Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
  • H04L65/40—Support for services or applications
  • H04L65/403—Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences
  • H04L65/4038—Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences with floor control
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
  • H04L12/02—Details
  • H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
  • H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast
  • H04L12/1813—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms
  • H04L12/1818—Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
  • H04L65/1066—Session management
  • H04L65/1083—In-session procedures
  • H04L65/1094—Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
  • H04L65/1066—Session management
  • H04L65/1101—Session protocols
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
  • H04M3/56—Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities
  • H04M3/567—Multimedia conference systems
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M2203/50—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to audio conference
  • H04M2203/5063—Centrally initiated conference, i.e. conference server dials participants
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
  • H04M2203/65—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to applications where calls are combined with other types of communication
  • H04M2203/652—Call initiation triggered by text message

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method and a device for establishing a collaboration session through a communication network between a plurality of clients. More specifically, the invention lies in the field of simplification of commands for establishing a collaboration session.
• collaboration services such as workspace sharing sessions or videoconferencing sessions requires for a client of such services, the execution of a significant number of operations before being able to use these services.
• a client initiating a collaboration session must, before being able to use the services offered by the session, open a collaboration session, define a name or address of the open collaboration session, define the other clients of the session , or even associated passwords for using this collaboration session and informing others clients of the opening of the collaboration session.
• the initiating client must also communicate the name or address of this collaboration session as well as the passwords associated with the session and finally activate the client collaboration software corresponding to the open collaboration session.
• the large number of operations that the user must perform when establishing a collaboration session thus makes these services difficult to use and establish.
• the same information must be communicated several times by the client initiating a collaboration session.
• the client who initiates the opening of a collaboration session must define the name or address of the open collaboration session and then communicate, to each other client with whom he plans to share the collaboration session, the name or address of the open collaboration session.
• the invention aims to solve the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a method for establishing a collaboration session in which the tasks of a client of such services are reduced and simplified.
• the invention provides a method of transferring at least one message for the establishment of a collaboration session by a collaboration session manager between a plurality of clients, characterized in that messaging is associated with the collaboration session manager and in that the method comprises the steps of: - reception by the messaging associated with the collaboration session manager of a message generated by a client of a collaboration session, the message comprising a plurality of addresses of clients of the collaboration session, - activation by the collaboration session manager of a collaboration session, - obtaining an identifier of the activated collaboration session, - Transfer for the establishment of the collaboration session of at least one message to each client address of the collaboration session, the message comprising the identifier of the activated collaboration session.
• the invention provides a device for transferring at least one message for the establishment of a collaboration session by a collaboration session manager between a plurality of clients, characterized in that messaging is associated with the manager. of collaboration session and the device comprises: - means of reception by the messaging associated with the manager of collaboration session of a message generated by a client of a collaboration session, the message comprising a plurality of addresses of clients of the collaboration session, - means of activation by the collaboration session manager of a collaboration session, - means of obtaining an identifier of the activated collaboration session, - means of transfer for the establishment of the collaboration session of at least one message to each client address of the collaboration session, the message including the identifier from the activated collaboration session.
• the message generated by the client initiating the collaboration session is an electronic message comprising the email address of the client initiating the session and the email address of at least one other client. of the collaboration session.
• the information included in the message can be directly interpreted by a device such as a computer.
• the term electronic message includes electronic mail and instant messaging.
• the initiating client by generating an electronic message intended for the collaboration session manager and the customers with whom the initiator wishes a session is established, the initiating client, by a single transfer of electronic message transfers to the collaboration session manager the information necessary for the establishment of a collaboration session while informing the other clients of a next establishment of this one. this.
• time information is associated with the electronic message.
• the temporal information associated with the electronic message makes it possible to define a time for establishing a collaboration session and the duration of the collaboration session.
• other email addresses are included in the electronic message and the email addresses of the clients of the collaboration session are determined from among the email addresses included in the electronic message. So the same email message can be used for different purposes.
• the e-mail message indicates the clients with whom the initiating client wishes to share a collaboration session.
• the electronic message also makes it possible to inform third parties of the establishment of the collaboration session.
• the messaging associated with the collaboration session manager is associated with a plurality of messaging addresses, and each messaging address corresponds to a type of collaboration session.
• the collaboration session manager can manage a plurality of collaboration sessions of different types and determine in a simple manner which type of collaboration session should be activated.
• the collaboration session manager being able to manage a plurality of collaboration sessions of different types, it is not necessary to produce a collaboration session manager for each type of collaboration session.
• accreditations are allocated to the clients of the collaboration session and the message transferred to each client of the collaboration session includes the accreditation allocated.
• the invention also relates to a method of establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients of the collaboration session through a communication network, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of reception, by messaging associated with a client of the collaboration session, of at least one message generated by a messaging system associated with a collaboration session manager, the message comprising the identifier of an activated collaboration session and establishment, by the collaboration software associated with the client, of a collaboration session using the identifier of the activated collaboration session.
• the invention proposes a device for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients of the collaboration session through a communication network, characterized in that the device comprises means of reception, by associated messaging. to a client of the collaboration session, at least one message generated by a messaging system associated with a collaboration session manager, the message comprising the identifier of an activated collaboration session and means of establishment, by the collaboration software associated with the client, a collaboration session based on the identifier of the activated collaboration session.
• the establishment of a collaboration session is carried out automatically without the clients of the communication session having to perform any operation. Establishing a collaboration session is thus simplified.
• the message generated by the messaging associated with a collaboration session manager is an electronic message and temporal information is associated with the electronic message.
• temporal information is associated with the electronic message.
• the identifier of the collaboration session is displayed and an order made by the client is detected for the establishment of the collaboration session.
• a customer accesses a collaboration session. The operations required to establish a collaboration session are thus reduced.
• the collaboration software associated with the client prior to the establishment of a collaboration session, the collaboration software associated with the client is activated. Thus, the client's tasks are simplified.
• a message is sent via the messaging associated with the client initiating the collaboration application to the messaging associated with the collaboration session manager, the message comprising the addresses messaging from clients of the collaboration session.
• the invention also relates to a system for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients of the collaboration session through a communication network, characterized in that the system comprises: - generation means, by via messaging associated with a client initiating the collaboration application, a message intended for messaging associated with a collaboration session manager, the message comprising the address of the clients of the collaboration session, - means of activation by the collaboration session manager of a collaboration session, - means of obtaining an identifier of the activated collaboration session, - means of transfer for establishing the session of collaboration of at least one message to each client address of the collaboration session, the message including the identifier of the activated collaboration session, - means of establishment, by the collaboration software associated with the client, of a collaboration session from the identifier of the activated collaboration session.
• FIG. 1 represents the system for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients in a communication network
• Fig. 2 shows the block diagram of a client communication device according to the invention
• Fig. 3 represents the block diagram of a collaboration session activation device for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients according to the invention
• Fig. 1 represents the system for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients in a communication network
• Fig. 2 shows the block diagram of a client communication device according to the invention
• Fig. 3 represents the block diagram of a collaboration session activation device for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients according to the invention
• Fig. 1 represents the system for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients in a communication network
• Fig. 2 shows the block diagram of a client communication device according to the invention
• Fig. 3 represents the block diagram of a collaboration session activation device for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients according to the invention
• FIG. 4a shows the algorithm performed by a client communication device to initiate a collaboration session establishment between a plurality of clients according to the invention
• Fig. 4b represents the algorithm performed by a client communication device for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients according to the invention
• Fig. 5 shows the algorithm performed by the collaboration session activation device for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients according to the invention.
• Fig. 1 shows the system for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients in a communication network.
• the system according to the invention comprises a collaboration session activation device 120 which activates collaboration sessions between a plurality of clients 100 through a communication network 150. Only two client communication devices 100a and 100b are shown in FIG. . 1.
• a client communication device for example the client communication device 100a, generates an electromechanical message intended for each client communication device 100, through example the client communication device 100b, with which it wishes to establish a collaboration session.
• the electronic message includes any type of digital data addressed and in particular an electronic mail or an SMS type message or an MMS message or an instant message known by the English term "Instant Messaging".
• SMS type messages are short messages. SMS is the abbreviation of the English words Short Message Service.
• Multimedia Message Service (MMS) messages are short messages that include sequences of video images or music.
• the client communication device 100a addresses this same electronic message to a messaging system 122 associated with a collaboration session manager 125 of the collaboration session activation device 120.
• the collaboration session activation device 120 on receipt of this electronic message activates a collaboration session and generates an electronic message intended for the customer communication devices 100a and 100b.
• the electronic message is for example and in a nonlimiting manner an electronic mail or in a variant an SMS type message or an MMS message or an instant message.
• This electronic message includes, among other things, an identifier of the activated collaboration session. This identifier is for example the address of the activated collaboration session. The identifier can also be a name associated with the activated collaboration session.
• Each client communication device 100 comprises at least one messaging software 101 with which is optionally associated a directory of addresses of correspondents 102 of the client of the client communication device 100 as well as collaboration software 103.
• Each client communication device 100 alternatively comprises instant messaging software or software capable of processing SMS or MMS messages.
• Collaboration software 103 is for example videoconferencing software or editing software allowing the user of a client communication device 100 to participate with other clients in a collaboration session in the form of a table.
• White A whiteboard is a tool that allows multiple clients to work on textual or graphical data using the concept of a board: all clients see what is on the board and all clients can write on the board.
• the communication network 150 allows the transfer of information between the client communication devices 100, at least one messaging server 110 and the collaboration session activation device 120.
• the communication network 150 is preferably a communication network of Internet type. It can also be a wireless telephone network or the like.
• the collaboration session establishment system according to the present invention comprises at least one messaging server 110.
• the messaging server 110 receives the messages transmitted by the client messaging software 101 and distributes them to their recipients.
• the messaging server 110 is a server capable of processing instant messages or SMS or MMS messages.
• the collaboration session activation device 120 comprises one or more messaging software 122 associated with a collaboration session manager 125.
• the messaging software or software 122 are software capable of processing any type of addressed digital data and in particular emails or instant messaging or SMS or MMS messages.
• the collaboration session manager 125 activates collaboration sessions 126 and manages the various exchanges of information between the clients when the collaboration session is established. As an example, only two: collaboration sessions 126a and 126b are shown. Of course, the collaboration session manager 125 is able to manage a larger number of collaboration sessions 126.
• collaboration session manager 125 When the collaboration session manager 125 establishes a collaboration session, the latter first activates a collaboration session and communicates to the clients of the collaboration session the identifier thereof so that they can establish the collaboration session.
• the activation of a collaboration session corresponds to the launching of the corresponding software of the collaboration session requested by an initiating client, to the establishment of the resources necessary for the collaboration session between the clients at the level of the session activation device. 120. These resources are for example memory space or the launching of applications allowing the transit of information between clients.
• the collaboration session manager 125 is associated with accreditation verification software 127 with which is associated a database 128.
• the accreditation verification software 127 verifies that all of the clients whose email addresses are understood in a message sent by a user of a client communication device 100 have rights to access the requested collaboration session. These rights are for example obtained by registering before the service as proposed by the collaboration session activation device 120. According to a particular mode, the accreditation verification software 127 determines for the client having sent the message thus that for each recipient of the message a temporary password or accreditation. According to a particular mode of the present invention, several messaging addresses are associated with the collaboration session manager 125. According to this particular mode, a messaging session corresponds to a type of collaboration session.
