Protel, Inc.

William E Pinnell

James H Campbell, Iv

An audio teleconferencing apparatus includes one or more conference bridges for establishing an audio teleconference between conference attendees, and a conference controller for controlling the conference bridges to permit a conference scheduler to reserve an audio teleconference and facilitate connection of the conference attendees during the audio teleconference. The conference controller facilitates reconfiguring the audio teleconference, especially during and immediately before the teleconference. The conference controller may reconfigure the reserved audio teleconference responsive to a conference attendee, and based upon availability of the conference resources. In one embodiment, the reconfiguring is for permitting the audio teleconference to begin prior to a reserved starting time for the audio teleconference if a conference attendee calls into the audio teleconference a predetermined time before the reserved starting time. In another embodiment, the reconfiguring occurs upon monitoring progress of the audio teleconference and permits an extension of a length of the audio teleconference beyond a reserved length of time for the audio conference or permits addition of a conference attendee. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Apparatus and method for automated audio teleconferencing having

An audio teleconferencing apparatus includes one or more conference bridges for establishing an audio teleconference between conference attendees, and a conference controller for controlling the conference bridges to permit a conference scheduler to reserve an audio teleconference and facilitate connection of the conference attendees during the audio teleconference. The conference controller may receive an account number of the conference scheduler via a telephone of the conference scheduler, and determine the validity of the account number. The conference controller generates an audio prompt menu at the telephone of the conference scheduler for directing the conference scheduler to input conference reservation information via the telephone responsive to a valid account number from the conference scheduler, and for reserving the audio teleconference based upon the input conference reservation information. The reservation information preferably includes a reserved date of the audio teleconference, a reserved starting time of the audio teleconference, a reserved length of the audio teleconference, and a reserved number of conference attendees for the audio teleconference. The conference controller also preferably includes code activation and deactivation features, reservation confirmation features, and reconfiguration and overbooking features. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

An audio teleconferencing apparatus includes one or more conference bridges for establishing an audio teleconference between conference attendees, and a conference controller for controlling the conference bridges to permit a conference scheduler to reserve an audio teleconference and facilitate connection of the conference attendees during the audio teleconference. The conference controller may selectively overbook conference resources so that resources do not sit idle in the event a reserved audio teleconference does not occur. Various billing options are also prompted and implemented by the conference controller. In addition, alternate reservation information may be generated by the conference controller for selection by the conference scheduler. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

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Auburndale, FL, United States of America

William E Pinnell