Abstract:
In one general embodiment, a system for enabling communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices. In another embodiment a method for enabling communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices. In a further embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions to cause one or more processors to enable communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/886,541 filed Oct. 3, 2013 entitled “SYSTEM FOR ENABLING COMMUNICATIONS AND CONFERENCING BETWEEN DISSIMILAR COMPUTING DEVICES INCLUDING MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICES,” and also claims benefit of Indian Provisional Application No. 1173/KOL/2013 filed Oct. 10, 2013 entitled “CONTEXT SENSITIVE FRAMEWORK FOR VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL MEDIA SESSIONS,” both of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to videoconferencing systems, and more particularly, to a system for enabling communication between dissimilar communications devices. 
         [0003]    There are numerous different and dissimilar devices used for communication between two or more parties today. For example, one party, or user, may be using a mobile computing device, such as a tablet computer or smartphone, to communicate while the other party is using a stationary computing device, such as a desktop computer, to communicate. As can be appreciated, it may be substantially complex to facilitate optimal communication between such dissimilar computing devices and to optimize communications therebetween. 
         [0004]    In such potential communications, there are typically several parameters that need to be considered in order to determine an optimal means of communications between the two devices. For example, in videoconferences, a negotiation protocol is often required to prepare for the videoconference, as well as and who will initiate, or host, and who&#39;ll participate in the videoconference. 
         [0005]    Set up for such a conference can also be substantially complex, due to numerous factors. For example, if the conference is going to include both videoconferencing participants and audio only participants, set up for the conference becomes complex. Connecting participants located externally to an entity hosting the conference is different than connecting participants located internal to the entity. Further, if the host or participants in the conference are located within an office, the set up for the conference may be different if they are located remotely, such is in the home. As can be appreciated, the more considerations and factors involved with setting up a conference and the devices used therein, the risk of errors in properly setting up the conference is increased. Thus, it can be difficult to locate participants, determine optimal means of connecting participants based on their communications devices, and effectuate conferences and calls that provide an optimal experience for the participants. 
         [0006]    As the computing power and features found on portable computing devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, continues to advance their use is becoming more commonplace. Thus, smartphone and tablet computer users often desire to participate in conference via their portable computing device. However, a disadvantage of communicating via portable computing devices is that the experience for participants may be less than optimal. 
         [0007]    To provide an optimal experience for participants, often there is a substantial amount of communication between the host and participants to set up the conference, prior to the actual conference. This set up communication can include determining where the host and participants are located, who will commence the conference, and so forth. The time spent to set up the conference may be substantial. Thus it would be desirable to find ways to minimize the effort and time required on the part of the conference participants to set up the conference, while still facilitating optimal conferencing experiences and device usage. 
         [0008]    A related problem arises for a user in even determining which conferences or media sessions to participate in. Context-aware services can be used to assist the user in this regard. In general terms, context can refer to any aspect of a situation where an entity (person, place, or device) may invoke computational functions. Any given context may include information about the physical world and/or about the logical world surrounding the user and/or device. Information about the physical world may include location, movement, temperature, device characteristics, and other information. The logical world may consist of information about identity, privileges, preferences, and relationships in different domains, such as home, work, family, legal, and others. Historical information about any of these aspects might also be included. 
         [0009]    Recent trends in computing are extending the concept of context to include many facets of the user&#39;s physical environment. Computing device characteristics such as screen size, communications capabilities, keyboard configuration, accelerometers, GPS sensors, network identity, and other characteristics and information are being added to accurately characterize the physical context within which applications are being used. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In one aspect, a system for enabling communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices is disclosed. A web portal may be presented to users in the form of a graphical user interface to allow users to configure their information and interaction preferences with the system. The personal profile graphical user interface may include video options, audio options, call options, and personal information. The personal profile graphical user interface allows users enable or disable each personal video, or audio only, endpoint that they may operate. Endpoints that provide both audio and video data streams, may be ranked higher than endpoints that provide audio data streams only. Geo-location information may be automatically collected from endpoints by the system. The personal profile interface may include a directory feature. The directory may comprise a listing of users with which a user communicates and may include one or more endpoints associated with each user in the directory. 
