Combined conferencing and calling

• US 6,188,676 B1
• Filed: 10/14/1997
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Pirich, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, DANG T
• Application Number:
  US08/950,314
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 370/260, 370/261, 370/262, 370/401, 370/389, 370/315, 370/259, 370/264, 370/265, 370/270, 370/271, 370/522, 370/441, 370/400, 370/406, 370/407, 370/408, 370/410, 370/465, 370/466, 370/93.01, 370/93.04, 370/95.15, 370/201, 370/202, 370/205, 370/207, 370/219, 370/220, 370/225, 370/226, 370/229, 370/230-234, 370/242, 379/201
• US Class Current: 370/261
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1106 Call signalling protocols; H.323 and related
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet

Abstract

The invention discloses combined conferencing and calling. In one embodiment, a computerized system has at least a first and a second node. The second node initiates a conference, such as a T.120 conference, and a call, such as an H.323 call, with the first node. To a user at each of the nodes, initiation of the H.323 call between the first and the second nodes appears imperceptible as separate from initiation of the T.120 conference.

Claims

1. A computerized method comprising:

a) determining by a first node having conferencing capability and calling capability whether a second node has conferencing capability;

b) upon determining that the second node has conferencing capability, and where the second node is within a conference,

joining the conference by the first node;

c) upon determining that the second node has conferencing capability, and where the second node is without a conference,

establishing, by the first node, a conference,

inviting, by the first node, the second node to join the conference, and,

joining the conference by the second node;

d) determining by the first node whether the second node has calling capability; and

,

e) upon determining that the second node has calling capability, and where the second node is without a call,

establishing, by the first node, a call with the second node.

2. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining a roster at at least one of the first and the second nodes of each node present in the conference and whether each node is also in a call.

3. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising before a), asking a user at the second node whether the user wishes to conference with the first node.

4. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising within b), asking a user at the first node whether the user wishes to join the conference prior to joining the conference.

5. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising within c), asking a user at the second node whether the user wishes to disconnect the call prior to disconnecting the call.

6. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein conferencing capability comprises T.120 conferencing capability.

7. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein calling capability comprises H.323 calling capability.

8. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon to cause a first node computer having T.120 conferencing and H.323 calling capability to perform a method comprising:

a) determining whether a second node computer has T.120 conferencing capability;

b) upon determining that the second node computer has T.120 conferencing capability, and where the second node computer is within a T.120 conference,

joining the T.120 conference;

c) upon determining that the second node computer has T.120 conferencing capability, and where the second node computer is without a T.120 conference,

establishing a T.120 conference,

inviting the second node computer to join the T.120 conference;

d) determining whether the second node computer has H.323 calling capability; and

,

e) upon determining that the second node computer has H.323 calling capability,

establishing an H.323 call with the second node computer.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, the method further comprising maintaining a roster of each node computer present in the T.120 conference and whether each node is also in an H.323 call.