U.S. patent application number 13/064856 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-27 for teleconferenceing system for allowing interchange between facilitator led discussions in a main conference and breaking out groups into sub-conferences based on data about callers.
Invention is credited to Brian D. Burt.
Application Number | 20110261940 13/064856 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44815794 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110261940 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burt; Brian D. |
October 27, 2011 |
Teleconferenceing system for allowing interchange between
facilitator LED discussions in a main conference and breaking out
groups into sub-conferences based on data about callers
Abstract
A teleconferencing system in which a plurality of callers join a
facilitator in a teleconference. The teleconferencing system
enables the facilitator to dynamically arrange the callers into
sub-conferences. The callers in one sub-conference can communicate
with other callers in that same sub-teleconference, but not with
callers in other sub-conferences. The callers in a sub-conference
may or may not be able to communicate with the facilitator.
Formation of sub-conferences is performed using application
software, beneficially under the control of a Graphical User
Interface.
Inventors: |
Burt; Brian D.; (Oakland,
CA) |
Family ID: |
44815794 |
Appl. No.: |
13/064856 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61343113 |
Apr 22, 2010 |
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61343112 |
Apr 22, 2010 |
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61343108 |
Apr 22, 2010 |
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61343107 |
Apr 22, 2010 |
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61343106 |
Apr 22, 2010 |
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61343105 |
Apr 22, 2010 |
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61343104 |
Apr 22, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
379/158 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/247 20130101;
H04M 3/56 20130101; H04M 2250/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/158 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/00 20060101
H04M001/00 |
Claims
1. A teleconferencing system, comprising; a computer system; a
switch for interconnecting a plurality of callers and a facilitator
together over at least one communication medium; and application
software controlled by said computer system, said application
software for controlling said switch; wherein said application
software can cause said switch to interconnect said plurality of
callers into one teleconference; and wherein said application
software enables said facilitator to reconfigure the callers into a
plurality of sub-conferences.
2. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said
application software causes said switch to establish a common level
router so that callers in a first sub-conference of said plurality
of sub-conferences can directly interact with each other.
3. A teleconferencing system according to claim 2, wherein said
facilitator cannot directly interact with callers in said first
sub-conference.
4. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein callers
in a sub-conference do not directly interact with each other.
5. A teleconferencing system according to claim 3, wherein said
application software causes said switch to establish at least two
common level routers so that callers in a first sub-conference of
said plurality of sub-conferences cannot directly interact with
callers in a second sub-conference of said plurality of
sub-conferences.
6. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said
computer system enables said facilitator to retrieving information
from a database before reconfiguring said callers into said
plurality of sub-conferences.
7. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said
communication medium is a telephone connection.
8. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said
communication medium is an interne connection.
9. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said
teleconference uses data signals.
10. A teleconferencing system according to claim 3, wherein said
computer system includes a manual interface.
11. A method of operating a teleconferencing system comprising the
steps of; logging a plurality of a callers and a facilitator into a
teleconference system; conducting a facilitator led teleconference
with said plurality of callers; reconfiguring said plurality of
callers into a plurality of sub-conferences; and conducting at
least one sub-conference.
12. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to
claim 11, further including the step of obtaining caller
information to assist said reconfiguring.
13. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to
claim 11, wherein the step of reconfiguring is performed by forming
said plurality of callers into a sub-conference such that callers
in said sub-conference can communicate with each other.
14. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to
claim 13, wherein the step of reconfiguring is performed by forming
said plurality of callers into a sub-conference, such that callers
in said sub-conference cannot communicate with said
facilitator.
15. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to
claim 13, wherein the step of reconfiguring is performed by forming
said plurality of callers into a sub-conference such that callers
in said sub-conference cannot communicate with other callers.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefits of the following U.S.
Provisional Applications: "Teleconferencing system for allowing one
touch transfer from a facilitator led discussion, Provisional
Application No. 61/343,113, filed Apr. 22, 2010; "Teleconferencing
system for allowing interchange between facilitator led discussions
and reporting information about selected callers, Provisional
Application No. 61/343,112, filed Apr. 22, 2010; "Teleconferencing
system for allowing one touch queuing by callers in a facilitator
led discussion," Provisional Application No. 61/343,108, filed Apr.
