System and method for a communication session identifier

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for a communication session identifier. A communication session identifier can act as a virtual relay between conference participants, forwarding emails, phone calls, attachments, messages, and other information from a central address associated with the communications session identifier. In this manner, a user who desires to communicate with other conference participants only needs to send the communication to the communication session identifier, which in turn distributes the communication to the other parties. These communications can include emails, social networking messages, instant messaging, voice messages, and other forms of communication.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a communication session identifier and more specifically to a system and method for an intermediary communication system having a unique identification which can forward, transfer, and otherwise communicate information to communication session members.

When invited to a telecommunications conference, such as a conference call or web conference, communicating with the other participants can be difficult. While the conference invitation usually specifies the primary communication medium for the conference (telephone, webcam, etc.), the participants are responsible for determining how alternative communications prior to, during, and after the conference are sent and distributed to fellow participants. This can often lead to frustrating scenarios where not all of the participants receive important information, or where time is lost due to insufficient communication. Further, a participant may not have contact information for other participants.

For example, if a user has received an invitation to participate in a web conference and prior to that web conference wishes to send an attachment to the other participants, the user has a variety of options. The user can attempt to log into the conference early and send the attachment through the web conference program. However this can be impeded if other participants have not logged into the web conference. Alternatively, the user can attempt to retrieve the email addresses or instant message identifiers of all attendees. This, however, is likely to result in a missed participant or duplication of participants, requires access to a list of the participants, and opens the door to ‘Reply All’ responses which draw ire from fellow participants.

By way of another example, if a conference call has already begun and a user wishes to communicate to the other participants that they are going to be 10 minutes late, that user has the options of calling into the conference bridge to tell the other participants that they will be another 10 minutes or of emailing all other participants with the hope that they check their email accounts. Currently available solutions inadequately solve the problem of communicating with fellow participants in a simple, efficient, and timely manner.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for a communication session identifier system. A communication session identifier system can act as a virtual relay between conference participants, forwarding emails, phone calls, attachments, messages, and other information from a central address associated with a communications session identifier. In this manner, a user who desires to communicate with other conference participants only needs to send the communication to the communication session identifier, which in turn distributes the communication to the other parties. For example, if a user wishes to send an email to the other participants, the user would send the email to a communication session identifier system configured to receive and distribute emails. The communication session identifier system would then relay the communication to the other participants. Similar systems can be configured for social networking, instant messaging, voice communications, and other forms of communication. Additionally, while certain embodiments can relay communications of a single communication medium, other embodiment configurations can relay multiple forms of communication across multiple communication mediums.

In one exemplary method embodiment, the communication session identifier is associated with a conference which in turn is associated with a set of participants. The communication session identifier system then relays any communications received to at least one of the set of participants. In certain embodiments, this relay occurs automatically, whereas in other embodiments a managing participant must approve a communication prior to relaying the communication to the other participants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure addresses the need in the art for improved communications relaying between conference participants. A system, method and non-transitory computer-readable media are disclosed which provide for a communication session identifier associated with a conference. The conference is associated with a set of participants, and communications received by the communication session identifier are directed to at least one of the conference participants. A brief introductory description of a basic general purpose system or computing device inFIG. 1which can be employed to practice the concepts is disclosed herein. A more detailed description of various communication session identifier embodiments will then follow. These variations shall be discussed herein as the various embodiments are set forth. The disclosure now turns toFIG. 1.

Having disclosed some components of a computing system, the disclosure now turns to a discussion of a computing system configured as a communication session identifier associated with a conference. The conference permits interaction between a set of participants over a medium, and the communication session identifier can direct communications received, in that same medium or other mediums, to the set of participants. Examples of a conference can include conference calls, teleconferences, video conferences, web conferencing, or augmenting conferencing. In any of these and other forms of conferences a set of participants seek an exchange of information among the participants, at least two of which are remote from one another and linked by a communications system. For most embodiments participants are human. Nevertheless, in certain embodiments the participants can be other computing devices engaged in a conference to exchange information. One example of this includes two computers scheduled to have a conference to swap data on a specific date. In such an embodiment, the participants are the computers, and a communication session identifier can relay, store, and otherwise direct communications between the two computers.

