Abstract:
Live greeters are employed for proceedings prior to electronic presentations. Using multiple live greeters affords handling a large number of attendees who respond at different times to outbound initiation. Greeters are rotated so as to optimize responsiveness to attendees. Preconferencing with live greeters allows an electronic presentation to begin contemporaneously for all attendees while providing early arrivals with introductory information, thus filling what would otherwise be a vacuous wait.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
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       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
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       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The instant specification pertains to electronic communications conferences. More particularly, the instant specification pertains to handling large conferences, wherein attendance may number thousands of people. From a different view, the instant specification is of computerized transaction processing facilitating structured communications among multiple people. 
         [0007]    2. Background 
         [0008]    Teleconferencing has become common in modern day communications, due to its ability to virtually connect participants from all over the world across a telecommunications network. In-person meetings are often impractical. Teleconferencing saves the time and expense of getting all meeting participants in the same room. 
         [0009]    Broadly speaking, electronic conferencing provides for the real-time exchange of information between people who are not in the same physical space. Electronic conferencing includes audio, video, text, data, and multimedia communications via telephone, videophone, text-messaging, internet, or any other telecommunication network 
         [0010]    One example of an audio-based conference is a telephonic conference or conference call. Conference calls allow groups of participants, from a few to tens of thousands, to communicate by telephone. Businesses often use conference calls to help coworkers communicate across remote locations. 
         [0011]    Web conferencing expands upon audio-based conferencing by providing for communication of audio, video, text, data, and multimedia across the Internet. 
         [0012]    Although there are many flavors of electronic conferencing, they all rely upon the same basic principles of initiation, communication, control, and monitoring. 
         [0013]    There are two basic categories of techniques for initiating connection to an electronic conference: 1) inbound initiation; and, 2) outbound initiation. 
         [0014]    With inbound initiation, participants proactively connect to a pre-arranged conference at a predetermined time. In an exemplary telephonic conference, participants dial in, where they may be: 1) presented with a message that provides information about or related to the conference before being transferred to the conference; or 2) connected directly to the conference and immediately connected to other participants who have previously dialed-in; or 3) if they are the first to dial-in, connected directly to the conference to wait for other participants to dial in. 
         [0015]    In an exemplary telephonic conference system, inbound initiation may be accomplished by dialing a designated phone number. Other exemplary forms of inbound initiation for electronic conferencing may involve logging into a designated website, connecting to a designated chat room, or sending a text message to a designated number. 
         [0016]    Variations of inbound initiation are disclosed by: U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,588 (Eaton); U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,734 (Ozone); US 2003/0158900 (Santos); US 2007/0019798 (Voight); U.S. Pat. No. 7,343,008 (Frankel); and U.S. Pat. No. 8,239,454 (Palermo). 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,588 (Eaton) disclosed a teleconferencing system with automated “named introductions” of a caller. “A caller attempting to join a teleconference is prompted to enter identification information by generating corresponding DTMF signals. The caller&#39;s identification is used to index the caller&#39;s profile stored in memory. The profile includes a memory address pointer to the location at which data representative of the spoken name of the caller is stored.” 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,734 (Ozone) disclosed a videoconferencing system in which “conference participants are initially greeted by playback of stored audio and video messages and then placed in an automated queue. The automated queue is a holding queue from which an operator can select the next available conference participant in the queue and perform . . . conferencing functions for the participant.” Functions include “welcoming the participant, checking audio and video levels, and placing the participant into the conference.” 
         [0019]    US 2003/0158900 (Santos) disclosed a teleconferencing system with “conference monitor . . . configured to allow a host to dynamically create a web page to provide an indication of ones of said conference participants who have joined the conference call. A web server may be configured to host the web page for access by one or more of the conference call participants.” 
         [0020]    US 2007/0019798 (Voight) disclosed “providing a customized teleconference greeting. The method includes recording a vocalized greeting provided by a host, storing the recorded vocalized greeting, receiving calls from guest terminals operated by guest participants, sending audio greetings for the guest participants to the guest terminals including at least a portion of the recorded vocalized greeting.” 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,343,008 (Frankel) disclosed “providing conferencing services where a conference participant is identified by the conferencing system when calling into the system,” and wherein “services are personalized for each user.” 
         [0022]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,239,454 (Palermo) disclosed a “telephone conference based communication, entertainment and advertising platform” wherein “revenue can be derived from the sale of advertisement, e.g., mentions of the sponsor over the telephone during the initial greeting and within conferences, as well as from the licensing of the service to media networks as a value added service.” 
         [0023]    Inbound initiation has various issues. Participants may be tardy. This becomes multiplicative in conferences with a large number of participants, especially in those with an indeterminate number of participants such as for organizational status reports, investor meetings, or town-hall style meetings. Uncertainty looms over when to officially start the meeting, causing timely participants to wait. 
         [0024]    Alternatively, in outbound initiation, participants are contacted by the electronic conferencing system at a pre-programmed time, or in the case of an ad-hoc conference, at the request of a host, moderator, participant, or other party. 
         [0025]    With outbound initiation, a list, table, or database of participants, including a means of contacting them (i.e., telephone number, email address, username, etc.) is necessary. An electronic conferencing system initiates connection to these participants with an invitation to join a conference. If a participant accepts an invitation, s/he is connected to the conference. Using outbound initiation, a conference starts in a timely fashion for all connected participants. 
         [0026]    Using outbound initiation, participants may be connected directly into the conference. Alternatively, upon response to the outbound invitation, participants may first be presented with a greeting. 
         [0027]    This greeting may be pre-stored (that is, pre-recorded), and replayed at the appropriate time, or a greeting may be provided by a live greeter that can interact with participants. A greeting may include any information related to the conference, in one or more of a variety of media: audio, video, text, data, and multimedia. 
         [0028]    After the greeting, the participant is transferred to the conference. 
         [0029]    Variations of outbound communication for electronic conferencing initiation with use of a pre-stored greeting are disclosed by: U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,904 (Fitser); WO01/47224 (Liss); U.S. Pat. No. 7,852,998 (Smith); US 2005/0276406 (Keohane); U.S. Pat. No. 8,266,535 (Brown); and US 2009/0052646 (McGowan). 
         [0030]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,904 (Fitser) disclosed “automatically establishing a conference call to a preselected list of prospective participants to the conference call. A subscriber to the conference calling service predefines one or more lists of participants, each list being associated with a different conference call. When the subscriber wishes to initiate a conference call, the subscriber accesses the network and requests that the call be set up. The network originates (e.g., dials) calls to each of the participants on a specified list. The network then bridges these individual calls to establish the conference call.” 
         [0031]    WO01/47224 (Liss) disclosed “automatically conferencing a caller to one or more members of a group . . . in which the caller can record a message to be played to one or more contacted members of the group, who are dynamically entered into a conference call with each other and the person contacting the system.” 
         [0032]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,852,998 (Smith) disclosed “an automated teleconferencing control system and method” that “reduces conference call setup time by simultaneously out dialing to multiple conferees through a plurality of parallel telecommunications resources. The teleconferencing control system includes the feature of automatically gathering statistics of each connection attempt, as well as many other call aspects, using these statistics to automatically improve the efficiency of subsequent conference call initiations.” 
         [0033]    US 2005/0276406 (Keohane) disclosed “a centralized conference call manager . . . for initiating conference calls. Users register with the centralized conference call manager to set up a conference call at a future date and time. When the designated time/date arrive, the centralized conference call manager contacts the various intended attendees using a variety of contact locations (e.g., office telephone, mobile telephone, home telephone, etc.).” 
         [0034]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,266,535 (Brown) disclosed a teleforum system “generating simultaneous outbound invitation calls to multiple invitees and transmitting a message to each invitee, inviting him or her to become a teleforum participant. Teleforum participants who accept the invitation are connected to the teleforum in a listen-only mode. During the teleforum, a teleforum participant may request active participation in the teleforum. . . . Active participation may include but is not limited to such activities as: speaking to the teleforum, asking a question, responding to a poll, making a donation, providing information, leaving a message, being transferred to a subconference, receiving feedback from participants, leaving a voicemail, volunteering for future activities or receiving media transmitted outside of the teleforum.” 
         [0035]    US 2009/0052646 (McGowan) disclosed “automatically commencing a conference call. . . . The computer automatically calls telephone numbers of conferees at a scheduled time and date and conferences together the conferees who answer their telephones. . . . The computer may connect conferees to one another automatically as soon as the conferees answer their telephones. Optionally, the computer may connect the conferees to one another only after the conferees choose to be connected.” 
         [0036]    In some places, there are legal regulations for pre-stored greetings, particularly for telephone-based audio conference calls. In accordance with the FCC&#39;s Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), it is illegal in the United States to call mobile/cellular telephones and play a pre-recorded message. The TCPA provides restrictions against playing most pre-recorded messages to landlines as well. While these laws were designed to protect consumers against telemarketing “robocalls,” they apply also to teleconference greetings. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    The disclosed technology is for electronic conferencing using outbound initiation. Those who accept an invitation are first put into a preconference prior to joining the main electronic conference (econference). A preconference is selected for each participant who accepts an invitation based upon the time taken to respond to the invitation. Preconferences are hosted by live greeters, as contrasted to pre-stored automatons. 
         [0038]    The disclosed technology affords minimal waiting time for participants to an econference. The disclosed technology is scalable, allowing the same technique(s) to be employed for an econference with a large number of participants. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of an exemplary outbound initiation electronic conferencing system and method employing one or more live greeters. 
           [0040]      FIG. 2  is a timing diagram of an exemplary outbound initiation electronic conferencing system employing one or more live greeters, where preconferences are provided prior to the main conference. 
           [0041]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of an exemplary rotation of greeters hosting preconferences leading to an econference. 
