Patent ID: 8477922
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A system, comprising: 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 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 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; wherein each of the plurality of conferencing platforms 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 based on a prescheduled time; 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 utilizing the first conferencing platform triggers US-originated international telecom rates for the dialed calls; 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 a 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.