         [0011]    A user may desire to contact one or more other participants. The user may select one or more participants from the directory. The system may then determine an optimal endpoint, for example an endpoint capable of providing either audio or video data streams, or both, operated by each selected participant and by the user. The system then contacts the determined endpoint for each selected participant and user, and generates a conferencing connection. Selected participants with endpoints capable sending and receiving both video and audio data streams may be connected to the host via videoconferencing, while participants with endpoints that are not capable of sending or receiving video data streams may be connected to the host via an audio connection only. The system may use geo-location information for determining the location of endpoints operated by users. If an endpoint is located at a determined location and at a determined time, such as when a conference is scheduled to occur, the system may contact the determined location and commence a conference. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, a system for a context sensitive framework for conferencing sessions can gather context specific information including “time,” “position,” “participants,” “topic” and/or “category” of the media session. Once the context specific information is gathered, the system makes context information available. Upcoming media sessions may be listed on a website and be searchable by their context information including time, position (location), participants, topic and/or category of the media session. A user may access the website and search the context information for one or more desired media sessions. The user may receive notifications from the system of potentially desired media sessions, such as topics and/or categories of media sessions which may be of interest to the user. The user may access the website and search desired media session. Results returned to the user may depend on time and location of the user. Any media session results are displayed to the user on an endpoint they operate. The user may then select a media session in which to participate from any media sessions returned in their search. Optionally, the user may search the discovered media sessions for additional context information, such as a particular topic or category of subject matter to be presented during the media session. The user may also search for participants in the media session. As an alternative, the user may first search the context information for a desired topic or category that may be of particular interest to the user. Then, the user searches any discovered media sessions for a suitable location and time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for enabling communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  illustrate simplified diagrams of embodiments of a system for enabling communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices showing different computing devices including mobile computing devices used with the system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for enabling communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices showing an exemplary computing device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a screenshot of an embodiment of a web portal of a system for enabling communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary user directory of the web portal of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of an active conference window of the web portal; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a personal information manager of a system for enabling communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of a user interface of a system for enabling communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of a method for using context specific information to facilitate a user&#39;s interaction with various exemplary services during a VoIP media session. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The following description is made for the purpose of general illustration and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. 
         [0023]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3 , there is shown generally at  100 , an embodiment of a system for enabling communications and conferencing between dissimilar computing devices including mobile computing devices. In a general embodiment, the system  100  may include an application residing on a network  102  which facilitates optimal communication between dissimilar communications devices  104 - 112 . The system  100  receives instructions, such as commands or requests, from communications device  104 - 112  operated by users, and processes the instructions to provide optimal communication between users, regardless of a communications device  104 - 112  they may be operating. 
         [0024]    In the system  100 , communications devices  104 - 112  may communicate over one or more networks  102  (only one is shown for ease of discussion only). The network  102  may take any form including, but not limited to, a local area network (LAN), a wireless network, or a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, peer-to-peer network, etc. In the embodiments, the network  102  includes protocols to provide audio and/or visual communication sessions on the network  102 . In some embodiments, the network  102  may use an H.323 standard to address call signaling and control, multimedia transport and control, and bandwidth control for point-to-point and multi-point communication. Optionally or additionally, the network  102  may use Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for controlling multimedia communication sessions such as voice and video calls over the network  102 . 
         [0025]    At least one multipoint control unit (MCU)  114  that controls communications between communication devices  104 - 112  is included in the system  100 . The MCU  114  may be located at any suitable location within the system  100 . 
