Systems and Methods for Asynchronously Joining and Leaving Video Conferences and Merging Multiple Video Conferences

摘要

A method (and corresponding system and computer program product) providing control to open video conference is disclosed. One aspect enables participants of a video conference to asynchronously join and leave the video conference. Another aspect enables participants to merge multiple video conferences into a single video conference, or to split a single video conference into multiple video conferences.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for open video conference calling, the method comprising:
receiving a request to initiate a first video conference call from a caller to one or more called parties; receiving an acceptance of the first video conference call by at least one of the one or more called parties; responsive to receiving the acceptance of the first video conference call, establishing a video conference between the caller and the accepting one or more called parties; identifying the caller and the accepting one or more called parties as participants of the video conference; during the video conference, receiving a request to initiate a second video conference call between a first participant and a non-participant of the video conference; receiving an acceptance of the second video conference call between the first participant and the non-participant; receiving an instruction from the first participant to limit participation rights in the video conference of the non-participant; and responsive to receiving the acceptance of the second video conference call, the non-participant joining the video conference subject to the instruction from the first participant to limit the participation rights in the video conference.