A method for scheduling a meeting using an email client that is part of an email system includes receiving a request at the email client to schedule the meeting. The request may include an indication of the resources that are to be provided by a conferencing system for the meeting. The method also includes communicating the request to a conference bridge that is part of the conferencing system and receiving from the conference bridge an access code associated with the meeting. The method also includes appending the access code to a meeting invitation associated with the meeting and providing the meeting invitation to an email server that is part of the email system. The method also includes sending the meeting invitation to users invited to participate in the meeting.

A computer-implemented system and method for group message delivery is provided. A voice message is received from a user associated with a personal communication device. An identification code for a discussion group to which the voice message is directed is obtained from the voice message. The voice message is added to a queue associated with the discussion group and a list of members associated with the discussion group is obtained. A sublist of personal communication devices associated with those members that are signed in to the discussion group is built. The voice message is transmitted to the personal communication devices on the sublist when the voice message reaches a top of the queue.

A computer-implemented system and method for group message delivery is provided. A voice message is received from a user associated with a personal communication device. An identification code for a discussion group to which the voice message is directed is obtained from the voice message. The voice message is added to a queue associated with the discussion group and a list of members associated with the discussion group is obtained. A sublist of personal communication devices associated with those members that are signed in to the discussion group is built. The voice message is transmitted to the personal communication devices on the sublist when the voice message reaches a top of the queue.

Systems for and methods of delivering telephone calls using the combination of a data channel and a voice channel are disclosed. A data channel connection with the telephone handset may provide pre-call information used to set up incoming and outgoing calls which are ultimately connected using a voice channel. Use of the pre-call information may permit the same handset to be associated with multiple secondary telephone numbers from which calls appear to have been made and to which calls appear to have been placed.

A system and method for creating teleconferences that leverage social networking websites and messaging thereof. The system includes a teleconferencing website hosted on a server for scheduling a teleconference in response to user input, and for generating a message for display on a social networking website. The message includes information about the teleconference and a link to one or more invitees to the teleconference. The system further includes an interactive voice response system for hosting the teleconference to connect at least some of the one or more invitees to the teleconference. The system further includes a client application running on a mobile device associated with each of the at least some of the one or more invitees. The client application receives a notification of the teleconference from the social networking website, and includes a control interface to enable an associated invitee to join the teleconference.

A telepresence system which includes at least one display device and a beacon coupled to the display device. The beacon emits a signal so as to be discoverable by electronic devices nearby such as in a meeting location. The system also includes a receiver-controller coupled to the beacon, the receiver-controller configured to enable such electronic devices to be recognized and to join a collaborative session in which content from one electronic device can be shared with other electronic devices. The receiver-controller can and will share some or all of its functions with one or more of the joined devices simultaneously, if security and identity protocols are satisfied.

A method for scheduling a meeting using an email client that is part of an email system includes receiving a request at the email client to schedule the meeting. The request may include an indication of the resources that are to be provided by a conferencing system for the meeting. The method also includes communicating the request to a conference bridge that is part of the conferencing system and receiving from the conference bridge an access code associated with the meeting. The method also includes appending the access code to a meeting invitation associated with the meeting and providing the meeting invitation to an email server that is part of the email system. The method also includes sending the meeting invitation to users invited to participate in the meeting.

To provide more secure access to a conference call, a request is received from a user to retrieve a one-time conference passcode; the request includes a personal verification code. In one embodiment, the personal verification code is a digital certificate. The personal verification code is validated. In response to the personal verification code being valid, the user is sent the one-time conference passcode. The user then requests to join the conference call by presenting the one-time conference passcode and a participant code. The one-time conference passcode and the participant code are verified. In response to verifying the one-time conference passcode and the participant code, the user is allowed to join the conference call. The user's name is then displayed in a list of conference participants. This overcomes the security problem of not knowing exactly who is participating in the conference call.

Systems and methods allow an administrator of a conference call bridge to control who is admitted to the conference call bridge. The systems and methods also allow the administrator to identify a new individual who will become the administrator of the conference call bridge when a triggering event occurs. The systems and methods also allow an administrator to identify a new endpoint device from which valid control commands can be received.

A conferencing system receives information identifying a user and retrieves calendar information specifying scheduled events of the user. The conferencing system selects one of the events and joins the user to the event without the user manually entering information about the event.