Web-Enabled Conferencing and Meeting Implementations with Flexible User Calling and Content Sharing Features

Abstract

A plurality of embodiments is presented in relation to conferencing solutions. Consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is implemented by a computer processing arrangement. The method provides conferencing services between participants. A web-accessible virtual meeting interface is provided. Meeting scheduling data is received from the virtual meeting interface. The meeting scheduling data includes participant identifying information and meeting time information. At least one telephone call is initiated. The telephone call is responsive to the meeting time information and the participant identifying information and for the at least one participant identified by the identifying information. In response to the at least one participant answering the telephone call, audio from the telephone call is merged with audio from other participants. The merged audio is provided to the at least one participant and the other participants.

1 . A meeting system comprising:
 a computer server arrangement including at least one processor, the computer server arrangement configured to:   provide a web-accessible virtual meeting interface;   receive meeting scheduling data from the virtual meeting interface, the meeting scheduling data including participant identifying information and meeting time information;   establish, in response to the meeting time information and the participant identifying information, a plurality of telephone numbers for participants to dial into the meeting;   merge audio from telephone calls established by participant calling the plurality of telephone numbers with the audio from other participants; and   provide the merged audio to the participants.   
     
     
         2 . The meeting system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to access participant profile information, and in response thereto, to select the plurality of telephone numbers for participants to dial into the meeting. 
     
     
         3 . The meeting system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide a meeting organizer with call-in number options and wherein the plurality of telephone numbers for participants to dial into the meeting as selected in response to input received in response to the call-in number options. 
     
     
         4 . The meeting system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide a toll-free call-in number. 
     
     
         5 . The meeting system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide a VoIP call-in IP address. 
     
     
         6 . The meeting system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured:
 to call participants identified by the identifying information,   to merge audio from the plurality of additional participants and the at least one participant, and   to provide the merged audio to the at least one participant and the additional participants.   
     
     
         7 . The meeting system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to respond to input from a host of the meeting by calling one or more of the additional participants. 
     
     
         8 . The meeting system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to respond to input from a host of the meeting by, after a meeting has been started, adding meeting participants and providing the call-in numbers to the added meeting participants via an electronic communication. 
     
     
         9 . The meeting system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide the web-accessible virtual meeting interface using an application that runs native to a web browser. 
     
     
         10 . The meeting system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide streaming video between the participants. 
     
     
         11 . A meeting system comprising:
 a computer server arrangement including at least one processor, the computer server arrangement configured to:   provide a web-accessible virtual meeting interface;   receive meeting scheduling data from the virtual meeting interface, the meeting scheduling data including participant identifying information and meeting time information;   establish, in response to the meeting time information and the participant identifying information, audio connections for participants of the meeting;   merge audio from the established audio connections;   provide the merged audio to the participants over the established audio connections;   provide, through the web-accessible virtual meeting interface, a content sharing window that defines content for sharing; and   send, using the web-accessible virtual meeting interface, the defined content to participants of the meeting.   
     
     
         12 . The meeting system of  claim 11 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide the content sharing window as a rectangular outline that is displayed over any content displayed on a desktop of a sharing participant. 
     
     
         13 . The meeting system of  claim 11 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide the content sharing window. 
     
     
         14 . The meeting system of  claim 11 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide a web-accessible virtual meeting interface without a plug-in application being installed for the web browser. 
     
     
         15 . The meeting system of  claim 11 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide a web-accessible virtual meeting within a JAVA environment. 
     
     
         16 . The meeting system of  claim 11 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide streaming video between the participants. 
     
     
         17 . The meeting system of  claim 11 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide, for one or more participants, a contact list that is synchronized to an email server. 
     
     
         18 . The meeting system of  claim 11 , wherein the computer server arrangement is further configured to provide a single icon for starting a meeting. 
     
     
         19 . A method implemented by a computer processing arrangement and for providing conferencing services between participants, the method comprising:
 providing a web-accessible virtual meeting interface;   receiving meeting scheduling data from the virtual meeting interface, the meeting scheduling data including participant identifying information and meeting time information;   initiating at least one telephone call, in response to the meeting time information and the participant identifying information, with the at least one participant identified by the identifying information;   merging, in response to the at least one participant answering the telephone call, audio from the telephone call with audio from other participants; and   providing the merged audio to the at least one participant and the other participants.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of initiating at least one telephone call includes dialing a telephone number associated with a landline telephone. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of initiating at least one telephone call includes dialing a telephone number associated with a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the audio from the other participants includes audio provided over one or more VoIP connections and one or more PSTNs.