U.S. patent application number 14/053533 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-17 for initiating schedule management via radio frequency beacons.
This patent application is currently assigned to Crestron Electronics, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Crestron Electronics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Fred Bargetzi, Brian Donlan, Daniel Jackson.
Application Number | 20140108084 14/053533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62783821 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140108084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bargetzi; Fred ; et
al. |
April 17, 2014 |
Initiating Schedule Management Via Radio Frequency Beacons
Abstract
A portable electronic device receives broadcasts from one or
more RF beacons to determine a location of a user and communicates
with a scheduling server to manage the schedule of a conference
room. The portable electronic device receives an address and an
application identifier from each RF beacon and opens a scheduling
application in response. The portable electronic device then
communicates with a scheduling server to receive the schedule of
the location determined from the beacon broadcasts. The user may
reserve the location and set a number of presets through the
scheduling application. Updates to the schedule are communicated to
the scheduling server from the portable electronic device.
Inventors: |
Bargetzi; Fred; (Upper
Saddle River, NJ) ; Jackson; Daniel; (Valhalla,
NY) ; Donlan; Brian; (Edgewater, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Crestron Electronics, Inc. |
Rockleigh |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Crestron Electronics, Inc.
Rockleigh
NJ
|
Family ID: |
62783821 |
Appl. No.: |
14/053533 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14019340 |
Sep 5, 2013 |
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14053533 |
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61713052 |
Oct 12, 2012 |
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61857777 |
Jul 24, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 63/105 20130101;
H04L 63/20 20130101; H04M 3/565 20130101; H04L 12/1827 20130101;
H04L 12/1813 20130101; H04N 2007/145 20130101; H04W 4/023 20130101;
H04M 7/0027 20130101; H04W 88/02 20130101; H04W 4/06 20130101; G01S
5/14 20130101; H04W 4/80 20180201; G06F 3/04845 20130101; G06F
3/1454 20130101; G09G 2370/12 20130101; H04L 63/08 20130101; G06Q
10/1095 20130101; H04L 12/1822 20130101; H04B 7/155 20130101; H04N
7/147 20130101; H04M 3/567 20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101; H04L
63/102 20130101; G06K 9/6202 20130101; G09G 2370/16 20130101; H04N
7/155 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/7.19 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/10 20060101
G06Q010/10 |
Claims
1. A system for accessing a schedule of a location: (a) one or more
RF beacons configured for periodically broadcasting an application
identifier and a beacon ID; and (b) a portable electronic device
identified by a user ID and comprising a first network interface
configured for enabling communication between the portable
electronic device and the one or more RF beacons, a second network
interface configured for enabling communication between the
portable electronic device and a scheduling server, a display, a
memory encoding one or more processor-executable instructions and a
processor configured to load the one or more processor-executable
instructions when encoded from the memory wherein the one or more
processor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor,
cause acts to be performed comprising (i) receiving from at least
one of the one or more RF beacons a beacon ID and the application
identifier via the first network interface of the portable
electronic device, (ii) opening a scheduling application associated
with the application identifier, (iii) estimating a distance to the
at least one of the one or more RF beacons according to a detected
signal strength of the RF beacon broadcast, (iv) determining a
location of the portable electronic device based on the distance to
the at least one of the one or more RF beacons, (v) receiving from
a scheduling server, a schedule of the location of the portable
electronic device, and (vi) displaying the schedule of the location
on the display.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the schedule is displayed as one
or more selectable time periods and wherein each of the time
periods comprises a status indicator.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the one or more
processor-executable instructions when executed by the processor
cause acts to be performed further comprising determining an access
level of the user ID.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein the one or more
processor-executable instructions when executed by the processor
cause acts to be performed further comprising: (a) accepting
information detailing a meeting; (b) receiving preset information
of the meeting including a start time and an end time; and (c)
communicating with the scheduling server to update the schedule of
the location.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein the one or more
processor-executable instructions when executed by the processor
cause acts to be performed further comprising: (a) communicating
the user ID of the portable electronic device to the scheduling
server.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein the one or more
processor-executable instructions when executed by the processor
cause acts to be performed further comprising: (a) accepting
information defining a meeting type, the meeting type being
associated with preset resources.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the one or more
processor-executable instructions when executed by the processor
cause acts to be performed further comprising: (a) accepting
information defining one or more settings for the preset
resource.
8. The system of claim 6 wherein the one or more
processor-executable instructions when executed by the processor
cause acts to be performed further comprising: (a) sending at least
one command to control the preset resource in response to the start
time and the end time.
9. The system of claim 6 wherein the one or more
processor-executable instructions when executed by the processor
cause acts to be performed further comprising: (a) receiving an
input selecting one or more of the selectable time periods; (b)
displaying a menu comprising one or more selectable operational
icons; (c) receiving an input selecting one of the one or more
selectable operational icons; and (d) sending at least one command
to control a preset resource in response to receiving the input
selecting one of the one or more selectable operational icons.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the one or more operational icons
comprise a start meeting icon and a stop meeting icon.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the one or more operational icons
comprises a start recording icon and a stop recording icon and the
preset resource is a presentation capture device.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the one or more RF
beacons is configured for periodically transmitting the beacon ID
and the application identifier according to Bluetooth 4.0 low
energy protocols.
13. A system for accessing a schedule of a location: (a) three or
more RF beacons each configured for periodically broadcasting an
application identifier, a beacon ID and a scheduling server ID; and
(b) a portable electronic device identified by a user ID and
comprising a first network interface configured for enabling
communication between the portable electronic device and the one or
more RF beacons, a second network interface configured for enabling
communication between the portable electronic device and a
scheduling server, a display, a memory encoding one or more
processor-executable instructions and a processor configured to
load the one or more processor-executable instructions when encoded
from the memory wherein the one or more processor-executable
instructions, when executed by the processor, cause acts to be
performed comprising (i) receiving from at least three of the three
or more RF beacons, the beacon ID of each of the at least three RF
beacons and the application identifier via the first network
interface of the portable electronic device, (ii) opening a
scheduling application associated with the application identifier,
(iii) estimating a first distance, a second distance and a third
distance to three of the three or more RF beacons according to a
detected signal strength of the RF beacon, (iv) determining a
location of the portable electronic device based on the first
distance, second distance and third distance via trilateration, (v)
receiving from a scheduling server a schedule of the location
associated with the location of the portable electronic device,
(vi) displaying the schedule on the display as one or more
selectable time periods and wherein each of the time periods
comprises a status indicator, (vii) receiving an input selecting
one or more of the selectable time periods, (viii) displaying a
menu comprising one or more selectable operational icons, (ix)
receiving an input selecting one of the one or more selectable
operational icons, and (x) sending at least one command to control
a preset resource in response to receiving the input selecting one
of the one or more selectable operational icons.
14. A method for managing a schedule of a location comprising the
steps of: (a) providing one or more RF beacons, each of the one or
more RF beacons configured for periodically broadcasting an
application identifier and a beacon ID; (b) receiving at a portable
electronic device from each of one or more RF beacons a beacon ID
and an application identifier via a first network interface of the
portable electronic device; (c) opening a scheduling application
associated with the application identifier on the portable
electronic device; (d) estimating a distance to the at least one of
the one or more RF beacons according to a detected signal strength
of the RF beacon; (e) determining a location of the portable
electronic device based on the distance to the at least one of the
one or more RF beacons; (f) establishing communication with a
scheduling server storing the schedule of the location; (g)
transmitting the location and a user ID of the portable electronic
device to the scheduling server; (h) receiving from a scheduling
server the schedule of the location; and (i) displaying on the
display the schedule of the location.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of
determining whether a user of the portable electronic device may
access the schedule of the location according to the user ID.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the schedule comprises one or
more selectable time periods further comprising the steps of: (a)
receiving a user input selecting one or more time periods; and (b)
displaying information associated with meeting type if the location
is reserved during the selected time periods.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of: (a)
displaying a start meeting icon as a selectable icon; (b) receiving
a user input selecting the start meeting icon; and (c) sending at
least one command to control a preset resource in response to the
selection of the start meeting icon.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the meeting type is a video call
and the at least one command comprises a command to control a video
source.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of: (a)
displaying a start recording icon as a selectable icon; (b)
receiving a user input selecting the start recording icon; and (c)
sending at least one command to control a presentation capture
device in response to the selection of the start recording
icon.
20. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of: (a)
displaying a reservation content page if the location is vacant;
and (b) accepting information defining a start time and an end time
of a meeting.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of updating
the schedule by communicating the start time and the end time to a
scheduling server.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of
associating the user ID of the portable electronic device with the
meeting.
23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of accepting
information defining a meeting type, the meeting type being
associated with a preset resource.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of sending
at least one command to control the preset resource in response to
the start time and the end time.
25. The method of the claim 22 further comprising the step of
accepting information defining one or more settings of the preset
resource.
26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of sending
at least one command to control the preset resource in response to
the one or more settings.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of accepting
information defining shared documentation comprising a file
location.
28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of sending
at least one command to display the shared documentation in
response to the start time and the end time.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to control networks and more
specifically to control networks leveraging RF communication
standards such as near field communication standards and Bluetooth
4.0 standards.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] In large corporate buildings or similar facilities, there
may be hundreds or even thousands of conference rooms of various
types. It may become burdensome to find and book a room with
appropriate availability and resources. Currently, buildings may
have dedicated touchpanels which provide local access to a
scheduling server. For example, outside of a conference room, a
TPMC-4SM touchpanel available from Crestron Electronics, Inc. of
Rockleigh, N.J. may provide local access to a server running
scheduling software such as Fusion RV, also available from Crestron
Electronics, Inc.
[0005] However, these dedicated touchpanels may be too robust an
option for certain conference rooms. Often touchpanels require
expensive installation and sophisticated processors and users may
not desire to install a dedicated access point at each conference
or they may not desire to install a dedicated access point with
such options at each conference room. Users desire an alternative
method for accessing a scheduling server to monitor and control
rooms.
[0006] In addition to conference rooms, corporate facilities are
increasingly presenting hoteling options to their employees.
Increasingly employees are working from remote locations, either
due to personal preference or job requirements. Corporate
facilities may provide work stations in corporate offices to be
booked for temporary periods of time by visiting hoteling
employees. Hoteling employees may wish to view the status of a
workstation or to book a workstation. However, it may be
impractical to install touchpanels at each of these workstations.
Users desire a low cost means for employees to view and manage the
schedules of one or more workstations in a facility.
[0007] The ever-expanding reach of smart portable devices has
recently extended to building automation. Smart phones and tablets
are increasingly providing convenient and varied control options
for residential and commercial buildings. While the introduction of
smart portable devices to home automation has had a noticeable
positive impact, existing systems do not fully leverage the
capabilities of current generation smart phones and tablets. One
such capability is short range communication technologies such as
near field communication (NFC) or Bluetooth 4.0.
[0008] NFC is a set of standards for short-range wireless
communication technology that employs magnetic field induction to
enable communication between electronic devices in close proximity.
The technology allows an NFC-enabled device to communicate with
another NFC-enabled device or to retrieve information from an NFC
tag. This enables users to perform intuitive, safe, contactless
transactions, access digital content and connect electronic devices
simply by touching or bringing devices into close proximity.
[0009] NFC operates in the standard unlicensed 13.56 MHz frequency
band over a range of around 2-4 cm and offers data rates in the
range of at least 106 kbits/s to 424 kbit/s. NFC standards cover
communication protocols and data exchange formats and are based on
existing radio frequency identification (RFID) standards. The
standards include ISO/IEC 18092 and those defined by the NFC Forum,
a non-profit industry organization which promotes NFC and certifies
device compliance
[0010] There are two modes of operation covered by the NFC
standards: active and passive. In active mode, both communicating
devices are capable of transmitting data. Each device generates
alternately generates and deactivates their own electromagnetic
field to transmit and receive data.
[0011] In passive mode, only one device, the initiator devices,
generates a electromagnetic field, while the target device,
typically an NFC tag, modulates the electromagnetic field to
transfer data. The NFC protocol specifies that the initiating
device is responsible for generating the electromagnetic field. In
this mode, the target device may draw its operating power from the
initiator-provided electromagnetic field.
[0012] Bluetooth is a set of specifications for common short range
wireless applications. They are written, tested & maintained by
the Bluetooth SIG. Bluetooth 4.0 is the most recent version of
Bluetooth wireless technology. Bluetooth 4.0 introduced low energy
technology to the Bluetooth Core Specification, enabling devices
that can operate for months or even years on coin-cell
batteries.
[0013] Bluetooth 4.0 operates in the same spectrum range (2402-2480
MHz) as previous Bluetooth technology, but uses a different set of
channels. Instead of Bluetooth technology's seventy-nine 1 MHz wide
channels, Bluetooth 4.0 has forty 2 MHz wide channels.
Additionally, Bluetooth low energy technology uses a different
frequency hopping scheme than prior Bluetooth technology. These
improvements make Bluetooth 4.0 ideally suited for discrete data
transfer as opposed to streaming as in previous Bluetooth
technologies.
[0014] There is now a need to fully leverage the short range
communication capabilities of smart portable devices, such as smart
phones and tablets, to provide more robust scheduling systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is to be understood that both the general and detailed
descriptions that follow are exemplary and explanatory only and are
not restrictive of the invention.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0016] Principles of the invention include devices, systems and
methods for managing the schedule of one or more locations.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a
system for accessing a schedule of an area comprising one or more
RF beacons periodically broadcasting an application identifier and
a beacon ID and a portable electronic device. The portable
electronic device is identified by a user ID and comprises a first
network interface configured for enabling communication between the
portable electronic device and the one or more RF beacons, a second
network interface configured for enabling communication between the
portable electronic device and a scheduling server, a display, a
memory encoding one or more processor-executable instructions and a
processor configured to load the one or more processor-executable
instructions when encoded from the memory. The one or more
processor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor,
cause acts to be performed comprising receiving from at least one
of the one or more RF beacons a beacon ID and the application
identifier via the first network interface of the portable
electronic device, opening a scheduling application associated with
the application identifier, estimating a distance to the at least
one of the one or more RF beacons according to a detected signal
strength of the RF beacon, determining a location of the portable
electronic device based on the distance to the at least one of the
one or more RF beacons, receiving from a scheduling server, a
schedule of the location of the portable electronic device and
displaying the schedule of the location on the display.
[0017] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides
a system for accessing a schedule of an area comprising one or more
RF beacons periodically broadcasting an application identifier and
a beacon ID and a portable electronic device. The portable
electronic device is identified by a user ID and comprises a first
network interface configured for enabling communication between the
portable electronic device and the one or more RF beacons, a second
network interface configured for enabling communication between the
portable electronic device and a scheduling server, a display, a
memory encoding one or more processor-executable instructions and a
processor configured to load the one or more processor-executable
instructions when encoded from the memory. The one or more
processor-executable instructions, when executed by the processor,
cause acts to be performed comprising receiving from at least three
of the three or more RF beacons, the beacon ID of each of the at
least three RF beacons and the application identifier via the first
network interface of the portable electronic device, opening a
scheduling application associated with the application identifier,
estimating a first distance, a second distance and a third distance
to three of the three or more RF beacons according to a detected
signal strength of the RF beacon, determining a location of the
portable electronic device based on the first distance, second
distance and third distance via trilateration, receiving from a
scheduling server a schedule of the location associated with the
location of the portable electronic device, displaying the schedule
on the display as one or more selectable time periods and wherein
each of the time periods comprises a status indicator, receiving an
input selecting one or more of the selectable time periods,
displaying a menu comprising one or more selectable operational
icons, receiving an input selecting one of the one or more
selectable operational icons and sending at least one command to
control a preset resource in response to receiving the input
selecting one of the one or more selectable operational icons.
[0018] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides
a method for managing a schedule of an area. The method includes
the steps of providing one or more RF beacons, each of the one or
more RF beacons configured for periodically broadcasting an
application identifier and a beacon ID, receiving at a portable
electronic device from each of one or more RF beacons a beacon ID
and an application identifier via a first network interface of the
portable electronic device, opening a scheduling application
associated with the application identifier on the portable
electronic device, estimating a distance to the at least one of the
one or more RF beacons according to a detected signal strength of
the RF beacon, determining a location of the portable electronic
device based on the distance to the at least one of the one or more
RF beacons, establishing communication with a scheduling server
storing the schedule of the location, transmitting the location and
a user ID of the portable electronic device to the scheduling
server, receiving from a scheduling server the schedule of the
location and displaying on the display the schedule of the
location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying figures further illustrate the present
invention.
[0020] The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to
scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the
principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like
reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the
several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for managing a conference room
schedule in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the portable electronic device
of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a near field communication tag
employed in the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a plurality of
software engines and data storage areas for a scheduling
application in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram depicting a main screen page
500 of the scheduling application for a system of managing a
conference room schedule, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram depicting a preferences page
of the scheduling application for a system of managing a conference
room schedule, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram depicting a schedule page of
the scheduling application for a system of managing a conference
room schedule, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting an information
pop-up screen of the scheduling application for non-meeting
organizers, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram depicting an information
pop-up screen of the scheduling application for meeting organizers,
in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram depicting general information
scheduling tab of the scheduling application, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram depicting a presets tab of
the scheduling application for a discussion, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram depicting a presets tab of
the scheduling application for a presentation, in accordance with
an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram depicting a presets tab of
the scheduling application for an audio call, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0034] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram depicting a presets tab of
the scheduling application for a video call, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram depicting a presets tab of
the scheduling application for an audio and video call, in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram depicting a people tab of the
scheduling application, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing steps for performing a method
of accessing a conference room schedule, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system for
managing a conference room schedule via communication with an RF
beacon, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0039] FIG. 19 shows a schematic of a facility with a plurality of
rooms, each comprising an RF beacon, according to an illustrative
embodiment of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing steps for performing a method
managing a conference room schedule via communication with an RF
beacon, according to an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0041] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing steps for performing a method
for managing a conference room schedule via communication with an
RF beacon, according to an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0042] FIG. 22A is a portion of a flowchart showing steps for
performing a method of accessing a conference room schedule, in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0043] FIG. 22B is a portion of flowchart showing steps for
performing a method of accessing a conference room schedule, in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0044] FIG. 23A is a portion of a flowchart showing steps for
performing a method of accessing a conference room schedule, in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
[0045] FIG. 23B is a portion of a flowchart showing steps for
performing a method of accessing a conference room schedule, in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS FOR THE MAJOR ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWING
[0046] The following is a list of the major elements in the
drawings in numerical order. [0047] 11 near field communication
(NFC) tag [0048] 13 portable electronic device [0049] 15 scheduling
server [0050] 18 radio frequency (RF) beacon (collectively the RF
beacons of 18a . . . 18n) [0051] 20 scheduling application [0052]
40 AV control processor [0053] 100 system [0054] 101 conference
room [0055] 102 conference room device [0056] 103 command [0057]
104 communication network [0058] 105 preset resources [0059] 106
preset parameter [0060] 107 preset information [0061] 108
conference type [0062] 111 NFC communication channel [0063] 113
application identifier [0064] 115 area address [0065] 131 central
processing unit [0066] 132 main memory [0067] 133 nonvolatile
storage [0068] 134 display [0069] 135 user interface [0070] 136
location sensing circuitry [0071] 137 wired i/o interface [0072]
138 network interface [0073] 138a personal area network interface
[0074] 138b local area network interface [0075] 138c wide area
network interface [0076] 139 near field communication interface
[0077] 140 camera [0078] 141 accelerometers [0079] 181 first
distance [0080] 182 second distance [0081] 183 third distance
[0082] 185 beacon ID [0083] 202 availability data storage area
[0084] 204 resource data storage area [0085] 206 presentation
engine [0086] 208 user registration engine [0087] 210 preset
association engine [0088] 212 availability data engine [0089] 214
user preference engine [0090] 216 access engine [0091] 218 user
preference data storage area [0092] 220 access data storage area
[0093] 401 telephone [0094] 402 projector [0095] 403 projector
screen [0096] 404 television [0097] 405 computer [0098] 406 audio
system devices [0099] 407 DVD/DVR [0100] 408 CD player [0101] 409
camera [0102] 410 VCR [0103] 411 touchpanel [0104] 412 presentation
capture device [0105] 413 lighting system device [0106] 414
blinds/shades [0107] 415 HVAC device [0108] 416 security device
[0109] 417 sensor device [0110] 500 main screen page [0111] 501
preferences icon [0112] 502 access room icon [0113] 503 search icon
[0114] 600 preferences page [0115] 601 lighting level preference
menu [0116] 602 HVAC preference menu [0117] 603 email notification
preference menu [0118] 700 schedule page [0119] 701 schedule [0120]
702 add meeting button [0121] 703 main menu button [0122] 704
meeting icon [0123] 705 vacant icon [0124] 800 information pop-up
screen [0125] 801 room information [0126] 802 time information
[0127] 803 organizer information [0128] 804 subject information
[0129] 805 attendee information [0130] 901 start meeting selectable
icon [0131] 902 stop meeting selectable icon [0132] 903 start
record selectable icon [0133] 904 pause record selectable icon
[0134] 905 stop record selectable icon [0135] 1000 scheduling
sub-menu [0136] 1001 general information tab [0137] 1002 subject
[0138] 1003 location [0139] 1004 date [0140] 1005 start time [0141]
1006 end time [0142] 1007 recurrence [0143] 1100 presets tab [0144]
1101 meeting type [0145] 1102 discussion [0146] 1103 presentation
[0147] 1104 audio call [0148] 1105 video call [0149] 1106 audio and
video call [0150] 1107 welcome message [0151] 1108 image source
[0152] 1201 shared document [0153] 1301 phone number [0154] 1302
pass code [0155] 1401 video code [0156] 1600 people tab [0157] 1601
required users [0158] 1602 optional users [0159] 1701 (step of)
positioning portable electronic device within range of NFC tag
[0160] 1702 (step of) reading information on NFC tag [0161] 1703
(step of) loading scheduling application according to application
identifier [0162] 1704 (step of) communicating with scheduling
server according to URL [0163] 1705 (step of) displaying calendar
for conference room [0164] 1706 (step of) receiving one or more
inputs for reserving conference room [0165] 1707 (step of)
displaying one or more preset parameters [0166] 1708 (step of)
receiving preset information detailing a meeting [0167] 2201 (step
of) positioning portable electronic device within range of NFC tag
[0168] 2202 (step of) reading information on NFC tag [0169] 2203
(step of) loading scheduling application according to application
identifier [0170] 2204 (step of) communicating with scheduling
server according to URL [0171] 2205 (step of) checking access of
user ID associated with scheduling application [0172] 2206 (step
of) displaying error page [0173] 2207 (step of) displaying view
only schedule [0174] 2208 (step of) displaying schedule for
conference room with selectable icons [0175] 2209 (step of)
receiving input selecting a meeting [0176] 2210 (step of)
displaying pop-up menu with information [0177] 2211 (step of)
displaying one or more selectable icons for starting and stopping
meeting [0178] 2212 (step of) receiving selection of start icon
[0179] 2213 (step of) transmitting one or more control commands in
response to reception [0180] 2214 (step of) receiving selection of
stop icon [0181] 2215 (step of) transmitting one or more control
commands in response to reception [0182] 2216 (step of) displaying
one or more selectable icons for starting and stopping recording
[0183] 2217 (step of) receiving selection of start record icon
[0184] 2218 (step of) transmitting one or more control commands in
response to reception [0185] 2219 (step of) receiving selection of
stop record icon [0186] 2220 (step of) transmitting one or more
control commands in response to reception [0187] 2301 (step of)
positioning portable electronic device within range of RF beacon
[0188] 2302 (step of) receiving information from RF beacon [0189]
2303 (step of) loading scheduling application according to
application identifier [0190] 2304 (step of) estimating distance to
RF beacon [0191] 2305 (step of) determining location [0192] 2306
(step of) communicating with scheduling server according to URL
[0193] 2307 (step of) checking access of user ID associated with
scheduling application [0194] 2308 (step of) displaying error page
[0195] 2309 (step of) displaying view only schedule [0196] 2310
(step of) displaying schedule for conference room with selectable
icons [0197] 2311 (step of) receiving input selecting a meeting
[0198] 2312 (step of) displaying pop-up menu with information
[0199] 2313 (step of) displaying one or more selectable icons for
starting and stopping meeting [0200] 2314 (step of) receiving
selection of start icon [0201] 2315 (step of) transmitting one or
more control commands in response to reception [0202] 2316 (step
of) receiving selection of stop icon [0203] 2217 (step of)
transmitting one or more control commands in response to reception
[0204] 2218 (step of) displaying one or more selectable icons for
starting and stopping recording [0205] 2219 (step of) receiving
selection of start record icon [0206] 2220 (step of) transmitting
one or more control commands in response to reception [0207] 2221
(step of) receiving selection of stop record icon [0208] 2222 (step
of) transmitting one or more control commands in response to
reception
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0209] The present invention provides a system for leveraging short
range communication technologies such as near field communications
and Bluetooth 4.0 to manage the schedule of one or more areas in a
facility, such as conference rooms in a corporate facility. A
portable electronic device, such as a smart phone, communicates
with an identification unit, such as NFC tag or one or more RF
beacons, located in or near a conference room. The portable
electronic device may read an application identifier and a room
address or area address from the identification unit. The room
address may be a uniform resource locator (URL) for a scheduling
server. The application identifier identifies a scheduling
application to open on the portable electronic device. The
scheduling application then employs the URL to communicate with the
scheduling server. Upon accessing the scheduling server, the user
may manage the conference room schedule by viewing the schedule for
the conference room, reserving the conference room for a period of
time, reserving resources, preconfiguring room and resource
settings, starting a meeting, ending a meeting, sharing
documentation and viewing resources for the conference room among
other things.
