Call Conferencing Patents (Class 455/416)
  • Publication number: 20140009564
    Abstract: A digital audio conferencing system has a fixed base station that is in communication with a far end (R.E.) system over a communication network. The base station is associated with a wireless loudspeaker and one or more wireless microphones. The base station operates to receive F.E. audio signals to be played by the wireless loudspeaker, and it operates to remove acoustic echo picked up by the wireless microphones. A first clock controlling F.E. audio signal sampling at the base station, and a second clock controlling audio signal sampling and at a wireless microphone are synchronized to one master, reference clock that controls the operation of the base station. Acoustic echo included in an audio signal picked up by a wireless microphone is removed by AEC functionality running in the base station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Pascal Cleve, Mark DesMarais, Timothy D. Root
  • Publication number: 20140011487
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; a memory configured to store a phonebook database including personal information and a profile image of each of a plurality of counterparts; a memory; a display unit; and a controller configured to recognize faces of people in an image displayed on the display unit, extract available personal information from the phonebook database of counterparts corresponding to the recognized faces, and perform a group call or a group chat, via the wireless communication unit, with the corresponding counterparts using the extracted personal information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myunghee HWANG, Kimoon LEE, Soojeong HWANG, Nalin LEE
  • Patent number: 8626138
    Abstract: Advanced communications features are provided in a mobile communications network having at least one mobile switching center and at least one mobile station subsystem. The mobile switching center and mobile station subsystem each communicate signaling messages according to a mobile signaling protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashraf M. Dahod, Michael Silva, Peter Higgins, Rajat Ghai, John DePietro, Nick Lopez, Paul Shieh
  • Patent number: 8626127
    Abstract: A computing device implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product to generate dynamic voice response messages in a mobile computing device. In response to receiving an incoming call from a caller, the process displays a list of response messages in a set of response messages. In response to receiving a selection of a response message from the list of response messages, the process sends the selected response message to the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: David P. Kuiken, David J. Patschke
  • Patent number: 8619963
    Abstract: A conference call system comprises an input interface for receiving during a conference call at least two input streams of audio signal, each from another source. A selection unit is connected to the input interface, for selecting a number of dominant speaker streams out of the input streams, the number being less than or equal to a maximum number of dominant speakers value and each of the dominant speaker streams representing speech from a respective dominant speaker. A mixer is connected to the selection unit, for mixing the selected streams into an output stream. The conference call system comprises an output interface for outputting the output stream and a selection control unit connected to the selection unit and the input interface, for dynamically setting, during the conference call, the maximum number of dominant speakers value based on dynamics of the conference call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Krutsch, Radu D Pralea
  • Patent number: 8620290
    Abstract: A schedule for a desired call, obtained, for example as an SMS message sent from a user's mobile station, enables a server to automatically initiate set-up of a voice call for the user's mobile station at a scheduled time selected by the user and indicated in the message. The user can specify time and a telephone number for the call, in advance, in the call scheduling request message. However, at the time of the call, the user does not need to read a reminder or dial the call. The call scheduling and automatic set-up services described by way of examples herein may be very useful, for example, for attending important conference calls. This may also be very useful for setting a reminder to call a special person to wish him/her well on his/her birthday/anniversary etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventor: Kumar Sanjeev
  • Patent number: 8621090
    Abstract: A method for facilitating a sequenced, anonymous communications session in a communications environment is provided in one example that includes receiving, from a first endpoint, an anonymous, sequenced request for a communication session involving a second endpoint. The communication session is sequenced to occur at designated periods provided by the end user(s) and/or an administrator, while maintaining end user(s) anonymity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Match.com, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael G. Bustamente
  • Patent number: 8614733
    Abstract: When a communication terminal determines that restriction processing is to be applied based on a sound input through the communication terminal or a user instruction, the communication terminal restricts output of conference information received from a counterpart terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinaga Kato
  • Patent number: 8611877
    Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for receiving one or more generic commands when coupled to a heterogeneous conference call, the conference call including a plurality of participants coupled to the conference call using one or more mobile devices. The system automatically translates, by a control module the one or more generic commands into one or more native commands recognized by a first conference hosting system, of the plurality of conference hosting systems. The system automatically sends the one or more native commands to the first conference hosting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Marian Constantin Buzdugan
  • Patent number: 8611323
    Abstract: A system includes one or more wireless islands, one or more incident management applications, and one or more message management and routing (MMR) systems. Each MMR systems is configured to act as an intermediary for communication between one of the wireless islands and one or more of the incident management applications. One of the wireless islands includes a radio network. The radio network includes a plurality of remote sensor nodes (RSNs), and a gateway controller. An RSN of the plurality of RSNs is worn by ESS personnel, the gateway controller is mounted to an ESS vehicle, and the RSN is configured to wirelessly communicate with the gateway controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R Berger, Joseph E. Denny, David S. Robins, Stephen A. Wallace, Raymond T. Gurgone, LaMonte Peter Koop, Edward Allen Payne, Robert W. Twitchell, Rodney A. Hilton, Randy Edwards
  • Patent number: 8611878
    Abstract: An arrangement and method in a wireless communication network provides users with full control of service management, defines how a user can enter or leave services, and defines dependencies between services. A mobile terminal initiates establishment of a group and creates a unique groupID. The terminal sends invitations to other terminals to join the group and includes the unique groupID and a service feature tag for a desired service. The terminal will not request a service if it is incompatible with a service already running. Terminals that receive invitations store the groupID and service feature tags. These parameters are used to send acceptances or rejections, and to join later or leave a service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Elena Fersman, Michael Åström
  • Patent number: 8613026
    Abstract: Methods and systems enable viewers of mobile TV to interact and communicate with one another in real time regarding programs being viewed. Viewers may search other viewers on the mobile TV system. Viewers may invite other viewers to join them in viewing a program or to chat. Viewers may write programs with rating since the broadcast network provider for tallying and broadcast to others. Viewers may set reminders for programs and share those reminders with other viewers. Programs may be hosted by individuals who may control the broadcast stream and communicate with viewers of the program. Viewers may also create ad hoc channels in which they can share their favorite programs with other viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Vikram Y. Malhotra, James D. Coyer
  • Publication number: 20130331075
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for joining a conference call on an electronic device. The exemplary methods include steps of receiving a communication and determining at least one replacement conference call phone number based on information in the communication. The exemplary methods further include steps of determining that the replacement conference call phone number is a preferred conference call phone number. The exemplary methods further include steps of initiating a dialing sequence using the preferred conference call phone number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: David Philip HOLE
  • Patent number: 8606249
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for improving audio signal quality during teleconferencing. Multiple local devices equipped with microphones may be connected to a teleconference hub device that also maintains communication with one or more remote devices. The local devices may be mobile, such as mobile phones, and each may be positioned closer to at least some local teleconference participants compared to a microphone of a traditional central teleconferencing speakerphone. Such mobility allows users to move during the teleconference without disturbing the quality. The local devices may be connected to the hub device using various local protocols. Individual audio signals may first be processed by the local devices and then sent to the hub device for further collective processing of multiple data streams and production of an external data stream, which is sent to remote devices connected to the hub device over a remote protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Audience, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 8606250
    Abstract: A first mobile device includes an access point configured to control access of a plurality of second mobile devices to a wireless local area network. A conference controller is configured to control a teleconference between the plurality of second mobile devices accessing the wireless local area network via the access point. The teleconference includes a communication link compatible with the wireless local area network protocol, the communication link including a first information stream that is packet-based and a second information stream that is compatible with a mobile device network. An IP interface is configured to convert, for transmission to the plurality of second mobile devices in the second information stream, portions of the first information stream received from the wireless local area network, and convert, for transmission to the wireless local area network in the first information stream, portions of the second information stream received from the second mobile devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Sehat Sutardja
  • Patent number: 8605881
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing conference calls. The method includes establishing a first conference call between a host terminal device and one or more participant terminal devices; receiving a request for adding a non-participant terminal device into the first conference call; selecting a participant terminal device from the one or more participant terminal devices to host a second conference call; establishing the second conference call hosted by the selected participant terminal device; and chaining the first conference call and the second conference call through the selected participant terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Marian Buzdugan
  • Patent number: 8605714
    Abstract: Embodiments of a network element and method of establishing an internet-protocol communications session between a first device and a second device and generally described herein. In some embodiments, the network element is configured to receive a request from the first device to invite the second device to participate in an IP communications session. The second device may be identified in the request by a network identifier. The network element may relate the network identifier to a mobile IP (MIP) address of the second device and a second IP address. The network element may send an invitation to the MIP address of the second device. The invitation may include a MIP address of the first device and a first IP address. The first device establishes an IP connection for an IP communications session with the second device using the MIP address of the second device and the second IP address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald Lebizay
  • Publication number: 20130324095
    Abstract: A dynamic call based user ID allows subscriber units to be shared amongst a plurality of users or used for a plurality of roles/uses. A voiced call sign is transmitted by a calling subscriber unit to a targeted subscriber unit. A pattern in the voice transmission of the calling unit is detected, and the voiced call sign is compared to a list of pre-stored call signs. When a match between stored calls signs and the current call sign occurs, the calling subscriber unit saves the current call sign. Fixed network equipment (FNE) then associates the saved current call sign with a subscriber unit ID (SUID) of the calling unit. The dynamic association between the call sign and the SUID allows the subscriber unit to be shared amongst different users and for different uses/roles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Namm, Michael N. Weidner
  • Patent number: 8600422
    Abstract: Communication between a requesting unit and target units in a wireless network is disclosed. Searching is performed to locate target units by comparing identifying information with information received by the requesting unit from a user. Calculating, in real time during a communication, an amount of time left in the communication based on speed, direction and location of the target units and the speed, the direction and the location of the requesting unit may also be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Seong Sang Investments LLC
    Inventor: Richard B. Himmelstein
  • Patent number: 8599723
    Abstract: The subject matter of this disclosure can be implemented in, among other things, a method. In these examples, the method includes receiving a request to join a conference call from a user, and determining whether the user is allowed to join the conference call based on an access policy configurable by a moderator of the conference call. The method may also include upon determining that the user is allowed to join the conference call, connecting the user to the conference all, determining a set of permissions granted to the user for participating on the conference call based on the access policy, and outputting a user interface to the user or sending a message to another computing device to cause the other computing device to output the user interface to the user, wherein the user interface includes a set of conference call management options based upon the set of permissions granted to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Hecht, Anthony Jawad, Michel Ossesia, Stuart R. Blair, Vincent Paquet
  • Patent number: 8600363
    Abstract: A unified messaging system, method, apparatus, individual components and the like are disclosed. The unified messaging system comprises a server, a client and a synchronization application for synchronizing voicemail messages and fax messages on both the server and the client is disclosed. The server messages may include received messages and sent messages, each of which is indexed according to their respective indices and read/unread statuses. Similarly, the client messages may include received messages and sent messages, each of which is indexed according to their respective indices and read/unread statuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: RingCentral, Inc.
    Inventors: Vlad Vendrow, Vlad Shmunis
  • Patent number: 8600359
    Abstract: A method for administering a communication session includes initiating a session between a server and a user device, the user device associated with a user phone number, associating the user phone number and a first session state phone number with a state of the session, and sending a first message associated with the state of the session from the server to the user device, the first message sent from the first session state phone number to the user phone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Bailey, James E. Christensen, Steven D. Daniels, Jason B. Ellis, Robert G. Farrell
  • Patent number: 8600027
    Abstract: A system for conference calling having a memory having at least one user record associated with a system user, the user record having telephone number and an electronic address. A conference call request receiving function is executable by the processor to receive a conference call request email, the conference call request email has calendar information and an electronic address of one or more participants. A scheduling function is executable by the processor to schedule a conference call on the system server between the one or more participants that are system users at the time of the conference call according to the calendar information in the conference call request email. Also provided is a method for conference calling whereby a conference call request is received via email.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventors: Gregory Joseph Doerr, Timothy J. Reedy
  • Publication number: 20130316685
    Abstract: An illustrative system and method for detecting a wireless terminal in a wireless network by ascertaining information about the wireless terminal's location, thus enabling individualized surveillance and tracking of certain wireless terminals. In some embodiments, the detection is triggered by a signal that is compliant with the Customized Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic (“CAMEL”) protocol. Several kinds of mobile-telecommunications events can trigger detection, including events that do not involve call origination. Advantages include bypassing the home location register when obtaining a location estimate for the wireless terminal and when determining whether a wireless terminal is of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: POLARIS WIRELESS, INC.
    Inventor: Ankit Bansal
  • Patent number: 8594294
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Linqware, Inc.
    Inventor: Tod C. Turner
  • Patent number: 8594292
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Moore, Bruce Pollock
  • Patent number: 8588210
    Abstract: Methods for enabling floor control are performed in an endpoint terminal (140, 142, 146) and a session controller (106). The session controller: receives (410) a message requesting a session that includes an SDP packet with a requested floor control profile having a requested set of floor control parameters or a requested list of potential floor owners; accepts (410) the session; determines (420) a final floor control profile having a final set of floor control parameters and a final list of potential floor owners; and communicates at least a portion of the floor control profile within a system (100). The endpoint terminal: communicates a message requesting a session that includes an SDP packet with a requested floor control profile; and receives a message having an SDP packet with a final floor control parameter. The final floor control profile may be the same as or different from the requested floor control profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Newberg, Tyrone D. Bekiares, Matthew C. Keller
  • Patent number: 8582743
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Mengshyang Teng, Michael S. Colbert, Jeff Zacuto
  • Patent number: 8583097
    Abstract: A method for joining a conference call from a communication device, the communication device having a locked state and an unlocked state. The method includes displaying an interface on the communication device while the communication device is in the locked state, the interface including an option to join a scheduled conference call, receiving an input for selection of the option while the communication device is in the locked state, unlocking the communication device to the unlocked state, and sending a communication to a second communication device for establishing a conference call session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Michael Scott Colbert
  • Patent number: 8576274
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a wireless video conference system, which comprises: a conference control module and a wireless conference switching module which are located at a system side, and a wireless video conference terminal module located in a wireless terminal, wherein the conference control module is configured, when a new conference is started, to send data information of the new conference and data information of an original conference to the wireless conference switching module; the wireless conference switching module is configured, when the new conference is started, to send a conference start instruction to the wireless terminal in a member list of the new conference, and to switch the wireless terminal to the new conference or maintain the wireless terminal in the original conference according to a conference switching instruction from the wireless terminal; and the wireless video conference terminal module is configured to receive the conference start instruction from the wireless conference switc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Hui Yang, Sen Li
  • Patent number: 8576750
    Abstract: The subject matter of this disclosure can be implemented in, among other things, a method. In these examples, the method includes receiving a request to join a conference call from a user, and determining whether the user is allowed to join the conference call based on an access policy configurable by a moderator of the conference call. The method may also include upon determining that the user is allowed to join the conference call, connecting the user to the conference all, determining a set of permissions granted to the user for participating on the conference call based on the access policy, and outputting a user interface to the user or sending a message to another computing device to cause the other computing device to output the user interface to the user, wherein the user interface includes a set of conference call management options based upon the set of permissions granted to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Hecht, Anthony Jawad, Michel Ossesia, Stuart R Blair, Vincent Paquet
  • Patent number: 8577418
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for displaying on a handheld electronic device a plurality of participant images corresponding to a plurality of conference call participants. The device includes a display, a communications module configured for sending and receiving communication signals; and a display interface operatively coupled to the display and to the communications module, wherein the display interface is configured to respond to user input. The method comprises: establishing a conference call having a plurality of participants; displaying a participant screen on the display; for each participant, determining a participant identifier image; and displaying on the participant screen a dynamic carousel comprising a plurality of participant identifier images. The mobile device may include an image database comprising at least one stored image, and wherein at least one participant identifier image is selected from the at least one stored image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: John Jong-Suk Lee, Leon Vymenets
  • Patent number: 8576996
    Abstract: An in-progress call can be manipulated such that user devices in proximity to the in-progress call, but not initially part of the call, are enabled to join the in-progress call. Determining that a user device is in proximity to an in-progress call may include detection, by the user device, of an in-progress call. Alternatively, or in addition, a communication device involved in the in-progress call may detect a user device and query the user device as to whether it has permissions to join the in-progress call and, if so, whether it wants to join the in-progress call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Gordon R. Brunson
  • Publication number: 20130288653
    Abstract: A network device adjusts a bandwidth of a conference call according to a mode of the network device. The network device detects whether the mode of the network device during the conference call is in a silent mode or in a conversation mode according to a conversation condition of the network device. The network device decreases the bandwidth of the conference call in the silent mode, and increases the bandwidth of the conference call in the conversation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: WEN-JI ZHAO
  • Patent number: 8571605
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and method of reducing power consumption in the mobile terminal are provided. The method includes displaying an operation screen in the first display module, determining a remaining battery power of the mobile terminal, and disabling the first display module and displaying the operation screen in the second display module in response to determining that the remaining battery power is less than a reference battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Serk Park, Na Ri Lee, Kang Min Kim, Kyoung Joung Kim, Jung Eun Kim
  • Patent number: 8571587
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network. A conversation is initiated when a text message is received requesting the conversation. A conversation is established using conversation gateways currently unused by users to be included in the conversation. Communication may occur across gateways in order to conserve conversation gateway resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Skype
    Inventors: Andrew Jagoe, Enlai Chu
  • Patent number: 8571192
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling an improved experience by better matching of the auditory space to the visual space in video viewing applications such as those that may be used in video teleconferencing systems using window-based displays. In particular, in accordance with certain illustrative embodiments of the present invention, one or more desired sound source locations are determined based on a location of a window in a video teleconference display device (which may, for example, comprise the image of a teleconference participant within the given window), and a plurality of audio signals which accurately locate the sound sources at the desired sound source locations (based on the location of the given window in the display) are advantageously generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Walter Etter
  • Patent number: 8571194
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Linqware, Inc.
    Inventor: Tod C. Turner
  • Patent number: 8571588
    Abstract: A system and method are provided which provide a text messaging conference among at least three users who communicate on different first communication channels. A message initiated by a first user is received on one of the first communication channels. The message seeks to initiate a text message conference and includes identities of a plurality of additional users to participate in the messaging conference. Conference participants are identified by a two part identifier, which allows a single participant to participate in multiple ongoing simultaneous conferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Phone.com, LLC
    Inventors: Alon Cohen, Brian Lee Scott
  • Publication number: 20130281074
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive OTA (over-the-air) synchronization of RF (radio frequency) base stations are described herein. Using these systems and methods, base stations in wireless audio systems can automatically identify externally sourced base station clocks and merge overlapping clock system domains, thereby eliminating the need for complex base station management and network configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Alexandre Sousa, Antonio Manuel Pedroso Muchaxo, Jonathan Schau, Martin Bodley, Pascal Cleve
  • Publication number: 20130281073
    Abstract: A server-based architecture for mobile conferencing is presented. Session-based mobile conferencing is established by transmitting necessary server network address information through page-mode based messaging services to establish connections among the various mobile devices with the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Pendragon Wireless LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Lin
  • Patent number: 8565734
    Abstract: A network connected vehicle computer unit is disclosed. Services are provided to a vehicle, having the vehicle computer unit, over a wireless network to control, manage, provide safety to, and maintain the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Seong Sang Investments LLC
    Inventor: Richard B. Himmelstein
  • Patent number: 8565401
    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 hierarchical order of those participants attempting/requesting to speak. A participant is then selected from among 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Edith H. Stern, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner, Marjorie R. Willner
  • Patent number: 8565384
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for connecting emergency communications are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Henning G. Schulzrinne, Wonsang Song, Jong Yul Kim
  • Patent number: 8565125
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Blum, Michael Everald Barrett
  • Patent number: 8565742
    Abstract: A multi-standby mobile terminal and a method for providing a host function between different networks in a multi-standby mobile terminal are provided. The method includes creating a call from a first mobile terminal, as a multi-standby mobile terminal, to a second mobile terminal on a first network and to a third mobile terminal on a second network, outputting a received voice signal through a speaker from the first mobile terminal, when the voice signal is received from one of the second mobile terminal and third mobile terminal, and, transmitting, from the first mobile terminal, the received voice signal through a loopback process to the one of the second mobile terminal and third mobile terminal that does not transmit the voice signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Min Lee, Mathew Lee, Jae Suk Kim, Seong Hyeon Lee
  • Patent number: 8558864
    Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for identifying participants of video conference sessions. One embodiment of the method includes receiving enhanced video content that identifies one or more participants at a particular location of a video conference session. Each participant may be associated with a mobile device. Video conference participants are identified based on wireless communications from the mobile device, which has an electronic module, that is associated with the corresponding participant. The enhanced video content is displayed on a display screen. Such enhanced video content includes video content captured by a video camera that is aggregated with participant data that provides an indication of at least one participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Gary Duane Koller, Mark Douglas Peden, Raymond Emilio Reeves, Piyush Jethwa, Simon Youngs
  • Patent number: 8548432
    Abstract: Aspects relate to authorizing mobile devices for PBX-based voice services. A mobile device calls a PBX over a voice channel, and phone number identifier information is obtained and matched to identifier information for devices that known (authorizeable) to use the PBX. If there is one incoming call that matches to a given device, and an authentication token provided over a data channel matches an authentication token associated with that device, then the device is authorized for voice services. Where there are multiple matching calls, those devices are instructed to provide authentication tokens over their voice channels. The devices can detect absence of a data channel and provide authentication tokens over the voice channels; the devices also can wait to receive a call connected response and in the absence of such provide their authentication tokens over the voice channel. Tokens can be requested and downloaded for storage at the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Liam John Keast, Bradford Lawrence Spencer, Manvinder Singh
  • Patent number: 8548147
    Abstract: A teleconference server may calculate a fully qualified number (FQN), which specifies a string of numbers that, if dialed by an calling party, will establish a call with a called party. The fully qualified number may include, for example, an external access code, an international access code, a country code, a national destination code, and/or a subscriber number. In order to determine a calling party and a called party, the teleconference server may access data regarding a scheduled call. The teleconference server may determine a fully qualified number based on the relationship between the called party and the calling party. The teleconference server may send the fully qualified number to the calling party, which may then initiate a scheduled call with the called party by dialing the received fully qualified number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shashikant H. Jagdale, Krutarth M. Shah
  • Patent number: 8548146
    Abstract: A method is for managing connections on a conference bridge. The method includes determining a first noise level associated with a connection between a conference port and a conference server while there is no substantial contribution to the first noise level by a participant's device, determining a second noise level associated with a connection between the participant's device and the conference port while there is no substantial contribution to the second noise level by the participant's device, and determining whether the participant's device should be allowed to be connected to the conference bridge or whether at least one corrective action should be performed based on at least one of the first and second noise levels. Corresponding computer-readable mediums and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.
    Inventors: Armstrong Soo, Bernard Ku