Automated calendared conference rescheduling and forwarding

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed to automatically rescheduling and optionally transferring audio/video conferences when a conference runs longer than its previously allocated time. The disclosed relocation process incorporates one or more of a plurality of input sources such as electronic calendars, face/voice recognition systems, proximity systems, enterprise maps, and/or resource databases to assist in schedule adjustments. For example, if it is determined a meeting is running long then an organizer of a second impacted meeting can be notified of the over-run and prompted for information. If the second meeting organizer is amenable to delay or reschedule, options are presented to the second meeting organizer Once a plan change is determined, changes in schedule or location are automatically propagated to resources and attendees scheduled for the second meeting. Also, when a conference must relocate, actions associated with relocating resources are automated and confidentiality concerns can be taken into account.

1 . A method of automatically extending a meeting that is utilizing conferencing devices, the method comprising:
 determining whether an in-progress meeting will extend beyond its currently scheduled ending time;   if the in-progress meeting will extend beyond its currently scheduled ending time, determining, using a processor, whether one or more resources in use by the in-progress meeting will have a conflict with a second meeting caused by over-run of the in-progress meeting; and   if one or more resources in use by the in-progress meeting will have a conflict with the second meeting, sending a notification to one or more participants of the second meeting.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the notification is sent to an organizer of the second meeting. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the notification includes a request for permission to over-run. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving a response to the request for permission; and 
 automatically extending a schedule of one or more of the conflicting resources if permission granted; or 
 initiating a search for alternatives to the one or more conflicting resources if permission not granted. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the notification informs the one or more participants of the second meeting of an estimated delay in starting time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising holding calls into the second meeting automatically for the duration of the overrun. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 if permission is granted, informing participants of the in-progress meeting of the permitted time of over-run; or   if permission is not granted:
 identifying alternative resources substantially equivalent to the one or more conflicting resources; and 
 automatically scheduling the identified alternative resources. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the notification informs participants of the second meeting of an alternate location for the second meeting. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising automatically transferring calls intended for the second meeting to the alternate location for the another meeting. 
     
     
         10 . A conferencing device comprising:
 a programmable control device communicatively coupled to a plurality of conferencing devices, wherein the programmable control device is configured to:
 determine whether an in-progress meeting will extend beyond its currently scheduled ending time; 
 if the in-progress meeting will extend beyond its currently scheduled ending time, determine whether one or more resources in use by the in-progress meeting will have a conflict with a second meeting caused by over-run of the in-progress meeting; and 
 if one or more resources in use by the in-progress meeting will have a conflict with the second meeting, send a notification to one or more participants of the second meeting. 
   
     
     
         11 . The conferencing device of  claim 10  wherein the notification is sent to an organizer of the second meeting. 
     
     
         12 . The conferencing device of  claim 10  wherein the notification includes a request for permission to over-run. 
     
     
         13 . The conferencing device of  claim 12  wherein the programmable control device is further configured to:
 receive a response to the request for permission; and 
 automatically extend a schedule of one or more of the conflicting resources if permission granted; and 
 initiate a search for alternatives to the one or more conflicting resources if permission not granted. 
 
     
     
         14 . The conferencing device of  claim 10 , wherein the notification informs the one or more participants of the second meeting of an estimated delay in starting time. 
     
     
         15 . The conferencing device of  claim 14  wherein the programmable control device is further configured to hold calls into the second meeting automatically for the duration of the overrun. 
     
     
         16 . The conferencing device of  claim 10 , wherein the programmable control device is further programmed to:
 if permission is granted, inform participants of the in-progress meeting of the permitted time of over-run; and   if permission is not granted:
 identify alternative resources substantially equivalent to the one or more conflicting resources; and 
 automatically schedule the identified alternative resources. 
   
     
     
         17 . The conferencing device of  claim 10 , wherein the programmable control device is further programmed to initiate an information message to participants of the second meeting identifying an alternate location for the second meeting. 
     
     
         18 . The conferencing device of  claim 17 , wherein the programmable control device is further programmed to automatically transfer calls intended for the second meeting to the alternate location for the second meeting. 
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory program storage device with instructions for controlling a programmable control device stored thereon, the instructions for configuring the programmable control device to:
 determine whether an in-progress meeting will extend beyond its currently scheduled ending time;   if the in-progress meeting will extend beyond its currently scheduled ending time, determine whether one or more resources in use by the in-progress meeting will have a conflict with a second meeting caused by over-run of the in-progress meeting; and   if one or more resources in use by the in-progress meeting will have a conflict with the second meeting, send a notification to one or more participants of the second meeting.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory program storage device of  claim 19 , the instructions further configuring the programmable control device to:
 receive a response to the request for permission; and   automatically extend a schedule of one or more of the conflicting resources if permission granted; and   initiate a search for alternatives to the one or more conflicting resources if permission not granted.