IP Library Granted Patent US 8,238,536
Granted Patent B1
US 8,238,536 · App. 11/100,323 · Granted Aug 7, 2012

Call redirect via centralized bridges

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,238,536
App. No.
11/100,323
Granted
Aug 7, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

A system, method, and computer readable medium for redirecting a call via centralized bridges comprises a first conferencing platform based in the United States, a second conferencing platform based in a second country, and a third conferencing platform based in a third country, wherein the first conferencing platform dials the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform to provide a conference call between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform.

Claims (62)

1. A system for originating a conference call, comprising:

at least one of a plurality of private data networks communicably coupled to:

a first conferencing platform based in the United States;

a second conferencing platform based in a second country different from the first conferencing platform; and

a third conferencing platform based in a third country different from the first and second conferencing platforms;

wherein each of the plurality of conferencing platforms:

provides each of a plurality of participants to dial a local number linking the first, second and third conferencing platforms by linking bridges of the first, second and third conferencing platforms and enabling the bridges to become participants of a host bridge of the conference call;

are coupled to at least one of the plurality of private data networks located in a different country than the location of each of the plurality of conferencing platforms,

wherein the at least one private data network:

provides additional bandwidth requirements;

minimizes call latency associated with conference platform locations; and

provides redundancy for the conference call;

wherein the first conferencing platform dials the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform to provide a conference call between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform, and wherein the first conferencing platform connects the conference call by linking the bridge between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform after an indication that a participant is present at the second conferencing platform and that a participant is present at the third conferencing platform;

wherein the first conferencing platform dials the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform based on a response to an action taken by participants utilizing at least one of the first conferencing platform, the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein establishing the conference call using the first conferencing platform is less expensive than a direct connection between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein utilizing the first conferencing platform is less expensive than a direct connection between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein utilizing the first conferencing platform triggers US-originated international telecom rates for the dialed calls;

wherein the first conferencing platform dials the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform based on a prescheduled time;

wherein at least one of the platforms terminates the link if an indication is not received within a certain time frame before the conference call is scheduled to occur or has occurred;

wherein to ensure conference platforms do not get linked without participants, at least one of the platforms terminates the link if an indication is not received within a certain time frame after the conference call is scheduled to occur or has occurred;

wherein a single interlinking call can be initiated between the conference platforms; and

wherein the cost for connecting each of the plurality of participants from their respective country comprises a local charge to connect the participants to their respective platform, and a cost measurement of transmitting conferencing streams between each of the platforms using a data network.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conferencing platforms include at least one of:

a voice response unit;

an enhanced media gateway

a proxy server;

an application server;

mixers;

media servers;

and database servers.

3. A method for redirecting a call, comprising;

dialing, by a first conferencing platform based in the United States, a second conferencing platform based in a second country different from the first conferencing platform and a third conferencing platform based in a third country different from the first and second conferencing platforms to provide a conference call between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein the second conferencing platform is based outside of the United States;

wherein the third conferencing platform is based outside of the United States;

wherein the first conferencing platform is used only to connect and redirect the call to the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein each of the plurality of conferencing platforms is configured to provide each of a plurality of participants to dial a local number linking the first, second and third conferencing platforms, by linking bridges of the first, second and third conferencing platforms and enabling the bridges to become participants of a host bridge of the conference call, and wherein each of the plurality of conferencing platforms are coupled to at least one of a plurality of private data networks located in a different country than the location of each of the plurality of conferencing platforms, wherein the at least one private data network provides additional bandwidth requirements, minimizes call latency associated with conference platform locations and provides redundancy for the conference call;

wherein the first conferencing platform provides the conference call by linking the bridge between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform after an indication that a participant is present at the second conferencing platform and that a participant is present at the third conferencing platform;

wherein the first conferencing platform dials the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform based on a response to an action taken by participants utilizing at least one of the first conferencing platform, the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein establishing the conference call using the first conferencing platform is less expensive than a direct connection between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein utilizing the first conferencing platform is less expensive than a direct connection between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein utilizing the first conferencing platform triggers US-originated international telecom rates for the dialed calls;

wherein the first conferencing platform dials the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform based on a prescheduled time;

wherein at least one of the platforms terminates the link if an indication is not received within a certain time frame before the conference call is scheduled to occur or has occurred;

wherein to ensure conference platforms do not get linked without participants, at least one of the platforms terminates the link if an indication is not received within a certain time frame after the conference call is scheduled to occur or has occurred;

wherein a single interlinking call can be initiated between the conference platforms; and

wherein the cost for connecting each of the participants from their respective country comprises a local charge to connect the participants to their respective platform, and a cost measurement of transmitting conferencing streams between each of the platforms using a data network.

4. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform:

dialing, by a first conferencing platform based in the United States, a second conferencing platform based in a second country different from the first conferencing platform and a third conferencing platform based in a third country different from the first and second conferencing platforms to provide a conference call between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform; and

wherein the second conferencing platform is based outside of the United States;

wherein the third conferencing platform is based outside of the United States;

wherein the first conferencing platform is used only to connect and redirect the call to the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein each of the plurality of conferencing platforms is configured to provide each of a plurality of participants to dial a local number linking the first, second and third conferencing platforms by linking bridges of the first, second and third conferencing platforms and enabling the bridges to become participants of a host bridge of the conference call, and wherein each of the plurality of conferencing platforms are coupled to at least one of a plurality of private data networks located in a different country than the location of each of the plurality of conferencing platforms, wherein the at least one private data network provides additional bandwidth requirements, minimizes call latency associated with conference platform locations and provides redundancy for the conference call;

wherein the first conferencing platform provides the conference call by linking the bridge between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform after an indication that a participant is present at the second conferencing platform and that a participant is present at the third conferencing platform;

wherein the first conferencing platform dials the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform based on a response to an action taken by participants utilizing at least one of the first conferencing platform, the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein establishing the conference call using the first conferencing platform is less expensive than a direct connection between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein utilizing the first conferencing platform is less expensive than a direct connection between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform;

wherein utilizing the first conferencing platform triggers US-originated international telecom rates for the dialed calls;

wherein the first conferencing platform dials the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform based on a prescheduled time;

wherein at least one of the platforms terminates the link if an indication is not received within a certain time frame before the conference call is scheduled to occur or has occurred;

wherein to ensure conference platforms do not get linked without participants, at least one of the platforms terminates the link if an indication is not received within a certain time frame after the conference call is scheduled to occur or has occurred;

wherein a single interlinking call can be initiated between the conference platforms; and

wherein the cost for connecting each of the plurality of participants from their respective country comprises a local charge to connect the participants to their respective platform, and a cost measurement of transmitting conferencing streams between each of the platforms using a data network.

Assignments (8)
OMNIBUS ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Nov 25, 2024
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH (AS SUCCESSOR TO CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH IN ITS CAPACITY AS COLLATERAL AGENT)
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069438/0775 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TO WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEST CORPORATION; COSMOSIS CORPORATION; INTERCALL, INC.; INTRADO COMMUNICATIONS INC.; INTRADO COMMUNICATIONS OF VIRGINIA INC.; INTRADO INC.; INTRADO INFORMATION SYSTEM HOLDINGS, INC.; INTRADO COMMAND SYSTEMS, INC.; GEO911, INC.; POSITRON PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEMS CORP.; MASYS CORPORATION; TELEVOX SOFTWARE, INCORPORATED; WEST ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.; WEST DIRECT II, INC.; WEST INTERACTIVE CORPORATION; WEST INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NORTHERN CONTACT, INC.; WEST NOTIFICATIONS GROUP, INC.; WEST RECEIVABLE SERVICES, INC.; WEST BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC; WEST DIRECT, LLC; WEST FACILITIES, LLC; WEST AT HOME, LLC; WEST CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC; ASSET DIRECT MORTGAGE, LLC; INTERCALL TELECOM VENTURES, LLC; BUYDEBTCO, LLC; THE DEBT DEPOT, LLC; WEST ASSET PURCHASING, LLC; INTRADO INTERNATIONAL, LLC; STARGATE MANAGEMENT LLC
Reel/Frame 062249/0385 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEST CORPORATION; WEST INTERACTIVE SERVICES CORPORATION; WEST SAFETY SERVICES, INC.; WEST UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.; RELIANCE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 046046/0547 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Oct 10, 2017
From: WEST CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044166/0901 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2016
From: WEST CORPORATION; WEST INTERACTIVE SERVICES CORPORATION; WEST SAFETY SERVICES, INC.; WEST UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.; RELIANCE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 039093/0944 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY Recorded Aug 12, 2009
From: WEST CORPORATION; COSMOSIS CORPORATION; INTERCALL, INC.; INTRADO COMMUNICATIONS INC.; INTRADO COMMUNICATIONS OF VIRGINIA INC.; INTRADO INC.; INTRADO INFORMATION SYSTEM HOLDINGS, INC.; INTRADO COMMAND SYSTEMS, INC.; GEO911, INC.; POSITRON PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEMS CORP.; MASYS CORPORATION; NORTHERN CONTACT, INC.; TELEVOX SOFTWARE, INCORPORATED; WEST ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.; WEST DIRECT II, INC.; WEST INTERACTIVE CORPORATION; WEST INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; WEST NOTIFICATIONS GROUP, INC.; WEST RECEIVABLE SERVICES, INC.; WEST BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC; WEST DIRECT, LLC; WEST FACILITIES, LLC; WEST AT HOME, LLC; WEST CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC; ASSET DIRECT MORTGAGE, LLC; INTERCALL TELECOM VENTURES, LLC; BUYDEBTCO, LLC; THE DEBT DEPOT, LLC; WEST ASSET PURCHASING, LLC; INTRADO INTERNATIONAL, LLC; STARGATE MANAGEMENT LLC
To: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 023085/0574 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2006
From: INTERCALL, INC; INTRADO INC; WEST CORPORATION; WEST DIRECT, INC
To: LEHMAN COMMERCIAL PAPER, INC.
Reel/Frame 018433/0233 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 2, 2005
From: KAVULAK, PAUL H; OWENS, SEAN M
To: WEST CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016088/0642 →