Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
379204010 | Subscriber control | 23 |
20080232570 | Automatic Reconstitution of Telecommunications Sessions - A telecommunications feature is disclosed that enables a person to disconnect from a telecommunications session (e.g., a telephone call, a chat session, a video conference, etc.) and to be automatically reconnected at a later time. For example, Fred might be required to participate in his project group's weekly conference call, but as a practical matter Fred really only need to participate at the beginning and end of the meeting. After the conference call begins and Fred learns that the meeting will end at 4:00 PM, Fred uses the present invention to program his telephone to disconnect from the conference call now and to automatically reconnect to the conference call at 3:45 PM. This gives Fred the opportunity to get some work done and yet not miss the end of the conference call. | 09-25-2008 |
20080240393 | Conference System Discussion Unit with Exchangeable Modules - A discussion unit ( | 10-02-2008 |
20090086951 | Telecommunications endpoint for managing multi-conferencing - An apparatus or endpoint device is disclosed for providing the capability to simultaneously manage multiple conference calls, move participants in the conference calls from one conference call to another and subdivide or join multiple conference calls together, and the like, wherein the apparatus or endpoint device provides a multi-conferencing capability that enables one or more teleconferencing participants to manage multiple teleconferences simultaneously. Each participant in the teleconference call manages their respective teleconference through their apparatus or endpoint device at their specific location by using it to adjust the teleconferencing topology, i.e., who should form what part of each specific teleconference call. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086952 | Multi-conferencing capability - A system and method for providing the capability to simultaneously manage multiple conference calls, move participants in the conference calls from one conference call to another and subdivide or join multiple conference calls together, and the like, wherein a participant seeking to initiate conference calls does so at his or her endpoint by selecting conference call identifiers, where the identifiers identify conference calls to be created. The initiating participant then selects the participants to be associated with the particular calls and confirms the selection. Upon confirmation of the selection, the conference calls among the selected participants are established. | 04-02-2009 |
20090220066 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEAMLESS TRANSITION OF A CONFERENCE CALL PARTICIPANT BETWEEN ENDPOINTS - In one embodiment, a method includes maintaining a first connection with respect to a conference call on a first endpoint associated with a user. The method also includes determining if the user has requested a second connection with respect to the conference call, and establishing the second connection with respect to the conference call if the user has requested the second connection. Finally, the method includes replacing the first connection with the second connection with respect to the conference call if the user has requested the second connection. Replacing the first connection with the second connection includes establishing the second connection with respect to the conference call through a second endpoint associated with the user. The second connection is established transparently with respect to the conference call, and replaces the first connection transparently. | 09-03-2009 |
20110019810 | Systems and methods for switching between computer and presenter audio transmission during conference call - A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support switching between computer audio and presenter audio during a conference call so that one and only one, not both, of the two audio streams is being transmitted to the rest of the conference at any time. More specifically, a switch engine is adopted, which separately takes one or more audio streams captured by a sound mixing component of the hosting device of a presenter and by a microphone attached to the hosting device as its two inputs, and outputs only one of the two inputs at any time. The selected audio output is then processed and transmitted to the rest of the conference with feedback from other audio sources canceled. | 01-27-2011 |
20110228923 | CONFERENCING UNIT AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT MULTI-POINT COMMUNICATION - The invention relates to a conferencing unit for multi-point communication in the course of a telephone conference. Previously, it was not possible to call up and document agreements and decisions in voice-based telephone conferences in a computer-aided manner. The reason was that in traditional conferencing units, all audio channels were mixed into an overall channel and therefore an undisturbed interaction of individual participants with the system is not possible. The invention enables an individual association of a conference participant with a decision processing unit, in which decisions can be announced in a dialog system and stored in a computer-readable format. | 09-22-2011 |