[0210] While the current invention is described as being
implemented for managing the schedule of one or more conference
rooms in a commercial facility it is not limited to such an
implementation. The present invention may be employed to reserve
any area or asset in which a common schedule is maintained. For
example, one or more assets or areas in a commercial, residential,
retail, or non-profit structure. For example, the present invention
may be used to manage the schedule of a workstation for a hoteling
employee.
[0211] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a system for
managing a conference room schedule in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It should be
noted that the exemplary embodiment of system 100 illustrated in
FIG. 1 may be varied in one or more aspects without departing from
the spirit and scope of the teachings disclosed herein.
[0212] The system 100 includes a portable electronic device 13. The
portable electronic device 13 may be a smart phone, tablet, remote
control, personal digital assistant or any other electronic device
configured for storing a scheduling application 20 and
communicating with other electronic devices via RF communication
protocols. As will be further explained below, the portable
electronic device 13 is configured to receive information via the
identification unit, such as an NFC tag 11, communicate with a
scheduling server 15 and send at least one command 103 to control
preset resources 105 once a conference room 101 with the preset
resources 105 is reserved.
[0213] The portable electronic device is associated with a user ID.
The user ID may be a characteristic of the device itself or
assigned to the device, such as a manufacturer ID or a network
address, which is associated with a user. Alternatively, the user
ID may be an ID associated with an account of the user. For
example, the user may register a user ID with a scheduling
application on the portable electronic device.
[0214] For example, the portable electronic device 13 may be a
smart phone running a scheduling application 20 available from
Crestron Electronics, Inc. The scheduling application 20 may be
downloaded and stored in the portable electronic device 13 from an
application marketplace such as the Google Play marketplace, the
iTunes.RTM. application marketplace or other similar
marketplace.
[0215] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the portable electronic
device 13, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention. The portable electronic device 13 may include at least
one central processing unit (CPU) 131. For example, the CPU 131 may
represent one or more microprocessors, and the microprocessors may
be "general purpose" microprocessors, a combination of general and
special purpose microprocessors, or application specific integrated
circuits (ASICs). Additionally or alternatively, the CPU 131 may
include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors,
video processors, or related chip sets. The CPU 131 may provide
processing capability to execute an operating system, run various
applications, and/or provide processing for one or more of the
techniques described herein. Applications that may run on the
portable electronic device 13 may include, for example software for
managing a calendar and software for controlling other electronic
devices via a control network.
[0216] A main memory 132 may be communicably coupled to the CPU
131, which may store data and executable code. The main memory 132
may represent volatile memory such as RAM, but may also include
nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) or Flash memory.
In buffering or caching data related to operations of the CPU 131,
the main memory 132 may store data associated with applications
running on the portable electronic device 13.
[0217] The portable electronic device 13 may also include
nonvolatile storage 133. The nonvolatile storage 133 may represent
any suitable nonvolatile storage medium, such as a hard disk drive
or nonvolatile memory, such as Flash memory. Being well-suited to
long-term storage, the nonvolatile storage 133 may store data files
such as media (e.g., music and video files), software (e.g., for
implementing functions on the portable electronic device 13),
preference information (e.g., room and resource preset
preferences), wireless connection information (e.g., information
that may enable media device to establish a wireless connection
such as a control network connection) and identity information
(information to identify a user) and access information
(information that may enable an individual to access restricted
areas).
[0218] It should be appreciated that data associated with
maintaining, scheduling and initiating a conference schedule may be
saved in the nonvolatile storage. Non-volatile storage includes one
or more software engines operable to enable the maintenance,
management, scheduling, initiating, publication, presentation,
provision and/or other data manipulation capability of resource
availability and reservation information as well as perform other
operations. Depending upon implementation, various aspects of
teachings of the present invention may be implemented in a single
software engine, in a plurality of software engines, in one or more
hardwired components or in a combination of hardwired and software
systems.
[0219] In addition to one or more software engines, non-volatile
storage also includes one or more data storage areas. Data storage
area is operably associated with the main memory and CPU 131. Data
storage area of non-volatile storage may be leveraged to maintain
data concerning the availability of one or more conference rooms or
resources maintained for reservation, descriptive information
concerning the one or more resources maintained for reservation,
preset information, preset parameters, shared documentation, as
well as other information pertinent to the management, maintenance,
scheduling, initiating, publication, presentation and/or provision
of resource availability and reservation information. Data storage
area, or portions thereof, may also be utilized to store myriad
other data.
[0220] Depending upon implementation, non-volatile storage may be
implemented within a portable electronic device 13, in a storage
area network operably coupled to a portable electronic device 13,
and/or in other storage media, including removable media,
compatible with and accessible by portable electronic device 13. In
one embodiment, the one or more software engines and data storage
areas cooperate in the management of the one or more conference
room schedules, according to teachings of the present
invention.
[0221] A display 134 may display images and data for the portable
electronic device 13. It should be appreciated that only certain
embodiments may include the display 134. The display 134 may be any
suitable display 134, such as liquid crystal display (LCD), a light
emitting diode (LED) based display, an organic light emitting diode
(OLED) based display, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, or an
analog or digital television. In some embodiments, the display 134
may function as a touch screen through which a user may interact
with the portable electronic device 13.
[0222] The portable electronic device 13 may further include a user
interface 135. The user interface 135 may represent indicator
lights and user input structures, but may also include a graphical
user interface (GUI) on the display 134. In practice, the user
interface 135 may operate via the CPU 131, using memory from the
main memory and long-term storage in the nonvolatile storage. In an
embodiment lacking the display 134, indicator lights, sound
devices, buttons, and other various input/output (I/O) devices may
allow a user to interface with the portable electronic device 13.
In an embodiment having a GUI, the user interface 135 may provide
interaction with interface elements on the display 134 via certain
user input structures, user input peripherals such as a keyboard or
mouse, or a touch sensitive implementation of the display 134. The
user may interact with the graphic user interface via touch means
on a touch screen, input means via one or more keyboard buttons,
mouse buttons etc, or voice instructions.
[0223] As should be appreciated, one or more applications may be
open and accessible to a user via the user interface 135 and
displayed on the display 134 of the portable electronic device 13.
The applications may run on the CPU 131 in conjunction with the
main memory 132, the nonvolatile storage 133, the display 134, and
the user interface 135. The applications may run on the CPU 131 in
conjunction with the main memory, the nonvolatile storage, the
display, and the user interface. As will be discussed below,
instructions stored in the main memory, the nonvolatile storage, or
the CPU 131 of the portable electronic device 13 may enable a user
to access and manage a schedule for a building. For example, a user
may view and manipulate one or more schedules for a building or
search for an available conference room based on resources and
availability. As such, it should be appreciated that the
instructions for carrying out such techniques on the portable
electronic device 13 may represent a standalone application, a
function of the operating system of the portable electronic device
13, or a function of the hardware of the CPU 131, the main memory,
the nonvolatile storage, or other hardware of the portable
electronic device 13.
[0224] One such application that may be open and accessible to the
user is a scheduling application 20 for enabling access to a
scheduling server 15. For example, the scheduling application 20
may be mobile application based on Fusion RV software available
from Crestron Electronics, Inc. of Rockleigh, N.J. The scheduling
application 20 may provide similar functionality as the Fusion RV
software by enabiling a user to: check the availability of one or
more conference rooms; book one or more conference rooms for a
predefined time either presently or at some future date; search for
a desirable conference room based on availability and resources
such as size, AV equipment, catering, etc., determine the direction
of a desired conference room based on the location of the NFC tag
11; and check-in to a meeting and end a meeting. By checking in and
ending a meeting, actions may be triggered from an accompanying
control system controlling one or more devices and environmental
aspects of the conference room.
[0225] Additionally, because the portable electronic device 13 may
be used to identify a user, the scheduling application 20 may
provide additional functionality. The scheduling software may know
the identity of a user booking a conference room remotely and
update the schedule of the conference room and the user
accordingly. Additionally, a control system in communication with
the scheduling software may alter one or more control settings
based on the user. For example, the scheduling application may
communicate personal settings for the conference room to the
control network. The scheduling application may check user identity
against a database to determine access rights for the user to view
or manage the schedule of an area or resource. A user may have
limited or no access to certain areas or resources based on time of
day, priority, employment level or a myriad of other factors.
[0226] The scheduling application 20, such as Crestron Roomview or
other similar scheduling application 20 may be downloaded from an
application marketplace such as from the Google Play application
marketplace or the Apple iTunes.RTM. application marketplace. The
portable electronic device 13 communicates with a scheduling server
15 to upload and/or download one or more aspects of availability
data associated with a conference room or resource to be maintained
for reservation. Upon opening, the scheduling application 20 may
communicate with a scheduling server 15 to download a project file
of the facility. In another embodiment, the scheduling application
20 may not require a local file for the facility and may be
completely web-based. The project file may comprise information
regarding the facility such as the number and type of conference
rooms, the resources available for each conference room and
information regarding the control system associated with the
conference room, such as information enabling communication with
one or more control processors.
[0227] The scheduling application 20 comprises a series of menu
pages each further comprising selectable elements and graphical
elements. One or more of the menu pages may comprise to a schedule
of a conference room. The portable electronic device 13 transmits
information to the scheduling server 15 according to inputs from
the user. Additionally, the scheduling server 15 may communicate
with the portable electronic device 13, such as by providing
updates to the schedule and providing feedback such as confirmation
notices to the portable electronic device 13.
[0228] In certain embodiments, the portable electronic device 13
may include location sensing circuitry 136. The location sensing
circuitry 136 may represent global positioning system (GPS)
circuitry, but may also represent one or more algorithms and
databases, stored in the nonvolatile storage or main memory and
executed by the CPU 131, which may be used to infer location based
on various observed factors. For example, the location sensing
circuitry may represent an algorithm and database used to
approximate geographic location based on the detection of local
802.11x (Wi-Fi) networks or nearby cellular phone towers.
[0229] The portable electronic device 13 may also include a wired
input/output (I/O) interface 137 for a wired interconnection
between one electronic device and another electronic device. The
wired I/O interface 137 may represent, for example, a universal
serial bus (USB) port or an IEEE 1394 or FireWire.RTM. port, but
may also represent a proprietary connection. Additionally, the
wired I/O 137 interface may permit a connection to user input
peripheral devices, such as a keyboard or a mouse.
[0230] An infrared (IR) interface may enable the portable
electronic device 13 to receive and/or transmit signals with
infrared light. By way of example, the IR interface may comply with
an infrared IrDA specification for data transmission.
Alternatively, the IR interface may function exclusively to receive
control signals or to output control signals. In this way, the
portable electronic device 13 may issue signals to control other
electronic devices that may lack other interfaces for
communication.
[0231] One or more network interfaces 138 may provide additional
connectivity for the portable electronic device 13. The network
interfaces 138 may represent, for example, one or more network
interface cards (NIC) or a network controller. In certain
embodiments, the network interface 138 may include a personal area
network (PAN) interface 138a. The PAN interface 138a may provide
capabilities to network with, for example, a Bluetooth.RTM.
network, an IEEE 802.15.4 (e.g., ZigBee) network, or an ultra
wideband network (UWB). As should be appreciated, the networks
accessed by the PAN interface 138a may, but do not necessarily,
represent low power, low bandwidth, or close range wireless
connections. The PAN interface 138a may permit one electronic
device to connect to another local electronic device via an ad-hoc
or peer-to-peer connection. However, the connection may be
disrupted if the separation between the two electronic devices
exceeds the range of the PAN interface.
[0232] The network interface may also include a local area network
(LAN) interface 138b. The LAN interface 138b may represent an
interface to a wired Ethernet-based network, but may also represent
an interface to a wireless LAN, such as an IEEE 802.11x wireless
network. The range of the LAN interface 138b may generally exceed
the range available via the PAN interface 138a. Additionally, in
many cases, a connection between two electronic devices via the LAN
interface 138b may involve communication through a network router
or other intermediary device.
[0233] For some embodiments of the portable electronic device 13,
the network interfaces 138 may include the capability to connect
directly to a wide area network (WAN) via a WAN interface 138c. The
WAN interface 138c may permit a connection to a cellular data
network, such as the Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE)
network or other 3G network. When connected via the WAN interface
138c, the portable electronic device 13 may remain connected to the
Internet and, in some embodiments, to another electronic device,
despite changes in location that might otherwise disrupt
connectivity via the PAN interface 138a or the LAN interface 138b.
As will be discussed below, the wired I/O interface 137 and the
network interfaces 138 may represent high-bandwidth communication
channels for transferring user data using the simplified data
transfer techniques discussed herein.
[0234] The portable electronic device 13 may also include a near
field communication (NFC) interface 139. The NFC interface 139 may
allow for extremely close range communication at relatively low
data rates (e.g., 464 kb/s), and may comply with such standards as
ISO 18092 or ISO 21521, or it may allow for close range
communication at relatively high data rates (e.g., 560 Mbps), and
may comply with the TransferJet.RTM. protocol. The NFC interface
139 may have a range of approximately 2 to 4 cm. The close range
communication with the NFC interface 139 may take place via
magnetic field induction, allowing the NFC interface 139 to
communicate with other NFC interfaces or to retrieve information
from tags having radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry.
As discussed below, the NFC interface 139 may provide a manner of
initiating or facilitating a transfer of user data from one
electronic device to another electronic device.
[0235] The portable electronic device 13 may also include a camera
140. With the camera 140, the portable electronic device 13 may
obtain digital images or videos. In combination with optical
character recognition (OCR) software, barcode-reading software, or
matrix-code-reading software running on the portable electronic
device 13, the camera 140 may be used to input data from printed
materials having text or barcode information. Such data may include
information indicating how to control another device from a matrix
barcode that may be printed on the other device, as described
below.
[0236] In certain embodiments of the portable electronic device 13,
one or more accelerometers 141 may sense the movement or
orientation of the portable electronic device 13. The
accelerometers 141 may provide input or feedback regarding the
position of the portable electronic device 13 to certain
applications running on the CPU 131.
[0237] The one or more communication interfaces described above
enables communications with a plurality of user communication
devices via communication network. User communication devices which
may be leveraged in accordance with teachings of the present
invention include, without limitation, mobile telephone, personal
digital assistant, computer system, video display/conferencing
system, touch panel, laptop computer as well as other communication
enabled devices.
[0238] Communication network 104 may include one or more gateway
devices (not expressly shown). Other user communication devices may
communicate with the gateway devices of communication network 104
just as portable electronic device 13 communicates with the gateway
devices. In this manner, user communication devices may be in
selective communication with portable electronic device 13 via the
gateway devices and communication network 104.
[0239] The gateways of communication network 104 preferably provide
portable electronic device 13 with an entrance to communication
network 104 and may include software and/or hardware components to
manage traffic entering and exiting communication network 104 and
conversion between the communication protocols used by user
communication devices, portable electronic device 13 and
communication network 104. In certain embodiments, the gateways of
communication network 104 may function as a proxy server and a
firewall server for user communication devices as well as portable
electronic device 13. Further, the gateways may be associated with
a router (not expressly shown) operable to direct a given packet of
data that arrives at a gateway and a switch (not expressly shown)
operable to provide a communication path into and out of each
gateway.
[0240] In one embodiment, communication network 104 may be a public
switched telephone network (PSTN). In alternate embodiments,
communication network 104 may include a cable telephony network, an
IP (Internet Protocol) telephony network, a wireless network, a
hybrid Cable/PSTN network, a hybrid IP/PSTN network, a hybrid
wireless/PSTN network or any other suitable communication network
or combination of communication networks. In addition, other
network embodiments can be deployed with many variations in the
number and type of devices, communication networks, the
communication protocols, system topologies, and myriad other
details without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0241] In one embodiment, user communication devices may include a
variety of forms of equipment connected to communication network
104 and accessible to a user. User communication devices may be,
employ or include telephones (wireline or wireless), dial-up
modems, cable modems, DSL (digital subscriber line) modems, phone
sets, fax equipment, answering machines, set-top boxes,
televisions, POS (point-of-sale) equipment, PBX (private branch
exchange) systems, personal computers, laptop computers, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), SDRs, other nascent technologies, or any
other appropriate type or combination of communication equipment
available to a user. User communication devices may be equipped for
connectivity to communication network via a PSTN, DSLs, cable
network, wireless network, or other communication channel.
[0242] The AV control system processor 40 is connected to various
conference room devices 102 via a wire line or wireless connection.
The conference room devices 102 include various types of
audio/visual equipment 263. For example, audio/visual equipment 263
includes, but is not limited to, cameras 2, VCR 410, audio system
device 406, DVD/DVR 407, telephone 401, projector 402 and projector
screen 403, CD player 408, touch panel 411, one or more local
computers 5, cable television box (not shown), and television 404
such as plasma, liquid crystal display, light-emitting diode flat
panel, and cathode ray tube television.
[0243] The AV control system processor 40 may be a Crestron
3-Series Control system available from Crestron Electronics, Inc.
of Rockleigh, N.J. The Crestron 3-Series Control system provides a
complete integrated AV or automation solution. Every audio, video,
and environmental element of the conference room 101 becomes
integrated and accessible through the AV system processor 40.
[0244] The control system processor is used for, among other
things, controlling and monitoring various devices and
environmental conditions throughout a structure. The control system
may control one or more of the following controllable devices: A/V
devices including but not limited to content sources, content
sinks, video recorders, audio receivers, speakers, and projectors;
lighting devices including but not limited to lamps, ballasts,
light emitting diode (LED) drivers; HVAC devices including but not
limited to thermostats, occupancy sensors, air conditioning units,
heating units, filtration systems, fans, humidifiers; shading
elements including but not limited to motorized window treatments,
dimmable windows; security elements including but not limited to
security cameras, monitors and door locks; household appliances
including but not limited to refrigerators, ovens, blenders,
microwaves; control devices including but not limited to switches,
relays, current limiting devices; and industrial devices including
but not limited to motors, pumps, chillers, and air
compressors.
[0245] One or more network interfaces may provide connectivity for
the AV and control system processors (collectively processors). The
network interface may represent, for example, one or more NICs or a
network controller. In certain embodiments, the network interface
may include a PAN interface. The PAN interface may provide
capabilities to network with, for example, a Bluetooth.RTM.
network, an IEEE 802.15.4 (e.g. Zigbee network), or an ultra
wideband network. As should be appreciated, the networks accessed
by the PAN interface may, but do not necessarily, represent low
power, low bandwidth, or close range wireless connections. The PAN
interface may permit one electronic device to connect to another
local electronic device via an ad-hoc or peer-to-peer connection.
However, the connection may be disrupted if the separation between
the two electronic devices exceeds the range of the PAN
interface.
[0246] The network interface may also include a LAN interface. The
LAN interface may represent an interface to a wired Ethernet-based
network but may also represent an interface to a wireless LAN, such
as an 802.11x wireless network. The range of the LAN interface may
generally exceed the range available via the PAN interface.
Additionally, in many cases, a connection between two electronic
devices via the LAN interface may involve communication through a
network router or other intermediary device.
[0247] Ethernet connectivity enables integration with
IP-controllable devices and allows the processors to be part of a
larger managed control network. Whether residing on a sensitive
corporate LAN, a home network, or accessing the Internet through a
cable modem, the control processor may provide secure, reliable
interconnectivity with IP-enabled devices, such as touch screens,
computers, mobile devices, video displays, Blu-ray Disc.RTM.
players, media servers, security systems, lighting, HVAC, and other
equipment--both locally and globally.
[0248] The processors may also include one or more wired
input/output (I/O) interface for a wired connection between one
electronic device and another electronic device. One or more wired
interfaces may represent a serial port, for example a COM port or a
USB port. Additionally, the wired I/O interface may represent, for
example, a Cresnet port. Cresnet provides a network wiring solution
for Crestron keypads, lighting controls, thermostats, and other
devices that don't require the higher speed of Ethernet. The
Cresnet bus offers wiring and configuration, carrying bidirectional
communication and 24VDC power to each device over a simple
4-conductor cable.
[0249] One or more IR interfaces may enable the processors to
receive and/or transmit signals with infrared light. The IR
interface may comply with an infrared IrDA specification for data
transmission. Alternatively, the IR interface may function
exclusively to receive control signals or to output control
signals. The IR interface may provide a direct connection with one
or more devices such as a centralized AV sources, video displays,
and other devices.
[0250] One or more programmable relay ports may enable the
processors to control window shades, projection screens, lifts,
power controllers, and other contact-closure actuated equipment.
One or more "Versiport" I/O ports may enable the integration of
occupancy sensors, power sensors, door switches, or anything device
that provides a dry contact closure, low-voltage logic, or 0-10
Volt DC signal.
[0251] For some embodiments of the processors, the network
interfaces may include the capability to connect directly to a WAN
via a WAN interface. The WAN interface may permit connection to a
cellular data network, such as the EDGE network or other 3G
network. When connected via the WAN interface, the processors may
remain connected to the Internet and, in some embodiments, to
another electronic device, despite changes in location that might
otherwise disrupt connectivity via the PAN interface or the LAN
interface.
[0252] By leveraging remote access of the processors, a user may
control the devices or environment settings in a building from
anywhere in the world using a portable electronic device 13.
[0253] The portable electronic device 13 communicates with a
scheduling server 15 to upload and/or download one or more aspects
of availability data associated with a resource to be maintained
for reservation. For example, a user may upload or download
information concerning one or more resources from or to one or more
applications maintained by the user on a local computer, personal
digital assistant, or other information handling system as well
from a user maintained network site such as a web-based calendaring
application or another content site. Examples of applications or
utilities from which information may be uploaded or to which
information may be downloaded another, without limitation,
Microsoft Outlook.RTM., Yahoo! Calendar.RTM., Lotus Notes.RTM., as
well as other calendaring applications.
[0254] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an NFC tag employed in the
system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of
the invention. The portable electronic device 13 reads the NFC tag
11 to quickly access the schedule of one or more conference rooms.
The NFC tag 11 encodes an application identifier 113 and an area
address 115, such as a uniform resource locator (URL) for the room.
In an embodiment of the invention, the NFC tag 11 is configured for
being read by an NFC interface in a passive communication mode. In
this mode, the NFC tag 11 draws its operating power from the
electromagnetic field provided by the NFC interface of the
initiator device. Advantageously, the NFC tag 11 does not require a
power supply for operation.
[0255] The NFC tag 11 may be an element of a control point located
in or near the conference room or may be an independent device
disposed on a surface located in or near the conference room. For
example, the control point may provide limited functionality, such
as displaying the status and schedule of the room, while the
portable electronic device 13 provides the interface to access the
scheduling program to manipulate the schedule of the room or to
view and manipulate the schedule of other conference rooms.
[0256] Referring now to FIG. 4, one embodiment of a scheduling
application comprising a collection of software engines and data
storage areas is shown according to teachings of the present
invention. As mentioned above, the number of software engines and
data storage areas may be varied and, as such, the specific
arrangement discussed herein is presented primarily for descriptive
purposes.
[0257] As illustrated in FIG. 4, data storage area of non-volatile
storage may include one or more resource availability data storage
areas 202. Resource availability data storage area 202 includes
data pertaining to times, dates or other information concerning
when a resource may be reserved. In one embodiment, resource
availability data storage area 202 may cooperate with other data
maintained in one or more data storage areas as well as one or more
software engines. Data storage area also includes one or more
resource data storage areas 204.
[0258] Resource data storage area 204 is operable to maintain data
concerning one or more aspects of information regarding a resource
maintained for reservation. In addition, data storage area 204 also
includes, for example, various preset parameters 106, preset
information 107, preset resources 105, and conference type 108. In
general, preset resources 105 are conference room devices 102 such
as video projector 402, CD player 408, touch panel 411, audio 406,
camera 7, DVD/DVR player 407, VCR 410, lighting system device 71,
touch panel 411, blinds/shades 14, HVAC system 72, security system
73, sensor system 74, and local computer 405 (FIG. 1). In general,
preset parameters 106 (e.g., FIG. 3) are information related to the
meeting or conference. For example, preset parameters 106 could
include start and end time of the conference, meeting and event
types discussion, presentation, audio call, video call, audio and
video call, shared documentation, phone number, passcode, and video
number. These preset parameters 106 will be further explained
below. In general, preset information 107 is information from the
preset parameters 106 received from the user. For example, preset
information 107 is the actual time (i.e., 8:30 AM) in response to
the preset parameter 106 of the meeting start time 1005. It should
be understood that preset parameters 106, preset information 107,
preset resources 105, and conference type may include other
data/information that is programmable depending upon the various
aspects of the teachings of the present invention. For example,
images, descriptive information, as well as other information
regarding a resource maintained for reservation may be stored in
resource data storage area. Further, resource data storage area 204
includes information defining relationships between resources, such
as relationship details among preset resources 105, preset
information 107, and preset parameter 106. Additional information
may be maintained in resource data storage area 204 without
departing from the spirit and scope of teachings of the present
disclosure.
[0259] Data storage area also includes one or more user preference
data storage areas 218. User preference data storage area 218 is
operable to maintain data concerning one or more aspects of
information regarding the preferences of the user associated with
the personal electronic device 13. Data storage area may comprise
settings for resources, conference room devices and environmental
controls.
[0260] Data storage area also includes one or more access data
storage areas 220. Resource data storage area 204 is operable to
maintain data concerning one or more aspects of information
regarding the access information of a user associated with the
personal electronic device 13, access information of other users or
access information corresponding to one or more resources. This
information may include one or more databases linking users and
resources with permissions.
[0261] Teachings of the present invention may be implemented or
effected using a variety of components and/or techniques. In an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one or more software
engines may be leveraged in the management of one or more schedules
of conference rooms. As such, according to teachings of the present
invention, one or more software engines preferably associated with
portable electronic device 13 cooperate to achieve and effect
teachings discussed herein.
[0262] As illustrated in FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention may include user registration engine 208. User
registration engine 208 requires or requests a variety of data from
a user during a registration process. For example, requests for
data may include the user's name and password for registration
purposes. In addition to performing such conventional user
registration tasks as requiring or requesting a user to create a
user name and/or password, an embodiment of user registration
engine 208 employed by portable electronic device 13 preferably
requires or requests a registering resource provider to submit
availability data as to one or more resources the resource provider
desires to maintain for reservation. In addition, user registration
engine 208 may also request or require that a resource provider
submit information describing the one or more resources to be
maintained for reservation. Further, user registration engine 208
may request or require that a resource provider set desired access
rights for resource requesters seeking to view the resources
maintained for reservation by the resource provider.
[0263] Various other data may be gathered from a registering user
by a user registration engine 208 incorporating teachings of the
present invention. It should be noted that user registration engine
208 may leverage one or more additional software engines in the
performance of the exemplary operations discussed above and that in
operations discussed, with respect to certain circumstances, user
registration engine 208 may be supplanted by alternative software
engine functionality.
[0264] In addition to user registration engine 208, an example
embodiment of a system, method and software incorporating teachings
of the present invention also includes preset association engine
210. Preset association engine 210 provides preset parameters 106
to be displayed and defines the association between the preset
resources 105 and the preset information 107 obtained by the user
from the preset parameters 106. For example, the portable
electronic device 13 displays a preset parameter 106 such as asking
for a conference type 108 and providing options such as a meeting
or an event type of conference. The user seeking to make one or
more resources available for reservation may select, for example, a
meeting type 745. The preset association engine 210 associates the
meeting type (preset information 107) with a list of more preset
parameters 106 and/or resources (e.g., conference room devices
102). Once the user chooses the type of conference 130, another
preset parameter 106 is requested for the user to enter additional
preset information 107. For example, if the user chooses a meeting
type 745, another preset parameter 106 is prompted to request the
user to enter a type of meeting type 745 such as discussion 1102,
presentation 1103, audio call 1104, video call 1105, or audio and
video call 1106. If the user chooses audio and video call 210,
another preset parameter 106 of upload shared document 1201 is
requested of the user. The preset association engine 210 may then
associate the audio and video call 210 with preset resources 105
(e.g., conference room devices 102). Referring to FIG. 1, in this
example, the preset resources 105 are telephone 401, video
projector 402, camera 409, and computer 405. It should be
understood that the preset resources 105 may be altered depending
upon the various aspects of the teachings of the present
invention.
[0265] In an embodiment of the invention, the scheduling
application 20 may find an alternative conference room for an
attendee due to a scheduling conflict or a lack of required
resources in the conference room. Referring back to FIG. 4, the
preset association engine 210 operates with an availability data
engine 212 as well as other software engines, to determine a
conference room 101 that has the required preset resources 105 for
the audio and video call 210 and reserve such conference room 101.
The availability data engine 212 also includes a synchronization
function that enable users to maintain coherency between a portable
or local calendaring utility or application and a publicly
accessible resource availability and reservation system.
Synchronization capabilities also include functionality operable to
resolve conflicts between a user's calendaring utility and
availability scheduling maintained by the resource availability and
reservation system.
[0266] In addition to the preset association engine, an example
embodiment of a system, method and software incorporating teachings
of the present invention also includes user preference engine. User
preference engine provides preset parameters to be displayed and
requests a variety of data from a user during a setup process. For
example, requests for data may include preferred lighting level,
preferred thermostat setting and preferred notification
settings.
[0267] The software engine also includes a resource request and
reservation management engine. In one embodiment, the resource
request and reservation management engine is employed to monitor
and ensure compliance with reservation criteria established by the
providers of the resources available for reservation. Further,
resource request and reservation management engine may be employed
to monitor and ensure compliance with one or more reservation
linking requirements requested by a provider of one or more
resources available for reservation. In addition, resource request
and reservation management engine may, such as through cooperation
with notification engine, be operable to notify a resource provider
of a resource reservation request, to notify a resource requester
as to the status of a reservation request for a selected resource,
generate one or more meeting requests or reminders indicative of
the resource reservation, as well as perform other tasks.
[0268] Resource availability verification engine may also be
included in an embodiment of the present invention. In one aspect,
resource availability verification engine may be used to perform
one or more checks on resources maintained for reservation to
ensure that postings regarding such resources accurately reflect
substantially current or up-to-date availability. In another
aspect, resource availability verification engine may, upon receipt
of a resource reservation request, verify that a selected resource
remains available and has not been reserved in the interim period
between a posting of the selected resource's reservation
availability and the time when a user makes or initiates a
reservation request process. Other operations and benefits may flow
from a resource availability verification engine incorporating
teachings of the present invention.
[0269] In addition to or in lieu of one or more software engines
discussed above, notification engine may also be included in an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Notification engine,
according to teachings of the present invention, may be employed to
provide real-time status information of resources in each
conference room including the preset resources such as
environmental resources and conference room devices. The
notification engine may notify a resource requester or other people
such as IT specialist as to the status of the submitted reservation
requests and/or acknowledged reservations.
[0270] Notification engine may also be leveraged to deliver
messages sent between various people such as a user from one
conference room to an IT specialist. For example, notification
engine in cooperation with other engines and information handling
system may provide instant messaging service, short messaging
service, multimedia messaging service, or email. It may be
appreciated that other situations exist in which a notification
would be preferred or required. As such, a variety of other
notifications may be performed by notification engine included in
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention without departing
from the spirit and scope of the teachings discussed herein.
[0271] The software engines also include a control engine. In
general, the control engine may be leveraged in association with
one or more included software engines and data available in data
storage area to send at least one command to control the associated
preset resources once the conference room 101 with the preset
resources is reserved. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, the
control engine sends a command to control the associated preset
resources in response to the start and end time of the conference.
The at least one command includes a command to power on/off the
video projector, CD player, touch panel, audio, camera, DVD/DVR
player, and VCR. The at least one command may also include a
command to display and power on/off or dim the lighting system
device, control the touch panel, raise/lower the blinds/shades,
power on/off or adjust the temperature of the HVAC system,
enable/disable the security system, power on/off or move the sensor
system, and power on/off local computer. Depending upon
implementation, other control commands are contemplated by the
present invention.
[0272] The software engine also includes a presentation engine 206.
In general, the presentation engine 206 may be leveraged in
association with one or more included software engines and data
available in data storage area to enable visual layout and
presentation structure of a management resource reservation,
real-time diagnostic and control content pages. For example,
presentation engine 206 may enable general content site
presentation of one or more resources maintained for 1)
reservation, 2) preset parameter, 3) real-time diagnostic, control,
and monitor of conference room devices, 4) one or more search
features or viewer customization presentation features, 5) meeting
start and stop functionality and 6) user communication device
formatting, as well as other aspects of delivering resource
availability and reservation information to a viewer or registered
user via a content site. FIG. 5 through FIG. 16, discussed below,
include embodiments of content pages whose presentation and layout
may be effected using one or more content presentation engines such
as presentation engine 206.
[0273] An example embodiment of a system, method and software
incorporating teachings of the present invention also includes an
access engine. The access engine may check the access of a user to
a resource such as by maintaining a database listing access
permissions for resources and users as identified by the user ID of
the portable electronic device. The access engine may subsequently
restrict a user's access to view or manage the schedule of a
resource. Access may restricted based on a number of factors
including time of day or date, location of resource, popularity of
resource, priority level of user, employment status or level of
user. Additionally, the access engine may limit the functions of
the scheduling application based on a users role in the meeting.
For example, a meeting organizer may have more access to modify the
meeting than an invited participant.
[0274] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram depicting a main screen page
500 of the scheduling application 20 for a system of managing a
conference room schedule, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the invention. Upon opening the application manually,
a user may be presented with this screen. Main screen options
include a preferences icon 501, an access room icon 502, and search
icon 503. By selecting the preferences option, the user may access
a menu for setting certain preferences unique to the user.
Selecting the current area may bring up a screen in which the user
may enter a URL for a room schedule on a scheduling server or
employ an interface of the phone, such as an NFC interface or a
Bluetooth interface as will be described below. The search icon 503
allows a user to access a menu where the scheduling application 20
may locate a suitable conference room according to the time of the
meeting and required size and resources of the conference room.
[0275] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram depicting a preferences page
of the scheduling application 20 for a system of managing a
conference room schedule, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the invention. The preferences page 600 presents
fields in which the user may enter certain preferences for
conference room environments and meeting presets. For example, a
user may provide preference information regarding lighting levels,
HVAC settings, and notification settings for the conference. The
preference page comprises a lighting level pull down menu 601, a
thermostat setting fillable field 602 and a notification setting
pull down menu 603. In an embodiment of the invention, upon
reserving a conference room, the scheduling application 20 may
forward the preference information to a control processor either
directly or via the scheduling server 15.
[0276] In another embodiment of the invention, upon entering
preference information, the preference information is uploaded and
stored by the scheduling server 15 or the control processor and
associated with a user ID. Upon the user reserving a conference
room with the user ID, the scheduling server 15 or control
processor associates the preference information with the reserved
conference room.
[0277] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram depicting a schedule page of
the scheduling application 20 for a system of managing a conference
room schedule, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention. Upon placing the portable electronic device 13 within
communication range of an NFC tag 11 within the area, according to
the application ID and area address encoded on the tag, the
portable electronic device 13 will launch the scheduling
application 20 and display the schedule page 700 for the area.
Alternatively, the user may launch the application and manually
enter a room address or scan the NFC tag 11 from any menu page in
the application to access the schedule page 700.
[0278] The schedule page comprises a schedule 701 of the area. The
schedule 701 shown in FIG. 7 is a daily schedule with fifteen
minute increments; however, the scheduling application 20 may
display the schedule 701 in a different time scale and with
different increments as well. For example, the scheduling
application 20 may display a daily schedule divided into ten minute
increments or a weekly or monthly schedule 701 as well.
[0279] In addition to the schedule 701 of the area, the schedule
page 700 further comprises selectable items comprising an add
meeting button 702 and a main menu button 703. As will be described
below, by selecting the add meeting button 702, the user may add a
meeting for the area. By selecting the main menu button 703, the
user may be presented with selectable options of the main menu,
either by displaying the selectable options on a portion of the
schedule page 700 or by navigating to the main menu page.
[0280] The schedule 701 displays the day as time periods divided by
fifteen minute increments. Each time period comprises a status
indicator, indicating whether the room is booked or available
during the time period. The status indicator may be selectable icon
covering one or more time periods. For example, the selectable icon
may be displayed in a certain color or shape to indicate whether
the time period is booked or vacant. Additionally, the status
indicator may be the absence of a selectable icon or visual
indicator. For example, the absence of a selectable icon with
meeting information may indicate vacant.