         [0026]    Hereinafter “endpoint” and “communications device” may be used interchangeably. An exemplary endpoint  104 - 112  of the system  100  is shown at  104  in  FIG. 4 . It is to be understood that the exemplary endpoint  104  may comprise any endpoint  104 - 112  within the system  100 . An endpoint  104 - 112  may comprise any suitable device capable of one or more of audio communication and visual communication via the network  102 . In some embodiments, one or more endpoints  104 - 112  may be capable of both audio and visual communications, such as sending and receiving audio data and video data streams, via the network  102 . Exemplary endpoints  104 - 112  may include, but are not limited to, videoconferencing systems  106 , desktop computers configured with one or more peripherals allowing conference communication, for example, cameras, microphones, speakers, etc. Portable computing devices may include smartphones  108 , tablet computers  110 , laptop computers  112 , and other portable computing devices; which are at least capable of communicating with the network  102  via known IP protocols such as H.323 and SIP. In the embodiments, endpoints comprising portable computing devices  108 - 112  are typically connected wirelessly  115  to the network  102 . 
         [0027]    In the embodiments, the exemplary endpoint  104  may include a processor  116 , and other components interconnected via a system bus  118 . Exemplary components may include a Memory (RAM)  120  and a user interface adapter  122 . The user interface adapter  122  may be provided for connecting user interface devices such as a keypad  124 , speaker  126 , and microphone  128  to the bus  122 . The endpoint  104  may also include a display  130  coupled to the bus  122 . In some embodiments, a screen  132  of the display  130  may comprise a touchscreen to allow a user  134  to manipulate data via the screen  132  as well as the keypad  124 . 
         [0028]    Referring to the Figures and particularly  FIG. 5 , users may communicate with the system  100  via a web portal. The web portal may be presented to a user in the form of a graphical user interface, shown generally at  200 . In optional embodiments, where the user communicates with the system  100  using a portable computing device such as a smartphone  108  or tablet computer  110 , the web portal  200  may comprise all or a portion of a mobile application. The mobile application, commonly referred to as “mobile app,” can designed to run on smartphones  108 , tablet computers  110  and other mobile devices and may or may not, have the entirety of the functionality of the graphical user interface  200  discussed hereinafter. 
         [0029]    One exemplary graphical user interface may comprise a personal profile graphical user interface  202  provided to allow a user to configure their information and interaction preferences with the system  100 . The personal profile graphical user interface  202  may include video options  204 , audio options  206 , call options  208 , and personal information  210 . The personal profile graphical user interface  202  allows users enable or disable each personal video endpoint  104 - 112  that they may operate, under video options  204 , and endpoints that provide only audio, using audio options  206 . The personal profile interface  202  also allows users to sort their endpoints  104 - 112 , as well as selectively activate or deactivate one or more of their endpoints  104 - 112 . For example, a user that desires video communication, if available, may prioritize endpoints that provide both audio and video data streams higher than endpoints that provide audio data streams only. Alternatively, a user that desires audio communication only may prioritize endpoints differently. Other prioritization schemes are also possible based on whatever characteristics of the device that a user prefers or deems important. In optional embodiments, geo-location information may be automatically collected from endpoints  104 - 112  by the system  100 , obviating the need for users to input this information. This geolocation information can also be used to select an endpoint at which a user is reached. For example, if geo-location information indicates that a user&#39;s mobile device is colocated with an office conferencing system, then a call to that user can be automatically routed to such a system. Similarly, if a user&#39;s mobile device indicates is determined to be colocated with a commonly used common-area conferencing system, such as that in a conference room, a call may be routed to that lcoation. If a user&#39;s mobile device indicates that it is not colocated with any other devices associated with that user, the conferencing session may be routed to that mobile device, either as a video conference, or as audio only, depending on the pre-selected preferences specified by the user. 