           [0042]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a conclave. 
           [0043]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a conclave within an electronic conference. 
           [0044]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of receiving, screening, and posing questions to an econference speaker. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]      FIG. 1  depicts a flow diagram of an embodiment for conducting an econference  22 . 
         [0046]    An econference  22  is a conference conducted by electronic means, such as by telecommunications. Telephonic conferences and video-conferences are exemplary econferences. An Internet-based chat room is another exemplary econference. 
         [0047]    In a first embodiment, an econference  22  may be largely an interactive two-way experience with participants  4 . In this first embodiment, participants  4  may provide input which may alter the proceedings of an econference  22 . In absence of indication otherwise, this is the presumed embodiment. 
         [0048]    In a second set of embodiments, participant input may alter proceedings, but the input is inherently limited, such that the conductor of the econference selectively responds to input. Such a nominally one-way econference  22  is more specifically termed an epresentation. Unlike more free-form econferences, where disruption from participant interaction is possible, the conductor of an epresentation retains control of proceedings throughout. In one epresentation embodiment, participant interaction does not alter the proceedings. 
         [0049]    An invitee  11  is a potential participant invited  1  to join an econference. An invitation  1  is an electronic communication soliciting an invitee  11  to participate in an econference  22 . 
         [0050]    A potential participant is a party that becomes an invitee  11  via invitation  1 . Potential participants are stored in a list, table, or database, along with means of contacting them, such as telephone number, email address, username, or otherwise. 
         [0051]    Potential participants may be selected based upon any criteria. Likewise, invitees  11  may be selected from the pool of potential participants based upon any criteria. 
         [0052]    In one embodiment, the econferencing system keeps track of past participants  4  and/or invitees  11 . The system may also store in memory those who have responded with interest in one or more econferences  22 , based upon solicitation by any means. Email, texting, instant messaging, web site advertising and telephonic inquiry are exemplary means. 
         [0053]    Invitees  11  may be invited  1  to join a conference by any method, including, but not limited to: telephone, video phone, text message, email, and internet chat. If an invitation is not responded to via one medium, an alternate medium, or an alternate address (such as a different phone number) may be attempted to extend an invitation. 
         [0054]    The embodiments disclosed herein employ outbound initiation, but the disclosed technology is equally applicable to inbound initiation. Outbound initiation comprises an econferencing system inviting  1  potential participants. Inbound communication comprises potential participants initiating connection to an econference  22 . 
         [0055]    A greeter  7  is a live person who communicates with econference participants  4 . An autogreeter  77  is a preprogrammed computerized version of a greeter; in other words, an electronic agent. In the simplest embodiment, an autogreeter  77  is a recording with playback which may be electronically triggered. 
         [0056]    Invitations are sent 1 to a plurality of invitees  11 . This invitation step  1  may be initiated automatically based upon a pre-scheduled econference stored in the memory of an econferencing or other computing system. This invitation step  1  may be initiated by any of a plurality of greeters, by a separate econference host or moderator, by an econference participant, or by any other automatic or manual means. 
         [0057]    An invitee  11  receives 2 an econference invitation. An invitee  11  that accepts an invitation  14  becomes a participant  4 . In the preferred embodiment, a participant  4  is a person who has an active connection to the proceedings of econference  22 , including any preliminary proceedings prior to an econference to which a participant may be connected, such as a preconference  16 . In another embodiment, a participant  4  may be a software agent with recording capabilities. 
         [0058]    An active connection affords the respective services and interactive capabilities for a participant during an econference  22 . In a first set of embodiments, an active connection allows participant interaction, to some degree and at least during some time, during the instant proceedings. In the most open-ended embodiment, an econference  22  allows for user interaction via all media available, and for the vast majority, if not all, of an instant econference  22 . This embodiment resembles a live conference in offering free-for-all interaction, however problematic to orderly proceedings. 
         [0059]    In another exemplary embodiment, participant interaction may be limited to input by a certain means, such as electronic device input (e.g., keyboard/keypad and screen pointing device), while not allowing for audio/voice (or video/audio/multimedia/data/text) input. In another exemplary embodiment, participant interaction, however fulsome via media, is limited to certain portions of an econference, such as during a question and answer session. In another exemplary embodiment, participant interaction may be limited to certain purpose(s), such as polling or surveys. In such embodiments, interactions may be filtered, such that only some participants are allowed interaction, while others are not. Alternately, interaction may be tentatively limited by input means (e.g., only keys and screen pointing devices) until fuller input means (e.g., audio/video) are granted. Various combinations of these embodiments are envisioned. 
         [0060]    During epresentations, an active connection limits participant interaction in some way, and/or during some portion of the proceedings, as disclosed foregoing, such that the conductor of the proceedings assuredly retains control over the entire course of the conference. One epresentation embodiment—the most restrictive—only provides reception to proceedings; not allowing user interaction. 
         [0061]    The characteristics of participant attendance in an econference may be recorded for statistical reasons. Examples: how the invitee  11  was successfully contacted; the time elapsed between the initiation of an invitation and invitee response; whether a participant  4  disconnected, and, if so, how long the participant  4  participated before disconnecting. 
         [0062]    An invitee  11  that refuses  13  an invitation is a refuser  33 . 
         [0063]    A non-respondent  5  is an invitee  11  that fails to respond  15 . A non-respondent  5  may be re-invited  1   b  by a secondary invitation method. Secondary invitations may be through the same network as the first invitation, or by a different network or medium. For example, if a non-respondent is initially contacted via a first telephone number, the secondary invitation may be to an alternate (second) telephone number, or the secondary invitation may be via text message, email, internet based communication, or any other telecommunication method. 
         [0064]    Invitees  11  may respond  3  to an invitation via interaction with an interface. Exemplary interfaces include hardware or software interfaces of a communications or computing device. For example, invitee acceptance  14  for an econference may be answering a telephone call, answering a videophone call, responding to a text message, joining a chat room, interacting with a hyperlink, interacting with a GUI software element, interacting with an active web page element, or any other user interaction that is responsive to an invitation. Such interfaces, of considerable variety, are well known in the prior art. 
         [0065]    In one outbound initiation embodiment, a text or multimedia message, such as an email, is sent to a portable telephonic and/or computing device, such as a mobile phone, of an invitee  11 . The message contains interactive content, such as a hyperlink. Various forms of such interactive content are well known in the prior art. An invitee affirmatively responds  14  by activating the interactive content, whereupon the interactive content connects to a preconference  16  or econference  22 . 
         [0066]    In the preferred embodiment, a participant  4  is first connected to an entryway  6 , which is the first portion of a preconference  16 , and then presented with a greeting  9 , which is the second portion of a preconference  16 . A preconference  16  is a preliminary multiple-party monologue or dialogue or conversation prior to an econference  22 , typically with fewer participants than an econference. A plurality of preconferences  16  may lead into a single econference  22 . 
         [0067]    In one embodiment, a choice is provided to a participant  4  during a preconference  16  to select one of a plurality of econferences  22  to join. In one embodiment, a participant  4  may join a second econference during or after a first econference. Econferences  22  may be sequential, or multiple econferences may be held contemporaneously. 
         [0068]    Econferences  22  may have identical or different content. Econferences  22  may consist of prerecorded content or live performance, or a mixture therein. 
         [0069]    An entryway  6  of a preconference  16  is the initial portion of the preconference  16 , during which new participants  4  may join. In contrast, during the later part of a preconference  16 —the greeting  9 —no new participants join, at least in the preferred embodiment, and unless otherwise explicitly stated. A greeting  9  is the portion of a preconference  16  where a greeting is provided to an established number of participants  4 . In the preferred embodiment, the mechanism of adding new participants  4 , such as during an entryway  6 , ceases once a greeting  9  gets underway. In certain embodiments, notably those that allow others  44  to join a preconference  16 , additional people may be added to a greeting  9  via invitation by a participant  4  in a preconference  16 . 
         [0070]    The term econference  22  refers to communication among or to participants  4  coming from one or a plurality of preconferences  16 . 
         [0071]    Upon positively responding to  14  (accepting) an invitation, a participant  4  is connected to a preconference  16  and corresponding entryway  6  among a plurality of possible preconferences with corresponding entryways. The determination  10  of a particular preconference depends upon the duration between an invitation and invitation acceptance. 
         [0072]    In a first embodiment, the timing for the start of each greeting  9  is predetermined. In a second embodiment, a greeting  9  for a preconference  16  begins when a threshold number of participants have entered the entryway  6  for the preconference. In a third embodiment, as a variation of the second embodiment, a predetermined maximum period of time may be set between the start of the entryway and the start of the greeting. 
         [0073]    In the preferred embodiment, an entryway  6  is conducted by a greeter  7 . A greeting  9  is also conducted by a greeter  7 . A greeter  7  converses with participants  4  during an entryway  6  and a greeting  9 . 
         [0074]    In an ersatz embodiment, a preconference may be conducted by an autogreeter  77 . All or part of an entryway  6  or greeting  9  may be provided by an autogreeter  77 . An entryway/greeting/preconference conducted by an autogreeter is respectively termed a canned entryway/greeting/preconference. For example, in one embodiment, a canned greeting is conducted by an autogreeter  77 , possibly only for a portion of the greeting  9 . In another embodiment, an autogreeter  77  may be employed for a portion of an entryway  6 . 
         [0075]    After being connected to an entryway  6 , after some short duration, a participant  4  is presented with a greeting  9 . A greeting  9  may include the purpose of the econference  22 , introductory information, background information, a guest list of potential participants, econference options, anticipated econference length, any other information related to the econference  22 , or any combination thereof. 
         [0076]    In the preferred embodiment, since new participants  4  may still be joining a preconference  16  during the entryway  6 , key information is reserved for the greeting  9 , and not presented during the entryway  6 . 