20110261944 | Teleconferencing system for allowing one touch transfer from a facilitator led discussion - A teleconferencing system that enables facilitator-led teleconferences in which a caller can transfer their call to a different conference group, facilitator, or another party by initiating a transfer command, such as by pushing a particular key on their telephone keypad. Application software controls a switch that automatically transfers a caller to a different conference group, facilitator, or party when a transfer-initiating act, such as pressing a key on a keypad, is sensed. The transfer is reported to the current facilitator and to the new facilitator, if any, who is provided with contact information regarding the transferring-in caller. | 10-27-2011 |
20120207296 | Method for Authenticating Client Devices for a Conference Call - A method for authenticating client devices from a conference call server, wherein the conference call server includes a memory for storing conference call scheduling information with respect to scheduled conference call sessions, and wherein the conference call server is in communication with an enterprise server. The method includes receiving in the conference call server a communication from a client device with respect to a scheduled conference call session, and determining whether the client device is associated with the enterprise server, and if so authenticating the client device with respect to the scheduled conference call session. | 08-16-2012 |
20130101107 | TELECONFERENCE PRESENTATION RETRIEVAL MANAGEMENT - A system, method and program product for delivering to an invitee of a teleconference an electronic file attached to or referenced by a meeting notice for the teleconference. The teleconference hosted by a server computer, the invitee has a telephone to call-in to the teleconference via a telephone connection, and an invitee computer downloads the electronic file from the server computer via a first network in response to selection by the invitee of a representation of the electronic file from the meeting notice. The server computer receives a notification that a predetermined combination of keys has been pressed by the invitee on the telephone. In response, the server computer determines an e-mail address or instant message address for the invitee. The server computer attaches and sends the electronic file to an e-mail or instant message with the attached electronic file to the e-mail address or instant message address. | 04-25-2013 |
20130279680 | INTERACTIVE ASSISTANT FOR MANAGING TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS - An interactive assistant for managing telephone communications and services is disclosed. In one of many possible method embodiments, a chat interface is provided to a device associated with an intended recipient of an incoming voice call. A chat message from the intended recipient is received through the chat interface. The chat message is presented to a calling party associated with the incoming call prior to a disposition of the call being determined. In other embodiments, an interface provides controls for individually managing calls on a conference call, without affecting other calls on the conference call. | 10-24-2013 |
20140044249 | Establishing Communication Sessions - A method and apparatus for establishing a communication session with a user in a telecommunications network. The session is to be established between a remote device and one of a plurality of communication clients. Each of the clients is on a user device at which the user may participate in the session. A communication session control system located in a signalling path for the session transmits a session establishment request to a given client to place that client in a prior-to-answer session state. In response, the system receives a request from that client that the option to establish the session with the remote device be made available to at least one client of the plurality of clients other than the given client. The system transmits notification data to the at least one other client to notify that the session is available for retrieval by the at least one other client. | 02-13-2014 |
20140119525 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INITIATING A CONFERENCE CALL - The present invention is a system and method for initiating conference calls via an instant messaging system to reduce the effort required to initiate and manage the call. The system uses an TM connection between a requesting party and a conference call server to inform the conference call server of the desire to initiate the conference call. The conference call server may initiate the conference call by having involved parties called by a conference bridge, thus reducing the effort required by the parties to join the call. | 05-01-2014 |
20140133643 | REDIRECTING AND MIRRORING OF TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATIONS - Initiating a communication is disclosed. An identifier associated with an intended destination with which the calling party desires to establish communication is received from a calling party. Communication with a compliance node is established. An identifier is provided to the compliance node. The compliance node is configured to establish with the intended destination a communication session in which the compliance node, the intended destination, and the calling party are participants. | 05-15-2014 |
20140247931 | MANAGING GROUPS USING TELEPHONES - An aspect of the present invention facilitates formation of groups using missed calls. In an embodiment, upon receipt of a first missed call to a pre-specified number from a first user, a missed call server allocates a first phone number to a new group. Upon receiving missed calls to such allocated number, the corresponding callers (i.e., the phone numbers of the callers) are added to the group. According to another aspect of the present invention, different phone numbers are allocated for different groups, and the members are added in each group, in response to missed calls to the corresponding numbers. Additional management tasks such as provide group owner the ability to approve/reject the addition/removal requests, formation of sub-groups, etc., are also facilitated based on missed calls. | 09-04-2014 |
