A method and apparatus are disclosed to allow individuals to initiate, join, manage, and participant in a conference call. Members of a community can meet and collaborate over telephones, especially cellular telephones, or computer workstations, in a way that is freeform or prescribed, automatic or moderated, spontaneous or scheduled, unassisted, and selectably anonymous. The invention provides broadly customizable degrees of collective and individual organizational control, and provides social safeguards to minimize disruptions by unruly participants.
A portable communication device for conference calls, comprising at least first and second speech encoder paths with first and second inputs for connection to first and second recording devices, respectively, and at least one output connected to signal processor means for receiving and processing first and second electronic signals from said recording devices via said first and second speech encoder paths for transmission to a transmitter/receiver operatively connected to said signal processor means, wherein said apparatus is adpated to receive said first and second electronic signals simultaneously even if the signals are different, and said apparatus comprises a summator adapted to sum said first and second electronic signals into a sum signal for transmission to said transmitter/receiver.
A method and system for location based subject matter teleconferencing is disclosed. A user makes a request to join a teleconference based on the user's location and subject matter. A conference-call-setup-system ("CCSS") receives the request. The CCSS determines the location of the user and identifies the teleconference that matches the request. Additionally, the CCSS may use the time of the request when identifying the teleconference that matches the request. The CCSS then arranges for a conference bridge to join the user to the teleconference. As a result, the user can communicate with other users in the same general location who want to discuss the same subject matter.
A method for reserving conference resources includes communicating a conference notification to each of a plurality of conference invitees. The conference notification is associated with a multipoint conference. The method includes receiving, from each of a first number of the plurality of conference invitees, a response to the conference notification indicating that the invitee will participate on the multipoint conference. The first number of the plurality of invitees comprises participating invitees. The method includes automatically determining, based on the responses to the conference notifications, a sufficient amount of resources to allow the participating invitees to communicate on the multipoint conference. The method also includes automatically reserving the determined sufficient amount of resources and hosting the multipoint conference between the participating invitees using the reserved resources.
A method for routing a communication connection request includes the steps of obtaining context information from a communication connection requestor in response to a communication connection request. The steps further include using the context information to determine a communication connection action, and connecting the communication connection requestor based upon the connection action.
A method for routing a communication connection request includes the steps of obtaining context information from a communication connection requester in response to a communication connection request. The steps further include using the context information to determine a communication connection action, and connecting the communication connection requester based upon the connection action.
