Patent ID: 6181786
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An on-demand conferencing method for setting up a conference call in a telecommunications system, the telecommunications system having the Advanced Information Network (AIN) architecture with System Signaling 7 (SS7) and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the method comprising the steps of:assigning a unique number for an on-demand conference call to an on-demand subscriber,dialing the assigned unique number into the PSTN;identifying in the PSTN that the dialed unique number requires handling by the SS7;routing the identified unique number through the PSTN to the SS7;linking in the SS7 the routed unique number to a conference allocation and control system (CACS) connected to a plurality of bridge servers, the CACS and plurality of bridge servers located externally from said PSTN, each of said plurality of bridge servers having a plurality of ports, each of said plurality of bridge servers having a sufficient number of ports to support a plurality of on-demand conference calls;the CACS selecting available ports on one of said plurality of said bridge servers, andsetting up the on-demand conference call through the PSTN on said selected ports on one of the selected bridge servers under control of the CACS.