Variable communication bandwidth for conference call initiation

• US 5,675,583 A
• Filed: 05/26/1995
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Bales, Bruce Merrill, Thieler, Stephen Max
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau T.
• Application Number:
  US08/452,458
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 370/60, 370/60.1, 370/62, 370/68.1, 370/110.1, 370/95.1, 370/85.7, 370/468, 370/357, 370/377, 370/522, 370/524, 370/260, 370/261, 370/264, 370/384, 379/201.63, 379/202, 379/205, 379/210, 379/211, 379/212, 379/215, 379/58-60, 379/203, 379/204, 379/207, 348/14, 348/15, 348/16
• US Class Current: 370/261
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4046 with distributed floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems

Abstract

Establishing a multimedia telecommunication conference call with reduced bandwidth if not all participants are available to be part of the conference call by telecommunication terminals. When one telecommunication terminal is initiating a conference call, the initiating telecommunication terminal first establishes low speed data links with each of the other telecommunications terminals that are to be part of the conference. When all users of the other telecommunication terminals are ready for the conference, the other telecommunication terminals signal the initiating telecommunication terminal which then adds the necessary bandwidth to the conference call to establish the multimedia telecommunication conference call. Since the conference call is already set up, the initiating telecommunication terminal only has to add the necessary bandwidth to conference call. Each participant in the telecommunication conference call designates when they are ready to have the conference call start. In addition, each participant can choose not to take part in the conference call.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a conference call so that the conference call is fully established upon all parties to the conference call being ready to fully participate in the conference call, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a limited telecommunication bandwidth conference call to all designated telecommunication terminals by an initiating telecommunication terminal;

receiving a first message by the initiating telecommunication terminal from each of the designated telecommunication terminals when each of the designated telecommunication terminals is ready to fully participate in the conference call; and

adjusting the telecommunication bandwidth of the conference call to allow full participation in the conference call by all telecommunication terminals by transmission of a second message to each of the designated telecommunication terminals for changing the telecommunication bandwidth by the initiating telecommunication terminal after all of the designated telecommunication terminals have transmitted the first message.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first message defines that the sending telecommunication terminal is idle.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first message defines that the user of the sending telecommunication terminal is ready to join the conference call.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting comprises the step of providing voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting comprises the step of providing video and voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting comprises the step of providing data, video and voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the conference call is established on communication paths through a switching system with each communication path connecting one of the designated telecommunication terminals to the initiating telecommunication terminal, and the switching system having a plurality of switch nodes and the step of adjusting comprises the steps, for each communication path, of receiving the second message via a signaling channel that is part of the communication path by a first one of the plurality of switch nodes;

determining a requested change in telecommunication bandwidth by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes from the second message;

modifying the communication bandwidth through the switch node to provide the requested communication bandwidth; and

transmitting by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes the second message via the signaling channel to a next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes in the communication path.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of modifying comprises the step of ascertaining a capability of the first one of the plurality switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of modifying further comprises the step of only providing the ascertained capability of communication bandwidth for the communication path by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of transmitting comprises the step of setting the requested change of the second message equal to the ascertained capability before transmission via the signaling channel by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the next sequential one of the plurality switch nodes is a destination switch node of the communication path, the each one of the designated communication terminals is connected to the destination switch node, and the destination switch node performs the steps recited the first one of the plurality of switch nodes and transmits second message via the signal channel to the each one of the designated communication terminals rather than the next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes, and the method further comprises the steps of ascertaining a capability of the one of the designated communication terminals to provide the requested communication bandwidth;

only providing the ascertained communication bandwidth by the one of the designated communication terminals;

forming a third message in response to receipt of the second message by the one of the designated communication terminals;

inserting allocation information into the third message that is equal to the ascertained capability to provided requested communication bandwidth by the one of the designated communication terminals; and

transmitting the formed third message back on the signaling channel to the destination switch node by the one of the designated communication terminals.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprises the step of readjusting the communication bandwidth by each of the plurality of switch nodes in the communication path to be equal to that specified by the allocation information in response to receipt of the third message by each of the plurality of switch nodes.