In one embodiment, the communication session identifier is associated with email communications and an email address. A phone conference with many participants is about to begin, and one participant desires to email all the other participants an agenda. This participant emails the agenda to the communication session identifier system, which in turn distributes the agenda to the remaining participants. To send an email to the communication session identifier system requires that a communication session identifier have an email address associated with it, or alternatively, that a unique network address or other data address be associated with the communication session identifier. In this example, the communication session identifier can also have access to a database to store the email and agenda prior to and during communication. Should the communication session identifier system be unable to send or deliver the email to any of the participants, the communication session identifier system can continue to attempt to communicate the email to the remaining participants, storing the email in the database until required.

Upon initiating a phone conference users can communicate with other conference participants while the conference is ongoing. For example, a user participating in the conference who desires to distribute a file to the other conference participants can simplify the distribution process by emailing the file to the communication session identifier system which in turn directs the email and file to the remaining participants. While in most embodiments the communication session identifier system notes which participant sent the file and distributes the file to the remaining participants, the communication session identifier system can send all participants, including the user, the file. Alternatively, the system can send the file to a specified or implied subset of participants. Participants can verify distribution for record keeping purposes.

After the phone conference, users can distribute summaries, notes, or assignments via emails to the conference session identifier. A communication session identifier can persist, receive, and distribute information beyond the termination of the phone conference, as defined by an administrator or other entity, or as defined by a computer device based on collected data. This time period can be fixed, such as two days or three weeks, flexible based on a goal or assignment or frequency of use, or can be defined from contexts of the conference. For example, if a participant has received an assignment to distribute a document within a specific time period after the conference, the communication session identifier can identify that specific time period and set a termination date hours, days, or weeks after that time period.

The communication session identifier can be associated with speech communications and a voicemail box. In a similar fashion to the email embodiment, a communication session identifier system with a communication session identifier configured to receive voice messages then distributes the voice messages to phone conference participants. The communication session identifier also has access to a database wherein the voicemail can be stored and later retrieved. The manner of redistribution from the communication session identifier system to the participants can vary depending on the current situation, administrative settings, and user preference. As an example, if a phone conference has not yet begun and a user leaves a voicemail, the system can distribute the voicemail to each individual participant's voicemail prior to conference initialization. The system can store the voicemail in the database until the conference begins, then play the voicemail across a conference bridge to the participants. In order for the voicemail to be distributed across the conference bridge, the system can maintain an association or other connection between the conference bridge and the conference identifier.

The system can receive and distribute additional communications formats, such as Instant Messages (IM), text messages, social networking messages, and recorded video. Each communication format can be stored in a single database, or each communication format can be stored in databases specific to that format. The system receives communications addressed to the communication session identifier and subsequently relays the communications to conference participants. Where the computing device is configured to receive and distribute communications to a web conference, the communication session identifier can further identify the capabilities of the conference. The system can provide the participant wishing to distribute the communication with a choice based on the detected capabilities, whereas the system can provide an administrator with the choice, or the computing device can make such determinations without human interaction. For example, if the conference is a web conference, and the communication being shared is a spreadsheet document, the document could be shared such that each participant's view of the other participants is replaced by the spreadsheet, or the document could be shared such that each participant opens the document in a separate view.

Certain embodiments can have a hierarchy, where an administrator or ranked participant makes decisions as to communication distributions. These decisions can likewise determine if the communication is stored in the database, how the communication is viewed, and to whom the communication is distributed. For example, the administrator can determine that only certain participants should receive a particular attachment, and instructs the communication session identifier to distribute the attachment accordingly. The administrator can also review communications prior to approving communication distribution, instruct the communication session identifier as to when communication distribution is allowed or disallowed, as well as when certain types of communications can be distributed. In some embodiments, security and authentication can be enforced. For example, the sender may need to be authenticated either using their user ID or password, or an authentication token specific to the session and perhaps the user. The messages may also be encrypted either using pre-shared keys or by exploiting public key infrastructure (PKI).

