RFID for available resources not connected to the network

摘要

Disclosed are apparatus and techniques for providing presence and location information from available media resources to participants in a media conference so that the participants can use then use such available resources in the conferencing interaction. When participating in such rich media conferences with presence and location capabilities, apparatus and techniques are provided for determining the device(s) being used and their capabilities and determining available resources presently connected to a network that is available to the participants and presenting such presence information to the conference participants. Additionally, apparatus and techniques are provided for obtaining presence and location knowledge of potential resources that are accessible but not connected to the network or shutdown and presenting such information to the participants. Thus, the participants can obtain presence and location information regarding accessible resources, including off-line or shutdown resources, and then use such information to enhance the conference in a number of ways.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, at a location server, resource information from a location agent, the resource information being associated with a resource, the resource information comprising location data of the resource and status information of the resource, wherein the location agent is configured in the resource to push the resource information to the location server; receiving, from a requesting entity, a request to access the resource information; determining, based on the location data and the status information, whether the requesting entity is entitled to access the resource, to yield an accessibility information; and publishing the accessibility information to the requesting entity, wherein the location server is configured to receive additional resource information from one or more location agents and publish the additional resource information to the requesting entity.