KR100777581B1 - Apparatus and Method for Conference Call Service - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conference call service, a conference call service control unit for receiving conference holding information from an initiator who intends to hold a conference, and calling a participant's contact number at a scheduled time to open a call, and control from the control unit. And a database server storing the held information reserved by the initiator.

According to the present invention configured as described above, the conference facilitator can freely schedule the conference through the Internet, can confirm in advance whether the scheduled participant will participate in the conference, and connect the call so that the confirmed participant can participate in the conference. .

Description

Apparatus and Method for Conference Call Service

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a conference call apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for receiving a reservation by the conference call web server shown in FIG.

3 is a flowchart of conference call service processing performed by the conference call service control unit shown in FIG. 1;

4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen showing a connection state of a scheduled conference provided by the conference call web server shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a conference reservation list provided to the initiator of a conference by the conference call web server shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a detailed screen provided when a reservation date is clicked in the conference reservation list shown in FIG. 5; FIG.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

110: Participant Phone 120: PSTN

130: initiator telephone 140: intelligent network service control system (SCP)                 

150: conference call service control unit 160: PINT server

170: VoIP gateway 180: database server

190: conference call web server 200: Internet

210: participant computer 220: initiator computer

The present invention relates to a conference call service, and more particularly, to a system for connecting a call so that a scheduled participant can be scheduled to participate in a conference and a scheduled participant can participate in the conference at a scheduled time.

Meetings are held for meetings or business purposes. Such meetings are generally informed to participants of the time and place.

In recent years, however, it has become difficult to conduct meetings to allow a large number of participants to participate by matching places and times according to work diversity and individual schedules. In particular, when the meeting participants are geographically dispersed, it takes a lot of time and money to conduct the meeting. When a quick decision is required, the work efficiency is reduced.

In order to solve such a problem, a conference method using a video conference device has recently been introduced. However, such a video conferencing device has difficulty in practical use because there are problems to be solved in various aspects such as the complexity of call processing technology for connecting video and audio of multiple parties, expensive equipment, user authentication, and billing.

Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the conference is to provide a conference call service apparatus that can reserve a participant who wants to participate in a conference via a PSTN or the Internet.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a conference call service apparatus capable of receiving confirmation whether a participant reserved by an initiator will participate in a conference.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a conference call service apparatus capable of connecting a call to a participant who confirms to participate in a conference at a scheduled time.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a conference call service apparatus capable of connecting a call to participate in a conference not only for PSTN but also for VoIP.

According to a feature of the present invention proposed to achieve the above object, the conference call service device is reserved from the initiator who wants to hold a meeting through the PSTN, the meeting call time and the holding information of the participant's contact number, A conference call service control unit for calling a participant's contact number at a convocation time to open a PSTN call so that the conference can proceed; And a database server for storing information on a meeting convocation time from the initiator and a participant's contact number under control from the controller.                     

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conference call service control unit includes: a PINT server for making a call between a VoIP call and a PSTN call when a reserved participant's contact number corresponds to a VoIP call; In case the reserved participant's contact number corresponds to the VoIP call, the participant notifies the participant of the conference, and includes a VoIP gateway that provides VoIP service after authenticating by requesting access to the VoIP call from the participant.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the conference call control unit controls to send a message to a participant notifying that the conference will be held before the scheduled conference call time.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the conference call service control unit adds a conference call web server that reserves the information of the conference call time and the participant's contact number from the initiator who intends to hold the conference via the Internet and stores the information in a database server. It is configured by.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the conference call service control unit stores the call connection result of the scheduled conference in a database server.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the conference call service controller outputs information of a time connected with a current connection state of a reserved conference participant's PSTN or VoIP call.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the conference call web server extracts the call connection result information of the scheduled conference from the database server and provides it to the initiator via the Internet.                     

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the conference call web server receives a current connection state of a PSTN call or a VoIP call from the conference call service control unit and provides the initiator through the Internet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the conference call service method comprises the steps of: receiving a meeting call time and participants' PSTN or VoIP contact number holding information from the initiator intending to hold the conference through a PSTN call; Calling the contact number of the participant at the time of convocation of the reserved information held in the step of receiving the reservation is connected to each other.

In a preferred embodiment of this feature, the step of receiving reservation through the PSTN call includes the step of reserving the meeting call time of the participant and the holding information of the participant's PSTN or VoIP contact number from the initiator through the Internet.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the step of connecting to each other includes transmitting a message informing the participant that the meeting will be held before the scheduled time of the scheduled holding information.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a conference call apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 110 is a participant phone, 120 is a PSTN, 130 is an initiator phone, 140 is an intelligent network service control system (SCP), 150 is a conference call service control unit, 160 is a PINT server (PSTN / IN-Internet). Interworking Server), 170 denotes a VoIP gateway, 180 denotes a database server, 190 denotes a conference call web server, 200 denotes an Internet, 210 denotes a participant computer, and 220 denotes an initiator computer.                     

In the figure, the initiator phone 130 represents the subscriber's phone to be held in the conference, and the participant phone 110 represents the subscriber's phone to participate in the conference. The initiator phone 130 and the participant phone 110 are both connected to the PSTN 120.

The PSTN 120 is also connected to the conference call service control unit 150 for controlling the conference call service according to the present invention. The conference call service control unit 150 is configured to associate with an intelligent network service control system 140 for providing an additional service to a telephone subscriber. The conference call service control unit 150 receives and registers the details of a conference to be held by the initiator, and controls the conference call service to be performed according to the registered reservation.

The conference call service controller 150 is connected to a database server 180, a PINT server 160, and a conference call web server 190. Accordingly, the conference call service control unit 150 receives conference holding information from the initiator through the initiator phone 130 and registers the conference holding information in the database configured in the database server 180 and calls the participants with the registered information. To control the connection. That is, the conference call service control unit 150 controls to connect the call with the participant's phone 110 through the PSTN 120 when the participant of the reserved registration information is a subscriber of the PSTN. The call is controlled to be connected to the participant computer 210 through the 160. At this time, the input of the conference holding information by the initiator is made by the ARS of the conference call service control unit 150.

As shown in the figure, the PINT server 160 is connected to the Internet 200 through the VoIP gateway 170. The VoIP gateway 170 includes a gate keeper for authenticating the use of the VoIP gateway. The PINT server 160 allows the Internet user to easily use the PSTN service by exchanging signals and control information between the intelligent network control system and the Internet server.

Meanwhile, the conference call web server 190 may allow the initiator to reserve conference holding information through the Internet. That is, when the initiator connects to the conference call web server 190 via the initiator computer 220 connected to the Internet 200, the conference call web server 190 may schedule a conference to the initiator computer 220. Input screen is provided. The reservation information of the conference entered by the initiator is transmitted from the initiator computer 220 to the conference call web server 190. Then, the conference call web server 190 registers the reservation information received in the database configured in the database server 180.

As such, the reservation information registered in the database of the database server 180 through the conference call web server 190 is inquired by the conference call service controller 150 to provide the conference call service.

The conference call service controller 150 registers the result information of the conference call service performed according to the reservation information registered in the database server 180. At this time, the result information is registered in the database of the database server 180. In addition, the conference call service control unit 150 provides the conference call web server 190 with a call connected through the PSTN 120 or the PINT server 160 according to the registered reservation information.

Therefore, the initiator 220 may inquire the resolution of the conference call service and the state information to which the call is connected through the conference call web server 190.

The database configured in the database server 180 may include, for example, a conference reservation table, a conference participant table, a conference result table, a conference result participant table, a reservation message table, a message forwarder table, a delivery history table, a group membership history table, and a prior notification. It is composed of reception reject table, group table, and group member table.

Conference reservation information is registered in the conference reservation table. In the conference participant table, participant information of a conference reserved in the conference reservation table is registered. In addition, the conference result table registers information on the result of the conference, which has been reserved in the conference reservation table. On the other hand, in the conference result participant table, result information indicating whether a participant registered in the conference participant table participated in the conference is registered.

The message information to be delivered is registered in the reservation message table before proceeding with the meeting. In the message forwarder table, information on the members of the group registered in the reservation message table is registered. In the transfer history table, history information on which a reservation message registered in the reservation message table is transferred is registered. In the pre-payment refusal table, information on a participant's participation in a meeting by a message transmitted to the member (participant) by the conference reservation table and the reservation message table is registered.

In the group table, information about a group is registered. In the group member table, information about a member (participant) belonging to a group registered in the group table is registered.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the case where the initiator phone 130 and the participant phone 110 are both connected to the wired PSTN 120 is described as an example, but is configured to be connected to a mobile phone through a wireless network of mobile communication. You may also

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for receiving a reservation by the conference call web server of FIG. 1.

As shown in the figure, the conference call service control unit 150 receives reservation information for the initiator name, initiator telephone number, group selection, meeting name, convocation time, end time, alarm, and prior notice from the initiator. The reservation information input in this way is registered in the database server 180.

Here, the reservation information for the alarm can be selected automatically and manually. If automatic is selected, the conference call service control unit 150 notifies the meeting call at the time of the call. In addition, the reservation information for the prior notice allows the user to select whether or not to inform the meeting of the meeting before the time of the call.

3 is a flowchart of a conference call service process performed by the conference call service control unit shown in FIG. 1.

First, the conference call service control unit 150 queries the conference reservation table of the database to determine whether there is a conference scheduled at the current time (S110). This determination may be referred to the convocation time of the conference reservation table.

At this time, if there is a scheduled meeting, the conference call service control unit 150 requests to authenticate the subscriber through the card number registered by the initiator to the SCP (Service Control Point) side.

In this way, when the subscriber is authenticated from the SCP, the conference call service control unit 150 retrieves the participant's number (telephone number) included in the group selection registered in the reservation information (S210).

Subsequently, the conference call service control unit 150 determines whether the retrieved number is a number for a PSTN call (S220). If it is determined that the number for the PSTN call, the conference call service control unit 150 calls the participant phone 110 directly through the PSTN 120 to connect (S230).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the number is not for the PSTN call, the conference call service control unit 150 requests the PINT server 160 to connect to the VoIP call (S240). Then, the PINT server 160 requests the participant computer 210 to join the meeting (S241).

