Conference related communication system

Conference related communication system

Technical field

The present invention refers in general to a communication arrangement adapted for conference use, and in particular to such a communication arrangement that uses not only a first system, related to a telecommunication network in which a first conference participant connected to the telecommunication network, designated as a speaker, can via circuits that belong to the telecommunication network be placed in speech contact with preferably a number of further conference participants, intended to be and designated as listeners, but also a second system, related to a computer network in which said first conference participant is connected to the computer network as said speaker and can be placed via an assigned computer unit in an information-transmitting mode with several further conference participants, intended to be said listeners, and with their computer units.

To be more precise, it is here considering a communication arrangement adapted for conference use, by which a company will be able to present se- lected new information by organising a conference or a presentation for potential customers and purchasers of a product or a service that is presented.

The prior art

Communication arrangements that use not only a first system related to telecommunication but also a second system related to computer networks are revealed and described in more detail in a Swedish Patent Application Serial

Number 99 03047-0, where there is revealed and described a system that offers financial transactions.

In a publication, corresponding to HTTP//www.teletalk.com, there is also revealed and described an information service that allows customers to ring or call and search for information over a telephone connection and in which the information service is based on the possibility of using a computer network, in the form of "Internet". It is proposed in this system that the user can navigate through a menu of choices.

When considering the significant characteristics, associated with the present invention, it can also be mentioned that communication arrangements, adapted for conference use, are previously known that make use of a system related to a telecommunication network, in which each conference participant connected to the telecommunication network can be placed, via circuits that belong to the telecommunication network, in bi-directional speech contact with a number of further conference participants. A system related to computer networks, such as "Internet", is also previously known, in which a first conference participant, connected to the computer network, can be placed via an assigned computer unit in an information-transmitting mode with several further conference participants and their computer units.

In particular, the spreading of a message by a speaker, such as a priest, to a number of listeners, connected to the telecommunication network, is previously known and in which the transmission of messages is selected to be unidirectional.

Description of the present invention Technical problems

When taking into consideration the technical deliberations that a person skilled in this particular art must make in order to provide a solution to one or more technical problems that he/she encounters, it will be seen that it is necessary initially to realise the measures and/or the sequence of measures that must be un- dertaken to this end on the one hand, and on the other hand a necessary choice of the measure or measures that are required, and in the light of this, the technical problems listed below are relevant in the development of the aim relevant for the present invention.

When considering the prior art, as described above, it should there- fore become clear that a technical problem resides in the ability to create, by using simple means, the conditions required for a communication arrangement adapted for conference use, not only using a first system related to a telecommunication network but also a second system related to a computer network, in order to offer, by interaction between these two systems, a conference situation with remotely located participants, in which a speaker can express his or her message and his or her presentation to several conference participants, intended to be listeners, and in which the second system related to a computer network will be able to function as a support system for the first system related to a telecommunication network for communication from listener to speaker.

A technical problem thus resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with that each of the computer units, that belongs to further conference participants, is to be, at least during the period during which a conference connection exists through the system connected to the telecommunication network, placed via the system related to a computer network in an information-transmitting mode with the computer unit that belongs to the said first conference participant.

A technical problem thus resides in being able to realise the signifi- cance of and the advantages associated with allowing each of the further conference participants to have access to an interface related to the computer network, in the form of, for example, a questionnaire, in which each of the further conference participants can write a relevant question, whereby it will be possible to present the relevant question on the computer unit that belongs to the said first conference participant.

A technical problem thus resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with offering the possibility for the said first conference participant to provide, via the system related to the telecommunication network, a verbal answer to the question posed. A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the said first conference participant, or a person in his or her vicinity, to introduce information concerning the content and the structure of the current conference or presentation into the second system related to said computer network. A technical problem thus resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing information to be assigned the form of a "web site" or page, with a clearly specified date and a selected time, and in addition, a significant identification, such as a telephone number, assigned to the conference.

A technical problem thus resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the information to have the form of a web site or page and specifying on this page information with respect to the conference participant designated as speaker, the current telephone number, the estimated time required for the presentation and other relevant information. A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing a booking of a conference participant, intended to be a listener, to occur according to the following sequence: a Connect to the relevant web site or page over the second system related to a computer network, b Confirm the booking, and c Allow the second system related to a computer network to provide a code, representative for a unique number assigned to the conference. A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the unique number, assigned to the conference, to be transmitted with an HTML code.

A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing in this context the web site or page to be assigned an HTML code, an e-mail address, a WAP address or the like.

A technical problem resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with the possibility of storing a designed questionnaire, adapted for one booking in a database that belongs to the second system related to the computer network.

A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the first system related to telecommunication to be adapted such that it telephones the said first conference participant at a certain time, somewhat before the time determined for the start of the conference, and, once this participant has answered the call, informing him or her via a speech system that the conference and/or presentation is to begin shortly.

A technical problem thus resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the said first conference partici- pant to confirm his or her willingness to start the conference and/or presentation.

A technical problem resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the first system related to the telecommunication network subsequently to be adapted such that, once a confirma- tion has been given, it telephones each of the booked and registered conference participants, who are primarily booked to be listeners.

A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with providing, once such a call has been answered, information via a speech system that the conference and/or presentation is to begin shortly.

A technical problem thus resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the said speech system to require a confirmation from the booked, registered and replying conference participant.

A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the said speech system to offer the replying conference participant one or several alternative connection pathways via the first system related to a telecommunication network.

A technical problem resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the said speech system to be adap- ted such that it provides to each of those who have replied to a call, during the period that it takes for all called participants to reply to the call, information about one or several alternative connection pathways via the first system related to a telecommunication network before and/or during the conference or presentation.

A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the said first conference participant to remain informed, via the said speech system, concerning the activation of calls to the further conference participants and when the conference can begin.

A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the first conference participant to be assigned a speech channel, connected via the first system related to a telecommunication network, that is connected via circuits that belong to the system, for unidirectional communication with all speech channels assigned to further conference participants connected following a confirmation. A technical problem resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the possibility for the presentation delivered by the first conference participant to be stored in a memory, that is part of the second system that is related to the computer network. A technical problem thus resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the contents of the memory to be available, after the presentation, to each of the conference participants connected through the provision of a confirmation.

A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the said contents of the memory to be available for each individual after a presentation.

A technical problem also resides in being able to realise the significance of and the advantages associated with allowing the said first conference participant to be continuously informed, via an interface assigned to the second system related to a computer network, concerning a number of criteria, and where the said criteria can comprise the current number of further conference participants, duration of the presentation that has passed, questions received, the names of conference participants, the names of the conference participants who pose questions, and similar information.

The solution

The present invention is intended to be able to offer a communication arrangement adapted for conference use that uses not only a first system related to a telecommunication network, but also a second system related to a computer network.

The communication arrangement, intended for a conference use or for a presentation use, thus uses not only a system related to a telecommunication network in which a first conference participant connected to the telecommunication network, designated as speaker, can be placed, via circuits that belong to the telecommunication network, in speech contact with a number of further conference participants, intended to be listeners, but also a system related to a computer network in which a first conference participant connected to the computer network, designated as the said speaker, can be placed via an assigned computer unit in an information-transmitting mode with several further conference participants, intended to be the said listeners, and with their computer units.

In order to be able to solve one or several of the technical problems specified above, the present invention proposes now the placing of each of the computer units belonging to the further conference participants, at least during the period during which a conference connection is maintained, in an information- transmitting mode via the second system related to the computer network with the computer unit belonging to the first conference participant.

Each of the further conference participants is to have access to an interface related to the computer network, in the form, for example, of a questionnaire, where each of the further conference participants can write a relevant question, which can then be presented on the computer unit that belongs to the said first conference participant.

The said first conference participant will thus be able, via the first system related to a telecommunication network, to provide an answer to each question posed, or to a selected number of them.

As suggested embodiments, falling within the framework of the present invention, the present invention further proposes that the said first conference participant, or a person in his or her vicinity, can introduce information concerning the content and the structure of the current conference or presentation into the second system related to a computer network.

In particular, the invention proposes that the information is to have the form of a web site or page with a clearly specified date and a selected time, and in addition, a significant identification, such as a telephone number, assigned to the conference or presentation.

Further, it is proposed that the information is to have the form of a web site or page and that information is to be given on this page with respect to the conference participant designated as speaker, the current telephone number, the estimated time required for the conference or presentation. Further, it is proposed that the booking of a conference participant intended to be a listener is to be possible according to the following sequence: a Connect to the relevant web site or page over the second system related to a computer network. b Confirm the booking, and c Allow the second system related to a computer network to provide a code, representative for a unique number assigned to the conference.

Further, it is proposed that the unique number assigned to the conferen- ce will be transmitted with an HTML code.

