IP Library Granted Patent US 10,459,985
Granted Patent B2
US 10,459,985 · App. 14/096,918 · Granted Oct 29, 2019

Managing behavior in a virtual collaboration session

Inventors: Jason A. Shepherd (Austin, TX); Michael S. Gatson (Austin, TX); Todd Swierk (Austin, TX); Clifton J. Barker (Austin, TX); Yuan-Chang Lo (Austin, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
G06F16/95G06Q10/101H04L65/403H04L67/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,459,985
App. No.
14/096,918
Filed
Dec 4, 2013
Granted
Oct 29, 2019
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2156
USPC
707/748
Abstract

Systems and methods for managing behavior in a virtual collaboration session. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: receive engagement metrics from a participant of a virtual collaboration session, wherein the engagement metrics are indicative of the participant's level of engagement in the virtual collaboration session; calculate a score based upon the engagement metrics; and provide the score to the participant.

Claims (41)

1. An Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:

a processor;

a hardware sensor coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to:

receive engagement metrics from a participant of a virtual collaboration session, wherein the engagement metrics are indicative of the participant's level of engagement in the virtual collaboration session;

calculate a score based upon a weighted sum of the engagement metrics using a weight value assigned to each engagement metric;

determine, using the hardware sensor, a proximity of the participant with respect to another participant of the virtual collaboration session;

change a weight value assigned to an engagement metric depending upon the proximity;

change another weight value assigned to another engagement metric depending upon whether the participant has typed a keyword that has been spoken during the virtual collaboration session;

re-calculate the score using the changed weight value and the changed another weight value; and

in response to the re-calculated score meeting a threshold value that indicates the participant has disengaged from the virtual collaboration session, increase a duration of the virtual collaboration session.

2. The IHS of claim 1 , wherein the engagement metrics are determined based upon data selected from the group consisting of: a number of software applications being executed by a participant's device during the virtual collaboration session, an identity of the software applications being executed by the participant's device during the virtual collaboration session, an amount of web surfing performed by the participant during the virtual collaboration session, and an amount of email reading performed by the participant during the virtual collaboration session.

3. The IHS of claim 1 , wherein the engagement metrics are determined based upon data selected from the group consisting of: facial movement of the participant during the virtual collaboration session, gestures made by the participant during the virtual collaboration session, eye movement of the participant during the virtual collaboration session, and voice interaction by the participant during the virtual collaboration session.

4. The IHS of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions, upon execution by the processor, further cause the IHS to select one or more of the engagement metrics to calculate the score depending upon a context where the participant is found during the virtual collaboration session, and wherein the context includes an in-person meeting or a remote meeting.

5. The IHS of claim 1 , wherein the receiving and calculating are performed as a background process, and wherein the providing occurs in response to a determination that an engagement metric has reached a corresponding threshold value.

6. The IHS of claim 1 , wherein the engagement metric is determined based upon facial movement during the virtual collaboration session.

7. The IHS of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions, upon execution by the processor, further cause the IHS to allow the participant to change a weight value assigned to an engagement metric depending upon the participant's personal preference for prioritizing a first activity over a second activity.

8. The IHS of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions, upon execution by the processor, further cause the IHS to: (a) increase the score based, at least in part, upon an improvement of a selected engagement activity for a predetermined period of time; or (b) reduce the score based, at least in part, upon a lack of a selected engagement activity for a predetermined period of time.

9. A method, comprising:

receiving, at an Information Handling System (IHS) configured to host a virtual collaboration session among a plurality of participants, engagement metrics indicative of a participant's level of engagement in the virtual collaboration session;

calculating a score based upon a weighted sum of the engagement metrics using a weight value assigned to each engagement metric;

determining, using a hardware sensor coupled to the IHS, a proximity of the participant with respect to another participant of the virtual collaboration session;

changing a weight value assigned to an engagement metric depending upon the proximity;

changing the weight value depending upon whether the participant has typed a keyword that has been spoken during the virtual collaboration session; and

re-calculating the score using the changed weight value and the changed another weight value; and

in response to the re-calculated score meeting a threshold value that indicates the participant has disengaged from the virtual collaboration session, reducing a duration of the virtual collaboration session.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising selecting one or more of the engagement metrics to calculate the score depending upon a context where the participant is found during the virtual collaboration session, wherein the context includes an in-person meeting or a remote meeting.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising allowing the participant to change a weight value assigned to an engagement metric depending upon the participant's personal preference for prioritizing a first activity over a second activity.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising: (a) increasing the score based, at least in part, upon an improvement of a selected engagement activity for a predetermined period of time; or (b) reducing the score based, at least in part, upon a lack of a selected engagement activity for a predetermined period of time.

13. A hardware memory device having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by an Information Handling System (IHS), cause the IHS to:

receive engagement metrics from a participant of a virtual collaboration session, wherein the engagement metrics are indicative of the participant's level of engagement in the virtual collaboration session;

calculate a score based upon a weighted sum of the engagement metrics using a weight value assigned to each engagement metric;

determine, using a hardware sensor coupled to the IHS, a proximity of the participant with respect to another participant of the virtual collaboration session;

change a weight value assigned to an engagement metric depending upon the proximity;

change another weight value assigned to another engagement metric depending upon whether the participant has typed a keyword that has been spoken during the virtual collaboration session;

re-calculate the score using the changed weight value and the changed another weight value; and

in response to the re-calculated score meeting a threshold value that indicates the participant has disengaged from the virtual collaboration session, increase or reduce a duration of the virtual collaboration session.

14. The hardware memory device of claim 13 , wherein the program instructions, upon execution, further cause the IHS to select one or more of the engagement metrics to calculate the score depending upon a context where the participant is found during the virtual collaboration session, and wherein the context includes an in-person meeting or a remote meeting.

15. The hardware memory device of claim 13 , wherein the receiving and calculating are performed as a background process, and wherein the providing occurs in response to a determination that an engagement metric has reached a corresponding threshold value.

16. The hardware memory device of claim 13 , wherein the program instructions, upon execution, further cause the IHS to allow the participant to change a weight value assigned to an engagement metric depending upon the participant's personal preference for prioritizing a first activity over a second activity.

17. The hardware memory device of claim 13 , wherein the program instructions, upon execution, further cause the IHS to: (a) increase the score based, at least in part, upon an improvement of a selected engagement activity for a predetermined period of time; or (b) reduce the score based, at least in part, upon a lack of a selected engagement activity for a predetermined period of time.

Assignments (19)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (051302/0528) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); SECUREWORKS CORP.
Reel/Frame 060438/0593 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL 051449 FRAME 0728 Recorded Nov 2, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; SECUREWORKS CORP.; EMC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058002/0010 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 31, 2019
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; SECUREWORKS CORP.; EMC CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 051449/0728 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Dec 16, 2019
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; SECUREWORKS CORP.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051302/0528 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST OF REEL 032809 FRAME 0930 (TL) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040045/0255 →
RELEASE OF REEL 032810 FRAME 0206 (NOTE) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040027/0204 →
RELEASE OF REEL 032809 FRAME 0887 (ABL) Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040017/0314 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded May 1, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 032809/0887 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded May 1, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032810/0206 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded May 1, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032809/0930 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2013
From: SHEPHERD, JASON A.; SWIERK, TODD; BARKER, CLIFTON J.; LO, YUAN-CHANG; GATSON, MICHAEL S.
To: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
Reel/Frame 031717/0159 →
Continuity (1)
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