VoIP Group Call Setup via Central Bridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
VoIP subscribers face administrative hurdles in initiating group or conference calls, as they need to obtain and disseminate dial-in and login information, which detracts from the overall experience and lacks integration with web-based applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for VoIP-based group calling that allows administrators to initiate group calls through a central location, using a VoIP service provider's equipment, with a user interface for receiving identifiers and establishing connections via the Internet, enabling seamless group call setup and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If VoIP subscribers use traditional PSTN-style conference calling, then group call functionality is achieved, but administrative complexity and user burden increase due to manual dial-in information distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conference bridge device as an intermediary component that automatically manages group call connections. The bridge device receives identifiers from the initiator, looks up corresponding identifiers in a database, and automatically establishes connections without requiring manual dial-in information distribution among users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service group call initiation through automated processes. The initiator simply provides their own identifier and the desired group identifier, and the system automatically handles connection establishment, participant identification, and session management without requiring administrative intervention or manual coordination.
2Productivity
If manual dial-in and login information distribution is required, then conference call setup is possible, but time consumption and administrative overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing participant identifiers in a database before group calls occur. The system maintains a database that maps participant identifiers to their communication endpoints, allowing rapid automatic connection establishment without requiring real-time information distribution or manual coordination during the actual call setup.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conference bridge infrastructure is purchased and installed, then group calling capability is provided, but initial setup complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conference bridge device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a connection manager and as a database interface. The single device performs multiple functions including receiving identifiers, querying the database for participant information, establishing connections, and managing the group call session, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized infrastructure components.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for group calling in an IP-based communication system includes receiving an administrator identifier, receiving one or more invitee identifiers, initiating a first connection from a central location and initiating at least one or more second connections from the central location to join an administrator and at least one invitee. The administrator identifier and one or more invitee identifiers can be a telephone number or other identifiers associated with the communication system. To establish the group call, the administrator identifier and one or more invitee identifiers are received from the administrator. The first connection initiation is to the administrator and the second or more connection initiations are to the at least one invitee. System for making a group call includes a user interface adapted for use by the administrator, a database manager, a database, a load balancer and a group calling pool adapted for SIP-based group call setup.