         [0030]    Users may choose how they are going to be contacted by the system  100  using call options  208 . For example, the user may choose to have their highest ranked endpoint  104 - 112  contacted by the system  100  first, or have their endpoints  104 - 112  contacted in succession, or they may choose to have multiple endpoints  104 - 112  they operate contacted simultaneously. Optionally, if the user is unable to answer any communication requests, they may choose to forward video calls to audio devices if unanswered. The personal profile interface  202  may additionally include a directory feature  212 . The directory  212  may comprise a listing of users with which the user communicates. Optionally, the directory  212  may include one or more endpoints  104 - 112  associated with each user in the directory  212 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0031]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 , upon the user configuring their personal profile, the user will be referred to hereinafter as host  214 , may desire to contact one or more other users, referred to hereinafter as participants  216  for ease of discussion only, via the system  100 . Using the directory  212 , the host  214  selects one or more participants  216  from the directory  212 . The system  100 , through API calls for example, determines an optimal endpoint  104 - 112  operated by each selected participant  216  and by the host  214 . The system  100  then contacts each selected participant  216  and by the host  214 , per the configuration of their personal profile and/or additional information, such as geolocation information. If the system  100  is provided with multiple endpoint  104 - 112  options for one or more selected participants  216  and host  214 , system  100  may contact the selected participants  216  and host  214 , system via their highest ranked endpoint  104 - 112 , via a series of endpoints called sequentially, or via multiple endpoints simultaneously until the participant is reached. The system  100  then contacts the determined endpoint  104 - 112  for each selected participant  216  and by the host  214 . 
         [0032]    Upon determining an optimal endpoint  104 - 112 , for example an endpoint capable of providing both audio and video data streams, for the host  214  and selected participants  216 , the system  100  contacts the host  214  and participants  216  and generates a videoconference connection. If one or more selected participants  216  are not capable of sending or receiving video data streams, either due to the capabilities of their endpoint  104 - 112  or the current location of the endpoint, the system  100  may contact those participants  216  via an audio connection only. The system  100  may contact audio only participants  216  on a most suitable audio only an endpoint  104 - 112  that they operate. In some cases, a user may have available a plurality of endpoints providing different characteristics. For example, a user may simultaneously have a mobile device, such as a phone, which is suitable for audio communication and possibly interpersonal video communication, but which may not be preferable for display of meeting content such as shared documents, presentation slides, and the like. However, such a user may have available a tablet device or laptop computer that is well suited to the display of such content. In such a situation, the system  100  could establish multiple connections with the user, with the connection to each device being used for a desired use as specified by the user. For example, a user could specify in his profile that if he is out of his office, audio should be routed to his mobile telephone, while video and presentation information should be routed to his laptop computer or tablet device. 
         [0033]    Any variety of other such permutations could also be selected by a user depending on the devices available to him and his own personal preferences. For example, a user could specify that he is only available for certain conference types and/or to use conference devices at certain times. For example, a user could configure his mobile device to not accept calls during evening hours to avoid disruptions to personal time or to configure a desktop conferencing system to not accept connections in the early morning hours to allow for enhanced productivity. 
         [0034]    As an option the host  214  may contact selected participants  216  via an audio only connection, if for example, either the host  214  or participants  216  have audio only capable endpoints  104 - 112  or for logistical reasons. In this embodiment, the system  100  contacts the host  214  and participants  216  on a most suitable audio only an endpoint  104 - 112  that they operate. Thus, in the system  100 , the host  214  needs only to select desired participants  216  with which to hold a videoconference or audio conference. The system  100  then determines an optimal endpoint  104 - 112  operated by the host  214  and each selected participant  216  to provide an optimal experience between the host  214  and participants  216 . Once the optimal endpoint  104 - 112  operated by the host  214  and each participant  216  is determined, the system  100  establishes a connection between the host  214  and participants  216  and either a videoconference, video and audio conference, or audio only conference commences. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the web portal  200  comprising an active conference window  218 . Upon commencing videoconference or audio conference the active conference window  218  may be generated on an endpoint  104 - 112  operated by the host  214  and on one or more an endpoints  104 - 112  operated by participants  216  in an ongoing conference. In some embodiments the active conference window  218  may include a participants window  220 , a connection type window  222 , a control window  224 , and personal windows  226 ,  227 . The participants window  220  may show the number of participants  216  in the conference, their connection type to the conference, video (video and audio data streams) or audio (audio only data stream), and any purely data stream  228 . The connection type window  222  may show each participant  216  in the conference and whether their connection is video  230  or audio only 232. The connection type window  222  may optionally include “mute” and “drop” buttons  233 ,  234 . The mute button  233  may be provided to allow the host  214  to selectively mute the audio stream of certain participants  216 , while the drop button  234  allows the host  214  to disconnect selected participants  216  from the conference. If desired, additional buttons could be provided to perform other desired conferencing functions, such as allowing the host  214  to drop video while retaining audio for certain participants or to designate a specific participant for the sharing of content, etc. 
