Systems and methods for conference calling using personal URL

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for managing conference calling using a URL assigned to a conference call organizer. One method includes receiving, from a conference call organizer, a request to be placed into a conference call associated with a URL assigned to the organizer; and receiving, from a prospective conference call participant, a request to be placed into the conference call associated with the URL. Another method includes receiving, from a first user, through a web page of a URL assigned to the first user, a first phone number at which the first user can be called; receiving, from a second user, through the web page of the URL, a second phone number at which the second user can be called; and initiating phone calls to the first user at the first number and the second user at the second number.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to conference calling over telephones, mobile devices, and / or computers, using PSTN, online, and / or VoIP technologies. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for initiating conference calling using a personal URL provided to call participants.BACKGROUND[0002]Conference calls today are typically initiated and joined using a complex series of steps. First, a person who wishes to organize a conference call must register a new account with a company that provides conference calling services. The organizer typically must provide the company with information such as a full name, address, phone number, e-mail address, a username, and a password. In some cases, the conference calling company may charge a monthly fee or per-minute fees for the ability to initiate conference calls, in which case the organizer might also provide the company with a credit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes methods and systems for managing conference calling using a URL assigned to a conference call organizer or user. The technical effect of the patent is that it provides a convenient and efficient way to organize and participate in conferences, with easy access through a web page and phone numbers assigned to the organizer or user. This approach streamlines the process of setting up and joining conferences, and reduces the need for cumbersome email or phone calls.

Problems solved by technology

Even if an organizer successfully provides participants with the right combination of numbers (the correct dial-in number(s) and conference room code), and also retains the moderator number or pin for entering to initiate the call, additional problems may occur.

First, any one of the prospective call participants may mis-dial the toll-free or local ten-digit dial-in number, and / or they might mis-dial the conference room code.

Moreover, because the dial-in numbers, conference room numbers, and moderator pins are not memorable, call participants are required to keep all of these numbers readily on hand when they are preparing to dial-in to a conference call.

Anyone familiar with these dial-in techniques has experienced the frustrating process of looking back and forth between an e-mail, calendar invite, or paper, which contains the dial-in numbers, and a phone where those numbers must be entered.

The process is susceptible to entering the wrong dial-in number or conference room code.

Likely thousands of people each year experience the frustration of waiting on a conference call for another participant or organizer, only to find out that they or their other participants entered the wrong conference room code.

Moreover, because these conference call numbers are not memorable, dialing-in while away from a computer, such as from a mobile device, is even more challenging.

In short, existing techniques for initiating and joining conference calls are replete with inefficiencies and disadvantages, costing users significant frustration and wasted time and productivity.

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