Further, it is proposed that the web site or page is to be assigned an HTML code, an e-mail address, a WAP address, or the equivalent.

A designed questionnaire, adapted for a booking, can be stored in a database that belongs to the second system related to the computer network. Further, it is proposed that the first system related to a telecommunication network is adapted such that it telephones the said first conference participant at a selected time somewhat before the time determined for the start of the conference, and, once this participant has answered the call, to inform him or her, and this may very well take place via a speech system, that the conference and/or pre- sentation is to begin shortly.

Further it is proposed that the said first conference participant is to confirm his or her willingness to start the conference and/or presentation.

The first system related to the telecommunication network is adapted such that, following the provision of a confirmation, it telephones each of the booked and registered conference participants.

Once such a call has been answered, the information is provided, and this may very well occur via a speech system, that the conference and/or presentation is to begin shortly.

Further, it is proposed that the said speech system requires a confirma- tion from the booked, registered and replying conference participants.

Further, it is proposed that the said speech system will be able to offer the replying conference participant one or several alternative connection pathways via the first system related to a telecommunication network.

The said speech system is adapted such that it provides to each of those who have replied to a call information, during the period that it takes for all called participants to reply to the call, and such that it provides information about one or several alternative connection pathways via the system related to a telecommunication network before and/or during the conference or presentation. Further, it is proposed that the said first conference participant will remain informed, via the said speech system, concerning the activation of calls to the further conference participants and when the conference can begin.

Thus it is proposed that a speech channel, assigned to the first confe- rence participant and connected via the first system related to a telecommunication network, is connected via circuits that belong to the system for unidirectional communication with all speech channels assigned to further conference participants connected following a confirmation.

It is an advantage if the presentation delivered by the first conference participant can be stored in a memory that is part of the second system that is related to the computer network.

The contents of the memory can be available, after a presentation, to each of the conference participants connected through the provision of a confirmation. It is also proposed as an alternative that the said contents of the memory are to be available after a presentation for each individual.

Further, it is proposed that the said first conference participant can obtain, via an interface assigned to the second system related to the computer network, information concerning a number of criteria. Such criteria can be the current number of further conference participants, duration of the presentation that has passed, questions received, the names of conference participants, the names of conference participants who pose questions, and/or other questions.

Advantages

The advantages that can be primarily regarded as characteristic of a communication arrangement adapted for conference use, offering the significant characteristics associated with the present invention, are the combined use of a first system related to a communication network and a second system related to a computer network, which ensures in this way that favourable conditions have been created in order to be able to offer a conference or a presentation simultaneously to several customers or purchasers of presented goods or a presented service, and that there has been created in this way the conditions required to arrange for a transmission of information between the computer units belonging to conference participants via the second system related to the computer network, such that the conference participant, designated as speaker, can receive on his or her computer unit questions for further or additional conference participants, intended to be listeners, and such that he or she can provide during the presentation answers to questions posed in this way.

That which can primarily be regarded as characteristic of a communication arrangement adapted for conference use, according to the present invention, is specified in the characterising clauses of the accompanying claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

A communication system, adapted for a conference use according to the present suggestions, demonstrating the characteristic features associated with the present invention, will now be described in more detail solely for purposes of exemplification, where:

Figure 1 shows schematically a chart of the principles of a telecommunication network system interacting according to the invention with a system related to a computer network,

Figure 2 shows a more general overview in principle of parts of the construction of the arrangement,

Figure 3 shows in the form of a block diagram certain relevant functions associated with the first system related to the telecommunication network,

Figure 4 shows in the form of a block diagram certain relevant functions associated with the second system related to the computer network,

Figure 5 shows an example of a "web site" or page for logging into a subsequent calendar,

Figure 6 shows an example of such a calendar when logged in,

Figure 7 shows an example of a web site or page, with conference or demonstration times on one selected day, Figure 8 shows an example of a web site or page with a questionnaire allowing the registration of participation, Figure 9 shows an example of a web site or page with a questionnaire, Figure 10 shows an example of a web site or page that allows access to a web panel, and Figure 11 shows an example of a web site or page for such a web panel.

Description of an embodiment suggested here

It must initially be pointed out that in the following description of an embodiment suggested here, that offers the significant characteristics associated with the invention and that are made clear in the figures that are presented in the drawings, we have chosen to use terms and a special terminology with the primary aim in this way of illustrating the innovative principle more clearly.

