CA2255455A1 - System for creating and maintaining side audio conferences during a main audio conference - Google Patents
System for creating and maintaining side audio conferences during a main audio conference Download PDFInfo
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Abstract
A main audio conference system for use during a main audio conference among several participants, allows participants to leave the main conference andcreate a side conference that is out of communication with the main conference.
Several different side conferences may be created and a list of these side conferences maintained. A party to the main conference may enter any side conference and may enter and exit both the main conference and side conferences freely.
Several different side conferences may be created and a list of these side conferences maintained. A party to the main conference may enter any side conference and may enter and exit both the main conference and side conferences freely.
Description
CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 System For Creating And Maintaining Side Audio Conferences During A Main Audio Conference Description k~round of the Invention Field of the Invention This invention generally relates to audio telephone conferences, and more particularly to systems allowing separate side audio conferences during a main 5 audio conference.
Discussion of the Related Art As companies expand and open global wide offices, they have an increased need for efficient communications between offices. Typically, persons in different of fices conduct audio conferences using several phones tied together. One of the 10 drawbacks of an audio conference, however, is that unlike a live conference, participants may not have side conversations. In live conferences, one or more participants may whisper certain comments to each other that are not meant to beshared with the other participants. For example, if one participant wants to obtain another participant's opinion on something before raising the issue to the entire 15 conference, he may simply whisper or write a note to the other participant or leave the room with the other to talk separately. A typical telephone audio conferenceprovides no mech~ni.sm for whispering or communicating with fewer than all the other participants.
If one does choose to ask his question out loud then all the other 20 participants in the audio conference must simply sit and wait for this side conference to finish before continuing with the main conference. This disrupts the audio conference and discourages these useful side conferences.
Of course, two members could hang up or put the current conference on hold while they talked on another telephone line call to each other. These multiple 25 steps are cumbersome and may not allow for more than two parties to be in the side conference. The greater the number of participants in the side conference, the more difficult it becomes to manage the side conference. There is no automatic or convenient way for setting up a side conference.
., .. ._.. . ..
CA 022~54~ 1998-12-07 Accordingly, it is desirable to have a system for easily leaving a main audio conference and entering into a side conference, and then easily rejoining the main conference.
Summary of the Invention Systems and methods consistent with the present invention include structure and steps for maintaining a main conference among several participants, allowing participants to leave the conference and create a side conference that is out of communication with the main conference, and allowing participants to leave the side conference and re-enter the main conference. Several different side 10 conferences may be created and a list of these side conferences maintained. Aparty to the main conference may enter any side conference and may enter and exit both the main conference and side conferences freely.
Brief Description of the Drawin~.~
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a 15 part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an overall communications system diagram consistent with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing steps for m~n:~ging an audio conference consistent with the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps for carrying out one example consistent with the present invention; and Figs. 4-8 are overall alternative system configurations to carry out the steps 25 in Fig. 3.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Reference will now be made in detail to the construction and operation of preferred implementations consistent with the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In those drawings, like elements and operations are 30 designated with the same reference numerals where possible.
Fig. 1 shows the overall communication system that includes participant stations 100, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 110, and a conference . . .....
CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 controller 120 that includes a main bridge 130, side conference bridges 140, a memory 150, a processor 160, breakout function software 400, and conference ~mini~tration function software 410. Conference controller 120 performs the procedures shown in the flow charts of Figs. 2 and 3.
Generally audio conferences are held by connecting each participant to a bridge. A conference bridge is a known communication connector that connects several telephones to a single communication line. Each bridge is assigned an associated identifier. Users are told of this identifier so that they may call into an audio conference service and designate the desired main conference bridge 130.
10 Side conference bridges 140 are communication bridges for side conference rooms and are accessed through a menu available only to those connected to a main conference bridge 130. Conference controller 120 includes the necessary hardwareand software for setting up basic communication connections such as conference bridges.
The telephone conference participants are at participant stations 100, which include a telephone. The participant telephones at station 100 connect through PSTN 110 to conference controller 120. Conference controller 120 will identify, based on an entered conference identifier, the appropriate main conference bridge 130 and will connect participant telephone at station 100 to the identified mainconference bridge 130.
In one implementation consistent with the present invention, when a participant first connects to a main conference bridge, the participant records its name, which is then stored in memory 150. This name is spoken to other participants already connected to the main conference bridge. While in the conference, a key such as "9" on the telephone keypad, may be pushed by a participant to request a readout of the names of the people that are in the conference. The recorded names are also spoken when participants enter a side conference bridge 140. Finally, a recorded name may be spoken to indicate that aparticipant has left the main or side conference.
Fig. 2 shows the steps of the overall process flow for m~n~ging an audio conference consistent with the present invention. Conventional systems can create and maintain a conference call using bridges. Generally, one participant initiates .
CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 the conference by telling a conference ~flmini~trator what time a conference bridge should be set up and how many people to expect. The participant then receives anidentifying number which he passes on to all other participants.
At the designated conference time, the conference ~(lmini~tration function S 410 will create the main bridge (step 200). Participants, who were told of theconference identifier, dial into conference controller 120 and designate a main conference bridge 130 using the conference identifier (step 210). The conference~ministration function 410 connects the participants to the designated main conference bridge (step 220).
During the conference, if participants wish to have a side conference with each other, they press a designated key on their telephone keypad, such as by hitting the "*" key (step 230). The conference ~(lministration function 410 disconnects the participants from the main conference bridge 130 and connects the participants to breakout function 400. Breakout function 400 determines what 15 action an individual participant wishes to take such as "join," "create," "list side conferences," or "rejoin the main conference" (step 240). In a preferred embodiment, the breakout function 400 audibly lists these options along with an identifying number for each option. For example, in order to designate the desired option, the user could be prompted to select "3" on his telephone key pad for a list 20 of side conference bridges, "S" to rejoin the main conference, "2" to create a new conference, or " 1 " to join an ongoing side conference bridge.
If a user selects "2" to create a new side conference (step 250), then the breakout function 400 creates a new side conference bridge 140 (step 255). The breakout function 400 plays an audio request to the participant instructing the 25 participant to record a greeting for the list. This greeting identifies the purpose of the room so that the breakout function 400 may later play a list of recorded greetings from which another participant can select a side conference bridge to join. For example, a participant could record the greeting "side conference room to discuss financial validity of plan." If another participant wishes to join one of the 30 side conferences, this recording will be played allowing the participant to select to join this particular side conference. After the greeting is recorded, the participant is connected to the new conference bridge (step 256). Processing then continues ... ~.. .. .
CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 until the participant gives an indication, such as the "*" key to exit, which results in the repetition of steps 230 and 240.
The user may select to join an ongoing conference by selecting " 1 " on the telephone key pad (step 260). When this option is selected, the breakout function 400 determines which side conference bridge 140 a participant wishes to join by asking the user to input an identifier number assigned to the conference (step 265).
The participant is then connected to the selected bridge (step 267) and processing continues until the user selects the "*" key to leave.
If the user selects "3" on the telephone key pad to request a list (step 270), 10 then the system reads the list of active side conference bridges 140 by playing the recorded greeting for each and the number identifier for each (step 275). The number identifier is used by participants to select the desired side conference bridge in step 265. If the user selects to rejoin the main conference by selecting "5" (step 280), then the user is disconnected from the side conference bridge 140 15 and reconnected to the main conference bridge 130 (step 285).
Processing continues in the main conference bridge until the participant again presses the "* " key. If the user fails to select any of the options after a predetermined period of time, then the options are repeated to the participant (step 290).
A specific example of a conference taking place consistent with the present invention will be described with respect to Figs. 3-8. The breakout function 400and conference ~lmini~tration function 410 in Fig. 4, maintain access to a processor and a memory, not shown, for performing functions shown in Fig. 3.
Conference controller 420 is the overall controller that includes the necessary hardware and software for m~int~ining bridges and controlling conferences. Users440 are shown with general connection lines to the bridges.
The system shown in Fig. 4 shows several users connected through a trunk (not shown) and a bridge that connects the trunks together to allow communication among all of the lines. An example of a bridge is a conferencing board circuit card that connects a number of answering lines together. An example of a trunk is a primary rate interface (PRI) board card and provides twenty-three connections to a single cable. Adding more than twenty-three phone lines together, requires more CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 PRI trunks. An ~mini~trative software function will route the calls when they come in and determine which conference they should be hooked up to.
As shown in Fig. 3, users A-F dial into the conference controller 420 designating a main conference (step 300). Users A-D designate identifiers for the 5 main bridge " 1 " and are connected to this main conference bridge 430 by the conference a~lministration function 410. Users E and F designate bridge number "2" and therefore are connected to the main conference 435 by the conference a(lministration function 410.
Next, user A hits the "*" key (step 320), and the conference ~(lministration 10 function 410 disconnects the user from bridge number 1 and connects the user to the breakout function 400 through the connection line 500 shown in Fig. 5 (step 330). The rem~ining users are unaffected by this change.
The breakout function 400 next solicits information from user A. For example, the breakout function 400 may play the list of menu options, from which15 user A decides to create a new side conference bridge for a side conference (step 340). The conference a~mini~tration function 410 creates a new bridge number "3"in response to this request and connects the user to new bridge 600 using communication line 610 shown in Fig. 6 (step 350). In creating the new bridge, breakout function 400 also elicits information about the new bridge from user A so 20 that this identifying information may be to other users who may request a list of all currently active side conference bridges.
Next, user D hits the "*" key, indicating a desire to leave the main conference (step 360). The conference a(lministration function 410 will then connect user D to the breakout function 400 (step 365). User D will then be given 25 a list of options by the breakout function 400 from which user D selects to join ongoing bridge 600 (step 370). The breakout function 400 directs the conference a(lmini~trator 410 to connect user D to bridge 600 (step 375) as shown in Fig. 7 by communication line 700. Users A and D are now connected to bridge 600, which allows them to communicate without users B and C hearing their side conference.
30 Users B and C are the only users now left in the main conference bridge 430.
Both users A and D leave the side conference by hitting the "*" key (step 380). The conference a(lministration function 410 connects users A and D to CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 breakout function 400 (step 385). Breakout function 400 again lists the options to users A and D. Users A and D now select to rejoin the main conference (step 390).
Breakout function 400 directs the conference ~1mini.~tration function 410 to connect users A and D back to their original main conference which is bridge 4305 (step 395), by connection lines 800 and 805 shown in Fig. 8.
The side conference bridges are left even after the participants return to the main conference to prevent any confusion. For example, if participants are in one side conference bridge and know it is conference bridge "2," and then later decide to reenter the side conference bridge, they will be confused if side conference 10 bridge "2" now includes a different conference title and participants. They expect the conference bridge to remain for the same purpose as was originally assigned.Therefore, all of the side conference bridges will be disconnected when the mainconference is disconnected.
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention allow 15 participants in an audio conference to have a side conversation during the audio conference easily and quickly without interrupting those in the main audio conference. This is achieved by allowing users to create new side conference bridges dynamically during a main conference and enter and exit the new side conference bridges freely.
The foregoing description is presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
~ . .... .. ~ ...
Discussion of the Related Art As companies expand and open global wide offices, they have an increased need for efficient communications between offices. Typically, persons in different of fices conduct audio conferences using several phones tied together. One of the 10 drawbacks of an audio conference, however, is that unlike a live conference, participants may not have side conversations. In live conferences, one or more participants may whisper certain comments to each other that are not meant to beshared with the other participants. For example, if one participant wants to obtain another participant's opinion on something before raising the issue to the entire 15 conference, he may simply whisper or write a note to the other participant or leave the room with the other to talk separately. A typical telephone audio conferenceprovides no mech~ni.sm for whispering or communicating with fewer than all the other participants.
If one does choose to ask his question out loud then all the other 20 participants in the audio conference must simply sit and wait for this side conference to finish before continuing with the main conference. This disrupts the audio conference and discourages these useful side conferences.
Of course, two members could hang up or put the current conference on hold while they talked on another telephone line call to each other. These multiple 25 steps are cumbersome and may not allow for more than two parties to be in the side conference. The greater the number of participants in the side conference, the more difficult it becomes to manage the side conference. There is no automatic or convenient way for setting up a side conference.
., .. ._.. . ..
CA 022~54~ 1998-12-07 Accordingly, it is desirable to have a system for easily leaving a main audio conference and entering into a side conference, and then easily rejoining the main conference.
Summary of the Invention Systems and methods consistent with the present invention include structure and steps for maintaining a main conference among several participants, allowing participants to leave the conference and create a side conference that is out of communication with the main conference, and allowing participants to leave the side conference and re-enter the main conference. Several different side 10 conferences may be created and a list of these side conferences maintained. Aparty to the main conference may enter any side conference and may enter and exit both the main conference and side conferences freely.
Brief Description of the Drawin~.~
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a 15 part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an overall communications system diagram consistent with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing steps for m~n:~ging an audio conference consistent with the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps for carrying out one example consistent with the present invention; and Figs. 4-8 are overall alternative system configurations to carry out the steps 25 in Fig. 3.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Reference will now be made in detail to the construction and operation of preferred implementations consistent with the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In those drawings, like elements and operations are 30 designated with the same reference numerals where possible.
Fig. 1 shows the overall communication system that includes participant stations 100, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 110, and a conference . . .....
CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 controller 120 that includes a main bridge 130, side conference bridges 140, a memory 150, a processor 160, breakout function software 400, and conference ~mini~tration function software 410. Conference controller 120 performs the procedures shown in the flow charts of Figs. 2 and 3.
Generally audio conferences are held by connecting each participant to a bridge. A conference bridge is a known communication connector that connects several telephones to a single communication line. Each bridge is assigned an associated identifier. Users are told of this identifier so that they may call into an audio conference service and designate the desired main conference bridge 130.
10 Side conference bridges 140 are communication bridges for side conference rooms and are accessed through a menu available only to those connected to a main conference bridge 130. Conference controller 120 includes the necessary hardwareand software for setting up basic communication connections such as conference bridges.
The telephone conference participants are at participant stations 100, which include a telephone. The participant telephones at station 100 connect through PSTN 110 to conference controller 120. Conference controller 120 will identify, based on an entered conference identifier, the appropriate main conference bridge 130 and will connect participant telephone at station 100 to the identified mainconference bridge 130.
In one implementation consistent with the present invention, when a participant first connects to a main conference bridge, the participant records its name, which is then stored in memory 150. This name is spoken to other participants already connected to the main conference bridge. While in the conference, a key such as "9" on the telephone keypad, may be pushed by a participant to request a readout of the names of the people that are in the conference. The recorded names are also spoken when participants enter a side conference bridge 140. Finally, a recorded name may be spoken to indicate that aparticipant has left the main or side conference.
Fig. 2 shows the steps of the overall process flow for m~n~ging an audio conference consistent with the present invention. Conventional systems can create and maintain a conference call using bridges. Generally, one participant initiates .
CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 the conference by telling a conference ~flmini~trator what time a conference bridge should be set up and how many people to expect. The participant then receives anidentifying number which he passes on to all other participants.
At the designated conference time, the conference ~(lmini~tration function S 410 will create the main bridge (step 200). Participants, who were told of theconference identifier, dial into conference controller 120 and designate a main conference bridge 130 using the conference identifier (step 210). The conference~ministration function 410 connects the participants to the designated main conference bridge (step 220).
During the conference, if participants wish to have a side conference with each other, they press a designated key on their telephone keypad, such as by hitting the "*" key (step 230). The conference ~(lministration function 410 disconnects the participants from the main conference bridge 130 and connects the participants to breakout function 400. Breakout function 400 determines what 15 action an individual participant wishes to take such as "join," "create," "list side conferences," or "rejoin the main conference" (step 240). In a preferred embodiment, the breakout function 400 audibly lists these options along with an identifying number for each option. For example, in order to designate the desired option, the user could be prompted to select "3" on his telephone key pad for a list 20 of side conference bridges, "S" to rejoin the main conference, "2" to create a new conference, or " 1 " to join an ongoing side conference bridge.
If a user selects "2" to create a new side conference (step 250), then the breakout function 400 creates a new side conference bridge 140 (step 255). The breakout function 400 plays an audio request to the participant instructing the 25 participant to record a greeting for the list. This greeting identifies the purpose of the room so that the breakout function 400 may later play a list of recorded greetings from which another participant can select a side conference bridge to join. For example, a participant could record the greeting "side conference room to discuss financial validity of plan." If another participant wishes to join one of the 30 side conferences, this recording will be played allowing the participant to select to join this particular side conference. After the greeting is recorded, the participant is connected to the new conference bridge (step 256). Processing then continues ... ~.. .. .
CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 until the participant gives an indication, such as the "*" key to exit, which results in the repetition of steps 230 and 240.
The user may select to join an ongoing conference by selecting " 1 " on the telephone key pad (step 260). When this option is selected, the breakout function 400 determines which side conference bridge 140 a participant wishes to join by asking the user to input an identifier number assigned to the conference (step 265).
The participant is then connected to the selected bridge (step 267) and processing continues until the user selects the "*" key to leave.
If the user selects "3" on the telephone key pad to request a list (step 270), 10 then the system reads the list of active side conference bridges 140 by playing the recorded greeting for each and the number identifier for each (step 275). The number identifier is used by participants to select the desired side conference bridge in step 265. If the user selects to rejoin the main conference by selecting "5" (step 280), then the user is disconnected from the side conference bridge 140 15 and reconnected to the main conference bridge 130 (step 285).
Processing continues in the main conference bridge until the participant again presses the "* " key. If the user fails to select any of the options after a predetermined period of time, then the options are repeated to the participant (step 290).
A specific example of a conference taking place consistent with the present invention will be described with respect to Figs. 3-8. The breakout function 400and conference ~lmini~tration function 410 in Fig. 4, maintain access to a processor and a memory, not shown, for performing functions shown in Fig. 3.
Conference controller 420 is the overall controller that includes the necessary hardware and software for m~int~ining bridges and controlling conferences. Users440 are shown with general connection lines to the bridges.
The system shown in Fig. 4 shows several users connected through a trunk (not shown) and a bridge that connects the trunks together to allow communication among all of the lines. An example of a bridge is a conferencing board circuit card that connects a number of answering lines together. An example of a trunk is a primary rate interface (PRI) board card and provides twenty-three connections to a single cable. Adding more than twenty-three phone lines together, requires more CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 PRI trunks. An ~mini~trative software function will route the calls when they come in and determine which conference they should be hooked up to.
As shown in Fig. 3, users A-F dial into the conference controller 420 designating a main conference (step 300). Users A-D designate identifiers for the 5 main bridge " 1 " and are connected to this main conference bridge 430 by the conference a~lministration function 410. Users E and F designate bridge number "2" and therefore are connected to the main conference 435 by the conference a(lministration function 410.
Next, user A hits the "*" key (step 320), and the conference ~(lministration 10 function 410 disconnects the user from bridge number 1 and connects the user to the breakout function 400 through the connection line 500 shown in Fig. 5 (step 330). The rem~ining users are unaffected by this change.
The breakout function 400 next solicits information from user A. For example, the breakout function 400 may play the list of menu options, from which15 user A decides to create a new side conference bridge for a side conference (step 340). The conference a~mini~tration function 410 creates a new bridge number "3"in response to this request and connects the user to new bridge 600 using communication line 610 shown in Fig. 6 (step 350). In creating the new bridge, breakout function 400 also elicits information about the new bridge from user A so 20 that this identifying information may be to other users who may request a list of all currently active side conference bridges.
Next, user D hits the "*" key, indicating a desire to leave the main conference (step 360). The conference a(lministration function 410 will then connect user D to the breakout function 400 (step 365). User D will then be given 25 a list of options by the breakout function 400 from which user D selects to join ongoing bridge 600 (step 370). The breakout function 400 directs the conference a(lmini~trator 410 to connect user D to bridge 600 (step 375) as shown in Fig. 7 by communication line 700. Users A and D are now connected to bridge 600, which allows them to communicate without users B and C hearing their side conference.
30 Users B and C are the only users now left in the main conference bridge 430.
Both users A and D leave the side conference by hitting the "*" key (step 380). The conference a(lministration function 410 connects users A and D to CA 022~4~ 1998-12-07 breakout function 400 (step 385). Breakout function 400 again lists the options to users A and D. Users A and D now select to rejoin the main conference (step 390).
Breakout function 400 directs the conference ~1mini.~tration function 410 to connect users A and D back to their original main conference which is bridge 4305 (step 395), by connection lines 800 and 805 shown in Fig. 8.
The side conference bridges are left even after the participants return to the main conference to prevent any confusion. For example, if participants are in one side conference bridge and know it is conference bridge "2," and then later decide to reenter the side conference bridge, they will be confused if side conference 10 bridge "2" now includes a different conference title and participants. They expect the conference bridge to remain for the same purpose as was originally assigned.Therefore, all of the side conference bridges will be disconnected when the mainconference is disconnected.
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention allow 15 participants in an audio conference to have a side conversation during the audio conference easily and quickly without interrupting those in the main audio conference. This is achieved by allowing users to create new side conference bridges dynamically during a main conference and enter and exit the new side conference bridges freely.
The foregoing description is presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
~ . .... .. ~ ...
Claims (33)
1. An audio conference system for use during a main audio conference having a plurality of participants, the system comprising:
means for allowing participants to leave the main audio conference and create a side audio conference out of communication with the main audio conference; and means for allowing participants to leave the side audio conference and reenter the main audio conference.
means for allowing participants to leave the main audio conference and create a side audio conference out of communication with the main audio conference; and means for allowing participants to leave the side audio conference and reenter the main audio conference.
2. The audio conference system according to claim 1 wherein the means for allowing the participants to leave the main audio conference includes: means for creating a side audio conference;
means for providing one of the participants with a list of options regarding the main audio conference and the side audio conference; and means for receiving an indication of the participant's selection of one of the options.
means for providing one of the participants with a list of options regarding the main audio conference and the side audio conference; and means for receiving an indication of the participant's selection of one of the options.
3. The audio conference system according to claim 2 wherein the means for providing a participant with a list includes means for providing a participant with a list of options.
4. The audio conference system according to claim 3 wherein the list of options includes creating a new side audio conference, joining an ongoing side audio conference, providing a list of side audio conferences, or rejoining the main audio conference.
5. The audio conference system according to claim 1 further including:
means for listing existing side audio conferences to the participant;
means for receiving a participant's selection of one of the side audio conferences; and means for connecting the participant to the selected side audio conference.
means for listing existing side audio conferences to the participant;
means for receiving a participant's selection of one of the side audio conferences; and means for connecting the participant to the selected side audio conference.
6. The audio conference system according to claim 1 further including:
means for connecting a plurality of participants to the main audio conference.
means for connecting a plurality of participants to the main audio conference.
7. The audio conference system according to claim 1, wherein the means for allowing participants to leave the main audio conference includes:
means for disconnecting individual participants from the main audio conference and connecting them to a side audio conference.
means for disconnecting individual participants from the main audio conference and connecting them to a side audio conference.
8. The audio conference system according to claim 7 wherein the means for disconnecting individual participants from the main audio conference includes:
means for generating a side communication bridge separate from a communication bridge for the main audio conference; and means for connecting participants to the newly created communication bridge.
means for generating a side communication bridge separate from a communication bridge for the main audio conference; and means for connecting participants to the newly created communication bridge.
9. The audio conference system according to claim 7 wherein the means for disconnecting individual participants from the main audio conference includes:
means for playing an audio indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is exiting the main audio conference; and means for playing an audible indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is entering the side audio conference.
means for playing an audio indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is exiting the main audio conference; and means for playing an audible indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is entering the side audio conference.
10. The audio conference system according to claim 1, wherein the means for allowing participants to leave the side audio conference includes:
means for disconnecting the individual participants from the side audio conference and connecting the individual participants to the main audio conference.
means for disconnecting the individual participants from the side audio conference and connecting the individual participants to the main audio conference.
11. The audio conference system according to claim 10 wherein the means for disconnecting individual participants from the side audio conference includes:
means for playing an audio indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is exiting the side audio conference and entering the main audio conference; and means for playing an audible indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is entering the main audio conference.
means for playing an audio indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is exiting the side audio conference and entering the main audio conference; and means for playing an audible indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is entering the main audio conference.
12. An audio conference system for use during a main audio conference having a plurality of participants, the system comprising:
a side conference element configured to allow two of the participants to leave the main audio conference and create a side audio conference that is out of communication with the main audio conference; and a reentry element configured to allow participants to leave the side audio conference and reenter the main audio conference.
a side conference element configured to allow two of the participants to leave the main audio conference and create a side audio conference that is out of communication with the main audio conference; and a reentry element configured to allow participants to leave the side audio conference and reenter the main audio conference.
13. The audio conference system according to claim 12 wherein the side conference element includes:
a creating element configured to create a side audio conference;
a listing element configured to provide one of the participants with a list of options regarding the main audio conference and the side audio conference; and a receiving element configured to receive a selection of one of the options from the participant.
a creating element configured to create a side audio conference;
a listing element configured to provide one of the participants with a list of options regarding the main audio conference and the side audio conference; and a receiving element configured to receive a selection of one of the options from the participant.
14. The audio conference system according to claim 13 wherein the list of options includes creating a new side audio conference, joining an ongoing side audio conference, providing a list of side audio conferences, or rejoining the main audio conference.
15. The audio conference system according to claim 12 further including:
a listing element configured to list existing side audio conferences to the participant;
a receiver configured to receive a participant's selection of one of the side audio conferences; and a selected side audio conference connecting element configured to connect the participant to the selected side audio conference.
a listing element configured to list existing side audio conferences to the participant;
a receiver configured to receive a participant's selection of one of the side audio conferences; and a selected side audio conference connecting element configured to connect the participant to the selected side audio conference.
16. The system according to claim 12 further including:
a connecting element configured to connect a plurality of participants to the main audio conference.
a connecting element configured to connect a plurality of participants to the main audio conference.
17. The system according to claim 12 wherein the side conference element includes:
a first disconnecting element configured to disconnect individual participants from the main audio conference and connecting them to side audio conference.
a first disconnecting element configured to disconnect individual participants from the main audio conference and connecting them to side audio conference.
18. The system according to claim 12 wherein the reentry element includes a second disconnecting element configured to disconnect the individual participants from the side audio conference and connect the individual participants to the main audio conference.
19. The system according to claim 17 wherein the first disconnecting element includes:
a side connecting element configured to connect side audio conferences;
a listing element configured to provide a participant with a list of options regarding the main audio conference and the side audio conferences; and a selecting element configured to allow the participant to select one of the options.
a side connecting element configured to connect side audio conferences;
a listing element configured to provide a participant with a list of options regarding the main audio conference and the side audio conferences; and a selecting element configured to allow the participant to select one of the options.
20. The system according to claim 16 wherein the first disconnecting element includes:
a bridge generating element configured to generate a new communication bridge separate from a communication bridge for the main audio conference; and a bridge connecting element configured to connect participants to the newly created communication bridge.
a bridge generating element configured to generate a new communication bridge separate from a communication bridge for the main audio conference; and a bridge connecting element configured to connect participants to the newly created communication bridge.
21. The system according to claim 17 wherein the first disconnecting element includes:
a first player configured to play an audio indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is exiting the main audio conference and entering a side audio conference; and a second player configured to play an audible indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is entering the side audio conference.
a first player configured to play an audio indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is exiting the main audio conference and entering a side audio conference; and a second player configured to play an audible indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is entering the side audio conference.
22. The system according to claim 18 wherein the second disconnecting element includes:
a first player confirmed to play an audio indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is exiting the side audio conference and entering the main audio conference; and a second player configured to play an audible indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is entering the main audio conference.
a first player confirmed to play an audio indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is exiting the side audio conference and entering the main audio conference; and a second player configured to play an audible indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is entering the main audio conference.
23. A method for managing a main audio conference having a plurality of participants, the system comprising the steps of:
creating a side audio conference out of communication with the main audio conference;
allowing the participants to leave the main audio conference and enter the side audio conference; and allowing the participants to leave the side audio conference and reenter the main audio conference.
creating a side audio conference out of communication with the main audio conference;
allowing the participants to leave the main audio conference and enter the side audio conference; and allowing the participants to leave the side audio conference and reenter the main audio conference.
24. The method according to claim 23 wherein the step of creating a side audio conference includes the steps of:
creating a side audio conference;
providing a participant with a list of options regarding the main audio conference and the side audio conference; and allowing the participant to select one of the options.
creating a side audio conference;
providing a participant with a list of options regarding the main audio conference and the side audio conference; and allowing the participant to select one of the options.
25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the list of options includes creating a new side audio conference, joining an ongoing side audio conference, providing a list of side audio conferences, or rejoining the main audio conference.
26. The method according to claim 23 further including the steps of:
listing existing side audio conferences to the participant;
receiving a participant's selection of one of the side audio conferences; and connecting the participant to the selected side audio conference.
listing existing side audio conferences to the participant;
receiving a participant's selection of one of the side audio conferences; and connecting the participant to the selected side audio conference.
27. The method according to claim 23 further including the step of:
connecting a plurality of participants to the main audio conference.
connecting a plurality of participants to the main audio conference.
28. The method according to claim 23 wherein the step of creating a side audio conference includes the step of:
disconnecting individual participants from the main audio conference and connecting them to a side audio conference.
disconnecting individual participants from the main audio conference and connecting them to a side audio conference.
29. The method according to claim 23 wherein the step of allowing participants to leave the side audio conference includes the step of:
disconnecting the individual participants from the side audio conference and connecting the individual participants to the main audio conference.
disconnecting the individual participants from the side audio conference and connecting the individual participants to the main audio conference.
30. The method according to claim 28 wherein the step of disconnecting individual participants from the main audio conference and connecting them to a side audio conference includes the steps of:
connecting a plurality of side audio conferences;
providing a participant with a list of options regarding the main audio conference and the side audio conferences; and receiving a selection of one of the options.
connecting a plurality of side audio conferences;
providing a participant with a list of options regarding the main audio conference and the side audio conferences; and receiving a selection of one of the options.
31. The method according to claim 28 wherein the step of disconnecting individual participants from the main audio conference includes the steps of:
generating a new communication bridge separate from a main conference communication bridge; and connecting participants to the newly created communication bridge.
generating a new communication bridge separate from a main conference communication bridge; and connecting participants to the newly created communication bridge.
32. The method according to claim 28 wherein the step of disconnecting individual participants from the main audio conference includes the steps of:
playing an audio indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is exiting the main audio conference and entering a side audio conference; and playing an audible indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is entering the side audio conference.
playing an audio indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is exiting the main audio conference and entering a side audio conference; and playing an audible indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is entering the side audio conference.
33. The method according to claim 29 wherein the step of disconnecting participants from the side audio conference includes the steps of:
playing an audio indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is exiting the side audio conference and entering the main audio conference; and playing an audible indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is entering the main audio conference.
playing an audio indication to participants in the side audio conference that a participant is exiting the side audio conference and entering the main audio conference; and playing an audible indication to participants in the main audio conference that a participant is entering the main audio conference.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US98635697A | 1997-12-08 | 1997-12-08 | |
| US08/986,356 | 1997-12-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2255455A1 true CA2255455A1 (en) | 1999-06-08 |
Family
ID=29550604
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2255455 Abandoned CA2255455A1 (en) | 1997-12-08 | 1998-12-07 | System for creating and maintaining side audio conferences during a main audio conference |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2255455A1 (en) |
-
1998
- 1998-12-07 CA CA 2255455 patent/CA2255455A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |