Abstract: A system for scheduling a conference between callers includes a database that stores scheduling information indicating at least a start time, a duration, and a maximum number of callers for one or more scheduled conferences, the scheduling information reflecting available conferencing resources. A server complex coupled to the database communicates, to a requesting Internet Protocol (IP) user, at least one page including one or more scheduling input fields. The server complex receives scheduling input from the requesting IP user for a requested conference according to the scheduling input fields. The server complex accesses the database to determine, according to the scheduling input, whether sufficient resources are available for the requested conference. If so, the server complex allocates at least some available resources to the requested conference and generates confirmations of the requested conference for communication to the callers.

Abstract: A system for conferencing callers includes a time division multiplexed (TDM) bus. A public switched telephone network (PSTN) interface node that is coupled to the TDM bus receives PSTN signals from a PSTN caller and communicates corresponding information in a first timeslot using the TDM bus. An Internet Protocol (IP) interface node coupled to the TDM bus receives IP packets from an IP caller and communicates corresponding information in a second timeslot using the TDM bus. Also coupled to the TDM bus is a conference bridge node that receives the information for the IP caller and communicates it to the PSTN interface node in a first conference timeslot, using the TDM bus. The conference bridge node also receives the information for the PSTN caller and communicates it to the IP interface node in a second conference timeslot, using the TDM bus.

Abstract: A system for scheduling a conference between callers includes a database that stores scheduling information indicating at least a start time, a duration, and a maximum number of callers for one or more scheduled conferences, the scheduling information reflecting available conferencing resources. A server complex coupled to the database communicates, to a requesting Internet Protocol (IP) user, at least one page including one or more scheduling input fields. The server complex receives scheduling input from the requesting IP user for a requested conference according to the scheduling input fields. The server complex accesses the database to determine, according to the scheduling input, whether sufficient resources are available for the requested conference. If so, the server complex allocates at least some available resources to the requested conference and generates confirmations of the requested conference for communication to the callers.