#10 P2P & Chaired Conference Calls

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I know conference call functions have not been implemented yet but here's some ideas that may be helpful when it is being worked on.

1) Use the concept of forwarding the packets via third computer, to keep the P2P method of use. All computers could be made aware of all other computers on the call.

2) A logical ring for the traffic could be initiated. If one computer fails, then the others could change the computer that they are immediately in communication with.
2a) Each connection will need the same amount of bandwidth (as a usual two person connection), if each receives from the computer before it, and sends to the computer after it.
2b) Each computer would need twice the bandwidth, if it send and receives to two other computers.

3) Chaired Conference calls
To save everybody sending and receiving to all other callers, all at once (which really just means that everybody can talk, and listen, and interrupt at once, the bandwidth required is seriously reduced, if transmission is restricted to the "talker". This means some form of "fair decision" is needed as to who will be the next speaker (or interrupter).
Several modes to choose from:
a) "Round the Table, Pass"
After the current speaker has finished, the automatic chairman (software) goes round the table (ring), to ask each person if they want speak.
b) Manual chairman, gets first speak after any other talker so they can choose who will speak next.
c) chairman could have the function to press the talk button for the next talker.
d) each person has a "request to speak" and "request to interrupt" button so the chairman can see if somebody wants to talk next, who was first, and if somebody has a serious need to stop the talk at that point and clarify a matter.
e) each person could have a "level of desire to hear more from this speaker" (now, and latter in the conversation) button, so chairperson can gage when somebody is beginning to go off topic, or bore people to tears.
f) next person to speak, based on who was fastest to press the button after the last speaker finished. Also what to do if there is a contention (within a short space of time), like next closest contender round the ring from the last speaker.
z) a rule instruction set could be devised, so users can customize their own automatic decision processes that they all agree are fair. These can also be shared with other "groups", possibly by downloading "rule sets" from your website.

Yours
Alasdair