System and process for mass telephony conference call

• US 20100260075A1
• Filed: 02/08/2006
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tele-Town Hall LLC
• Original Assignee: Tele-Town Hall LLC
• Inventors: Marchevsky, Roman M., Smelyansky, Vladimir, Smith, Rodney A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,944,861 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/261
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13166 Fault prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13173 Busy signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 Arrangements providing connection between exchanges

Abstract

A method of providing conference call connections includes initiating a conference call between multiple conferees using a conferencing controller, placing each of the multiple conferees in a half-duplex listen only mode using the conferencing controller, and receiving a signal at the conferencing controller from at least one of the multiple conferees to actively participate in the conference call. Active participation can be in the form of asking questions, giving comments, or providing a keypress to vote or provide other information. The conference call can also be broadcast to increase participants. Also, after the conference call is initiated, additional potential conferees can be added.

Claims

1. A method of providing conference call connections, comprising:

initiating a conference call between multiple conferees using a conferencing controller, placing each of the multiple conferees in a half-duplex listen only mode using the conferencing controller;

receiving a signal at the conferencing controller from at least one of the multiple conferees to request active participation in the conference call;

switching at the conferencing controller to full-duplex mode to provide active participation in the conference call to said at least one of the multiple conferees;

monitoring the time during which each of the multiple conferees is in full-duplex mode and participates in the conference call; and

prohibiting the same of each of the multiple conferees from being placed in full-duplex mode a second time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal is a keypress in response to a prompt for an active response.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal is a keypress to request switching to a full-duplex listen and talk mode.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising switching the at least one of the multiple conferees to the full-duplex listen and talk mode.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

configuring for each conference call, a number of the multiple conferees that can participate in full-duplex mode, and

placing each of the remainder of the multiple conferees waiting to ask questions, in a queue.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the queue is a queue to ask a question or provide a comment.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the prompt for an active response during conduct of the conference call, is a prompt for each attendee to vote.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising providing a conferee next in the queue with a silent prompt before switching the conference to a full-duplex listen and talk mode.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of initiating includes substantially simultaneously initiating connection attempts to a plurality of the multiple conferees, wherein at least two of the connection attempts being rerouted through separate available parallel communication resources.

17. The method of claim 6, further comprising limiting a response time of each of the multiple conferees on a per question basis.

18. The method of claim 5, further comprising one of removing the at least one of the multiple conferees from said queue or forcing the at least one of the multiple conferees out of active status.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving another signal during the conference call and when said another signal is unknown or unexpected, ignoring said another signal.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising registering statistical data related to the conference call and resource management of the conference call.

21. The method of claim 5, wherein said number of the multiple conferees is one.

22. The method of claim 5, wherein the number of the remainder of the multiple conferees in the queue, and basic information thereon, are displayed to a user.

10. A method for conferencing that reduces conference call setup time comprising:

simultaneously out dialing to multiple selected conferees though a plurality of parallel communication resources,

simultaneously initiating connection attempts to a plurality of the multiple selected conferees, wherein at least two of the connection attempts are routed through separate available parallel communication connection resources;

wherein for each connection attempt resulting in an answered call, determining when the answered call is answered by one of a person, a fax machine, or an answering machine;

wherein when said answered call is answered by a person, then playing an invitation to the conference call;

wherein when the answered call is answered by a fax machine, then ending the connection attempt;

wherein when the answered call is answered by an answering machine, then recording a message or ending the connection attempt;

redialing failed calls;

automatically initiating the conference call when a minimum number of multiple selected conferees have joined the conference call; and

continuing to initiate connections to other multiple selected conferees during the conference call.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising broadcasting the conference call.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

providing a dial-in number for a conferee to attend the conference call via the broadcasting.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the broadcasting is broadcast over a computer network.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the broadcasting is broadcast over radio.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein a speaker joins the conference call after said minimum number of multiple selected conferees have joined said conference call.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said failed calls include busy and no-answer calls.

23. The method of claim 11, wherein said out dialing and redialing steps are completed before a speaker joins said conference call.