22, 2010; "Teleconferencing system for allowing large numbers of
callers by transferring callers to connected servers in a call
bridge," Provisional Application No. 61/343,107, filed Apr. 22,
2010; "Teleconferencing system for allowing the breaking out of
groups of callers into sub-teleconferences and the reporting of
callers speaking in the sub-teleconferences," Provisional
Application No. 61/343,106, filed Apr. 22, 2010; "Teleconferencing
system for allowing interchange in facilitator led discussions and
sending information to callers electing to receive the
information," Provisional Application No. 61/343,105, filed Apr.
22, 2010; "Teleconferencing system for allowing interchange between
facilitator led discussions in a main conference and breaking out
groups into sub-conferences," Provisional Application No.
61/343,104, filed Apr. 22, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards a
facilitator led teleconferencing system that enables the
facilitator to dynamically divide a large teleconference into a
plurality of sub-conferences in which callers in a particular
sub-conference can interact with each other and possibly with the
facilitator, but not with callers in the other sub-conferences.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A very common way to hold a meeting and to perform group
activities with widely dispersed people is teleconferencing.
Teleconferencing is highly useful because it allows callers from
around the world to participate in the same meeting at low
cost.
[0004] Teleconferencing has been so successful that user needs have
resulted in the development of modern teleconferencing "bridge
systems" that allow callers to either dial into or log onto a
computerized system that establishes a virtual teleconference. In
such systems callers usually have to identify themselves, their
access rights are checked, a facilitator is established, and
operating rules are set and enforced by the bridge system.
[0005] Teleconferencing and the newer bridge systems generally
support modern trends in education, business, and other group
activities which focus on increasing the number and quality of
interactions. For example, modern trends in education lean away
from strictly lecture driven modalities and focus more on greater
individual participation. In practice teleconferencing participants
are often looked at as resources of an organization and as such the
desire to incorporate those participants in decision-making at all
levels has increased. This becomes a major problem as the
geographic diversity of organizations and their participant's
increases and as the need for better communications, such as
teleconferencing, becomes even more critical. In fact, modern
trends have placed such additional burdens on teleconferencing
systems that even the newer "bridge teleconferencing systems" are
often deemed insufficient.
[0006] The result of the foregoing is that more and more programs,
be they sales, educational, marketing, or simply group meetings are
being delivered and conducted via teleconferencing systems.
Teleconferencing reduces costs, makes more efficient use of time,
and makes a given meeting available to a greater segment of the
population, including home or bed-ridden individuals.
[0007] While generally successful, teleconferences have numerous,
well-known limitations. Those limitations are a result of, or are
acerbated by, the fact that the normal visual cues available with
in-person meetings are often not available in a teleconference.
Those limitations lead to greater problems when larger numbers of
people from remote locations are brought together in a single
teleconference. First, a large teleconference can be difficult to
organize and run even when using the newer bridge systems. For
example, two callers who talk or otherwise act at the same time
cause communication conflicts. The larger the group the more
difficult it becomes to avoid such conflicts. Smaller
teleconferences are simply easier to manage.
[0008] Next, it can be extraordinarily difficult to associate the
response of a particular caller with that caller. For example, in a
teleconference with 30 callers in 5 different locations it is very
difficult to associate a response from say Joe in Seattle (for
example) with that particular Joe and not a different Joe in
London. Again, smaller teleconferences are easier to manage.
[0009] Yet another issue is enabling interactions among
participants in a large conference. If participant A says
something, it is possible that numerous other participants will
want to interact with participant A. If they do so, confusion is
likely. Again, smaller teleconferences are easier to manage.
[0010] Still another problem with large conferences is maintaining
the interest of participants who may have different interests. For
example, property investors in Seattle may have no interest in the
current housing market in Little Rock, while those in Arkansas may
have a great deal of interest in that subject. Further discussions
on the current housing market in Little Rock may leave some callers
bored and unhappy while changing the subject may greatly displease
other participants.
[0011] Complicating the problems with prior art teleconferencing is
that the conferences were static, once a conferencing group is
established the facilitator can not rearrange the conference to
suit the dynamic interests or needs of diverse groups within that
conference.
[0012] Therefore, a facilitator led teleconferencing system that
enables the facilitator to dynamically divide a large conference
into a plurality of sub-conferences would be beneficial. Such a
teleconferencing system in which callers in a particular
sub-conference can interact with each other and possibly with the
facilitator, but not with callers in the other sub-conferences
would be even more beneficial. Such a system in which the
facilitator can dynamically formulate sub-conferences based on
participant's interests would be useful. Preferably, the
sub-conferences would be based on information about the callers
that is stored in a database.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
teleconferencing system which enables callers in a main
teleconference to be broken out into groups by a facilitator and
then grouped into sub-conferences.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
teleconferencing system which enables callers in a sub-conference
to continue to hear the facilitator of the main teleconference.
