Establishing a conference call from a call-log

• US 6,754,323 B1
• Filed: 12/19/2001
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommWorks Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hong Thi, Roberts, Linda Ann, Carter, Sharon E., Moore, Darryl Cynthia, Chang, E-Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AL AUBAIDI, RASHA S
• Application Number:
  US10/025,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20040131167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 379/202.01, 379/205.01, 379/207.01, 379/216.01
• US Class Current: 379/205.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5063 Centrally initiated conference, i.e. Conference server dials participants computer conference organisation arrangements H04L12/1818
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42221 Conversation recording systems at the subscriber's set H04M1/656
• 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 3/565 relating to time schedule aspects

Abstract

A method for automatically establishing a conference call. The method includes viewing numbers associated with a call log feature of a communication device, selecting desired invitees from the call log using a select key, and conferencing desired invitees together by activating a key. Conference call set-up and connect information may be provisioned in a variety of ways, including via a menu-based dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) mechanism and via a form or formatted file sent from a subscriber. The present method queries a profile database and will connect invitees to a conference based on the directory number associated with the call-log. A method for aiding a subscriber in establishing an automatic conference call that is easy to use and does not require invitee action to connect to a conference bridge.

Claims

1. A method for automatically establishing a conference call, comprising:

selecting at least one conference call participant from a call-log associated with a communication device;

contacting a provisioning module;

capturing a directory number associated with the at least one conference call participant and creating a conference record;

receiving conference logistics;

receiving participant profile data;

maintaining conference containers indicative of how the conference record will be processed;

allocating a conference bridge port for the at least one conference call participant in accordance with the received conference logistics; and

connecting a communications switch port to the allocated conference bridge port for the at least one conference call participant to establish the conference call.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conference logistics comprise a start date, a connect time, and a conference participant address.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the connect time comprises an immediate connect time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the participant profile comprises a participant identifier and a current address.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the participant address comprises a telephone number and a text name.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device receives caller identification information which is stored in the call-log.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating a conference key, wherein the conference key function of the key is one of multiple functions capable of being performed by the key.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein allocating a bridge port is performed in accordance with the conference participant address.

9. The method of claim 4 further comprising updating the conference participant address with the current address.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the participant profile data comprises at least two of:

a current address, a home address, an office address, and a wireless address.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of connecting a communications switch port to the allocated conference bridge port takes place in accordance with a start date and a connect time reflected in the conference logistics.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the conference participant address and the current address each comprise a telephone number.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving conference logistics comprises receiving subscriber input to a dual tome multiple frequency (DTMF) menu.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving conference logistics comprises receiving a formatted file comprising labeled conference provisioning information.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving conference logistics comprises receiving subscriber input to a form displayed on the communication device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the directory numbers display on the call-log are input into the profile database using a caller identification (ID) feature.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the directory numbers from the call-log comprise incoming calls received by the communication device and outgoing calls placed by the communication device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the conference containers indicate whether the conference record should be allocated the conference bridge port and connected immediately, whether the conference record should be allocated the conference bridge port only, or whether the conference record should be connected only.