System and process for mass telephony conference call

• US 20110194465A1
• Filed: 04/06/2011
• Published: 08/11/2011
• 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 8,917,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/260
• 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 for automated conferencing that reduces conference call setup time comprising:

simultaneously out dialing to multiple selected conferees though a plurality of parallel communication resources of an automated conference call system,

simultaneously initiating connection attempts, using said automated conference call system, 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 of said automated conference call system;

wherein for each connection attempt resulting in an answered call, using said automated conference call system to determine when the answered call is answered by one of a person, a fax machine, or an answering machine;

using said automated conference call system to automatically initiate the conference call when said automated conference call system has determined that a minimum number of multiple selected conferees have joined the conference call; and

using said automated conference call system to redial failed calls and continue to initiate connections to other multiple selected conferees during the conference call.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising broadcasting the conference call.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

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

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the broadcasting is broadcast over a computer network.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the broadcasting is broadcast over radio.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein a speaker joins the conference call after said minimum number of multiple selected conferees have joined said conference call.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein said failed calls include busy and no-answer calls.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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; and

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

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said automated conference call system calls the same number more than twice.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

stopping said redialed calls when one of all redial numbers are called, or a predefined time before an end of the conference call has expired.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using said automated conference call system to check when a predefined time for starting dialing said multiple selected conferees has expired.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

adding a speaker to the conference call when said minimum number of multiple selected conferees have joined the conference call, and said predefined time for starting said dialing said multiple selected conferees has expired.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said out dialing and redialing steps are completed before a speaker joins said conference call.

14. An automated conferencing call system that reduces conference call setup time, comprising:

a conferencing controller comprising at least one memory containing at least one program comprising the steps of;

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;

automatically initiating the conference call when said automated conference call system has determined that a minimum number of multiple selected conferees have joined the conference call; and

redialing failed calls and continuing to initiate connections to other multiple selected conferees during the conference call; and

a processor for executing the program.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to execute instructions of a program, the program comprising the steps of:

simultaneously out dialing to multiple selected conferees though a plurality of parallel communication resources of an automated conference call system,

simultaneously initiating connection attempts, using said automated conference call system, 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 of said automated conference call system;

wherein for each connection attempt resulting in an answered call, using said automated conference call system to determine when the answered call is answered by one of a person, a fax machine, or an answering machine;

using said automated conference call system to automatically initiate the conference call when said automated conference call system has determined that a minimum number of multiple selected conferees have joined the conference call; and

using said automated conference call system to redial failed calls and continue to initiate connections to other multiple selected conferees during the conference call.