US20120177192A1

US20120177192A1 - Teleconferencing system for allowing the breaking out of groups of callers into sub-teleconferences and the reporting of callers speaking in the sub-teleconferences

Info

Publication number: US20120177192A1
Application number: US13/064,850
Authority: US
Inventors: Brian D. Burt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-22
Filing date: 2011-04-21
Publication date: 2012-07-12
Also published as: US20110261940A1; US8755509B2; US8559609B2; US8406405B2; US20110261944A1; US20110261939A1; US20110261938A1

Abstract

A facilitator-led teleconferencing system that establishes teleconferences for a plurality of callers and at least one facilitator. The teleconferencing system operates under the control of application software and through a computer system that establishes a user interface. The teleconferencing system enables the facilitator to dynamically divide a large teleconference into a plurality of sub-conferences, preferably in a way that enables callers in one sub-conference to interact with others in that sub-conference. The teleconferencing system further enables the facilitator to monitor in real-time who is in each sub-conference and to determine in real-time who was currently speaking in each sub-conference.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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

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, to determine which caller is in which sub-conference, and to determine who is currently speaking within each sub-conference in real-time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.
Teleconferencing has been so successful that user demands 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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Additionally, in prior art teleconferencing it was not possible for a facilitator to actually know who was speaking at any given time unless the facilitator could recognize the voice of the speaker. This made it difficult for the facilitator 30 to respond to the speaker based on knowledge of who the speaker was.
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 that enables callers in a sub-conference to interact with others in that sub-conference but not with those in other sub-conferences also would be useful. Such a system that enables the facilitator to monitor in real-time who is in each sub-conference would be useful. Preferably, the teleconferencing system would enable the facilitator to dynamically divide a large conference into a plurality of sub-conferences, would enable the facilitator to monitor in real-time who is in each sub-conference, and would enable the facilitator to determine in real-time who was currently speaking in each sub-conference.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system that enables callers in a main teleconference to be broken out into sub-conferences and in which the facilitator is informed about who is speaking in each sub-conference.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system that reports which callers are speaking in sub-conferences by visually indicating them in real time on a user interface.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a teleconferencing system which shows in real time each caller in each sub-conference and that reports in real time the callers that are speaking in each sub-conference.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a facilitator led teleconferencing system that enables callers in a main teleconference to be broken out into sub-conferences and such that the facilitator is informed about who is in each sub-conference and who is currently speaking in each sub-conference.
The principles of the present invention provide for a facilitator-led teleconferencing system that establishes teleconferences for a plurality of callers and at least one facilitator. The teleconferencing system is operated by the facilitator under the control of application software and through a computer system that establishes a user interface, which is preferably a graphical user interface. The teleconferencing system enables the facilitator to dynamically divide a large teleconference into a plurality of sub-conferences, preferably in a way that enables callers in one sub-conference to interact with others in that sub-conference. The teleconferencing system enables the facilitator to monitor in real-time who is in each sub-conference and to determine in real-time who was currently speaking in each sub-conference.
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

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:

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;

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 callers have been assigned to sub-conferences;

FIG. 3 is an example of a graphical user interface used in the teleconferencing system represented in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the interactive telecommunication system illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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 embodiment set forth herein. In the figures, like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
FIGS. 1 and 2 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 to selectively interconnect a plurality of callers, shown as callers 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40N, among themselves and the facilitator 30 into a plurality of sub-conferences.
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. The switch 22 also accepts data from the callers through audio, video, touch-tones, speech recognition, or other means.
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 (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.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, 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 graphical user interface (GUI) that enables, via a manual interface 45, 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.
Beneficially the computer system 26 implements a web-based, GUI which allows easy control of the functions of the teleconferencing system 20 using a pointing device such as a mouse. 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.
One purpose of the teleconferencing system 20 is to allow interactive teleconferencing between 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. It is also possible 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 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 routers 102 and 104 shown in FIG. 2 designate common-level routers.
Another purpose of the teleconferencing system 20 is to allow the facilitator 30 to divide the main teleconference into a plurality of sub-conferences that he can monitor. FIG. 2 illustrates the teleconferencing system 20 after the facilitator 30 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 participants connected to that router to interact with all of the other participants 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).
Still referring to FIG. 2, to allow the facilitator 30 to listen in on the sub-conferences the switch 22 has implemented 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 so configured the callers in a sub-conference can communicate among themselves while the facilitator 30 and listen in on each of the sub-conferences.
As noted the specific configuration of the teleconferencing system 20 and the switch 22 are controlled by the facilitator 30. To assist the facilitator 30 in forming the sub-conferences the facilitator 30 is provided with access to a database 21 that can be stored in data storage 23, which will typically be part of the computer system 26. Information in the database can be accessed by the facilitator 30 as required.
Another purpose of the teleconferencing system 20 is to enable the facilitator 30 to have real time information regarding who is in each sub-conference. To accomplish this the switch 22 under the direction of the application software 24 monitors the callers 40A, 40B, 40C, 40N to a) determine that they are still connected to the teleconferencing system 20 and b) to determine which sub-conference they are arranged into. The application software 24 provides the computer system 26 with that information, and the computer system 26 maintains the graphical user interface to keep the facilitator 30 informed in real time who is currently arranged into which sub-conference.
Yet another purpose of the teleconferencing system 20 is to enable the facilitator 30 to have real time information regarding who is speaking in each sub-conference. To accomplish this the switch 22 under the direction of the application software 24 monitors the callers 40A, 40B, 40C, 40N to a) determine who is currently speaking. The application software 24 provides the computer system 26 with that information, and the computer system 26 maintains the graphical user interface to keep the facilitator 30 informed in real time about who is currently speaking in each sub-conference.
FIG. 4 illustrates the operation 96 of the teleconferencing system 20. The operation 96 starts at step 98 with the facilitator 30 and the callers (40A, 40B, 40C, 40N) connecting 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 into the system, step 103. User accounts may have been established prior to step 100 or a user account may be set up at step 102.
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 forms sub-conferences and when he monitors who is speaking in each sub-conference.
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.
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 does have access to information provided by the callers and stored in the database 21. The facilitator 30 can operate the teleconferencing system 20 to have that information made available on the Graphical User Interface. That information can be used by the facilitator 30 to make more focused sub-conferences. 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.
In any event the facilitator causes the switch to form the callers into sub-conferences. At this time the teleconferencing system 22 continues to inform the facilitator who is in each sub-conference by updating the list of sub-conferencing participants, step 107. In addition, the teleconferencing system 22 informs the facilitator 30 who is currently speaking in each sub-conference, step 108. The sub-conference is then conducted, step 109. A decision is then made as to whether or not the sub-conference will continue, step 110.
If the sub-conference is to continue the operation 96 of the teleconferencing system 20 returns to step 107 for updating in real-time who is in each sub-conference and to step 108 who is speaking in each sub-conference, step 108. However, if the sub-conference is not to continue a decision is made as to whether or not to return the callers to the main teleconference, step 111. If the callers are to be returned to the main teleconference the teleconferencing system re-configures the callers into the main teleconference by returning to step 104. If the callers are not to be returned to the main teleconference the operation 96 stops, step 112.
Examples may be useful in explaining the principles of the present invention. Refer now to FIG. 3 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 then 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. In particular, 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. Then, the teleconferencing system will continue to inform the facilitator 30 about who is currently speaking in that sub-conference by displaying an illuminated microphone 306.
Alternatively, or in addition to, the facilitator 30 could form sub-conferences based on incomes or investment portfolios. Then the facilitator 30 could present information targeted to each 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.
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.
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.
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.

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 and for providing a user interface to said facilitator;

wherein said application software can cause said switch to interconnect said plurality of callers into one teleconference;

wherein said application software enables said facilitator to reconfigure the callers into a plurality of sub-conferences; and

wherein said application software can cause said computer system to inform the facilitator of who is currently speaking in each sub-conference.

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 1, wherein callers in said teleconference cannot directly interact with each other.

4. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, 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.

5. 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.

6. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said communication medium is a telephone connection.

7. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said communication medium is an internet connection.

8. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said teleconference uses data signals.

9. A teleconferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said computer system includes a manual interface.

10. 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 as determined by said facilitator;

conducting at least one sub-conference; and.

informing said facilitator who is currently speaking in said at least one sub-conference.

11. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to claim 10, further including the step of obtaining caller information from a database to assist said reconfiguring.

12. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to claim 10, wherein the step of reconfiguring is performed by forming said plurality of callers into said sub-conference such that callers in said sub-conference can communicate with each other.

13. A method of operating a teleconferencing system according to claim 12, wherein the step of reconfiguring is performed by forming said plurality of callers into said sub-conference such that callers in said sub-conference cannot communicate with callers not in said at least one sub-conference.