Method and apparatus for providing spontaneous multi-way telephone conversation with inserted messaging
The present invention provides a method for simultaneously broadcasting a message to a plurality of end-point devices. More specifically, the present invention receives a request to initiate a teleconference from a subscriber. The plurality of end-point devices is then invited to join the teleconference.
1. A method for simultaneously broadcasting a message to a plurality of endpoint devices, comprising:
receiving a request to initiate a teleconference from a subscriber;
recording a voice message of said subscriber to be played to each of said plurality of endpoint devices; and
inviting said plurality of endpoint devices to join the teleconference by simultaneously placing a telephone call containing said voice message recorded by said subscriber to each of said plurality of endpoint devices.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said inviting further comprises providing a plurality of options to a user of said endpoint device.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein one of said options allows the user to immediately join the conference.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a conference bridge is established when more than one endpoint device elects to join the teleconference.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said inviting further comprises leaving a message on a voice mail system of the endpoint device when a user of the endpoint device fails to answer said telephone call.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein when only one of said endpoint devices elects to join the teleconference a point-to-point call is established between the subscriber and the endpoint device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said request is a recorded audio message.
8. An apparatus for simultaneously broadcasting a message to a plurality of endpoint devices, comprising:
means for receiving a request to initiate a teleconference from a subscriber;
means for recording a voice message of said subscriber to be played to each of said plurality of endpoint devices; and
means for inviting said plurality of endpoint devices to join the teleconference by simultaneously placing a telephone call containing said voice message recorded by said subscriber to each of said plurality of endpoint devices.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said inviting further comprises providing a plurality of options to a user of said endpoint device.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein one of said options allows the user to immediately join the conference.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein a conference bridge is established when more than one endpoint device elects to join the teleconference.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said inviting further comprises leaving a message on a voice mail system of the endpoint device when a user of the endpoint device fails to answer said telephone call.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein when only one of said endpoint devices elects to join the teleconferences a point-to-point call is established between the subscriber and the endpoint device.
14. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of a method for simultaneously broadcasting a message to a plurality of endpoint devices, comprising:
receiving a request to initiate a teleconference from a subscriber;
recording a voice message of said subscriber to be played to each of said plurality of endpoint devices; and
inviting said plurality of endpoint devices to join the teleconference by simultaneously placing a telephone call containing said voice message recorded by said subscriber to each of said plurality of endpoint devices.
15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein said inviting further comprises providing a plurality of options to a user of said endpoint device.
16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein one of said options allows the user to immediately join the conference.
17. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein a conference bridge is established when more than one endpoint device elects to join the teleconference.
18. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein said inviting further comprises leaving a message on a voice mail system of the endpoint device when a user of the endpoint device fails to answer said telephone call.
19. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein when only one of said endpoint devices elects to join the teleconferences a point-to-point call is established between the subscriber and the endpoint device.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein said request is a recorded audio message.