VIRTUAL MEETING SAVINGS

A method comprises receiving, by a processor, a number of participants for a virtual meeting and a home location for each participant. For each participant, the method further comprises ascertaining, by the processor, an environmental emissions savings associated with the participant in participating in the virtual meeting compared to having traveled to a corresponding meeting in-person. 1. A method , comprising:receiving, by a processor, a number of participants for a virtual meeting and a home location for each participant; andfor each participant, ascertaining, by the processor, an environmental emissions savings associated with said participant in participating in said virtual meeting compared to having traveled to a corresponding meeting in-person.2. The method of further comprising for each participant claim 1 , ascertaining a productivity cost savings associated with said participant in participating in said virtual meeting compared to having traveled to a corresponding meeting in-person.3. The method of further comprising for each participant claim 1 , ascertaining a travel cost savings associated with said participant in participating in said virtual meeting compared to having traveled to a corresponding meeting in-person.4. The method of further comprising offsetting said environmental emissions savings by environmental emissions associated with the virtual meeting.5. The method of further comprising for each participant claim 1 , ascertaining a productivity cost savings claim 1 , and travel cost savings associated with said participant in participating in said virtual meeting compared to having traveled to a corresponding meeting in-person claim 1 , and offsetting said environmental emission savings and said travel cost savings by environmental emissions and costs associated with the virtual meeting.6. A computer-readable storage medium containing executable code that claim 1 , when executed by a processor claim 1 , causes the processor to:receive a ...

MANAGING ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCHEDULED EVENT

For a scheduled event, it is determined, based on at least one policy, whether the scheduled event is to be established according to a current time and a participation status of attendees. The at least one policy specifies a time criterion and an attendee participation criterion. 1. A method comprising:receiving, by an event management system, requests associated with a scheduled event that is to involve a plurality of event endpoints exchanging audio/video data; andmanaging, by the event management system in response to the requests, establishment of the scheduled event over a network, wherein managing the establishment of the scheduled event comprises determining, based on at least one policy, whether the scheduled event is to be established according to a current time and a participation status of attendees, where the at least one policy specifies a time criterion and an attendee participation criterion relating to a number of attendees that are to participate.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:updating an event object in response to receiving join requests from at least some of the event endpoints, wherein the participation status of attendees is determined from the event object.3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:initially populating the event object with information relating to the scheduled event accessed from pre-registered information about the scheduled event.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the scheduled event is to be established is based on comparing the current time to the time criterion claim 1 , and comparing the participation status to the participation criterion.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein determining that the scheduled event is to be established is based on determining that the current time is greater than or equal to a scheduled start time of the scheduled event claim 4 , and that a quorum of join requests are present.6. The method of claim 4 , wherein determining that the scheduled event is to be ...

Associating a data collector with a network account

A system ( 100 ) for associating a data collector (FIG. 2, 340 - 2 ) with a network account comprises a first computing device (FIG. 1, 115 ) to collect data associated with the use of a number of object devices ( 110 - 1, 110 - 2, 110 - n ) on a network, in which the first computing device creates a network account associated with a second computing device (FIG. 1, 105 ), and in which the system ( 100 ) assigns a filename (FIG. 12, 1205 ) to a data collector data packet (FIG. 2, 340 - 2 ), the filename (FIG. 12, 1205 ) comprising information related to the network account associated with the second computing device (FIG. 1, 105 ).

Associating a data collector with a network account

A system for associating a data collector with a network account includes a first computing device to collect data associated with the use of a number of object devices on a network. The first computing device creates a network account associated with a second computing device, and the first computing device assigns a filename to a data collector data packet. The filename includes information related to the network account associated with the second computing device. The information related to the network account is embedded within binary code of the data collector data packet.

Connecting collaboration nodes

A system including a first node configured to receive first data in a first format that specifies a network destination for the first data and convert the first data to second data in a second format that does not specify a network destination for the second data and a second node configured to receive the second data from the first node over a first connection and convert the second data to third data in a third format that specifies a network destination for the third data is provided.