• Fig. 2 shows the block diagram of a client communication device according to the invention.
• the client communication device 100 is adapted to operate in a system for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients in a communication network 150.
• the client communication device 100 is for example a microcomputer. It can also be integrated into a personal assistant or a mobile phone.
• the client communication device 100 comprises a communication bus 201 to which a central unit 200, a read only memory 202, a memory are connected. 203, a screen 204, a keyboard 205, a hard disk 208, a reader / recorder of removable storage means 209, a communication interface 206 with a communication network such as the Internet communication network 150.
• the hard disk 208 stores among other things the client messaging software 101 as well as the directory 102 associated therewith, the collaboration software 103 as well as the programs implementing the invention which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b.
• the client messaging software 101 is capable of processing any type of digital data addressed and in particular electronic mails. As a variant, the client messaging software 101 is able to process instant messages or SMS or MMS.
• the programs implementing the invention can also be read via the reader of removable storage means 209 or received via the communication network 150. More generally, the programs according to the present invention are stored in a means of storage. This storage means can be read by a computer or a microprocessor 200. This storage means is integrated or not in the device, and can be removable.
• the hard disk 208 is replaced by an information storage means such as for example a memory of SDRAM type.
• the client communication device 100 is powered up, or when the client messaging software 101 is launched, the programs according to the present invention are transferred into the random access memory 203 which then contains the executable code of the invention as well as the data necessary for the implementation of the invention.
• the client communication device 100 includes a screen 204 capable of reproducing the messages received from the messaging server 110 or from the collaboration session activation device 120 according to the present invention.
• the client communication device 100 also includes a keyboard 205 also serving as a man-machine interface.
• the initiating client can write an electronic message by including the electronic message addresses of the clients with whom he wishes a session of collaboration is established or their phone number when SMS or MMS messages are transmitted.
• the initiating client also includes the electronic messaging address of the collaboration session activation device 120.
• the user of the client communication device 100 can also, by selecting the address of the collaboration session transmitted in the form of an electronic message sent by the collaboration session activation device 120, activate the collaboration software 103 and establish a collaboration session at the address of the collaboration session collaboration enabled.
• the keyboard 205 can also be replaced by a touch screen, a mouse, or any other type of human-machine interface. Fig.
• the collaboration session activation device 120 is for example a computer.
• the collaboration session activation device 120 comprises a communication bus 301 to which a central processing unit 300, a read only memory 302, a random access memory 303, a hard disk 308 and a communication interface 306 with a communication network 150 are connected. such as the Internet.
• the hard disk 308 stores the program implementing the invention which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.
• the hard disk 308 also stores the collaboration session manager software 125 as well as the messaging software 120 which is associated with it.
• the hard disk also stores the accreditation software 127 and the database 128 associated with it.
• the processor 300 of the collaboration session activation device 120 allocates collaboration space in the RAM 303. More generally, the programs according to the present invention are stored in a storage means. . This storage means can be read by a computer or a microprocessor 300. This storage means is integrated or not into the device, and can be removable.
• the program which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 is transferred to the random access memory 303 which then contains the executable code of the invention as well as the data necessary for the implementation of the invention.
• the input-output interface 306 is a communication interface capable of ensuring information exchanges via the network 150 with the users of the client communication terminals 100.
• FIG. 4a shows the algorithm performed by a client communication device to initiate a collaboration session establishment between a plurality of clients according to the invention.
• a user of a client communication device 100 initiates the activation and the establishment of a collaboration session by sending an electronic message.
• the electronic message is an electronic mail or alternatively an SMS type message or an MMS message or an instant message.
• the processor 200 of the client communication device 100 reads, from memory 202, the program instructions corresponding to steps E400 to E406 of FIG. 4a and loads them into random access memory 203 to execute them.
• step E400 the client messaging software 101 is launched by the user of the client communication device 100. This operation performed, the processor 200 of the client communication device proceeds to the next step E401.
