Patent ID: 8326927

Claim:
A processor-implemented method of operation involving a plurality of conference participants using a corresponding plurality of endpoint devices, comprising: during a conference session implemented with a media stream comprising conference content, receiving a request to allocate a sidebar session from a first conference participant communicating via a Plain-Old Telephone Service (POTS) device without display capabilities; obtaining presence information from each of the corresponding endpoint devices of the conference participants, the presence information including information indicating how the corresponding endpoint device is communicating with the conference session; providing an interactive voice response (IVR) system to the first conference participant, the IVR system being operable to elicit names of one or more sidebar invitee conference participants from the first conference participant; determining, based on the presence information, an appropriate notification modality for presenting a sidebar invitation to each sidebar invitee conference participant; communicating the sidebar invitation via the appropriate notification modality to each of the one or more sidebar invitee conference participants, the sidebar invitation being communicated via a private media channel separate from the media stream of the conference session; wherein the appropriate notification modality for a second conference participant communicating via a Plain-Old Telephone (POTS) device without display capabilities comprises an IVR prompt, and the appropriate notification modality for a third conference participant communicating via a rich media endpoint device comprises a visual display that elicits a response via a non-audio user interface.