Teleconferenceing system for allowing interchange between facilitator LED discussions in a main conference and breaking out groups into sub-conferences based on data about callers

Abstract

A teleconferencing system in which a plurality of callers join a facilitator in a teleconference. The teleconferencing system enables the facilitator to dynamically arrange the callers into sub-conferences. The callers in one sub-conference can communicate with other callers in that same sub-teleconference, but not with callers in other sub-conferences. The callers in a sub-conference may or may not be able to communicate with the facilitator. Formation of sub-conferences is performed using application software, beneficially under the control of a Graphical User Interface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefits of the following U.S. Provisional Applications: “Teleconferencing system for allowing one touch transfer from a facilitator led discussion, Provisional Application No. 61/343,113, filed Apr. 22, 2010; “Teleconferencing system for allowing interchange between facilitator led discussions and reporting information about selected callers, Provisional Application No. 61/343,112, filed Apr. 22, 2010; “Teleconferencing system for allowing one touch queuing by callers in a facilitator led discussion,” Provisional Application No. 61/343,108, filed Apr. 22, 2010; “Teleconferencing system for allowing large numbers of callers by transferring callers to connected servers in a call bridge,” Provisional Application No. 61/343,107, filed Apr. 22, 2010; “Teleconferencing system for allowing the breaking out of groups of callers into sub-teleconferences and the reporting of callers speaking in the sub-teleconferences,” Provisional Application No. 61/343,106, filed Apr. 22, 2010; “Teleconferencing system for allowing interchange in facilitator led discussions and sending information to callers electing to receive the information,” Provisional Application No. 61/343,105, filed Apr. 22, 2010; “Teleconferencing system for allowing interchange between facilitator led discussions in a main conference and breaking out groups into sub-conferences,” Provisional Application No. 61/343,104, filed Apr. 22, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards a facilitator led teleconferencing system that enables the facilitator to dynamically divide a large teleconference into a plurality of sub-conferences in which callers in a particular sub-conference can interact with each other and possibly with the facilitator, but not with callers in the other sub-conferences.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A very common way to hold a meeting and to perform group activities with widely dispersed people is teleconferencing. Teleconferencing is highly useful because it allows callers from around the world to participate in the same meeting at low cost.

Teleconferencing has been so successful that user needs have resulted in the development of modern teleconferencing “bridge systems” that allow callers to either dial into or log onto a computerized system that establishes a virtual teleconference. In such systems callers usually have to identify themselves, their access rights are checked, a facilitator is established, and operating rules are set and enforced by the bridge system.

Teleconferencing and the newer bridge systems generally support modern trends in education, business, and other group activities which focus on increasing the number and quality of interactions. For example, modern trends in education lean away from strictly lecture driven modalities and focus more on greater individual participation. In practice teleconferencing participants are often looked at as resources of an organization and as such the desire to incorporate those participants in decision-making at all levels has increased. This becomes a major problem as the geographic diversity of organizations and their participant's increases and as the need for better communications, such as teleconferencing, becomes even more critical. In fact, modern trends have placed such additional burdens on teleconferencing systems that even the newer “bridge teleconferencing systems” are often deemed insufficient.

The result of the foregoing is that more and more programs, be they sales, educational, marketing, or simply group meetings are being delivered and conducted via teleconferencing systems. Teleconferencing reduces costs, makes more efficient use of time, and makes a given meeting available to a greater segment of the population, including home or bed-ridden individuals.

While generally successful, teleconferences have numerous, well-known limitations. Those limitations are a result of, or are acerbated by, the fact that the normal visual cues available with in-person meetings are often not available in a teleconference. Those limitations lead to greater problems when larger numbers of people from remote locations are brought together in a single teleconference. First, a large teleconference can be difficult to organize and run even when using the newer bridge systems. For example, two callers who talk or otherwise act at the same time cause communication conflicts. The larger the group the more difficult it becomes to avoid such conflicts. Smaller teleconferences are simply easier to manage.

Next, it can be extraordinarily difficult to associate the response of a particular caller with that caller. For example, in a teleconference with 30 callers in 5 different locations it is very difficult to associate a response from say Joe in Seattle (for example) with that particular Joe and not a different Joe in London. Again, smaller teleconferences are easier to manage.

Yet another issue is enabling interactions among participants in a large conference. If participant A says something, it is possible that numerous other participants will want to interact with participant A. If they do so, confusion is likely. Again, smaller teleconferences are easier to manage.

Still another problem with large conferences is maintaining the interest of participants who may have different interests. For example, property investors in Seattle may have no interest in the current housing market in Little Rock, while those in Arkansas may have a great deal of interest in that subject. Further discussions on the current housing market in Little Rock may leave some callers bored and unhappy while changing the subject may greatly displease other participants.

Complicating the problems with prior art teleconferencing is that the conferences were static, once a conferencing group is established the facilitator can not rearrange the conference to suit the dynamic interests or needs of diverse groups within that conference.

Therefore, a facilitator led teleconferencing system that enables the facilitator to dynamically divide a large conference into a plurality of sub-conferences would be beneficial. Such a teleconferencing system in which callers in a particular sub-conference can interact with each other and possibly with the facilitator, but not with callers in the other sub-conferences would be even more beneficial. Such a system in which the facilitator can dynamically formulate sub-conferences based on participant's interests would be useful. Preferably, the sub-conferences would be based on information about the callers that is stored in a database.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system which enables callers in a main teleconference to be broken out into groups by a facilitator and then grouped into sub-conferences.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system which enables callers in a sub-conference to continue to hear the facilitator of the main teleconference.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system which enables callers in a sub-conference to have two-way communication with the facilitator of the main teleconference.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system that enables callers in a sub-conference to communicate with other callers in the same sub-conference.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system which enables callers in a sub-conference to be able to hold private conversations and to not be heard by either the facilitator or by anyone else who is not part of the sub-conference.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system that enables a facilitator to form sub-conferences based on selected caller criteria.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system that enables a facilitator to form sub-conferences based on the number of callers, their geographic location, their positions of authority within an organization, the topical focus or area or interest of the callers, to maximize diversity, or any other information available to the facilitator.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system that provides a facilitator to form sub-conferences with little effort.

The principles of the present invention provide for a teleconferencing system for a plurality of callers and at least one facilitator. The teleconferencing system is operated by the facilitator under the control of application software through a computer system that establishes a user interface. The facilitator may use the computer and application software to cause a switch to configure the teleconferencing system into a variety of configurations, including as a single large conference wherein all callers are listening to the facilitator. The facilitator may then reconfigure the callers into a plurality of sub-conferences. The callers in a particular sub-conference can then communicate with other callers in the same sub-teleconference and possibly with the facilitator. To assist the facilitator in forming sub-conferences information about the callers is made available to the facilitator.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being in accord with the principles of the present invention, therefore the present invention shall be construed as being limited only by the broad scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the various stations that comprise an interactive teleconferencing system that is in accord with the principles of the present invention, and in which all callers are in direct communication only with the facilitator;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the various stations that comprise an interactive teleconferencing system that is in accord with the principles of the present invention, and in which all callers are in communications with each other and with the facilitator;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the various stations that comprise an interactive teleconferencing system that is in accord with the principles of the present invention, and in which callers have been assigned to sub-conferences, and in which the members of each sub-conference are in communication with other members of that sub-conference and with the facilitator;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the various stations that comprise an interactive teleconferencing system that is in accord with the principles of the present invention and in which callers have been assigned to sub-conferences, and in which the members of each sub-conference is in communication only with other members of that sub-conference;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the interactive teleconferencing system in accord with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a depiction of a graphic user interface that is in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which one embodiment is shown. However, it should be understood that this invention may take many different forms and thus should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments set forth herein. In the figures, like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a teleconferencing system 20 having a conferencing switch 22 which is central to the operation of the teleconferencing system 20. The teleconferencing system 20 enables a facilitator 30 to dynamically cause the switch 22 (via application software 24) to selectively interconnect a plurality of callers, shown as callers 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40N, among themselves and the facilitator 30 into a single teleconference or into a plurality of sub-conferences.

The callers 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40N and the facilitator 30 connect to the teleconferencing system 20 using any of an assortment of communication mediums such as telephone lines 41 (as with callers 40A-40C), internet connections 42 (as with caller 40N), and data lines 43 (as with the facilitator 30). Of course the teleconferencing system 20 is also contemplated as working with other communication mediums, such as microwave or radio communications.

Hardware and firmware suitable for implementing the switch 22 are well known in the art. The switch 22 can be a hardware device or it can be a combination of hardware and software. For example, when used under the control of specific application software 24 (discussed subsequently) an open source software solution such as FreeSwitch, distributed at freeswitch.org, can control hardware that is currently available within existing telecommunication networks to provide the required functionality described herein.

Referring to FIGURE s 1-4, it is contemplated that the switch 22 operates under the control of application software 24, which is comprised of code written to enable both basic teleconferencing functions and to provide the specific functionality to implement the principles of the present invention. The application software 24 might run as part of the switch 22, or it might be applied to the switch 22 by way of a data control port 49 and/or a secondary port 47 from a computer system 26. Preferably the application software 24 runs under the control of the computer system 26. The computer system 26 beneficially provides a user interface that enables, via a manual interface 45 (which could include a mouse), control of the computer system 26, the application software 24, and the switch 22 as required to implement the various features of the teleconferencing system 20.

Preferably, the computer system 26 implements a user interface having a web-based, GUI (Graphic User Interface) display which allows easy control of the functions of the teleconferencing system 20. It should be noted that the teleconferencing system 20 generally operates at the behest of a facilitator 30, a person or group that leads the teleconference and controls, by way of the manual interface 45, the computer system 26, the application software 24, and the switch 22. The teleconferencing system 20 may place the facilitator 30 at a different hierarchical level than the individual callers, or it may place the facilitator 30 at the same (common) level as the individual callers. In addition, the telecommunication system 20 may be scaled and configured to have more than one person speaking and interacting with the individual callers as a facilitator 30.

The purpose of the teleconferencing system 20 is to allow interactive teleconferencing between the callers, including caller 40A, caller 40B, caller 40C, caller 40N and/or the facilitator 30. FIG. 1 illustrates the teleconferencing system 20 when it is configured such that each caller can only communicate with the facilitator 30. To implement that feature the switch 22 sets up a single level router 108 that allows only hierarchical-communications. That is, callers can only interact with others on different levels, with the facilitator 30 being considered at a higher level. Oval-shaped routers, such as the router 108 are used herein to designate hierarchical level routers. Thus in FIG. 1 the various callers 40A-40N cannot directly communicate with each other.

In contrast, FIG. 2 illustrates the teleconferencing system 20 when it is configured such that each caller can communicate with all of the other callers and with the facilitator 30. To implement that the switch 22 sets up a common router 110 that allows all of the participants connected to that router to interact with all of the other participants connected to that router. Rectangular-shaped routers, such as the router 110 are used herein to designate common-level routers.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the teleconferencing system 20 when it is supporting only one large conference. However, that type of operation is not always optimal. As more and more callers participate in the teleconference it becomes mores and more difficult to manage the teleconference and the overall effectiveness of the teleconference can diminish. To address those problems the teleconferencing system 20 enables the facilitator 30 to re-organize the callers 40A-40N by selectively placing them into more manageable and more effective sub-conferences.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the teleconferencing system 20 after the facilitator has caused the switch 22 to form two sub-conferences: one comprised of callers 40A and 40B, and the other comprised of callers 40C and 40N. To do so the facilitator causes the switch 22 to form a common level router 102 and another common level router 104. As common-level routers allow all of the callers connected to that router to interact with all of the other callers connected to that router, callers 40A and 40B can communicate with each other, callers 40C and 40N can communicate with each other, but callers 40A and 40B cannot communicated with callers 40C and 40N (and visa-versa).

In FIG. 4 the facilitator 30 is not connected to the callers. Thus the callers 40A and 40B can communicate with each other but not the facilitator 30. To re-establish communications the facilitator would have to cause the switch 22 to reconfigure. Thus FIG. 4 illustrates a secure sub-conference.

However, FIG. 3 illustrates the switch 22 when the facilitator 30 has caused the switch to add a hierarchical router 106 that connects the facilitator 30 to each of the common-level routers 102 and 104. When the teleconferencing system 20 is configured as in FIG. 3 all of the callers in a sub-conference can communicate among themselves and with the facilitator 30, the facilitator 30 can communicate with all callers, but the callers in one sub-conference cannot communicate with calls in another sub-conference.

As noted the specific configuration of the switch 22 is controlled by the facilitator 30. To assist the facilitator 30, that facilitator has access to a database 21 that can be stored in a data storage 23, which will typically be part of the computer system 26. Information in the database can be accessed by the facilitator as required.

In FIG. 5 the operation 96 of the teleconferencing system 20 when configured as in FIG. 2 is explained. The operation 96 starts at step 98 with the opening of a teleconference. The facilitator 30 and the callers (40A, 40B, 40C, 40N) connect to the teleconferencing system 20, step 100. The callers then send identifying information to the teleconferencing system 20, step 102 and the teleconferencing system 20 logs the callers in, step 103. User accounts may have been established prior to step 100 or a user account may be set up at step 102.

A primary purpose of logging in callers is to establish the identity of the callers that are connected to the switch 22. This enables a database record to be accessed for each caller as required by the facilitator 30 so that he can make informed decisions when he subsequently configures the sub-conferences.

After step 103 the facilitator 30 begins a teleconference, step 104. During this time the facilitator 30 decides whether or not to form a sub-conference, step 105. If a sub-conference is not to be formed the teleconferencing system 20 returns to step 104. However, if a sub-conference is to be formed the facilitator 30 uses the teleconferencing system 20 to group the callers into sub-conferences, step 106.

A useful variation of the foregoing is to simply randomly assign callers into sub-conferences after log in. This has the advantage of forming relatively uniformly sized sub-teleconferences. However, the facilitator 30 has access to accounts or registration information provided by the callers and stored in the database 21 (see for example FIG. 2). The facilitator 30 can operate the teleconferencing system 20 to have that information made available on the User Interface. Typically, each caller will have provided contact information such as name, phone number, mailing address, zip code, email address and other such information. Other types of information that may be useful to the facilitator when forming the sub-conferences are the caller's area of interest, title or hierarchy within an organization.

