Automated conferencing system and method

Abstract

A method of connecting a computing device to a conference. One method comprises finding one or more potential dial-in numbers and looking up the one or more potential dial-in numbers in at least one database. One method further comprises one of, accessing a conference reception zone with one of the potential dial-in numbers when the one of the potential dial-in numbers is found in the at least one database and attempting to access the conference reception zone with the one or more potential dial-in numbers when the one or more potential dial-in numbers are not found in the at least one database. One or more potential conference pin numbers are obtained and it is determined whether one or more additional conference pin numbers are associated with the one or more potential dial-in numbers. A selected conference pin number is assigned a confidence level and the conference pin number is entered in the conference reception zone prior to accessing the conference.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method to facilitate conference calling from a mobile device, the method comprising:
 locating, automatically with a first application on the mobile device, a potential dial-in number from a second application on the mobile device;   determining that the potential dial-in number is a dial-in number in a database of dial-in numbers;   obtaining, at the mobile device and before receiving input from a user, a conference sequence for the dial-in number based at least in part on the determining;   receiving, at the mobile device and after obtaining the conference sequence, a user input to utilize the conference sequence; and   utilizing, at the mobile device and automatically in response to the user input, the conference sequence to access a conference.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving the database of dial-in numbers in an update from a network device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the potential dial-in number is a dial-in number in the database of dial-in numbers comprises:
 transmitting the potential dial-in number; and   receiving a response indicating that the potential dial-in number is a dial-in number in the database of dial-in numbers.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the database comprises a remote database. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the database comprises a database stored on the mobile device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conference sequence comprises a telephone number and at least one of a code or a personal identification number (PIN). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the conference sequence comprises obtaining a host code. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein utilizing the conference sequence comprises initiating a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) call. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein utilizing the conference sequence comprises initiating a video conference call. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the potential dial-in number comprises a uniform resource locator (URL). 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for facilitating conference calling from a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:
 a processor;   memory in electronic communication with the processor; and   instructions stored in the memory, the instructions executable by the processor to:
 locate, automatically with a first application on the mobile device, a potential dial-in number from a second application on the mobile device; 
 determine that the potential dial-in number is a dial-in number in a database of dial-in numbers; 
 obtain, at the mobile device and before receiving input from a user, a conference sequence for the dial-in number based at least in part on the determining; 
 receive, at the mobile device and after obtaining the conference sequence, a user input to utilize the conference sequence; and 
 utilize, at the mobile device and automatically in response to the user input, the conference sequence to access a conference. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
 receive the database of dial-in numbers in an update from a network device.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
 transmit the potential dial-in number; and   receive a response indicating that the potential dial-in number is a dial-in number in the database of dial-in numbers.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the database comprises a remote database. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the database comprises a database stored on the mobile device. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the conference sequence comprises a telephone number and at least one of a code or a personal identification number (PIN). 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein utilizing the conference sequence comprises initiating a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) call. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein utilizing the conference sequence comprises initiating a video conference call. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the potential dial-in number comprises a uniform resource locator (URL). 
     
     
         20 . A computer program product for facilitating conference calling from a mobile device, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer readable medium storing instructions thereon, the instructions being executable by a processor to:
 locate, automatically with a first application on the mobile device, a potential dial-in number from a second application on the mobile device;   determine that the potential dial-in number is a dial-in number in a database of dial-in numbers;   obtain, at the mobile device and before receiving input from a user, a conference sequence for the dial-in number based at least in part on the determining;   receive, at the mobile device and after obtaining the conference sequence, a user input to utilize the conference sequence; and   utilize, at the mobile device and automatically in response to the user input, the conference sequence to access a conference.