Apparatus, method, and computer program for performing text-to-speech conversion of instant messages during a conference call
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- conducting, by a call server, a conference call using a conference bridge;
during the conference call, receiving, at the call server, an instant message from a device of a first participant invited to the conference call, wherein during said receiving, the device has not joined the conference call;
converting at least some contents of the instant message into an audio stream; and
providing the audio stream to at least one other participant that has already joined the conference call.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An instant message associated with a conference call is received. At least some of the contents of the instant message are converted into speech, which may be represented as an audio stream. The speech is then provided to at least one participant associated with the conference call. The speech provided to the at least one participant may further include additional speech in addition to the speech corresponding to the contents of the instant message. The additional speech could, among other things, identify a participant who sent the instant message.
86 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method, comprising:
-
conducting, by a call server, a conference call using a conference bridge; during the conference call, receiving, at the call server, an instant message from a device of a first participant invited to the conference call, wherein during said receiving, the device has not joined the conference call; converting at least some contents of the instant message into an audio stream; and providing the audio stream to at least one other participant that has already joined the conference call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An apparatus, comprising:
-
one or more ports operable to receive at least one channel associated with a conference call, the at least one channel associated with at least two conference call participants; and one or more processors collectively operable to; conduct the conference call using a conference bridge; during the conference call, receive an instant message from a device of a first participant invited to the conference call, wherein during said receiving, the device has not joined the conference call; generate an audio stream based on at least some contents of the instant message; and provide the audio stream to at least one of the at least two conference call participants that have already joined the conference call. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A non-transitory computer readable medium having a computer program operable to be executed by a processor, the computer program comprising computer readable program code for:
-
conducting a conference call using a conference bridge; during the conference call, receiving an instant message from a device of a first participant invited to the conference call, wherein during said receiving, the device has not joined the conference call; generating an audio stream based on at least some contents of the instant message; and providing the audio stream to at least one other participant that has already joined the conference call. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification