Patent ID: 8194840

Claim:
A method of controlling access by participants of a teleconference to a conference control system, the method comprising: receiving a first time at which a teleconference is scheduled to take place; receiving a plurality of agenda items of the teleconference; receiving a list of participant telecommunication devices participating in the teleconference; receiving a selection of a first agenda item of the plurality of agenda items for a participant of the teleconference indicating that first participant telecommunication device of the teleconference is authorized to listen to the teleconference and not contribute while the first agenda item is being discussed; determining a maximum time limit for the first agenda item; creating a conference pass code for the participant telecommunication device, wherein the conference pass code indicates that the participant is authorized to listen to the teleconference and not contribute while the first agenda item is being discussed; transmitting the conference pass code to the participant telecommunication device; receiving, from the participant, a connection request comprising the conference pass code; in response to receiving the connection request from the participant telecommunication device: determining a current agenda item being discussed; if the current agenda item being discussed is not the first agenda item, preventing communication exchange with the teleconference for the participant telecommunication device; and if the current agenda item being discussed is the first agenda item, connecting the participant telecommunication device to the teleconference and restrict contribution from the participating device.