U.S. patent application number 13/942120 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-14 for intelligent mechanism to automatically discover and notify a potential participant of a teleconference.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Kavita Agrawal, William K. Bodin, Lakshmi N. Potluri, Gregory W. Rybczynski.
Application Number | 20130301816 13/942120 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42118355 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130301816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Agrawal; Kavita ; et
al. |
November 14, 2013 |
Intelligent Mechanism to Automatically Discover and Notify a
Potential Participant of a Teleconference
Abstract
Notifying an identified person of a teleconference is provided.
Data corresponding to an audio record of the teleconference is
received during the teleconference. Pattern recognition is
performed on the data during the teleconference. In response to
recognizing in the data a pattern corresponding to an
identification of the identified person during the teleconference,
a device associated with the identified person is contacted during
the teleconference. A response related to the audio record is
received from the device.
Inventors: |
Agrawal; Kavita; (Austin,
TX) ; Bodin; William K.; (Austin, TX) ;
Potluri; Lakshmi N.; (Austin, TX) ; Rybczynski;
Gregory W.; (Pflugerville, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
42118355 |
Appl. No.: |
13/942120 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12259783 |
Oct 28, 2008 |
8515761 |
|
|
13942120 |
|
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|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/88.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 3/56 20130101; H04M
2203/5009 20130101; G10L 17/00 20130101; H04M 2203/5081 20130101;
H04M 3/568 20130101; H04M 2201/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/88.03 |
International
Class: |
H04M 3/56 20060101
H04M003/56 |
Claims
1. A method for notifying an identified person of a teleconference,
the method comprising: receiving, by a data processing system, data
corresponding to an audio record of the teleconference during the
teleconference; performing, by the data processing system, pattern
recognition on the data during the teleconference; responsive to
the data processing system recognizing in the data a pattern
corresponding to an identification of the identified person during
the teleconference, contacting, by the data processing system, a
first device associated with the identified person during the
teleconference; and receiving, by the data processing system, a
response related to the audio record from the first device.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the contacting, by the data
processing system, the first device associated with the identified
person during the teleconference only occurs if tag words are
spoken during the teleconference.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: conveying, by the data
processing system, the response to a second device.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the second device is associated
with at least one other attendee of the teleconference.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the second device is associated
with a person that is not participating in the teleconference.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the response comprises a message
recorded prior to initiation of the teleconference, and wherein the
identified person does not join the teleconference.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the contacting, by the data
processing system, the first device associated with the identified
person during the teleconference comprises at least one of
transmitting an instant message to an instant message address
associated with the identified person, transmitting an email to an
email address associated with the identified person, transmitting a
text message to a mobile communication device associated with the
identified person, and calling a telephone number associated with
the identified person.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the response comprises at least
one of joining the teleconference, transmitting an instant message
containing an indicated response, transmitting an email containing
an indicated response, transmitting a text message containing an
indicated response from a mobile communication device, transmitting
an audio message from a communication device, transmitting an
indication that the identified person will be late, and
transmitting an indication that the identified person will not
attend the teleconference.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: recording, by the data
processing system, the teleconference; and saving, by the data
processing system, the recording.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the recording, by the data
processing system, the teleconference comprises recording the
teleconference as a podcast, and wherein the method further
comprises: replaying, by the data processing system, the podcast to
the identified person on the first device in real time as the
teleconference is conducted.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the data processing system is a
server computer having installed thereon speech pattern recognition
software, wherein the server computer is connected to a network
over which the teleconference is being held.
12. A computer program product stored on a computer readable
storage medium having instructions embodied thereon that are
executable by a data processing system for notifying an identified
person of a teleconference, the computer program product
comprising: instructions for receiving data corresponding to an
audio record of the teleconference during the teleconference;
instructions for performing pattern recognition on the data during
the teleconference; instructions for contacting a first device
associated with the identified person during the teleconference in
response to recognizing in the data a pattern corresponding to an
identification of the identified person during the teleconference;
and instructions for receiving a response related to the audio
record from the first device.
13. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein the
instructions for contacting the first device associated with the
identified person during the teleconference comprise instructions
for contacting the first device only if tag words are spoken during
the teleconference.
14. The computer program product of claim 12 further comprising:
instructions for conveying the response to a second device.
15. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein the second
device is associated with one of another attendee of the
teleconference or a person that is not participating in the
teleconference.
16. A data processing system for notifying an identified person of
a teleconference, the data processing system comprising: a bus; a
communications unit coupled to the bus; a storage device coupled to
the bus, wherein the storage device stores instructions; and a
processor coupled to the bus, wherein the processor executes the
instructions to receive data corresponding to an audio record of
the teleconference during the teleconference; perform pattern
recognition on the data during the teleconference; contact a first
device associated with the identified person during the
teleconference in response to recognizing in the data a pattern
corresponding to an identification of the identified person during
the teleconference; and receive a response related to the audio
record from the first device.
17. The data processing system of claim 16 wherein the processor
executes the instructions to contact the first device associated
with the identified person during the teleconference only if tag
words are spoken during the teleconference.
18. The data processing system of claim 16 wherein the processor
further executes the instructions to convey the response to a
second device.
19. The data processing system of claim 18 wherein the second
device is associated with one of another attendee of the
teleconference or a person that is not participating in the
teleconference.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
12/259,783, filed Oct. 28 2008, status allowed.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention provides for an improved method of
communication. In particular, the present invention provides for an
improved method computer program product and data processing system
for contacting individuals mentioned or identified during a live
teleconference.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] During teleconferences or other meetings, mention may be
made of individuals that are not present at the teleconference or
meeting. In some cases, attendance of these identified individuals
would be useful, desirable, or necessary. These identified
individuals can be described as identified persons. The term
"identified person" does not necessarily imply that the person is,
key, necessary, or somehow critical to the meeting.
[0006] Currently, the only method of notifying an identified person
that their attendance is desired or required is for one of the
attendees, or some other person, to contact the identified person
so that the identified person can join the teleconference. However,
this method of contacting the identified person is relatively
inefficient, and possibly disruptive of the teleconference.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] The illustrative embodiments provide a method, computer
program product, and data processing system for notifying an
identified person of a teleconference. Data corresponding to an
audio record of the teleconference is received during the
teleconference. Pattern recognition is performed on the data during
the teleconference. In response to recognizing in the data a
pattern corresponding to an identification of the identified person
during the teleconference, a device associated with the identified
person is contacted during the teleconference. A response related
to the audio record is received from the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The novel features believed characteristic of the
illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The
illustrative embodiments, themselves, as well as a preferred mode
of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be
understood by reference to the following detailed description of an
illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network of data processing
systems in which the illustrative embodiments of the present
invention may be implemented;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data processing system in
which illustrative embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a teleconference in accordance
with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for contacting an
identified person during a teleconference in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for contacting an
identified person during a teleconference in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
[0014] With reference now to the figures and in particular with
reference to FIGS. 1-2, exemplary diagrams of data processing
environments are provided in which illustrative embodiments may be
implemented. It should be appreciated that FIGS. 1-2 are only
exemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation
with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may
be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may
be made.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network of data processing
systems, in which the illustrative embodiments of the present
invention may be implemented. Network data processing system 100 is
a network of computers in which the illustrative embodiments may be
implemented. Network data processing system 100 contains network
102, which is the medium used to provide communications links
between various devices and computers connected together within
network data processing system 100. Network 102 may include
connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber
optic cables.
[0016] In the depicted example, server 104 and server 106 connect
to network 102 along with storage unit 108. In addition, clients
110, 112, and 114 connect to network 102. Clients 110, 112, and 114
may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. In
the depicted example, server 104 provides data, such as boot files,
operating system images, and applications to clients 110, 112, and
114. Clients 110, 112, and 114 are clients to server 104 in this
example. Network data processing system 100 may include additional
servers, clients, and other devices not shown.
[0017] In the depicted example, network data processing system 100
is the Internet with network 102 representing a worldwide
collection of networks and gateways that use the Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols to
communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a
backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes
or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial,
governmental, educational and other computer systems that route
data and messages. Of course, network data processing system 100
also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks,
such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a
wide area network (WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not
as an architectural limitation for the different illustrative
embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data processing system, in
which illustrative embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented. Data processing system 200 is an example of a
computer, such as server 104 or client 110 in FIG. 1, in which
computer usable program code or instructions implementing the
processes may be located for the illustrative embodiments. In this
illustrative example, data processing system 200 includes
communications fabric 202, which provides communications between
processor unit 204, memory 206, persistent storage 208,
communications unit 210, input/output (I/O) unit 212, and display
214.
[0019] Processor unit 204 serves to execute instructions for
software that may be loaded into memory 206. Processor unit 204 may
be a set of one or more processors or may be a multi-processor
core, depending on the particular implementation. Further,
processor unit 204 may be implemented using one or more
heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor is
present with secondary processors on a single chip. As another
illustrative example, processor unit 204 may be a symmetric
multi-processor system containing multiple processors of the same
type.
[0020] Memory 206, in these examples, may be, for example, a random
access memory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile
storage device. Persistent storage 208 may take various forms
depending on the particular implementation. For example, persistent
storage 208 may contain one or more components or devices. For
example, persistent storage 208 may be a hard drive, a flash
memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, or
some combination of the above. The media used by persistent storage
208 also may be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may
be used for persistent storage 208.
[0021] Communications unit 210, in these examples, provides for
communications with other data processing systems or devices. In
these examples, communications unit 210 is a network interface
card. Communications unit 210 may provide communications through
the use of either or both physical and wireless communications
links.
[0022] Input/output unit 212 allows for input and output of data
with other devices that may be connected to data processing system
200. For example, input/output unit 212 may provide a connection
for user input through a keyboard and mouse. Further, input/output
unit 212 may send output to a printer. Display 214 provides a
mechanism to display information to a user.
[0023] Instructions for the operating system and applications or
programs are located on persistent storage 208. These instructions
may be loaded into memory 206 for execution by processor unit 204.
The processes of the different embodiments may be performed by
processor unit 204 using computer implemented instructions, which
may be located in a memory, such as memory 206. These instructions
are referred to as program code, computer usable program code, or
computer readable program code that may be read and executed by a
processor in processor unit 204. The program code in the different
embodiments may be embodied on different physical or tangible
computer readable storage media, such as memory 206 or persistent
storage 208.
[0024] Program code 216 is located in a functional form on computer
readable media 218 that is selectively removable and may be loaded
onto or transferred to data processing system 200 for execution by
processor unit 204. Program code 216 and computer readable media
218 form computer program product 220 in these examples. In one
example, computer readable media 218 may be in a tangible form,
such as, for example, an optical or magnetic disc that is inserted
or placed into a drive or other device that is part of persistent
storage 208 for transfer onto a storage device, such as a hard
drive that is part of persistent storage 208. In a tangible form,
computer readable media 218 also may take the form of a persistent
storage, such as a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flash memory
that is connected to data processing system 200. The tangible form
of computer readable media 218 is referred to as computer readable
storage media. In some instances, computer readable media 218 may
not be removable.
[0025] Alternatively, program code 216 may be transferred to data
processing system 200 from computer readable media 218 through a
communications link to communications unit 210 and/or through a
connection to input/output unit 212. The communications link and/or
the connection may be physical or wireless in the illustrative
examples. The computer readable media also may take the form of
non-tangible media, such as communications links or wireless
transmissions containing the program code.
[0026] The different components illustrated for data processing
system 200 are not meant to provide architectural limitations to
the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. The
different illustrative embodiments may be implemented in a data
processing system including components in addition to or in place
of those illustrated for data processing system 200. Other
components shown in FIG. 2 can be varied from the illustrative
examples shown.
[0027] As one example, a computer readable storage device in data
processing system 200 is any hardware apparatus that may store
data. Memory 206 and persistent storage 208 are examples of
computer readable storage devices in a tangible form.
[0028] In another example, a bus system may be used to implement
communications fabric 202 and may be comprised of one or more
buses, such as a system bus or an input/output bus. Of course, the
bus system may be implemented using any suitable type of
architecture that provides for a transfer of data between different
components or devices attached to the bus system. Additionally, a
communications unit may include one or more devices used to
transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter.
Further, a memory may be, for example, memory 206 or a cache such
as found in an interface and memory controller hub that may be
present in communications fabric 202.
[0029] The illustrative embodiments of the present invention
provide for a method, a computer program product, and data
processing system for notifying an identified person of the
teleconference. Data corresponding to an audio record of the
teleconference is received during the teleconference. Pattern
recognition is performed on the data during the teleconference. In
response to recognizing in the data a pattern corresponding to an
identification of the identified person during the teleconference,
a device associated with the identified person is contacted during
the teleconference. A response related to the audio record is
received from the device. Thus, the illustrative embodiments
provide for a method of automatically identifying and then
notifying an identified person.
[0030] In the illustrative example shown in FIG. 3, several
attendees are participating in a telephone conference via network
302. Network 302 can be network 102 described in FIG. 1. The
teleconference shown in FIG. 3 can be implemented via a server,
such as server 300. Server 300 can be, for example, server 104 or
server 106 shown in FIG. 1.
[0031] In this illustrative example, attendee 304 is participating
in the teleconference via communication device 306, attendee 308 is
attending the teleconference via communication device 310, and
attendee 312 is attending the teleconference via communication
device 314. During the teleconference, the name or other
identification of identified person 316 is spoken aloud. Other
identification can be an employee identification number, social
security number, or any other form of identification.
Alternatively, the name or identification of identified person 316,
can be input via any one of communication device 306, communication
device 310, or communication device 314, and thence communicated
via network 302 to server 300.
[0032] In this particular illustrative example, the name of
identified person 316 is spoken aloud. Speech pattern recognition
software executing on server 300, which is monitoring the
teleconference, recognizes the name of identified person 316. As a
result, server 300 contacts communication device 318, which is
associated with identified person 316.
[0033] A communication device is associated with identified person
316 if that communication device is assigned to identified person
316, is owned by identified person 316, or is otherwise associated
with or used by identified person 316. Communication device 318 can
take many forms. For example, communication device 318 can be a
data processing system executing an instant messaging system.
Similarly, communication device 318 can be a data processing system
executing an email program. In this case, the notification takes
the form of an email. Communication device 318 can also be a mobile
communication device, such as a cell phone or other mobile
communication device. In this case, the notification can take the
form of a text message, or an actual phone call with an audio
recording informing identified person 316 that identified person
316 is desired or required in the teleconference.
[0034] At this point, identified person 316 can respond to the
notification in many ways. In an illustrative example,
communication device 318 is a mobile phone. In this case,
identified person 316 can dial into network 302 in order to join
the teleconference. The phone number associated with the
teleconference can be transmitted via the recorded phone message
sent to identified person 316, the text message, the email, or the
instant message sent to identified person 316.
[0035] In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention,
identified person 316 can respond by sending an email, instant
message, text message, or voice message to server 300. Server 300
can then forward the response to any one or all of the attendees,
or possibly to a third party. In this case, the response can take
many different formats, such as an indication that identified
person 316 will attend shortly, will not attend the meeting, or
will be able to attend late. Additionally, the response can
possibly take the form of more complex communications, such as
instructions regarding a particular project, answers to questions
posed by any one of attendee 304, attendee 308, or attendee 312, or
possibly other messages. In an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention, identified person 316 can respond to the
notification by pressing a button on communication device 318 in
order to send a tone to server 300. Server 300 can recognize
different tones as corresponding to different responses. For
example, tones can be provided for indicating that the identified
person will join shortly, that the identified person cannot attend,
that the identified person will be late, or possibly other
predetermined responses.
[0036] The illustrative process described with respect to FIG. 3
can be further modified. For example, if the name of identified
person 316 is mentioned more than a predetermined number of times,
then the notification system may try to contact the member via
different methods in a particular priority. For example, server 300
could first attempt to contact identified person 316 via instant
message and, failing that, attempt to contact identified person 316
via email and, failing that, attempt to communication with person
316 via a text message and, failing that, attempt to communicate
with identified person 316 via a phone call to a mobile
communication device associated with identified person 316. The
order of these attempts can be varied. Server 300 can also attempt
to communicate with identified person 316 via different methods,
possibly in a predetermined priority as soon as the name of
identified person 316, or other identification, is mentioned or
input.
[0037] In another illustrative embodiment, tagging information can
be added to a recording of the teleconference such that the
teleconference can be integrated and converted into a podcast.
Thus, the illustrative embodiments of the present invention can be
used to convert the audio recording of the teleconference into
data, save the data, and then transmit the data to a mobile
communication device or other data processing system associated
with identified person 316. In this case, identified person 316 can
use communication device 318 to listen to the teleconference in
real time, whether or not identified person 316 can respond or
communicate with the other attendees of the teleconference.
[0038] Additional tags or tagging information can be used to
activate the illustrative embodiments of the present invention;
that is, to specify whether or when an identified person will be
contacted. For example, if the tag, tag name, or other identifier
is not spoken aloud during the teleconference, then mention of the
name or other identifier of the identified person will not result
in that identified person being contacted. However, if the tag is
spoken out loud, then the pattern recognition software will
recognize the tag has been spoken. As a result, the feature of
contacting the identified person (or possibly multiple identified
persons) will be activated. In this manner, accidental notification
of an identified person can be avoided, if not desired.
[0039] Similarly, server 300 can use the speech pattern recognition
software to convert an audio recording of the teleconference into
text format. The transcribed teleconference can then be transmitted
to communication device 318 of identified person 316.
[0040] In another illustrative embodiment, pattern recognition
software on server 300 can be triggered to execute based on a rules
mechanism. For example any one of attendee 304, attendee 308, or
attendee 312 could send a message to server 300 to cause server 300
to begin speech pattern recognition. Alternatively, identified
person 316 can independently cause server 300 to begin speech
pattern recognition on predetermined or known teleconferences. Note
that server 300 stores or has access to contact information for
identified person 316.
[0041] The illustrative embodiments can also be expanded to include
multiple identified persons. In addition, the illustrative
embodiments of the present invention can be expanded to allow
different access rights of different identified persons based on
the identity of those identified persons, based upon predetermined
rules, or based upon rules specified by any one of attendee 304,
attendee 308, or attendee 312.
[0042] Thus, the illustrative embodiments shown in FIG. 3 provide
for a method where individuals who are not on a teleconference, but
wish to participate in the teleconference, can contribute to a
teleconference or otherwise monitor a teleconference. In
particular, a user can be notified if the user's name is mentioned
or input during a teleconference, or possibly during a face-to-face
meeting that is monitored by server 300.
[0043] In an illustrative example, an identified person who wishes
to keep track of one or more teleconferences can subscribe to a
service. Based on this subscription, an alert can be sent to the
identified person when the name or identification of the
identification is mentioned or input during the one or more
teleconferences.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for contacting an
identified person during a teleconference, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The process shown
in FIG. 4 can be implemented in a data processing system, such as
server 102 or server 104, or client 110, client 112, or client 114
shown in FIG. 1, or data processing system 200 shown in FIG. 2. The
process shown in FIG. 4 can be implemented using the devices
described with respect to FIG. 3. In particular, the process shown
in FIG. 4 can be implemented using a server, such as server 300 in
FIG. 3, which monitors a teleconference.
[0045] The process begins as a server executes pattern recognition
software on voices during a teleconference (step 400). The pattern
recognition software executing on the server then determines
whether an identification of an identified person has been made
(step 402). As described above, an identified person is an
individual that may be interested in the teleconference, may be a
desired participant of the teleconference, may be a desired monitor
of the teleconference, or may be required at the
teleconference.
[0046] If identification of the identified person has not been
made, (a no determination to step 402), then the process returns to
step 400 and repeats. Otherwise, (a yes determination to step 402),
the process possibly splits along two different paths. Along one
path, the process possibly proceeds to step 412, possibly in
parallel with step 404. In any case, the server contacts a
communication device of the identified person (step 404).
[0047] The server then determines whether the identified person
responds (step 406). If the identified person does not respond, (a
no determination to step 406), then the server determines whether
communication options have been exhausted (step 408). Communication
options are considered exhausted when all methods of communicating
with the identified person have been tried and failed. If the
communication options have not been exhausted, (a no determination
to step 408), then the process returns to step 404 and repeats.
Otherwise, (a yes determination to step 408), or in response to a
yes determination at step 406, the server conveys a response to one
or more attendees of the teleconference (step 410).
[0048] The server then determines whether to store or transmit the
teleconference (step 412). This step can also occur simultaneously
after identification of the identified person has been made. In
this way, the identified person will not miss out on portions of
the teleconference that occur while server 300 is attempting to
contact the identified person.
[0049] If the server is to store or transmit the teleconference, (a
yes determination to step 412), then the server stores a recording
or transcription of the teleconference and transmits recording or
transcription to the identified person (step 414). The process then
terminates. The process also terminates if the server is not to
store and transmit the teleconference, (a no determination to step
412).
