Abstract: Examples of associating user information from social network sites with a conference call application may include a series of operations. One example method of operation may provide receiving user credentials to access a user account and authenticating the user credentials and permitting access to the user account. The method may also provide receiving a command to share at least one social networking application with a scheduled conference call and accessing an application programming interface (API) of the social networking application, and sharing user profile information with a graphical user interface (GUI) application of the scheduled conference call corresponding to the command to share the social networking application.

Abstract: In a method for recording telephone conversations between a subscriber to a service provider and a telephone conversation partner, the subscriber dials the number of the service provider and interacts with a menu-driven IVR user interface, entering his subscriber number as well as a corresponding PIN-number to authenticate himself. After the verification, the subscriber can chose one or more of the following options: (a) listen to one or more of his previously recorded telephone conversations, (b) delete one or more of his previously recorded telephone conversations, (c) arrange that all incoming and outgoing calls are to be automatically recorded, (d) deactivate the setting that all incoming and outgoing calls are automatically recorded, and/or (e) record the next telephone conversation. At the beginning of each conversation to be recorded, the service provider informs the telephone conversation partner, via a warning voice message, that the telephone conversation will be recorded.

Abstract: An email client method and server that allow a conference organizer to schedule a conference (e.g., conference call) using a calendar feature found in today's email applications. When the email client is installed to work with the user's email application, an option becomes available to allow access to a conferencing scheduling feature. The server is adapted to receive an incoming conference request via a data message (e.g., email message) and coordinate acceptances to the request. At the time of the conference, the server retrieves a list of conference participants/attendees and their contact information. The server determines whether or not each participant/attendee is a server participant. If the participant/attendee is a server participant, the server will initiate the conference by calling the multiple contact numbers associated with the participant/attendee. Otherwise, the server will call one contact number associated with the participant/attendee.

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.

Abstract: An interactive assistant for managing telephone communications and services is disclosed. In one of many possible method embodiments, a chat interface is provided to a device associated with an intended recipient of an incoming voice call. A chat message from the intended recipient is received through the chat interface. The chat message is presented to a calling party associated with the incoming call prior to a disposition of the call being determined. In other embodiments, an interface provides controls for individually managing calls on a conference call, without affecting other calls on the conference call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for recording an exchange between a central monitoring station and a protected premises. The method includes the steps of transmitting an alarm notification from a protected premises to an alarm routing service, the alarm routing service establishing a voice connection between the protected premises and a central monitoring station in response to the alarm notification and the alarm routing service recording audio on the voice connection between the protected premises and the central station.

Abstract: Enforcing user-defined real-time communication session terminations can begin with a termination enforcement handler identifying termination conditions applicable to a real-time communication session hosted by a unified telephony system. The termination conditions can define a limit for an operational variable for the unified telephony system or the real-time communication session. The identified termination conditions can be evaluated. If a termination condition is satisfied, it can be determined which participants are to be disconnected from the real-time communication session based upon handling rules for the termination conditions and/or termination preferences associated with the real-time communication session. The termination preferences can be defined by an initiating entity of the real-time communication session. The participants can be notified that their connection to the real-time communication session will be terminated in a predefined time limit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a set of rules established by a third-party to control the execution of various functions offered by a device. The set of rules can block a function outright, or can specify particular combinations of days and times when the function can be executed and when it is blocked. Then, when the user of the device requests an instance of the function to be executed, the set of rules can be accessed to determine whether the requested function instance is permitted, after which the device can either block or execute the requested function instance.

Abstract: A conference calling system and method for designating of hosting control from a server device. In a conference call session, one of the client devices may be designated as a host device, wherein that host device is permitted to implement hosting functions. In some instances, the required host device may not be available for the scheduled conference call, but may be available prior to the conference call. The host device may provide hosting control commands to the server device prior to the conference call. Such hosting control commands may include such commands as delegating of hosting control functions in relation to the designated host device. This may allow the presently designated host device to end communications with the server device prior to starting a conference call, while having the server device implement the specific hosting control commands.

Abstract: A method for facilitating access to a conference call is disclosed. The method can comprise allowing a prospective participant to join the conference call after the prospective participant provides a personal ID rather than a conference ID. The method can comprise using at least one of a prospective participant's personal ID or voice for authentication, accessing the prospective participant's electronic calendar, presenting conference call choices from the prospective participant's electronic calendar to the prospective participant, and adding the prospective participant to a selected conference call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing access to teleconference services using voice recognition technology to receive information on packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the service provider enables a caller to enter access information for accessing a conference service using at least one natural language response.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an audio conference includes receiving audio from a moderator via a circuit-switched telephone network, transmitting a representation of the audio to a first listener group via the circuit-switched telephone network, and transmitting a representation of the audio to a second listener group via a packet-switched network. The audio conference is preferably transmitted to the first listener group and the second listener group in real-time or near real-time (e.g., within a few seconds). Although the method and system could be used with any suitable circuit-switched telephone network, the method and system are preferably used with a public switched telephone network. Further, although the method and system could be used with any suitable packet-switched network, the method and system are preferably used with the Internet.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for delivering to an invitee of a teleconference an electronic file attached to or referenced by a meeting notice for the teleconference. The teleconference hosted by a server computer, the invitee has a telephone to call-in to the teleconference via a telephone connection, and an invitee computer downloads the electronic file from the server computer via a first network in response to selection by the invitee of a representation of the electronic file from the meeting notice. The server computer receives a notification that a predetermined combination of keys has been pressed by the invitee on the telephone. In response, the server computer determines an e-mail address or instant message address for the invitee. The server computer attaches and sends the electronic file to an e-mail or instant message with the attached electronic file to the e-mail address or instant message address.

Abstract: An automated method and system is provided for configuring conference calls in which participants can be joined automatically at different times and in response to differing stimuli and in which presence information is used to configure and/or initiate the conference calls.

Abstract: Initiating a conference in a conferencing system (e.g., a videoconferencing or aduioconferencing system). Input may be received to the conferencing system from a mobile communication device. The input may specify one or more participants in the videoconference, e.g., by selecting from contact information stored on the mobile communication device. Accordingly, the conferencing system may initiate the conference based on the received input. The videoconference may include the one or more participants selected from the contact information stored on the mobile communication device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for audio switching and conferencing. The method comprises: providing a plurality of audio channels comprising at least one active audio channel, the active audio channel comprising at least one of an input audio stream and output audio stream; converting the input audio streams from the at least one audio channel in input data; providing audio channel communication requests between parties of the at least one active audio channel; determining a set of Boolean values depending on the parties of the audio channels; determining output data for the respective active audio channels by combining the elements of the Boolean set and the input data; and encoding the output data in output audio streams for the respective active audio channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an emergency ringing facility able to remotely override a silent mode of a wireless communication device are disclosed. The systems comprise profile-management applications residing on wireless devices and allowing one user of a wireless device to override a silent mode of a remote wireless device. The profile management application executed on the wireless device queries whether the silent mode of the remote wireless device can be overridden, and if so, communicates with a profile-management application executed on the remote device and overrides the silent mode of that device. In an alternative embodiment, a silent mode of a wireless device can be overridden by a profile management server. A profile-management application is executed on a profile-management server communicating with a profile-management application executed on a wireless device and requests the overriding of the silent mode of a remote wireless device.

Abstract: A voice channel connection and a data channel connection are established with a structured voice interaction system. Navigation information for and provided by the structured voice interaction system is received over the data channel connection. The data channel navigation information is coordinated with navigation information provided by the structured voice interaction system over the voice channel connection.

Abstract: A method and system of an embodiment of the present invention may involve receiving an incoming call from a calling party for one or more members of a group; transmitting an invite message to the one or more members; identifying an acceptance of the invite message by at least one member of the one or more members; and establishing an active dialog between the calling party and the at least one member.

Abstract: It is recognized in the disclosed technique that the way impairments on a conference call are diagnosed and handled in the prior art can sometimes be as distracting as the impairments themselves. The disclosed technique attempts to address some of the disadvantages in the prior art by monitoring the signal path quality on a conference call and, based on the quality of the signals received, performing one or more actions that are intended to minimize distractions while handling the impairments. In particular, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the technique performs a multi-threshold evaluation of media signals that are received at a conferencing server. If a measure of the impairment being considered exceeds a first threshold, but not a higher second threshold, then a first set of actions is taken to handle the impairment. If the measure exceeds the second threshold, then a more-extreme second set of actions is taken.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for determining whether a call in a packet-switched network to a first destination is to be forwarded, forwarding the call to a second destination based on a determination that the call is to be forwarded, notifying the first destination that the call has been forwarded, receiving a request from the first destination to screen the call, and enabling the first destination to screen the call.

Abstract: Processing a communication is disclosed. A first request to establish communication is received at a redirection node from a requesting communication participant. A destination communication participant associated with the request is determined. A communication session in which the requesting communication participant, the redirection node, and the destination communication participant are participants at the same time is established, including sending from the redirection node to an equipment associated with the destination communication participant a second request to establish communication between the redirection node and the equipment associated with the destination communication participant.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for delivering to an invitee of a teleconference an electronic file attached to or referenced by a meeting notice for the teleconference. The teleconference hosted by a server computer, the invitee has a telephone to call-in to the teleconference via a telephone connection, and an invitee computer downloads the electronic file from the server computer via a first network in response to selection by the invitee of a representation of the electronic file from the meeting notice. The server computer receives a notification that a predetermined combination of keys has been pressed by the invitee on the telephone. In response, the server computer determines an e-mail address or instant message address for the invitee. The server computer attaches and sends the electronic file to an e-mail or instant message with the attached electronic file to the e-mail address or instant message address.

Abstract: Conference audio systems are widely known and are usually used in political or economic debates, at fairs and wherever a plurality of people discuss with each other supported by a microphone-amplifier-loudspeaker system. In known systems each delegate of a conference has a seat with a working table in which the microphone and the loudspeaker is integrated.

Abstract: A system and method that allows different participants in a conference call to be identified at a receiving terminal includes watermarking speech data when the uplink information from the terminals of the participants is received at the telecommunications network. The speech data is then combined at a conference bridge in the network and is transmitted in the downlink to the receiving terminal. The receiving terminal uses the watermarks to identify from which of the participants the received speech data originated and is operable to reproduce the speech data from the respective participants at different positions in a 2D or 3D space to help the user of the receiver terminal to identify contributions made by the respective participants.

Abstract: A method of using an intercom on a cordless telephone during an active call. The active call is put on hold while the intercom is in use. Once the call is re-activated, the intercom is shut off. This system may be designed for a cordless telephone with one handset or a plurality of handsets.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving through a telephony user interface from a user at the telephony user interface an indication of a first direction of a sound source along a first axis with respect to the user and a second direction of the sound source along a second axis with respect to the user. The first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. The method further involves communicating the indication of the first direction and the second direction to enable audio communication of sound originating at the sound source to the user as if coming from the first direction and the second direction with respect to the user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing multiple, simultaneous incoming calls directed to a single communication device. The method includes receiving, by a proxy server associated with a called communication device, an invitation for each incoming call directed to the called communication device. The method also includes determining, by the proxy server upon receipt of each invitation, the availability of the called communication device by suspending transmission of each invitation and by sending to the called communication device an associated call initiation message for each invitation. The associated call initiation message is free of a Session Description Payload (SDP). The method further includes receiving, by the proxy server, at least one answer message from the called communication device, each answer message being associated with a selected incoming call.

Abstract: A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network includes: (a) a plurality of subscriber units coupled with the telecommunication network; and (b) a conference control unit coupled with the telecommunication network. The conference control unit responds to a request message from a requesting subscriber unit to effect coupling of a conference-set of subscriber units in a conference calling configuration. The conference control unit controls inclusion in the conference-set by respective subscriber units. The system may provide that the conference control unit provides and controls conferencing services for the conference-set of subscriber units.

Abstract: System and method for recording communication sessions in a peer-to-peer communication networks. End-devices of the peer to peer communication network may register with a selected super-node that may fork media to a recording system for recording. Communication sessions arriving at a call center may be transferred between the external end-device and the target agent end-device via a recorder and the communication session media may be recorded. Alternatively, a conference call may be established between an external end-device, a target agent end-device of a call center and a recorder over a peer-to-peer communication network. After the conference call is established, the recorder may receive media transferred between the external end-device and the target agent end-device and record that media.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling recordation and transmission of audio and video signals on a per-conference-leg basis are described. By providing a recordation and transmission control mechanism, teleconference participants may request to go “off-the-record.” A per-conference-leg recording and transmission control system enhances the flexibility of teleconference participant's interaction with one or more other participants. The control system and method may further allow a single individual to control the recordation and transmission of the teleconference or alternatively, grant each participant individual control over their own conference leg.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium that facilitate verbal control of conference call features are provided. Automatic speech recognition functionality is deployed in a conferencing platform. Hot words are configured in the conference platform that may be identified in speech supplied to a conference call. Upon recognition of a hot word, a corresponding feature may be invoked. A speaker may be identified using speaker identification technologies. Identification of the speaker may be utilized to fulfill the speaker's request in response to recognition of a hot word and the speaker. Particular participants may be provided with conference control privileges that are not provided to other participants. Upon recognition of a hot word, the speaker may be identified to determine if the speaker is authorized to invoke the conference feature associated with the hot word.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheduling/conferencing system provides a user with the ability to set up a camp-on request for a person invited to attend a conference session in response to one or more selections made by the user via a user interface, which may include a name of the person and a specified action to be taken when the person leaves the conference session. During the conference session, a conference port of the person is camped-on. When the person leaves the conference session and his conference port becomes free, the specified action, which includes an attempt to communicate with the person by the user, is executed. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A teleconference system that monitors the activity levels of one or more attendees of a teleconference and, based on that monitoring, provides information about attendees who are active participants and attendees who are passive listeners. The information includes evaluative feedback or a conference roster that is ordered based on the activity levels of the attendees, or both. Furthermore, the teleconference system takes into account that the potential invitees to a teleconference being scheduled can be different from one another in terms of their importance to a teleconference being scheduled, or in terms of the relevance of the teleconference to those invitees. The system is also able to consider the activity levels that are reported for a teleconference in progress when the system schedules a new teleconference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for arranging a conference call with mobile terminals operating in a cellular network. At first, a group of the participants of the conference call is formed either by selecting the participants from a list saved in the memory of the mobile terminal in by inputting the contract information of the participants manually. In the next step, a summons to the conference call is drawn up in standard form. An application loaded into the memory of the convener's mobile terminal forms the summons, and sends the summons to the particulars via the cellular network. When a participant wants to join a conference call, he/she makes a call with the mobile terminal to the telephone number mentioned in the summons. An application in the mobile terminal of the convener receives the incoming calls and joins them to the conference call automatically.

Abstract: A method is provided of authorizing a user of a communication system to be added to a group communication event. The method comprises: selecting a group of users of the communication system; initiating from a host node the group communication event with the group of users; responsive to receiving a group communication acceptance from at least a first user in the group, establishing the group communication event with the first user in the group; receiving at the host node a communication set up request from another user of the communication system; analyzing the communication set up request to determine if said communication set up request is associated with said group communication event initiated by the host node; and adding said other user to the group communication event if it is determined that the communication set up request is associated with said group communication event.

Abstract: Processing a communication is disclosed. A first request to establish communication is received at a redirection node from a requesting communication participant. A destination communication participant associated with the request is determined. A communication session in which the requesting communication participant, the redirection node, and the destination communication participant are participants at the same time is established, including sending from the redirection node to an equipment associated with the destination communication participant a second request to establish communication between the redirection node and the equipment associated with the destination communication participant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for managing conference calls. Specifically, under the present invention, a moderator and a set (at least one) of invitees (collectively referred to herein as participants) of a conference call are identified. This is typically done based on synchronization with a calendar application used to send and accept an invitation to the conference call. Thereafter, unique conference call numbers associated with the moderator and each of the set of invitees are determined (e.g., by accessing profiles for each participant contained within a directory or the like). Calls are then received from the moderator and invitees(s) using the unique conference call numbers assigned thereto. Although the calls were made using unique conference call numbers, the calls will then be joined under the present invention to initiate the conference call.

Abstract: A conference control method includes: an Application Server (AS) sets a digit collection template for the conference session; a Media Resource Server (MRS) detects and collects dialing operations of participants on the conference session according to the digit collection template set by the AS, and reports the digit collection result to the AS; the AS controls the conference according to the received digit collection result. A conference control system includes an AS and an MRS, where the AS is adapted to set a digit collection template for the conference session and send the set digit collection template information to the MRS, and adapted to receive the digit collection result from the MRS and control a conference according to the received digit collection result; the MRS is adapted to detect and collect dialing operations of participants on the conference session according to the digit collection template set by the AS, and send the digit collection result to the AS.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for conference call session migration. The conference call session migration includes automatically configuring and establishing a target conference call session during a source conference call session; automatically converting session state and session history from a source format of the source conference call session to a target format of the target conference call session, and automatically connecting per-user clients to the target conference call session. For example, in response to a request from a session manger, the participants on the source conference call session are added to the target conference call session in order to add new media or other conferencing capabilities subject to network and server capabilities, user devices, user conferencing software, user location, user preferences, and policies.

Abstract: Data processing and communications devices are configured to generate, using command signals received from at least one user input device, a signal set representing a meeting request, the meeting request signal set comprising signals representing one or more parameters for a proposed meeting and configured for causing a second data processing and communications device to initiate a voice call on receipt of command signals representing a response to the meeting request; and forward the generated meeting request signal set to the second data processing and communications device.

Abstract: A teleconference between at least two participants is evaluated by monitoring the teleconference and detecting a triggering event if more than one participant desires to speak at the same time. Upon detecting a triggering event, e.g., detecting an attempt of one or more participants to interrupt another participant, or detecting a request initiated by one or more participants to interrupt another participant, a dominant source is selected from among the ones of the participants attempting/requesting to speak based at least in part upon a determined hierarchal order of those participants attempting/requesting to speak. A participant is then selected from the participants to have the role of the dominant participant based upon the selected dominant source and only the speech of the dominant participant is conveyed to each participant through the teleconference system.

Abstract: Techniques include managing a multimedia conference call. An apparatus may comprise a wireless device having at least one wireless transceiver and a conference call manager module. The conference call manager module may establish a voice connection and a data connection for a multimedia conference call using the wireless transceiver, the voice connection to communicate media information and the data connection to communicate conference call event information during the multimedia conference call.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: receiving via internet a time, a date and a telephone number for a reminder telephone call (such as a wakeup call); storing in a database the time, date and telephone number of the reminder telephone call; and delivering to the subscriber via telephone the reminder telephone call at the specified time, date and telephone number. In one embodiment, the reminder call comprises a marketing message. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: receiving via the internet demographic information corresponding to the subscriber; matching the marketing message to the demographic information; and delivering the matched marketing message to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call. In other embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of receiving via the internet a personal reminder message or a selection for information, and delivering the personal reminder message or selected information to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call.

Abstract: A method and system for conferencing a landline telephone into a cellular telephone call is disclosed. In response to a landline telephone going off-hook, a cellular telephone corresponding to the landline telephone is identified. When a determination is made that the corresponding cellular telephone is currently engaged in a call, the landline telephone is conferenced into the cellular call. If the cellular telephone is subsequently disengaged from the call, the original cellular call has been effectively transferred to the landline telephone. The inventive method and system may be linked to a cellular-landline conference call service. For example, a user may subscribe to such a service so that the user may automatically transfer a call from the user's cellular telephone to the user's home or office landline telephone when that landline telephone is taken off-hook.

Abstract: A conferencing system that can be configured by a host, and then reconfigured on the fly, in real time. The host initially provides configuration information to the system to define the initial operation of the conference call. The host can then update this information during the conference call to reconfigure the conference call. For instance, the information may include a question set. The initial question set is presented to participants as they enter the conference call. When the configuration information is changed by providing a new question, the new question is then presented to the participants in the conference call.

Abstract: A method for authenticating client devices from a conference call server, wherein the conference call server includes a memory for storing conference call scheduling information with respect to scheduled conference call sessions, and wherein the conference call server is in communication with an enterprise server. The method includes receiving in the conference call server a communication from a client device with respect to a scheduled conference call session, and determining whether the client device is associated with the enterprise server, and if so authenticating the client device with respect to the scheduled conference call session.

Abstract: Devices are able to identify other devices in a shared audio space (e.g., a room) by emitting a signal and receiving messages from other devices over a data connection indicating which of the other devices received the emitted signal. Devices that are determined to be in the same audio space can selectively mix audio in a teleconference to inhibit mixing of audio signals for devices that are determined to be in the same audio space.

Abstract: There is provided a group communication system allowing group communication to be performed by a simple operation as well as a group ID number issuing apparatus and a call control apparatus to be applied to such a group communication system. When a user takes a group organization procedure to the group communication system, a group representative telephone number representing the group is issued. After the group representative telephone number is issued, the group representative telephone number can be used in the same manner as for calling a subscriber to call a group member to perform group communication. The group communication can be performed by limiting to a lower level subgroup, a pair of the group representative telephone number and an identifier can be used instead of the subscriber's telephone number to determine the calling partner to make a call.

Abstract: A separate peer-to-peer multi-directional audio channel is established between a subset of the participants to an existing multi-party communication session on the same channel as the original multi-party communication session. Since the secure channel is established on the existing call, the same NAT/firewall traversal mechanisms may be used, and even the same socket may be used. Participants on the secure side conversation can hear both the secure side conversation and the main multi-party communication session. Participants that are not on the secure side conversation may receive packets from the secure side conversation, but are not part of the security association for the secure side conversation and, hence, cannot hear the audio from the secure side conversation.