It must, however, be taken into consideration that the expressions chosen here are not to be seen as limited solely to the terms chosen and used in the description, but it must be understood that each such selected term is to be interpreted such that it also includes all technical equivalents that function in the same or essentially the same manner in order in this way to achieve the same or essentially the same intention and/or technical effect. With reference to Figure 1 , it is shown schematically the principles of a first system "T", related to a telecommunication network, in an interaction proposed according to the invention with a second system "D", related to a computer network.

A number of appliances or telephone sets, that can serve as calling sets or called sets, are connected to the first system "T" related to the telecommunication network, in a manner that is known, and the system "T" also comprises various switchboard functions "Te", of a type that is known.

An appliance or telephone set 2, belonging to the telecommunication network, and a computer unit 4, belonging to the computer network, are co-ordi- nated in space in order to allow them to be at the disposition of a first conference participant, a speaker designated "K".

An appliance or telephone set 3, belonging to the telecommunication network, and a computer unit 5, belonging to the computer network, are co-ordinated in space in order to allow them to be at the disposition of a second conference participant designated "L", one who is to listen.

The invention is based on a number of conference participants, cor- responding to the conference participant "L", being connected to the first system "T", related to the telecommunication network, and to the system "D", related to the computer network. This is only suggested in Figure 1 using the reference symbol "L1" for one further conference participant.

The computer unit 4 is connected to the computer network "D" via a modem 4a and a line 4', while the computer unit 5 is also connected to the computer network "D" via a modem 5a and a line 5'.

The connections through these modems 4a and 5a are shown solely as an example, and the function of the invention can use other means of connection. The appliance or telephone set 3 and the computer unit 5 are co-ordinated such that they are at the disposition of a listening conference participant "L".

The computer unit 4 (but also the computer unit 5) have been shown here with a mouse 4b, a monitor or display 4c, a central system unit 4d and a keyboard 4e. A pointer, that can move over the display 4c, can in a known manner be displaced by a movement of the mouse 4b and various functions can be activated by a "clicking" on an icon or similar.

These measures and steps are previously known and have thus not been described in detail, solely for the purposes of simplification.

The communication arrangement, adapted for conference use accor- ding to the invention, uses not only a first system "T" related to a telecommunication network, in which a first conference participant "K", designated as a speaker or presenter and connected to the telecommunication network, can be placed or connected, via circuits "Te" belonging to the telecommunication network, in unidirectional speech contact with a number of further conference participants, denoted by "L" and "L1" and intended to be listeners.

Although the embodiment according to Figure 1 shows, for the purposes of simplification, the use of only two conference participants intended to be listeners, it is clear that the situation in which the number of listeners is consider- ably greater falls within the framework of the invention.

Figure 1 also illustrates the use of a second system "D", related to a computer network, where a first conference participant "K", connected to the computer network and designated as the said speaker, can be placed or connected, via his or her assigned computer unit 4, into an information-transmitting mode with several further conference participants, intended to be listeners, and with their computer units, such as the computer unit 5.

Also here, only two computer units, one each for the conference participants "L" and "L1", have been illustrated, while it is clear that the practical appli- cation of the present invention uses a significantly larger number of such computer units.

At least during the duration of the conference connection "Te1" within the first system "T" connected through the telecommunication network, each one of the computer units 5 belonging to further conference participants "L" will be in contact, via the second system "D" related to the computer network, in an information-transmitting mode with the computer unit 4 that belongs to the said first conference participant.

"Conference connection" is here used to denote the ability of a conference participant "K" to provide, via the first system "T", related to the telecom- munication network, his or her opinions to one or several listening conference participants "L", "L1" as a unidirectional communication, while each of the listening conference participants "L", "L1" can direct his or her questions to the conference participant "K" via unidirectional communication over the system related to the computer network. Each of the further conference participants thus has access to an interface related to the computer network, in the form of, for example, a question- naire, where each of the further conference participants "L", "L1" can write a relevant question, which question can then be presented on the monitor or display 4c of the computer unit 4 that belongs to the said first conference participant "K" and that the said first conference participant subsequently can provide, via the system "Te" related to the telecommunication network, a verbal answer to the question posed.

The said first conference participant "K" or a person, who is in his or her vicinity, can introduce into the second system "D" related to the computer network information 41 concerning the content and the structure of a current conference or presentation.

The information 41 here is to have the form of a web site or page, with a clearly specified date and a selected time, together with a significant identification, such as a telephone number, assigned to the conference or presentation.

The information 41 on this web site or page is to provide information concerning at least the conference participant "K", designated as a speaker, the current telephone number for this conference participant, and the estimated duration of the conference or presentation.

Booking of a conference participant "L" as a conference participant intended to be a listener takes place according to the following sequence: a Connect to the relevant web site or page through the second system "D" rela- ted to the computer network. b Confirm the booking in a manner specified. c Allow the second system related to a computer network to return a code, representative for a unique number that has been assigned to the conference.

It is furthermore suggested that the unique number assigned to the conference is to be transmitted with an HTML code.

The web site or page can have assigned to it an HTML code, an e-mail address, a WAP address, or the equivalent.

A designated questionnaire, adapted for the execution of booking, can be stored in a database 42 that belongs to the second system related to the computer network.

The first system "T" related to telecommunication is adapted to telephone, via a circuit 32 at a selected time stored in 31 , and somewhat before the time determined for the start of the conference, the said first conference participant "K" and, once the participant has answered the call, inform him or her via a speech system 33 that the conference and/or presentation is to begin shortly.

The said first participant "K" then confirms his or her willingness to start the conference and/or presentation in a circuit 34. The first system "T" related to a telecommunication network is adapted such that it telephones via a circuit 35, following a confirmation issued in the circuit 34, each one of the booked and registered conference participants "L", "L1".

When the said call has been answered in a circuit 36, the message is gi- ven to the conference participants "L" and "L1" via a speech system 33 that the conference and/or presentation is to begin shortly.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the said speech system 33 will require a confirmation from the booked, registered and replying conference participant "L", this confirmation being stored in a circuit 37. The said speech system 33 offers via a circuit 38 the answering conference participant "L" one or several alternative connection pathways over the system "T" related to the telecommunication network.

These connection pathways may involve exiting from the conference connection and being connected to a sales agent. The said speech system 33 is further adapted to provide to each person who has answered a call information via a circuit 39 during the period that it takes for all those who have been telephoned to answer the call and to inform of one or several alternative connection pathways via the first system "T" related to the telecommunication networks before and/or during the conference or presentation. The said first conference participant "K" is kept informed, via the said speech system and a circuit 40, concerning the activation of calls to further conference participants "L", "L1", and when the conference can start.

The speech channel that has been assigned to the first conference participant "K", connected through the first system "T" related to the telecommunica- tion network, is connected, via circuits "Te1" that belong to the first system, for unidirectional communication with all further speech channels assigned to conference participants "L", "L1" connected following a confirmation, something that Figure 1 is intended to illustrate.

The presentation that is given by the first conference participant "K" can be stored in a memory 43 that is part of the second system "D" related to the computer network.

The contents of the memory 43 after the presentation are available for each of the further conference participants "L", "L1" that have been connected following the provision of a confirmation.

The said contents of the memory can also be available following the conduct of a presentation for every individual connected to the computer network.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the said first conference participant "K" can be kept informed, via an interface that has been assigned to the second system "D" related to the computer network, and via a circuit 44, concerning a number of criteria, such as the instantaneous number of further conference participants ("L", "L1"), the time that has passed since the presentation commenced, questions that have been received, the names of all conference participants, the name of conference participants who pose questions, and other criteria.

Figure 2 shows a more general overview in principle of parts of the construction of the arrangement.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 shows the system according to the invention in which a conference participant "L" proffers his or her interest to the system 1.

The participant "K" presents at the time of the presentation his or her message, which here is to be received by three different participants "L", "L1" and "L2".

The participant "L" here has a computer unit 5 and he or she can pose questions via this unit to the participant "K", who can answer these verbally through the system "T".

The arrows in Figure 2 are intended to illustrate the communication pathways that become available according to the principles of the invention.

Figure 5 shows an example of a Microsoft Internet Explorer "web site" or page for connecting to and logging into a subsequent calendar.

Figure 6 shows an example of such a calendar.

Figure 7 shows an example of a web site or page of conference or demonstration times on one selected day.

Figure 8 shows an example of a web page with a questionnaire allowing the registration of one's participation.

Figure 9 shows an example of a web site or page with a questionnaire, where listening participants can pose questions and where such questions are presented on the monitor or display 4c of the computer unit 4. Figure 10 shows an example of a web site or page that allows the offering of access to a web panel.

Figure 11 shows an example of a web site or page for such a web panel.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments given as examples above. It can undergo modifications within the framework of the innovative concept illustrated in the accompanying claims.