to chat may be in the form of a small photographic icon of the corresponding chat member appearing in a chat interface window rendered on a corresponding video display unit of each respective chat member. The flow proceeds to block306where, in response to either of the matched participants accepting the chat invitation, the chat server establishes a chat between the paired individuals. For example, in one embodiment, a chat dialog box may appear in response to acceptance by either party, wherein the individuals can carry on a conversation using text using a computer keyboard. In another embodiment, each respective chat client may initiate a voice-enabled chat service. In still other embodiments, a chat may be implemented using a telephone system, a video conferencing system, and the like. If feasible and desired, chat participants may choose to rendezvous at a conference room or the like for a face-to-face chat. For example, the chat server202can access a reservation system to identify an unoccupied conference room and optionally reserve the room on the participant's behalf. During the time that a chat is underway, participants in the chat are classified as unavailable, and the chat server202does not provide either participant with another chat invitation until the current chat has completed. In another embodiment, the chat server202can establish a chat between paired individuals based only on determining a pairing, without first sending invitations to the paired individuals.

FIG. 4shows a video display device and a user interface400associated with the chat system in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. The user interface400can be displayed at a display device410such as the video display unit110ofFIG. 1. The user interface400can display one or more icons, each icon representing an invitation to participate in a chat with a respective individual, the identity of each individual conveyed by the respective icon. For example, the user interface400includes four invitation icons411,412,413, and414representing four individuals that are presently available to participate in a chat. An employee can select one of the icons by clicking on the icon corresponding to the individual with whom the employee would like to chat. In an embodiment, each icon can include a photograph of the respective individual. In other embodiments, an icon can include a video image, an avatar, a simple text name, or another graphical or text object identifying the prospective chat participant. The user interface400includes a REQUEST button415, a LEAVE button416, and a CONFIGURE button417. An employee can notify a chat server such as the chat server202ofFIG. 2that they would like to participate in the chat system by clicking the REQUEST button. The employee can withdraw their request to participate by clicking the LEAVE button.

The CONFIGURE button417provides access to one or more menus through which the employee can control various chat system options, preferences and the like. A configuration menu can provide a means to apply weighting factors to matching criteria, thereby notifying the chat server of any preferences the employee may have regarding potential chat partners. For example, an employee may indicate that they only want to chat with other individuals who are associated with their own work group. Techniques for assigning weights to various matching criteria are described below with reference toFIG. 7.

A client server, such as the client server211ofFIG. 2, can provide and monitor the user interface400. The client server211can respond to actions initiated by an employee via the user interface400, and can send and receive information from the client server202and update the user interface400accordingly. In an embodiment, the client server211can activate or otherwise render a chat window430at the video display unit associated with both participants in response to an acceptance of a chat invitation by either member of a matched pair of participants. In an embodiment, the chat window can include a text entry window431for entering a text message and a scrolling chat log window432for displaying a conversation. The chat window430represents only one of any number of mechanisms through which a chat can commence. For example, in response to an acceptance to chat by either party of a matched pair, the chat server202can establish a telephone connection between the chat participants. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a user interface for accessing and operating the chat system disclosed herein can be implemented in many different ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in an embodiment a chat system user interface can be provided at a cellular telephone, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or another type of information handling system. In another embodiment, the client server211and associated modules can be incorporated within a telephone apparatus, with or without video display capabilities.

A video display unit can include a camera, such as the camera440ofFIG. 4, that is configured to periodically take a photograph of the employee working at the corresponding work station. The client server211can provide the photograph to the chat server202, which can use the photograph to create invitation icons displayed at the user interface of potential chat partners. In embodiment, the photograph can be taken in response to an explicit command issued by a user. In another embodiment, the client server can utilize the camera440to determine if the employee associated with the particular work station is currently present. In still another embodiment, the client server211can utilize face recognition software to confirm that the person sitting at the work state is in fact the person identified as a potential chat participant. In yet another embodiment, the camera440can include a video camera and the icon and chat window430can include a live video image of their chat partner.

FIG. 5shows a method500for determining whether an employee is available to participate in a chat in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. Method500can be performed by an availability module such as the availability detection module213ofFIG. 2in association with the client server211. The method500begins at block501where the availability module213determines whether a prospective chat participant is currently using a telephone. If not, the flow proceeds to block502where the availability module213monitors the employee's keyboard to determine if the employee is actively typing. If no keyboard activity is detected, the flow proceeds to block503where the availability module213can access an office automation system to determine if the employee is currently scheduled to attend a meeting or another event. If the employee's calendar is clear, the availability module213can acquire a photograph and utilize a face recognition program to determine if the intended employee that is participating in the chat system is in fact sitting at the work station. If the face recognition software identifies that the correct employee is present, the flow proceeds to block505where the client server211can notify the chat server202that the participant is available and can therefore receive invitation to chat. If however at blocks501-504the availability module213determines that the intended employee is either not present or is otherwise busy, the flow proceeds to block506where the client server211notifies the chat server202that the participant is not currently available to participate in a chat.