• This step consists of entering at least one e-mail address of a client with whom the user of the client communication device 100 wishes a collaboration session to be established or at least one telephone number.
• the user of the client communication device 100a enters the electronic mail address of the user of the client communication device 100b. The entry is made via the keyboard 205 and / or from the directory 102a associated with the client messaging system 101a. Of course, several e-mail addresses and / or telephone numbers can be inserted at this stage.
• the user of the client communication device 100a can also indicate other email addresses than those associated with the clients with whom he wishes a collaboration session to be established. These other e-mail addresses are the e-mail addresses of recipients for whom the message is for information only.
• the processor 200 of the client communication device goes to the next step E402.
• the user of the client communication device 100a enters the e-mail address of the collaboration session activation device 120. It should be noted here that the user of the client communication device 100a chooses the address e-mail corresponding to the type of collaboration session he wishes to initiate. If the session is a videoconference session, the client inserts for example the address videoconference@domain.com. If the session is an editing session in the form of a whiteboard, the client inserts for example the address whiteboard@domain.com.
• a single electronic mail address is associated with the collaboration session activation device and the client specifies in the body of the electronic message by a predetermined keyword the type of session that he wishes to initiate.
• the processor 200 goes to the next step E403 and determines whether or not time information is associated with the electronic message being formed.
• This temporal information is for example the desired date and / or time of the establishment of the collaboration session, or even the end time of the collaboration session.
• This temporal information is associated in the form of an attachment to the electronic message. This attachment is for example of the eCalandar ⁇ or vCalandar ⁇ type. If no time information is associated with the electronic message being formed, the processor 200 then goes to step E406.
• step E404 the processor 200 invites the user of the client communication device 100a to enter the date and / or time of the establishment of the collaboration session. Once this has been done, the processor 200 goes to the next step E405 and invites the user of the client communication device 100a to enter the date and / or time for the end of the collaboration session. Once this has been done, the dates and / or times of the start and end of the collaboration session are inserted into the electronic message in a format predetermined by the processor 200. The electronic message thus formed is transferred in step E406 to the messaging server. 110 via the communication interface 206 and the communication network 150.
• the electronic message thus includes the electronic messaging address of the collaboration session activation device 120 and more precisely the corresponding electronic messaging address to the type of collaboration session that he wishes to initialize, the e-mail address of the user of the client communication device 100a which initiates the collaboration session as well as the e-mail address or the telephone number of the user of the client communication device 100b with which the user of the communication device client 100a wants to share the collaboration session.
• steps E403 to E405 are not carried out.
• the processor 200 when step E402 is executed, transfers the electronic message to the messaging server 110.
• the message is transmitted in the form of an SMS or MMS message.
• Step E450 of the algorithm of FIG. 4b is a waiting loop for the reception by the client messaging software 101 of an electronic message generated by the collaboration session activation device 120.
• the processor 200 of the client communication device 100 goes to the next step E451.
• the electronic message is for example an electronic mail or alternatively an SMS type message or an MMS message or an instant message.
• the electronic message received is displayed on the screen 204 of the client communication device 100.
• This electronic message comprises for example textual information such as:
• the processor 200 determines whether or not the user of the communication device selects the link proposed in the received electronic message. This selection is made via the keyboard 204 or a mouse associated with the client communication device 100. If the user of the communication device does not select the proposed link, the algorithm according to the present invention ends. The processor 200 returns to step E450 awaiting the reception of a new electronic message. If the user of the communication device selects the proposed link, the processor 200 goes to the next step E453. At this stage, the processor 200 determines whether temporal information is contained in the associated electronic message or is associated with it. This temporal information is for example the date and / or the time of end of the desired collaboration session, or even the time of establishment of the collaboration session.
• This temporal information is associated in the form of an attachment to the electronic message.
• This attachment is for example of the eCalandar ⁇ or vCalandar ⁇ type.
