VOIP service with streamlined conferencing options

• US 9,681,278 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2012
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crexendo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Crexendo, Inc.
• Inventors: Bhagavatula, Satish, Rao, Manish
• Primary Examiner(s): Taha, Shaq
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAVLESKI, RYAN C
• Application Number:
  US13/560,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20140029474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,782 Days
• Field of Search: 370259, 370271, 370352, 37921201, 37921202
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1093 by adding participants; by removing participants
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

In at least some embodiments, a system includes at least one server to manage voice over internet protocol (VOIP) services. The managed VOIP services provided by the at least one server include streamlined conferencing service to add a mobile device to a VOIP conferencing session based on a streamlined conferencing command received from the mobile device.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

at least one server comprising a processor to manage voice over internet protocol (VOIP) services, wherein the managed VOIP services provided by the at least one server comprise a streamlined conferencing service that adds a mobile device to a VOIP conferencing session based on a streamlined conferencing command received from the mobile device;

wherein the streamlined conferencing service provided by the at least one server comprises;

receiving, from the mobile device, a selection of conferencing options with the streamlined conferencing command;

adjusting the VOIP conferencing session based on the selection of conferencing options received with the streamlined conferencing command;

synchronizing updated conferencing options for the VOIP conferencing session with the mobile device before the VOIP conferencing session begins based on streamlined conferencing options synchronization being selectably enabled on the mobile device; and

deactivating all synchronization of streamlined conferencing options with the mobile device and removing all streamlined conferencing options from the mobile device based on streamlined conferencing options synchronization being selectably disabled on the mobile device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database in communication with the at least one server, wherein the database stores a plurality of conferencing request bundles, and wherein streamlined conferencing service comprises matching the streamlined conferencing command to one of the stored conferencing request bundles to add the mobile device to the VOIP conferencing session.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of conferencing request bundles are organized in the database as a table with a participants field, a date/time field, and a conferencing options selection field.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the streamlined conferencing service provided by the at least one server comprises updating the stored conferencing request bundle corresponding to the streamlined conferencing command before the VOIP conferencing session begins based on information received from the mobile device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the streamlined conferencing service provided by the at least one server comprises sending an invitation or reminder to the mobile device before a scheduled time for the VOIP conferencing session, wherein the invitation or reminder includes a link associated with the streamlined conferencing command.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the streamlined conferencing service provided by the at least one server comprises sending an invitation or reminder to the mobile device before a scheduled time for the VOIP conferencing session, wherein the invitation or reminder includes a printable image associated with the streamlined conferencing command.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the streamlined conferencing service provided by the at least one server comprises sending an invitation or reminder to the mobile device before a scheduled time for the VOIP conferencing session, wherein the invitation or reminder includes a link to select conferencing options for the VOIP conferencing session.

8. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a streamlined conferencing command from a mobile device; and

adding, by the processor, the mobile device to a VOIP conferencing session based on the streamlined conferencing command;

receiving, by the processor, from the mobile device, a selection of conferencing options with the streamlined conferencing command, and adjusting the VOIP conferencing session based on the selection of conferencing options received with the streamlined conferencing command;

synchronizing updated conferencing options for the VOIP conferencing session with the mobile device before the VOIP conferencing session begins based on streamlined conferencing options synchronization being selectably enabled on the mobile device; and

deactivating all synchronization of streamlined conferencing options with the mobile device and removing all streamlined conferencing options from the mobile device based on streamlined conferencing options synchronization being selectably disabled on the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing a plurality of conferencing request bundles and matching the streamlined conferencing command to one of the stored conferencing request bundles to add the mobile device to the VOIP conferencing session.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising organizing the plurality of conferencing request bundles as a table with a participants field, a date/time field, and a conferencing options selection field.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising updating the stored conferencing request bundle corresponding to the streamlined conferencing command before the VOIP conferencing session begins based on information received from the mobile device.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising sending an invitation or reminder to the mobile device before a scheduled time for the VOIP conferencing session, wherein the invitation or reminder includes a link associated with the streamlined conferencing command.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising sending an invitation or reminder to the mobile device before a scheduled time for the VOIP conferencing session, wherein the invitation or reminder includes a printable image associated with the streamlined conferencing command.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising sending an invitation or reminder to the mobile device before a scheduled time for the VOIP conferencing session, wherein the invitation or reminder includes a link to select conferencing options for the VOIP conferencing session.

15. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a processor;

a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a telephony application, wherein the telephony application, when executed, causes the processor to;

transmit a streamlined conferencing command to add the mobile device to a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) conferencing session;

transmit a selection of conferencing options with the streamlined conferencing command, wherein the selection of conferencing options causes a server receiving the selection of conferencing options with the streamlined conferencing command to adjust the VOIP conferencing session based on the selection of conferencing options;

synchronize updated conferencing options for the VOIP conferencing session with server before the VOIP conferencing session begins based on streamlined conferencing options synchronization being selectably enabled on the mobile device and the updated conferencing options being received from the server; and

deactivate all synchronization of streamlined conferencing options with the server and remove all streamlined conferencing options from the mobile device based on streamlined conferencing options synchronization being selectably disabled on the mobile device.

16. The mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein the telephony application, when executed, causes the processor to trigger transmission of the streamlined conferencing command in response to user selection of a conferencing link from within an email or short message service (SMS) message.

17. The mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein the telephony application, when executed, causes the processor to trigger transmission of the streamlined conferencing command in response to user selection of a conferencing link within a calendar.

18. The mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein the telephony application, when executed, causes the processor to trigger transmission of the streamlined conferencing command in response to user selection of a conferencing link within a push notification reminder.

19. The mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein the telephony application, when executed, causes the processor to trigger transmission of the streamlined conferencing command in response to user selection of a conferencing link within a previously received conference invitation.

20. The mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein the telephony application, when executed, causes the processor to trigger transmission of the streamlined conferencing command in response to the mobile communication device scanning a conference link image with the mobile communication device.

21. The mobile communication device of claim 20, wherein the conference link image comprises a quick response (QR) code, a bar code, or an alphanumeric code.

22. The mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein the telephony application, when executed, causes the processor to activate for the VOIP conferencing session a predetermined subset of conferencing features from among a plurality of conferencing features supported by the mobile communication device.

23. The mobile communication device of claim 22, wherein the plurality of conferencing features comprise a number of participants, a video option, a whiteboard option, a workspace option, and a document display option.

24. The mobile communication device of claim 15, wherein the telephony application, when executed, causes the processor to trigger transmission of the streamlined conferencing command in response to a voice input.

25. The mobile communication device of claim 15, further comprising a dedicated conferencing queue button, wherein the telephony application, when executed, causes the processor to trigger transmission of the streamlined conferencing command in response to the dedicated conferencing queue button being pressed.