Method and apparatus for remote generation of a conference call using SMS or email messages

• US 20070218885A1
• Filed: 03/16/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Wilkin, George, Pfleging, Gerald
• Application Number:
  US11/377,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20070218885A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/416
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5063 Centrally initiated conference, i.e. Conference server dials participants computer conference organisation arrangements H04L12/1818
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/652 Call initiation triggered by text message
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

Abstract

A method and system for the remote generation of a conference call are provided. The method includes receiving an initiating transmission from a user establishing communication paths based on said initiating transmission and connecting the call paths to form a conference call. The initiating transmission can include, among other things, an e-mail or SMS message. The system will parse the message and generate the conference without the user being required to remember the company'"'"'s access codes, the participant'"'"'s contact information, etc.

Claims

1. A method of remote generation of a conference call comprising:

receiving an initiating transmission from a user;

establishing one or more communication paths based on said initiating transmission; and

connecting said established communication paths to form a conference call.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving said initiating transmission includes receiving an SMS message.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving said initiating transmission includes receiving an E-mail.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising verifying that said user is a subscriber.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising a replying to said user that said conference call has been formed.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving said initiating transmission includes receiving a list of conference call participants.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising adding a list of participants through voice activation.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising implementing find me features.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving said initiating transmission includes a set of instructions dictating when said conference call should be formed.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving said initiating transmission includes access codes for said conference call.

11. A system for remote generation of a conference call comprising:

a messaging server configured to receive a transmission requesting the activation of a conference call;

a control system module configured to parse said transmission into components in order to determine parameters for said conference call; and

a routing module that initiates one or more conference circuits in accordance with said transmission.

12. A system according to claim 11 further comprising a directory server that includes a database of contact information.

13. A system according to claim 11 further comprising a verification module configured to authenticate said transmission.

14. A system according to claim 11, wherein said routing module initiated said conference circuits through an intranet system.

15. A system according to claim 11, wherein said routing module initiated said conference circuits through a private branch exchange.

16. A system according to claim 11, wherein said routing module initiated said conference circuits through a centrax.

17. A method for the remote generation of a conference call comprising:

receiving a short messaging system message from a user requesting the initiation of a conference call;

verifying said short messaging system message;

generating a first call to a moderator;

establishing one or more communication paths between said first call and at least one participant based on said short messaging system message;

connecting said established communication paths to form a conference call; and

replying to said user that said conference call has been established.

18. A system of remote generation of a conference call comprising:

a means for receiving an initiating transmission from a user;

a means for establishing one or more communication paths based on said initiating transmission; and

a means for connecting said established communication paths to form a conference call.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein said initiating transmission is a short messaging system message.

20. A system according to claim 18, wherein said initiating transmission is an e-mail message.