• this time information is inserted into the electronic message in a predetermined format. If no time information is contained in the electronic message or associated with it, the processor 200 goes to step E455. If time information is contained in the electronic message, the processor 100 proceeds to step E454. At this stage, the processor 200 activates a timeout for the end of the collaboration session. This time delay is determined from the time information included in the electronic message or associated with it. This operation carried out, the processor 200 then passes to step E455.
• step E455 the processor 200 waits for these to be identical before proceeding to step E455.
• step E455 the processor 200 activates the collaboration software 103.
• step E456 the link included in the electronic message received and selected in step E452 is transferred to the collaboration software 103.
• the collaboration software 103 establishes in step E457 a collaboration session at the address of the session of collaboration. When establishing this session, are communicated, if necessary, the accreditations which have been communicated by the collaboration session activation device 120.
• Each client communication device 100 receiving the same type of message executes the present algorithm and each user of client communication device 100 is thus, by performing a simple command, in communication with the other clients via the session of collaboration established.
• This collaboration session remains active until the test of the next step E458 is not positive.
• the processor 200 checks whether the timeout for the end of the collaboration session established in step E454 is finished or not. When the end-of-session timer is over, the processor 200 commands the collaboration software 103 to close and returns to step E450 awaiting receipt of a new message.
• Fig. 5 shows the algorithm performed by the collaboration session activation device for establishing a collaboration session between a plurality of clients according to the invention.
• the processor 300 of the collaboration session activation device 120 reads, from the read-only memory 302 or the hard disk 308, the program instructions corresponding to steps E500 to E516 of FIG. 5 and loads them into RAM 303 to execute them.
• the processor 300 of the collaboration session activation device 120 detects the reception of a message generated by a client initiating a collaboration session, commands the activation of the collaboration session, obtains the address of the activated collaboration session and transfers at least one message including the address of the activated collaboration session to each address or telephone number of clients of the collaboration session.
• Step E500 of the algorithm of FIG. 5 is a waiting loop for reception by the messaging software 122 of an electronic message generated by a user initiating a client communication device 100.
• This message corresponds to the electronic message formed according to the algorithm of FIG. 4a and transferred to step E406 of this same algorithm.
• This message can also, in another embodiment, be an SMS or MMS type message as described with reference to FIG. 4a.
• the processor 300 of the collaboration session activation device goes to the next step E501.
• the collaboration session manager 125 reads from the electronic message received an electronic messaging address from a client of the collaboration service. This operation carried out, the collaboration session manager 125 checks in the next step E502 whether the client having the e-mail address read in step E501 is accredited to use the service as proposed by the present invention.
• the collaboration session manager 125 queries an accreditation verification software 127 with which a database 128 is associated.
• the accreditation verification software 127 verifies whether the client whose e-mail address has been read at step E501 has rights to access the requested collaboration application. These rights are for example obtained by the customers by registering beforehand for the service as proposed by the collaboration session activation device 120. If the customer having the e-mail address or the telephone number read in step E501 is not accredited to use the service as proposed by the present invention, the processor 300 of the collaboration session activation device 120 goes to step E505. If the client having the telephone number or the e-mail address read in step E501 is accredited to use the service as proposed by the present invention, the processor 300 proceeds to step E503. At this step, the address read in step E501 is stored.
• the collaboration session manager 125 interrogates the accreditation verification software 127 so that the latter determines in step E504 a temporary password, or accreditation, for accessing the service.
• This accreditation is stored in this same step in association with the electronic mail address stored in the previous step E503.
• it is checked in step E505 whether there are other electronic mail addresses or other telephone numbers present in the electronic message received in step E500. If so, the processor 300 goes to step E506, considers the following electronic mail address and goes to step E501 previously described. The loop consisting of steps E501 to E506 is reiterated until all the addresses have been processed.
• the processor 300 determines whether temporal information is contained in the associated electronic message or is associated therewith. This temporal information is for example the date and / or the time of end of the desired collaboration session, or even the time of establishment of the collaboration session. This temporal information is associated in the form of an attachment to the electronic message. This attachment is for example of the eCalandar ⁇ or vCalandar ⁇ type.
• this time information is inserted into the electronic message in a predetermined format. If not, the processor 300 goes to the next step E510. If time information is contained in or associated with the received electronic message, the processor 300 proceeds to step E508. In step E508, the processor 300 activates a collaboration session activation start delay corresponding to the date and / or time of establishment of the collaboration session. In the next step E509, the processor 300 waits for the date and / or the time of the start of the collaboration session specified with the electronic message received. When the date and / or time of the calendar and / or clock of the collaboration session activation device correspond to the date and / or time of establishment of the collaboration session, the processor 300 switches in the next step E510.
• step E510 the addresses stored in step E503 are transferred to the collaboration session manager 125.
• the collaboration session manager 125 determines the type of session that the initiator client of the electronic message received in step E500 wishes to establish.
• the type of session is for example determined from the address of the electronic mailbox at which the electronic message arrived. If the session is a videoconference session, the address of the electronic mailbox to which the electronic message arrived is visioconference@domain.com. If the session is an editing session in the form of a whiteboard, the address of the electronic mailbox to which the electronic message arrived is whiteboard@domain.com.
• the collaboration session manager 125 determines the type of collaboration session by searching for predetermined keywords in the body of the received electronic message.
• the collaboration session manager 125 activates the corresponding collaboration session in step E512. If no type of collaboration session is specified, the collaboration session manager 125 activates the collaboration session considered by the collaboration session manager 125 as collaboration session 126 by default. This operation carried out, the collaboration session manager 125 stores in step E513 the memory address associated with the activated collaboration session. This operation carried out, the collaboration session manager 125 forms in step E514 an electronic message or an SMS or an MMS intended for each electronic messaging address or each telephone number transferred in step E510.
• the accreditations determined previously in step E504 are also inserted in each electronic message.
• the message thus formed is transferred in step E515 to the messaging software 122 associated with the collaboration session manager 125 to be sent to the different clients of the collaboration session established via the messaging server 110 and the communication network. 150.
• the steps E508 and E509 previously described are not executed.
• the processor 300 determines whether temporal information is contained in the electronic message received or is associated with it. If temporal information is contained in the electronic message received or is associated with it, this is included or associated with the message formed in step E514. The collaboration session remains active until the test of the next step E516 is not positive. At this test, the processor 300 checks whether the timeout for the end of the collaboration session established in step E512 is finished or not. When the end-of-session timeout is over, the processor 300 commands the closing of the collaboration session established in step E512 and returns to step E500 awaiting receipt of a new message. It should be noted here that at any time during a collaboration session, a client of the collaboration session can increase the number of clients participating in this collaboration session without interrupting it.
• the client of the collaboration session composes an electronic message or an SMS or an MMS intended for the electronic messaging 122 associated with the collaboration session manager 125 and the clients and the new client.
• the collaboration session manager 125 receives this message, it compares the addresses stored in step E503 of FIG. 5 with these in the message and add the new address or phone number as the customer address for the current collaboration session.
• the collaboration session manager then forms an electronic message or an SMS or an MMS comprising the address of the collaboration session to which the new client is invited and orders the transfer of the formed electronic message to the latter.
• several new customers can simultaneously be invited to share an active collaboration session.
• the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described here, but encompasses, quite the contrary, any variant within the reach of ordinary skill in the art.

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• 2003
  • 2003-12-09 FR FR0314430A patent/FR2863426A1/fr active Pending
• 2004
  • 2004-12-08 WO PCT/FR2004/003164 patent/WO2005057852A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2004-12-08 US US10/580,299 patent/US20070106727A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-12-08 EP EP04805669A patent/EP1692815A1/de not_active Ceased

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