13. A method for establishing a conference call so that the conference call is fully established upon all parties to the conference call being ready to fully participate in the conference call, and the conference call is established on a switching system having a plurality of switch nodes, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a limited telecommunication bandwidth conference call with a set of the plurality of switch nodes that are each connected to a one of telecommunication terminals designated to participate in the conference call by an initiating one of the plurality switch nodes that interconnects to an initiating telecommunication terminal;

receiving a first message by the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes from each of the set of the plurality of switch nodes when each of the set of the plurality of switch nodes is ready to fully participate in the conference call; and

adjusting the telecommunication bandwidth of the conference call to allow full participation in the conference call by all telecommunication terminals by transmission of a second message to each of the set of the plurality of switch nodes for changing the telecommunication bandwidth by the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes after all of the set of the plurality of switch nodes have transmitted the first message.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first message defines that a one of the designated telecommunication terminals connected to the sending one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes is idle.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the first message defines that the user of a one of the designated telecommunication terminals connected to the sending one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes is ready to join the conference call.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of adjusting comprises the step of providing voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of adjusting comprises the step of providing video and voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of adjusting comprises the step of providing data, video and voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of adjusting comprises the steps of receiving the second message via a signaling channel that is part of a communication path of the conference call by a first one of the plurality of switch nodes;

determining a requested change in telecommunication bandwidth by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes from the second message;

modifying the communication bandwidth through the first one of the plurality of switch nodes to provide the requested communication by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes bandwidth; and

transmitting by a first one of the plurality of switch nodes the second message via the signaling channel to a next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of modifying comprises the step of ascertaining a capability of the first one of the plurality switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of modifying further comprises the step of only providing the ascertained capability of communication bandwidth by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of transmitting comprises the step of setting the requested change of the second message equal to the ascertained capability before transmission via the signaling channel by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the next sequential one of the plurality switch nodes is a one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes of the conference call, the method further comprises the steps of ascertaining a capability of the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth;

only providing the ascertained communication bandwidth by the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes;

forming a third message in response to receipt of the second message by the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes;

inserting allocation information into the third message that is equal to the ascertained capability to provided requested communication bandwidth by the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes; and

transmitting the formed third message back on the signaling channel to the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes by the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprises the step of readjusting the communication bandwidth by each of the plurality of switch nodes in the communication path to be equal to that specified by the allocation information in response to receipt of the second message by each of the plurality of switch nodes.

25. A method for initiating a three-way conference call, the method comprising the steps of:

placing a first call with a first telecommunication terminal on hold by a second telecommunication terminal;

setting up a second call to a third telecommunication terminal by the second telecommunication terminal;

reducing communication bandwidth of the second call and establishing a conference call from the first and second calls by the second telecommunication terminal upon the third telecommunication terminal being unable to participate fully in the conference call;

increasing the communication bandwidth to the third telecommunication terminal to allow full participation upon receipt of a first message from the third telecommunication terminal requesting full participation.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of reducing and establishing is in response to the third telecommunication terminal being busy.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of reducing and establishing is in response to a user of the third telecommunication terminal indicating non- participation to the third telecommunication terminal.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of setting up creates a call path between the second telecommunication terminal and the third telecommunication terminal;

and

the step of reducing and establishing comprises the step of transmitting a second message on the call path by the second telecommunication terminal that reduces the communication bandwidth on the call path.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of increasing comprises transmitting a third message on the call path by the second telecommunication terminal that increases the communication bandwidth on the call path.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the telecommunication terminals are interconnected by a switching system having a plurality of switch nodes and the call path is through the switching system, and the step of increasing further comprises the step of receiving the third message via a signaling channel that is part of the communication path by a first one of the plurality of switch nodes;

determining a requested change in telecommunication bandwidth by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes from the third message;

modifying the communication bandwidth through the first one of the plurality of switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth; and

transmitting by a first one of the plurality of switch nodes the third message via the signaling channel to a next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes in the communication path.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of modifying comprises the step of ascertaining a capability of the first one of the plurality switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of modifying further comprises the step of only providing the ascertained capability of communication bandwidth for the communication path by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of transmitting comprises the step of setting the requested change of the third message equal to the ascertained capability before transmission via the signaling channel by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the next sequential one of the plurality switch nodes is a destination switch node of the communication path, the third communication terminal is connected to the destination switch node, and the destination switch node performs the steps recited for the first one of the plurality of switch nodes and transmits the third message via the signal channel to the third communication terminal rather than the next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes, and the method further comprises the steps of ascertaining a capability of the third communication terminal to provide the requested communication bandwidth;

only providing the ascertained communication bandwidth by the third communication terminal;

forming a fourth message in response to receipt of the third message by third communication terminal;

inserting allocation information into the fourth message that is equal to the ascertained capability to provided requested communication bandwidth by the third communication terminal; and

transmitting the formed fourth message back on the signaling channel to the destination switch node by the third communication terminal.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprises the step of readjusting the communication bandwidth by each of the plurality of switch nodes in the communication path to be equal to that specified by the allocation information in response to receipt of the fourth message by each of the plurality of switch nodes.

