Managing a virtual waiting room for online meetings

Abstract

A server or other computing device manages meetings in a virtual meeting room on behalf of a virtual meeting room owner. A request is received from an attendee to join a meeting in the virtual meeting room. A determination is made, based on configurations set by the virtual meeting room owner, whether to connect the attendee to a virtual waiting room. The attendee is connected to the virtual waiting room in accordance with the configurations set by the virtual meeting room owner.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 at a server that manages meetings in a virtual meeting room on behalf of a virtual meeting room owner:
 receiving a request from an attendee to join a meeting in the virtual meeting room; 
 displaying a graphical user interface control with a first prompt to the virtual meeting room owner to open a virtual waiting room; 
 determining an identity of the attendee, wherein the identity of the attendee includes a hierarchical relationship level of the attendee within an organization; 
 determining, based on configurations set by the virtual meeting room owner, whether to connect the attendee to the virtual waiting room; 
 automatically connecting the attendee to the virtual waiting room in accordance with the configurations set by the virtual meeting room owner and in accordance with the identity of the attendee; and 
 displaying a second prompt to the virtual meeting room owner indicating that the attendee is in the virtual waiting room waiting for the start of the meeting, the second prompt further indicating the name and hierarchal relationship level of the attendee within the organization to enable the virtual meeting room owner to determine a length of time to keep the attendee waiting in the virtual waiting room. 
   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising instantiating the virtual waiting room with a pool of resources. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining that the virtual meeting room owner is not available to join the meeting because the virtual meeting room owner has not connected to the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining that the virtual meeting room owner is not available to join the meeting because the virtual meeting room owner is in a meeting still in-progress in the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically opening the virtual waiting room a predetermined period of time prior to the start time of the meeting, and wherein connecting comprises automatically connecting the attendee to the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically opening the virtual waiting room at a predetermined time, and wherein connecting comprises automatically connecting the attendee to the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising displaying to one or more attendees in the virtual waiting room a message indicating that the virtual meeting room owner is not yet available. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising playing to the one or more attendees in the virtual waiting room a video program. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising displaying to one or more attendees a list of the attendees in the virtual waiting room. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising enabling audio, video and content sharing interactions between multiple attendees in the virtual waiting which are comparable to interactions available in the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising displaying to the virtual meeting room owner a message indicating how many people are in the virtual waiting room. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising displaying only to the virtual meeting room owner a notification that the attendee for a next meeting is in the virtual waiting room. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising receiving from the virtual meeting room owner a command to open an audio or video connection to the attendee in the virtual waiting room to allow audio or video communication between the attendee and virtual meeting room owner. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising receiving from the virtual meeting room owner a command to close the audio or video connection to the attendee in the virtual waiting room. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising receiving from the virtual meeting room owner a command to add the attendee who is in the virtual waiting room into the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus comprising:
 a network interface unit configured for network communication with user devices of attendees of a virtual meeting in virtual meeting room that is managed on behalf of a virtual meeting room owner;   a processor coupled to the network interface unit, and configured to:
 receive a request from an attendee to join a meeting in the virtual meeting room; 
 display a graphical user interface control with a first prompt to the virtual meeting room owner to open a virtual waiting room; 
 determine an identity of the attendee, wherein the identity of the attendee includes a hierarchical relationship level of the attendee within an organization; 
 determine, based on configurations set by the virtual meeting room owner, whether to connect the attendee to the virtual waiting room; 
 automatically connect the attendee to the virtual waiting room in accordance with the configurations set by the virtual meeting room owner and in accordance with the identity of the attendee; and 
 display a second prompt to the virtual meeting room owner indicating that the attendee is in the virtual waiting room waiting for the start of the meeting, the second prompt further indicating the name and hierarchal relationship level of the attendee within the organization to enable the virtual meeting room owner to determine a length of time to keep the attendee waiting in the virtual waiting room. 
   