[0281] In FIG. 7, each time period is displayed as vacant or
booked. For example, shaded may indicate booked and not shaded may
indicate available. In an embodiment of the invention, the time
period may be highlighted a third color to indicate another state
of the conference room. For example, yellow may indicate that the
conference room is tentatively booked such as when a meeting
confirmation is still pending.
[0282] In FIG. 7, the time period from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM comprises
a shaded meeting icon 703 indicating that conference room is booked
for this time period. Additionally in the shaded time periods, a
title for the meeting, "Patent Review" is displayed. Conversely,
the time period from 3:30 PM to 5:15 PM comprises an unshaded
vacant icon indicating that it is available.
[0283] A booked time period may display the name of the meeting
and/or the organizer of the meeting. A user may interact with the
schedule 701 such as by scrolling down to view other time periods
or by selecting one or more time periods to view information
pertaining to a booked time period or to book the time period if
available.
[0284] A user may reserve the room by either selecting a vacant
time period on the schedule 701 or selecting the "Add Meeting"
button.
[0285] In an embodiment of the invention, prior to displaying the
schedule of the room, the scheduling application may check the
access level of the user ID associated with the portable electronic
device. The scheduling application may check the access level to
determine whether the user may view the schedule, book meetings on
the schedule and with what preset resources.
[0286] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting an information
pop-up screen of the scheduling application 20 for non-meeting
organizers, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention. The information pop-up screen 800 details information
for a meeting scheduled in the conference room. Upon selecting a
booked time period, the pop up screen may detail the room
information 801, the time information 802 comprising a starting
time and ending time, the name of the organizer 803, the subject of
the meeting 804, the number of participants in the meeting 805, and
other information pertaining to the meeting. The organizer of the
meeting may choose which meeting details to display on the
scheduling application 20 when organizing the meeting.
[0287] In another embodiment of the invention, the information
pop-up screen 801 may display the location for shared
documentation, a list of one or more requested resources,
preconfigured room settings and other information.
[0288] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram depicting an information
pop-up screen of the scheduling application 20 for meeting
organizers, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention. The information pop-up screen 801 details information
for a meeting scheduled in the conference room. Upon selecting a
booked time period, the pop up screen may detail the room
information 801, the time information 802 comprising a starting
time and ending time, the name of the organizer 803, the subject of
the meeting 804, the number of participants in the meeting 805, and
other information pertaining to the meeting.
[0289] In an embodiment of the invention, the scheduling
application checks the user ID associated with the portable
electronic device with the user ID listed as the organizer prior to
displaying the information pop-up screen. The information pop-up
screen comprises additional information and selectable icons if the
user ID is listed as one of the organizers of the meeting.
[0290] In addition to the general information, the information
pop-up screen includes one or more selectable icons for operating a
meeting comprising a "start meeting" selectable icon 901, a "stop
meeting" selectable icon 902, a "start record" selectable icon 903,
a "pause record" selectable icon 904 and a "stop record" selectable
icon 905.
[0291] The "start meeting" selectable icon 901 allows the organizer
to begin the meeting. Upon receiving a selection of the start
meeting button, the scheduling application may send one or more
control signals to the preset resources in the conference room. In
response to receiving a selection to start a video and audio call,
the scheduling application may send a control signal to a video
source, such as a TV or projector, one or more lighting devices,
one or more HVAC devices and one or more AV devices. For example,
the scheduling application may send a control signal for the
projector screen to be lowered, the projector turned on, the lights
lowered, and the audio or video pass code to be entered.
[0292] Upon receiving a selection to start a presentation, the
scheduling application may send a control signal to a video source
to display shared documentation, to turn on the lights, and to
power on a local computer or networked computer with the shared
document.
[0293] Depending upon implementation, other control commands are
contemplated by the present invention.
[0294] Additionally, in response to receiving a selection of the
start icon, the scheduling application may communicate with the
scheduling server to alert the scheduling server that the meeting
has started and that the room is not available for other meetings.
In the absence of such a communication, after a predetermined
amount of time, the scheduling server may allow the conference room
to be reserved by other users.
[0295] The "stop meeting" selectable icon 902 allows the organizer
to stop the meeting. Upon receiving a selection of the stop meeting
button, the scheduling application may send one or more control
signals to the preset resources in the conference room. In response
to receiving a selection to stop a video and audio call, the
scheduling application may send a control signal to a video source
such as a TV or projector. For example, the scheduling application
may send a control signal for the projector screen to be raised,
the projector powered down, the lights raised, and the audio or
video call to be terminated.
[0296] Upon receiving a selection to stop a presentation, the
scheduling application may send a control signal to a video source
to stop displaying shared documentation, to turn off one or more
lights and to power down a local or networked computer with the
shared document.
[0297] Depending upon implementation, other control commands are
contemplated by the present invention.
[0298] Additionally, in response to receiving a selection of the
stop icon, the scheduling application may communicate with the
scheduling server to alert the scheduling server that the meeting
has ended and that the room is not available for other meetings.
This is especially advantageous for meetings that have ended
early.
[0299] In an embodiment of the invention, the "start meeting" icon
and the "stop meeting icon" are the same icon. For example, the
selectable icon may be a binary icon whose state depends on the
state of the meeting. When the meeting is progressing, the icon
functions as a "stop meeting" icon and when the meeting is stopped,
the icon functions as a "start meeting" icon. The icon may be
displayed differently depending on the state of the icon.
[0300] In embodiments of the invention, in which the conference
room is equipped with a presentation or lecture capture device 412,
the "start record", "stop record" and "pause record" selectable
icons 903, 904, 905 allow for the user to control recording via the
portable electronic device 13. The portable electronic device 13
may communicate with the lecture capture device via communication
with the control server or via the scheduling server 15.
[0301] The "start record" selectable icon 903 allows the organizer
to begin recording the meeting. Upon receiving a selection of the
start record selectable icon, the scheduling application may send
one or more control signals to the presentation capture device 412
in the conference room to start recording. Upon receiving a
selection of the pause record selectable icon, the scheduling
application may send one or more control signals to the
presentation capture device 412 in the conference room to pause
recording. Upon receiving a selection of the stop record selectable
icon, the scheduling application may send one or more control
signals to the presentation capture device 412 in the conference
room to conclude recording the meeting. Additionally, in response
to a selection of the stop record selectable icon, the scheduling
application may send one or more control signals to the
presentation capture device to upload to the recording to a media
server according to preferences associated with the user ID.
[0302] In an embodiment of the invention, the information pop-up
screen may also display control settings for other devices such as
AV resources or lighting resources. The portable electronic device
13 may communicate with the AV resources via communication with the
control server through the communication network or via the
scheduling server 15.
[0303] In an embodiment of the invention, the "start recording"
icon and the "stop recording" icon are the same icon. For example,
the selectable icon may be a binary icon whose state depends on the
state of the meeting. When the meeting is progressing, the icon
functions as a "stop recording" icon and when the meeting is
stopped, the icon functions as a "start recording" icon. The icon
may be displayed differently depending on the state of the
icon.
[0304] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram depicting a general
information scheduling tab of the scheduling application 20, in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Upon a
user selecting one or more consecutive time periods to book a
meeting, the scheduling sub-menu 1000 is displayed, allowing the
user to book the area for a period of time. Alternatively, a user
may select the book meeting menu displayed on the schedule page 700
of the scheduling application 20.
[0305] The scheduling menu 1000 comprises four tabs: a general
information tab 1001, a meeting type tab 1101, a shared
documentation tab 1201. The general information tab 1001 includes
preset parameters associated with general information for the
meeting. The preset parameters solicit the subject of the meeting
1002, the location of the meeting 1003, the date of the meeting
1004, the start time of the meeting 1005, the end time of the
meeting 1006 and the recurrence of the meeting 1007. Aside from the
subject preset parameter 1002 and the recurrence preset parameter
1007, the scheduling application 20 fills in preset information
according to the room, date and time period selected from the
calendar by the user. If the user access the scheduling menu from
the "Add meeting" button 702, the preset parameters may not be
filled in by the scheduling application 20. The user may edit this
information from the general information tab 1001.
[0306] The responses to the preset parameters are preset
information that are may be used to associate with resources. The
associated resources are preset resources that are reserved for the
meeting. The resources are conference room resources such as the
conference room itself and conference room devices or other type of
resources that are programmable depending upon the various aspects
of the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the
resource may be a conference room A113 for the meeting.
[0307] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram depicting a presets tab of
the scheduling application 20 for a discussion, in accordance with
an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The preset parameters
displayed in the presets tab 1001 are associated with the
conference type. The preset parameters include the type of meeting
1101 such as discussion 1102, presentation 1103, audio call 1104,
video call 1105, and audio and video call 1106. The preset
parameters may also include a "welcome message" 1107 and "image
source" 1108 for sharing and/or displaying.
[0308] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram depicting a presets tab 1101
of the scheduling application 20 for a presentation 1103, in
accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. For
each meeting type 1101, there may be another set of preset
parameters displayed in the conference type section of the tab. For
example, if the user selects a "presentation" meeting type 1103,
the preset parameter includes shared document 1201 as shown in FIG.
12. This shared document 1201 is available for the presentation
1103. The preset information obtained from the preset parameter is
associated with a need for a computer, lighting system, and
projector 402 for the presentation 1103 type of meeting. The
portable electronic device 13 may automatically send at least one
command to turn on the lights in the conference room and power on
the computer and projector 402 to display the shared document. In
this example, the user will save setup time because the user will
not have to turn on the lights or setup the computer and projector
402 to display the shared file since this will be done
automatically. Moreover, the shared file 1201 is shared with the
conference participants and therefore saves the user the time and
effort of emailing every participant the file.
[0309] In another embodiment, the user selects the "Audio Call"
type 1104 of conference, another set of preset parameters are
displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 13. The displayed preset
parameters include the shared document 1201, phone number 1301, and
passcode 1302 for access into the audio call 1104. In this
particular example, the conference room resources associated with
an audio call 1104 are a computer, speaker phone, lighting system,
projector 402 and projector screen 403. At the start time of the
conference, the portable electronic device 13 sends at least one
command to power on the lighting system and projector 402, lowers
the projector screen 403, display the shared file on to the
projector screen 403, and dials into the audio call 1104 using the
phone number and passcode. The user comes to the conference room
without having to setup the audio call.
[0310] In another embodiment, the user selects the "Video Call"
type of conference, another set of preset parameters are displayed
on the screen as shown in FIG. 14. The displayed preset parameters
include the shared document 1201 and video number 1401. In this
particular example, the conference room resources are computers,
webcams, HD cameras, headsets, projector screen 403, lighting
system, and conference room microphones. At the start time of the
conference, the portable electronic device 13 sends at least one
command to power on the various preset resources, adjust the
lighting system, dial the video number, and lower the projector
screen 403. The user comes to the conference room without having to
setup the video call. The video connection is established for the
video call.
[0311] In another embodiment, the user selects the "Video and Audio
Call" type of conference, another set of preset parameters are
displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 15. The displayed preset
parameters include the shared document 1201, phone number 1301,
passcode 1302, and video number 1401. Based on the present
information that is receive from the user in response to the preset
parameters, the scheduling application 20 associates the preset
parameter with the required conference room resources. In this
particular example, the conference room resources are computers,
speakerphones, lighting system, projector 402 and projector screen
403, webcams, HD cameras 2, headsets (not shown), and conference
room microphones (not shown). At the start time of the conference,
the portable electronic device 13 sends at least one command to
power on the various preset resources, adjust the lighting system,
dial the video number, and lower the projector screen 403. The user
arrives in the conference room without having to setup the video
call.
[0312] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram depicting a people tab of the
scheduling application 20, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the invention. The people tab may display preset
parameters of required users 1601 and optional users 1602. The user
may enter the names of participants to be invited to the meeting.
Advantageously, via integration with email system of the area,
participants may be emailed a request for the meeting.
[0313] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing steps for performing a method
of accessing a conference room schedule, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the invention. In step 1701, a user
positions the portable electronic device 13 such that the NFC
interface is in communication range with the NFC tag 11. The user
may tap a surface of the phone near the NFC tag 11 or position the
NFC interface of the portable electronic device 13 to within a
range of approximately two to four centimeters of the NFC tag
11.
