111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20050094 794Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Creamer et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0094794 Al
`May 5, 2005
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) CONFERENCE CALL AGGREGATION
`USING AN INTERACTIVE VOICE
`RESPONSE SYSTEM
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 30, 2003
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Thomas E. Creamer, Boca Raton, FL
`(US); Brent L. Davis, Deerfield Beach,
`FL (US); Peeyush Jaiswal, Boca Raton,
`FL (US); Fang Wang, Plano, TX (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`AKERMAN SENTERFITT
`P. 0. BOX 3188
`WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33402-3188 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: International Business Machines Cor(cid:173)
`poration, Armonk, NY
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/697,220
`
`(51)
`Int. Cl? ...................................................... H04M 3/42
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 379/202.01
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Within an interactive voice response system, a method of
`aggregating conference calls can include registering a caller
`with the interactive voice response system, accessing a
`calendar system used by the registered caller to determine
`teleconference data specifying at least a telephone number
`for a scheduled conference call, and, at approximately a time
`of the conference call, automatically calling the telephone
`number for the conference call. The method also can include
`establishing contact with the registered caller and joining the
`registered caller with the conference call.
`
`140
`
`155
`
`165
`
`CCAS IVR
`105
`
`135
`
`D
`
`14
`
`L - - - - - - - - - - i Calendar System
`110
`
`GTL 1009
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,135,115
`
`0001
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication May 5, 2005 Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 2005/0094794 Al
`
`140
`
`155
`
`CCAS IVR
`105
`
`135
`
`D
`
`I
`
`\
`
`14
`
`Calendar System
`110
`
`I
`
`\
`
`FIG. 1
`
`0002
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication May 5, 2005 Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 2005/0094794 Al
`
`User subscribes to the CCAS
`IVR service
`
`205
`
`~
`
`CCAS IVR obtains read
`access to subscriber's
`calendar information
`
`210
`
`~
`
`Subscriber is provided with call
`in number for CCAS IVR and
`identifier
`
`215
`
`~
`
`CCAS IVR retrieves
`teleconference data from the
`subscriber's account on the
`calendar system
`
`220
`
`~
`
`CCAS IVR places call to the
`conference bridge
`
`225
`
`~
`
`CCAS IVR calls subscriber
`230
`
`~
`
`Optionally authenticate
`subscriber
`
`240
`
`~
`
`Join subscriber to conference
`bridge
`
`245
`
`~
`
`Done
`
`FIG. 2
`
`0003
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication May 5, 2005 Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 2005/0094794 Al
`
`User subscribes to the CCAS
`IVR service
`
`305
`
`~
`CCAS IVR obtains read
`access to subscriber's
`calendar information
`
`310
`
`i
`
`Subscriber is provided with call
`in number for CCAS IVR and
`identifier
`
`315
`
`~
`CCAS IVR retrieves
`teleconference data from the
`subscriber's calendar
`
`320
`
`~
`CCAS IVR receives call from
`subscriber
`
`325
`
`~
`Optionally authenticate
`subscriber
`
`330
`
`~
`Determine scheduled
`conference call
`
`335
`
`~
`CCAS IVR places call to the
`conference bridge
`
`340
`
`~
`Join subscriber to conference
`bridge
`
`345
`
`i
`
`Done
`
`FIG. 3
`
`0004
`
`

`
`US 2005/0094794 Al
`
`May 5, 2005
`
`1
`
`CONFERENCE CALL AGGREGATION USING AN
`INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM
`
`scriber, the subscriber can be joined to the teleconference
`specified by the teleconference data.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] This invention relates to the field of interactive
`voice response systems and teleconferencing.
`
`[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0004] Teleconferencing allows three or more persons
`located in geographically disparate areas, whether in differ(cid:173)
`ent states, cities, or in different offices of a building, to
`participate in a telephone call with one another. As busi(cid:173)
`nesses strive to cut costs such as travel, meals, and lodging
`related to "face-to-face" meetings, teleconferencing has
`continued to gain in popularity.
`
`[0005] Many businesses have come to rely upon desig(cid:173)
`nated teleconference numbers that can be reserved for a
`period of use. Each participant can join the conference call,
`or teleconference, by calling one central teleconference
`number. If the teleconference number is toll-free, the par(cid:173)
`ticipants can join the teleconference without having to pay
`long distance charges or other connection fees. Frequently,
`each teleconference in which a person is to participate is
`accessed through a different teleconference number. Many
`teleconferencing services also require participants to pro(cid:173)
`vide some sort of identifier before the participant can be
`joined to a conference call. The identifier can be a person(cid:173)
`alized identifier or can be an access code associated with the
`scheduled teleconference.
`
`[0006] With the increasing popularity of conference calls,
`it is not uncommon for a person to schedule several different
`teleconferences in a single day. As each teleconference can
`be associated with a different teleconference number and
`access code, remembering and tracking such information
`can be a daunting, if not completely impractical, task. Other
`alternatives for tracking such information, for example when
`away from one's computer system or calendaring applica(cid:173)
`tion, can include manually writing down each teleconfer(cid:173)
`ence number and access code or using a personal digital
`assistant. Such solutions, however, can be error prone.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] The present invention provides a method, system,
`and apparatus for aggregating teleconference services using
`an interactive voice response system. More particularly, the
`present invention provides an interactive voice response
`service that can be accessed by subscribers. Rather requiring
`a user to track and remember a telephone number and access
`code for each teleconference in which the user is scheduled
`to participate, the user need only remember at most one
`telephone number and personal identifier for the interactive
`voice response system.
`
`interactive voice
`the
`registering with
`[0008] After
`response system, the interactive voice response system
`accesses the subscriber's calendar system data to retrieve
`teleconference data. The interactive voice response system
`can either initiate communications with the subscriber or
`receive a communication from the subscriber. In either case,
`once communications have been established with the sub-
`
`[0009] One aspect of the present invention can include a
`method of aggregating conference calls within an interactive
`voice response system. The method can include registering
`a caller with the interactive voice response system, accessing
`a calendar system used by the registered caller to determine
`teleconference data specifying at least a telephone number
`for a scheduled conference call, and at approximately a time
`of the conference call, automatically calling the telephone
`number for the conference call. The method also can include
`establishing contact with the registered caller and joining the
`registered caller to the conference call.
`
`In one embodiment, the step of establishing contact
`[0010]
`can include calling the registered caller. The method also can
`include obtaining a list of conference call participants and
`telephone numbers for each conference call participant from
`the calendar system. Each conference call participant then
`can be called.
`
`In another embodiment, the step of establishing
`[0011]
`contact can include receiving a call from the registered
`caller. Notably, the method also can include receiving tele(cid:173)
`phone calls within the interactive voice response system
`from each conference call participant. For example, tele(cid:173)
`phone calls can be received within the interactive voice
`response system from each conference call participant. Each
`conference call participant can be authenticated prior to
`being joined to the conference call.
`
`[0012] Another aspect of the present invention can include
`a system for aggregating conference calls. The system can
`include a network accessible calendar system, having cal(cid:173)
`endar data for one or more users. The calendar data can
`specifies times for teleconferences and telephone numbers
`for the teleconferences. The system also can include an
`interactive voice response system configured to scan the
`calendar system data for a scheduled teleconference and
`obtain teleconference data specifying at least a telephone
`number for the scheduled teleconference. The interactive
`voice response system can automatically call the telephone
`number for the teleconference at approximately a time the
`teleconference is scheduled, establish contact with the user,
`and join the user to the conference call.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0013] There are shown in the drawings, embodiments
`which are presently preferred, it being understood, however,
`that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements
`and instrumentalities shown.
`
`[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system
`for aggregating conference calls in accordance with one
`embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.
`
`[0015] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of
`aggregating conference calls
`in accordance with one
`embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.
`
`[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of
`aggregating conference calls in accordance with another
`embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system
`100 for aggregating conference calls in accordance with one
`
`0005
`
`

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`US 2005/0094794 Al
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`May 5, 2005
`
`2
`
`embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.
`As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 can include a Confer(cid:173)
`ence Call Aggregation Service (CCAS) Interactive Voice
`Response (IVR) system 105, a calendar system 110, and a
`calendar information data store 115.
`[0018] The CCAS IVR 105 and the calendar system 110
`can be communicatively linked via a communications net(cid:173)
`work 125. The communications network 125 can be imple(cid:173)
`mented as, or include, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local
`Area Network (LAN), the Public Switched Telephone Net(cid:173)
`work (PSTN), the Internet, an intranet, a wireless telephony
`network, an Internet Protocol (IP) telephony network, a
`Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) network, and the like.
`
`[0019] The CCAS IVR 105 can be implemented as one or
`more software programs executing within an information
`processing system. The CCAS IVR 105 can include a
`telephony interface for connecting with the public switched
`telephone network 120 (PSTN). As such, the CCAS IVR
`105 can perform call control functions including, but not
`limited to, receiving inbound calls, initiating outbound tele(cid:173)
`phone calls, transferring calls, and the like. The CCAS IVR
`105 also can include an interface for communicating over a
`packet-switched communications network such as commu(cid:173)
`nications network 125.
`
`[0020] The CCAS IVR 105 can receive input in the form
`of caller speech and/or touch-tones, either or both of which
`can be received over an established telephone call, whether
`a wireless or cellular call, a conventionallandline call, or an
`IP-base telephone call. For example, the CCAS IVR 105 can
`include or access a speech recognition system (SRS) for
`converting caller speech to text as well as one or more
`recorded audio prompts that can be played to callers. The
`CCAS IVR 105 also can include a text-to-speech (TTS)
`system rather than prerecorded audio prompts or a combi(cid:173)
`nation of both. In any case, the CCAS IVR 105 can be
`accessed by a caller through a telephone 130, such as a
`cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, or a conventional
`landline telephone, by dialing a telephone number corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the CCAS IVR 105. The CCAS IVR 105 also
`can be accessed through an IP-based telephone, such as
`computer 135 or another IP-based telephony device by
`dialing a number or accessing a network address corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the CCAS IVR 105.
`
`[0021] The calendar system 110 can be any of a variety of
`different organizational and/or scheduling programs execut(cid:173)
`ing on an information processing system. As shown, the
`calendar system 110 can include or be communicatively
`linked with a calendar information data store 115. Among
`the information that can be stored and tracked, the calendar
`system 110 can manage scheduled teleconferences. For
`example, through the calendar system 110, users can send
`invitations to teleconferences, accept or deny such in vita(cid:173)
`tions, and add teleconferences to personalized calendars.
`While the calendar system 110 is depicted as being a remote,
`network calendar system, the calendar system 110 also can
`be included within the user's computer system or any other
`suitable computer system, so long as the calendar system
`110 is accessible by the CCAS IVR 105 via a suitable
`network connection.
`
`[0022] The calendar information data store 115 can
`include teleconference data specifying scheduled telecon(cid:173)
`ferences for each user of the calendar system. The telecon-
`
`ference data can include teleconference numbers and dates
`and times when conference calls are to begin. In another
`embodiment of the present invention, the teleconference
`data can include a listing of participants for each telecon(cid:173)
`ference, contact information such as network address and
`telephone numbers for each participant, and ending times for
`conference calls. Still, teleconference data can include any
`identifiers such as passwords and/or codes that must be used
`by conference call participants when accessing a reserved
`teleconference line or number, as well as information that
`can be used to authenticate each conference call participant
`to the CCAS IVR 105.
`
`[0023]
`In operation, a user can place a telephone call to the
`CCAS IVR 105 through a telephone 130 and/or the com(cid:173)
`puter system 135 to register for the teleconference aggre(cid:173)
`gation service. In another embodiment, the user can access
`a Web page to register. When registering, the user can create
`an account with the CCAS IVR 105. The user can provide
`information that will be needed by the CCAS IVR 105 to
`access the user's account on the calendar system 110. For
`example, the user can provide a network address or tele(cid:173)
`phone number for reaching the user's calendar system 110
`so that the CCAS IVR 105 can access the user's personal
`calendar information as well as any passwords and/or user(cid:173)
`names that may be necessary for the CCAS IVR 105 to log
`in to the calendar system 110 on behalf of the registered user.
`Upon successfully registering with the CCAS IVR 105, the
`user, or subscriber, can be provided with a personal identi(cid:173)
`fication number or code to be used when accessing the
`teleconference aggregation service provided by the CCAS
`IVR 105.
`
`[0024] The CCAS IVR 105 can be configured to access
`the subscriber's calendar system account on a periodic basis
`or from time to time as may be required. When accessing the
`calendar system 110, the CCAS IVR 105 can retrieve
`teleconference data for the subscriber. As noted, the tele(cid:173)
`conference data for the subscriber can specify any scheduled
`teleconferences including dates and times of scheduled
`teleconferences, the telephone number or network address to
`be called to access the teleconference, as well as any other
`identifying information such as access codes needed for
`being connected or bridged into the teleconference. For
`example, as shown in FIG. 1, the teleconference data
`obtained by the CCAS IVR 105 can specify that the sub(cid:173)
`scriber is scheduled to participate in three different telecon(cid:173)
`ferences for the day-a 9:00 a.m. conference call 140, an
`11:00 a.m. conference call155, and a 2:00 p.m. conference
`call165.
`
`[0025]
`In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`CCAS IVR 105 can obtain the teleconference number for
`each scheduled teleconference, as well as any required
`access codes, from the calendar system 110. The CCAS IVR
`105 can call the teleconference number at or about the time
`of each of scheduled teleconference. The CCAS IVR 105
`also can call the subscriber to join the subscriber to the
`conference call. Notably, if so configured, each participant in
`the conference call, if registered with the CCAS IVR 105,
`can be called and joined to the conference call using the
`teleconference information from each user's calendar sys(cid:173)
`tem account.
`
`In another embodiment, the CCAS IVR 105 can be
`[0026]
`configured to receive telephone calls from the subscriber and
`
`0006
`
`

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`US 2005/0094794 Al
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`May 5, 2005
`
`3
`
`determine the particular teleconference in which the sub(cid:173)
`scriber is scheduled to participate. The subscriber is joined
`to the conference call by the CCAS IVR 105 using the stored
`teleconference number specified by the user's personalized
`teleconference data retrieved from the calendar system 110.
`
`[0027]
`In yet another embodiment, the CCAS IVR 105
`can be configured to retrieve a teleconference participant list
`for one or more scheduled teleconferences for a subscriber
`from the calendar system 110. The participant list also can
`specify a contact number or address for each participant.
`Accordingly, the CCAS IVR 105 can be programmed to
`begin calling each participant from the list and connect each
`participant to the conference call.
`
`[0028] For example, as shown, for each of the scheduled
`teleconferences 140, 155, and 165, the CCAS IVR 105 can
`initiate a telephone call to a subscriber at telephone 130 or
`a subscriber at computer system 135. The CCAS IVR 105
`can initiate the telephone calls prior to the scheduled tele(cid:173)
`conference times. The subscriber can be joined to telecon(cid:173)
`ference 140 to participate with other users accessing the
`teleconference through telephones 145 and computer sys(cid:173)
`tems or other IP-based telephony equipment 150. Similarly,
`at appropriate times, the subscriber can be called and joined
`to conference call155 with other participants accessing the
`conference call155 via telephones 160, and conference call
`165 with participants accessing that conference call via
`telephones 170.
`
`[0029] Still, as noted, the subscriber can call the CCAS
`IVR 105 to be connected to a conference call. Further, each
`participant can call in to the CCAS IVR 105 or be called by
`the CCAS IVR 105 depending upon the configuration of the
`present invention.
`
`[0030] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 of
`aggregating conference calls in accordance with one
`embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.
`The method 200 can begin in step 205 where a user
`subscribes to the CCAS IVR conference call aggregation
`service. In step 210, the CCAS IVR obtains access to the
`subscriber's calendar information which specifies personal(cid:173)
`ized teleconference data for the subscriber. In step 215, the
`subscriber is provided with a call in number for the aggre(cid:173)
`gation service, or continues to use the number called to
`register with the CCAS IVR. The subscriber also can be
`provided with an identifier such as a personal identification
`number or code that can be used to authenticate the sub(cid:173)
`scriber or verify the subscriber's identity with the CCAS
`IVR.
`In step 220, the CCAS IVR retrieves personalized
`[0031]
`teleconference data from the subscriber's calendar system
`account. Notably, the CCAS IVR can monitor the time and
`date with respect to the retrieved teleconference data for the
`subscriber so that as the time for a scheduled teleconference
`approaches, the CCAS IVR is aware of the teleconference.
`Accordingly, in step 225, at or about the time a scheduled
`conference call is to occur, as determined from the retrieved
`teleconference data, the CCAS IVR can place a call to the
`appropriate teleconference bridge. For example, the CCAS
`IVR can place a call to the teleconference bridge specified
`by the teleconference data a predetermined amount of time
`prior to the scheduled teleconference call.