20150030150 | Systems, Methods, and Computer Programs for Transitioning from a Phone-Only Mode to a Web Conference Mode - Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for transitioning from a phone-only mode to a web conference mode. One embodiment is a method for participating in an audio conference comprising: a conferencing system establishing an audio conference between a plurality of participants via a communication network, at least one of the participants participating in the audio conference in a phone-only mode; and a server in communication with the conferencing system presenting to the phone-only participant, via a user interface on a computing device, a phone-only control menu for enabling the phone-only participant to selectively transition from the phone-only mode to a web conferencing mode. | 01-29-2015 |
20150071426 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING INSTANT VOICE MESSAGING - A method and system for establishing a conference call, by an instant voice message (IVM) server coupled to end-user devices, includes enabling an initiating user using one of the end-user devices, to create an instant voice message indicative of: (i) a request to establish a conference call, and (ii) a group of target users, wherein the group of target users includes at least two target users; establishing an IVM session between the IVM server and at least part of the group of target users; receiving a response, from at least one target user of the at least part of the group of target users, indicating that the at least one target user confirms joining the conference call; and establishing the conference call among the initiating user and the at least one target user. | 03-12-2015 |
20150326730 | Key Code for a Conference Operation - Methods, products, apparatuses, and systems may facilitate a conference operation. The conference operation may include conference chaining, conference switching, conference modification, conference announcement, and so on. A collection of authentication data for a plurality of distinct conferences may be performed to chain the conferences. Switching among the distinct conference may be performed in response to a switch key code. The switch key code may include a general key code applicable to each of the conferences and/or a specific key code application to a specific conference. | 11-12-2015 |
20160255191 | Conference Access Method and Apparatus | 09-01-2016 |
379205010 | Conferencing initiation by single calling station | 4 |
20090110169 | Initiating a Conference Session Based on Availability of End Users - In one embodiment, a method includes receiving input identifying one or more end users to join a conference session. The method includes receiving presence data associated with the one or more identified end users. The method includes initiating the conference session with all of the one or more identified end users when the presence data indicates that all of the one or more identified end users have an available status. | 04-30-2009 |
20100215166 | Initiating a Conference Call - A communication is initiated by providing a user interface via a first device, the user interface including a listing of a plurality of contacts, and receiving an indication to initiate a voice communication with at least one of the contacts. The indication is received via the user interface. The voice communication is facilitated between a second device and at least one of the contacts. | 08-26-2010 |
20130216034 | Multicall Telephone System - A Multicall telephony system includes a computerized communication appliance executing first software (SW) from a non-transitory medium, the appliance connected to a telephony network, and a server connected to the network, the server executing second SW from a non-transitory medium. A user selects a plurality of contacts stored on the computerized communication appliance and initiates a first call to the server which is accompanied by data transmission including at least the names and telephone numbers or IP addresses of the selected contacts, and the server, in response, establishes second calls with the selected contacts, and connects answered second calls to the first call, creating a conference between the user and the selected contacts. | 08-22-2013 |
20150381816 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VISUALIZING A CALL OVER NETWORK WITH A CALLER READINESS DIALOG BOX - Systems and methods for a readiness dialog box for a call over network (CON) are provided. In some embodiments, the readiness dialog box is presented to the callers prior to the onset of the call. It presents the other participant's and their status. For example, it may indicate which participants are online, but not yet ready, those who are ready, and those not available. It also enables the caller to send messages (both preconfigured and customized) to the other participants. Once sufficient participants have joined, the call may start. Sufficiency of participants could include a quorum of individuals, may require that specific participants are ready, everyone is ready, or may be time dependent. The participant requirements may be configured by the individual setting up the call based upon call type. | 12-31-2015 |