In any event the facilitator causes the switch to form the callers into sub-conferences. Then, if the teleconferencing system 20 is reconfigured per FIG. 3, the facilitator 30 can conduct the sub-conference, step 110. However, if teleconferencing system 20 is reconfigured per FIG. 4 the callers conduct their own sub-conference, again, step 110.

A decision is then made as to whether or not to return to the main teleconference, step 111. If so, the operation 96 returns to step 104. If not, the operation 96 stops, step 112.

Examples may be useful in explaining the principles of the present invention. Refer now to FIG. 6 for a depiction of a graphical user interface suitable for use with the present invention. Assume that the facilitator 30 has established a teleconference relating to the value of properties in American cities. The facilitator 30 might present a generalized program useful to all of the callers, who will be assumed to be potential real estate investors across America. After the generalized program is complete the facilitator 30 might wish to group callers into sub-conferences based on ZIP codes. The facilitator 30 might group callers 302, specifically callers Shawn Soileau and Erika LaBarbena shown in italics, into one sub-conference by clicking on a BREAKOUT 304 label because the computer system displayed in box 304 that the callers 302 had ZIP codes that the facilitator 30 decided might benefit from being in a sub-conference. It might be beneficial for the facilitator 30 to continue to monitor the sub-conferences by configuring the teleconferencing system as illustrated in FIG. 3.

As another example, assume the facilitator 30 is an administrative assistant to a regional sales manager who has been tasked with establishing a teleconference with a plurality of sales people located throughout the country. The facilitator 30 might present an introductory program useful for all of the participants and then divided the teleconference into sub-conferences based on sales responsibilities. As the facilitator 30 is not involved with any of those sub-conferences the facilitator 30 would configure the teleconferencing system 20 as in FIG. 4 wherein the facilitator 30 cannot communicate with a sub-conference but the members of a sub-conference can communicate among themselves.

In conclusion, herein is presented a teleconferencing system which allows a plurality of callers to respond to questions in a large group conference, without disruption of the teleconference. The system also gives the facilitator the ability to selectively ask questions of the callers during the teleconference and automatically receive answers associated with a caller. The callers selecting an answer to a question chosen by the facilitator may be identified by the system and may have their contact information displayed or otherwise reported. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.

Therefore, it is to be understood that while the figures and the above description illustrate the present invention, they are exemplary only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Others who are skilled in the applicable arts will recognize numerous modifications and adaptations of the illustrated embodiments that remain within the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A teleconferencing system, comprising;

a computer system;

a switch for interconnecting a plurality of callers and a facilitator together over at least one communication medium; and

application software controlled by said computer system, said application software for controlling said switch;

wherein said application software can cause said switch to interconnect said plurality of callers into one teleconference; and

wherein said application software enables said facilitator to reconfigure the callers into a plurality of sub-conferences.

2. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said application software causes said switch to establish a common level router so that callers in a first sub-conference of said plurality of sub-conferences can directly interact with each other.

3. A teleconferencing system according to claim 2, wherein said facilitator cannot directly interact with callers in said first sub-conference.

4. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein callers in a sub-conference do not directly interact with each other.

5. A teleconferencing system according to claim 3, wherein said application software causes said switch to establish at least two common level routers so that callers in a first sub-conference of said plurality of sub-conferences cannot directly interact with callers in a second sub-conference of said plurality of sub-conferences.

6. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said computer system enables said facilitator to retrieving information from a database before reconfiguring said callers into said plurality of sub-conferences.

7. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said communication medium is a telephone connection.

8. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said communication medium is an interne connection.

9. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said teleconference uses data signals.

10. A teleconferencing system according to claim 3, wherein said computer system includes a manual interface.

11. A method of operating a teleconferencing system comprising the steps of;

logging a plurality of a callers and a facilitator into a teleconference system;

conducting a facilitator led teleconference with said plurality of callers;

reconfiguring said plurality of callers into a plurality of sub-conferences; and

conducting at least one sub-conference.

12. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to claim 11, further including the step of obtaining caller information to assist said reconfiguring.

13. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to claim 11, wherein the step of reconfiguring is performed by forming said plurality of callers into a sub-conference such that callers in said sub-conference can communicate with each other.

14. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to claim 13, wherein the step of reconfiguring is performed by forming said plurality of callers into a sub-conference, such that callers in said sub-conference cannot communicate with said facilitator.

15. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to claim 13, wherein the step of reconfiguring is performed by forming said plurality of callers into a sub-conference such that callers in said sub-conference cannot communicate with other callers.