         [0077]    In the preferred embodiment, a greeting  9  is presented by a greeter  7  without participant  4  interaction. In an alternate embodiment, a greeting  9  may be interactive. 
         [0078]    Greeters  7  comprise a queue of a plurality of possible greeters  7  for preconference  16 . The number of greeters  7  assigned to an econference  22  may vary based upon any number of factors, including, though not exclusively: availability of greeters  7 , number of participants  4 , and expected econference  22  size. Greeters  7  may be located in a single location, or geographically dispersed. 
         [0079]    Each greeter  7  greets a plurality of participants  4  in a preconference  16  simultaneously. The number of participants  4  greeted contemporaneously by a greeter  7  can range from one to tens of thousands. 
         [0080]    At the conclusion of the greeting  9 , participants  4  are transferred  12  from the preconference  16  to the econference  22 . In one embodiment, the greeter  7  conducting the preconference initiates transfer. In one embodiment, a participant  4  may choose to immediately join the econference  22  prior to the conclusion of the preconference  16  via the participant interface. 
         [0081]    A participant  4  may instead choose to disconnect from the preconference  16 , and therefore not enter the econference  22 . For an exemplary telephonic conference, a participant  4  may disconnect by hanging up the telephone. 
         [0082]    In one embodiment, a participant  4  may request additional information about an econference  22  via an interface feature in the econferencing system. This may be particularly helpful if the preconference  16  is not otherwise interactive. Such an information request may be made during an entryway  6  or greeting  9 . The requested information may be provided in a medium under control of the econferencing system which is separate from the means by which the corresponding preconferences  16  and econferences  22  are conducted. For example, additional information about a web-based chat conference may be provided by a video on a computer screen, even as video is not part of the econference  22 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 2  depicts a diagram of greeters  7  during preconferences  16  for an econference  22 . cTime  19  represents the time from the first preconference  16 - 1  following outbound initiation  1 . 
         [0084]    The first preconference  16 - 1  is hosted by a first greeter  7 - 1 . The first preconference and corresponding entryway begins  90  when the first participant enters the preconference. Alternately, a first preconference may begin when invitations are sent, in anticipation of invitee acceptance. 
         [0085]    A preconference  16  has a nominal duration  13 , which may be predetermined for a particular econference  22 . Preconference duration  13  is dependent upon the duration of its corresponding entryway  6  and greeting  9 . Entryway  6  and greeting  9  durations may be predetermined for a preconference  16 , or predetermined for all preconferences  16  of an econference  22 , or may be variable. Entryway  6  and/or greeting  9  duration may be determined based upon the total number of greeters  7 , the number of currently available greeters  7 , the number of invitees  11 , the number of invitees  11  that respond to an invitation  1 , the number of participants  4  that disconnect from a preconference  16 , available system resources, number of rounds of outbound initiation, or other determined or calculated factors. Additionally, entryway  6  duration may be determined based upon length of greetings  9 . Additionally, greeting  9  duration may vary based upon greeter  7  speed and/or proclivities. Entryway  6  and greeting  9  durations may also vary dynamically based upon any of these factors and/or based upon the goals and/or resources of the econferencing system. Preconference duration may also vary  13 - 2  accordingly. 
         [0086]    In a first embodiment, a preconference  16  may be interactive. For example, participants  4  may ask questions, or otherwise interact in a way that the greeter  9  responds to participant initiative. In absence of indication otherwise, this is the presumed embodiment. 
         [0087]    In a second embodiment, a preconference  16  is a one-way expression. A monologue by a greeter  9  in a teleconference is exemplary. This second embodiment, with a greeter  9  providing an introduction without interactivity, is more specifically termed a prepresentation. Other than lacking interactivity, conducting a pre-presentation is selfsame to conducting a preconference  16 . 
         [0088]    In one embodiment, a preconference  16  may start with a greeter  7  before transitioning to an autogreeter  77 , either in an entryway  6  or a greeting  9 . In another embodiment, all or part of one or more preconferences  16  may be recorded, and then used, in whole or part, in subsequent preconferences  16 . Portions of recorded preconferences  16  may be mixed together to construct an autogreeter  77 . 
         [0089]    Greeter  7  and autogreeter  77  may be alternately employed in any portion of a preconference  16 . For example, a prerecorded message may be used to answer a question by a participant in an entryway  6  or greeting  9 . 
         [0090]    A second preconference  16 - 2  begins sometime after (preconference gap  14 ) the first preconference  16 - 1  begins. In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the second preconference  16 - 2  begins while the first preconference  16 - 1  is still going on. 
         [0091]    Multiple preconferences  16  may be contemporaneous. For example, the entryway  6  of a preconference  16 - 2  may begin while the greeting  9  of a previously-started preconference  16 - 1  is underway. Either entryways  6  or greetings  9  may overlap as well. 
