Audio/video conferencing system

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention may be found in a system and method to effectively schedule and configure video and audio conferences. In one embodiment, the system comprises a server and one or more audio/video conferencing devices interconnected through a public or private data network. In one embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUI) provides for an intuitive means to graphically view and configure one or more conferences, participants, and conference call configuration settings.

1 . A system for configuring a conference call comprising a computing device that is communicatively coupled with a server, said computing device capable of displaying, to a participant of a conference call, information regarding a status of the conference call based on at least one communication received from said server.  
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said computing device comprises a display used for said displaying.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said display generates a graphical user interface.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said graphical user interface provides one or more lists of participants grouped by way of one or more conference calls.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein user inputs are generated using a point, click, and drag device.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said point, click, and drag device comprises a mouse.  
   
   
       7 . A method of configuring side conference calls comprising: 
 selecting one or more participant identifiers from at least one existing conference call; and    positioning said selected participant identifiers into at least one side conference call identifier.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said positioning said selected participant identifier comprises: 
 pointing to said selected participant identifier using a point, click, and drag device;    clicking on said selected participant identifier using said point, click, and drag device; and    dragging said selected participant identifier using said point, click, and drag device to said at least one side conference identifier.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said point, click, and drag device comprises a mouse.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising creating said at least one side conference identifier for configuring said side conference calls.  
   
   
       11 . A method of configuring one or more conference calls comprising: 
 creating conference identifiers; and    grouping participant identifiers into said conference identifiers.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said conference identifiers comprise software objects.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said software objects may incorporate a conference call name, icon, logo, or insignia.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  comprising selecting a participant identifier to effectuate receipt of a corresponding video feed.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said corresponding video feed is displayed by a display.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said display utilizes a graphical user interface.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  comprising generating a new window for displaying said corresponding video feed.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising locking said one or more conference calls to prevent participation by additional participants.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  comprising providing a roll call of participants participating in said one or more conference calls.  
   
   
       20 . A method of graphically viewing and participating in one or more conference calls comprising selecting participants for one or more conference calls by way of pointing, clicking, and dragging participant identifiers into one or more conference identifiers.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising selectively receiving an audio feed of said one or more conference calls by way of using said one or more conference identifiers.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising receiving a video feed of said conference call by way of using said participant identifiers.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  comprising receiving a translated version of said audio feed.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said translated version is generated at a server.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said video feed comprises a recorded playback of said one or more conference calls.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said recorded playback comprises an image enhanced playback.