[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a teleconferencing system which enables callers in a sub-conference
to have two-way communication with the facilitator of the main
teleconference.
[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
teleconferencing system that enables callers in a sub-conference to
communicate with other callers in the same sub-conference.
[0017] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a teleconferencing system which enables callers in a
sub-conference to be able to hold private conversations and to not
be heard by either the facilitator or by anyone else who is not
part of the sub-conference.
[0018] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a teleconferencing system that enables a facilitator to
form sub-conferences based on selected caller criteria.
[0019] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a teleconferencing system that enables a facilitator to
form sub-conferences based on the number of callers, their
geographic location, their positions of authority within an
organization, the topical focus or area or interest of the callers,
to maximize diversity, or any other information available to the
facilitator.
[0020] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
teleconferencing system that provides a facilitator to form
sub-conferences with little effort.
[0021] The principles of the present invention provide for a
teleconferencing system for a plurality of callers and at least one
facilitator. The teleconferencing system is operated by the
facilitator under the control of application software through a
computer system that establishes a user interface. The facilitator
may use the computer and application software to cause a switch to
configure the teleconferencing system into a variety of
configurations, including as a single large conference wherein all
callers are listening to the facilitator. The facilitator may then
reconfigure the callers into a plurality of sub-conferences. The
callers in a particular sub-conference can then communicate with
other callers in the same sub-teleconference and possibly with the
facilitator. To assist the facilitator in forming sub-conferences
information about the callers is made available to the
facilitator.
[0022] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, the
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are
contemplated as being in accord with the principles of the present
invention, therefore the present invention shall be construed as
being limited only by the broad scope of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The advantages and features of the present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following detailed
description and claims when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with
like symbols, and in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the various
stations that comprise an interactive teleconferencing system that
is in accord with the principles of the present invention, and in
which all callers are in direct communication only with the
facilitator;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the various
stations that comprise an interactive teleconferencing system that
is in accord with the principles of the present invention, and in
which all callers are in communications with each other and with
the facilitator;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the various
stations that comprise an interactive teleconferencing system that
is in accord with the principles of the present invention, and in
which callers have been assigned to sub-conferences, and in which
the members of each sub-conference are in communication with other
members of that sub-conference and with the facilitator;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the various
stations that comprise an interactive teleconferencing system that
is in accord with the principles of the present invention and in
which callers have been assigned to sub-conferences, and in which
the members of each sub-conference is in communication only with
other members of that sub-conference;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the
interactive teleconferencing system in accord with the principles
of the present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 6 is a depiction of a graphic user interface that is in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The presently disclosed subject matter will now be described
more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which one embodiment is shown. However, it should be understood
that this invention may take many different forms and thus should
not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments set
forth herein. In the figures, like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0031] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a teleconferencing system 20 having a
conferencing switch 22 which is central to the operation of the
teleconferencing system 20. The teleconferencing system 20 enables
a facilitator 30 to dynamically cause the switch 22 (via
application software 24) to selectively interconnect a plurality of
callers, shown as callers 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40N, among themselves
and the facilitator 30 into a single teleconference or into a
plurality of sub-conferences.
[0032] The callers 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40N and the facilitator 30
connect to the teleconferencing system 20 using any of an
assortment of communication mediums such as telephone lines 41 (as
with callers 40A-40C), internet connections 42 (as with caller
40N), and data lines 43 (as with the facilitator 30). Of course the
teleconferencing system 20 is also contemplated as working with
other communication mediums, such as microwave or radio
communications.
[0033] Hardware and firmware suitable for implementing the switch
22 are well known in the art. The switch 22 can be a hardware
device or it can be a combination of hardware and software. For
example, when used under the control of specific application
software 24 (discussed subsequently) an open source software
solution such as FreeSwitch, distributed at freeswitch.org, can
control hardware that is currently available within existing
telecommunication networks to provide the required functionality
described herein.
[0034] Referring to FIGURE s 1-4, it is contemplated that the
switch 22 operates under the control of application software 24,
which is comprised of code written to enable both basic
teleconferencing functions and to provide the specific
functionality to implement the principles of the present invention.
The application software 24 might run as part of the switch 22, or
it might be applied to the switch 22 by way of a data control port
49 and/or a secondary port 47 from a computer system 26. Preferably
the application software 24 runs under the control of the computer
system 26. The computer system 26 beneficially provides a user
interface that enables, via a manual interface 45 (which could
include a mouse), control of the computer system 26, the
application software 24, and the switch 22 as required to implement
the various features of the teleconferencing system 20.
[0035] Preferably, the computer system 26 implements a user
interface having a web-based, GUI (Graphic User Interface) display
which allows easy control of the functions of the teleconferencing
system 20. It should be noted that the teleconferencing system 20
generally operates at the behest of a facilitator 30, a person or
group that leads the teleconference and controls, by way of the
manual interface 45, the computer system 26, the application
software 24, and the switch 22. The teleconferencing system 20 may
place the facilitator 30 at a different hierarchical level than the
individual callers, or it may place the facilitator 30 at the same
(common) level as the individual callers. In addition, the
telecommunication system 20 may be scaled and configured to have
more than one person speaking and interacting with the individual
callers as a facilitator 30.
[0036] The purpose of the teleconferencing system 20 is to allow
interactive teleconferencing between the callers, including caller
40A, caller 40B, caller 40C, caller 40N and/or the facilitator 30.
FIG. 1 illustrates the teleconferencing system 20 when it is
configured such that each caller can only communicate with the
facilitator 30. To implement that feature the switch 22 sets up a
single level router 108 that allows only
hierarchical-communications. That is, callers can only interact
with others on different levels, with the facilitator 30 being
considered at a higher level. Oval-shaped routers, such as the
router 108 are used herein to designate hierarchical level routers.
Thus in FIG. 1 the various callers 40A-40N cannot directly
communicate with each other.
[0037] In contrast, FIG. 2 illustrates the teleconferencing system
20 when it is configured such that each caller can communicate with
all of the other callers and with the facilitator 30. To implement
that the switch 22 sets up a common router 110 that allows all of
the participants connected to that router to interact with all of
the other participants connected to that router. Rectangular-shaped
routers, such as the router 110 are used herein to designate
common-level routers.
[0038] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the teleconferencing system 20 when
it is supporting only one large conference. However, that type of
operation is not always optimal. As more and more callers
participate in the teleconference it becomes mores and more
difficult to manage the teleconference and the overall
effectiveness of the teleconference can diminish. To address those
problems the teleconferencing system 20 enables the facilitator 30
to re-organize the callers 40A-40N by selectively placing them into
more manageable and more effective sub-conferences.
[0039] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the teleconferencing system 20
after the facilitator has caused the switch 22 to form two
sub-conferences: one comprised of callers 40A and 40B, and the
other comprised of callers 40C and 40N. To do so the facilitator
causes the switch 22 to form a common level router 102 and another
common level router 104. As common-level routers allow all of the
callers connected to that router to interact with all of the other
callers connected to that router, callers 40A and 40B can
communicate with each other, callers 40C and 40N can communicate
with each other, but callers 40A and 40B cannot communicated with
callers 40C and 40N (and visa-versa).
[0040] In FIG. 4 the facilitator 30 is not connected to the
callers. Thus the callers 40A and 40B can communicate with each
other but not the facilitator 30. To re-establish communications
the facilitator would have to cause the switch 22 to reconfigure.
Thus FIG. 4 illustrates a secure sub-conference.
[0041] However, FIG. 3 illustrates the switch 22 when the
facilitator 30 has caused the switch to add a hierarchical router
106 that connects the facilitator 30 to each of the common-level
routers 102 and 104. When the teleconferencing system 20 is
configured as in FIG. 3 all of the callers in a sub-conference can
communicate among themselves and with the facilitator 30, the
facilitator 30 can communicate with all callers, but the callers in
one sub-conference cannot communicate with calls in another
sub-conference.
[0042] As noted the specific configuration of the switch 22 is
controlled by the facilitator 30. To assist the facilitator 30,
that facilitator has access to a database 21 that can be stored in
a data storage 23, which will typically be part of the computer
system 26. Information in the database can be accessed by the
facilitator as required.
[0043] In FIG. 5 the operation 96 of the teleconferencing system 20
when configured as in FIG. 2 is explained. The operation 96 starts
at step 98 with the opening of a teleconference. The facilitator 30
and the callers (40A, 40B, 40C, 40N) connect to the
teleconferencing system 20, step 100. The callers then send
identifying information to the teleconferencing system 20, step 102
and the teleconferencing system 20 logs the callers in, step 103.
User accounts may have been established prior to step 100 or a user
account may be set up at step 102.
[0044] A primary purpose of logging in callers is to establish the
identity of the callers that are connected to the switch 22. This
enables a database record to be accessed for each caller as
required by the facilitator 30 so that he can make informed
decisions when he subsequently configures the sub-conferences.
[0045] After step 103 the facilitator 30 begins a teleconference,
step 104. During this time the facilitator 30 decides whether or
not to form a sub-conference, step 105. If a sub-conference is not
to be formed the teleconferencing system 20 returns to step 104.
However, if a sub-conference is to be formed the facilitator 30
uses the teleconferencing system 20 to group the callers into
sub-conferences, step 106.
[0046] A useful variation of the foregoing is to simply randomly
assign callers into sub-conferences after log in. This has the
advantage of forming relatively uniformly sized
sub-teleconferences. However, the facilitator 30 has access to
accounts or registration information provided by the callers and
stored in the database 21 (see for example FIG. 2). The facilitator
30 can operate the teleconferencing system 20 to have that
information made available on the User Interface. Typically, each
caller will have provided contact information such as name, phone
number, mailing address, zip code, email address and other such
information. Other types of information that may be useful to the
facilitator when forming the sub-conferences are the caller's area
of interest, title or hierarchy within an organization.
[0047] In any event the facilitator causes the switch to form the
callers into sub-conferences. Then, if the teleconferencing system
20 is reconfigured per FIG. 3, the facilitator 30 can conduct the
sub-conference, step 110. However, if teleconferencing system 20 is
reconfigured per FIG. 4 the callers conduct their own
sub-conference, again, step 110.
[0048] A decision is then made as to whether or not to return to
the main teleconference, step 111. If so, the operation 96 returns
to step 104. If not, the operation 96 stops, step 112.
[0049] Examples may be useful in explaining the principles of the
present invention. Refer now to FIG. 6 for a depiction of a
graphical user interface suitable for use with the present
invention. Assume that the facilitator 30 has established a
teleconference relating to the value of properties in American
cities. The facilitator 30 might present a generalized program
useful to all of the callers, who will be assumed to be potential
real estate investors across America. After the generalized program
is complete the facilitator 30 might wish to group callers into
sub-conferences based on ZIP codes. The facilitator 30 might group
callers 302, specifically callers Shawn Soileau and Erika LaBarbena
shown in italics, into one sub-conference by clicking on a BREAKOUT
304 label because the computer system displayed in box 304 that the
callers 302 had ZIP codes that the facilitator 30 decided might
benefit from being in a sub-conference. It might be beneficial for
the facilitator 30 to continue to monitor the sub-conferences by
configuring the teleconferencing system as illustrated in FIG.
3.
[0050] As another example, assume the facilitator 30 is an
administrative assistant to a regional sales manager who has been
tasked with establishing a teleconference with a plurality of sales
people located throughout the country. The facilitator 30 might
present an introductory program useful for all of the participants
and then divided the teleconference into sub-conferences based on
sales responsibilities. As the facilitator 30 is not involved with
any of those sub-conferences the facilitator 30 would configure the
teleconferencing system 20 as in FIG. 4 wherein the facilitator 30
cannot communicate with a sub-conference but the members of a
sub-conference can communicate among themselves.
[0051] In conclusion, herein is presented a teleconferencing system
which allows a plurality of callers to respond to questions in a
large group conference, without disruption of the teleconference.
The system also gives the facilitator the ability to selectively
ask questions of the callers during the teleconference and
automatically receive answers associated with a caller. The callers
selecting an answer to a question chosen by the facilitator may be
identified by the system and may have their contact information
displayed or otherwise reported. The invention is illustrated by
example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written
description. It should be understood that numerous variations are
possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations
are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.
[0052] Therefore, it is to be understood that while the figures and
the above description illustrate the present invention, they are
exemplary only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. Others who are skilled in the applicable arts will
recognize numerous modifications and adaptations of the illustrated
embodiments that remain within the principles of the present
invention. Therefore, the present invention is to be limited only
by the appended claims.
* * * * *