Patent ID: 6760422
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An apparatus for providing conference call service, the apparatus comprising:a telephone interface adapted to support communications with a switch and adapted to support a first conference call service and a second conference call service; an input device adapted to provide participation status data in response to an operator of the apparatus, wherein the operator of the apparatus may elect to be any one of, and contemporaneously with at least part of the first and second conference call services may elect one or more times to change between being: a speaking and listening conferee; and a listening-only conferee; and a controller, coupled to the input device and the telephone interface, adapted to send a message to the switch responsive to the participation status data; wherein the first conference call service has a higher quality of service and the second conference call service has a lower quality of service; wherein the message instructs the switch to provide the apparatus with communication resources through the first conference call service when the operator elects to be the speaking and listening conferee, wherein the message instructs the switch to provide the apparatus with communication resources through the second conference call service when the operator elects to be the listening-only conferee.