Method and apparatus for wireless auto-conferencing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of managing telephone calls to members of a user group, the method comprising:
- receiving from a first initiating party a first call initiation request directed to a first telephone number that is associated with a user group, the user group having as members a plurality of wireless telephones;
signaling to the members of the user group that the first call initiation request has been directed to the first telephone number;
receiving a signal from a first member of the user group indicating acceptance of the first call initiation request;
connecting a first call between the first initiating party and the first member; and
signaling to the other members of the user group that the first member has accepted the first call initiation request without first requiring that a signal be received from another member of the user group either that requests a call initiation or that indicates acceptance of the first call initiation request.
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Abstract
A method of managing telephone calls to members of a user group. A call initiation request is received. The request is directed to a telephone number that is associated with a user group. The members of the user group are notified that a call initiation request has been directed to the user group. A signal is received from a first member of the user group indicating acceptance of the call initiation request, and a call is connected between the first initiating party and the member. The other members of the user group are notified that the first member has accepted the call initiation request.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of managing telephone calls to members of a user group, the method comprising:
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receiving from a first initiating party a first call initiation request directed to a first telephone number that is associated with a user group, the user group having as members a plurality of wireless telephones; signaling to the members of the user group that the first call initiation request has been directed to the first telephone number; receiving a signal from a first member of the user group indicating acceptance of the first call initiation request; connecting a first call between the first initiating party and the first member; and signaling to the other members of the user group that the first member has accepted the first call initiation request without first requiring that a signal be received from another member of the user group either that requests a call initiation or that indicates acceptance of the first call initiation request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
connecting a second call between the second initiating party and the second member.
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5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method farther comprises:
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receiving a second call initiation request from a second member of the user group while the first call is in progress; and connecting a second call between the second member of the user group and another party while the first call is in progress.
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6. The method of claim 1, wherein signaling the members of the user group that a call initiation request has been directed to the user group includes sending the members information identifying the initiating party, and wherein signaling the other members of the user group that the first party has accepted the first call initiation request includes sending the other members information identifying the first member.
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7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first initiating party is not a member of the user group.
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8. The method of claim 1, wherein the other members of the user group are not sent a signal indicating that the first member has accepted the first call initiation request if the first member has supervisory authority.
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9. A system for managing telephone calls to members of a user group, the system comprising:
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a processor, a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions adapted to be executed by the processor, the instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to; receive from a first initiating party a first call initiation request directed to a first telephone number that is associated with a user group, the user group having as members a plurality of wireless telephones; determine the members of the user group using a user group database; signal to the members of the user group that a call initiation request has been directed to the first telephone number; receive a signal from a first member of the user group indicating a desire to accept the first call initiation request; connect a first call between the first initiating party and the first member; and signal the other members of the user group that the first member has accepted the first call initiation request without first requiring that a signal be received from another member of the user group either that requests a call initiation or that indicates a desire to accept the first call initiation request. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of managing a telephone call directed to a user group, the method comprising:
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receiving at a first wireless telephone a first signal indicating that a call initiation request has been directed by an initiating party to a first telephone number that is associated with a user group, the user group having as members a plurality of wireless telephones, the first wireless telephone being a member of the user group; receiving a second signal at the first wireless telephone indicating that a second member of the user group has accepted the call initiation request; receiving a third signal at the first wireless telephone indicating that a call has been connected between the initiating party and the second member; and sending a signal from the first wireless telephone requesting to join the call. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A wireless telephone, the wireless telephone comprising:
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a processor; and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions adapted to be executed by the processor, the instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to; receive a first input indicating that a call initiation request has been directed by an initiating party to a first telephone number that is associated with a user group, the user group having as members a plurality of wireless telephones, the wireless telephone being a member of the user group; receive a second input indicating that a second member of the user group has accepted the call initiation request; receive a third input indicating that a call has been connected between the initiating party and the second member; and send a signal from the wireless telephone requesting to join the call. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification