I lllll llllllll II llllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20110033035Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Turner
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0033035 Al
`Feb. 10, 2011
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INITIATING A
`CONFERENCE CALL
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/531,722, filed on Dec.
`22, 2003.
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Tod C. Turner, Kenmore, WA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`CONNOLLY BOVE LODGE & HUTZ, LLP
`POBOX2207
`WILMINGTON, DE 19899 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/907,550
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 19, 2010
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation of application No. 12/723,750, filed on
`Mar. 15, 2010, now Pat. No. 7,853,000, which is a
`continuation of application No. 11/019,655, filed on
`Dec. 22, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,804,948.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M 3142
`(2006.01)
`H04L 12116
`(2006.01)
`H04L 12166
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................... 379/202.01; 370/260; 370/352
`
`(57)
`
`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.
`
`Provide
`nference Call
`Server
`
`·r-------~
`
`Provide NAO
`to Call
`Requester
`
`Call Requester
`Generates Conf.
`Call Request
`
`Transmit
`Conf. Request
`Message
`
`Conf. Request
`Message Received
`
`102
`
`104
`
`106
`
`108
`
`110
`
`Conf. Requ~~=r......
`
`Message
`Parsed
`
`.
`
`112
`
`Initiate
`Conference
`Call
`
`114
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 1 of 26
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 10, 2011 Sheet 1 of 18
`
`US 2011/0033035 Al
`
`102
`
`104
`
`106
`
`108
`
`110
`
`112
`
`114
`
`Provide
`Conference Call
`Server
`
`Provide NAD
`to Call
`Requester
`
`Call Requester
`Generates Conf.
`Call Request
`
`Transmit
`Cont. Request
`Message
`
`Conf. Request
`Message Received
`
`Conf. Request
`Message
`Parsed
`
`Initiate
`Conference
`Call
`
`FIG. 1
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 2 of 26
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 10, 2011 Sheet 2 of 18
`
`US 2011/0033035 Al
`
`Network Portal
`eslabllshes connection
`wilh IM seJVer lo
`delermlne presence of
`po!enllal conf ere nee
`attendees (!argels)
`
`IM Conlac!s
`List
`Previous
`Conference
`Participanls
`Email Contacls
`Lisi
`Saved
`Conference
`Setups
`
`Yes
`
`llTarget
`Is on·line,
`user may
`
`202
`
`Targetis
`nolonline
`
`Like~ ANl's are eslabllshed for each
`large!
`
`Network Portal eslablishes text
`message with 1 or more olher largels
`
`T arge!s are sent invilatlon lo
`conference call via text messenger
`
`Addillonal largels are manually added
`lo list
`
`204
`
`List of Targets to be placed on call
`are sent via Text Messaging to
`Conference Call Crealor Software
`
`Conference Call Crealor Software
`eslablishes Conference Bridge
`wUh SeIVlce Provider
`
`Conference Bridge Software places
`Inbound call lo each Target
`
`208
`
`210
`
`212
`
`206
`
`No
`
`No Invite
`
`FIG. 2
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 3 of 26
`
`

`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`
`~ ..... o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`('D
`
`?' ....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`
`~o
`N
`
`('D
`('D
`
`(.H
`
`IM Contacts List
`
`Previous Conference
`Participants
`
`Email Contacts List
`
`Saved Conference
`Setups
`
`318
`
`Prompt User for
`Credtt Card Info
`
`User A is using IM
`software
`
`308
`
`310
`
`User A
`
`START
`
`User A requests conference by
`'pressing' conference button on screen
`
`User A selects which people to have
`joined in the conference
`
`UserB
`IM Target in text
`chat
`
`UserC
`lM Target not in
`text chat
`
`312
`
`304
`
`306
`
`314
`
`316
`
`Display Message
`for User A - no
`conferences
`allowed
`
`Stop
`
`To FIG. 38
`
`To FIG. 38
`
`FIG. 3A
`FIG.3
`FIG. 3A
`FIG. 38
`FIG. 3C
`
`To FIG. 38
`
`0 .....
`....
`
`QO
`
`c
`1J1
`N
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 4 of 26
`
`

`
`From FIG. 3A
`
`From FIG. 3A
`
`From FIG. 3A
`
`No
`
`322
`
`Stop
`
`Display Message
`- Cannot Make
`Conference
`
`Conference
`Data
`
`User A CBX client
`sends conference
`request to CBX
`server
`
`Conference
`Server takes
`conference
`request, looks up
`profile information
`for targets in this
`conference
`
`324
`
`CSX server send
`conference
`request message
`to targets B and C
`
`330
`
`328
`
`IM Client prompts
`target to validate
`direct connect
`or choose
`self direct
`
`326
`
`Yes
`
`Stop
`
`346
`
`Conference Server
`Receives Recording
`Transclipt -adds to
`session informa1ion
`
`Conference server sends message to IM T arge1s
`B and C, and their conference buttons become
`d'isabled within all conferences, chg to user setting
`
`v--338
`
`I
`
`332
`
`Conference Originator
`is prompted to record
`conference
`
`Conference Bridge is
`created by
`Conference Switch
`
`From FIG. 3C
`
`To FIG. 3C
`
`To FIG. 3C
`
`FIG. 38
`
`No
`
`Stop
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`
`~ ..... o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`('D
`
`?' ....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`.i;...
`
`~o
`N
`
`('D
`('D
`
`0 .....
`....
`
`QO
`
`1J1
`N
`
`c
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 5 of 26
`
`

`
`To FIG. 38
`
`From FIG. 3B
`
`336
`
`From FIG. 3B
`
`334
`
`344
`
`IM Client pops up
`message with access
`info. required for self(cid:173)
`connect to conference
`
`No
`
`User can
`receive Direct ""- Yes
`
`Conference
`Provider ring,
`or connects
`targets A,B,C
`and other
`targets in
`conference
`originator list
`to bridge
`
`Return Conference
`Cannot be Completed
`message to Conference
`server
`
`Yes
`
`recorded
`
`For Every target
`connected, color on IM
`conversation changes
`to Yellow, when
`connected, color
`changes to Green,
`recording icon is ltt
`
`Conference
`Provider adds
`"silent target for
`recording
`
`Conference Server tells all
`targets that conference is
`completed, re-enabled
`conference button
`
`342
`
`Conference Ends,
`Conference server
`records duration,
`participants of
`conference
`
`FIG~ 3C
`
`""O a ('D = .....
`~
`=(cid:173);::;·
`a o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`""f'j
`
`~o
`N
`
`a o·
`=
`?-....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`Ul
`0 .....
`....
`QO
`
`('D
`('D
`
`1J1
`N
`
`c
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 6 of 26
`
`

`
`CBX
`
`Conference Request Processor
`
`402
`
`406
`
`412
`
`N
`E
`T
`w
`0
`R
`K
`
`IM Communications Processor
`
`Shared Application Session Server
`
`Conference Call Bridge Provider A
`
`Conference Call Bridge Provider B
`
`• • ..
`
`Telephone Networks
`
`I PSTN
`
`jvrnP
`
`I Cellular Network
`! Satellite Network
`
`414
`
`00000
`00000
`
`Phone
`
`Users
`
`00000
`00000
`
`Phone
`
`UserC
`
`~ Phone
`
`UserD
`
`~ Phone
`
`40 8
`
`4
`
`""O a ('D = .....
`~
`=(cid:173);::;·
`a o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`a o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`
`~ ....
`?
`N
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`O'I
`0 .....
`....
`QO
`
`('D
`('D
`
`c
`1J1
`N
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 7 of 26
`
`

`
`g~l8]
`
`!1~
`
`~top
`
`ICollabrik
`.Last
`Ble ~ew Actions
`~l[QLJ
`@J GJ Active
`<> ..../V-
`o1 GJ Collaboration Requests
`<).V"V"v-V
`<> V'/VVVVV\
`0 1 UJ Resources
`[Q]<> VVV\
`lQlO~
`~g ~
`lQl <> \/V"V\./
`§Today'sMeetings
`My Contacts
`o LlNKware Develo mentTeam
`x-~
`Jr ~ Invite Smtth, Stephen to an instant message conference.
`K ~ Invite Smtth, Stephen to a teleconference.
`K ~
`K ~ t------------------=(cid:173)
`K ~
`%~~
`k 'vVVV
`~
`kvvvvv
`~
`k \;'"v'\/'VV'
`K vvv
`ColfabrlK Locate-Comm~nical ~ / ,
`
`01
`
`~
`
`11
`
`502
`
`I
`
`Locate and Communicate With
`Your Team
`I \Collaboration Center
`
`~
`
`ICollabrik
`Rle View
`IXxx-llXXX llxxx llxxx llxxx I
`Conference Participants
`Name: Smith, Stephen
`.
`Phone: 123-456-7890
`Smith, Stephen
`Email: Stephen@email.com
`Add to my Contacts
`View Profile
`
`11~
`
`John: Hi
`Stephen: How are lhings?
`John: Going well thanks.
`Smith, Stephen: Very good.
`
`""O a ('D = .....
`~
`=(cid:173);::;·
`a o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`a o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`
`?-
`......
`~o
`N
`0 ......
`......
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`......:i
`0 ......
`......
`QO
`
`('D
`('D
`
`c
`1J1
`N
`0 ......
`......
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ......
`
`FIG. 5
`
`504
`
`To FIG. 7
`
`rfabrtt" Locate-Communicate-Collaborate
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 8 of 26
`
`

