WO2013034186A1

WO2013034186A1 - Method, computer program product, and conference application server for scheduling an audio or video conference

Info

Publication number: WO2013034186A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/065525
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Olrog
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2011-09-08
Filing date: 2011-09-08
Publication date: 2013-03-14

Abstract

A method for scheduling an audio or video conference at a conference application comprises following steps: (i) receiving (21) from a terminal (12) having an e-mail program with in-person meeting scheduling and updating functionality (12a) installed therein, a meeting request e-mail comprising a subject, a scheduled date and time for the meeting, an identification of the sender (11) of the meeting request e-mail, and the identification of at least a further recipient of the meeting request e-mail, which recipient is invited to the audio or video conference; (ii) interpreting (22) the meeting request e-mail as a request to set up an audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time and with the sender and the at least one recipient as participants; (iii) providing (24) at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address via which the participants can access the audio or video conference; and (iv) preparing and sending (26) an update to the meeting request e-mail to the participants of the audio or video conference. The update comprises the subject, the scheduled date and time for the meeting, the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail as an indication of the sender of the update.

Description

METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND CONFERENCE

APPLICATION SERVER FOR SCHEDULING AN AUDIO OR VIDEO CONFERENCE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a method for scheduling an audio or video conference at a conference application server capable of setting up audio or video conferences that can be accessed via Internet link addresses, telephone numbers, or other addressing schemes. The invention relates further to a computer program product for carrying out the method and to a conference

application server.

BACKGROUND

Such method, computer program product, and conference application server are known in the art. However, typically, the technology used involves the use of plug in programs for existing calendar and mail programs or relies on Internet based scheduling.

A drawback of the former approach is that each person that desires to schedule an audio or video conference and invite participants thereto must do so from a terminal which has a dedicated plug in program

installed in the calendar or mail program thereof.

Obviously, this limitation may restrict such person in scheduling audio or video conferences.

A further drawback of the former approach is that the plug in program needs to be installed in each terminal, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, computer, etc., the person normally uses in order to not unnecessarily restrict the person' s normal usage pattern with respect to the terminals, i.e. the person should be capable of

scheduling audio and video conferences at each

desirable instant and location. Further, updates of each of the plug in programs installed in the terminals have repeatedly to be acquired and installed. All these installations would be costly and still restrict the user' s capabilities of scheduling audio or video conferences; e.g. scheduling would not be possible from borrowed terminals or Internet cafe computers.

A drawback of Internet based scheduling is that

scheduling audio or video conferences and inviting participants thereto would be more time consuming and require a number of further manual entries. For

instance, addresses of participants cannot be taken automatically from the address book of the calendar and mail program but have to be entered manually. Of course, the Internet page may allow for saving

addresses to another occasion, but still, in such case, a parallel address book has to be built up on the

Internet page. Further, the scheduled time and place of a conference would not be automatically entered into the calendar of the person scheduling the conference. SUMMARY

It would therefore be desirable to provide a method for scheduling an audio or video conference at a conference application server capable of setting up audio or video conferences that can be accessed via Internet link addresses, telephone numbers, or other addressing schemes, by which at least some of the drawbacks as disclosed above in the background chapter are avoided or at least alleviated.

According to a first aspect a method is provided, according to which a meeting request e-mail comprising a subject, a scheduled date and time for the meeting, an identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail, and the identification of at least a further recipient of the meeting request e-mail, which

recipient is invited to the audio or video conference, is received from a terminal having an e-mail program with in-person meeting scheduling and updating

functionality installed therein. The meeting request e- mail is interpreted as a request to set up an audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time and with the sender and the at least one recipient as participants. At least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address via which the participants can access the audio or video conference is provided. An update to the meeting request e-mail is prepared and sent to the participants of the audio or video conference, wherein the update comprises the subject, the scheduled date and time for the meeting, the at least one Internet link address, and the

identification of the sender of the meeting request e- mail as an indication of the sender of the update. That is, the update shall falsely indicate the sender of the meeting e-mail request as also the sender of the update. Hereby, the update sent will be interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail. Alternatively, the update is only sent to the at least further recipient of the meeting request e-mail. In such instance some other communication linked to the meeting e-mail request, such as a further meeting request e-mail linked to the original meeting request e-mail, has to be sent to the sender of the meeting request e-mail in order to inform the sender about the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, via which the sender can access the audio or video conference.

