Patent ID: 7046779

Claim:
A system comprising: (a) a data store, coupled to a network, for maintaining participant information comprising an identifier of a first participant; (b) a conference control station, coupled to the network, for scheduling a conference, the conference being scheduled with the identifier of the first participant, wherein the conference control station determines sites for the conference by comparing available sites to locations to which participants are allowed access; (c) a first site comprising a first conference control station for coordinating a conference coupled to the network; and a plurality of first participant stations for participating in a conference coupled to the network; and (d) a second site comprising a second conference control station for coordinating a conference coupled to the network; and a plurality of second participant stations for participating in a conference coupled to the network; wherein: (e) the first conference control station for coordinating provides a first notice of a conference; notice being provided for assuring participation by the first participant at a particular first participant station for participating identified in the first notice, wherein the first conference control station selects the particular first participant station based on the status of the participant stations; and (f) the second conference control station for coordinating provides a second notice of the conference for assuring participation by a second participant at a particular second participant station for participating identified in the second notice, wherein the second conference control station selects the particular second participant station based on the status of the participant stations.