U.S. patent application number 13/675052 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-12 for dynamic controls for a web-based conference collaboration tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to Unisys Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is UNISYS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Ross Bower, Sajal Desai, Phuc Trinh, Jedidiah Weller.
Application Number | 20130238704 13/675052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49115012 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130238704 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weller; Jedidiah ; et
al. |
September 12, 2013 |
DYNAMIC CONTROLS FOR A WEB-BASED CONFERENCE COLLABORATION TOOL
Abstract
A conference collaboration system has a server connected to a
network and configured to generate a page view requested by a
client device over the network and provide dynamic content
associated with the requested page view for display on the device;
and a database configured to store the dynamic content, update the
dynamic content in response to commands from the server, and
provide the dynamic content to the server in response to requests
from the server, wherein the dynamic content is associated with a
plurality of services, each shown in a page view, and the dynamic
content and the services are associated with a conference. The
server can determine an authorization level of a user interacting
with the client device and provide a page view and dynamic content
in response to the authorization level, and the dynamic content is
updated or created in response to or for actions during the
conference.
Inventors: |
Weller; Jedidiah;
(Orangeville, PA) ; Bower; Ross; (Nottingham,
PA) ; Desai; Sajal; (Toms River, NJ) ; Trinh;
Phuc; (Philadelphia, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNISYS CORPORATION |
Blue Bell |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Unisys Corporation
Blue Bell
PA
|
Family ID: |
49115012 |
Appl. No.: |
13/675052 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61609664 |
Mar 12, 2012 |
|
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|
61625442 |
Apr 17, 2012 |
|
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|
61642429 |
May 3, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/972 20190101;
G06Q 10/101 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/204 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A computer implemented method for managing dynamic controls, the
method comprising: determining, by a server, that a dynamic content
object referencing dynamic content stored in a database has been
created, wherein a dynamic content object requires the server to
reload or update a page view when the object is selected by a user;
assigning, by a server, a unique dynamic control identification to
the dynamic control object, wherein the dynamic control
identification includes a navigation pointer to the dynamic content
stored in the database and referenced by the dynamic control
object, and the dynamic control identification also includes
information describing a type of page view to generate for the
dynamic content when the dynamic content object is selected; and
storing, by a server, the dynamic control identification in a
database under a conference.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic control
identification includes a reference to the page view associated
with that dynamic control identification.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein a document added to a documents
service is a dynamic content object that is assigned a unique
dynamic control identification, and the document object in the
document service opens a document reading sub-view to view the
document.
4. A computer implemented method for managing dynamic controls, the
method comprising: generating, by a server, a page view including
dynamic content objects referencing dynamic content stored in a
database, wherein a dynamic content object requires the server to
reload or update a page view when the object is selected by a user;
assigning, by a server, a unique dynamic control identification to
all dynamic control objects included in the page view, wherein the
dynamic control identification includes a navigation pointer to the
dynamic content stored in the database and referenced by the
dynamic control object, and the dynamic control identification also
includes information describing a type of page view to generate for
the dynamic content when the dynamic content object is selected;
and associating, by a server, each unique dynamic control
identification with a conference by storing each dynamic control
identification in the database using a record that references the
conference; and deleting, by a server, the assigned dynamic control
identifications when a new page view is generated.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the dynamic control
identifications includes a reference to the page view that the
dynamic control identification is included in.
6. A system for managing dynamic controls comprising: a server
configured to: determine that a dynamic content object referencing
dynamic content stored in a database has been created, wherein a
dynamic content object requires the server to reload or update a
page view when the object is selected by a user; assign a unique
dynamic control identification to the dynamic control object,
wherein the dynamic control identification includes a navigation
pointer to the dynamic content stored in the database and
referenced by the dynamic control object, and the dynamic control
identification also includes information describing a type of page
view to generate for the dynamic content when the dynamic content
object is selected; and store the dynamic control identification in
a database under a conference.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the dynamic control
identification includes a reference to the page view associated
with that dynamic control identification.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein a document added to a documents
service is a dynamic content object that is assigned a unique
dynamic control identification, and the document object in the
document service opens a document reading sub-view to view the
document.
9. A system for managing dynamic controls comprising: a server
configured to: generate a page view including dynamic content
objects referencing dynamic content stored in a database, wherein a
dynamic content object requires the server to reload or update a
page view when the object is selected by a user; assign a unique
dynamic control identification to all dynamic control objects
included in the page view, wherein the dynamic control
identification includes a navigation pointer to the dynamic content
stored in the database and referenced by the dynamic control
object, and the dynamic control identification also includes
information describing a type of page view to generate for the
dynamic content when the dynamic content object is selected; and
associate each unique dynamic control identification with a
conference by storing each dynamic control identification in the
database using a record that references the conference; and delete
the assigned dynamic control identifications when a new page view
is generated.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the dynamic control
identifications includes a reference to the page view that the
dynamic control identification is included in.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional patent application is related to U.S.
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/609,664, entitled "Interactive
Conference and Conference Room System and Methods," filed Mar. 12,
2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety.
[0002] This non-provisional patent application is related to U.S.
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/625,442, entitled "Meeting Manager"
filed Apr. 17, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0003] This non-provisional patent application claims priority
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 61/642,429, entitled "Meeting Management System and
Methods Related Thereto," and filed May 3, 2012, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The present invention relates generally to meeting
management tools, and more specifically to a web-based conference
collaboration tool.
BACKGROUND
[0005] A meeting management tool provides attendees at a meeting to
interact and obtain supplemental meeting content. For example,
visual slides using presentation software have been commonly used
in speeches, meetings, classrooms, and conferences. Meeting
management tools, such as presentation software, may add to user
experience during a meeting or conference. Attendees may retain
more information from the meeting or conference because they are
able to hear and visualize the information presented during the
meeting or conference. As a result, technology has been used to
enhance an attendee's experience during a conference or
meeting.
[0006] People attend conferences and meetings for a plurality of
reasons. Often, attendees are present at a conference or meeting to
learn about a particular subject. Generally, attendees learn more
at a conference and have a better experience if the conference
includes some degree interactivity. Conference interactivity may be
between a presenter and attendees, attendees and other attendees,
or presenter assistants and attendees. While interaction may be
done with or without meeting management tools, interactivity for
the sake of this disclosure shall mean interaction using technology
such as meeting management tools.
[0007] While interactivity is generally a beneficial addition to a
conference or meeting, there are instances where interactivity may
no longer add to the user experience and can be a distraction. In
addition, a presenter at a meeting or conference may fear that too
much interaction distracts the attendees from the presentation.
Thus, a meeting management tool should give attendees and
presenters a choice in the level of interaction that they
desire.
[0008] Conventionally, meeting management tools may be expensive,
elaborate, or difficult to use. In addition, meeting management
tools required a laptop computer, a connection to a designated
network, and a special piece of software or data that must be
downloaded and installed before the conference begins. Under this
conventional paradigm, attendees may forget to install the
conference software or data before the conference begins. If an
attendee cannot access the conventional meeting management tools,
their conference experience might be diminished throughout.
Alternatively, an attendee may spend the early portion of the
conference attempting to resolve their lack of preparation by
installing the conference software after the conference begins,
thereby missing important information delivered at the beginning of
the conference. Also, conventional meeting management tools may
hinder a presenter and delay a conference while the presenter
attempts to resolve technology issues. Also conducting a meeting
without technology may burden a presenter in many ways, for
example, a presenter may need to print and distribute meeting
notes, update program agendas, and update these materials whenever
a change is made. Thus, an on-demand tool that requires no set-up
time is desired for conference attendees and presenters. This
on-demand tool should also be simple and easy to use so the user
may interact without missing important conference material.
[0009] Also, conference attendees may be burdened by carrying a
laptop computer to a conference, so many attendees may rely only on
more mobile devices, like tablets and smart phones. Thus, a
conference collaboration tool that functions on mobile technology
for attendee convenience is desired.
[0010] The presenter, presenter assistant, or hosting entity may
desire to acquire analytical information from the attendees at a
conference or event such as name, email address, events attended,
and application usage. Thus, a conference collaboration tool that
consumes information regarding the attendees and their experiences
is desired.
SUMMARY
[0011] The systems and methods described herein attempt to overcome
the drawbacks discussed above by providing a web-based conference
collaboration tool that provides dynamic content pertinent to an
attendee's conference. The conference collaboration tool of the
exemplary embodiments runs on mobile devices, such as a tablet or a
smart phone, and more specifically, may use a web browser to access
the dynamic content. When the conference collaboration tool runs on
mobile technology, the conference collaboration tool can generate
different views and formats depending on whether the attendee
accessed the conference collaboration tool with a smart phone or a
tablet and based on the operating system of an attendee's device.
The conference collaboration tool also provides different content,
data, and privileges to different users depending on their role.
The conference collaboration tool provides attendees to a live,
in-person conference dynamic content and interactivity during the
conference, such as chat service, documents view, notifications,
and surveys.
[0012] In one embodiment, a conference collaboration system
comprises a server connected to a network and configured to
generate a page view requested by a client device over the network
and provide dynamic content associated with the requested page view
for display on a browser of the client device; and a database
connected to the server configured to store the dynamic content,
update the dynamic content in response to commands from the server,
and provide the dynamic content to the server in response to
requests from the server, wherein the dynamic content is associated
with a plurality of services, each service is shown in a page view,
and the dynamic content and the services are associated with a
conference, wherein the server is configured to determine an
authorization level of a user interacting with the client device
and provide at least one of the plurality of page views and at
least a portion of the dynamic content in response to the
authorization level, and wherein the dynamic content is updated or
created in response to or for actions during the conference.
[0013] In another embodiment, a computer-implemented method
comprises receiving, by a server, a request for a page view and
dynamic content from a web browser of a client device through a
network during a conference; determining, by a server, an
authorization level of a user interacting with the client device;
accessing, by a server, the dynamic content associated with the
conference from a database, wherein the dynamic content is to be
input into content tables in the page view displayed on the client
device; filtering, by a server, the dynamic content from the
database according to the authorization level; generating, by a
server, the page view for the client device; and providing, by a
server, the dynamic content for the page view to the client device,
wherein page views are generated and dynamic content is provided to
the client device when a user inputs a prompt and at periodic
intervals, wherein the dynamic content compiled in preparation of
the conference or during the conference.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, a computer-implemented method
comprises receiving, by a server, a request from web browser of a
client device of an attendee or organizer through a network during
a conference for a document displayed in a document service
associated with the conference; determining, by a server, an
authorization level of a user interacting with the client device;
accessing, by a server, the document requested by the client
device; determining, by a server, whether the document may be
viewed by the client device according to the authorization level;
generating, by a server, the page view for the document if the
client device has access to the document; and providing, by a
server, the dynamic content of the document in the page view to the
client device.
[0015] In yet another embodiment, a computer implemented method of
providing a chat service for a conference collaboration tool, the
method comprises generating, by a server, a chat service page view
in response to a request for the chat service from a client device
of an attendee of a conference; retrieving, by a server, all
messages that are stored in a database for a conversation history
of the chat service associated with the conference and are compiled
from at least one attendee or organizer in preparation of the
conference and during the conference; and sending, by a server, the
conversation history to the client device.
[0016] In still yet another embodiment, a computer implemented
method of providing a notification service for a conference
collaboration tool, the method comprises receiving, by a server, a
notification from a client device; writing, by a server, the
notification in a database; associating a notification with a
conference in the database, wherein the notification is stored on a
database and is compiled from at least one attendee or organizer in
preparation of the conference and during the conference;
retrieving, by a server, the notification associated with the
conference from the database; and transmitting, by a server, the
notifications associated with the conference to an authorized
client device for display on the client device, wherein the
authorized client device has permission to view dynamic content
associated with the conference as an attendee of the conference or
as an organizer.
[0017] In another embodiment, a computer implemented method of
providing a notification service for a conference collaboration
tool, the method comprises retrieving, by a server, all
notifications associated with a conference from a database, wherein
the notifications are dynamic content stored in the database
compiled from at least one attendee or organizer in preparation of
the conference and during the conference, and all dynamic content
is stored on the database through a method that associates the
dynamic content with the conference; and transmitting, by a server,
the notifications associated with the conference after a conference
to an authorized client device for display on the client device,
wherein the authorized client device has permission to view dynamic
content associated with the conference as an attendee of the
conference or as an organizer
[0018] In another embodiment, a computer-implemented method for
organizing dynamic content in a database of a conference
collaboration tool, the method comprises creating, by a server, a
record for each of a plurality of conferences in a database;
receiving, by a server, dynamic content from a client device in
preparation of a conference or during a conference; specifying, by
a server, one of the plurality of conferences associated with the
received dynamic content; associating, by a server, the received
dynamic content with the conference by assigning an event
identification key to the received dynamic content, wherein the
event identification key references the record for the conference
and classifies the received dynamic content with the conference;
and storing, by a server, the received dynamic content in the
database in the set of dynamic content associated with the
conference.
[0019] In yet another embodiment, a computer-implemented method for
providing dynamic content to a client device from a database of a
conference collaboration tool, the method comprises establishing,
by a server, a user role of a user interacting with the client
device for a conference attended by the user; receiving, by a
server, a request from the client device to access a record for a
conference, wherein the record is a set of the dynamic content on
the database relating to the conference; determining, by a server,
the user role of the user interacting with the client device that
is requesting access to the record in response to the request to
access the record; and verifying, by a server, that the client
device has permission to access the requested record by accessing
the record for the conference in the database and determining user
permissions associated with a user role for the conference.
[0020] In another embodiment, a system for organizing dynamic
content in a database of a conference collaboration tool comprises
a server configured to: create a record for each of a plurality of
conferences in a database; receive dynamic content from a client
device in preparation of a conference or during a conference;
specify one of the plurality of conferences associated with the
received dynamic content; associate the received dynamic content
with the conference by assigning an event identification key to the
received dynamic content, wherein the event identification key
references the record for the conference and classifies the
received dynamic content with the conference; and a database
configured to store the received dynamic content in the set of
dynamic content associated with the conference.
[0021] In another embodiment, a system for providing dynamic
content to a client device of a conference collaboration tool
comprises a database configured to store a plurality of dynamic
content according to one of a plurality of conferences by storing
the dynamic content associated with the conference using a record
and by assigning an event identification key to the dynamic content
associated with the conference that references the record; a server
configured to: establish a user role of a user interacting with the
client device for a conference attended by the user and saving the
user role in the record; receive a request from the client device
to access the record for the conference; determine the user role of
the user interacting with the client device that is requesting
access to the record in response to the request to access the
record; and verify that the client device has permission to access
the requested record by accessing the record for the conference in
the database and determining user permissions associated with a
user role for the conference.
[0022] In still yet another embodiment, a computer implemented
method of generating a page view of a conference collaboration
tool, the method comprises receiving, by a server, a request from a
client device for a page view and dynamic content compiled in
preparation to a conference or during a conference; determining, by
a server, a type of client device requesting the page view and
dynamic content; retrieving, by a server, the page view and dynamic
content from a database; and formatting, by a server, the page view
and dynamic content according to the type of client device, wherein
the server formats the page view and dynamic content according to
the type of client device after the client device requests the page
view and dynamic content from the server.
[0023] In another embodiment, a system for generating a page view
of a conference collaboration tool comprises a master view
controller configured to: receive a request from a client device
for a page view and dynamic content compiled in preparation to a
conference or during a conference; determine a type of client
device requesting the page view and dynamic content; retrieve the
page view and dynamic content from a database; and format the page
view and dynamic content according to the type of client device,
wherein the master view controller formats the page view and
dynamic content according to the type of client device after the
client device requests the page view and dynamic content from the
master view controller.
[0024] In another embodiment, a computer implemented method of
generating a navigation interface for a conference collaboration
tool, the method comprises determining, by a server, a type of
client device requesting a page view and dynamic content from the
server, retrieving, by a server, a plurality of services associated
with a conference; formatting, by a server, a navigation table
including interactive links to the plurality of services according
to the determined type of device; determining, by a server, whether
a navigation bar and a menu button are to be displayed on the
client device according to the determined type of client device;
determining, by a server, whether one of the service page views is
to be displayed with the navigation table on a screen of the client
device according to the determined type of client device, wherein
the service page view is an area of the screen for displaying
dynamic content associated with one of the services, links to other
services, or interactive buttons for interacting with the service
depending on which service is being displayed by the service page
view; and formatting, by a server, the service page view positioned
next to the navigation table on the screen of the client device
according to the determined type of device if the server determines
that the service page view is to be displayed.
[0025] In yet another embodiment, a system for generating a
navigation interface for a conference collaboration tool comprises
a master navigation controller configured to: determine a type of
client device requesting a page view and dynamic content from a
server; retrieve a plurality of services associated with a
conference; format a navigation table including interactive links
to the plurality of services according to the determined type of
device; determine whether a navigation bar and a menu button are to
be displayed on the client device according to the determined type
of client device; determine whether one of the service page views
is to be displayed with the navigation table on a screen of the
client device according to the determined type of client device,
wherein the service page view is an area of the screen for
displaying dynamic content associated with one of the services,
links to other services, or interactive buttons for interacting
with the service depending on which service is being displayed by
the service page view; and format the service page view positioned
next to the navigation table on the screen of the client device
according to the determined type of device if the master navigation
controller determines that the service page view is to be
displayed.
[0026] In yet another embodiment, a computer implemented method for
managing dynamic controls, the method comprises determining, by a
server, that a dynamic content object referencing dynamic content
stored in a database has been created, wherein a dynamic content
object requires the server to reload or update a page view when the
object is selected by a user; assigning, by a server, a unique
dynamic control identification to the dynamic control object,
wherein the dynamic control identification includes a navigation
pointer to the dynamic content stored in the database and
referenced by the dynamic control object, and the dynamic control
identification also includes information describing a type of page
view to generate for the dynamic content when the dynamic content
object is selected; and storing, by a server, the dynamic control
identification in a database under a conference.
[0027] In still yet another embodiment, a computer implemented
method for managing dynamic controls, the method comprises
generating, by a server, a page view including dynamic content
objects referencing dynamic content stored in a database, wherein a
dynamic content object requires the server to reload or update a
page view when the object is selected by a user; assigning, by a
server, a unique dynamic control identification to all dynamic
control objects included in the page view, wherein the dynamic
control identification includes a navigation pointer to the dynamic
content stored in the database and referenced by the dynamic
control object, and the dynamic control identification also
includes information describing a type of page view to generate for
the dynamic content when the dynamic content object is selected;
and associating, by a server, each unique dynamic control
identification with a conference by storing each dynamic control
identification in the database using a record that references the
conference; and deleting, by a server, the assigned dynamic control
identifications when a new page view is generated.
[0028] In another embodiment, a system for managing dynamic
controls comprises a server configured to determine that a dynamic
content object referencing dynamic content stored in a database has
been created, wherein a dynamic content object requires the server
to reload or update a page view when the object is selected by a
user; assign a unique dynamic control identification to the dynamic
control object, wherein the dynamic control identification includes
a navigation pointer to the dynamic content stored in the database
and referenced by the dynamic control object, and the dynamic
control identification also includes information describing a type
of page view to generate for the dynamic content when the dynamic
content object is selected; and store the dynamic control
identification in a database under a conference.
[0029] In yet another embodiment, a system for managing dynamic
controls comprises a server configured to: generate a page view
including dynamic content objects referencing dynamic content
stored in a database, wherein a dynamic content object requires the
server to reload or update a page view when the object is selected
by a user; assign a unique dynamic control identification to all
dynamic control objects included in the page view, wherein the
dynamic control identification includes a navigation pointer to the
dynamic content stored in the database and referenced by the
dynamic control object, and the dynamic control identification also
includes information describing a type of page view to generate for
the dynamic content when the dynamic content object is selected;
and associate each unique dynamic control identification with a
conference by storing each dynamic control identification in the
database using a record that references the conference; and delete
the assigned dynamic control identifications when a new page view
is generated.
[0030] In another embodiment, a computer implemented method
comprises authenticating, by a server, a client device during a
conference; receiving, by a server, a request from the client
device: executing, by a server, a server side script engine to
generate page views and dynamic content compiled in preparation of
a conference and during a conference for a client device that is
connected to the server through a network; sending, by a server, a
hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) response to the client device to
render the page views and dynamic content on the client device
during the conference, wherein the HTTP response includes a call to
a client side script engine configured to generate a user interface
and generate a response to the server; receiving, by a server, the
response from the client side script engine; and translating, by a
server, the client side script engine response into a command
recognized by the server side script engine.
[0031] In yet another embodiment, a computer implemented method,
comprises authenticating, by a server, a client device during a
conference; receiving, by a server, a request from the
authenticated client device: executing, by a server, a server side
script engine to generate page views and dynamic content compiled
in preparation to a conference and during a conference for a client
device that is connected to the server through a network: sending,
by a server, a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) response to the
client device to render the page views and dynamic content on the
client device during the conference, wherein the HTTP response
includes a call to a client side script engine configured to
monitor client-side actions and generate a response to the server;
translating, by a server, the client side script engine response
into a command recognized by the server side script engine.
[0032] In still yet another embodiment, a system comprises a server
configured to: authenticate a client device during a conference:
receive a request from the authenticated client device; execute a
server side script engine to generate page views and dynamic
content compiled in preparation of a conference and during a
conference for a client device that is connected to the server
through a network; send a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)
response to the client device to render the page views and dynamic
content on the client device during the conference, wherein the
HTTP response includes a call to a client side script engine
configured to generate a user interface and generate a response to
the server; receive the response from the client side script
engine; and translate the client side script engine response into a
command recognized by the server side script engine.
[0033] Additional features and advantages of an embodiment will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description. The objectives and other advantages
of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure
particularly pointed out in the exemplary embodiments in the
written description and claims hereof as well as the appended
drawings.
[0034] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] The accompanying drawings constitute a part of this
specification and illustrate an embodiment of the invention and
together with the specification, explain the invention.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a system diagram of the conference
collaboration tool according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a system diagram of the conference
collaboration tool including user roles according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a screen shot of a log-in screen for the
conference collaboration tool according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates an event centric database organization
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates the conference collaboration tool being
offered as a web service according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a controller of the
conference collaboration tool according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates a tablet screen view according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates a smart phone screen view according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates a service page view according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the method of a master
navigation controller according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the method of a master
view controller according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 12 illustrates a documents service page view according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating the method of a dynamic
content controller according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0049] FIGS. 14A and 14B are flow charts illustrating methods of a
chat service according to an exemplary embodiment
[0050] FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a notification service page
view and a notification service sub-view according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0051] FIGS. 16A and 16B are a flow charts illustrating the method
of a notification service according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] Various embodiments and aspects of the invention will be
described with reference to details discussed below, and the
accompanying drawings will illustrate the various embodiments. The
following description and drawings are illustrative of the
invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.
Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough
understanding of various embodiments of the present invention.
However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details
are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of
embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and
as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0053] The exemplary embodiments discussed herein recite the use of
methods and systems at a conference, though it is intended that the
conference can be any job fair, networking event, conference,
symposium, seminar, forum, meeting, one-on-one meeting, group
presentation, or any other event where people gather and desire to
exchange information. Turning now to the drawings, in which like
numerals represent like (but not necessarily identical) elements
throughout the figures, exemplary embodiments of the present
invention are described in detail.
[0054] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a system diagram of a conference
collaboration tool. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of client
devices 102, 104 communicate with a server 106. The server 106 is
preferably a web server, but the server may be embodied by any
network server. The server 106 can have one or more modules used to
execute a particular function of the server 106. In addition, the
server 106 may include a workstation and additional components to
manage the server 106, however, for illustration purposes, the
server 106 is shown as one component. The server 106 receives
information and requests from the client devices 102, 104 and sends
information to the client devices 102, 104. The mobile client
devices may include a smart phone 102 and a tablet computer 104,
but a desktop computer, another server, a laptop computer, a PDA,
or any other device that is capable of connecting to a network may
also communicate with the server 106. The inherent benefits, such
as portability, size, weight, and flexibility of smart phones and
tablets makes them preferable for the conference collaboration tool
of the exemplary embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates four client
devices 102, 104 connected to the server 106, but the number of
client devices 102, 104 connected to the server 106 may increase or
decrease depending on the size of a conference and attendee demand.
The server 106 and the client devices 102, 104 communicate through
a network 108, such as a local area network, a wide area network, a
high bandwidth internet connection, or a cellular or other mobile
carrier network, such as a 3G or 4G cellular network.
[0055] The server 106 provides services 110, 120, 130 that are
offered as part of the conference collaboration tool. FIG. 1
illustrates three services provided by the server 106: a scheduling
service 110, a chat service 120, and a document service 130. The
services 110, 120, 130 are exemplary, and FIG. 1 does not show all
of the services that can be provided by the server 106. For
example, the server 106 may also provide a notification service to
determine whether notifications should be sent to any of the
devices 102, 104, a presentation service to display presentation
slides, a settings service to change the settings of the conference
collaboration tool, an administration service for system
administration, an attendance service for marking attendance at a
conference, or a question queue service to notify the speaker that
an attendee has a question. A plurality of other services that may
be useful for conference interactivity may also be included in the
conference collaboration tool.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the server 206 interfaces with a
database 220, such as an SQL, OQL, or XQuery database. Information
about the services is stored in the database 220. The information
stored in the database 220 may be a plurality of page views
associated with the services and dynamic content that fills content
tables within the page views. The page views may be classified into
a plurality of page view types such as a main menu, service page
views, and sub-views, and a number of service page views matches a
number of the services. The page views will be described in greater
detail below. The dynamic content is information that can change in
response to information sent from a device 202 or 204. Because the
conference collaboration tool provides content during live
conferences, the dynamic content is compiled in preparation to a
conference or during an event.
[0057] The database 220 is partitioned according to records for
each of a plurality of conferences. A record is an allocation of
the database 220 directed to a conference, meeting, seminar, forum,
or any other type of event listed above. The database 220 may
contain information regarding multiple records, and an attendee
must specify a conference to view, for example, the conference the
attendee is attending, before receiving any page views or dynamic
content from the server 206.
[0058] A conference may be selected at a user log-in screen, such
as the log-in screen illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, a
username text box 302, a join session button 304, and a conference
menu 306 are illustrated. When a user accesses the conference
collaboration tool, the user may first see the log-in screen of
FIG. 3. The user enters in a username in the username text box 302
and selects a conference from the conference drop down menu 306. In
some embodiments, the log-in screen of FIG. 3 further includes a
password text box. For example, the log-in screen for presenters
and the log in screen for attendees may be a different URL so that
an attendee does not have access to managerial level conferences,
or other higher level, unauthorized conferences. The conference
menu 306 may list all of the conferences in session or all
conferences scheduled and saved in the database. Once the
conference is specified from the conference menu 306, a user
attempts to access the conference by pressing the join session
button 304. If the username has access to the conference, the
server allows access and sends page views and dynamic content
regarding the selected conference. A user may access another
conference, if the username has permission to view more than one
conference, by logging out of the conference and logging-in to a
new conference. Alternatively, a link to other conferences may be
provided in a page view.
[0059] As stated above, the services 110, 120, 130 can be
conference-centric. Thus, all dynamic content stored in the
database for the services 110, 120, 130 can also be
conference-centric. In other words, all dynamic content can be
associated with a particular conference. To accomplish this
conference-centric navigation, the server 106 may partition dynamic
content stored in the database by conference.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, dynamic content for each service is
organized by a conference 402. The conference 402 is associated
with dynamic content for a messages service 404, dynamic content
for a notifications service 406, and dynamic content for a
documents service 408. The dynamic content 404, 406, 408 may be
associated with the conference 402 by assigning an event
identification key to the dynamic content 404, 406, 408. The server
may look up dynamic content 404, 406, 408 for a service in the
database by first accessing the conference 402 to determine the
event identification key, and the server references dynamic content
for the services using the event identification key. The server
also accesses the conference 402 to determine the event
identification key before saving any updated or new dynamic
content. If the device provides new dynamic content to a service,
the server updates the dynamic content in the database according to
the conference 402 and sends the updated information to all the
devices connected to the server and requesting information about
the conference 402.
[0061] In addition, the number of services that exist for a
conference can be determined by conference. For example, a survey
service page view is not included in FIG. 4. In another conference,
a survey page view may be included. Furthermore, a user may create
a survey during the conference associated with the conference 402.
If a new service is created by a user, the server creates the
service in the database and associates the newly created service
with the conference 402 by assigning the newly created service the
event identification key for the conference 402. Thus, all
services, page views, and dynamic content is organized in the
database according to a conference.
[0062] Referring again to FIG. 2, the database 220 may also store
user credentials. User credentials may be used by the server 206 to
determine user roles and whether a device 202, 204 may access a
conference. If the device 202, 204 cannot access a conference, the
server 206 provides no page views or dynamic content about that
conference. In one embodiment, the server 206 may send a
notification to the device 202, 204 stating that the user
credentials do not grant the attendee permission to view that
conference if an attendee tries to access the unauthorized
conference. In another embodiment, the server 206 may hide
unauthorized conferences from the device 202, 204, and the device
202, 204 does not display unauthorized conferences.
[0063] FIG. 2 illustrates an implementation of user roles. FIG. 2
shows two distinct roles: a presenter role 210 and a registered
users role 214, but the conference collaboration tool may include
additional roles, which will be discussed later. The presenter role
210 may include a group of organizers who may include the speaker
during the conference and presenter assistants attending the
conference to provide support for the speaker, which may mean
answering questions or providing technical support. The roles
provide different privileges for different services. For example,
the presenter 210 may have permission to upload a document to the
document service. When the presenter 210 uploads the document, the
document may be viewed by the registered users 214. Meanwhile, the
registered users 214 may not be able to upload their own files,
change uploaded files, or delete the uploaded files from the
database 220. Exemplary embodiments may allot the ability to
delete, change, or upload a file only to the presenter 210. As can
be seen, in some services, the presenter 210 and the registered
users 214 have very different privileges.
[0064] As another example, the presenter 210 and the registered
users 214 may all have the same privileges for another service,
such as a chat service 120. In the chat service 120, both the
registered users 214 and the presenter 210 can post text and view
all posted text. As can be seen, in some services, the registered
users 214 and the presenter 210 may have the same basic
privileges.
[0065] Although FIG. 2 only shows the presenter 210 and registered
user 214 roles, additional roles may be included. These roles may
include system administrator, guests, and door accounts. A system
administrator is a role that shall have access to all privileges
and can grant and restrict privileges to any other roles. The
system administer shall have the ability to create conferences,
delete conferences, grant privileges to user roles, strip
privileges to user roles, and any other abilities necessary for
system administration and upkeep. A guest is a subset of the
attendees, which includes registered users and guests. Guests may
log into a conference without a username and password, while
registered users 214 have a username and password. Registered uses
214 may have more privileges or the same privileges as guests.
Finally, a door account may be a person who is not in attendance at
a conference, but instead is outside the conference while the
conference is being conducted. The door account user may desire to
know information about the conference in session. The door account
user has the privileges to log into the conference collaboration
tool and see what conferences are in session. Further, the door
account user may be able to see a conference description to decide
if this conference interests him. Finally, the door account user
may be able to send the presenter 210 a notification or message
without disturbing the entire conference.
[0066] All roles included in the conference collaboration tool may
be set to a default level of privileges. However, higher level
roles, such as the presenter 210 and the system administrator, may
add or remove privileges of lower level roles, such as the guests
and registered users 214. Since the system collaboration tool is
conference centric, the privileges can change from conference to
conference. For example, a first username may have a presenter role
210 in one conference, but a registered user role 214 in another
conference. Or, the first username may have all the default
privileges of a registered user 214 in one conference, and only
some of the default privileges of a registered user 214 in another
conference.
[0067] The roles are used by the server 106 to decide which page
views and what dynamic content a device 102, 104 can access. In
other words, a role is an authorization level that the server 106
uses to decide if the device 102, 104 is authorized to view the
requested page view or the requested dynamic content. In one
embodiment, the server 106 hides any dynamic content or page views
that a role is not allowed to access. For example, if a user
interacting with the device 102, 104 has a guest role, the device
102, 104 may not be able to upload any documents to the documents
service 130, so the upload function of the document service 130 may
not be displayed in the document service 130 page view. Whereas, if
the user interacting with the device 102, 104 is has a presenter
role, and the device 102, 104 has permission to upload any document
to the documents service 130, the upload function in the documents
service 130 is listed in the document service 130 page view for the
presenter.
[0068] The user roles may also associate a user with a conference.
For example, a user may be able to check into an event, and the
server 106 may display the user's attendance, for example in a user
profile. User profiles may be accessed as well through the
conference companion tool. For example one of the services 110,
120, 130 may be a user list. The user list may list all of the
users attending a conference, and the user list may also include a
link to each user's profile. The profile may include information
such as email address, phone number, job title, social networking
credentials, or any other information that may normally be included
in a professional profile. In fact, any time a username is listed
in any of the services 110, 120, 130, the username may include a
link to the user profile. Users may create their profile upon
registration. The registration process may include an entry form
that allows each user to customize his or her user profile. The
registration page may require a user to input an access code as
proof that they are registered for the conference, or the
registration page may allow user to sign up for additional
conferences. For example, the registration process may include
suggestions for additional conferences the user can join based on
the subject matter of the user's conference, or by analyzing the
types of conferences the user has been to in the past.
[0069] FIG. 5 illustrates the conference collaboration tool offered
as a web service. As shown in FIG. 5, three clients devices 502,
504, 506 are connected to the server 506. The three client devices
502, 504, 506 may be accessing three different conferences,
different services within the same conference, or the same service
within the same conference. The three client devices 502, 504, 506
are connected to the server 506 through the network 508, which may
be the internet. When the conference collaboration tool is offered
as a web service, the three client devices 502, 504, 506 may access
the server 506 by navigating to a designated web-page. Since the
conference collaboration tool is web-based, a client devices 502,
504, 506 access the conference collaboration tool through a web
browser. Because the conference collaboration tool can be accessed
using a web browser, no additional software applications or "apps"
may be required to run the conference collaboration tool.
[0070] Because the conference collaboration tool is web-based, the
client devices' 502, 504, 506 web browser sends HTTP requests over
the network 108 to the conference collaboration tool. The
conference collaboration tool may run as a different format than
HTTP on the server 506. Thus, the conference collaboration tool may
need a server side script engine, such as ASP, JavaScript, Ruby on
Rails, or the like, to generate web pages. A server side script
engine may be necessary because the information in the services is
dynamically generated. Server side script engines are well known in
the art, and further explanation is omitted.
[0071] The conference collaboration tool includes an application
domain 510 and HTTP runtime domain 512. The application domain 510
receives HTTP requests from client devices 502, 504, 506. The
application domain 510 may use the server side script engine to
handle the requests and send back an HTTP response. The server side
script engine uses a controller 516 to handle HTTP requests and
send HTTP responses. The controller 516 references and implements
the page view, which may be found in the view folder 514, and the
dynamic content, which is stored in the database. The controller
516 formats the HTTP response with the appropriate page view and
the appropriate dynamic content for that page view. The HTTP
response is sent to the client devices 502, 504, 506, and the
client devices 502, 504, 506 see the proper page view and dynamic
content on their device when the device's web browser loads the
page using the HTTP response. The functions and processes of the
controller 516 is further described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0072] FIG. 6 illustrates components of a controller 616 of the
conference collaboration tool. The controller 616 of the conference
collaboration tool includes a navigation controller 610, a dynamic
controls module 622, and a page rendering service 630.
[0073] The navigation controller 610 is configured to format the
page views and dynamic content to a screen of a particular device
and to track navigation through a hierarchy of page views. The
navigation controller 610 includes a master navigation controller
612, a master view controller 614, and a navigation tracker 616.
Both the master navigation controller 612 and the master view
controller 614 are capable of determining the type of device
requesting information from the conference collaboration tool. For
example, the detected type of device may be generic, such as a
tablet, a smart phone, or a personal computer, or the type of
device may be more specific, such as a manufacturer and a model of
the device. The master navigation controller 612 and the master
view controller 614 may be further capable of determining the
operating system or the browser type that the device.
[0074] The master navigation controller 612 is configured to format
a navigation interface in response to the determined device type,
and the master view controller 614 is configured to format a page
view and dynamic content in response to the determined device type.
The master view controller 614 and the master navigation 612
controller may further format the page views, dynamic content, and
the navigation interface in response to a browser type, an
operating system type, or any other device characteristics that
affects how content is displayed on a screen of the device. The
master navigation controller 612 may also format the navigation
interface according to the determined device type. The navigation
interface may include a navigation table, a navigation bar, if
necessary, or a page view window displayed with the navigation
table. For example, if a tablet is requesting information from the
conference collaboration tool, the master navigation controller 612
formats the screen for a tablet. Alternatively, if a smart phone is
requesting information from the conference collaboration tool, the
master navigation controller 612 formats the navigation interface
for a smart phone, which may be different than the tablet view
because of the inherent limitations in size and screen area.
[0075] Exemplary navigation interfaces are illustrated with
reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. In the exemplary embodiment, FIG. 7
illustrates a tablet screen view, and FIG. 8 illustrates a smart
phone screen view. In FIG. 7, a navigation table 702 may appear on
the left side of the page, and a service page view placeholder 704
may appear to the right of the navigation table 702. For example,
if the attendee has selected the presentation service from the
navigation table 702, the presentation service page view is
displayed in the service page view placeholder 704. In the tablet
view of FIG. 7, the navigation table 702 may always appear on one
side of the screen, and the service view placeholder 704 changes as
an attendee selects different services from the navigation table
702. The service page view placeholder 704 may also display a
sub-view within the service page view placeholder 704 if a link to
a sub-view is selected by the attendee. Also, since the navigation
table 702 is always displayed on the screen of the device,
additional navigation interfaces, such as a navigation bar or a
main menu button, may not be included. Displaying both the
navigation table 702 and the service page view placeholder 704 may
not be appropriate for all tablets, and the master navigation
controller may include only the navigation table 702 or only the
service page view placeholder 704 if a particular type of tablet
cannot comfortably display both the navigation table 702 and the
service page view placeholder 704.
[0076] In the smart phone view of FIG. 8, the enter user interface
may be used for a navigation table 802. If an attendee selects one
of the services listed on the navigation table 802, a service view
may replace the navigation table 802, and the entire screen may be
reloaded to display the service page view, as described with
respect to FIG. 9. In the smart phone view shown in FIG. 8,
additional navigation interface portions may be included. For
example, a navigation bar (not illustrated), which may include a
back button or the main menu button, may be always included at a
top portion of the screen. The master navigation controller
determines if the back button or the main menu button or any other
navigation interface portions are to be included according to the
type of device. As illustrated by FIGS. 7 and 8, the type
navigation interface can change depending on the type of
device.
[0077] The navigation controller 610 calls the master navigation
controller 612 when the navigation interface is to be generated on
the screen. The navigation interface may be generated on the screen
when the attendee 640 first logs into the conference, when a main
menu button is pressed by a user, every time a new page view is
loaded, and a plurality of other conferences that require the
navigation interface to be generated.
[0078] The operation of the master navigation controller is
illustrated with reference to FIG. 10. If the master navigation
controller is called by the navigation controller when a request is
received in step 1005, the master navigation controller determines
the type of device that is requesting information in step 1010. The
master navigation controller may determine the type of device by
reviewing the HTTP requests from the device, or having a user
specify the device type, or by determining the type of browser used
to access the conference companion tool, or any other method that
hints at the device type. In step 1015, the master navigation
controller retrieves the list of services offered for the
conference from the database. Subsequently, the master navigation
controller formats the navigation table according to the type of
device in step 1020. After the navigation table is formatted, the
master navigation controller determines whether additional
navigation interface portions are to be generated and formatted
according to the device in step 1030. If no additional navigation
interface portions are to be include, the master navigation
controller finishes in step 1040. If additional navigation
interface portions are to be included, the master navigation
controller checks if a service page view is to be displayed along
side the navigation table, like in the tablet example in FIG. 7, in
step 1050. If the service page view is to be displayed, the master
navigation controller formats the service page view size according
to the device type in step 1070. If the service page view is not to
be displayed, the master navigation controller formats the
additional navigation interface portions, such as the menu button
or the back button, according to the device in step 1060.
[0079] The master navigation controller 612 can format the
navigation interface according to the device type using the stored
multiple navigation interfaces in the database. Each conference may
list the number of services, and each type of device may have a
different navigation interface, and the master navigation
controller 612 formats the navigation interface to include all of
the services for that conference according to the type of
device.
[0080] The navigation controller 612 may utilize responsive design
and server side components (RESS), for example, as described in
"RESS: Responsive Design+Server Side Components" by Luke Wroblewski
(Wroblewski, Luke. "RESS: Responsive Design+Server Side
Components." LukeW Ideation+Design. Sep. 12, 2011
<http://www.lukew.com/ff/entry.asp?1392>) and "Getting
Started with RESS" by Anders M. Anderson (Anderson, Anders M.
"Getting Started with RESS." Net Magazine. May 9, 2012
<http://www.netmagazine.com/tutorials/getting-started-ress>),
both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[0081] The master view controller 614 is called by the navigation
controller 610 each time a service page view or a sub-view is to be
displayed on the screen of the device. A service page view is
displayed on the screen when the attendee 640 selects a service
from the navigation table or selects a link to another service or
to a sub view from a service page view.
[0082] The operation of the master view controller is illustrated
with reference to FIG. 11. If the master view controller is called
by the navigation controller by receiving a request at step 1105,
the master view controller determines the type of device that is
requesting information in step 1110. The master view controller
retrieves the service page view and the dynamic content from the
database in step 1120. The master view controller formats the
service page view and the dynamic content within the service page
view to appropriately display on the device according to the type
of device in step 1130. A service page view or a sub-view may
include a number of tables, lists, or images, and the master view
controller formats the content of the service page view or sub-view
appropriately according to the type of device determined by the
master view controller. For example, if a tablet requests a service
page view, the master view controller may format the text to be a
different font, or may stretch an image to a larger dimension. Once
the service page view and the dynamic content is formatted, the
master view controller sends the formatted service page view and
dynamic content to the page rendering service.
[0083] For example, FIG. 7 shows the service page view placeholder
704 shown on a tablet to be substantially square in shape.
Alternatively, FIG. 9 shows a chat service page view, which may be
more rectangular in shape. Because of the differences in screen
shape and size, the master view controller formats the service page
view to be viewed in a user-friendly manner no matter what type of
device is displaying the service page view.
[0084] If a sub-view within a service page view is selected by the
attendee 640, the master view controller 614 also formats the
sub-view according to device type. Also, like the master navigation
controller 612, the conferences stored in the database do not store
multiple service page view for multiple devices. Instead, the
database stores the set of services included in the conference, and
any dynamic content associated with the conference, and the master
view controller 614 formats the dynamic content and page views
according to device. Thus, redundant data does not have to be
stored in the database. Instead, one set of information, which
include dynamic content and service page views, stored under the
conference is stored in the database, and that set of information
is formatted according to device type.
[0085] The navigation controller 610 can also include a navigation
tracker 616 that provides for navigation through the page views.
The page views may include the main menu, the service page views,
and the sub-views. The navigation of the page views may behave like
a hierarchy tree. For example, within a conference, the attendee
640 may first be directed to the main menu, which lists the
services available for the conference according to the attendee's
role, after logging in. After an attendee 640 selects a service,
the navigation controller 610 calls for a service page view of the
selected service.
[0086] To track the navigation through the page views, the
navigation tracker 616 may assign static control ID's for the page
views. By using static control IDs, the navigation controller 610
is able to determine which page view of the hierarchy the attendee
640 is currently viewing. The navigation controller 610 does not
store the current page view of all client devices in the database.
Doing so may be impractical for all client devices connected to the
server. Thus, the navigation controller 610 can determine the
current page view of the device by looking at the static control ID
of the page view.
[0087] The dynamic controls module 622 manages dynamic content and
control IDs associated with the dynamic content. As discussed
above, the navigation controller 610 relies on control IDs to track
the navigation through the hierarchy of page views within a
conference. In other words, the control ID may act as a navigation
pointer pointing the navigation controller 610 to which location to
navigate the client device. However, control IDs are assigned to
more than just service page views and sub views. More specifically,
any object within a page view, including dynamic content, may
require a control ID. Objects that require a control ID may be
called "controls," such as a text box, a button, or a link, and
controls require the page view to be updated or reloaded.