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the virtual meeting room owner is in a meeting still-in progress in the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is configured to automatically open the virtual waiting room a predetermined of time prior to the start time of the meeting, and to automatically connect the attendee to the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is configured to receive from the virtual meeting room owner a command to open an audio or video connection to the attendee in the virtual meeting room to allow audio or video communication between the attendee and the virtual meeting room owner. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the processor is configured to receive from the virtual meeting room owner a command to add the attendee who is in the virtual waiting room into the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       21. A non-transitory computer readable storage media storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 receive a request from an attendee to join a meeting in a virtual meeting room that is managed on behalf of a virtual meeting room owner;   display a graphical user interface control with a prompt to the virtual meeting room owner to open a virtual waiting room;   determine an identity of the attendee, wherein the identity of the attendee includes a hierarchical relationship level of the attendee within an organization;   determine, based on configurations set by the virtual meeting room owner, whether to connect the attendee to the virtual waiting room;   automatically connect the attendee to the virtual waiting room in accordance with the configurations set by the virtual meeting room owner and in accordance with the identity of the attendee; and   display a second prompt to the virtual meeting room owner indicating that the attendee is in the virtual waiting room waiting for the start of the meeting, the second prompt further indicating the name and hierarchal relationship level of the attendee within the organization to enable the virtual meeting room owner to determine a length of time to keep the attendee waiting in the virtual waiting room.   
     
     
       22. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to determine that the virtual meeting room owner is in a meeting still-in progress in the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       23. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to automatically open the virtual waiting room a predetermined of time prior to the start time of the meeting, and to automatically connect the attendee to the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       24. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to receive from the virtual meeting room owner a command to open an audio or video connection to the attendee in the virtual meeting room to allow audio or video communication between the attendee and the virtual meeting room owner. 
     
     
       25. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of  claim 24 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to receive from the virtual meeting room owner a command to add the attendee who is in the virtual waiting room into the virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 instantiate the virtual waiting room with a pool of resources.   
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 display to one or more attendees in the virtual waiting room a message indicating that the virtual meeting room owner is not yet available.   
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 play to the one or more attendees in the virtual waiting room a video program.   
     
     
       29. The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 display to one or more attendees a list of the attendees in the virtual waiting room.   
     
     
       30. The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 enable audio, video and content sharing interactions between multiple attendees in the virtual waiting which are comparable to interactions available in the virtual meeting room.   
     
     
       31. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:
 instantiate the virtual waiting room with a pool of resources.   
     
     
       32. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:
 display to one or more attendees in the virtual waiting room a message indicating that the virtual meeting room owner is not yet available.   
     
     
       33. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of  claim 32 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:
 display to one or more attendees a list of the attendees in the virtual waiting room.   
     
     
       34. The non-transitory computer readable storage media of  claim 32 , further comprising instructions that cause the processor to:
 enable audio, video and content sharing interactions between multiple attendees in the virtual waiting which are comparable to interactions available in the virtual meeting room.   
     
     
       35. A method for conducting online video meetings comprising:
 establishing a first virtual meeting room, the first virtual meeting room associated with a meeting host and hosting a first virtual meeting including the meeting host and a first meeting participant;   establishing a second virtual meeting room, the second virtual meeting room associated with the meeting host;   receiving, during the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room, a request from a second meeting participant to join a meeting with the meeting host;   determining a relationship between the second meeting participant and the meeting host based on information associated with the second meeting participant;   determining, based on configurations set by the meeting host, whether to connect the second meeting participant to the first virtual meeting room;   connecting the second meeting participant to the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room in accordance with the determination based on the configurations set by the meeting host and the relationship between the meeting host and the second meeting participant;   displaying a graphical user interface control with a first prompt to the meeting host to open the second virtual meeting room;   displaying a second prompt to the meeting host indicating that the second meeting participant is in the first virtual meeting room, the second prompt further indicating an identifier associated with the second meeting participant;   in response to a first instruction from the meeting host, moving the second meeting participant from the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room to a second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room; and   in response to a second instruction from the meeting host, moving the meeting host from the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room to the second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room.   
     
     
       36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first virtual meeting room has been previously assigned to the meeting host for recurring use by the meeting host. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim 35, wherein the relationship between the second meeting participant and the meeting host comprises an indication that the second meeting participant is a member of the same organization as the meeting host. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim 35, wherein the relationship between the second meeting participant and the meeting host comprises an indication that the second meeting participant is a member of an organization allowed by the meeting host. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim 35, wherein moving the meeting host from the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room to the second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room comprises opening a connection to the second meeting participant in the second virtual meeting room to allow audio and video communication between the second meeting participant and the meeting host. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 35, further comprising receiving from the meeting host an instruction to subsequently move the second meeting participant from the second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room to the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       41. The method of claim 35, wherein the second virtual meeting room is instantiated from the first virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       42. The method of claim 35, wherein the first virtual meeting room provides audio communication among participants in the first virtual meeting room and provides display regions where video of participants in the first virtual meeting room is presented, and the second virtual meeting room provides audio communication among participants in the second virtual meeting room and provides display regions where video of participants in the second virtual meeting room is presented. 
     