36. A method for initiating a three-way conference call and the conference call is established on a switching system having a plurality of switch nodes, the method comprising the steps of:

placing a first call between a first telecommunication terminal and a second telecommunication terminal on hold by an initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes to which the second telecommunication terminal is connected;

setting up a second call to a destination one of the plurality of switch nodes connected to a third telecommunication terminal by the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes;

reducing communication bandwidth of the second call and establishing a conference call from the first and second calls by the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes upon the third telecommunication terminal being unable to participate fully in the conference call;

increasing the communication bandwidth to the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes to allow full participation upon receipt of a first message from the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes that the third telecommunication terminal is requesting full participation.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of reducing and establishing is in response to the third telecommunication terminal being busy.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of reducing and establishing is in response to a user of the third telecommunication terminal indicating non- participation to the third telecommunication terminal.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of setting up creates a call path between the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes and the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes;

and

the step of reducing and establishing comprises the step of transmitting a second message on the call path by the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes that reduces the communication bandwidth on the call path.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of increasing comprises transmitting a third message on the call path by the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes that increases the communication bandwidth on the call path.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of increasing further comprises the step of receiving the third message via a signaling channel that is part of the communication path by a first one of the plurality of switch nodes;

determining a requested change in telecommunication bandwidth by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes from the third message;

modifying the communication bandwidth through the first one of the plurality of switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth; and

transmitting by a first one of the plurality of switch nodes the third message via the signaling channel to a next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes in the communication path.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of modifying comprises the step of ascertaining a capability of the first one of the plurality switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the step of modifying further comprises the step of only providing the ascertained capability of communication bandwidth for the communication path by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the step of transmitting comprises the step of setting the requested change of the third message equal to the ascertained capability before transmission via the signaling channel by the first one of the plurality of switch nodes.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the next sequential one of the plurality switch nodes is the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes of the call path, and the method further comprises the steps of ascertaining a capability of the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth;

only providing the ascertained communication bandwidth by the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes;

forming a fourth message in response to receipt of the third message by the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes;

inserting allocation information into the fourth message that is equal to the ascertained capability to provided requested communication bandwidth by the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes; and

transmitting the formed fourth message back on the signaling channel to the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes by the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes.

46. The method of claim 45 further comprises the step of readjusting the communication bandwidth by each of the plurality of switch nodes in the communication path to be equal to that specified by the allocation information in response to receipt of the fourth message by each of the plurality of switch nodes.

47. An apparatus for establishing a conference call so that the conference call is fully established upon all parties to the conference call being ready to fully participate in the conference call, comprising:

means in an initiating telecommunication terminal for establishing a limited telecommunication bandwidth conference call to all designated telecommunication terminals;

means in the initiating telecommunication terminal for receiving a first message from each of the designated telecommunication terminals when each of the designated telecommunication terminals is ready to fully participate in the conference call; and

means in the initiating telecommunication terminal for adjusting the telecommunication bandwidth of the conference call to allow full participation in the conference call by all telecommunication terminals by transmission of a second message to each of the designated telecommunication terminals for changing the telecommunication bandwidth after all of the designated telecommunication terminals have transmitted the first message.

48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the first message defines that the sending telecommunication terminal is idle.

49. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the first message defines that the user of the sending telecommunication terminal is ready to join the conference call.

50. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for providing voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

51. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for providing video and voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

52. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for providing data, video and voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

53. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the conference call is established on communication paths through a switching system with each communication path connecting one of the designated telecommunication terminals to the initiating telecommunication terminal, and the switching system having a plurality of switch nodes and the means for adjusting comprises, for each communication path, means in a first one of the plurality of switch nodes for receiving the second message via a signaling channel that is part of the communication path;

means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes from the second message for determining a requested change in telecommunication bandwidth;

means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes for modifying the communication bandwidth through the first one of the plurality of switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth; and

means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes for transmitting the second message via the signaling channel to a next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes in the communication path.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the means for modifying comprises means for ascertaining a capability of the first one of the plurality switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the means for modifying further comprises means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes for only providing the ascertained capability of communication bandwidth for the communication path.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the means for transmitting comprises means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes for setting the requested change of the second message equal to the ascertained capability before transmission via the signaling channel.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the next sequential one of the plurality switch nodes is a destination switch node of the communication path, the each one of the designated communication terminals is connected to the destination switch node, and the destination switch node performs the functions recited for the first one of the plurality of switch nodes and transmits second message via the signal channel to the each one of the designated communication terminals rather than the next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes, and the apparatus further comprises means in the one of the designated communication terminals for ascertaining a capability of the one of the designated communication terminals to provide the requested communication bandwidth;

means in the one of the designated communication terminals for only providing the ascertained communication bandwidth;

means in the one of the designated communication terminals for forming a third message in response to receipt of the second message;

means in the one of the designated communication terminals for inserting allocation information into the third message that is equal to the ascertained capability to provided requested communication bandwidth; and

means in the one of the designated communication terminals for transmitting the formed third message back on the signaling channel to the destination switch node.

58. The apparatus of claim 57 further comprises means in each of the plurality of switch nodes for readjusting the communication bandwidth in the communication path to be equal to that specified by the allocation information in response to receipt of the third message in each of the plurality of switch nodes.

59. An apparatus for establishing a conference call so that the conference call is fully established upon all parties to the conference call being ready to fully participate in the conference call, and the conference call is established on a switching system having a plurality of switch nodes, comprising:

means in an initiating one of the plurality switch nodes for establishing a limited telecommunication bandwidth conference call with a set of the plurality of switch nodes that are each connected to a one of telecommunication terminals designated to participate in the conference call that interconnects to the initiating telecommunication terminal;

means in the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes for receiving a first message from each of the set of the plurality of switch nodes when each of the set of the plurality of switch nodes is ready to fully participate in the conference call; and

means in the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes for adjusting the telecommunication bandwidth of the conference call to allow full participation in the conference call by all telecommunication terminals by transmission of a second message to each of the set of the plurality of switch nodes for changing the telecommunication bandwidth after all of the set of the plurality of switch nodes have transmitted the first message.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the first message defines that a one of the designated telecommunication terminals connected to the sending one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes is idle.

61. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the first message defines that the user of a one of the designated telecommunication terminals connected to the sending one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes is ready to join the conference call.

62. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for providing voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

63. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for providing video and voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

64. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for providing data, video and voice communication between the telecommunication terminals.

65. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the means for adjusting comprises means in a first one of the plurality of switch nodes for receiving the second message via a signaling channel that is part of a communication path of the conference call;

means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes for determining a requested change in telecommunication bandwidth from the second message;

means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes for modifying the communication bandwidth through the switch node to provide the requested communication bandwidth; and

means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes for transmitting the second message via the signaling channel to a next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes.

66. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the means for modifying comprises means for ascertaining a capability of the first one of the plurality switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth.

67. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein the means for modifying further comprises means for only providing the ascertained capability of communication bandwidth in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes.

68. The apparatus of claim 67 wherein the means for transmitting comprises means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes for setting the requested change of the second message equal to the ascertained capability before transmission via the signaling channel.

69. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein the next sequential one of the plurality switch nodes is a one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes of the conference call, the apparatus further comprises means in the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes for ascertaining a capability of the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth;

means in the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes for only providing the ascertained communication bandwidth;

means in the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes for forming a third message in response to receipt of the second message;

means in the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes for inserting allocation information into the third message that is equal to the ascertained capability to provided requested communication bandwidth; and

means in the one of the set of the plurality of switch nodes for transmitting the formed third message back on the signaling channel to the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes.

70. The apparatus of claim 69 further comprises means in each of the plurality of switch nodes for readjusting the communication bandwidth in the communication path to be equal to that specified by the allocation information in response to receipt of the second message by each of the plurality of switch nodes.

71. An apparatus for initiating a three-way conference call, comprising:

means in a second telecommunication terminal for placing a first call with a first telecommunication terminal on hold;

means in the second telecommunication terminal for setting up a second call to a third telecommunication terminal;

means in the second telecommunication terminal for reducing communication bandwidth of the second call and establishing a conference call from the first and second calls upon the third telecommunication terminal being unable to participate fully in the conference call;

means in the second telecommunication terminal for increasing the communication bandwidth to the third telecommunication terminal to allow full participation upon receipt of a first message from the third telecommunication terminal requesting full participation.

72. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the means for reducing and establishing is in response to the third telecommunication terminal being busy.

73. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the means for reducing and establishing is in response to a user of the third telecommunication terminal indicating non-participation to the third telecommunication terminal.

74. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein the means for setting up creates a call path between the second telecommunication terminal and the third telecommunication terminal;

and

the means for reducing and establishing comprises means in the second telecommunication terminal for transmitting a second message on the call path that reduces the communication bandwidth on the call path.

75. The apparatus of claim 74 wherein the means for increasing comprises means in the second telecommunication terminal for transmitting a third message on the call path that increases the communication bandwidth on the call path.

76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the telecommunication terminals are interconnected by a switching system having a plurality of switch nodes and the call path is through the switching system, and the means for increasing further comprises means in a first one of the plurality of switch nodes for receiving the third message via a signaling channel that is part of the communication path;

means in a first one of the plurality of switch nodes for determining a requested change in telecommunication bandwidth from the third message;

means in a first one of the plurality of switch nodes for modifying the communication bandwidth through the first one of the plurality of switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth; and

means in a first one of the plurality of switch nodes for transmitting the third message via the signaling channel to a next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes in the communication path.

77. The apparatus of claim 76 wherein the means for modifying comprises means for ascertaining a capability of the first one of the plurality switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth.

78. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein the means for modifying further comprises means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes for only providing the ascertained capability of communication bandwidth for the communication path.

79. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the means for transmitting comprises means in the first one of the plurality of switch nodes for setting the requested change of the third message equal to the ascertained capability before transmission via the signaling channel.

80. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein the next sequential one of the plurality switch nodes is a destination switch node of the communication path, the third communication terminal is connected to the destination switch node, and the destination switch node performs the functions recited for the first one of the plurality of switch nodes and transmits the third message via the signal channel to the third communication terminal rather than the next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes, and the apparatus further comprises means in the third communication terminal for ascertaining a capability of the third communication terminal to provide the requested communication bandwidth;

means in the third communication terminal for only providing the ascertained communication bandwidth in the third communication terminal;

means in the third communication terminal for forming a fourth message in response to receipt of the third message;

means in third communication terminal for inserting allocation information into the fourth message that is equal to the ascertained capability to provided requested communication bandwidth; and

means in the third communication terminal for transmitting the formed fourth message back on the signaling channel to the destination switch node.

81. The apparatus of claim 80 further means in each of the plurality of switch nodes for readjusting the communication bandwidth in the communication path to be equal to that specified by the allocation information in response to receipt of the fourth message by each of the plurality of switch nodes.

82. An apparatus for initiating a three-way conference call and the conference call is established on a switching system having a plurality of switch nodes, comprising:

means in an initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes to which a second telecommunication terminal is connected for placing a first call between a first telecommunication terminal and the second telecommunication terminal on hold;

means for setting up a second call to a destination one of the plurality of switch nodes connected to a third telecommunication terminal;

means in an initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes for reducing communication bandwidth of the second call and establishing a conference call from the first and second calls upon the third telecommunication terminal being unable to participate fully in the conference call;

means in an initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes for increasing the communication bandwidth to the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes to allow full participation upon receipt of a first message from the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes that the third telecommunication terminal is requesting full participation.

83. The apparatus of claim 82 wherein the means for reducing and establishing is in response to the third telecommunication terminal being busy.

84. The apparatus of claim 82 wherein the means for reducing and establishing is in response to a user of the third telecommunication terminal indicating non-participation to the third telecommunication terminal.

85. The apparatus of claim 82 wherein the means for setting up creates a call path between the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes and the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes;

and

the means for reducing and establishing comprises means in the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes for transmitting a second message on the call path that reduces the communication bandwidth on the call path.

86. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein the means for increasing comprises means in the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes for transmitting a third message on the call path that increases the communication bandwidth on the call path.

87. The apparatus of claim 86 wherein the means for increasing further comprises means in a first one of the plurality of switch nodes for receiving the third message via a signaling channel that is part of the communication path;

means in a first one of the plurality of switch nodes for determining a requested change in telecommunication bandwidth from the third message;

means in a first one of the plurality of switch nodes for modifying the communication bandwidth through the first one of the plurality of switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth; and

means in a first one of the plurality of switch nodes for transmitting the third message via the signaling channel to a next sequential one of the plurality of switch nodes in the communication path.

88. The apparatus of claim 87 wherein the means for modifying comprises means for ascertaining a capability of the first one of the plurality switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth.

89. The apparatus of claim 88 wherein the means for modifying further comprises means for only providing the ascertained capability of communication bandwidth for the communication path.

90. The apparatus of claim 89 wherein the means for transmitting comprises means for setting the requested change of the third message equal to the ascertained capability before transmission via the signaling channel.

91. The apparatus of claim 90 wherein the next sequential one of the plurality switch nodes is the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes of the call path, and the apparatus further comprises means in the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes for ascertaining a capability of the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes to provide the requested communication bandwidth;

means in the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes for only providing the ascertained communication bandwidth;

means in the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes for forming a fourth message in response to receipt of the third message;

means in the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes for inserting allocation information into the fourth message that is equal to the ascertained capability to provided requested communication bandwidth; and

means in the destination one of the plurality of switch nodes for transmitting the formed fourth message back on the signaling channel to the initiating one of the plurality of switch nodes.

92. The apparatus of claim 91 further comprises means in each of the plurality of switch nodes for readjusting the communication bandwidth in the communication path to be equal to that specified by the allocation information in response to receipt of the fourth message by each of the plurality of switch nodes.