Yet alternatively, instead of preparing and sending an update, an information message is prepared and sent, e.g. via e-mail, to the participants of the audio or video conference, wherein the information messages are linked to the meeting request e-mail and comprise the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address.

By means of the aspect above a simple and flexible approach is achieved by which a person can schedule an audio or video conference using an existing e-mail program installed in his/her terminal. The approach does not require the use of a plug in program installed in the terminal used.

In one embodiment at least one PIN code is provided in the update, wherein the participants can access the audio or video conference via the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address firstly after having presented the PIN code, and the update comprises also the at least one PIN code. Hereby, only authorized persons can access the audio or video conference.

If different PIN codes are given to different

participants, a possible missing participant to the audio or video conference can be identified since the corresponding PIN code will not be used. Further, different user rights during the audio or video

conference can be handled via the individual PIN codes via which the participants access the audio or video conference.

Alternatively, the participants may be given individual Internet link addresses, telephone numbers, or other addresses, wherein each of the participants of the audio or video conference can access the audio or video conference via his/her individual Internet link

address, telephone number, or other address. By means of the individual addresses or numbers, the

participants can likewise be identified and/or given different user rights. The at least further recipient of the meeting request e-mail will be given this individual PIN code, Internet link address, telephone number, or other address in the update, whereas the sender of the meeting request e- mail will be given an individual PIN code, Internet link address, telephone number, or other address in other kind of message linked to the meeting request e- mail such that he/she will not reveal his/her

individual PIN code, Internet link address, telephone number, or other address when sending a further update to the meeting request e-mail in order to e.g. change the time or date of the audio or video conference. Such individual PIN code, Internet link address, telephone number, or other address may be referred to as a moderator individual PIN code, Internet link address, telephone number, or other address.

If individual PIN codes, Internet link addresses, telephone numbers, or other addresses are used and the sender sends a further update to the meeting request e- mail, this update will not contain the individual PIN codes, Internet link addresses, telephone numbers, or other addresses since the sender is not typically aware of these. In such instance, in response to receiving the further update from the sender, a yet further update to the meeting request e-mail is prepared and sent to the participants of the audio or video

conference, wherein the yet further update is identical with the further update received from the sender except for that the yet further update comprises for each of the participants his/her individual PIN code. In a further embodiment it is checked whether the sender is authorized to request the setting up of an audio or video conference, wherein the update is prepared and sent to the participants of the audio or video conference only if the sender is authorized to request the setting up of an audio or video conference. Hereby, it can be safeguarded that an authorized person is requesting the setting up of an audio or video conference. The authorization may comprise an

identification of the person and can thus be used for billing purposes or default user settings. In yet a further embodiment an inquiry is prepared and sent to the sender regarding the type of the audio or video conference, the configuration of the audio or video conference, and/or the payment for the audio or video conference. A response is received from the sender regarding the type of the audio or video

conference, the configuration of the audio or video conference, and/or the payment for the audio or video conference. Finally, the audio or video conference is set up and/or the billing is made according to the response. The inquiry may be sent and the response may be received as ordinary e-mails. Alternatively, the inquiry is sent and the response is received as a new meeting request e-mail and an update thereof. By means of the above communication, the sender is enabled to set up further details of the audio or video

conference .

According to a second aspect a method is provided, according to which a meeting request e-mail comprising a subject, a scheduled date and time for the meeting, and an identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail is received from a terminal having an e- mail program with in-person meeting scheduling and updating functionality installed therein. The meeting request e-mail has no further recipients. The meeting request e-mail is interpreted as a request to set up an audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time. At least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address via which participants of the audio or video conference can access the audio or video conference, is provided. An update to the meeting request e-mail is prepared and sent to the sender, wherein the update comprises the subject, the scheduled date and time for the meeting, the at least one

Internet link address, telephone number, or other address and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail as an indication of the sender of the update. An update to the meeting request e-mail is thereafter received from the sender, wherein the received update comprises the identification of at least one further recipient of the meeting request e- mail, which recipient is invited to the audio or video conference. That is, the result of the method is similar to the result of the method of the first aspect. The difference is that at the initiation of the scheduling of the audio or video conference no further recipients of the meeting request e-mail, i.e. persons invited to the audio or video conference, are

indicated. Instead, after the update to the meeting request e-mail has been prepared and sent to the sender, a further update to the meeting request e-mail is received from the sender, which comprises the identification of at least one further recipient which is invited to the audio or video conference.

