NETWORK-BASED TELECONFERENCING CAPABILITIES UTILIZING DATA NETWORK CALL SET-UP REQUESTS

摘要

A data network-based teleconferencing platform is implemented to allowindividualsto set up and control conference calls over the conventional voice network,even individualswithout direct access to a teleconference-enabling element (such as a PBXswitch). Anetwork-controlling server (such as a CTI server), in conjunction with a websever, arelocated in the data network and used to interface between the individual and aconventionalconference element (such as a PBX switch). The web server responds to datacommandsfrom the indvidual to set up a conference call, and may use directory listingsstored in a database at the platform to retrieve the necessity call set-up information. Thecall set-upinformation is then sent from the web server to the CTI server, whichtranslates thisinformation into telecommunication commands and forwards the commands to thePBXswitch, where the PBX switch then sets up the call in its usual fashion. Aschedulingelement may be used to facilitate the organization of a conference call,storing informationfor regularly-scheduled cabs, and the like, and a notification element may beused to alertparticipants about an up-coming conference call.