         [0092]    In a preferred embodiment, the start of a subsequent entryway  6  begins immediately after the previous entryway  6  ends and the greeting  9  starts. For example, the entryway of preconference  16 - 2  begins immediately following the conclusion of the entryway  6  of preconference  16 - 1 , simultaneously with the beginning of the greeting of preconference  16 - 1 . 
         [0093]    Preconferences  16  may be scheduled as to starting time. In a different embodiment, a succeeding preconference  16  may begin after a predetermined duration after the previous preconference  16  began, or after a predetermined duration after the previous preconference  16  began and another participant accepts an invitation. In another embodiment, a succeeding preconference  16  begins once a predetermined number of participants  4  are in an entryway  6  and another participant  4  accepts an invitation  14 . 
         [0094]    A combination of preconference  16  timing embodiments is possible. For example, preconference  16  may be scheduled, but become ad hoc in some manner because of fewer or more participants  4  than expected, due to number or availability of greeters, or because of a change in available resources. The elapsed time between the beginning of preconferences  16  can vary  14 - 2 . 
         [0095]    Once a greeter  7  has finished a preconference  16 , the greeter  7  may host a subsequent preconference  16  after taking a break/hiatus  18  of some duration. In one embodiment, a greeter  7  may decline a particular preconference  16 , deciding instead for another (later) preconference. In one embodiment, greeters  7  may swap preconference  16  (time) slots. 
         [0096]    In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the first greeter  7 - 1  hosts the first preconference  16 - 1 , then has a break  18  before hosting the fourth preconference  16 - 4 . Likewise, the second greeter  7 - 2  takes a break  18 - 2  after the second preconference  16 - 2 , though that hiatus  18 - 2  is of a different duration than the nominal greeter hiatus  18 . Such greeter breaks may last from several seconds to several minutes. In one embodiment, a greeter  7  immediately goes from one preconference  16  to another, without a break. These are examples of greeter rotation  17 , where a greeter conducts multiple preconferences  16  for an econference  22  through time. Generally, greeter rotation  17  employs greeters  7  in succession to contemporaneously greet different groups of participants  4 . 
         [0097]    There are various embodiments of how a particular greeter  7  is determined  8  for a preconference  16 . In the preferred embodiment, a greeter  7  indicates readiness. In a second embodiment, greeters  7  are scheduled. In a variant of this embodiment, greeter hiatus  18  is predetermined, albeit possibly subject to change. In a third embodiment, a greeter  7  that has had the longest hiatus (break)  18 - 2  takes the next preconference  16 . In a fourth embodiment, greeter  7  order is determined by a supervisor. Combinations of these embodiments for greeter determination  8  are possible. 
         [0098]    The volume of outbound initiation may be determined variously in a variety of embodiments. In the preferred embodiment, simultaneous outbound initiation is determined by system capacity. If the system capacity can invite  1  all invitees  11  simultaneously, there is only one process of outbound invitation. Otherwise, multiple rounds of invitation ensue in order to invite  1  all invitees  11 . 
         [0099]    Each round of invitation may invite  1  a predetermined number of invitees  11 , or a varying number of invitees  11  based upon system capacity. In the preferred embodiment, each round of invitation uses maximum system capacity. In this instance, the number of invitees  11  generally decreases with each round due to capacity of the system in use by participants  4  connected from previous rounds. Alternately, the number of invitees  11  may increase for a subsequent round due to participants  4  disconnecting. 
         [0100]    In a second embodiment, outbound initiation is determined by the number of available greeters  7 , given a preferred maximum size for a preconference  16 . Like the preferred embodiment of outbound initiation, this second embodiment may involve one or multiple rounds of outbound initiation. 
         [0101]    While in an econference  22 , a participant  4  may select available features via an interface device or otherwise by request. These features may also be available to participants  4  during a preconference  16 . A participant  4  may interact via any hardware or software interface to select these features, or may request a particular feature to a greeter  7 . For example, during a telephone based teleconference, a participant may press a telephone key to select a specific feature. 
         [0102]    Available features may be selected during a preconference  16  or econference  22 . In one embodiment, participant initiation of available features may be limited to any portion of a preconference  16  or econference  22 . In this limiting embodiment, the system simple refuses to accept the input, except perhaps to inform the invoker that the requested feature is not instantly available. 
         [0103]    A participant  4  may request additional information about the econference  22 . In this instance, the participant  4  is provided with additional information by the greeter  7 , or via transfer to another preconference  16  or an autogreeter  77 , or by transfer to an external source. Once the participant  4  has received the requested additional information, the participant  4  is transferred either back to a preconference  16  or to the econference  22 . Alternately, the participant  4  may receive the requested additional information concurrently with participation in a preconference  16  or econference  22 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 3  shows exemplary rotation of greeters hosting preconferences  16  leading to an econference  22 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  are similar conceptually, but with different emphases.  FIG. 2  depicts various timings, whereas  FIG. 3  is from a greeter  7  perspective, providing a better sense of the time  19  slices in which different greeters  7  hold preconferences  16 . As explained foregoing, preconferences  16  may overlap. 
         [0105]    In  FIG. 3 , conference time  19  is depicted as spiraling towards the econference  22 . While the preconference arrows, such as  16 - 1 , nominally appear as a point in time, preconferences  16  of course occur over time during conference time  19 , beginning with the start of the first preconference  90 . The arrow suggests transfer (e.g.,  12 - 1 ) into the econference  22 . 
         [0106]    In  FIG. 3 , there are seven preconferences ( 16 - 1  through  16 - 7 ) in an econference  22  employing five greeters ( 7 - 1  through  7 - 5 ). Once a preconference  16  is done, participants  4  are transferred  12  to the econference  22 . For example, after greeter  7 - 1  has completed the first preconference  16 - 1 , participants  4  are transferred  12 - 1  to the econference  22 . 
         [0107]    In  FIG. 3 , the first  7 - 1  and second  7 - 2  greeters each hold two preconferences  16 :  16 - 1  and  16 - 6  for greeter  7 - 1 ;  16 - 2  and  16 - 7  for greeter  7 - 2 . The other greeters ( 7 - 3  through  7 - 5 ) only have one preconference each ( 16 - 3  through  16 - 5  respectively). 
         [0108]    As depicted in  FIG. 4 , via the participant interface that allows access to an econference  22 , or other interface means, a participant  4  may invite  41  others (one or more persons)  44  to join an econference  22 . In a first embodiment example, a web-based conference participant may invite  41  others  44  by a phone call, text message, email, Internet chat, or other web-based interface, with the participant  4  providing the necessary information for others  44  to join. In a second invitation example, a participant  4  to a telephonic econference may invite  41  others  44  by email, text message, Internet chat, or other web-based interface that provides a dial-in telephone number. 
         [0109]    While the econference was initiated for participants  4  via outbound initiation, others  44  join via a participant&#39;s invitation  41 , followed by inbound initiation on the part of others  44  joining the econference  22 . 
         [0110]    In another embodiment, a participant  4  may initiate outbound invitation  41  to the others by invoking the econferencing system to include the others. 
         [0111]    An inviter  34  is a participant  4  who initiates invitation  41  to others  44  to join an econference  22 , regardless of how the invitation  41  is extended. An inviter  34  may be a single participant  4  or a group of participants  4 . 
         [0112]    The others  44  may be in the participant database, and so readily accessed by the system. Alternately, an inviter  34  may add others to a database prior to triggering outbound invitation  41 . Alternately, an inviter  34  may directly invite  41  others  44 , without interacting with the econferencing participant database system. 
         [0113]    Inviting others  41  to an econference may transpire in one of several embodiments (termed inviter embodiments) or their combination. 
         [0114]    In a first inviter embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 4 , the inviter  34  and others  44  may connect into their own conclave  42 , where only they (inviter  34  and others  44 ) are in attendance. A conclave  42  is an exclusive conferencing interconnection between an inviter  34  and others  44  whom the inviter  34  has invited  41 . From a conclave  42 , the inviter  34  and others  44  may join  43  the econference  22 . This embodiment is termed an inviter conclave. 
         [0115]    In a variant embodiment of an inviter conclave, the inviter  34  and others  44  may join the next preconference  16  after a conclave  42  has finished, if a preconference  16  is still available. If a preconference  16  is not available, the conclave  42  participants join the econference  22 . 
         [0116]    In another inviter conclave embodiment, a conclave  42  group may optionally transfer  43  to an available preconference  16  or econference  22 . 
         [0117]    A pre-designated interface means, such as a button or key, is available to transfer  43  from a conclave  42  to an econference  22  or preconference  16 , either via a hardware or software interface. Such interfaces are well known in the prior art. 
         [0118]    In a second inviter embodiment, others  44  may be joined to the instant preconference  16  or econference  22  that the inviter  34  is in, able to hear and/or view the proceedings, but unable to actively interact. This embodiment is termed the others voyeur mode. In this second inviter embodiment, the inviter  44  may still be a participant  4  in the preconference  16  or econference  22 . 
         [0119]    In a third inviter embodiment, the inviter  34  and others  44  conclave  42  between themselves in private, while still able to hear and/or view the preconference  16  or econference  22  proceedings. This embodiment is a group commentary mode. 
         [0120]    In a fourth inviter embodiment, the others  44  are brought into the econference  22  via outbound initiation, and join as if they were originally included participants  4 . This is termed the others added mode. 
         [0121]    In a fifth inviter embodiment, the others  44  are brought into a conclave  42  with the inviter  34 , where they may interact amongst themselves without other econference participants  4  or live greeter  7  hearing or viewing them, but are also able to interact in a preconference  16  or econference  22  as participants  4 . This conclave select mode is enabled by one of the conclave group (the inviter  34  and/or others  44 ) selecting a system feature that allows this. The inviter  34  and/or others  44 , via a predetermined interface feature, may toggle between a conclave  42  and participation in the preconference  16  or econference  22 . 
         [0122]    In another variant embodiment, inviter  34  and others  44  may collectively toggle between conclave  42  and preconference  16  or econference  22  participation, based upon a plurality of indicated actions among the inviter  34  and others  44  in a conclave. 
         [0123]    An exemplary fifth inviter embodiment for an econference involves pressing a predetermined conclave button to enter the conclave select mode. Entering the conclave select mode may be predetermined by the way that the inviter  34  invites the others  44 . That is, conclave select mode is the default mode for inviting others. Alternately (in a different embodiment), conclave select mode is a separate feature that may be invoked. 
         [0124]    In an exemplary sixth embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 5 , conclave select mode may be a feature by which participants can form a conclave  42 - 2  within an econference  22 - 2 , irrespective of inviting others, though, in one embodiment, a conclave is started by inviting others. Conclave select mode may be enabled by participants selecting to join a conclave  42 - 2 , either by accessing a conclave by number or name, or by participants identifying other participants who then accept a conclave invitation. 
         [0125]    In various embodiments, participants may be transferred back to a preconference  16  after an econference  22 , or a conclave  42 - 2  may continue after an econference  22  has concluded. 
         [0126]    An econference  22  may be a commercial venue. In one embodiment, admission is nominally paid by participants  4  for admittance to an econference  22 . Accepting participation  14  may trigger a payment mechanism. Alternately, the payment trigger may be deferred until transfer  12  into an econference  22 . A variety of online payment techniques are known in the art of electronic commerce. 
         [0127]    In an embodiment of commercial econferencing, a contest may be held to allow free entry into an econference  22  that is nominally a venue requiring participant  4  payment for admission. For example, an invitee  11  or participant  4  may be granted free access to a commercial econference  22  upon properly answering a question. 
         [0128]    In various embodiments, preconferences  16  and/or econferences  22  may take polls or surveys, whereupon participants  22  register their opinions or reactions using the interface means by which econference participation is made possible. 
         [0129]    In the embodiments depicted in  FIG. 6 , questions are posed  53  to one or more econference speakers  55 . A question may be a specific query, or as general as a request to address a particular topic. 
         [0130]    In various embodiments, potential questions are received  50 , either before preconferences  16  begin, during preconferences  16 , or during an econference  22 . Potential questions may be submitted by any medium; not necessarily the medium through which the econference  22  is held. 
         [0131]    Screeners  54  determine questions  51  that may be posed during an econference. A screener  54  may be a person or software agent. Speech recognition software and language analysis software are exemplary software agent screeners. Such software technologies are known in the art. 
         [0132]    In one embodiment, participants  4  are polled  52  to help determine questions  51 . Such polling  52  may take place during preconferences  16 , or beforehand. 
         [0133]    Once in the econference  22 , the determined questions are posed  53  to the one or several speakers  55  who are presenting the econference  22 . The one or more speakers  55  may ultimately decide which questions they care to address. 
         [0134]    Alternately, polling  52  may take place during an econference  22 , with questions posed later  53  in that econference  22  or saved for a later econference  22 . 
         [0135]    In another embodiment, questions may be posed  53  to a greeter  7  during a preconference  16 , where polling  52  takes place during the preconference  16 , or beforehand. Questions may be determined  51  based upon all received poll  52  responses, or based on a subset of responses from the participants  4  of the instant preconference  16 . 
         [0136]    The econferencing system disclosed records and accumulates statistical information relating to various aspects of the disclosed econferencing system, including: responses to outbound initiation (e.g., percentage of participants  4 , non-respondents  5  and refusers  33 ); preconference  16  (entryway  6  and greeting  9 ) durations; any participant actions within preconferences  16  (including, for example, dropping out, leaving a preconference prior to its completion and joining an econference  22 , and conclave  42  activity); any participant  4  actions within econferences  22 ; participant  4  selection of optional econferences  22 ; greeter  7  activity, such as number of preconferences  16  held for an econference  22 , as well as aforementioned preconference  16  statistics on a per greeter  7  basis. Such statistical information may be collated in various ways, so as to measure, for example, greeter  7  performance, efficiency of outbound initiation, and participant  4  satisfaction with econference  22  content and the performance of the (hardware and software) system used for econferencing. 
         [0137]    Many of the terms disclosed herein, specifically: econference, preconference, entryway, greeting, greeter, autogreeter, active connection, participant, invitee, inviter, refuser, outbound communication, inbound communication, non-respondent, epresentation, prepresentation, question, conclave, cTime, screener, and canned, are explicitly defined via the privilege of the applicant acting as lexicographer. The broadest reasonable constructions of such terms are within the scope explicitly defined: neither broader nor narrower than one of skill in the art with native fluency in English would construe. 
         [0138]    A variety of embodiments are contemplated in various combinations of features, techniques, methods, and systems as disclosed herein.