The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 17, 1998
Filed:
May. 12, 1995
William E Pinnell, Auburndale, FL (US);
James H Campbell, IV, Winter Haven, FL (US);
Protel, Inc., , FL (US);
Abstract
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.