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Internet-enabled conferencing system and method accommodating pstn and ip trafficRelated Patent Categories: Telephonic Communications, Special Services, ConferencingInternet-enabled conferencing system and method accommodating pstn and ip traffic description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060222155, Internet-enabled conferencing system and method accommodating pstn and ip traffic. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/098,114 filed Apr. 4, 2005 entitled Internet-Enabled Conferencing System and Method Accommodating PSTN and IP Traffic which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/515,338, filed Feb. 29, 2000 entitled Internet-Enabled Conferencing System and Method Accommodating PSTN and IP Traffic which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,876,734. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates in general to the field of communications and in particular to an Internet-enabled conferencing system and method accommodating PSTN and IP traffic. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Communications needs continue to expand on a global scale. With the growing demand for communications, there is a concurrent expansion in the demand for audio, video, and combined audio and video conferencing. The ability for multiple parties to communicate with one another is very much a requirement for modem business. As individuals and organizations seek to decrease their costs and improve productivity, identifying relatively inexpensive, reliable, and effective conferencing solutions has become increasingly important. This is particularly true considering the recent rise in importance of packet-based audio, video, and other communications relying on Internet Protocol (IP). [0004] Multi-party bridging provides a foundation for conferencing and has existed for some time in the form of analog ("dumb") bridges handling public switched telephone network (PSTN) traffic, which require operator services or other appropriate intelligent front end capability. The number of conferees is typically limited to eight or fewer. Similar limitations exist for prior conferencing systems for handling IP traffic. Such systems are host-based, with bridging being performed using a general purpose central processing unit (CPU) within a "Media Server" or other computer system, and provide limited teleconferencing capacity. In many cases, a "push to talk" control key must be manipulated. Desirable features such as echo cancellation, automatic gain control, and simultaneous speaking are very difficult to implement. Furthermore, due to the nature of IP networks, packets are often lost or delayed, distorting voice audio or freezing an image on the viewing screen. Even in managed IP networks, congestion may cause temporary data loss for one or more conferees. Such quality of service issues must be carefully considered in assessing the usefulness of conferencing systems expected to handle IP traffic. While possibly adequate for casual use, such systems are typically not sufficiently robust for important business communications. [0005] To deploy a traditional PSTN conference bridge within an IP network requires a separate "gateway" to convert the IP packets carrying conference audio and video into digital or analog telephone traffic before routing it to the bridge. In addition to other deficiencies noted above with respect to existing pure PSTN or pure IP solutions, such gateways must be paid for and managed. As a result of these and other deficiencies, previous techniques are often inadequate to meet conferencing requirements of many business and other users. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to the present invention, disadvantages and problems associated with previous conferencing techniques are substantially reduced or eliminated. [0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for scheduling a conference between callers includes a database that stores scheduling information indicating at least a start time, a duration, and a maximum number of callers for one or more scheduled conferences, the scheduling information reflecting available conferencing resources. A server complex coupled to the database communicates, to a requesting Internet Protocol (IP) user, at least one page including one or more scheduling input fields. The server complex receives scheduling input from the requesting IP user for a requested conference according to the scheduling input fields. The server complex accesses the database to determine, according to the scheduling input, whether sufficient conferencing resources are available for the requested conference. If so, the server complex allocates at least some of the available conferencing resources to the requested conference and generates confirmations of the requested conference for communication to the callers. [0008] According to another embodiment of the present invention, software associated with an IP user includes conference scheduling software and control software. The scheduling software provides at least one page to the IP user that includes one or more scheduling input fields for a requested conference involving at least one public switched telephone network (PSTN) caller and at least one IP caller. The scheduling software receives scheduling input from the IP user for the requested conference, according to the scheduling input fields, for communication to a server complex associated with the conference bridge. The control software is used for controlling selected aspects of a conference in progress that involves at least one public switched telephone network (PSTN) caller and at least one IP caller. The control software, in response to the IP user being provided with current state information for the conference, receives control input from the IP user for communication to a conference bridge in which the conference is implemented. [0009] In yet another embodiment, a system for conferencing callers includes a database that stores current state information for one or more conferences, at least one of the conferences involving at least one PSTN caller and at least one IP caller. A conference bridge node coupled to the database generates conference traffic for communication to the callers, generates current state information for each conference for communication to IP users associated with the conferences and, in addition, periodically communicates current state information for each conference to the database for storage. The system also includes a server complex, coupled to the database and to the conference bridge node, that periodically accesses the stored current state information for at least one conference associated with an IP user and communicates at least some of that stored current state information to the IP user. [0010] The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages over previous conferencing systems. Unlike those systems, the present invention provides simultaneous conferencing of both PSTN and IP callers without requiring a separate IP gateway device to convert IP signals received from the IP callers into a format suitable for the conference bridge. The present invention allows IP callers to terminate directly to the conferencing system, without converting associated IP packets to PSTN signals prior to conferencing. The present invention also provides computing resources that are dedicated to conferencing, reducing or eliminating the conferee limitations associated with previous conferencing systems. The present invention incorporates a physically segmented backplane bus, one segment within each node and separated from all other segments, such that the nodes may be housed in a single chassis while communicating incoming user signals and outgoing conference traffic with one another using the TDM bus. The system typically has a lower initial cost relative to previous large-scale digital conferencing systems, and is readily scalable as conferencing needs grow. [0011] A server complex, an associated database, and software associated with one or more IP users may cooperate to allow the IP users to schedule conferences, change scheduled conferences, monitor conferences already in progress, exercise substantially real-time control over conferences they are moderating, monitoring, or participating in, and perform other appropriate activities. In response to a conference being scheduled, PSTN and IP callers are provided with confirmations containing information needed to join the conference, including a telephone number (PSTN caller) or an IP address (IP caller). As a result of these and other important technical advantages over previous techniques, the present invention is well suited for modem distributed conferencing environments involving PSTN and IP traffic. Other technical advantages are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] To provide a more complete understanding of the present invention and further features and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary Internet-enabled conferencing system that accommodates PSTN and IP calls; [0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary IP user; [0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary chassis; [0016] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method of scheduling a conference; [0017] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary web page for scheduling a conference; [0018] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary conference confirmation; [0019] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method of joining a caller to a conference; and Continue reading about Internet-enabled conferencing system and method accommodating pstn and ip traffic... 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