`
`Io start a conference : saved Conference lb ::: 54 --- ----
`ICollabriJr
`
`,....r-602
`
`Q ~ [gl I
`
`I
`
`Web Conference
`Teleconference
`Teleconference Participants (only checked participants will be included in this conference
`I Email Address
`I Mode
`I Phone
`I Status
`I Name
`--·--
`_ .. ,_,,. ·--·---
`8 %206-799-1972 Dial
`Tod T umer
`todt@fox-industries.com
`Initiator
`416-789-5298 Dial
`8
`Stephen ... malach@namzak.com
`8
`206-384-4235 Dial
`Ralph Ro...
`roberts@namzak.com
`412-901-7198 Dial
`Rick Kaz... kazman@namzak.com
`8
`613-542-6361 Dial
`8
`Nick Grah... graharn@namzak.com New farticipant
`650-353-461 O Dial
`Jim Court...
`jim.courtner@techtran •••
`8
`Ii
`I rna1
`
`Remove
`
`11 Retrieve Contact ... I\
`
`n
`II
`I Refresh Status I
`~~
`~~
`I Start Recording I
`
`604
`
`II Sa~e IJ
`
`End Call
`
`606
`
`608
`
`FIG. 6
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`
`~ ..... o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`('D
`
`?' ....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`QO
`
`~o
`N
`
`('D
`('D
`
`0 .....
`....
`
`QO
`
`c
`1J1
`N
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 9 of 26
`
`

`
`From FIG. 5
`
`!81
`
`J
`
`o ProfileforSmtth, Stephen
`\Collabrik
`l Profile
`I lnfo/Status I
`First Name*
`Address Line 1
`I Stephen
`I r.t112;VJ3'P:Ea::-ist:;=rElm~S~tr-eet:-------i
`Middle Name
`rA=dd=res~s-"l!Lin.!-'Le..!....1 _____ _
`' - : - - - - -_ J I
`I
`Last Name*
`Ctty
`I smtth
`I ~1snriPfi;;;;nQfi~er;r1a-------1
`State
`Zip/Postal Code
`IOH
`1119101
`I
`Coun!rv
`IUSA .
`Extension Title
`11
`I ~-----
`"""D=ep.-.artm=e=nt"---------,
`I
`11
`Email Address
`I
`I IStephen@email.com
`
`Phone Number
`I 123-456-7890
`Fax Number
`-1111
`lumber
`J 123-555-2222
`
`ll Close
`
`\I
`
`702
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~ =. ;::;·
`~ ..... o· =
`a'
`O" = (')
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`('D
`?'
`.....
`~o
`N
`0 .....
`.....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`"° 0 .....
`.....
`QO
`
`('D
`('D
`
`c
`1J1
`N
`0 .....
`.....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> .....
`
`FIG. 7
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 10 of 26
`
`

`
`Id Retrieve Contacts
`
`Q~~I
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`
`~ ..... o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`('D
`
`~o
`N
`
`?' ....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`0
`0 .....
`....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`QO
`
`Phone
`
`A
`
`425-445-1421
`(310)980-4096
`
`(702)286-8722
`(206)654-1020
`
`{425)765-5333
`905-812-0202
`650-353-4610
`
`(215)284-8910
`
`v
`
`Email Address
`
`billsm1@msn.com
`
`briK
`Saved Participants I Co!labrix Users l Outlook Contacts
`Saved Conference Particlnants
`Name
`~
`~ Bill Smith
`~ Chaine, Olivier
`@I Dave Archer
`~ Or. Stephen Herman
`~ Edan Portaro
`~ Edan Portaro@yellowpages.com
`~ Fred Epler
`@J Fred Eppler
`@J Jay Powers
`-;k" Jim Courtney
`Jim Courtney
`Jon Arbuthnot
`Louis Heidelberger
`
`darcher@accessline.com
`herman4@attglobal.net
`eportaro@Yellowpages.com
`
`fepler@accessline.com
`fepler@accesiine.com
`jay@bearcreekvp.com
`jirn.courtney@techtransform.com
`jim.courtney@techtransform.com
`arbuthnot@cogeco.ca
`lheidelberger@reedsmith.com
`
`Delete
`=
`
`802
`
`ICotfabri;f LOCATE-COMMUNICATE-COLLABORATE .
`
`FIG. 8
`
`c
`1J1
`N
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 11 of 26
`
`

`
`0 Retrieve Contacts
`
`Q~!81
`
`902
`
`Outlook Contacts
`
`Use the fields below to specify what to look for and where 1o look. Click the 'Retrieve· button to view a list of matching Coilabrix users.
`of matchlng Collabrix users.
`i Find Collabrix Users I
`Look for:
`Look in:
`\~IFi-~-N-am-e~~~l ...... J
`\±
`
`-
`
`--
`
`Matchina Collabrix U
`Name
`Jr Stephen Spector
`Jr Steve Herman
`K Steve Handley
`K Steve Handley
`
`I Email Address
`stephen.spector@citrlx.com
`herman4@attglobal.net
`soh@linqware.com
`steve.handley@linqware.com
`Page25 of 37
`
`I Phone
`
`I
`
`A
`
`~
`
`,____
`v
`
`t Add to Participant List 11 II f lose II
`
`FIG. 9
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`
`~ ..... o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`('D
`
`~o
`N
`
`?' ....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`....
`0 .....
`....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`QO
`
`1J1
`N
`
`c
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 12 of 26
`
`

`
`ID Retrieve Contacts
`ICollabriK
`
`Saved Participants I Collabrix Users I Outlook Contacts I
`
`IR
`
`I! Retrieve II 0EJIEJI l0J Contact 1 toot 6 of 145
`
`Use the fields below to specify what to look for and where to look. Click the "Retrieve· button to view a list of matching Outiook contacts.
`ri Find Outlook Contacts 1
`Look for:
`Look in:
`lb
`11 Company
`Matchina Outlook Contacts
`I Company
`Name
`@l Vohra, Rich
`Bach Business Credit
`@l BakerMichael
`Baker C Group
`@l Balllard Escrow
`Ballard Escrow
`@l BRADFORD, BOB
`BANGOR HYDRO ELECTRIC COMPANY
`@l LEVASSEUR, LOUIS BANGOR HYDRO ELECTRlC COMPANY
`<I
`
`I Emall Address
`
`I Mobile
`
`I Business
`@ (949)222-2241
`BakerCGroup@goamerica.com @ (253)851-0432 0 (253)973-9340
`@ +1206 7811002
`BBRADFORD@BHE.COM @ (207)973-2838
`@ (207)973-2830
`LLEVASSE@BHE.COM
`I
`
`b]{IDigj I
`
`I
`
`I Home
`
`!
`
`....
`
`~
`
`...,
`,__
`
`I>
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`
`~ ..... o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`('D
`
`~o
`N
`
`?' ....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`N
`0 .....
`....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`QO
`
`I CollabrtK LOCATE-COMMUNICATE-COLLABORATE
`
`FIG. 10
`
`I Add to Participantlist 111 ~lose II
`
`I
`
`c
`1J1
`N
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 13 of 26
`
`

`
`D Load a Save Conference
`
`ICollabriX
`
`I Subject
`Demonstration
`
`Demonstration
`
`Demonstration
`
`1104
`
`Saved conferences
`Project
`Namzak
`.... Scott Anderson demo
`Versatel Networks
`ASAP Medical Software Discussion
`Accessline
`test
`Scott Demo
`YellowPages.com
`Marketing Architects
`Accessline Demo
`llDeletell
`I Collabr/K LOCATE-COMMUN!CATE-COLLABORA TE
`
`r1102
`
`1106
`
`7
`
`7
`
`J
`
`l
`
`7
`
`7
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`
`~ ..... o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`('D
`
`~o
`N
`
`?' ....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`0 .....
`....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`(.H
`
`QO
`
`b]~[8]
`
`A
`
`I - -
`
`' -
`v
`
`Scott Lumsh
`Sales Watch Demonstration
`demonstration and technical integration
`test
`
`FIG. 11
`
`II hoad JI I Close I
`I
`
`1J1
`N
`
`c
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 14 of 26
`
`

`
`1204a
`
`1204b -..,,
`
`1204c
`
`Text Messaging
`Client#1
`
`Text Messaging
`Client#2
`
`Text Messaging
`Client#3
`
`1. Originator decides to initiate a conference
`may request conference capabilities from server
`4. Server returns conf ere nee parameters lo host,
`interface options are adjusted accordingly
`5. Conference attendees list is built- attendee info is retrieved from
`the text messaging database, other contact databases,
`conference records, or manual input from the host
`7. Target conneclion information for each attendee
`(e.g. ANI, IP address, or other unique~ identifying
`characteristics of each target) are sent to Server
`
`8. Invitation sent
`9.Attendee Responds
`
`8. Invitation sent
`9.Attendee Responds
`
`Text Messaging Server
`Conference Call Server
`
`8. Invitation sent
`9.Attendee Responds
`16. Cllent receives DN!S,
`IP address, or other unique
`identifier of Conference
`
`1202
`
`1204d
`
`Text Messaging
`Client#4
`
`To FIG. 128
`
`From FIG. 128
`
`To FIG. 128
`
`FIG. 12A
`FIG.12
`FIG.12A
`FIG. 128
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`
`~ ..... o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`('D
`
`~o
`N
`
`?' ....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`.i;...
`0 .....
`....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`QO
`
`1J1
`N
`
`c
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 15 of 26
`
`

`
`I From FIG. 128
`
`6. Database responds with AN l's, IP address,
`or otherunique identifier for potential
`atendees, or other info. Necessary to
`Connect the targets into the conference
`
`Text Messaging
`Database
`
`1208
`
`1210a
`
`From FIG. 128 I
`
`1206
`
`Conference Setup
`Software
`
`#17
`Inbound Connection
`
`\o FIG.12A
`
`2. Server receives can setup request from originator,
`queries call setup software for provider capabilities
`3. Server software may return conference capabilities - - - - (cid:173)
`to server
`10. Server sends conference setup information
`to Conference setup software
`15. Text Messaging Server sends DNIS or IP address
`of conference targets who cannot be connected
`by host and need to be the initiators the
`connection process
`
`11. Send conf ere nee info (setup and target info)
`info to conf ere nee Bridge
`14. For targets who wish to initiate connection from their end
`bridge returns DNIS, IP address, or other unique identifier
`
`Conference Bridge
`12. Conference bridge is
`created
`13. targets are called
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`
`~ ..... o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`"'f'j
`('D
`
`~o
`N
`
`?' ....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`Ul
`0 .....
`....
`
`OutboundCall
`
`~ww~w· ·~
`
`Ou1bound Video Ou1bound Video
`
`~~~&~ B~1214c
`1210c ~ 1212a ~ 1214b ~
`
`('D
`('D
`
`QO
`
`Target #1
`
`FIG. 128
`
`~ 1~01
`· ~ersonal
`/
`Personal
`1216
`Computer
`Computer
`
`l~LI
`Personal
`Computer
`
`1J1
`N
`
`c
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 16 of 26
`
`

`
`i D Conference Histo~
`!Collabrik
`Instant Messaging I Teleconferencing I Web Conferencing I
`Use the fields below to specify which previous Teleconference Calls you would !ike to review.
`Click the "Retrieve" button to view a list of matching calls.
`rl Find Teleconference Ca!ls1
`On or after this date
`On or before this date
`I 1211412004 B
`I 1211512004 B
`Matchini:i Teleconference Calls
`I Subject
`I Project
`I
`Date
`12/14/2004 7:31 :13 AM Telecon Patent restarting legal to complete
`12/14/2004 2:09:41 PM Not Specified Not Specified
`12/15/200411:58:58 AM Not Specified Not Specified
`
`1305
`
`1308
`
`1310
`
`,.
`
`13
`
`~
`
`Duration I
`00:26:57
`00:00:26
`00:00:11
`
`Attendees l
`3
`3
`2
`
`ilRetrievel10BG0Record1to3of3
`
`I·- --
`
`LOCAT!::Pnl'..HA• JNICATE-CO' 1 "~f"'lq_tffE
`
`FIG. 13
`
`1302
`
`bl~l8ll
`
`I
`
`1312
`
`1314
`
`1316
`Call AmountT otal: $12.70
`
`Amount l Recorded
`$12.15
`$0.45
`$0.10
`
`I
`
`Size ,"'-
`O,_
`0
`0
`I -..,
`
`Ii Y.iew .•. 11
`
`II_
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`
`~ ..... o· = ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`"'f'j
`('D
`?'
`.....
`~o
`N
`0 .....
`.....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`.....
`O'I
`0 ......
`.....
`QO
`
`('D
`('D
`
`c
`
`1J1
`N
`0 .....
`.....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> .....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 17 of 26
`
`

`
`1402
`-
`
`7
`
`GJ~[gj
`
`I
`
`D Teleconference Call Detail
`
`ICollabriK
`l Call Detail 1
`Project - Telecom Patent
`Subject- restarting legal to complete
`Date-12114/2004
`Total Amount-$12.15
`Start Time- 7:31:13 AM
`Recorded - No
`Initiator Duration - 00:26:57
`File Size- 0
`Attendee Count - 3
`
`Teleconference Call Detail
`I Phone
`Name
`Tod Turner
`4254865313
`4257655333
`Jay Powers
`Louis Heidelberger 2152848910
`
`-
`
`14
`
`-
`
`I
`
`I Email
`Start I
`7:31:13 AM
`todt@fox-industries.com
`jay@bearcreekvp.com
`7:31:13 AM
`!heidelberger@reedsmith.com 7:31 :13 AM
`
`Duration I
`00:26:57
`00:26:43
`00:26:45
`
`Amount I
`$4.05
`$4.05
`$4.05
`
`I Co//abrl.k' Locate-Communicate-Collaborate
`
`II Close
`
`II
`I
`
`FIG. 14
`
`""O
`~ .....
`('D = .....
`~
`'E.
`;::;·
`~ ..... o·
`
`= ""O = ~ ;::;·
`
`~ ..... o·
`=
`
`""f'j
`('D
`
`~o
`N
`
`('D
`('D
`
`?' ....
`0 ....
`....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`-....J
`0 .....
`....
`
`QO
`
`1J1
`N
`
`c
`0 ....
`....
`..._
`0
`0
`(.H
`(.H
`0
`(.H
`Ul
`
`> ....
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 18 of 26
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 10, 2011 Sheet 18 of 18
`
`US 2011/0033035 Al
`
`1502
`
`1504
`
`1506
`
`1508
`
`1510
`
`1512
`
`1514
`
`CCR Accesses
`NAD
`
`Connect NAD to
`ccs
`
`Identify Potential
`Targets
`
`Display Potential
`Targets to CCR
`
`Generate
`Conference Call
`Request
`
`Transmit
`Conference Call
`Request to CCS
`
`Establish
`Conference Call
`Bridge
`
`FIG. 15
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 19 of 26
`
`

`
`US 2011/0033035 Al
`
`Feb. 10, 2011
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INITIATING A
`CONFERENCE CALL
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/531,722 filed
`on Dec. 22, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorpo(cid:173)
`rated herein by reference thereto.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to a method
`for initiating a conference call between two or more users,
`and more particularly to initiating a voice conference call
`between two or more users using a central server to commu(cid:173)
`nicate parameters for the call and for initiating the call itself.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003] Business meetings where the differing perspectives
`of the participants provide the value of the meeting have been
`conducted for a long time. As the costs associated with travel
`have increased, companies have turned from face to face
`meetings to meetings allowing participants to be separately
`located, including telephone conferences, video conferences,
`and more recently through on-line meetings.
`[0004] As traffic congestion grows in every part of the
`country, and software tools improve, companies worldwide
`are recognizing that it is possible to have effective meetings
`on-line. There are various forms of real-time, or on-line,
`collaboration. The simplest form is instant messaging. The
`ability of messaging software to tell another user who is
`available at a given moment is called "presence". Presence
`awareness has been proven to eliminate up to 35% ofvoice(cid:173)
`mail, and as much as 30% of email, particularly long threaded
`discussions. Because of this, instant messaging has become
`the fastest growing form of communication in history. Gart(cid:173)
`ner predicts over 200 million business users will be using
`some form of enterprise instant messaging by the end of2005,
`an increase of over 100 million users from 2003.
`[0005]
`Instant messaging has its roots in the consumer
`industry, but is virally working its way into corporations.
`Consumer messaging systems typically offer no security, no
`IT control over usage, and no reporting capabilities. Nor do
`consumer systems offer tracking history of conversations, a
`requirement of a number of federal statutes, from the SEC to
`Sarbanes-Oxley to the new medical HIPPA requirements.
`There are no clear leaders in the corporate instant messaging
`market, although the opportunity has been recently show(cid:173)
`cased by the entrance of Microsoft and IBM.
`[0006] Oftentimes, messaging leads to the requirement for
`one or more meetings with the participants. Historically this
`required travel, which lengthened the business processes and
`significantly increased costs. With the advent of various
`forms of desktop application sharing, it is now possible for
`multiple users to "see" the same desktop at the same time.
`This "real-time" collaboration market is just emerging, and is
`estimated by Collaborative Strategies to be about a $6 billion
`market, with an average annual growth rate of 64% through
`2005, and is expected to add20 million users to its ranks in the
`next several years.
`[0007]
`In a recent Deloitte Consulting survey of300 of the
`Fortune 1000, collaboration was top priority with 75% of
`respondents. While less than 30% were using some form of
`collaborative tools today, 80% of respondents said they would
`
`implement some collaboration capability by 2005. According
`to a recent Yankee Group survey, companies will save $223B
`over next 5 years by collaborating over the Internet.
`[0008] Because of the size of this emerging opportunity,
`Microsoft recently acquired a company called Placeware, for
`$180 million, to provide software for on-line meetings.
`Placeware has been renamed and is now being offered by
`Microsoft, coupled with Windows 2003 server, as Microsoft
`Live Meeting. Microsoft internally calculates that they will
`save over $43 million this year alone in time and travel costs
`if just 1 in 5 meetings are conducted on-line. Microsoft will
`spend over $300 million this year promoting Live Meeting,
`and joins IBM with its Lotus Sametime product, Web Ex, and
`another 3 dozen smaller competitors.
`[0009] The commonality of all of the collaboration prod(cid:173)
`ucts is that once the users begin their on-line meeting, they use
`a number of tools. Many of them require some form of appli(cid:173)
`cation sharing, and all of them require some form of accom(cid:173)
`panying communication, from instant messaging to confer(cid:173)
`ence calls. Although instant messaging is sometimes used for
`extended conversations, most of the time the discussions are
`brief. 'Conversations' between a number of participants that
`become more involved are dependent upon the typing skills of
`each participant, which leads to the need for everyone to join
`in a conference call.
`[0010] Similarly, real-time collaboration products imply
`the need for a conference call. MS Live Meeting, IBM Lotus
`Sametime, WebEx, and a host of other software products all
`make an assumption that once you are sharing a document or
`spreadsheet, the users are on a conference call so they can
`discuss it. This brings real value to the meeting, yet the
`integration of the call into the collaboration process has not
`yet been addressed.
`[0011]
`In the past, the problem with integrating telephony
`products into software has centered on integration with the
`PBX. In large part this is because the call initiator's computer
`needed to pass the various telephony commands to the PBX,
`and no two PBX's are alike. This requires system integrators,
`and up until now has reduced the scalability of the opportu(cid:173)
`nity.
`[0012] Furthermore, most PBX systems can only join a few
`users in a conference call. They cannot join many parties,
`leaving the originators the option of creating either a "meet
`me' or an operator assisted conference call. Because the users
`must typically dial a central number, such as a toll free num(cid:173)
`ber, and enter a passcode, it is difficult to make the calls
`spontaneous. Yet, the needs of both instant messaging and
`on-line meetings demand it.
`[0013] A further concern arises regarding the security of a
`conference call using the call in model. Any caller knowing
`the call in number and passcode may enter into the conference
`call, without the knowledge of the other members of the call.
`Although it is possible for the call service to monitor the
`number of connections, the call service may be unable to
`ascertain the identity of callers, such as where the calling
`number is blocked. Furthermore, even if the identity of par(cid:173)
`ticipants were disclosed to a call originator during a confer(cid:173)
`ence call, such information could be a distraction during the
`conference call.
`[0014] Conference calls today fall into 2 categories:
`[0015]
`1. "Meet Me" calls-These conference calls
`involve all users of the call dialing, via a publicly
`switched telephone network (hereafter "PSTN"), cellu(cid:173)
`lar telephone, or via a voice over internet protocol net-
`
`CSCO-1005
`Cisco v. Uniloc
`Page 20 of 26
`
`

`
`US 2011/0033035 Al
`
`Feb. 10, 2011
`
`2
`
`work, a central phone number or ANI to a conference
`bridge and entering a personal identification number
`(hereafter "PIN") or pass code to join the call. These
`calls may be may be set up by an originating user by
`going to a web site to set up the call, through calling an
`operator and setting the call up, or setting up a static
`DNIS to which all users may dial on occasion.
`[0016] 2. Host-initiated Calls-These calls involve the
`host originating calls to all of the participants. In order to
`accomplish this, the host must initiate the call one of two
`ways:
`[0017]
`a) either the host enters an ANI on his telephone
`and through pressing a combination of buttons has that
`party joined to the call, and repeats this process for each
`conference call participant, or;
`[0018] b) the host types in the phone numbers of all the
`expected participants, either to a web site after which the
`web site will initiate a conference bridge and dial all the
`participants, or manually provides them to an operator
`who initiates the calls to the participants.
`[0019] These methods are inefficient, in that they require a
`conference call requester or party to the conference call to
`manually inform either the parties to the conference call, or
`the conference bridge itself, of parameters, passwords, and
`phone numbers for the call.
`[0020]
`Instant messaging (hereafter "IM") systems employ
`a client-server model on Internet protocol (hereafter "IP")
`networks to deliver text chat and other information to distrib(cid:173)
`uted users in real-time. Instant Messaging client software
`may be loaded onto a user's workstation or may be used in a
`web browser, and may allow a user to log into a remote Instant
`Messaging server, Once a user has logged in, business rules
`may be used to determine which other users are available to
`communicate with the first user in the instant messaging
`system. Many IM systems allow users to create lists of other
`users that they commonly communicate with. When a user in
`such a list logs into the IM system, the server informs the list
`owner that a user in their list has logged on and is available to
`chat. In addition, Instant Messaging systems provide direc(cid:173)
`tory services that permit the users to search for another user.
`Once a user has the address of a second user, the first user can
`request a collaborative chat session with the second user. The
`second user can choose to either accept or reject the chat
`session. After the session has been accepted, the users may be
`able to communicate in a private or public chat session by
`typing text messages to one another. The message can be
`either transmitted through a central server, or directly
`between users (peer to peer) once the first user has determined
`the availability of the second user from the IM system. These
`chat sessions may take place over an unsecured IP network.
`Further extensions of IM allow multiple participants to be
`involved in a chat session.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0021] The present invention may use a communications
`channel established through an instant messaging service to
`transmit a request to initiate a conference call from a network
`access device associated with a conference call requester to a
`conference call server. The conference call server, upon
`receiving the request, may initiate the formation of a confer(cid:173)
`ence bridge a conference call between the conference call
`requester and one or more call participants.
`[0022]
`In a first embodiment, the present invention may be
`embodied in a method for initiating a conference call, includ-
`
`ing the steps of providing a conference call server; providing
`a conference call requester with a network accessible device
`communicable with an instant messaging service; generating
`a conference call request by the conference call requester;
`transmitting the call request from the call requester to the
`conference call server; receiving the call request at the con(cid:173)
`ference call server; parsing the conference call request to
`determine parameters associated with a requested conference
`call; and initiating a conference call in accordance with
`parameters associated with the requested conference call. The
`instant messaging service may be adapted to communicate
`conference call request information with the conference call
`server.
`[0023] The present invention may further use the presence
`component of an instant messaging system to determine
`whether prospective attendees are available for a conference
`call through this presence with the instant messaging service,
`then using stored information that includes an address for a
`party, either through an IM channel or at a specific phone
`number or VOW address, create the ability for instant mes(cid:173)
`saging users to immediately create any combination of PSTN,
`Cellular, and VOIP conference calls between users some of
`whom may be in instant messaging sessions, and without the
`necessity of each user to dial a telephone number or having
`the host look up the phone