In yet other embodiments, the communication session identifier can modify the delivery of the communication based on the current context of the conference. For example, if the conference has already begun and a user running late sends a text message reading “I will be 10 minutes late” to the communication session identifier, the communication session identifier system can forward the communication to other participants who have not yet joined the conference via IM or text distribution. To those participants already in the conference, the communication session identifier system can likewise communicate the message via IM or text, or alternatively, can convert the message to speech and broadcast the converted message across the conference bridge. The participants already in the conference would then hear a message such as “Ding! Mr. Smith sends the following: I will be 10 minutes late.”

Having disclosed some components of a computing system, the disclosure now turns toFIG. 2, which illustrates an exemplary communication session identifier system200using a communication session identifier208configured with an email address. In this example a number of participants202have already joined a conference using a conference bridge204. Each of these joined participants202has a channel of communication206between themselves202and the conference bridge204, allowing the conference to occur. The communication session identifier208similarly has access to a channel of communication210with the participants202. Each of these current participants202can send an email or other communication item to the email address associated with the communication session identifier208. The communication session identifier208in turn can store the email in a database212and forward the communication item to the other participants202. In certain embodiments the communication session identifier system200delivers communications to missing participants214who have not yet joined the conference, while in other embodiments the communication session identifier208will continue checking to see if the missing participant214has joined the conference, at which time the communication will be retrieved from the database212and forwarded.

FIG. 2further illustrates that a missing participant214can communicate a message or communication to the communication session identifier208, which the communication session identifier system200in turn distributes the message to the current conference200participants202. Because the illustrated communication session identifier208is configured for only an email address, no access to the conference bridge204is provided, only access to active participants202and missing participants214.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary communication session identifier system300with a communication session identifier308configured with a voicemail box. As inFIG. 2, a number of participants302have already joined the conference, while other participants314are missing. Those participants302that have already joined have a channel of communication306to the conference bridge304, as well as a channel of communication310to the communication session identifier308. However, in addition to these channels of communication306,310, a channel of communication316exists between the conference bridge304and the communication session identifier308. Because the communication session identifier308is configured for voicemails, when a voice communication is received the system300can forward it directly to the conference bridge304via this additional channel of communication316. The active participants302will then be able to hear the voicemail over the conference bridge.

For example, if the missing participant314sends the communication session identifier308a voicemail once the conference has already begun, that voicemail can be forwarded to the conference bridge304and played for all of the current participants302at a single time. Alternatively, if the missing participant314sent the communication session identifier308a voicemail prior to the conference starting, the communication session identifier system300can store that voicemail in the database312until the conference begins. Similarly, if a current participant302wished to play an audio file across the conference bridge304, and certain participants have not yet joined the conference, the communication session identifier308can receive the audio through the additional channel316and forward it directly to the missing participant314. If desired, the communication session identifier system300can store the audio in the database312until a future time when the missing participant314requests it, or until an administrator determines that the audio should be distributed to active participants302and/or missing participants314.

FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary communication session identifier system400using a communication session identifier408configured for multiple communication mediums. As inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, a number of participants402have already joined the conference400and have channels406of communication to the conference bridge404. This conference bridge404can be a telephone conference bridge, web-enabled voice bridge, video conference bridge, or other forms of conference bridges allowing a free-flowing communication between at least two remote participants. In this illustration, a communication channel424further exists between the communication session identifier408and the conference bridge404, allowing the communication session identifier system400to forward information directly to the conference bridge404as well as receive information directly from the conference bridge404. The communication session identifier408also has channels of communication422with the already joined conference participants402, as well as data paths426for various communication mediums410,412,414,416.

Unlike the communication session identifiers208,308previously disclosed, the communication session identifier408ofFIG. 4is configured for multiple communication formats such as social networking410, email412, instant messaging414, and voicemail416. Each of these formats can have a separate database418to store communications, though some embodiments will have a single database for all communication formats. The communication session identifier system400can reach communicate with missing participants420through any of these means410,412,414,416. For example, if the missing participant420was running late for the conference400and used a social network such as Twitter®, they could tweet “Running late.” The communication session identifier408could receive this through a social networking connection410and the communication session identifier system400could then forward this message to the active participants402using direct channels422. In certain embodiments, the communication session identifier system400could reformat the tweet into an audio speech format and forward the message to the active participants402using the direct communication channel424between the conference bridge404and the communication session identifier408.

As another example, if the current participants402were engaging in the conference400and one wished to share a document with the other participants402as well as those participants420who are not yet active in the conference, the current participant402can communicate the document to the communication session identifier408via an open channel410. The communication session identifier system400then distributes the document to the remaining participants402, and stores the document in a database418. In certain embodiments the communication session identifier system400will send a notice to the missing participant420that a document is being held in the database418for them, while in other embodiments a copy of the document is communicated to the missing participant420.

FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary data flow of a conference500using a communication session identifier514. In this example, a number of participants504,506have joined the conference500by communicating508to the conference bridge502that they are available. One of those active participants506is also an administrator, and decides to send a communication510to a single active participant504and a missing participant526. To do so, the administrator506prepares a message, designates the intended recipients, and forwards it to the communication session identifier514. The communication session identifier514then stores the message in a database516and a supporting communication session identifier system forwards the message512to both the active participant504and the missing participant526. This message in turn prompts the missing participant to respond with a message518, which the communication session identifier514stores in the database516and the system subsequently forwards520to the administrator506. The administrator506reviews the message sent by the missing participant526, and communicates522to the communication session identifier514that the missing participant's message should be broadcast over the conference bridge502. The communication session identifier system then forwards the message522to the conference bridge502, which in turn plays the message524for the remaining active participants504.

Having disclosed some basic system components and concepts, the disclosure now turns to the exemplary method embodiment shown inFIG. 6. For the sake of clarity, the method is discussed in terms of an exemplary system100as shown inFIG. 1configured to practice the method. The steps outlined herein are exemplary and can be implemented in any combination thereof, including combinations that exclude, add, or modify certain steps.

A system100configured in accordance with this disclosure generates a communication session identifier associated with a conference, where the conference is associated with a set of participants (602), and then relays a communication directed to the communication session identifier to at least one of the set of participants (604). In certain embodiments, this set of participants can exist as a hierarchical organization, where some participants are administrators or have seniority over the other participants. These administrators can determine who receives communications, the timing of those communications, how long the communication session identifier persists, what data is stored in the database, and communication formats. A system100configured according to this method can further change delivery based on current conference context. For example, if a telephone conference has already begun, the delivery can reformat a voicemail into a text message and deliver the text message to the computers of the participants. In this way the conversation of the telephone conference remains uninterrupted while all the participants receive the message contained in the voicemail. Likewise, if preferred, conference participants can configure the system100so that if the conference has already begun any text or email messages sent to the communication session identifier convert into speech, which is then played across the conference bridge. Formats of the communication can include, but are not limited to, phone, email, voicemail, text, and social networking.

A communication session identifier within such a system100can exist indefinitely, or can be generated specifically for a single conference. Additionally, the groups of participants known to communication session identifiers can be modified and can have subsets. For example, if a program manager were organizing a conference call for a project, one communication session identifier could include everyone associated with a project, while a subset of that communication session identifier could include only the engineers associated with the project. The list of participants could be automatically generated, or can be selected by the manager or another user. By being in a subset of a greater hierarchy, the program manager and the engineers can communicate rapidly in a direct fashion among themselves, and if the need exists to contact other members of the larger program they are still included in the larger communication session identifier. If, for example, a conference is associated with a number such as 3859, subsets could be identified as a part of that number, such as 3859.1 for the engineers and 3859.2 for marketing. In other contexts the subset can be identified by names, letters, numerals, or other identifying means. This can apply equally to email, telephone, SMS addresses, and other communication mediums. If the communication session identifier is particular to a single communication medium, the subsets will likewise be restricted to that single communication medium. If, however, the communication session identifier is accessible across multiple medium formats, access to the subsets can be limited to a specific medium or available across multiple mediums. A meta-identifier can be implemented to group these various identifiers together and reduce communication confusion.

While certain conferences will only have a single medium in which the communication session identifier operates, where multiple mediums exist a user can feel overwhelmed by the available communication channels. The users can set a preference for the communication mode they wish to receive, and reduce the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed. This preference can also force the system100to change the communication medium to fit the receiving user's preference. For example, if a missing participant sent a text message and the receiving participant has a preference for speech communications, the system100can convert the text to speech to fit that preference.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. For example, the principles herein apply equally to conference calls and to web conferencing. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the principles described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.