Apparatus and method for use in a data/conference call system for automatically collecting participant information and providing all participants with that information for use in collaboration services
US7107312B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M3/42365
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A so-called “OpenChannel™” conference is established by separating particular participants of the conference from those participants that are actually currently active in the conference. This establishes a type of virtual conference, i.e., meeting, that can be monitored by participants, i.e., users, without requiring them to be actively a part of the conference call. These particular participants are in a so-called monitor mode. These participants can readily change their state from the monitor mode to a listen mode or active mode, as desired. One advantage of this invention is that a long-term conference of months or even years duration can be set up, only incurring a cost to participants when they are active participants in the conference call.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.