US6148068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for managing an audio conference
Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC
•
Filing: 1997-10-20
•
Granted: 2000-11-14
•
Expires: 2017-10-20
Abstract
Abstract An audio conference system includes an audio telephone connection and a separate network computer connect. In arranging a conference with the audio conference system, a conference time and potential participants are designated. At the conference time, the audio conference system directs the public switched telephone network to place a telephone call to each of the potential participants and sends an invitation to a computer systems associated with the potential participants regarding the audio conference. The potential participants then return an indication of whether they desire to be audio conference participants and computer conference participants. If so, the audio conference system will send each computer participant display data with information about the audio conference including who is participating in the conference. Additional display data may also be included such as documents that are to be discussed during the conference.
Inventors
- 👤 Teddy Blaine Lowery
- 👤 Richard Lewis Johnson, Jr.
- 👤 Mark Joseph McIntee
- 👤 Patrick Michael O'Shaughnessey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/56; H04M3/567; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2854; H04L12/2856; H04L12/2869; H04L12/287; H04L12/2874; H04M3/563; H04M3/565; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1822; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/20; H04M2203/2072; H04M7/00; H04M7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for setting up an audio conference comprising: means for sending a message to potential participants in an audio conference; means for receiving messages from actual ones of the potential conference participants, indicating a desire to be conference participants; and means for sending display data to the actual conference participants with information about the audio conference and without video information of the actual conference participant, wherein the display data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for setting up an audio conference comprising: means for sending a message to potential participants in an audio conference; means for receiving messages from actual ones of the potential conference participants, indicating a desire to be conference participants; and means for sending display data to the actual conference participants with information about the audio conference and without video information of the actual conference participant, wherein the display data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the means for sending a message includes: means for sending a message at a predetermined time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 1, further including means for receiving additional display data from one of the actual participants; and means for propagating the additional display data to all of the actual participants.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system according to claim 1, further including means for receiving a message from a public telephone server indicating that one of the participants has disconnected their telephone; and means for adding an indicator to the display data that a particular participant is no longer participating in the audio conference.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system according to claim 1, further including: means for receiving an indication from one of the participants in the conference that an additional participant should be invited; and means for connecting the additional participant to the ongoing audio conference.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system according to claim 1, further including: means for receiving an indication of whether a particular one of the participants is connected to a computer interface; and means for propagating a display indicator to each of the actual participants in the audio conference showing whether the particular participant is connected to the computer interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the means for sending a message includes: means for sending messages to a public telephone server directing the server to call each participant in the audio conference; means for receiving an indication from the server that the call was answered by a corresponding participant; and means for sending a display indicator to each of the actual conference participants indicating that the corresponding participant has answered the call.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 7 wherein the means for sending messages includes: means for receiving a message listing the actual participants and associated telephone numbers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 8, wherein the means for sending messages to the public telephone server includes: means for reading a telephone number for each potential participant in the video conference; and means for forwarding the read telephone numbers to the public telephone server.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein a selected one of the actual conference participants has access to a conference control panel that allows the selected actual conference participant to output a mute command for a designated one of the actual conference participants, the system further including: means for receiving a mute command, and means for muting the audio sounds of the designated conference participant.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for setting up an audio conference comprising: a sending element configured to send a message to potential conference participants regarding an audio conference; a receiving element configured to receive messages from actual ones of the potential conference participants indicating a desire to be conference participants; and a transmitting element configured to transmit display data to the actual conference participants with information about the audio conference and without video information of the actual conference participants, wherein the display data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for setting up an audio conference comprising: a sending element configured to send a message to potential conference participants regarding an audio conference; a receiving element configured to receive messages from actual ones of the potential conference participants indicating a desire to be conference participants; and a transmitting element configured to transmit display data to the actual conference participants with information about the audio conference and without video information of the actual conference participants, wherein the display data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 11 wherein the sending element includes a sub-element configured to send a message at a predetermined time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system according to claim 11, further including: a second receiving element configured to receive additional display data from one of the actual participants; and a propagation element configured to propagate the additional display data to all of the actual participants.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system according to claim 11, further including: a second receiver element configured to receive a message from a public telephone server indicating that one of the actual participants has disconnected their telephone; and an indication element configured to add an indicator to the display data propagated to participants that the particular participant is no longer participating in the audio conference.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 11, further including: a second receiving element configured to receive an indication from one of the actual participants in the conference that an additional participant should be invited to participate; and a connector configured to connect the additional participant to the ongoing audio conference.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system according to claim 11, further including: a second receiving element configured to receive an indication of whether a particular one of the actual participants is connected to a computer interface; and a propagating element configured to propagate a display indicator to each of the actual participants in the audio conference showing whether the particular participant is connected to the computer interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
82 words
A system according to claim 11 wherein the sending element includes: a second sending element configured to send messages to a public telephone server directing the server to call each participant in the audio conference; a second receiving element configured to receive an indication from the public telephone server that a call was answered by a corresponding participant; and a second transmitter configured to transmit a display indicator to each of the participants indicating that the specific participant has answered the call.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 17 wherein the sending element includes: a sub-sending element configured to receive messages listing the actual participants and associated telephone numbers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system according to claim 18, wherein the second sending element includes: a reading element configured to read a telephone number for each of the potential participants in the video conference; and a forwarding element configured to forward the read phone numbers to the public telephone server.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system according to claim 11, wherein a selected one of the actual conference participants has access to a conference control panel that allows the selected actual conference participant to output a mute command for a designated one of the actual conference participants, the system further including: a second receiving element configured to receive a mute command, and a muting element configured to mute the audio sounds of the designated conference participant.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for setting up an audio conference comprising the steps of: sending a message to potential conference participants regarding an audio conference; receiving messages from ones of the potential conference participants indicating a desire to be actual conference participants; and sending display data to the other ones of the actual conference participants with information about the audio conference and without video information of the actual conference participants, wherein the display data display data includes at least one of the following: name of the actual participants, conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda list, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for setting up an audio conference comprising the steps of: sending a message to potential conference participants regarding an audio conference; receiving messages from ones of the potential conference participants indicating a desire to be actual conference participants; and sending display data to the other ones of the actual conference participants with information about the audio conference and without video information of the actual conference participants, wherein the display data display data includes at least one of the following: name of the actual participants, conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda list, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 21 wherein the step of sending a message, includes the step of: sending a message at a predetermined time.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 21, further including the steps of receiving additional display data from one of the actual participants; and propagating the additional display data to all of the actual participants.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 21, further including the steps of receiving a message from a public telephone server indicating that one of the actual participants has disconnected a corresponding telephone; and adding an indicator to the display data propagated to participants that the particular participant is no longer participating in the audio conference.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 21, further including the steps of: receiving an indication from one of the actual participants in the conference that an additional participant should be invited to participate; and connecting the additional participant to the ongoing audio conference.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 21, further including the steps of: receiving an indication of whether a particular one of the participants is connected to a computer interface; and propagating a display indicator to each of the participants in the audio conference showing whether the particular participant is connected to the computer interface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method according to claim 21 wherein the step of sending a message includes the steps of: sending messages to a public telephone server directing the server to call each participant in the audio conference; receiving an indication from the public telephone server that a call was answered by a corresponding participant; and sending a display indicator to each of the actual conference participants indicating that the corresponding participant has answered the call.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 22 wherein the step of sending a message includes the step of: receiving messages listing the actual participants and associated telephone numbers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein the step of sending messages to the public telephone server includes the steps of: reading a telephone number for each of the potential participants in the video conference; and forwarding the read phone numbers to the public telephone server.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein a selected one of the actual conference participants has access to a conference control panel that allows the selected actual conference participant to output a mute command for a designated one of the actual conference participants, the method further including the steps of: receiving a mute command, and muting the audio sounds of the designated conference participant.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
135 words
An audio conferencing system for servicing a plurality of potential conference participants, at least one of the potential conference participants having a computer terminal, the system comprising: means for determining which ones of the plurality of potential conference participants are active participants in the conference; means to determine which ones of the active participants have computer terminals connected to a communications network; and means for outputting instructions over a network to the computer terminals of the active participants to display conference data, wherein the conference data does not include video information of the active participants, and wherein the conference data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
135 words
An audio conferencing system for servicing a plurality of potential conference participants, at least one of the potential conference participants having a computer terminal, the system comprising: means for determining which ones of the plurality of potential conference participants are active participants in the conference; means to determine which ones of the active participants have computer terminals connected to a communications network; and means for outputting instructions over a network to the computer terminals of the active participants to display conference data, wherein the conference data does not include video information of the active participants, and wherein the conference data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 31 wherein the means for outputting instructions includes means for receiving display data from a computer terminal associated with an active participant, and means for propagating the received display data to each of the computer terminals associated with active participants.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 31 further including: means for calling a plurality of telephones each associated with a different one of the potential conference participants.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 31 wherein the means for outputting instructions includes: means for instructing the computer terminals to display data identifying active participants.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 34 wherein the means for determining includes: means for determining whether a call was answered to determine whether a called party is actively participating in the conference.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
149 words
An audio conferencing system for servicing a plurality of potential conference participants, at least one of the potential conference participants having a computer terminal, the system comprising: a determining element configured to determine which ones of the plurality of potential conference participants is an active participant actively participating in the conference; and a second determining element configured to determine which ones of the active participants has a computer terminal connected to a communications network; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit instructions over the network to processors of the computer terminals of the active participants to display conference data, wherein the conference data does not include video information of the active participants, and wherein the conference data includes at least one of the following: name of the actual participants, conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda list, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
149 words
An audio conferencing system for servicing a plurality of potential conference participants, at least one of the potential conference participants having a computer terminal, the system comprising: a determining element configured to determine which ones of the plurality of potential conference participants is an active participant actively participating in the conference; and a second determining element configured to determine which ones of the active participants has a computer terminal connected to a communications network; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit instructions over the network to processors of the computer terminals of the active participants to display conference data, wherein the conference data does not include video information of the active participants, and wherein the conference data includes at least one of the following: name of the actual participants, conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda list, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 36 wherein the transmitting element includes: a receiving element configured to receive display data from a computer terminal associated with an active participant, and a propagation element configured to propagate the received display data to each of the computer terminals associated with active participants.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 36 further including: a calling element configured to call a plurality of telephones each associated with a different one of the potential conference participants.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 36 wherein the transmitting element includes: an instructing element configured to instruct the computer terminals to display data identifying active participants.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein the determining element includes: a sub-element configured to determine whether a call was answered.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for servicing a plurality of potential audio conference participants, at least one of the potential conference participants having a computer terminal, the method comprising the steps of: determining which ones of the plurality of potential conference participants are active participants actively participating in the conference; determining which ones of the active participants have computer terminals connected to a communications network; and outputting instructions over the network to the computer terminals of the active participants to display conference data, wherein the conference data does not include video information of the active participants, and wherein the conference data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for servicing a plurality of potential audio conference participants, at least one of the potential conference participants having a computer terminal, the method comprising the steps of: determining which ones of the plurality of potential conference participants are active participants actively participating in the conference; determining which ones of the active participants have computer terminals connected to a communications network; and outputting instructions over the network to the computer terminals of the active participants to display conference data, wherein the conference data does not include video information of the active participants, and wherein the conference data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 41 wherein the step of outputting instructions includes the steps of: receiving display data from a computer terminal associated with an active participant, and propagating the received display data to each of the computer terminals associated with active participants.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 41 further including the step of: calling a plurality of telephones each associated with a different one of the potential conference participants.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 41 wherein the step of outputting instructions includes the step of: instructing the computer terminals to display data identifying active conference participants.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 44 wherein the step of determining includes the step of: determining whether a call was answered to determine whether a called party is actively participating in the conference.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for use in an audio conference having a plurality of participants comprising: means for receiving a message regarding an audio conference; means for sending a reply message regarding the audio conference to a conference controller; and means for receiving and presenting display data with information about the audio conference, wherein the display data does not include video information of the plurality of participants, and wherein the display data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for use in an audio conference having a plurality of participants comprising: means for receiving a message regarding an audio conference; means for sending a reply message regarding the audio conference to a conference controller; and means for receiving and presenting display data with information about the audio conference, wherein the display data does not include video information of the plurality of participants, and wherein the display data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 46 further including means for receiving a telephone call through a public telephone server in order to participate in the audio conference; and means for answering the telephone call.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 46 further including: means for altering information in the display data and means for sending the altered information to other ones of the participants in the audio conference.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 46 further including: means for muting the audio output of at least one of the other ones of the participants.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 46 further including: means for separately adjusting a volume of each of the participants.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for use in an audio conference having a plurality of participants comprising: a receiving element configured to receive a message regarding an audio conference; a sending element configured to send a reply message regarding the audio conference to a conference controller; and a second receiving element configured to receive and present display data with information about the audio conference, wherein the display data does not include video information of the plurality of participants, and wherein the display data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for use in an audio conference having a plurality of participants comprising: a receiving element configured to receive a message regarding an audio conference; a sending element configured to send a reply message regarding the audio conference to a conference controller; and a second receiving element configured to receive and present display data with information about the audio conference, wherein the display data does not include video information of the plurality of participants, and wherein the display data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system according to claim 51 further including: a third receiving element configured to receive a telephone call through a public telephone server in order to participate in the audio conference; and an answering element configured to answer the telephone call.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system according to claim 51 further including: an altering element configured to alter information in the display data; and second sending element configured to send the altered information to other ones of the participants in the audio conference.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 51 further including: muting element configured to mute the audio output of at least one of the other ones of the participants.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 51 further including: an adjusting element for separately adjusting a volume of each of the participants.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of conducting an audio conference having a plurality of participants comprising the steps of: receiving a message regarding an audio conference; sending a reply message regarding the audio conference to a conference controller; receiving display data; and presenting display data with information about the audio conference, wherein the audio conference does not include video information of the plurality of participants, and wherein the display data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of conducting an audio conference having a plurality of participants comprising the steps of: receiving a message regarding an audio conference; sending a reply message regarding the audio conference to a conference controller; receiving display data; and presenting display data with information about the audio conference, wherein the audio conference does not include video information of the plurality of participants, and wherein the display data includes at least one of the following: at least one name of the actual participants, audio conference title, audio conference time, a conference agenda, and statuses of communication connections to each of the actual participants.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 56 further including the steps of: receiving a telephone call through a public telephone server in order to participate in the audio conference; and answering the telephone call.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 56 further including the steps of: altering information in the display data; and means for sending the altered information to other ones of the participants in the audio conference.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 56 further including the step of: muting the audio output of at least one of the other ones of the participants in the audio conference.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 56 further including the step of: separately adjusting a volume of each of the participants.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5758079A
Cited
US5802294A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-14 | 2004-05-15 | 2004-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-14 | 2008-05-15 | 2008-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-14 | 2012-05-15 | 2012-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |