Conference calls via electronic messaging interface
First Claim
1. A method for initiating a conference call, the method comprising:
- identifying a group of users;
determining the availability of users within the identified group to receive an electronic conference call invitation;
sending an electronic conference call invitation to at least two users within the identified group based on their determined availability;
enabling the users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation to respond to the electronic conference call invitation;
determining whether users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation respond with an indication of availability for participation in the conference call; and
initiating a conference call between users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation based on whether the users respond with an indication of availability.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Initiating a conference call includes identifying a group of users, determining the availability of users within the identified group to receive an electronic conference call invitation, and sending an electronic conference call invitation to at least two users within the identified group based on their determined availability. The users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation are able to respond to the electronic conference call invitation. The users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation and respond with an indication of availability for participation in the conference call are determined. A conference call is initiated between users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation based on whether the users respond with an indication of availability.
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Citations
66 Claims
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1. A method for initiating a conference call, the method comprising:
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identifying a group of users; determining the availability of users within the identified group to receive an electronic conference call invitation; sending an electronic conference call invitation to at least two users within the identified group based on their determined availability; enabling the users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation to respond to the electronic conference call invitation; determining whether users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation respond with an indication of availability for participation in the conference call; and initiating a conference call between users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation based on whether the users respond with an indication of availability. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A computer system for initiating a conference call, the system comprising:
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a call processing element configured to; identify a group of users; determine the availability of users within the identified group to receive an electronic conference call invitation; send an electronic conference call invitation to at least two users within the identified group based on a determination of their availability; enable the users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation to respond to the electronic conference call invitation; and determine whether users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation respond with an indication of availability for participation in the conference call; and a conference call system interface configured to enable a conference call to be initiated between the users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation based on whether the users respond with an indication of availability. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. An apparatus for initiating a conference call, the apparatus comprising:
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means for identifying a group of users; means for determining the availability of users within the identified group to receive an electronic conference call invitation; means for sending an electronic conference call invitation to at least two users within the identified group based on a determination of their availability; means for enabling the users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation to respond to the electronic conference call invitation; means for determining whether users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation respond with an indication of availability for participation in the conference call; and means for initiating a conference call between the users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation based on whether the users respond with an indication of availability.
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41. A user interface for enabling a user to perceive and respond to a conference call invitation, the user interface comprising:
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a first interface element structured and arranged to provide notification that an electronic conference call invitation has been received from a sender; and a second interface element structured and arranged to enable a recipient of the invitation to respond to the electronic conference call invitation by enabling the recipient to select from among one or more options to react to the received invitation. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
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Specification