Patent ID: 7809124

Claim:
A method performed by a computer having a memory and a processor for providing a conferencing service operable to facilitate virtual meetings having optional meeting lobbies, the method comprising: receiving a request to schedule a virtual meeting having an area for conducting the virtual meeting and an associated meeting lobby where visitors wait prior to joining the virtual meeting, wherein the area for conducting the virtual meeting is different from the associated meeting lobby; responsive to receiving the request, with a processor, scheduling the virtual meeting having the meeting lobby; receiving a request from a visitor to enter the meeting lobby, wherein the request to enter the meeting lobby does not include a request to enter the virtual meeting; responsive to receiving the request from the visitor, with a processor, adding the visitor to the meeting lobby; with a processor, notifying a meeting presenter of the presence of the visitor in the meeting lobby; responsive to receiving from the meeting presenter an indication to grant the visitor access to the virtual meeting, with a processor, adding the visitor to the area for conducting the virtual meeting, and with a processor, removing the visitor from the meeting lobby; and responsive to receiving an indication to deny the visitor access to the virtual meeting, with a processor, removing the visitor from the meeting lobby without adding the visitor to the area for conducting the virtual meeting, wherein the meeting lobby is entered by using a meeting lobby address, and further wherein the meeting lobby is entered without use of a password.