[0050] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for contacting an
identified person during a teleconference, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The process shown
in FIG. 5 can be implemented in a data processing system such as
server 102 or server 104, or client 110, client 112, or client 114
shown in FIG. 1, or data processing system 200 shown in FIG. 2. The
process shown in FIG. 5 can be implemented using the devices
described with respect to FIG. 3. In particular, the process shown
in FIG. 5 can be implemented using a server, such as server 300 in
FIG. 3, which monitors a teleconference.
[0051] The process begins as the server receives data corresponding
to an audio record of the teleconference (step 500). The server
then performs pattern recognition on the data (step 502). The
server then determines whether recognition is made in the data of a
pattern corresponding to an identified person (step 504).
[0052] In the case of a no determination to step 504, the server
continues to monitor the teleconference (step 506). The process
then returns to step 500 and repeats.
[0053] In response to a yes determination at step 504, that is, a
pattern corresponding to an identified person is recognized in the
data, the server contacts a device associated with the identified
person (step 508). The server then receives a response from the
device (step 510). The response is related to the audio record. The
term "related to the audio record" means that the response is in
some way concerned with the subject matter presented in the audio
record, or is in some way concerned with the audio record's
existence or with the computer file or files that makes up audio.
In any case, the server conveys the response to a second device
associated with at least one other attendee of the teleconference
(step 512). The term "second device" means a device that is
different than the first device. A second device may be associated
with the at least one other attendee, in the same manner that the
first device is associated with the identified person. However, in
another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a second
device may be associated with a person who is not participating in,
or involved with, the teleconference. Thus, the entire process of
recognizing an identified person, contacting the identified person,
receiving a response, and conveying the response to a second person
could all take place without the knowledge of one or more
conference attendees. This feature would be useful, for example, in
the embodiment of a customer service call in which a customer
mentions a term such as "manager." In this case, the server
recognizes that the term "manager" has been spoken. The server then
informs a manager that his or her attention is required on the
call, but without informing the customer service representative,
the customer, or both that the manager has been notified.
[0054] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the
response can be a message recorded prior to initiation of the
teleconference. This embodiment allows a user who expects to be
mentioned during the teleconference to provide a pre-recorded
message to be played upon mention of the identified person's, or
upon the mention of some other pre-determined passcode or
identification phrase. In this case, and the identified person need
not join the teleconference. In contrast, in an other illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, contacting, receiving, and
conveying are all performed during the teleconference.
[0055] Returning to FIG. 5, the server then records the
teleconference (step 514). Additionally, the server saves the
teleconference (step 516), and then replays the teleconference as a
podcast on the device associated with the identified person (step
518). The process terminates thereafter.
[0056] The illustrative embodiments of the present invention
provide for a computer-implemented method, computer program
product, and data processing system for notifying an identified
person of a teleconference. Data corresponding to an audio record
of the teleconference is received. Pattern recognition is performed
on the data. Responsive to recognizing in the data a pattern or tag
words corresponding to an identification of the identified person,
a device associated with the identified person is contacted.
[0057] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented
entirely in hardware, entirely in software or using a combination
of both hardware and software elements. In one embodiment, the
invention is implemented in software, including but not being
limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, or the like.
[0058] Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer
program product accessible from a computer usable or computer
readable storage medium providing program code for use by or in
connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For
the purposes of this description, a computer usable or computer
readable storage medium is any physical apparatus that stores the
program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution
system, apparatus, or device. The computer usable or computer
readable storage medium excludes a propagation medium, such as a
signal or carrier wave.
[0059] The computer usable or computer readable storage medium is,
for example, an electronic, magnetic, optical, or semiconductor
system (or apparatus or device). Examples of a computer usable or
computer readable storage medium include a semiconductor or solid
state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a
random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid
magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical
disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact
disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.
[0060] A data processing system suitable for storing and/or
executing program code will include at least one processor coupled
directly or indirectly to memory elements through a communication
medium (e.g., a system bus). The memory elements can include local
memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk
storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at
least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code
must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution.
[0061] Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to
keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the
system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.
[0062] Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable
the data processing system to become coupled to other data
processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through
intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modems, and
Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of
network adapters.
[0063] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to be exhaustive or limited to the invention embodiments in the
form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen
and described in order to explain the principles of the invention,
the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill
in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
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