Blended Space For Aligning Video Streams

A method is described for aligning video streams and positioning camera in a collaboration event to create a blended space. A local physical environment of one set of attendees is combined with respective apparent spaces of other sets of attendees that are transmitted from two or more remote environments. A geometrically consistent shared space is created that maintains natural collaboration cues of eye contact and directional awareness. The remote environments in the local physical environment are represented in a fashion that is geometrically consistent with the local physical environment. The local physical environment extends naturally and consistently with the way the remote environments may be similarly extended with their own blended spaces. Therefore, an apparent shared space that is sufficiently similar for all sets of attendees is presented in both the local and remote physical environments.

Event Management System For Creating A Second Event

An event management system is configured to host a first event that includes a first set of event endpoints that provides first and second sets of media streams to respective first and second sets of attendees during the first event. The event management system is configured to, while hosting the first event, create a second event that includes a second set of event endpoints that provide a third set of media streams to at least one of the first set of attendees and a fourth set of media streams during the second event. At least one of the second set of event endpoints is sufficiently separated from each of the first set of event endpoints so that the second event does not substantially interfere with the first event.

Connecting collaboration nodes

A system including a first node configured to receive first data in a first format that specifies a network destination for the first data and convert the first data to second data in a second format that does not specify a network destination for the second data and a second node configured to receive the second data from the first node over a first connection and convert the second data to third data in a third format that specifies a network destination for the third data is provided.

Reconfiguring a collaboration event

An event management system is configured to host a collaboration event that includes first and second event endpoints that provide respective first and second sets of audio/visual (A/V) media streams to respective first and second sets of attendees during the first event. The event management system is configured to, while hosting the collaboration event, reconfigure the collaboration event to cause a third event endpoint to provide a third set of audio/visual (A/V) media streams to at least one of the first set of attendees.

System and method for managing virtual collaboration systems

A system includes a communication network, a plurality of nodes communicatively coupled to the communication network, a gateway subsystem communicatively coupled to the communication network, and a management subsystem communicatively coupled to the gateway subsystem. The gateway subsystem is configured to receive and translate signals from the plurality of nodes for use by the management subsystem. Further, the management subsystem is configured to dynamically manage the topology of a virtual collaborative event based on the node signals.

Device control system

A device control system includes a general device component, a feature definition set, and a specific device component. The feature definition set is operatively connected to the general device component. The specific device component is operatively connected to the general device component. The general device component defines an application program interface (API) for accessing a device. The feature definition set defines features associated with the device. The specific device component supports the features.

Systems and methods for managing virtual collaboration systems

Systems and methods for managing virtual collaboration systems are disclosed herein. A virtual collaboration system includes a hoster configured to receive second media streams from at least a second node, and to transmit those streams from at least one simulated node to at least a first node; and a management subsystem adapted to dynamically configure a topology of a virtual collaborative event, wherein configuration of the topology includes a determination of media stream connections among the at least one simulated node and the at least a first node based on at least one policy, and wherein the media stream connections establish and maintain virtual relationships among the at least one simulated node and the at least a first node.

Blended space for aligning video streams

A method is described for aligning video streams and positioning cameras in a collaboration event to create a blended space. A local physical environment of one set of attendees is combined with respective apparent spaces of other sets of attendees that are transmitted from two or more remote environments. A geometrically consistent shared space is created that maintains natural collaboration cues of eye contact and directional awareness. The remote environments in the local physical environment are represented in a fashion that is geometrically consistent with the local physical environment. The local physical environment extends naturally and consistently with the way the remote environments may be similarly extended with their own blended spaces. Therefore, an apparent shared space that is sufficiently similar for all sets of attendees is presented in both the local and remote physical environments.

Messaging between events

An event management system is configured to receive information from a person associated with a first event and provide a message to a second event that is associated with the first event.

Systems and Methods for Managing Virtual Collaboration Systems

Systems and methods for managing virtual collaboration systems are disclosed herein. A virtual collaboration system includes a hoster configured to receive second media streams from at least a second node, and to transmit those streams from at least one simulated node to at least a first node; and a management subsystem adapted to dynamically configure a topology of a virtual collaborative event, wherein configuration of the topology includes a determination of media stream connections among the at least one simulated node and the at least a first node based on at least one policy, and wherein the media stream connections establish and maintain virtual relationships among the at least one simulated node and the at least a first node.

Associating a data collector with a network account

A system ( 100 ) for associating a data collector (FIG. 2, 340 - 2 ) with a network account comprises a first computing device (FIG. 1, 115 ) to collect data associated with the use of a number of object devices ( 110 - 1, 110 - 2, 110 -n) on a network, in which the first computing device creates a network account associated with a second computing device (FIG. 1, 105 ), and in which the system ( 100 ) assigns a filename (FIG. 12, 1205 ) to a data collector data packet (FIG. 2, 340 - 2 ), the filename (FIG. 12, 1205 ) comprising information related to the network account associated with the second computing device (FIG. 1, 105 ).

Event management system

Communication between scheduled and in progress event attendees

Connecting collaboration nodes

Systems and methods for managing virtual collaboration systems

Systems and methods for managing virtual collaboration systems are disclosed herein. A virtual collaboration system includes a hoster configured to receive second media streams from at least a second node, and to transmit those streams from at least one simulated node to at least a first node; and a management subsystem adapted to dynamically configure a topology of a virtual collaborative event, wherein configuration of the topology includes a determination of media stream connections among the at least one simulated node and the at least a first node based on at least one policy, and wherein the media stream connections establish and maintain virtual relationships among the at least one simulated node and the at least a first node.

Systeme und verfahren zur verwaltung über mehrere netzwerke verteilter virtueller kollaborationssysteme

Measuring latency in a video conference system

A method of measuring video latency between a sender and a receiver in a video conference system is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes initiating an electrial signal (502) from a first location in a video conference system, transmitting the electrical signal (502) through the video components (504, 506) of the video conference system, reflecting the electrical signal (502) back through the video components (504, 506) of the video conference system and measuring the latency of the electrical signal (502) at the first location related to the transmission and reflection of the electrical signal (502).

Measuring latency in a video conference system

Measuring latency in a video conference system

A method of measuring video latency between a sender and a receiver in a video conference system is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes initiating an electrial signal (502) from a first location in a video conference system, transmitting the electrical signal (502) through the video components (504, 506) of the video conference system, reflecting the electrical signal (502) back through the video components (504, 506) of the video conference system and measuring the latency of the electrical signal (502) at the first location related to the transmission and reflection of the electrical signal (502).

Systems and methods for managing virtual collaboration systems spread over different networks

Systems and methods for managing virtual collaboration systems are disclosed herein. A virtual collaboration system includes a distributor communicatively coupled to a first network and a second network having different network characteristics from the first network, the distributor configured to receive first media streams from at least one first network node, and to transmit the first media streams to at least one second network node; and a management subsystem adapted to dynamically configure a topology of a virtual collaborative event, wherein configuration of the topology includes a determination of media stream connections among the distributor and the at least one first network node based, at least in part, on at least one policy, and wherein the media stream connections establish and maintain virtual relationships among the at least one first network node and the at least one second network node.

Systems and methods for managing virtual collaboration systems spread over different networks

Systems and methods for managing virtual collaboration systems are disclosed herein. A virtual collaboration system includes a distributor communicatively coupled to a first network and a second network having different network characteristics from the first network, the distributor configured to receive first media streams from at least one first network node, and to transmit the first media streams to at least one second network node; and a management subsystem adapted to dynamically configure a topology of a virtual collaborative event, wherein configuration of the topology includes a determination of media stream connections among the distributor and the at least one first network node based, at least in part, on at least one policy, and wherein the media stream connections establish and maintain virtual relationships among the at least one first network node and the at least one second network node.

Endpoints associated with a Session

A machine and method to connect endpoints associated with a session.

Associating a data collector with a network account

A system for associating a data collector with a network account includes a first computing device to collect data associated with the use of a number of object devices on a network. The first computing device creates a network account associated with a second computing device, and the first computing device assigns a filename to a data collector data packet. The filename includes information related to the network account associated with the second computing device. The information related to the network account is embedded within binary code of the data collector data packet.