System and process for mass telephony conference call

摘要

A method of providing conference call connections includes initiating a conference call between multiple conferees using a conferencing controller, placing each of the multiple conferees in a half-duplex listen only mode using the conferencing controller, and receiving a signal at the conferencing controller from at least one of the multiple conferees to actively participate in the conference call. Active participation can be in the form of asking questions, giving comments, or providing a keypress to vote or provide other information. The conference call can also be broadcast to increase participants. Also, after the conference call is initiated, additional potential conferees can be added.

主权项

1. A method for automated conferencing, which initiates a conference call, that reduces conference call setup time, comprising:
using an automated conference call system to assign one of n available parallel connection processes to manage establishment of maintenance of a connection to a selected conferee from a plurality of n selected conferees; simultaneously initiating connection attempts by outdialing, using said automated conference call system, to said plurality of n selected conferees, wherein each of the connection attempts is routed through a corresponding one of the n available parallel connection processes using separate available parallel telecommunication connection resources selected from a plurality of parallel telecommunication resources of said automated conference call system, so as to carry out a simultaneous, parallel outdialing to n selected conferees, without waiting for connection to a selected conferee before proceeding to out-dialing other of said plurality of n selected conferees; wherein for each connection attempt resulting in an answered call, using said automated conference call system to determine when the answered call is answered by one of a person, a fax machine, or an answering machine; using said automated conference call system to automatically initiate the conference call when said automated conference call system has determined that a minimum number of n selected conferees have joined the conference call; using said automated conference call system to redial failed calls and continue to initiate connections to other n selected conferees during the conference call; and adding a speaker to the conference call, using said automated conference call system, after said minimum number of n selected conferees have joined said conference call.