[0314] In step 1702, the portable electronic device 13 reads the
information encoded on the NFC tag 11, such as the application
identifier 113, and the room or location address over an NFC
communication channel 111. The room or location address may be a
url of the scheduling server 15. Upon placing the portable
electronic device 13 within NFC communication range of the NFC tag
11, the NFC interface of the portable electronic device 13 creates
an electromagnetic field, thereby energizing the NFC tag 11. The
NFC tag 11 is configured for manipulating the generated
electromagnetic field according to the encoded information via load
modulation. The NFC interface of the portable electronic device 13
reads the encoded information from the modulated electromagnetic
field.
[0315] In embodiments of the invention in which the NFC tag 11
encodes information in addition to the application identifier 113
and the server URL for the room the NFC interface reads this
information from the NFC tag 11, as well.
[0316] In step 1703, the smart phone loads the scheduling
application 20 according to the application identifier 113. The
application identifier 113 read from the NFC tag 11, instructs the
portable electronic device 13 which scheduling application 20 to
launch.
[0317] In step 1704, upon launching the scheduling application 20,
the scheduling application 20 is configured for establishing
communication with the scheduling server 15 according to the URL
encoded on the NFC tag 11. The scheduling application may
communicate the user ID associated with the scheduling application
to the scheduling server thereby allowing the scheduling server to
determine the identity and location of the user.
[0318] In step 1705, the scheduling application 20 displays a
calendar of the schedule application according to the address of
the conference room received via the NFC tag 11. The schedule may
be displayed as a spreadsheet containing one or more columns
corresponding to one or more days and rows corresponding to one or
more time periods, such as fifteen minute increments. Time periods
in which the conference room is booked may be highlighted a first
color such as red and time periods in which the conference room is
available may be displayed as not highlighted. Additionally,
information concerning the event for which a room is booked may be
listed in the relevant cell.
[0319] In step 1706, the scheduling application 20 receives on or
more inputs for reserving a conference room. From the calendar page
of the scheduling application 20, a user may book the room during
an available time period by selecting the time period. The user may
select the time period by selecting one or more cells from the
scheduling application 20 or from a scheduling content page which
the scheduling application 20 may display.
[0320] In step 1707, the scheduling application 20 displays one or
more preset parameters for receiving preset information detailing
the meeting. The scheduling content page may comprise one or more
fields to determine one or more of the following: date of the
event, the start time 1005 of the event, the end time 1006 of the
event, a title of the event, the number of attendees of the event,
the name of the event, shared documentation for the event,
resources required for the event, presets for the resources, and
environmental conditions for event.
[0321] In step 1708, the scheduling application 20 receives one or
more preset information detailing the meeting. For example, the
scheduling application 20 may receive the start time 1005 and end
time 1006 of the meeting, the subject of the meeting, the
recurrence of the meeting, participants in the meeting, the type of
meeting and conference information associated with the meeting, a
welcome message and an image.
[0322] Additionally, the user may access a search content page
which will allow a user to search for an available conference room.
The search may be dependent on one or more of the following: date
of the event, start time 1005 of the event, end time 1006 of the
event, number of attendees, and required resources.
[0323] Further from the scheduling application 20, the user may
start the meeting and end a meeting early. For example, the
scheduling application 20 may recognize the user ID of the portable
electronic device 13 and the location of the NFC tag 11 and at an
appropriate time display a selectable item for starting the
meeting. While the meeting is in progress, the scheduling
application 20 may then display a selectable icon for ending the
meeting.
[0324] FIG. 18 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system for
managing a conference room schedule in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It should be
noted that the exemplary embodiment of system 100 illustrated in
FIG. 18 may be varied in one or more aspects without departing from
the spirit and scope of the teachings disclosed herein.
[0325] In this embodiment, the identification unit comprises one or
more RF beacons 18. The one or more RF beacons 18 may be configured
for communicating via Bluetooth 4.0 protocols. Specifically, the RF
beacons 18 may utilize Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy protocol to
broadcast information.
[0326] The RF beacons 18 periodically broadcast information
comprising their beacon ID 185 and an application identifier 113.
The beacon ID 185 may be an identification number independent of
location, such as network address, or may be a location such as
coordinates or a room address. There are advantages associated with
each of these schemes. By broadcasting beacon ID 185 as a location,
the portable electronic device 13 does not need to match an
identity with a location. Accordingly, no lookup tables associating
an address to a location need be stored by the portable electronic
device. However, each beacon must then be dedicated to a certain
location or configured to broadcast a different location as a
beacon ID 185 upon redeployment.
[0327] Contrastingly, by broadcasting a network address as a beacon
ID 185, the location need not be programmed on the RF beacon and
the beacons 18 may be relocated after deployment without
reprogramming the beacon. However, the scheduling application may
then require a lookup table indexing address with location.
[0328] In an embodiment of the invention, the beacon ID 185 is the
room address 115 (i.e. scheduling server address). In this
embodiment, the scheduling application may then be configured to
match scheduling server address with a room to determine location.
For example, the scheduling application may comprise a lookup table
listing scheduling server addresses by location in the facility. In
another embodiment of the invention, each RF beacon is configured
for transmitting both a beacon ID 185 and a scheduling server
address.
[0329] Preferably, a plurality of RF beacons 18 are placed
strategically throughout a structure to enable the portable
electronic device to be in communication range with three RF
beacons 18 at any time. In this embodiment, the system comprises at
least three RF beacons 18. Advantageously, this allows for
estimation of location to a point using trilateration. In other
embodiments, with less than three RF beacons 18, location may be
estimated within a range.
[0330] However, it should be noted that the system may comprise
less than three RF beacons 18. The particular layout of a structure
may only require that a portable electronic device be in
communication with one or two RF beacons 18 to accurately determine
in which room or location the portable electronic device is
located.
[0331] The personal area network interface of the portable
electronic device is configured for determining the received signal
strength of each received beacon broadcast. For example, the
personal area network interface may measure signal strength of
broadcasts by received signal strength indicator (RSSI). By
utilizing the received signal strength of each beacon, the portable
electronic device may estimate its distance to each beacon. The
scheduling application may comprise a lookup table indexing
distances from beacon to RSSI. Accordingly, by mapping the beacon
ID 185 to a location in the facility and by determining its
distance to one or more beacons 18, the portable electronic device
may determine its location in a facility.
[0332] FIG. 19 shows a schematic of a facility with a plurality of
rooms, each comprising an RF beacon, according to an illustrative
embodiment of the invention. For example, the facility may be a
corporate building comprising offices and conference rooms. An RF
beacon is placed in each room of the facility. The RF beacon may be
placed in a common location such as a light switch or touchpanel or
may be placed in a remote location out of view. Each RF beacon
periodically, transmits its beacon ID 185, the application
identifier 113 and in some embodiments, the scheduling server
address. The portable electronic device periodically listens for RF
beacon transmissions. The scheduling application determines a first
distance 181, a second distance 182 and a third distance 183 to a
first RF beacon, a second RF beacon and a third RF beacon,
respectively. Preferably, the scheduling application determines the
first distance 181, the second distance 182 and the third distance
183 with the three RF beacons 18 with the strongest received signal
according to RSSI. The scheduling application may determine its
location by calculating the intersection of a first range with the
first distance 181 as a radius, a second range with the second
distance 182 as a radius and a third range with the third distance
183 as a radius. By strategically placing RF beacons 18 throughout
a facility, the portable electronic device may determine its
location throughout the facility by periodically calculating its
range to any three RF beacons 18.
[0333] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing steps for performing a method
managing a conference room schedule via communication with an RF
beacon, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
In step 2001, a user positions the portable electronic device 13
such that the PAN interface is in communication range with a first
RF beacon, a second RF beacon and a third RF beacon. The user may
position the portable electronic device by simply walking within
while carrying the portable electronic device.
[0334] In step 2002, the portable electronic device 13 receives the
information broadcast by the first RF beacon, second RF beacon and
third RF beacon, such as the application identifier 113 and each
beacon ID 185. In embodiments of the invention, each RF beacon
additionally broadcasts a url for accessing the schedule of the
location on a scheduling server.
[0335] In step 2003, the portable electronic device loads the
scheduling application 20 according to the application identifier
113. The application identifier 113 received from the RF beacons
18, instructs the portable electronic device 13 which scheduling
application 20 to launch.
[0336] In step 2004, the scheduling application estimates a
distance to the RF beacon. By utilizing the received signal
strength of each beacon, the scheduling application may determine
its distance from each RF beacon. In an embodiment of the
invention, the PAN interface of the portable electronic device
measures the RSSI of each received broadcast and utilizes a lookup
table listing distance to beacon by RSSI to determine a distance to
the RF beacon.
[0337] In another embodiment of the invention, the PAN interface
may compare the ratio of received signal strength to broadcast
signal strength to determine a distance to the beacons. In this
embodiment, the broadcast signal strength of the RF beacon may be a
known quantity. In another embodiment of the invention, the RF
beacon broadcasts this quantity.
[0338] In this embodiment, the portable electronic device continues
listening until receiving a broadcast from three RF beacons 18. In
embodiments in which more than three beacons 18 are in range, the
scheduling application may use the three strongest received
signals. Additionally, the scheduling application may use the
identity and signal strength of additional RF beacons 18 as an
error check or redundancy. The scheduling application repeats steps
2004 for each of the RF beacons 18 thereby estimating a range to at
least three RF beacons 18.
[0339] In step 2005, the scheduling application determines its
location according to the location information received from the RF
beacons 18 via trilateration. The position of each RF beacon is
known by the scheduling application as well as an estimated
distance to at least three RF beacons 18, the scheduling
application may determine its location in coordinates. By
determining the intersection point of the three ranges to three RF
beacons 18, the scheduling application may determine the location
of the portable electronic device.
[0340] The scheduling application maps to a floor plan of the
facility to determine a location by room or area. By mapping the
location to a floor plan, the scheduling application may know which
room the portable electronic device, and therefore the user, is
located.
[0341] In step 2006, upon launching the scheduling application 20,
the scheduling application 20 is configured for establishing
communication with the scheduling server 15 according to a URL of
the room stored by the scheduling application or received from the
RF beacon. The scheduling application may communicate the user ID
associated with the scheduling application to the scheduling server
thereby allowing the scheduling server to determine the identity
and location of the user.
[0342] However as will be discussed in reference to FIG. 21, in
certain embodiments the portable electronic device may not be
configured to communicate via the communication network. In these
applications, the one or more RF beacons 18 may act as an
intermediary gateway between the portable electronic device and the
control processor.
[0343] In step 2007, the scheduling application 20 displays a
schedule of the schedule application according to the location of
the portable electronic device. The schedule may be displayed as a
spreadsheet containing one or more columns corresponding to one or
more days and rows corresponding to one or more time periods, such
as fifteen minute increments. Time periods in which the conference
room is booked may be highlighted a first color such as red and
time periods in which the conference room is available may be
displayed as not highlighted. Additionally, information concerning
the event for which a room is booked may be listed in the relevant
cell.
[0344] In step 2008, the scheduling application 20 receives on or
more inputs for reserving a conference room. From the calendar page
of the scheduling application 20, a user may book the room during
an available time period by selecting the time period. The user may
select the time period by selecting one or more cells from the
scheduling application 20 or from a scheduling content page which
the scheduling application 20 may display.
[0345] In step 2009, the scheduling application 20 displays one or
more preset parameters for receiving preset information detailing
the meeting. The scheduling content page may comprise one or more
fields to determine one or more of the following: date of the
event, the start time 1005 of the event, the end time 1006 of the
event, a title of the event, the number of attendees of the event,
the name of the event, shared documentation for the event,
resources required for the event, presets for the resources, and
environmental conditions for event.
[0346] In step 2010, the scheduling application 20 receives one or
more preset information detailing the meeting. For example, the
scheduling application 20 may receive the start time 1005 and end
time 1006 of the meeting, the subject of the meeting, the
recurrence of the meeting, participants in the meeting, the type of
meeting and conference information associated with the meeting, a
welcome message and an image.
[0347] Additionally, the user may access a search content page
which will allow a user to search for an available conference room.
The search may be dependent on one or more of the following: date
of the event, start time 1005 of the event, end time 1006 of the
event, number of attendees, and required resources.
[0348] Further from the scheduling application 20, the user may
start the meeting and end a meeting early. For example, the
scheduling application 20 may recognize the user ID and location of
the portable electronic device 13 and at an appropriate time
display a selectable item for starting the meeting. While the
meeting is in progress, the scheduling application 20 may then
display a selectable icon for ending the meeting.
[0349] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing steps for performing a method
for managing a conference room schedule via communication with an
RF beacon, according to an illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0350] In certain embodiments the portable electronic device may
not be configured to communicate via the communication network. In
these applications, the one or more RF beacons 18 may act as an
intermediary gateway between the portable electronic device and the
control processor.
[0351] In this method, steps 2001, 2003-2005, 2007-2010 are
performed in substantially the same manner as in the method shown
in FIG. 20.
[0352] In step 2102, the portable electronic device 13 receives the
information broadcast by the first RF beacon, second RF beacon and
third RF beacon, such as the application identifier 113 and each
beacon ID 185. In contrast to the method shown in FIG. 20, the RF
beacon does not broadcast and the portable electronic device need
not receive a url for the scheduling server.
[0353] In step 2106a, upon launching the scheduling application 20,
the scheduling application pairs the portable electronic device to
the nearest RF beacon using RF communication protocols such as
Bluetooth communication protocols. The scheduling application may
determine the nearest RF beacon based on signal strength of the
received broadcast or by looking up the nearest RF beacon to its
location from a stored directory.
[0354] In step 2106b, the scheduling application may communicate
the user ID associated with the scheduling application to the
paired RF beacon which in turn may communicate to the scheduling
server thereby allowing the scheduling server to determine the
identity and location of the user. The RF beacon and the scheduling
server may communicate via a LAN or PAN.
[0355] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing steps for performing a method
of accessing a conference room schedule, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the invention. In step 2201, a user
positions the portable electronic device 13 such that the NFC
interface is in communication range with the NFC tag 11. The user
may tap a surface of the phone near the NFC tag 11 or position the
NFC interface of the portable electronic device 13 to within a
range of approximately two to four centimeters of the NFC tag
11.
[0356] In step 2202, the portable electronic device 13 reads the
information encoded on the NFC tag 11, such as the application
identifier 113, and url of the scheduling server 15, over an NFC
communication channel 111. Upon placing the portable electronic
device 13 within NFC communication range of the NFC tag 11, the NFC
interface of the portable electronic device 13 creates an
electromagnetic field, thereby energizing the NFC tag 11. The NFC
tag 11 is configured for manipulating the generated electromagnetic
field according to the encoded information via load modulation. The
NFC interface of the portable electronic device 13 reads the
encoded information from the modulated electromagnetic field.
[0357] In embodiments of the invention in which the NFC tag 11
encodes information in addition to the application identifier 113
and the server URL the NFC interface reads this information from
the NFC tag 11, as well.
[0358] In step 2203, the smart phone loads the scheduling
application 20 according to the application identifier 113. The
application identifier 113 read from the NFC tag 11, instructs the
portable electronic device 13 which scheduling application 20 to
launch.
[0359] In step 2204, upon launching the scheduling application 20,
the scheduling application 20 is configured for establishing
communication with the scheduling server 15 according to the URL
encoded on the NFC tag 11. The scheduling application may
communicate the user ID associated with the scheduling application
to the scheduling server thereby allowing the scheduling server to
determine the identity and location of the user.
[0360] In step 2205, the scheduling application checks the access
of the user ID associated with the scheduling application. The
scheduling application may check against a database to determine
whether the user may view the schedule of that area, book meetings
on the schedule of the area and with what preset resources and the
role of the user ID in any meetings scheduled for the area.
[0361] If the user ID associated with the scheduling application
does not have access to view the schedule of the area, in step
2206, the scheduling application 20 displays an error page.
[0362] If the user ID associated with the scheduling application
does have permission to view the schedule of the area but not to
manage it, in step 2207, the scheduling application 20 displays the
schedule of the area without selectable time periods allowing to
schedule a meeting. For example, the schedule may be a view only
schedule or may allow the user to select meetings to view
information about the meetings. The user will not, however, be
presented with selectable time periods.
[0363] If the user ID associated with the scheduling application
does have permission to view the schedule of the area and
permission to manage it, in step 2208, the scheduling application
20 displays the schedule of the area with selectable time periods
allowing to schedule a meeting.
[0364] In step 2209, the scheduling application 20 receives one or
more inputs selecting a meeting from the schedule. From the
calendar page of the scheduling application 20, a user may select
one of the selectable time periods with a meeting status
indicator.
[0365] If the user ID is not an organizer of the meeting, as
determined by the access of the user ID, in step 2210, the
scheduling application 20 displays a pop-up menu with meeting
information such as in FIG. 8. The user may view information about
the meeting comprising the organizer, the subject, the start and
end time, the date and the attendees.
[0366] If the user ID is an organizer of the meeting, as determined
by the access of the user ID, in step 2211, the scheduling
application 20 displays a pop-up menu with meeting information and
selectable icons for starting a meeting and ending a meeting such
as in FIG. 9.
[0367] As will be discussed in reference to step 2216, if the
meeting comprises the preset resource of a presentation or lecture
capture device, the scheduling application 20 displays a pop menu
further comprising selectable icons to start recording, pause
recording, and stop recording.
[0368] In step 2212, the scheduling application receives a
selection to start the meeting. For example, a user may select a
"start meeting" icon of the pop-up menu page.
[0369] In step 2213, the scheduling application transmits one or
more control signals in response to receiving a selection of the
"start meeting" icon.
[0370] In step 2214, the scheduling application receives a
selection to stop the meeting. For example, a user may select a
"stop meeting" icon of the pop-up menu page.
[0371] In step 2215, the scheduling application transmits one or
more control signals in response to receiving a selection of the
"stop meeting" icon.
[0372] In step 2216, if the meeting comprises the preset resource
of a presentation or lecture capture device, the scheduling
application 20 displays a pop menu further comprising selectable
icons to start recording, pause recording, and stop recording.
[0373] In step 2217, the scheduling application receives a
selection to start the meeting. For example, a user may select a
"start recording" icon of the pop-up menu page.
[0374] In step 2218, the scheduling application transmits one or
more control signals in response to receiving a selection of the
"start recording" icon.
[0375] In step 2219, the scheduling application receives a
selection to stop the meeting. For example, a user may select a
"stop recording" icon of the pop-up menu page.
[0376] In step 2220, the scheduling application transmits one or
more control signals in response to receiving a selection of the
stop "recording" icon.
[0377] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing steps for performing a method
of accessing a conference room schedule, in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the invention. In step 2301, a user
positions the portable electronic device 13 such that the PAN
interface is in communication range with a first RF beacon, a
second RF beacon and a third RF beacon. The user may position the
portable electronic device by simply walking within while carrying
the portable electronic device.
[0378] In step 2302, the portable electronic device 13 receives the
information broadcast by the first RF beacon, second RF beacon and
third RF beacon, such as the application identifier 113 and each
beacon ID 185.
[0379] In step 2303, the portable electronic device loads the
scheduling application 20 according to the application identifier
113. The application identifier 113 received from the RF beacons
18, instructs the portable electronic device 13 which scheduling
application 20 to launch.
[0380] In step 2304, the scheduling application estimates a
distance to at least three RF beacons. By utilizing the received
signal strength of each beacon, the scheduling application may
determine its distance from each RF beacon. In an embodiment of the
invention, the PAN interface of the portable electronic device
measures the RSSI of each received broadcast and utilizes a lookup
table listing distance to beacon by RSSI to determine a distance to
the RF beacon.
[0381] In this embodiment, the portable electronic device continues
listening until receiving a transmission from three RF beacons 18.
In embodiments in which more than three beacons 18 are in range,
the scheduling application may use the three strongest received
signals. Additionally, the scheduling application may use the
identity and signal strength of additional RF beacons 18 as an
error check or redundancy. The scheduling application repeats steps
2004 for each of the RF beacons 18 thereby estimating a range to at
least three RF beacons 18.
[0382] In step 2305, the scheduling application determines its
location according to the location information received from the RF
beacons 18 via trilateration. The position of each RF beacon is
known as well as an estimated distance to at least three RF beacons
18, the scheduling application may determine its location by
coordinates. By determining the intersection point of the three
ranges to three RF beacons 18, the scheduling application may
determine the location of the portable electronic device.
[0383] The scheduling application maps to a floor plan of the
facility to determine a location by room. By mapping the location
to a floor plan, the scheduling application may know which room the
portable electronic device, and therefore the user, is located.
[0384] In step 2306, upon launching the scheduling application 20,
the scheduling application 20 is configured for establishing
communication with the scheduling server 15 according to the URL
received from the RF beacon. The scheduling application may
communicate the user ID associated with the scheduling application
to the scheduling server thereby allowing the scheduling server to
determine the identity and location of the user.
[0385] In step 2307, the scheduling application checks the access
of the user ID associated with the scheduling application. The
scheduling application may check against a database to determine
whether the user may view the schedule of that area, book meetings
on the schedule of the area and with what preset resources and the
role of the user ID in any meetings scheduled for the area.
[0386] If the user ID associated with the scheduling application
does not have access to view the schedule of the area, in step
2308, the scheduling application 20 displays an error page.
[0387] If the user ID associated with the scheduling application
does have permission to view the schedule of the area but not to
manage it, in step 2309, the scheduling application 20 displays the
schedule of the area without selectable time periods allowing to
schedule a meeting. For example, the schedule may be a view only
schedule or may allow the user to select meetings to view
information about the meetings. The user will not, however, be
presented with selectable time periods.
[0388] If the user ID associated with the scheduling application
does have permission to view the schedule of the area and
permission to manage it, in step 2310, the scheduling application
20 displays the schedule of the area with selectable time periods
allowing to schedule a meeting.
[0389] In step 2311, the scheduling application 20 receives one or
more inputs selecting a meeting from the schedule. From the
calendar page of the scheduling application 20, a user may select
one of the selectable time periods with a meeting status
indicator.
[0390] If the user ID is not an organizer of the meeting, as
determined by the access of the user ID, in step 2312, the
scheduling application 20 displays a pop-up menu with meeting
information such as in FIG. 8. The user may view information about
the meeting comprising the organizer, the subject, the start and
end time, the date and the attendees.
[0391] If the user ID is an organizer of the meeting, as determined
by the access of the user ID, in step 2313, the scheduling
application 20 displays a pop-up menu with meeting information and
selectable icons for starting a meeting and ending a meeting such
as in FIG. 9.
[0392] As will be discussed in reference to step 2318, if the
meeting comprises the preset resource of a presentation or lecture
capture device, the scheduling application 20 displays a pop menu
further comprising selectable icons to start recording, pause
recording, and stop recording.
[0393] In step 2314, the scheduling application receives a
selection to start the meeting. For example, a user may select a
"start meeting" icon of the pop-up menu page.
[0394] In step 2315, the scheduling application transmits one or
more control signals in response to receiving a selection of the
"start meeting" icon.
[0395] In step 2316, the scheduling application receives a
selection to stop the meeting. For example, a user may select a
"stop meeting" icon of the pop-up menu page.
[0396] In step 2317, the scheduling application transmits one or
more control signals in response to receiving a selection of the
"stop meeting" icon.
[0397] In step 2318, if the meeting comprises the preset resource
of a presentation or lecture capture device, the scheduling
application 20 displays a pop menu further comprising selectable
icons to start recording, pause recording, and stop recording.
[0398] In step 2319, the scheduling application receives a
selection to start the meeting. For example, a user may select a
"start recording" icon of the pop-up menu page.
[0399] In step 2320, the scheduling application transmits one or
more control signals in response to receiving a selection of the
"start recording" icon.
[0400] In step 2321, the scheduling application receives a
selection to stop the meeting. For example, a user may select a
"stop recording" icon of the pop-up menu page.
[0401] In step 2322, the scheduling application transmits one or
more control signals in response to receiving a selection of the
stop "recording" icon.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0402] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention
is a unique system in which a portable electronic device 13
communicates with one or more RF beacons 18 and a scheduling server
15 for maintaining, initiating and scheduling a schedule of a
conference room.
LIST OF ACRONYMS USED IN THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
INVENTION
[0403] The following is a list of the acronyms used in the
specification in alphabetical order. [0404] ASIC application
specific integrated circuit [0405] AV audio visual [0406] CPU
central processing unit [0407] GUI graphical user interface [0408]
LAN local area network [0409] IP internet protocol [0410] IR
infrared [0411] NFC near field communication [0412] PAN personal
area network [0413] PSTN public switched telephone network [0414]
RF radio frequency [0415] RFID radio frequency identification
[0416] RISC reduced instruction set [0417] WAN wide area
network
Alternate Embodiments
[0418] Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from
the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example, the NFC tag
11 may encode a uniform resource locator (URL) address directing
the portable electronic device to a location for downloading the
scheduling application 20.
* * * * *