     
       43. The method of claim 42, wherein the first virtual meeting room further provides a display region where shared content is displayed to participants in the first virtual meeting room, and the second virtual meeting room further provides a display region where shared content is displayed to participants in the second virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       44. An apparatus comprising:
 a network interface configured to enable communication, in a video conference, between a meeting host and participants via user devices;   a memory configured to store instructions and data to support the video conference; and   one or more processors coupled to the network interface and the memory, and configured to:
 establish a first virtual meeting room, the first virtual meeting room associated with a meeting host and hosting a first virtual meeting including the meeting host and a first meeting participant; 
 establish a second virtual meeting room, the second virtual meeting room associated with the meeting host; 
 receive, during the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room, a request from a second meeting participant to join a meeting with the meeting host; 
 determine a relationship between the second meeting participant and the meeting host based on information associated with the second meeting participant; 
 determine, based on configurations set by the meeting host, whether to connect the second meeting participant to the first virtual meeting room; 
 connect the second meeting participant to the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room in accordance with the determination based on the configurations set by the meeting host and the relationship between the meeting host and the second meeting participant; 
 display a graphical user interface control with a first prompt to the meeting host to open the second virtual meeting room; 
 display a second prompt to the meeting host indicating that the second meeting participant is in the first virtual meeting room, the second prompt further indicating an identifier associated with the second meeting participant; 
 in response to a first instruction from the meeting host, move the second meeting participant from the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room to a second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room; and 
 in response to a second instruction from the meeting host, move the meeting host from the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room to the second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room. 
   
     
     
       45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the first virtual meeting room has been previously assigned to the meeting host for recurring use by the meeting host. 
     
     
       46. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the relationship between the second meeting participant and the meeting host comprises an indication that the second meeting participant is a member of the same organization as the meeting host. 
     
     
       47. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the relationship between the second meeting participant and the meeting host comprises an indication that the second meeting participant is a member of an organization allowed by the meeting host. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the one or more processors are configured to move the meeting host from the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room to the second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room by opening a connection to the second meeting participant in the second virtual meeting room to allow audio and video communication between the second meeting participant and the meeting host. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive from the meeting host an instruction to move the second meeting participant from the second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room to the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       50. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the second virtual meeting room is instantiated from the first virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       51. A method for conducting online video meetings comprising:
 establishing a first virtual meeting room, the first virtual meeting room associated with a meeting host and hosting a first virtual meeting including the meeting host and a first meeting participant;   establishing a second virtual meeting room, the second virtual meeting room associated with the meeting host;   receiving, during the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room, a request from a second meeting participant to join a meeting with the meeting host;   determining a relationship between the second meeting participant and the meeting host based on information associated with the second meeting participant;   determining, based on configurations set by the meeting host, whether to connect the second meeting participant to the first virtual meeting room or to the second virtual meeting room;   connecting the second meeting participant to a second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room in accordance with the determination based on the configurations set by the meeting host and the relationship between the meeting host and the second meeting participant;   displaying a graphical user interface control with a first prompt to the meeting host to open the second virtual meeting room;   displaying a second prompt to the meeting host indicating that the second meeting participant is in the second virtual meeting room, the second prompt further indicating an identifier associated with the second meeting participant;   in response to a first instruction from the meeting host, moving the meeting host from the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room to a second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room including the meeting host and the second meeting participant; and   in response to a second instruction from the meeting host, moving the meeting host from the second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room to the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room.   
     
     
       52. The method of claim 51, wherein the first virtual meeting room has been previously assigned to the meeting host for recurring use by the meeting host. 
     
     
       53. The method of claim 51, wherein the relationship between the second meeting participant and the meeting host comprises an indication that the second meeting participant is a member of the same organization as the meeting host. 
     
     
       54. The method of claim 51, wherein the relationship between the second meeting participant and the meeting host comprises an indication that the second meeting participant is a member of an organization allowed by the meeting host. 
     
     
       55. The method of claim 51, wherein moving the meeting host from the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room to the second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room comprises opening a connection to the second meeting participant in the second virtual meeting room to allow audio and video communication between the second meeting participant and the meeting host. 
     
     
       56. The method of claim 51, further comprising receiving from the meeting host an instruction to move the second meeting participant from the second virtual meeting in the second virtual meeting room to the first virtual meeting in the first virtual meeting room. 
     
     
       57. The method of claim 51, wherein the second virtual meeting room is instantiated from the first virtual meeting room.