If the meeting participant wishes to accept the request, the participant computer 210 notifies the PINT server 160 of the participation. At this time, the participant computer 210 informs the PINT server 160 of the Internet phone number and IP address (S242). The PINT server 160 notifies the conference call service control unit 150 of the Internet phone number and IP address received from the participant computer 210 as described above (S243).

Subsequently, the participant computer 210 requests authentication to use the VoIP gateway from the gatekeeper side configured in the VoIP gateway 170 (S244). In response to the request, the gatekeeper transmits an authentication result to the participant computer 210 (S245).

When the authentication is made from the VoIP gateway 170 as described above, the participant computer 210 transmits the VoIP call including the Internet phone number to the conference call service control unit 150 through the VoIP gateway 170 (S246, S247). .                     

Subsequently, the conference call service control unit 150 adds a call to a call that is successful as a result of the call connection attempt and initiates a call (S250).

As described above, a call is initiated by performing step S250 from step S210 for all participants included in the conference group (S260).

Finally, the conference call service control unit 150 records the result of the call performed as described above, charges for the provided service, and stores the information (S270).

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen showing a connection state of a scheduled conference provided by the conference call web server shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in the figure, the conference call service control unit 150 provides the registered reservation information and the connection state of the participants through the Internet.

Information provided as described above is composed of the initiator name, initiator telephone number, participation group, application time, convocation time, meeting name, status, participant name, participant phone number, participation time and the like. The status information may be displayed, for example, during connection, no response, connection termination, and the like.

Accordingly, the initiator of the conference can know the status of the member (participant) currently participating by querying the connection status screen as described above.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a conference reservation list provided to the initiator of a conference by the conference call web server 190 shown in FIG. 1.

This conference reservation list lists all reservation information reserved by the initiator of the conference. The list can be sorted in the order of reservation date, convocation date, or group.                     

As shown in the figure, the meeting reservation list is composed of information such as a reservation date, an assembly time, an end time, a group, a meeting surface, a notification result, and a meeting result.

The conference call web server 190 allows the initiator to freely delete any reservation while querying such a list.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed screen provided when a reservation date is clicked in the conference reservation list shown in FIG. 5.

When the initiator clicks the reservation date, the conference call web server 190 provides the conference result table with reference to the conference result table corresponding to the initiator. The detailed screen provides information on the initiator name, initiator phone number, participation group, application time, convocation time, end time, meeting name, participant participation time, participant departure time, participant name, participant phone number, and results of participant conference. do.

In the embodiment of the present invention has been described taking the reservation and inquiry of the meeting via the Internet through the conference call web server 190 as an example, it is possible also in the initiator phone 130 through the conference call service control unit 150. In this case, the conference call service control unit 150 enables the selection and inquiry of the service using the ARS.

The present invention can be freely booked through the PSTN or the Internet to participate in the meeting and the time to proceed to the meeting, the scheduled participants can be confirmed whether to participate in the meeting, the confirmed participants in the meeting Freely connect PSTN or VoIP calls to participate.

Claims (11)

The conference call time and the participant's contact number are reserved and registered from the initiator who intends to hold the meeting through the PSTN, and the participant's contact number registered in advance at the scheduled call time is directly called between the initiator and the participant. A conference call service controller for connecting a call for a conference call; And a database server configured to store information on a meeting convocation time from the initiator and a participant's contact number under control of the controller. The method of claim 1, The conference call service control unit includes: a PINT server for connecting a VoIP call and a PSTN call when a reserved participant's contact number corresponds to a VoIP call; Conference call service comprising a VoIP gateway that notifies the participant of the conference call when the contact number of the reserved participant corresponds to the VoIP call, and receives and authenticates the VoIP call access from the participant and provides VoIP service Device. The method of claim 1, The conference call service controller, characterized in that for transmitting a message informing the participants that the meeting will be held before the scheduled meeting call time. The method of claim 1, The conference call service control unit includes a conference call web server for controlling to store a meeting call time and information of a participant's contact number from an initiator who intends to hold a conference over the Internet and store the information in a database server. Call service device. The method of claim 4, wherein The conference call web server extracts call connection result information of a scheduled conference from a database server and provides the initiator to the initiator via the Internet. The method of claim 4, wherein The conference call web server receives a current connection state of a PSTN or VoIP call from the conference call service control unit and provides the initiator to the initiator through the Internet. The method of claim 1, The conference call service control unit controls to store the call connection result of the scheduled conference in a database server. The method of claim 1, The conference call service control unit outputs information on a time connected with a current connection state of a scheduled conference participant's PSTN or VoIP call. A first step of receiving a conference call time and a contact number of a participant for a conference call from an initiator who intends to hold a conference; And Connecting a call to a participant's contact number through a PSTN at the scheduled call time, and connecting a call between the initiator and the participant. The method of claim 9, The first step is a conference call service method comprising the step of receiving a conference call time and the PSTN or VoIP contact number of the participant from the initiator via the Internet. The method of claim 9, The second step includes transmitting a message informing the participant that the meeting will be held before the scheduled call time.

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