PROCESS FOR CONVERTING A POINT-TO-POINT MULTIMEDIA CALL TO A BRIDGED MULTIMEDIA CALL

摘要

A process for converting a point-to-point multimedia call into a bridged multimedia call for accommodating multi-party conferencing. The process utilizes the bearer channel configuration of the standard BRI format to disconnect, one at a time, each bearer channel from the point-to-point call and to reconnect each line to a multipoint control unit (36), whereupon the reconnected lines are individually reformatted in accordance with standard video phone protocol. The process facilitates th e continuous and uninterrupted exchange of audio information and data between the point-to-point participants throughout the disconnectio n and reconfiguration stages of the conversion.