System and method for effecting conference calling

• US 20030195930A1
• Filed: 04/12/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Piece Future Pte., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Anne Yin-Fee, Henrikson, Eric Harold
• Granted Patent: US 8,392,502 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/569 using the instant speaker's algorithm speech detection per se G10L25/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network includes: (a) a plurality of subscriber units coupled with the telecommunication network; and (b) a conference control unit coupled with the telecommunication network. The conference control unit responds to a request message from a requesting subscriber unit to effect coupling of a conference-set of subscriber units in a conference calling configuration. The conference control unit controls inclusion in the conference-set by respective subscriber units. The system may provide that the conference control unit provides and controls conferencing services for the conference-set of subscriber units.

Claims

1. A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network;

the system comprising;

(a) a plurality of subscriber units coupled with said telecommunication network; and

(b) a conference control unit coupled with said telecommunication network;

said conference control unit responding to a request message from a requesting subscriber unit of said plurality of subscriber units to effect coupling of a conference-set of subscriber units of said plurality of subscriber units in a conference calling configuration;

said conference control unit controlling inclusion in said conference-set by respective subscriber units of said plurality of subscriber units.

2. A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 1 wherein said conference control unit provides and controls conferencing services for said conference-set of subscriber units;

said conference calling configuration effecting at least one conference application;

said conference control unit managing data streams among said conference-set of subscriber units to provide only one data stream to respective subscriber units of said conference-set of subscriber units for each respective conference application of said at least one conference application.

3. A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 2 wherein said conference services include text chat services.

4. A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 2 wherein said conference services include file transfer services.

5. A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 2 wherein said conference services include data conferencing services.

6. A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 2 wherein said data conferencing services include shared whiteboard services.

7. A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 2 wherein said data conferencing services include shared spreadsheet services.

8. A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 2 wherein said data conferencing services include shared word processor services.

9. A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 2 wherein said data conferencing services include shared presentation services.

10. A method for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) in no particular order;

(1) providing a plurality of subscriber units coupled with said telecommunication network; and

(2) providing a conference control unit coupled with said telecommunication network; and

(b) operating said conference control unit in response to a request message from a requesting subscriber unit of said plurality of subscriber units to effect coupling of a conference-set of subscriber units of said plurality of subscriber units in a conference calling configuration;

said conference control unit controlling inclusion in said conference calling set by respective subscriber units of said plurality of subscriber units.

11. A method for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 10 wherein said conference control unit provides and controls conferencing services for said conference-set of subscriber units;

said conference calling configuration effecting at least one conference application;

said conference control unit managing data streams among said conference-set of subscriber units to provide only one data stream to respective subscriber units of said conference-set of subscriber units for each respective conference application of said at least one conference application.

12. A method for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 11 wherein said conference services include text chat services.

13. A method for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 11 wherein said conference services include file transfer services.

14. A method for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 11 wherein conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 2 wherein said conference services include data conferencing services.

15. A method for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 11 wherein said data conferencing services include shared whiteboard services.

16. A method for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 11 wherein said data conferencing services include shared spreadsheet services.

17. A method for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 11 wherein said data conferencing services include shared word processor services.

18. A method for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 11 wherein said data conferencing services include shared presentation services.

19. An apparatus for establishing and controlling conference calling in a telecommunication network;

said telecommunication network including a plurality of calling units;

the apparatus being coupled with said telecommunication network;

the apparatus comprising;

a conferencing server unit;

said server unit responding to a request message from a requesting calling unit of said plurality of calling units to effect coupling of a conference-set of calling units of said plurality of calling units in a conference calling configuration;

the apparatus controlling inclusion in said conference-set by respective calling units of said plurality of calling units.

20. An apparatus for establishing and controlling conference calling in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 19 wherein the apparatus provides and controls conferencing services for said conference-set of calling units;

said conference calling configuration effecting at least one conference application;

said conference control unit managing data streams among said conference-set of calling units to provide only one data stream to respective calling units of said conference-set of calling units for each respective conference application of said at least one conference application.