Patent ID: 8503652

Claim:
A computer implemented method of managing conference calls, comprising using a processor of a computer for: associating, with a particular call-in conference call number, at least two temporary passwords, wherein each temporary password corresponds to a different time period in which the particular call-in conference call number is reused for a plurality of conference calls, each temporary password generated responsive to a temporary password generation request invoked by a call scheduler who provides a scheduler-provided password for authentication, the scheduler-provided password being distinct from the temporary passwords; and managing conference calls of a meeting host at the particular call-in conference call number, comprising: obtaining, from a participant who is distinct from the meeting host and who calls the particular call-in conference call number on a particular day at a particular time of day, a participant-provided password; comparing the participant-provided password to the previously-generated temporary password corresponding to a time period that includes the particular day and the particular time of day, wherein the comparing factors a tolerance value into the time period that includes the particular day and the particular time of day; and granting the participant access to a conference call scheduled on the particular call-in conference call number for the time period that includes the particular day and the particular time of day only if the comparing matches the participant's participant-provided password to the compared-to temporary password.