[0088] For example, referring to FIG. 12, in the documents service
1200, the documents 1230 for the conference, which are stored on
the database, may be listed. Each document 1230 listed may have a
document type image 1234 and a document name 1232. Each listed
document 1230 is dynamic content because the documents 1230 listed
in the documents service 1200 may be updated or removed, or a new
document may be added to the list. Each document 1230 listed
provides a link to view the document 1230, and a document selected
from the list of documents 1230 may be viewed by selecting one of
the documents 1230. Once a document is selected, the navigation
controller must generate the sub-view and dynamic content to view
the selected document 1230. In order to navigate to the correct sub
view, the navigation controller relies on a control ID. In this
case, the control ID for the document 1230 is not a static ID
because the document may be removed. Thus, dynamic control IDs are
necessary and must be created whenever a new control is created,
and the dynamic controls module manages the dynamic content
controls and the assigning of IDs to dynamic content controls.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 13, the procedures of the dynamic controls
module are illustrated after a request is received in step 1305. In
step 1310, the dynamic controls module is called, which may be
whenever a piece of dynamic content is created. In one embodiment,
the dynamic controls module may be called to assign dynamic control
IDs to controls every time a new page loads. In another embodiment,
the dynamic control IDs are saved in the database and remain the
same until the dynamic content control is removed. Subsequently,
the dynamic control module assigns a dynamic content control ID to
the dynamic content control in step 1320. The dynamic control
module assigns the dynamic content control a unique ID that is not
used by any other control. The dynamic control module assigns the
control IDs in a predictable manner and associates the control ID
with the dynamic content in the database in step 1330. For example,
the predictable manner may include assigning control IDs that
contain a reference to the type of service page view or sub view in
which the dynamic content is presented.
[0090] Returning to the documents service 1200 example of FIG. 12,
if a new document 1230 is added to the list by the presenter or any
user, the dynamic controls module assigns the new document a
dynamic control ID. The dynamic controls module assigns the new
document a unique control ID, but also includes a control ID
informing the navigation controller to present the new document in
a document viewing sub-view. The new document is saved in the
database with the associated control ID.
[0091] Referring again to FIG. 6, the page rendering service 630 is
configured to render a page view for the device upon initial page
load and at periodic intervals. For example, when the attendee
selects a service from the navigation table or main menu, the page
rendering service 630 calls the navigation controller 610 to format
the service page view and the dynamic content. The page rendering
service 630 may convert the formatted service page view and
inserted dynamic content in the HTML language to send to the client
device. The page rendering service 630 also renders the page view
at periodic intervals. For example, the page rendering service 630
may include a timer. The timer may be set to a specific period, and
when the period elapses, the page rendering service 630 reloads the
page. When the page rendering service 630 periodically reloads a
page, only changes in dynamic content are checked. The page
rendering service 630 relies on update panels to provide constant
updates to the dynamic content without a visible page load. More
specifically, the page rendering service periodically checks the
dynamic content of the update panels and check for changes in the
update panels. If there is a change to an update panel, the panel
is reloaded, but the entire page is not refreshed. For example, the
period for the page updates may be set to three seconds, but more
or less time may be used for the periodic updates.
[0092] The conference collaboration tool may include a number of
services 110, 120, 130, as shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, the
conference collaboration tool may at least include the chat service
120 and a notifications service. The chat service 120 offers a
medium for communication while a conference or meeting is in
session. The users in the chat may ask questions or discuss
interesting topics while the conference is in session.
[0093] FIG. 9 illustrates a service page view 902 of the chat
service. In a chat service page view 902, a chat history 904, a
text box 908, and a send button 910 are displayed in the service
page view of the chat service. These three elements are static to
the page view for the chat service. The chat history 904 may list
all text stored in the database or just the text included since the
attendee started using the chat service. The text box 908 allows
the attendee to input text to contribute to the chat service.
Lastly, the send button 910 allows the attendee to send the text
inputted into the text box 908 to the server.
[0094] FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate the method of the conference
companion tool that provides the chat service. The chat service
includes at least two actions. First, when a user first logs into
the chat service, the chat service provides a conversation history
of all messages saved to the chat service, which is illustrated by
FIG. 14A. Second, the chat service updates the chat service view
902 each time a new message is sent from a client device, which is
illustrated by FIG. 14B.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 14A, the navigation controller receives a
request in step 1405 and loads the chat service view in step 1410.
In step 1412, the server asks for the list of messages stored in
the database for the conference. The server loads the current
conversation history from the database in step 1414, and the server
sends all prior messages of the conversation history to the client
device in step 1416. The conversation history may be sent to the
client device as an HTTP response.
[0096] If the client device sends a message, the method of FIG. 14B
is performed. First, in step 1452, the user enters a message into
the text box and pushes the send button. The server receives the
message from the client device and writes the new message in the
database in step 1454. The navigation controller appends the chat
service view to include the new message sent from the client device
in step 1355. In step 1456, the page rendering service periodically
updates the service page view, and the previous page displayed on a
client device is compared to the updated service page view in step
1458. As a result of the comparison, certain update panels change
to display the new message on all devices in step 1459.
[0097] As described above, the page rendering service periodically
updates the service page views, including the chat service page
view. As a result, the new messages are not pushed to all client
devices when a new message is uploaded into the database. Instead,
the new messages are periodically updated according to the page
rendering service, and the chat service page view is periodically
updated if new messages are determined as a result of a comparison
with a previous service page view.
[0098] The messages viewed in the chat service may all have a time
stamp. In addition a name or a username of the user who sent the
message may be displayed next to the message. Further, the chat
history may label messages according to user roles. For example,
messages from a presenter may be displayed in a different color or
font than messages from a registered user or a guest.
[0099] The notification service presents notifications to users who
are subscribed to a conference and allows for notifications to be
sent to all or some of the users subscribed to the conference. In
one embodiment, only some user roles may send notifications, such
as the presenter and the system administrator. In another
embodiment, anyone may send a notification. In yet another
embodiment, notifications sent by registered users or guests may
only be sent to other registered users and guests, while the
presenter or system administrator may send a notification to all
users logged into the conference.
[0100] The notifications may be sent publicly or privately. More
specifically, a notification may be sent to only one specific
individual or a group of specific individuals, or a notification
may be sent to all users subscribed to the conference. For example,
a public notification may be sent to all registered users
subscribed to the conference to notify the attendees that a
conference start time has changed, or to notify attendees that a
new survey or document has been created in the survey or document
service. A private notification, for example, may be used by the
presenter to "call" on someone to answer a question he has asked
during the presentation. Notifications may be used in a plurality
of ways to alert users of important information.
[0101] In addition, the notification service may always run in the
background of every service page view and the main menu. If the
notification service is running in the background, whenever a new
notification is detected by the page rendering service, the client
device will receive the notification as a pop-up alert. The pop-up
notification may be dismissed or the client device may offer the
user the ability to respond to the notification, for example, by
providing a link to the chat service.
[0102] Alternatively, the notification service may have its own
service page view that can be entered through the navigation table.
An example of the notification service page view is illustrated in
FIGS. 15A and 15B. FIG. 15A illustrates the notification service
view. The notification service view includes a plurality of
notifications 1510, a respond button 1520, a view sender button
1530, and a send notification button 1540. The notifications 1510
may be arranged in order of when they were sent. In another
embodiment, notifications 1510 from a presenter or a system
administrator may always appear at the top because they are deemed
most important. The notifications 1510 may include text, which may
include a preview of all the notification text or all of the
notification text. The respond button 1520 allows a user to respond
to the notification 1510. In one embodiment, the respond button
1520 display the image illustrated in FIG. 15B, and the user may
respond to the notification by sending a new notification. In
another embodiment, the respond button 1520 loads the chat service,
and the user may respond to the notification through the chat
service. The view sender button 1530 displays the name or username
of the person who sent the notification 1510. In one embodiment,
the view sender button provides a link to a profile of the sender,
which may include a plurality of information about the sender, such
as name, company, phone number, email address, social media pages,
or any other information about the sender. The send notification
button 1540 provides a link to the notification sub-view shown in
FIG. 15B, and allows a user to send a notification. If privileges
of some user roles are restricted so that certain roles may not
send notifications, the send notification button my be hidden from
non-privileged users by the navigation controller. Alternatively,
an error message may be displayed to non-privileged users if they
attempt to send a notification. The notification sub-view of FIG.
15B includes a text box 1550, a send button 1560, and a cancel
button 1570. The text box 1550 allows a user to enter a message.
The send button 1560 allows the user to send the notification to
the server. Finally, the cancel button 1570 returns the user to the
notification service view of FIG. 15A without sending any
notifications.
[0103] The method of the conference companion tool to provide the
notification service is illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B. As shown
in FIG. 16A, the method 1600 begins in step 1610 where a new
notification is sent from a client device. In step 1612, the server
106 receives the message from the client device and writes the new
message in the database. The navigation controller appends the page
view to include the new notification sent from the client device in
step 1614. The page view that is appended in step 1614 may be a
notification service page view, or the page view may be any service
page view if the notification service runs in the background. In
step 1616, the page rendering service periodically updates the
service page view, and the previous page displayed on a client
device is compared to the updated service page view in step 1618.
As a result of the comparison, certain update panels change to
display the notification in step 1619. If the notification is sent
publicly, all client devices display the notification, but if the
notification is sent privately, only the intended recipient client
device displays the notification.
[0104] The method of FIG. 16B may be performed when a user first
logs into the conference or the notification service page view.
Referring to FIG. 16B, the navigation controller receives a request
in step 1631 and loads the notification service view in step 1632.
In step 1633, the server asks for the list of messages stored in
the database for the conference. The server loads unread
notifications from the database in step 1634, and the server sends
all unread notifications to the client device in step 1636. If the
notification service runs in the background, the method 1630 may be
performed when a user first logs into the conference, and the
notification service may be performed while the navigation table is
generated. If the notification service runs in the notification
service page view, when a user first accesses the notification
service page view, the method 1630 may be first performed while the
notification service page view is being generated by the navigation
controller.
[0105] As described above, the page rendering service periodically
updates the service page views, including the notification service
page view. As a result, the new notifications are not pushed to all
client devices when a new notification is uploaded into the
database. Instead, the new notifications are periodically updated
according to the page rendering service, and the notification
service page view is periodically updated if new messages are
determined as a result of a comparison with a previous service page
view.
[0106] As discussed above, the conference collaboration tool may
implement a server side script engine to perform the methods
discussed above. The server side script engine runs only on the
server, and so, the server side script engine cannot be run without
a request by the client browser, such as a page refresh. Client
side operations implemented into a web browser, such as JavaScript
may be included to handle user interfaces and dynamic websites. The
conference collaboration tool is able to correlate client side
scripts engines, such as JavaScript, with server side script
engines using web methods.
[0107] The web methods interface the server side script engine with
the client side script engine. The client side script engine is
able to call a server side script engine using the web method. For
example, a client device 102, 104 may be able to change
orientation, and thus, change how the screen is formatted. When a
user changes the orientation of the device 102, 104, a client side
script engine may alert the browser of the change in orientation.
The web method receives the alert from the client side script
engine that the orientation has changed, and the web method calls
the navigation controller 610 included in the server side script
engine to generate the page view and dynamic content for a new
orientation.
[0108] Alternatively, the server side script engine call the client
side script engine using the web methods. In this method, the
server 106 is able to call a client side script engine to generate
an interface on the client device 102, 104. For example, if a
notification is sent to a client device 102, 104, the server 106
calls a client side script engine to generate an interface for the
notification, such as a pop-up alert. The pop-up alert may have a
dismiss button or a respond button. Both the dismiss and respond
buttons rely on the client side script engine to interface with the
server 106. For example, the dismiss button may send a message to
the web methods to notify the server 106 that the notification was
read by the user. The server 106 updates the database that the
notification was read by the device 102, 104 by using a server side
script engine. The reply button, on the other hand, may call a
service within the conference collaboration tool, such as the chat
service 120. In this case, the web methods again call server side
script engine to generate the chat service page view in response to
a client side script engine request. Thus, the web methods
interface client side script engines and server side script
engines, which may be two different interfaces, such as JavaScript
and ASP or C#.
[0109] Although not illustrated, a survey service may also be
included. The survey service may allow a presenter to upload a
question and a list of survey answers. The survey may be created
during the conference or before the conference. When attendees
respond to the survey through the conference companion tool, the
survey answers are uploaded to the server 106, and the server 106
provides live updates to devices 102, 104 which have answered the
survey question as the survey answers are uploaded.
[0110] The functionality described herein can be implemented by
numerous modules or components that can perform one or multiple
functions. Each module or component can be executed by a computer,
such as a server, having a non-transitory computer-readable medium
and processor. In one alternative, multiple computers may be
necessary to implement the functionality of one module or
component.
[0111] Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the
following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the
description, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing" or
"computing" or "calculating" or "determining" or "displaying" or
the like, can refer to the action and processes of a data
processing system, or similar electronic device, that manipulates
and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities
within the system's registers and memories into other data
similarly represented as physical quantities within the system's
memories or registers or other such information storage,
transmission or display devices.
[0112] The exemplary embodiments can relate to an apparatus for
performing one or more of the functions described herein. This
apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes,
or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated
or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such
a computer program may be stored in a machine (e.g. computer)
readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type
of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs and
magnetic-optical disks, read only memories (ROMs), random access
memories (RAMs) erasable programmable ROMs (EPROMs), electrically
erasable programmable ROMs (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, or
any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and
each coupled to a bus.
[0113] The exemplary embodiments described herein are described as
software executed on at least one server, though it is understood
that embodiments can be configured in other ways and retain
functionality. The embodiments can be implemented on known devices
such as a personal computer, a special purpose computer, cellular
telephone, personal digital assistant ("PDA"), a digital camera, a
digital tablet, an electronic gaming system, a programmed
microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit
element(s), and ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal
processor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such as a
discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device such as a
PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, or the like. In general, any device capable of
implementing the processes described herein can be used to
implement the systems and techniques according to this
invention.
[0114] It is to be appreciated that the various components of the
technology can be located at distant portions of a distributed
network and/or the Internet, or within a dedicated secure,
unsecured and/or encrypted system. Thus, it should be appreciated
that the components of the system can be combined into one or more
devices or co-located on a particular node of a distributed
network, such as a telecommunications network. As will be
appreciated from the description, and for reasons of computational
efficiency, the components of the system can be arranged at any
location within a distributed network without affecting the
operation of the system. Moreover, the components could be embedded
in a dedicated machine.
[0115] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links
connecting the elements can be wired or wireless links, or any
combination thereof, or any other known or later developed
element(s) that is capable of supplying and/or communicating data
to and from the connected elements. The term module as used herein
can refer to any known or later developed hardware, software,
firmware, or combination thereof that is capable of performing the
functionality associated with that element. The terms determine,
calculate and compute, and variations thereof, as used herein are
used interchangeably and include any type of methodology, process,
mathematical operation or technique.
[0116] The embodiments described above are intended to be
exemplary. One skilled in the art recognizes that numerous
alternative components and embodiments that may be substituted for
the particular examples described herein and still fall within the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *
References