         [0036]    The control window  224  can provide various additional features for controlling the conference. For example, the control window  224  may include a virtual meeting panel  236  which indicates the conference host  238  and contact number  240  for the conference. Optionally, the control window  224  may include a “mute all” button  242 , “start recording” button  244 , “lock meeting” button  246 , “add participant” button  248 , “content” button  250 , and “minutes” button  252 . The mute all button  242  provides the functionality of simultaneously muting all participants  216  in the conference, while the content button  250  may be provided to include a data stream in the conference. The lock meeting button  246  may be provided to prevent additional or uninvited participants  216  from joining the meeting, in some embodiments. The start recording button  244  is provided to record the audio stream, and optionally video stream, of the conference, while the minutes button  252  enables the host  214  to message participants  216 , save, or otherwise use the recorded conference. The add participant button  248  enables the host  214  to add participants  216  to an ongoing conference. 
         [0037]    As discussed above, the system  100  can use location information for determining the location of endpoints  104 - 112  operated by users. In some embodiments, if an endpoint  104 - 112  is located at a determined location and at a determined time, such as when a conference is scheduled to occur, the system  100  may contact the determined location and commence a conference. For example, a user operating an endpoint  104 - 112  enters a determined location, such as a conference room in an office building, at a determined time, such as when a videoconference is scheduled to occur. Presence of a user can be determined in a variety of ways, including presence of a user&#39;s mobile device or other identifying device, tracking of security badges or other similar information, or by biometric identification of a user including such things as facial or voice recognition by a conferencing device. The system  100  associates the endpoint  104 - 112 , location, and time, processes the information, and invokes the videoconference. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, the user operating an endpoint  104 - 112 , enters a location, such as a conference room in an office building. The user actuates the endpoint  104 - 112  to contact the system  100 . The endpoint  104 - 112  may contact the system  100  via a personal information manager (discussed hereinafter), mobile app, or other suitable method. Optionally, the endpoint  104 - 112  may contact the system  100  via the web portal  200 , as discussed previously. The user invokes the personal information manager, web portal  200 , mobile app, or other suitable means running on the endpoint  104 - 112 . The personal information manager, web portal  200 , or mobile app, may display a conference occurring at a determined time, and joining the conference via the system  100 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment where the system  100  further comprises a personal information manager, such as a meeting management interface  300 . The meeting management interface  300  allows a user to create meeting invites, that may include date, time, and participant(s). The meeting management interface  300  may comprise a standalone software product, a mobile app, or may comprise an add-on to an existing personal information manager  302 . One or more invitees may be invited with the interface  300  using the system  100 . As described further below, the personal information manager/meeting management interface may also allow a user to identify one or more conference or other media sessions in which he wishes to participate and to join or schedule such conferences or sessions. 
         [0040]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , a user, such as a participant  216 , may join a meeting or session using any of several different means. As illustrated at  304 , the user receives a call on an endpoint, such as a laptop computer  112 , via SIP or H.323 software. The system  100  then initiates a call as specified by the user. As an option, illustrated at  306 , the user invokes a call, such as a video, via the interface  300 . As an option, illustrated at  308 , if the user is in transit and receives an audio meeting invite via a smartphone  108 , or other portable computing device, they may be operating, the interface  300  and system initiates the call. The system  100  can invoke the call to obviate the need for the user to input a complex number or preform other complex functions with their smartphone  108 , which may be difficult or dangerous while the user is in transit. As a further option, illustrated at  310 , using the location information previously discussed, the system  100  operates the interface  300  and automatically locates the desired participants and/or users. Users are able to view their meeting invites, via meeting management interface  300 , or via the mobile app, or via an add-on to an existing personal information manager  302 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , an embodiment of a method for using context specific information to facilitate a user&#39;s interaction with various exemplary services during a media session is shown at  400 . The method  400  commences in start operation  402 . In operation  404  context specific information for a media session is gathered. In the embodiments, the context specific information that is gathered may include, but is not limited to, “time,” “position,” “participants,” “topic” and/or “category” of the media session. Time may relate to the time that the media session is to be held, including a start time and an end time. Position may relate to the location of a host, presenter, or similar entity that may be presenting the subject matter of the media session. Participants may comprise information relating to one or more endpoints  104 - 112 , and thus the users thereof, participating in the media session. Topic or category may relate to the subject matter to be presented during the media session. 
         [0042]    Once the context specific information is gathered, the system  100  makes context information available, in operation  406 . In the embodiments, the context information may be made available via the network  114 , such as via a service, website, or other similar means. For example, upcoming media sessions may be listed on a website and be searchable by their context information including time, position (location), participants, topic and/or category of the media session. A user may access the website and search the context information for one or more desired media sessions. Optionally, the user may subscribe to a website or service and search the context information for one or more desired media sessions. 
         [0043]    In operation  408 , it is determined if the user is subscribed to a website or service where the context information is made available. If the user is subscribed to the website or service, they may receive notifications therefrom of potentially desired media sessions, such as topics and/or categories of media sessions which may be of interest to the user. If the user is not subscribed to the website or service, the method  400  continues to operation  410 . 
         [0044]    In operation  410 , a user accesses the website to search for a desired media session. For example, the user knows they are going to be in a particular location, San Jose, Calif. for example, at a particular point in time, Wednesday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. They then search the context information for media sessions, such as marketing related media sessions for example, occurring at the particular location and at the particular point in time. If any marketing related media sessions are occurring at the particular location (San Jose, Calif.) and at the particular point in time (Wednesday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.), they may be displayed, on the screen  132  of the endpoint  104 - 112  operated by the user. The user may then select a media session in which to participate from any media sessions returned in their search. 
         [0045]    Optionally, in operation  410 , the user may search the discovered media sessions for additional context information. The user may search the discovered media sessions for topic and/or category of the media session, if they are interested in a particular topic or category of subject matter to be presented during the media session. For example, if the user is interested in “online marketing,” they may search the discovered marketing related media sessions, for a media session directed towards online marketing. Further, if they are interested in online marketing using social media, for example, they can search the discovered marketing online marketing media sessions for a media session that includes social media subject matter that will be presented during the media session. The user may also search for participants in the media session. As an alternative, in operation  410 , the user may first search the context information for a desired topic or category that may be of particular interest to the user. Then, in operation  412 , the user searches any discovered media sessions for a suitable location and time. 
         [0046]    Returning to operation  408 , if it is determined that the user is subscribed to the website or service, the method  400  continues to operation  414  where the website or service notifies the user that a media session which meets all or some of their desired context information is to occur. Further, if the user is in a particular location the website or service may notify the user of a media session which meets their desired context information, and may be relevant to the user&#39;s location. For example, the user may subscribe to the website or service and indicate desired context information, including topics and/or categories of interest. They may also indicate locations and times where they may be available for media sessions. The website or service may then notify the user when a media session which meets all or some of their desired context information is to occur. The website or service may notify the user of an upcoming media session due to context information such as one or more of topic, category, or participants that may be interest to the user based on their subscription to the website. In embodiments, where the endpoint  104 - 112  comprises a portable computing device, such as smartphone or tablet computer, the notification may be sent to the endpoint  104 - 112  and displayed the screen  132  of the device. Optionally, if the endpoint  102 - 110  comprises a stationary computing device, such as a desktop computer, the notification may be sent to a personal information manager, or similar program, running on the computer. The method  400  then continues to operation  416 , where method  400  terminates. 
         [0047]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the embodiments described herein. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments of the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.