`[0032] Proceeding to step 230, the CCAS IVR calls the
`subscriber at approximately, or prior to, the time of the
`
`scheduled conference call. For example, after the CCAS
`IVR has placed the call to the teleconference bridge, the
`CCAS IVR can place a call to the subscriber. In step 235,
`once a call has been established with the subscriber, the
`subscriber can be authenticated by the CCAS IVR. That is,
`the CCAS IVR can query the subscriber for identifying
`information such as the aforementioned personal identifica(cid:173)
`tion number or code to ensure that the person speaking on
`the other end of the telephone call is the subscriber. In step
`240, once authenticated, the user can be joined to the
`conference bridge to participate in the scheduled conference
`call and the method can end. If the user is not successfully
`authenticated, the call to both the teleconference bridge and
`the user can be terminated (not shown) and the method can
`end.
`
`[0033] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method 300 of
`aggregating conference calls in accordance with one
`embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.
`The method 300 can function in a substantially similar
`manner to that of FIG. 2, with the exception that the CCAS
`IVR can receive a call from a subscriber expecting to be
`joined to a scheduled teleconference, rather than initiating a
`call to the subscriber. Accordingly, in step 325, the CCAS
`IVR can receive a call from the subscriber.
`
`In step 330, after a call is established, the sub(cid:173)
`[0034]
`scriber can be authenticated. In step 335, the CCAS IVR can
`access any retrieved calendar information for the subscriber
`and determine the particular teleconference the subscriber
`has called to join. The CCAS IVR can include one or more
`programmatic rules for determining which teleconference a
`subscriber has called to join. For example, the CCAS IVR
`can select a conference call from the teleconference data that
`is next in time from the time of the subscriber's call or one
`that is already in progress and ongoing.
`
`In illustration, if the subscriber calls the CCAS
`[0035]
`IVR at 8:55 a.m. and is scheduled to be involved in a
`conference call at 9:00 a.m. and at 1:00 p.m. that day, the
`CCAS IVR can determine that the subscriber is calling to
`participate in the 9:00 a.m. conference call. Similarly, if the
`subscriber calls at 9:02 a.m., the CCAS IVR can determine
`that the subscriber is calling to join the 9:00 a.m. conference
`call that may already be in progress. Accordingly, in step
`340, the CCAS IVR can place a telephone call to the
`conference bridge specified by the teleconference data cor(cid:173)
`responding to the 9:00 a.m. conference call. In step 345, the
`subscriber can be joined to the conference bridge to partici(cid:173)
`pate in the conference call.
`
`It should be appreciated that the methods disclosed
`[0036]
`herein have been provided for purposes of illustration only.
`Accordingly, one or more of the steps can be modified,
`removed from the methods, or performed in a different order
`than described without departing from the spirit or essential
`attributes of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.
`For example, in one embodiment of the present invention,
`the CCAS IVR can read the teleconference data and call a
`particular teleconference bridge for a scheduled teleconfer(cid:173)
`ence prior to the subscriber calling. Still, the CCAS IVR can
`await a call from a subscriber before contacting the telecon(cid:173)
`ference bridge as described.
`
`[0037] The present invention provides a solution for sim(cid:173)
`plifying the manner in which users access conference calls.
`The present invention can track scheduled conference calls
`
`0007
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`4
`
`and automatically initiate to and receive calls from subscrib(cid:173)
`ers and/or participants to be joined to a conference bridge.
`Accordingly, subscribers are relieved from having to
`remember and track many different teleconference numbers
`and/or access codes.
`
`[0038] The present invention can be realized in hardware,
`software, or a combination of hardware and software. The
`present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in
`one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where
`different elements are spread across several interconnected
`computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other
`apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described
`herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and
`software can be a general purpose computer system with a
`computer program that, when being loaded and executed,
`controls the computer system such that it carries out the
`methods described herein.
`
`[0039] The present invention also can be embedded in a
`computer program product, which comprises all the features
`enabling the implementation of the methods described
`herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able
`to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present
`context means any expression, in any language, code or
`notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system
`having an information processing capability to perform a
`particular function either directly or after either or both of
`the following: a) conversion to another language, code or
`notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
`
`[0040] This invention can be embodied in other forms
`without departing from the spirit or essential attributes
`thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the fol(cid:173)
`lowing claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as
`indicating the scope of the invention.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. Within an interactive voice response system, a method
`of aggregating conference calls comprising the steps of:
`
`registering a caller with the interactive voice response
`system;
`
`accessing a calendar system used by the registered caller
`to determine teleconference data specifying at least a
`telephone number for a scheduled conference call;
`
`at approximately a time of the conference call, automati(cid:173)
`cally calling the telephone number for the conference
`call;
`
`establishing contact with the registered caller; and
`
`joining the registered caller with the conference call.
`2. The method of claim 1, said step of establishing contact
`further comprising the step of calling the registered caller.
`3. The method of claim 1, said step of establishing contact
`further comprising the step of receiving a call from the
`registered caller.
`4. The method of claim 1, said accessing step further
`comprising the step of obtaining a list of conference call
`participants and telephone numbers for each conference call
`participant from the calendar system.
`5. The method of claim 4, said establishing step further
`comprising the step of calling each conference call partici(cid:173)
`pant.
`
`6. The method of claim 1, said establishing step further
`comprising the step of receiving telephone calls within the
`interactive voice response system from each conference call
`participant.
`7. The method of claim 6, said establishing step further
`comprising the step of authenticating each conference call
`participant prior to joining each conference call participant
`to the conference call.
`8. A machine readable storage, having stored thereon a
`computer program having a plurality of code sections
`executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform
`the steps of:
`
`registering a caller with the interactive voice response
`system;
`
`accessing a calendar system used by the registered caller
`to determine teleconference data specifying at least a
`telephone number for a scheduled conference call;
`
`at approximately a time of the conference call, automati(cid:173)
`cally calling the telephone number for the conference
`call;
`
`establishing contact with the registered caller; and
`
`joining the registered caller with the conference call.
`9. The machine readable storage of claim 8, said step of
`establishing contact further comprising the step of calling
`the registered caller.
`10. The machine readable storage of claim 8, said step of
`establishing contact further comprising the step of receiving
`a call from the registered caller.
`11. The machine readable storage of claim 8, said access(cid:173)
`ing step further comprising the step of obtaining a list of
`conference call participants and telephone numbers for each
`conference call participant from the calendar system.
`12. The machine readable storage of claim 11, said
`establishing step further comprising the step of calling each
`conference call participant.
`13. The machine readable storage of claim 8, said estab(cid:173)
`lishing step further comprising the step of receiving tele(cid:173)
`phone calls within the interactive voice response system
`from each conference call participant.
`14. The machine readable storage of claim 13, said
`establishing step further comprising the step of authenticat(cid:173)
`ing each conference call participant prior to joining each
`conference call participant to the conference call.
`15. A system for aggregating conference calls comprising:
`
`a network accessible calendar system, having calendar
`data for at least one user, wherein the calendar data
`specifies times for teleconferences and telephone num(cid:173)
`bers for the teleconferences; and
`
`an interactive voice response system configured to scan
`the calendar system data for a scheduled teleconference
`and obtain teleconference data specifying at least a
`telephone number for the scheduled teleconference,
`wherein said interactive voice response system auto(cid:173)
`matically calls the telephone number for the telecon(cid:173)
`ference at approximately a time the teleconference is
`scheduled, establishes contact with the user, and joins
`the user to the teleconference.
`16. A system for aggregating conference calls comprising:
`
`means for registering a caller with the system;
`
`0008
`
`

`
`US 2005/0094794 Al
`
`May 5, 2005
`
`5
`
`means for accessing a calendar system used by the
`registered caller to determine teleconference data
`specifying at least a telephone number for a scheduled
`conference call;
`
`means for, at approximately a time of the conference call,
`automatically calling the telephone number for the
`conference call;
`
`means for establishing contact with the registered caller;
`and
`
`means for joining the registered caller with the conference
`call.
`17. The system of claim 16, said means for establishing
`contact further comprising means for calling the registered
`caller.
`18. The system of claim 16, said means for establishing
`contact further comprising means for receiving a call from
`the registered caller.
`
`19. The system of claim 16, said means for accessing
`further comprising means for obtaining a list of conference
`call participants and telephone numbers for each conference
`call participant from the calendar system.
`20. The system of claim 19, said means for establishing
`further comprising means for calling each conference call
`participant.
`21. The system of claim 16, said means for establishing
`further comprising means for receiving telephone calls
`within the interactive voice response system from each
`conference call participant.
`22. The system of claim 21, said means for establishing
`further comprising means for authenticating each confer(cid:173)
`ence call participant prior to joining each conference call
`participant to the conference call.
`
`* * * * *
`
`0009