Parallel Distributed Dialing for Conference Call Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current conference call initiation methods are inefficient, leading to prolonged connection times for large groups, vulnerability to single-point failures in telephony systems, and lack of statistical analysis for improving subsequent calls, with uninvited participants and disconnected users not being effectively managed.

Innovation Solution

A teleconferencing control system that uses parallel, distributed dialing across multiple telephony resources, allowing simultaneous connection attempts to all conferees, with automatic reconnection options and statistical tracking for improved efficiency, and mechanisms to prevent uninvited participants and manage connection failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If serial dialing is used to contact each conferee, then the system can manage connections reliably, but the time required to connect all conferees becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection management reliabilityVSAvoidconferee connection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the conferee list into multiple groups and assigns different telephony resources (switches, gateways) to dial different groups simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel connection attempts while maintaining manageable control over each group, resolving the contradiction between reliability and time by enabling concurrent operations without overwhelming the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-organizing conferees into groups and pre-assigning telephony resources before the conference call begins. This preparation enables immediate parallel dialing when the conference starts, significantly reducing connection time while maintaining reliable connection management through the pre-established resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If a single telephony resource is used to initiate conference calls, then the system is simpler to manage, but the system becomes vulnerable to single-point failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetelephony system complexityVSAvoidconference call reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the telephony resources into multiple independent units (switches, gateways) that can operate autonomously. Each resource manages a portion of the conferee connections, eliminating single-point failures while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture where each segment can be independently controlled and monitored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of resource distribution from centralized to distributed. By allocating multiple telephony resources across different locations or network paths, the system improves reliability through redundancy while managing complexity through standardized interfaces and centralized coordination of the distributed resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If parallel dialing is implemented across multiple telephony resources, then connection time is reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconferee connection speedVSAvoidtelephony system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments both the conferee list and telephony resources into matching groups, allowing parallel dialing operations. Each resource-dialing operation pair operates independently, achieving high productivity through parallelism while managing complexity by dividing the overall task into smaller, independently manageable segments with standardized coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If uninvited participants are allowed to join the conference call, then the call setup process is simpler, but unauthorized access and interference occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconference call setup simplicityVSAvoidunauthorized participation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system monitors incoming connection requests against the predefined conferee list. Each connection attempt generates feedback that is verified against authorization criteria, allowing the system to maintain simple setup procedures while automatically blocking uninvited participants through real-time verification feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8385526B2System and process for mass telephony conference call

Publication Date: 2013.02.26 TELE TOWN HALL IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A method of controlling conference calls includes initiating a conference call between multiple conferees using a conferencing controller, placing each of the multiple conferees in a listen only mode using the conferencing controller, receiving a signal at the conferencing controller from a plurality of the conferees requesting active participation in the conference call, displaying a list of the plurality of conferees requesting active participation in the conference call, receiving from a user a selection of one of the plurality of conferees who have requested active participation in the conference call, and placing the one of the plurality of conferees in a talk mode using the conferencing controller. The method may also include monitoring a connection between the conferencing controller and a controlling application and notifying an operator if the connection is disrupted.