Patent ID: 8736661

Claim:
A computer program product comprising a computer readable memory having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to: send, from a computing device in a first conference room, a video conference invitation from a calendar service to a second conference room for a video conference; receive, at the computing device, an acceptance of the invitation; retrieve, from a device information database, a list of available devices for video conferencing, the list of available devices indicating a locally connected device and a remotely connected device; receive, at the computing device, from the device information database, information to assist a user in solving technical difficulties with the locally or remotely connected devices; get, at the computing device, permission from the calendar service to control and utilize at least one of the locally connected or remotely connected device; connect, from the computing device, to the video conference through a platform independent interface; locally control, with the computing device, operation of the locally connected device through a platform independent interface during the video conference; and remotely control, with the computing device, operation of the remotely connected device during the video conference.