System and method for initiating a conference call
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method for initiating a conference call for a conference call requester using a network access device, the network access device communicating via an instant messaging service, the instant messaging service being adapted to communicate conference call request information with a conference call server, comprising:
- indicating, at the network access device, a plurality of potential targets then being connected to the instant messaging service and participating in a given instant messaging session with the conference call requester;
generating a conference call request responsively to a single request by the conference call requester, said conference call request identifying each of the indicated potential targets; and
transmitting the conference call request to the conference call server;
wherein, a conference call connection initiated by the conference call server and connected to the conference call requestor and each of the indicated potential targets is automatically established responsively to the transmitted conference call request.
4 Assignments
Litigations
2 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a system and method for initiating conference calls via an instant messaging system to reduce the effort required to initiate and manage the call. The system uses an IM connection between a requesting party and a conference call server to inform the conference call server of the desire to initiate the conference call. The conference call server may initiate the conference call by having involved parties called by a conference bridge, thus reducing the effort required by the parties to join the call.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method for initiating a conference call for a conference call requester using a network access device, the network access device communicating via an instant messaging service, the instant messaging service being adapted to communicate conference call request information with a conference call server, comprising:
-
indicating, at the network access device, a plurality of potential targets then being connected to the instant messaging service and participating in a given instant messaging session with the conference call requester; generating a conference call request responsively to a single request by the conference call requester, said conference call request identifying each of the indicated potential targets; and transmitting the conference call request to the conference call server; wherein, a conference call connection initiated by the conference call server and connected to the conference call requestor and each of the indicated potential targets is automatically established responsively to the transmitted conference call request. - 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. A method for initiating a conference call for a conference call requester using a network access device, the network access device communicating via an instant messaging service, the instant messaging service being adapted to communicate conference call request information with a conference call server, comprising:
-
identifying a plurality of potential targets then being connected to the instant messaging service and participating in a given instant messaging session with the conference call requester; receiving, at the conference call server, a conference call request responsively to a single request by the conference call requester, said conference call request identifying each of the identified potential targets; and wherein, a conference call connection initiated by the conference call server and connected to the conference call requestor and each of the identified potential targets is automatically established responsively to the transmitted conference call request.
-
Specification