Conference calling system
First Claim
1. A method of setting up a conference call between a plurality of participants at geographically dispersed locations, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining information identifying each of said locations;
retrieving information from a database specifying the cost of communications originating from each of said locations;
computing, using said retrieved information, the cost of routing communications between each of said locations and other ones of said locations; and
selecting a routing arrangement for said conference as a function of said computed cost information.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The initiator of a conference call provides conference requirements such as number and location of parties to be conferenced, time for beginning and end of conference, and telecommunications facilities requirements (e.g., bandwidth requirements for video and multi-media calls), to a conference optimization system (COS). The COS compares the requirements with information in a database, including (a) the cost for each of the paths/routes at the desired time for the conference, (b) available network paths/routes, taking into account the required bandwidth and quality of transmission, and (c) capabilities of the terminal equipment available to the participants. The COS uses a processor such as a microprocessor to identify available network paths/routes for the conference (advantageously with real time input from telecommunications network operations and maintenance systems), select the most cost effective means for initiating the conference, and send information, such as an announcement, to the parties involved in the conference, indicative of the route/path selection. The information required for conference initiation may be provided to a network call controller in order to actually set up the conference without further intervention by the participants.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of setting up a conference call between a plurality of participants at geographically dispersed locations, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining information identifying each of said locations; retrieving information from a database specifying the cost of communications originating from each of said locations; computing, using said retrieved information, the cost of routing communications between each of said locations and other ones of said locations; and selecting a routing arrangement for said conference as a function of said computed cost information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for setting up a conference call between a plurality of participants at geographically dispersed locations, comprising:
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means for obtaining information identifying each of said locations; means for retrieving information from a database specifying the cost of communications originating from each of said locations; means for computing, using said retrieved information, the cost of routing communications between each of said locations and other ones of said locations; and means for selecting a routing arrangement for said conference as a function of said computed cost information. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification