System for connecting a computer with a video conference endsystem
Embodiments can include a system for connecting a computer with a video conference endsystem. The system can comprise a first device for connecting to a computer; and a second device for connecting to a video conference endsystem. The system can be configured to provide a bidirectional channel between the first device and the second device such that, in use, the first device is connected to a computer and the second device is connected to the video conference endsystem to provide a bidirectional channel between the computer and the video conference endsystem.
1. A system for connecting a computer with a video conference system, the system comprising:
a first device for connecting to a computer; and
a second device for connecting to a video conference system configured to make and receive video calls, wherein the system is configured to provide a bidirectional channel between the first device and the second device such that, in use, the first device is connected to the computer and the second device is connected to the video conference system to provide the bidirectional channel between the computer and the video conference system, wherein the bidirectional channel is configured to facilitate hand off of a videoconference from the computer to the video conference system, the hand off being performed responsive to establishing the bidirectional channel,
wherein responsive to the first device being connected to the computer and responsive to the second device establishing a connection to the video conference system, the system is configured to automatically:
transmit a notification to the computer that the second device has been connected to the video conference system, wherein the notification includes an identifier for identifying the second device;
automatically trigger identification of pending conferences in a calendar of the computer for videoconferences within a time threshold and in the same room as where the system is positioned; and
provide an alert to the computer, wherein the alert initiates a user interface to enable the computer to join a videoconference in the identified pending conferences.
2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the bidirectional channel comprises a bidirectional control channel.
3. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the bidirectional channel comprises a bidirectional media channel.
4. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the bidirectional channel is secure.
5. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the bidirectional channel uses transport layer security, TLS, protocol.
6. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the computer comprises a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer or a smartphone.
7. A system according to claim 1 , wherein, in use, the first device is connected to the computer using a physical connection.
8. A system according to claim 1 , wherein, in use, the second device is connected to the video conference system using a physical connection.
9. A system according to claim 1 , wherein, in use, the first device is connected to the computer using a universal serial bus, USB, connection; a High-Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI, connection; an Ethernet connection; a powered Ethernet connection or a wireless local area network connection.
10. A system according to claim 9 , wherein the USB connection is a USB2.0, USB3.0 or USB-C connection, such as to provide charging power to the computer.
11. A system according to claim 10 , wherein, in use, the first device is connected to the computer using one connector of a multi-headed connector including at least one of a USB2.0, USB3.0 or USB-C connector.
12. A system according to claim 1 , wherein, in use, the second device is connected to the video conference system using a universal serial bus, USB, connection; a High-Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI, connection; an Ethernet connection; a powered Ethernet connection; or a wireless local area network connection.
13. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the USB connection is a USB2.0, USB3.0 or USB-C connection.
14. A system according to claim 13 , wherein, in use, the second device is connected to the video conference system using one connector of a multi-headed connector including at least one of a USB2.0, USB3.0 or USB-C connector.
15. A system according to claim 1 , wherein, in use, the video conference system is connected to a far end video conference system.
16. A system according to claim 15 , wherein the far end video conference system is implemented on a server.
17. A system according to claim 1 , wherein a far end video conference system is in the video conference system.
18. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to examine the calendar to find a videoconference in which a user is an attendee within the time threshold and, in response, pass details of the videoconference to the video conference system.
19. A system according to claim 18 , wherein the computer is configured to examine the calendar in response to the bidirectional channel being formed.
20. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to pass a computer's identity to the video conference system for handing off a videoconference from the computer to the video conference system.
21. A system according to claim 20 , wherein the computer is configured to pass the computer's identity to the video conference system in response to the bidirectional channel being formed.
22. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the video conference system is configured to inform the computer that peripherals of the video conference system are available for control by the computer.
23. A method for connecting a computer with a video conference system, the method comprising:
connecting a first device to a computer;
connecting a second device to a video conference system configured to make and receive video calls; and
providing a bidirectional channel between the first device and the second device, the bidirectional channel further providing a bidirectional channel between the computer and the video conference system, wherein the bidirectional channel is configured to facilitate hand off of a videoconference from the computer to the video conference system, the hand off being performed responsive to establishing the bidirectional channel,
wherein responsive to the first device being connected to the computer and responsive to the second device being connected to the video conference system, the method further comprises, automatically:
transmitting a notification to the computer that the second device has been connected to the video conference system, wherein the notification includes an identifier for identifying the second device;
automatically triggering identification of pending conferences in a calendar of the computer for videoconferences within a time threshold and in the same room as where the first and second devices are positioned; and
providing an alert to the computer, wherein the alert initiates a user interface to enable the computer to join a videoconference in the identified pending conferences.
24. The system of claim 1 , wherein the room is not registered in a room booking system for the videoconference, and the videoconference is registered in the calendar of the computer.
25. The method of claim 23 , wherein the room is not registered in a room booking system for the videoconference, and the videoconference is registered in the calendar of the computer.