It shall be appreciated that the update sent to the sender may be exchanged for other kind of message associated with the meeting request e-mail. The further update received from the sender with the identification of at least one further recipient which is invited to the audio or video conference is then followed by a yet further update prepared and sent to the at least further recipient and optionally to the sender, thereby informing them about the Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, via which they can access the audio or video conference.

According to a third aspect a computer program product is provided, which product is loadable into the

internal memory of a computer, and comprises software code portions for carrying out any of the methods of the first and second aspects when the product is run on the computer. According to a fourth aspect a conference application server capable of setting up audio or video conferences that can be accessed via Internet link addresses, telephone numbers, or other addresses is provided. The conference application server comprises three modules: a receiving module, an interpreting module and a preparation and sending module. The receiving module is provided for receiving from a terminal having an e-mail program with in-person meeting scheduling and updating functionality installed therein, a meeting request e- mail comprising a subject, a scheduled date and time for the meeting, an identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail, and the identification of at least a further recipient of the meeting request e- mail, which recipient is invited to the audio or video conference. The interpreting module is provided for interpreting the meeting request e-mail as a request to set up an audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time and with the sender and the at least one recipient as participants. The providing module is provided for providing at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, via which the participants can access the audio or video

conference. The preparation and sending module is provided for preparing and sending (i) an update to the meeting request e-mail to the participants of the audio or video conference, (ii) an update to the meeting request e-mail to the at least further recipient of the meeting request e-mail and another message to the sender of the meeting request e-mail, or (iii)

information messages to the participants of the audio or video conference.

The update, if being used, comprises the subject, the scheduled date and time for the meeting, the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail as an indication of the sender of the update such that the update sent will be

interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail. The other message, if being used, is linked to the meeting request e-mail and comprises the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address. The information messages, if being used, are linked to the meeting request e-mail and comprise the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address.

According to a fifth aspect a conference application server capable of setting up audio or video conferences that can be accessed via Internet link addresses, telephone numbers, or other addresses is provided. The conference application server comprises three modules: a receiving module, an interpreting module and a preparation and sending module. The receiving module is provided for receiving from a terminal having an e-mail program with in-person meeting scheduling and updating functionality installed therein, a meeting request e- mail comprising a subject, a scheduled date and time for the meeting, and an identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail. The interpreting module is provided for interpreting the meeting request e-mail as a request to set up an audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time. The providing module is provided for providing at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address via which participants of the audio or video conference can access the audio or video conference. The preparation and sending module is provided for preparing and sending (i) an update to the meeting request e-mail or (ii) a message to the sender, the update comprising the subject, the scheduled date and time for the meeting, the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail as an indication of the sender of the update such that the update sent will be interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail.

Finally, the receiving module is further provided for receiving a further update to the meeting request e- mail from the sender, the received further update comprising the identification of at least one further recipient of the further update to the meeting request e-mail, which recipient is invited to the audio or video conference; and the preparation and sending module is further provided, if the message is prepared and sent to the sender, for preparing and sending (i) a yet further update to the meeting request e-mail to the at least one further recipient of the further update to the meeting request e-mail, or (ii) an information message to the at least one further recipient of the further update to the meeting request e-mail.

The yet further update comprises the at least one

Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail as an indication of the sender of the yet further update such that the yet further update sent will be interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail; and the information message is linked to the yet further update to the meeting request e-mail and comprises the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address.

One advantage of the above aspects is that they provide for a simplified operation for the person scheduling the audio or video conference.

A further advantage of the above aspects is that they are fast, reliable, precise, flexible, and of low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawing, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a communication network including a conference application server according to an embodiment, and

Fig. 2 is a flow scheme of a method according to an embodiment .

DE TAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of

explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough

understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the

description of the invention with unnecessary detail. Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a communication network terminal including terminals 12, 16 and a conference application server 13 connected to one another via the Internet 14.

The terminals 12, 16 are personal computers, PDAs, mobile phones, or other communication terminals, each having a respective e-mail client with in-person meeting scheduling and updating functionality 12a, 16a installed therein. An example of a computer file format having this functionality is iCalendar. The format allows Internet users to send meeting requests and tasks to other Internet users, via e-mail. Recipients of the iCalendar data file (with the supporting

software, such as the email client or calendar

application) can respond to the sender easily or counter propose another meeting date/time. The format is supported by a large number of products, including Google Calendar, Apple iCal, IBM Lotus Notes, Yahoo! Calendar, and partially also by Microsoft Outlook.

The conference application server 13 is typically a computer and has a computer program product 13a

installed therein. The computer program product

comprises receiving, interpreting, optional

authorizing, and preparation and sending modules, which will be further discussed below. Fig. 2 is a flow scheme of a method for scheduling an audio or video conference at a conference application server capable of setting up audio or video conferences that can be accessed via Internet link addresses according to an embodiment of the invention, which is preferably implemented in the application server 13.

A person 11 having access to the terminal 11 initiates the scheduling of an audio or video conference by preparing a meeting request e-mail and sending it to the conference application server 13 and to one or several further recipients 15, which are invited to the audio or video conference. The meeting request e-mail comprises a subject, a scheduled date and time for the meeting, an identification of the sender 11 of the meeting request e-mail, and the identification of the recipients of the meeting request e-mail. The scheduled date and time for the meeting corresponds to the scheduled date and time for the audio or video

conference. The meeting request e-mail may also contain an indication that it refers to a scheduled audio or video conference in order for the one or several recipients 15 of the e-mail to understand this. The meeting request e-mail is, in a step 21 of Fig. 2, received at the conference application server 13.

At the conference application server 13 the meeting request e-mail is first received by the receiving module of the computer program product 13a. Next, the meeting request e-mail is handled over to the

interpreting module, which, in a step 22, interprets it as a request to set up an audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time and with the sender 11 and the one or several recipients 15 as participants. This interpretation may be a default interpretation for each incoming meeting request e-mail or the interpretation may be caused by a particular code in the meeting request e-mail.

Next, an authorization may optionally be performed by the optional authorizing module by means of, in a step 23, checking whether the sender 11 is authorized to request the setting up of the audio or video

conference. The conference application server 13 proceeds only if the sender 11 is authorized.

Next, the providing module provides, in a step 24, at least one Internet link address via which the

participants (i.e. the sender 11 and the one or several recipients 15 of the meeting request e-mail) can access the audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time of the meeting as comprised in the meeting request e-mail. Alternatively, or optionally, the providing module provides, in the step 24, at least one telephone number or address of any other suitable addressing scheme, via which the participants can access the audio or video conference.

Optionally, the providing module also provides, in a step 25, at least one PIN code, wherein the

participants (or optionally only the one or several recipients 15 of the meeting request e-mail) can access the audio or video conference via the at least one Internet link address firstly after having presented the PIN code. The preparation and sending module of the computer program product 13a continues, in a step 26, by

preparing and sending an update to the meeting request e-mail to the participants 11, 15 of the audio or video conference. The update comprises the subject, the scheduled date and time for the meeting, the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address for accessing the audio or video conference, optionally the at least one PIN code, and the

identification of the sender of the meeting request e- mail as a false indication of the sender of the update. That is, the conference application server 13 makes the recipients to believe that the update is sent from the sender 11 and will thus be interpreted as an update to the original meeting request e-mail. This modification of the sender identification is readily made by a person skilled in the art and is required to support those e-mail/calendar programs in which only the sender of the meeting request e-mail is available for sending updates thereof. If necessary (e.g. to handle SPF, Sender Policy Framework) the required steps to allow the conferencing application server 13 to send messages on behalf of the sender 11 should be performed at system setup. Optionally, the conference application server 13 sends the update via a server associated with the sender 11.

The update may also contain an indication that the meeting request e-mail refers to a scheduled audio or video conference.

In an alternative embodiment, the update is only sent from the conference application server 13 to the one or several recipients 15 of the meeting request e-mail. In such embodiment the conference application server 13 sends in a separate communication information regarding e.g. the at least one Internet link address and the optional at least one PIN code to the sender 11 of the meeting request e-mail. This may be made by in a new meeting request e-mail having a link to the original meeting request e-mail so that they can be matched with one another (e.g. for identification in case the sender has sent or will send further meeting request e-mails to the conference application server 13 in order to schedule further audio or video conferences) .

In yet an alternative embodiment, no update is sent from the conference application server 13. Instead, an information message is prepared and sent to the participants, wherein the information message is linked to the meeting request e-mail and comprises the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address and the optional at least one PIN code. The linking may be made simply by stating in the information message that it is linked to (or replaces in part) the meeting request e-mail.

An inquiry may be prepared and sent from the conference application server 13 to the sender 11 regarding the type of the audio or video conference, the

configuration of the audio or video conference, and/or the payment for the audio or video conference. The sender can thus respond to the inquiry and hence the conference application server 13 receives a response regarding the type of the audio or video conference, the configuration of the audio or video conference, and/or the payment for the audio or video conference. The application server 13 then sets up the audio or video conference and/or effectuates the billing

according to the response.

The inquiry may be sent and the response may be

received as e-mails. Alternatively, the inquiry is sent and the response is received as a new meeting request e-mail and an update thereof linked to the original meeting request e-mail.

Alternatively, the type of the audio or video

conference, the configuration of the audio or video conference, and/or the payment for the audio or video conference are/is set up in advance for a period of time and thus the conference application server 13 will use such default selections during that period of time.

Further, a moderator PIN code may be provided by the conference application server 13 for the sender 11 of the meeting request e-mail, wherein the sender 11 can access the audio or video conference firstly after having presented the moderator PIN code. The moderator PIN code is prepared and sent from the conference application server to the sender in a unicast message, preferably in a new meeting request e-mail linked to the meeting request e-mail sent by the sender 11.

Alternatively, a moderator Internet link address may be provided by the conference application server 13 for the sender 11 of the meeting request e-mail, wherein the sender 11 can access the audio or video conference via the moderator Internet link address 11. The

moderator Internet link address may be prepared and sent to the sender 11 in a similar manner as the moderator PIN code is sent to the sender 11. It shall be appreciated that that in step 25, the conference application server 13 may provide an

individual PIN code for each of the participants of the audio or video conference, wherein each of the

participants of the audio or video conference (except for the sender 11 of the meeting request e-mail) can access the audio or video conference firstly after having presented his/her individual PIN code. The update which is prepared and sent to the participants of the audio or video conference in step 26 comprises for each of the participants his/her individual PIN code. In particular, in case a participant is enabled to access the audio or video conference via the calling of a common telephone number, an individual PIN code is most desirable. The use of individual PIN codes for accessing the audio or video conference opens up possibilities for giving different participants different user rights during the audio or video conference. The different user rights are handled via the individual PIN codes via which the participants access the audio or video conference; a given PIN code is associated with a give user right. The moderator PIN code may be used for similar purpose.

It shall be further appreciated that alternatively, in step 24, the conference application server 13 may provide an individual Internet link address for each of the participants of the audio or video conference

(except for the sender 11 of the meeting request e- mail), wherein each of the participants of the audio or video conference can access the audio or video

conference via his/her individual Internet link address only. The update which is prepared and sent to the participants of the audio or video conference in step 26 comprises for each of the participants his/her individual Internet link address. Also, the use of different Internet link addresses for different

participants can be used to give different participants different user rights during the audio or video

conference. The moderator Internet link address may be used for similar purpose. It shall be appreciated that in some instances the sender 11 sends a further update to the meeting request e-mail after the update to the meeting request e-mail has been sent from the conference application server 13 to the participants of the audio or video conference. This further update is received by the one or several recipients 15 and, in a step 27, by the conference application server 13. Such update may for instance contain a new updated scheduled date and time for the audio or video conference, or a new list of recipients 15 (some may be cancelled and/or some may be added) . In either case this update cannot contain the individual PIN codes or Internet link addresses - if such are used, since the sender 11 is not aware of these (and individual codes (or individual text messages) can neither be handled in a typical e-mail client) . Thus, the receiving and preparation and sending modules of the computer program product 13a installed in the application server 13, in response to such further update from the sender 11 prepares and sends, in a step 28, a yet further update to the meeting request e-mail to the participants of the audio or video conference, wherein the yet further update is identical with the further update received from the sender 11 except for that the yet further update comprises for each of the participants (except the sender 11) his/her individual PIN code if individual PIN codes are used and his/her individual Internet link address if individual Internet link addresses are used. Note that this update, as all updates from the conference application server 13, comprises the identification of the sender 11 of the meeting request e-mail as a false indication of the sender of the update, i.e. the conference application server makes the recipients to believe that it is the sender 11 which has sent this update.

If the update sent in step 26 is only sent to the to the one or several recipients 15 of the meeting request e-mail, the update sent in step 27 has to be an update to the original meeting request e-mail sent by the sender 11.

It shall yet further be appreciated that the meeting request e-mail may comprise at least one attachment. In such instance the conference application server 13, during the audio or video conference, opens the at least one attachment in a virtual conference room and/or each of the participants is enabled to download the at least one attachment from the virtual conference room.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the scheduling method differs from the method described with reference to Fig. 2 in some aspects. The sender can chose to send the meeting request e-mail only to the conference application server 13. This means that the update thereof sent from the conference application server 13 in step 26 is only sent to the sender 11 or information is provided to the sender 11 in another manner. Subsequent thereto, the sender 11 prepares and sends an update to the meeting request e-mail to the conference application server 11 and to one or several added recipients, which are invited to the audio or video conference. This further update is received by the conference application server 13 e.g. as the further update received in step 27 in Fig. 2. If an update to the meeting request e-mail is sent to the sender 11 in step 26 and no individual PIN codes or Internet link addresses are to be used the scheduling method ends here, but otherwise the application server prepares and sends a yet further update to the meeting request e-mail which may also contain for each

participant his/her individual PIN code or his/her individual Internet link address, if such ones are used. Note that also this update from the conference application server 13 shall be marked as coming from the sender 11 such that the recipients thereof will interpret the e-mail as an update to the meeting request e-mail. This step corresponds to step 28 of Fig. 2.

Alternatively, the update sent to the sender 11 in response to the meeting request e-mail is exchanged for another message possibly including the Internet link address for accessing the audio or video meeting. If all information is included in this message, the yet further update sent by the application server 13 in response to the further update sent by the sender 11 with the one or several added recipients may only be sent to the one or several added recipients. Otherwise, the yet further update may be sent to all participants with the sender 11 as the marked sender such that the yet further update will be interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail.

In a yet further embodiment, wherein the update sent to the sender 11 in response to the meeting request e-mail is exchanged for another message possibly including the Internet link address for accessing the audio or video meeting, the yet further update is also be exchanged for yet another kind of message from the conference application server 13 to the participants (if the

Internet link address for accessing the audio or video meeting was not included the other message) or to the one or several added recipients (if the Internet link address for accessing the audio or video meeting was included the other message) . The yet further update is linked to the meeting request e-mail and the update thereof and comprises the Internet link address for accessing the audio or video meeting.

It shall still further be appreciated that while the invention encompasses the methods with the various alternatives disclosed above, the invention is not limited to these. The invention encompasses computer program products loadable into the internal memory of a computer, comprising software code portions for

carrying out the methods disclosed above when the products are run on the computer. Yet further, the invention encompasses conference application servers comprising the above computer program products loaded into their internal memories as well as conference application servers provided for performing the methods disclosed above.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. Therefore the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for scheduling an audio or video conference at a conference application server (13) capable of setting up audio or video conferences that can be accessed via Internet link addresses, telephone

numbers, or other addresses, characterized by the steps of: - receiving (21) from a terminal (12) having an e-mail program with in-person meeting scheduling and updating functionality (12a) installed therein, a meeting request e-mail comprising a subject, a scheduled date and time for the meeting, an identification of the sender (11) of the meeting request e-mail, and the identification of at least a further recipient of the meeting request e-mail, which recipient is invited to the audio or video conference; - interpreting (22) said meeting request e-mail as a request to set up an audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time and with the sender and the at least one recipient as participants; - providing (24) at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, via which the participants can access the audio or video conference; and - preparing and sending (26) (i) an update to said meeting request e-mail to the participants of the audio or video conference, (ii) an update to said meeting request e-mail to the at least further recipient of the meeting request e-mail and another message to the sender (11) of the meeting request e-mail, or (iii) information messages to the participants of the audio or video conference, wherein