The method500illustrates only a few of many techniques by which the availability module213can determine the presence and availability of an employee who has previously indicated a desire to participate in the chat service. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the availability module213can use many other techniques to determine the status, presence, and availability of a participant. For example, a proximity detection module can be associated with the employee's work station or with a corresponding information handling system, wherein the proximity detection module is configured to detect the presence of an individual. In a specific embodiment, the proximity detection module can include a radio frequency identification device (RFID) receiver configured to determine whether an RFID corresponding to a specific employee is detected within the immediate work area. In other embodiments, the availability module can detect the presence of the user's cell phone, PDA, pager, or another personal electronic device within the proximate area.

FIG. 6shows a table600illustrating matching criteria and corresponding weighting factors that can be used to select potential chat partners in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. A chat server can determine optimal pairings of individuals using the information provided by the table600. For example, the chat server202can use priority information included at the table600to select and invite two employees to engage in a chat. The table600can represent configuration information maintained at a chat server such as the chat server202ofFIG. 2. In an embodiment, the configuration information may represent policies instituted by company management. In another embodiment, the configuration information may represent preferences of individual users of the chat system200. In still another embodiment, the configuration information may include a combination of management and user information. For example, management may provide particular configuration information to enforce specific system characteristics while permitting individual users to refine other configuration information based on personal preferences. The chat system200can include a graphical or text based interface through which business management personnel can specify matching criteria and corresponding weighting factors and other configuration information. In addition, individual users of the chat system200can utilize the user interface212and associated configuration menus to modify existing configuration information or to specify other matching criteria and weighting factors.

The table600includes a first column identifying various matching criteria. In particular, the matching criteria illustrated at the table600relate to a mutual relationship between prospective chat participants. The table600includes a second column wherein a user of the chat system can supply weighting factors associated with each corresponding matching criterion. The weighting factors can include numerical values wherein a higher value increases the likelihood that two individuals having the associated relationship will be selected to chat with one another. In an embodiment, multiple applicable weighting factors can be summed together. In another embodiment, the highest weighting factor of any applicable weighting factors can be used exclusively to select a pairing. Another method for establishing a priority for matching individuals to participate in a chat can be implemented without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, weighting factors can include the attributes high, medium, and low. In another embodiment, weighting factors are not included at the table600and the order that the matching criteria appear in the table determines a corresponding priority of each criterion.

The table600includes rows601-615wherein each row is associated with a corresponding matching criteria and a respective weighting factor. The row601includes a matching criterion “same group” and a corresponding weighting factor value of “0.9.” If a chat server determines that two employees who are working within the same work group are both available to chat, the associated weighting factor of 0.9 can designate to the chat server that these two individuals are preferred candidates for being paired for a potential chat. The row602includes a matching criterion “same project” and a corresponding weighting factor value of “0.8.” Because the weighting factor associated with an individual working on the same project is less than that of someone working within the same group, in the event that individuals matching both criteria are available to chat, the chat server202can select the individuals that are from the same group to participate in a chat. Similarly, the row603includes a matching criterion “same division” and a corresponding weighting factor of “0.7” to indicate that two individuals from the same division of the company can be selected to chat only after selecting available individuals from the same group or project, if such people are available to chat.

As described above, the chat server202can provide multiple solicitations to a particular employee. The chat server202can determine who receives particular invitations based on the weighting factors included at the table600and the individual employees can select from amongst those invitations the particular invitation that they would like to accept. The table600includes additional matching criteria and corresponding weightings such as “same building”604, “same geographical location”605, “degree of separation on an organizational chart”606, “most recent chat with the other participant”607, “most recent chat with any other participant”608, “either participant has the other participant on favor”609, “either participant has the other participant on ignore”610, “door is open”611, either party is a “customer”612, either party is associated with “sales”613, and either party is a “manager”614. For example, the chat server202can be configured to avoid matching participants who have chatted with each other recently, or who have chatted with someone else recently. For another example, a participant who has some free time may configure the chat server to increase the number of chat invitations that they receive by setting a weighting factor corresponding to the criterion “door is open” to a value of 1.0.

The matching criteria and weighting factors illustrated at the table600are only examples of possible criteria and weightings to illustrate the operation of the chat server202. For example, matching criteria can be selected based on particular user or administrator preferences, or they can be selected based on the specific type of business or organizational structure. In one embodiment, the matching criterion can be random. In another embodiment, the matching criteria can be configured to foster communication between individuals that are not likely to engage in dialog on a regular basis, such as individuals from disparate departments. In yet another embodiment, a participant can specifically request a chat with another person when that person becomes available, or when the chat server determines that both parties are available. Furthermore, a request by one party to chat with another party can be identified as “urgent,” wherein an associated invitation is annotated accordingly. For example, icons appearing in a user interface can be colored red to indicate that an invitation should preferably be accepted immediately. Thus, a company can establish chat policies and use the table600or another configuration protocol define those policies to encourage or enforce a desired amount of interpersonal communications.

FIG. 7shows a method700for operating the chat server ofFIG. 2in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. The method700provides further details corresponding to the blocks304-306ofFIG. 3. The method700begins at block701where a chat server, such as the chat server202ofFIG. 2, matches two available participants based on matching criteria and associated weighting factors. For example, having established a list of employees who have requested participation in the chat system, and further, having identified a portion of those individuals who are available to participate in a chat at the present time, the chat server202can utilize various matching criteria such as the table600to select two individuals to invite to chat with one another. The flow proceeds to block702where the chat server sends each of the matched participants an invitation to chat. For example, the chat server202can transmit invite information to a client server associated with each of the matched participants. Each client server can notify a respective participant of the invitation using the user interface400, such as by displaying a photograph of the other party at a video display unit corresponding to each party.

The flow proceeds to decision block703where the chat server determines whether either party of a pair of matched and invited individuals has accepted the invitation to chat. If either party accepts the invitation, the flow proceeds to block706where the chat server facilitates the establishment of a chat between the matched parties. As described above, the chat can commence using any of a variety of communication media including chat windows spawned at corresponding video display units of each party by respective client servers, orchestrated by the chat server202. The flow proceeds to decision block707wherein the client server211associated with each party and the chat server202determine that an established chat has completed. Having completed the chat, each party is potentially available to participate in another chat based on their respective availability and based on matching criteria. Returning to decision block703, if the invitation to chat has yet to be accepted, the flow proceeds to block704where the chat server202can confirm that both parties are still available to chat. If at any time, either party becomes unavailable, the chat server revokes the invitation to chat from both parties. If both parties remain available, the flow proceeds to decision block705where the chat server202can determine whether the invitation to chat has remained unanswered for longer than a predetermined amount of time. If a timeout period has expired, the chat server revokes the invitation to chat from both parties. Otherwise, the flow returns to decision block703, further awaiting acceptance by either party.

The chat server and client servers can perform many of the preceding functions in a parallel manner. For example, decision blocks703,704, and705can monitor acceptance, availability, and timeout substantially simultaneously. Furthermore, the method700can be performed substantially simultaneously for multiple chat invitations presented to each of multiple participants. For example, a chat server can monitor the availability of each participant, provide each participant with one or more chat invitations based on a mutual relationship between the participants and matching criteria, and continuously monitor each participant to determine if an invitation has been accepted or to determine if an outstanding invitation has remained unanswered for an excessive amount of time.

FIG. 8shows a method800for acquiring a photograph of an individual for use by a chat system in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. The photograph of one party can be used to provide an invitation icon to be displayed at a user interface of another party, and can be used to determine the presence of a participant at their respective work station. The method can be implemented by either a chat server, such as the chat server202ofFIG. 2, or by a client server such as the client server211. The method800begins at block801where a camera located in proximity to a participant takes a photograph. For example, the camera430located at the participants video display unit, and directed towards an operator at the work station, can acquire a photograph in response to a request by the chat server202, a request by the client server211, or an action performed by a participant situated at the work station. The flow proceeds to decision block802where a face recognition utility determines whether the photograph identifies the intended chat participant. If the face recognition utility does not identify the participant (or if no one is present in the photograph), the flow returns to block801where a subsequent photograph can be acquired. If the face recognition utility confirms the presence of the correct individual, or if the photograph captured at block801represents an initial photograph of an employee, the flow proceeds to block803where the photograph is stored at a database along with a timestamp identifying the time at which the photograph was acquired. In an embodiment, acquisition of an initial photograph or of an updated photograph of an employee at block801can be submitted to the photograph database accompanied by suitable credentials or other information to verify the identity of the employee. The flow proceeds to decision block804where it is determined whether a predefined amount of time has passed since a photograph has been acquired. If a new photograph is needed, the flow returns to block801. The method800can be performed independently at each participant's work station and can be performed independently of other processes underway within the chat system.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the information handling system100can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system600may operate as a standalone device or may be connected such as using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.

The disk drive unit116may include a computer-readable medium122in which one or more sets of instructions124such as software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions124may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions124may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory104, the static memory106, and/or within the processor102during execution by the information handling system100. The main memory104and the processor102also may include computer-readable media. The network interface device120can provide connectivity to a network126, e.g., a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or other network.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions124or receives and executes instructions124responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to a network126can communicate voice, video or data over the network126. Further, the instructions124may be transmitted or received over the network126via the network interface device120.