System for terminating multicast channel and data broadcast when at least two second endpoints do not transmit positive acknowledgment message to first endpoint

Abstract

A method and apparatus for optimizing transmission of data to a plurality of second endpoints in a system wherein a first endpoint is providing data to the plurality of second endpoints each connected by a point-to-point communication channels. This may be useful in teleconferencing applications with a plurality of participants (endpoints) or broadcast server applications. The first endpoint activates a multicast communication channel having a first multicast address and commences broadcast of the data over the multicast communication channel. The first endpoint transmits a request message to each of the plurality of second endpoints in order to query each of the second endpoints whether they can receive transmissions broadcast to the first multicast address. Certain of the plurality of second endpoints transmit an acknowledgment message if they can receive transmissions broadcast to the first multicast address, and the first endpoint receives the acknowledgment message. Then, for each acknowledgment message received from certain of the plurality of second endpoints, the first endpoint deactivates the point-to-point communication channel and the certain of the plurality of second endpoints.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a system wherein a first endpoint is providing data to a plurality of second endpoints each connected by a point-to-point communication channel with said first endpoint, an automatic method for optimizing the transmission of said data to said plurality of second endpoints comprising the following steps:
 a. said first endpoint activating a multicast communication channel having a first multicast address and commencing broadcast of said data over said multicast communication channel;   b. Said first endpoint transmitting a request message to each of said plurality of second endpoints in order to query each of said second endpoints whether they can receive transmissions broadcast to said first multicast address;   c. certain of said plurality of second endpoints transmitting an acknowledgment message and said first endpoint receiving said acknowledgment message;   d. for each said acknowledgment message received from said certain of said plurality of second endpoints which indicates that said certain of said plurality of second endpoints can receive transmissions broadcast to said first multicast address, deactivating said point-to-point communication channel with said first endpoint and said certain of said plurality of second endpoints; and   e. terminating said broadcast of said data and said multicast communication channel if at least two of said plurality of second endpoints, do not transmit said acknowledgment messages containing a positive acknowledgment.   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of receiving detach messages from certain of said plurality of second endpoints, and if at least two of said plurality of second endpoints are not receiving said data, then terminating said broadcast of said data and said multicast communication channel. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein said each acknowledgment message includes a response code. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein said response code indicates whether each said certain of said plurality of second endpoints can receive transmissions broadcast to said first multicast address. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein said data includes teleconference data. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising, prior to said step of said first endpoint activating said multicast communication channel having a first multicast address, determining whether more than one of said plurality of second endpoints is coupled to said first endpoint on a single communication medium, and if not, aborting said method. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  further comprising, prior to said first endpoint activating said multicast communication channel having said first multicast address, determining whether said single communication medium supports broadcasting to said first multicast address. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein said data includes teleconference data between said first endpoint and said plurality of second endpoints. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus in a first endpoint for transmitting data to a plurality of second endpoints receiving said data from said first endpoint on point-to-point communication channels comprising:
 a. a circuit for activating a multicast communication channel having a first multicast address and commencing broadcast of said data over said multicast communication channel;   b. a circuit for transmitting a request message to each of said plurality of second endpoints in order to query each of said second endpoints whether they can receive transmissions broadcast to said first multicast address;   c. a circuit for receiving acknowledgment messages, if any, from certain of said plurality of second endpoints;   d. a circuit for deactivating each said point-to-point communication channel with said certain of said plurality of second endpoints responsive to receiving each said acknowledgment message; and   e. a circuit for terminating said broadcast of said data and said multicast communication channel if at least two of said acknowledgment messages containing a positive acknowledgment are not received.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a circuit for receiving detach messages from others of said plurality of second endpoints, and if at least two of said plurality of second endpoints are not receiving said data, then terminating said broadcast of said data and said multicast communication channel. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said each acknowledgment message includes a response code. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said response code indicates whether each of said certain of said plurality of second endpoints can receive transmissions broadcast to said first multicast address. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said data includes teleconference data. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a detection circuit operative prior to said first endpoint activating said multicast communication channel having said first multicast address for determining whether more than one of said plurality of second endpoints is coupled to said first endpoint on a single communication medium, and if not, not activating said circuits b and c. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising, prior to activation of said detection circuit a circuit for determining whether said single communication medium supports broadcasting to said first multicast address. 
     
     
       16. An automatic method in a teleconferencing system for merging at least two ongoing teleconferences comprising:
 performing at least one of transmitting or receiving a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of a first teleconference to communicate with members of a second teleconference;   receiving a list of members in said second teleconference;   for each of at least a subset of the members in said list;   comparing a first conference identifier (ID) of the respective member and a second conference ID of a second member; and   if said first conference ID has a first relationship with said second conference ID, then transmitting, by said second member, a second message to the respective member to request participation by the member in the first teleconference, wherein the member is not the initiating member, said second message causing the transmitting of a response message, said response message comprising an indication of said member's participation level in the requested merging of conferences; and   establishing a merged teleconference with at least a subset of the members in said list, based at least in part on said indication.   
     
     
       17. The method of claim 16 further comprising determining whether it is permissible to join other individuals to said merged teleconference, and if not, not transmitting said second message. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim 17 wherein determining whether it is permissible to join other individuals to said merged teleconference comprises determining whether a mode for the teleconference indicates whether it is permissible to join other individuals to the teleconference. 
     
     
       19. The method of claim 16 further comprising, prior to transmitting said second message, determining whether a first member in said list of members will transmit said second message, and if so, not transmitting said second message to said first member. 
     
     
       20. The method of claim 16 wherein said first relationship comprises said first conference ID being less than said second conference ID. 
     
     
       21. The method of claim 16 further comprising, prior to transmitting said second message, transmitting an initialization message indicating application capabilities to each of at least a subset of the members in said list. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim 16 further comprising, prior to transmitting said second message, transmitting an initialization message including communication capabilities. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 16 further comprising, prior to transmitting said second message, determining if a first member in said list of members is already in the first teleconference, and if so, not transmitting said second message to said first member. 
     
     
       24. The method of claim 16 wherein said first message comprises a name identifying a teleconference resulting from a merger of said at least two teleconferences. 
     
     
       25. The method of claim 16 further comprising retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference said members. 
     
     
       26. The method of claim 25 further comprising consulting said merged conferences history table to detect out-of-date messages. 
     
     
       27. The method of claim 16 wherein establishing a merged teleconference comprises establishing point-to-point communication channels. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 27 further comprising each of at least a subset of the members in said list establishing point-to-point communication channels with other members in said list. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim 28 further comprising converting a plurality of point-to-point communication channels to a single broadcast communication channel to a first multicast address. 
     
     
       30. An automatic method in a teleconferencing system for merging at least two teleconferences, wherein a first of said teleconferences has a first set of members, and a second of said teleconferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 performing at least one of transmitting or receiving a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of the first teleconference to communicate with members of the second teleconference;   responsive to the first message, transmitting a second message to at least one member of the second teleconference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member, said second message configured to cause the transmission of a response message that includes a numeric code that indicates the response of said at least one member to said request by said initiating member;   retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference said members; and   establishing a merged teleconference including the first and second sets of members.   
     
     
       31. The method of claim 30, further comprising determining whether it is permissible to join other individuals to said merged teleconference, and if not, not transmitting the second message. 
     
     
       32. The method of claim 31 wherein determining whether it is permitted to join other individuals to said merged teleconference comprises determining whether a mode for the teleconference indicates whether it is permissible to join other individuals to a conference. 
     
     
       33. The method of claim 30 further comprising, prior to transmitting said second message, determining whether a first member in said first and said second sets of members will transmit said second message, and if so, not sending said second message to said first member. 
     
     
       34. The method of claim 33 wherein determining whether said first member in said first and said second sets of members will transmit said second message comprises:
 comparing a first conference identifier (ID) of a second member and a second conference ID of said first member; and   if said first conference ID has a first relationship with said second conference ID, then transmitting, by said first member, said second message to said second member.   
     
     
       35. The method of claim 34 wherein said first relationship comprises said first conference ID being less than said second conference ID. 
     
     
       36. The method of claim 30 further comprising, prior to transmitting said second message, transmitting a message indicating application capabilities to each of at least a subset of the members in said first and said second sets. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim 30 further comprising, prior to transmitting said second message, transmitting a message including communication capabilities. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim 30 further comprising, prior to transmitting said second message, determining if a first member in said first and said second sets of members is already in the first teleconference, and if so, not transmitting said second message to said first member. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim 38 wherein determining whether a member in said first and said second sets of members can be shared with others in said at least two ongoing teleconferences comprises checking mode information stored with an identifier of each member. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 30 wherein said first message comprises a name identifying a teleconference resulting from a merger of said at least two teleconferences. 
     
     
       41. The method of claim 30 further comprising consulting said merged conferences history table to detect out-of-date messages. 
     
     
       42. The method of claim 30 wherein establishing one teleconference comprises establishing point-to-point communication channels. 
     
     
       43. The method of claim 42 further comprising each member in said first and said second sets of members establishing point-to-point communication channels with other members in at least one of said first and said second sets of members. 
     
     
       44. The method of claim 43 further comprising converting a plurality of point-to-point communication channels to a single broadcast communication channel to a first multicast address. 
     
     
       45. An automatic apparatus in a teleconferencing system for merging at least two ongoing teleconferences comprising:
 a first circuit for performing at least one of transmitting or receiving a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of a first teleconference to communicate with members of a second teleconference, and for transmitting a list of members in one of said at least two ongoing teleconferences;   a second circuit for transmitting a second message to each of at least a subset of the members in said list of members to request participation by the member in a teleconference, wherein the member is not the initiating member, said second message causing the transmitting of a response message that indicates the reaction of the receiving member to said second message; and   a third circuit for establishing one teleconference responsive at least in part to said response message; and   a detection circuit for determining whether a first member in said list of members will transmit said second message, and wherein, if the detection circuit determines that the first member will transmit said second message, said second circuit does not transmit said second message to said first member, wherein said detection circuit determines whether said first member in said list of members will transmit said second message by comparing a first conference identifier (ID) of a second member and a second conference ID of said first member, and wherein, if said first conference ID has a first relationship with said second conference ID, then said second circuit transmits said second message to said second member.   
     
     
       46. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising a circuit for determining whether it is permissible to join other individuals to said one teleconference, and if not, not transmitting said second message. 
     
     
       47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said circuit for determining whether it is permissible to join other individuals to said one teleconference comprises a circuit for determining whether a mode for the teleconference indicates whether it is permissible to join other individuals to a conference. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising, operative prior to said second circuit, a fourth circuit for transmitting a message indicating application capabilities to each of at least a subset of the members in said list. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising, operative prior to said second circuit, a fourth circuit for transmitting a message including communication capabilities. 
     
     
       50. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising, operative prior to said second circuit, a fourth circuit for determining if a first member in said list of members is already connected, and wherein, if the fourth circuit determines that said first member is already connected, the second circuit does not transmit said second message to said first member. 
     
     
       51. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising a merged conferences history table, wherein said first and second circuits use current identifiers stored in said merged conferences history table to reference said members. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein said second circuit further uses said merged conferences history table to detect out-of-date messages. 
     
     
       53. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said third circuit establishes a teleconference by establishing point-to-point communication channels. 
     
     
       54. The apparatus of claim 53 further comprising a circuit for each of at least a subset of said members in said list for establishing point-to-point communication channels with other of said members in said list. 
     
     
       55. An automatic apparatus in a teleconferencing system for merging at least two teleconferences, wherein one of said teleconferences has a first set of members, and a second of said teleconferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 a first circuit for performing at least one of transmitting or receiving a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of a first teleconference to communicate with members of a second teleconference;   a second circuit for transmitting a second message to at least one member, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member;   a third circuit for receiving a response message from said at least one member, wherein said response message includes a numeric code that answers said request for communication; and   a fourth circuit for establishing one teleconference; and   a merged conferences history table, wherein said first and second circuits use current identifiers stored in said merged conferences history table to reference said members.   
     
     
       56. The apparatus of claim 55 further comprising a circuit for determining whether it is permissible to join other individuals to said one teleconference, and if not, not transmitting said second message. 
     
     
       57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said circuit for determining whether it is permissible to join other individuals to said one teleconference comprises a circuit for determining whether a mode for the teleconference indicates whether it is permissible to join other individuals to a conference. 
     
     
       58. The apparatus of claim 55 further comprising a detection circuit determining whether a first member in said first and said second sets of members will transmit said second message, and wherein, if the detection circuit determines that the first member will transmit said second message, said second circuit does not transmit said second message to said first member. 
     
     
       59. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said detection circuit determines whether said first member in said first and said second sets of members will transmit said second message by comparing a first conference identifier (ID) of a second member and a second conference ID of said first member, and wherein, if said first conference ID has a first relationship with said second conference ID, then said second circuit transmits said second message to said second member. 
     
     
       60. The apparatus of claim 55 further comprising, operative prior to said second circuit, a fourth circuit for transmitting a message indicating application capabilities to each of at least a subset of members in said first and said second sets of members. 
     
     
       61. The apparatus of claim 55 further comprising, operative prior to said second circuit, a fourth circuit for transmitting a message including communication capabilities. 
     
     
       62. The apparatus of claim 55 further comprising, operative prior to said second circuit, a fourth circuit for determining if a first member in said first and said second sets of members is already connected, and wherein, if the fourth circuit determines that said first member is already connected, the second circuit does not transmit said second message to said first member. 
     
     
       63. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said second circuit further uses said merged conferences history table to detect out-of-date messages. 
     
     
       64. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said third circuit establishes a teleconference by establishing point-to-point communication channels. 
     
     
       65. The apparatus of claim 64 further comprising a circuit for each of at least a subset of said members in said first and said second sets of members for establishing point-to-point communication channels with other of said members in said first and said second sets. 
     
     
       66. The apparatus of claim 65 further comprising a circuit for converting a plurality of point-to-point communication channels to a single broadcast communication channel to a first multicast address in a member. 
     
     
       67. A method for merging a first teleconference call including a first member and one or more other members with a second teleconference call including the first member and a second member, comprising:
 a conference component of the first member transmitting a merge request message to a conference component of the second member requesting merger of the first teleconference call with the second teleconference call, the merge request message identifying the one or more other members of the first teleconference call;   a conference component of the second member receiving the merge request message and transmitting a join message to conference components of the one or more other members;   a conference component of the second member retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference the one or more other members of the first teleconference call;   a conference component of the second member receiving a merge accept message, wherein said merge accept message indicates participation or non-participation of said one or more other members in said merger of the first teleconference with the second teleconference; and   the conference components of the first member, the second member and the one or more other members establishing one teleconference call.   
     
     
       68. Circuitry in a conference component of a member of a first teleconference call for merging the first teleconference call with a second teleconference call, comprising:
 circuitry for receiving a merge request message from a common member of both the first and second teleconference calls, the merge request message identifying one or more other members of the second teleconference call;   circuitry for, responsive to the merge request message, transmitting a join message to the one or more other members;   circuitry for receiving a merge accept message, wherein said merge accept message indicates the success or failure of said join message; and   circuitry for establishing a single teleconference call with the common member and the one or more other members of the second teleconference call; and   a merged conferences history table, wherein the circuitry uses current identifiers stored in said merged conferences history table to reference the one or more other members of the second teleconference call.   
     
     
       69. An apparatus for merging a first teleconference call including a first member and one or more other members with a second teleconference call including the first member and a second member, comprising:
 circuitry in a conference component of the first member for transmitting a merge request message to a conference component of a second member requesting merger of the first teleconference call with the second teleconference call, the merge request message identifying the one or more other members of the first teleconference call;   circuitry in the conference component of the second member for receiving the merge request message and transmitting a join message to conference components of the one or more other members;   circuitry in the conference components of the first member, the second member and the one or more other members, for receiving the join message and determining participation within a merged teleconference call; and   circuitry in the conference components of the first member, the second member and the one or more other members for establishing said merged teleconference call responsive to the determined participation; and   a merged conferences history table, wherein the conference component of the second member uses current identifiers stored in said merged conferences history table to reference the one or more other members of the first teleconference call.   
     
     
       70. An automatic method in a conferencing system for merging at least two conferences, wherein a first of said conferences has a first set of members, and a second of said conferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 receiving a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference;   responsive to the first message, transmitting a second message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities to each of at least a subset of the members in said first and said second sets and transmitting a join request message to at least one member of the second conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member, said join request message causing the transmitting of a response message, said response message indicating the at least one member's intention to join in a merge of said first and second conference, wherein said second message is not transmitted to a particular member in said first and second sets if a first conference identifier (ID) of the particular member has a first relationship with a second conference ID of the transmitting member; and   establishing a merged conference including the first and second sets of members.   
     
     
       71. The method of claim 70, further comprising establishing a control channel between at least two members of said first and second sets of members. 
     
     
       72. The method of claim 71, wherein said transmitting said second message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities is performed after said establishing said control channel. 
     
     
       73. The method of claim 70, further comprising transmitting at least one message between at least one member of said first set and at least one member of said second set, said at least one message providing identification and mode information. 
     
     
       74. The method of claim 70, wherein said first message comprising said request by said initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference is received via a wireless interface. 
     
     
       75. An automatic method in a conferencing system for merging at least two conferences, wherein a first of said conferences has a first set of members, and a second of said conferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 receiving a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference;   responsive to the first message, transmitting a second message including communication capabilities and transmitting a join request message to at least one member of the second conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member, said join request message requesting the joining of said first and second conferences, and causing the transmitting of a response message indicating the recipient's action with respect to said join request;   retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference said members of the first conference; and   establishing a merged conference including the first and second sets of members.   
     
     
       76. The method of claim 75, further comprising establishing a control channel between at least two members of said first and second sets of members. 
     
     
       77. The method of claim 76, wherein said transmitting said second message including communication capabilities is performed after said establishing said control channel. 
     
     
       78. The method of claim 75, further comprising transmitting at least one message between at least one member of said first set and at least one member of said second set, said at least one message providing identification and mode information. 
     
     
       79. The method of claim 75, wherein said first message comprising said request by said initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference is received via a wireless interface. 
     
     
       80. The method of claim 75, wherein said first and second sets of members comprise a member in common. 
     
     
       81. An automatic method in a conferencing system for merging at least two conferences, wherein a first of said conferences has a first set of members, and a second of said conferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 receiving a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference;   responsive to the first message, transmitting a first join request message to at least one member of the second conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member;   transmitting at least one additional join request message;   for each join request message, receiving a response message that includes a numeric code that indicates the recipient accepting said request for communication with said initiating member of the first conference;   retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference at least said first set of members or said second set of members; and   establishing a merged conference including the first and the second sets of members.   
     
     
       82. The method of claim 81, wherein said additional join request message identifies a member to be joined in said merged conference. 
     
     
       83. The method of claim 81, further comprising, prior to transmitting said additional join request message, transmitting an initialization message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities to each of at least a subset of the members in said first and said second sets. 
     
     
       84. The method of claim 83, further comprising establishing a control channel between at least two members of said first and second sets of members. 
     
     
       85. The method of claim 84, wherein said transmitting said initialization message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities is performed after said establishing said control channel. 
     
     
       86. The method of claim 81, further comprising transmitting at least one message between at least one member of said first set and at least one member of said second set, said at least one message providing identification and mode information. 
     
     
       87. The method of claim 81, wherein said first message comprising said request by said initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference is received via a wireless interface. 
     
     
       88. An automatic method in a conferencing system for merging at least two conferences, wherein a first of said conferences has a first set of members, and a second of said conferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 an apparatus receiving a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference;   responsive to the first message, the apparatus transmitting a first join request message to at least one member of the second conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member;   the apparatus transmitting a second join request message to at least one member of the first conference;   the apparatus receiving a first response message, indicating the success or failure of said first join request message;   the apparatus receiving a second response message, indicating the success or failure of said second join request message;   the apparatus retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference at least said first set of members or said second set of members; and   the apparatus establishing a merged conference including the first and the second sets of members based at least in part on said first and second response messages.   
     
     
       89. The method of claim 88, wherein said receiving said first message comprises at least one member of the second conference receiving said first message. 
     
     
       90. The method of claim 88, further comprising said initiating member transmitting said first message. 
     
     
       91. The method of claim 88, further comprising, prior to transmitting said second join request message, transmitting a message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities to each of at least a subset of the members in at least one of said first and said second sets. 
     
     
       92. The method of claim 91, further comprising establishing a control channel between at least two members of at least one of said first and second sets of members. 
     
     
       93. The method of claim 92, wherein said transmitting said message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities is performed after said establishing said control channel. 
     
     
       94. The method of claim 88, further comprising transmitting at least one message between at least one member of said first set and at least one member of said second set, said at least one message providing identification and mode information. 
     
     
       95. The method of claim 88, wherein said first message comprising said request by said initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference is received via a wireless interface. 
     
     
       96. An automatic method in a conferencing system for merging at least two conferences, wherein a first of said conferences has a first set of members, and a second of said conferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 an apparatus receiving a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference;   responsive to the first message, the apparatus transmitting a first join request message to at least one member of the second conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member, said first join request message causing the transmission of a first response message that indicates the acceptance of said at least one member of the second conference to join a merged conference;   the apparatus receiving a second message comprising a request by said initiating member to communicate with at least one member of the first conference;   responsive to the second message, the apparatus transmitting a second join request message to at least one member of the first conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member, said second join request message causing the transmission of a second response message that indicates the acceptance of said at least one member of the first conference to join said merged teleconference;   the apparatus retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference at least said first set of members or said second set of members; and   the apparatus establishing said merged conference including the first and the second sets of members.   
     
     
       97. The method of claim 96, wherein said receiving said first message comprises at least one member of the second conference receiving said first message. 
     
     
       98. The method of claim 97, further comprising said initiating member transmitting said first message. 
     
     
       99. The method of claim 96, further comprising, prior to transmitting said join request message, transmitting a message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities to each of at least a subset of the members in said first and said second sets. 
     
     
       100. The method of claim 99, further comprising establishing a control channel between at least two members of said first and second sets of members. 
     
     
       101. The method of claim 100, wherein said transmitting said message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities is performed after said establishing said control channel. 
     
     
       102. The method of claim 96, further comprising transmitting at least one message between at least one member of said first set and at least one member of said second set, said at least one message providing identification and mode information. 
     
     
       103. The method of claim 102, wherein said first message comprising said request by said initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference is received via a wireless interface. 
     
     
       104. An automatic method in a conferencing system for merging at least two conferences, wherein a first of said conferences has a first set of members, and a second of said conferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 an apparatus receiving a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference;   responsive to the first message, the apparatus transmitting a first join request message to at least one member of the second conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member, said first join request message causing the transmitting of a first response message that indicates the acceptance of said at least one member of the second conference to join said merging of at least two conferences;   responsive to the first message, the apparatus transmitting a second join request message to at least one member of the first conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member, said second join request message causing the transmitting of a second response message that indicates the acceptance of said at least one member of the first conference to join said merging of at least two conferences;   the apparatus retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference at least said first set of members or said second set of members; and   the apparatus establishing a merged conference including the first and the second sets of members.   
     
     
       105. The method of claim 104, wherein said receiving comprises at least one member of the second conference receiving said first message. 
     
     
       106. The method of claim 104, further comprising said initiating member transmitting said first message. 
     
     
       107. The method of claim 104, further comprising, prior to transmitting said second join request message, transmitting a message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities to each of at least a subset of the members in at least one of said first and said second sets. 
     
     
       108. The method of claim 107, further comprising establishing a control channel between at least two members of said first and second sets of members. 
     
     
       109. The method of claim 108, wherein said transmitting said message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities is performed after said establishing said control channel. 
     
     
       110. The method of claim 109, further comprising transmitting at least one message between at least one member of said first set and at least one member of said second set, said at least one message providing identification and mode information. 
     
     
       111. The method of claim 104, wherein said first message comprising said request by said initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference is received via a wireless interface. 
     
     
       112. An automatic method in a conferencing system for merging at least two conferences, wherein a first of said conferences has a first set of members, and a second of said conferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 transmitting a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference;   responsive to the first message, transmitting a second message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities to each of at least a subset of the members in said first and said second sets and transmitting a join request message to at least one member of the second conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member, said join request message requesting the joining of said first and second teleconferences and causing the transmitting of a response message that indicates agreement to join said first and second teleconferences;   retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference at least said first set of members or said second set of members; and   establishing a merged conference including the first and second sets of members.   
     
     
       113. The method of claim 112, further comprising establishing a control channel between at least two members of said first and second sets of members. 
     
     
       114. The method of claim 113, wherein said transmitting said second message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities is performed after said establishing said control channel. 
     
     
       115. The method of claim 112, further comprising transmitting at least one message between at least one member of said first set and at least one member of said second set, said at least one message providing identification and mode information. 
     
     
       116. The method of claim 112, wherein said first message comprising said request by said initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference is transmitted via a wireless interface. 
     
     
       117. An automatic method in a conferencing system for merging at least two conferences, wherein a first of said conferences has a first set of members, and a second of said conferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 transmitting a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference;   responsive to the first message, transmitting a second message including communication capabilities and transmitting a join request message to at least one member of the second conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member, said join request message causing the transmitting of a response message that indicates the success or failure of said join request message;   retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference at least said first set of members or said second set of members; and   establishing a merged conference including the first and second sets of members based at least in part on said response message.   
     
     
       118. The method of claim 117, further comprising establishing a control channel between at least two members of said first and second sets of members. 
     
     
       119. The method of claim 118, wherein said transmitting said second message including communication capabilities is performed after said establishing said control channel. 
     
     
       120. The method of claim 117, further comprising transmitting at least one message between at least one member of said first set and at least one member of said second set, said at least one message providing identification and mode information. 
     
     
       121. The method of claim 117, wherein said first message comprising said request by said initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference is transmitted via a wireless interface. 
     
     
       122. The method of claim 117, wherein said first and second sets of members comprise a member in common. 
     
     
       123. An automatic method in a conferencing system for merging at least two conferences, wherein a first of said conferences has a first set of members, and a second of said conferences has a second set of members, comprising:
 an apparatus transmitting a first message comprising a request by an initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference;   responsive to the first message, the apparatus transmitting a first join request message to at least one member of the second conference, wherein the at least one member is not the initiating member;   the apparatus transmitting at least one additional join request message, said first join request message and said at least one additional join request message causing the transmitting of response messages that indicate the success or failure of respective ones of said first join request and at least one additional join request message;   the apparatus retrieving identifiers stored in a merged conferences history table to reference at least said first set of members or said second set of members; and   the apparatus establishing a merged conference including the first and the second sets of members, based at least in part on said indications in response to said first and at least one additional join request messages.   
     
     
       124. The method of claim 123 wherein said additional join request message identifies a member to be joined in said merged conference. 
     
     
       125. The method of claim 123, further comprising, prior to transmitting said additional join request message, transmitting a second message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities to each of at least a subset of the members in said first and said second sets. 
     
     
       126. The method of claim 125, further comprising establishing a control channel between at least two members of said first and second sets of members. 
     
     
       127. The method of claim 126, wherein said transmitting said message indicating at least one of application and system capabilities is performed after said establishing said control channel. 
     
     
       128. The method of claim 123, further comprising transmitting at least one message between at least one member of said first set and at least one member of said second set, said at least one message providing identification and mode information. 
     
     
       129. The method of claim 123, wherein said first message comprising said request by said initiating member of the first conference to communicate with members of the second conference is transmitted via a wireless interface. 
     
     
       130. The method of claim 70 further comprising determining whether it is permissible to join other individuals to said merged teleconference, and if not, not transmitting said second message.