- said update comprises the subject, the scheduled date and time for the meeting, the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail as an indication of the sender of the update such that the update sent will be interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail;

- said another message is linked to said meeting request e-mail and comprises the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address; and

- said information messages are linked to said meeting request e-mail and comprise the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

- at least one PIN code is provided (25) , wherein the participants can access the audio or video conference via the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address firstly after having presented the PIN code; and

- the update comprises also the at least one PIN code.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 comprising - checking (23) whether the sender is authorized to request the setting up of an audio or video conference; and

- the update is prepared and sent to the participants of the audio or video conference only if the sender is authorized to request the setting up of an audio or video conference.

4. The method of any of claims 1-3 wherein

- an inquiry is prepared and sent to the sender

regarding the type of the audio or video conference, the configuration of the audio or video conference, and/or the payment for the audio or video conference;

- a response is received from the sender regarding the type of the audio or video conference, the

configuration of the audio or video conference, and/or the payment for the audio or video conference; and

- the audio or video conference is set up and/or the billing is made according to said response.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the inquiry is sent and the response is received as e-mails.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the inquiry is sent and the response is received as a new meeting request e-mail and an update thereof.

7. The method of any of claims 1-6 wherein

- a moderator PIN code, Internet link address,

telephone number, or other address is provided for the sender of the meeting request e-mail, wherein the sender can access the audio or video conference firstly after having presented the moderator PIN code or by using the moderator Internet link address, telephone number, or other address; and

- the moderator PIN code, Internet link address, telephone number, or other address is prepared and sent from the conference application server to the sender, preferably in a new meeting request e-mail or in other kind of message.

8. The method of any of claims 1-6 wherein

- an individual PIN code, Internet link address, telephone number, or other address is provided (24, 25) for each of the at least further recipient, wherein each of the at least further recipient of the audio or video conference can access the audio or video

conference firstly after having presented his/her individual PIN code or by using his/her individual Internet link address, telephone number, or other address; and

- the update which is prepared and sent to the at least further recipient comprises for each of the

participants his/her individual PIN code, Internet link address, telephone number, or other address.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the participants have different user rights during the audio or video

conference and said different user rights are handled via the individual PIN codes, Internet link addresses, telephone numbers, or other addresses via which the participants access the audio or video conference.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9 wherein if a further update to said meeting request e-mail is received (27) from the sender after the update to said meeting request e-mail has been sent to the at least further recipient, a yet further update to said meeting request e-mail is prepared and sent (28) to the participants of the audio or video conference, said yet further update being identical with the further update received from the sender except for that said yet further update comprises for each of the participants his/her

individual PIN code, Internet link address, telephone number, or other address.

11. The method of any of claims 1-10 wherein

- the meeting request e-mail comprises at least one attachment; and

- during the audio or video conference, the at least one attachment is opened in a virtual conference room and/or each of the participants is enabled to download the at least one attachment from the virtual conference room.

12. A method for scheduling an audio or video

conference at a conference application server (13) capable of setting up audio or video conferences that can be accessed via Internet link addresses, telephone numbers, or other addresses, characterized by the steps of:

- receiving from a terminal (12) having an e-mail program with in-person meeting scheduling and updating functionality (12a) installed therein, a meeting request e-mail comprising a subject, a scheduled date and time for the meeting, and an identification of the sender (11) of the meeting request e-mail; - interpreting said meeting request e-mail as a request to set up an audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time;

- providing at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address via which

participants of said audio or video conference can access the audio or video conference;

- preparing and sending (i) an update to said meeting request e-mail or (ii) a message to the sender, said update comprising the subject, the scheduled date and time for the meeting, the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e- mail as an indication of the sender of the update such that the update sent will be interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail; - receiving a further update to said meeting request e- mail from the sender, said received further update comprising the identification of at least one further recipient of the further update to the meeting request e-mail, which recipient is invited to the audio or video conference; and

- if said message is prepared and sent to the sender, preparing and sending (i) a yet further update to said meeting request e-mail to the at least one further recipient of the further update to the meeting request e-mail, or (ii) an information message to the at least one further recipient of the further update to the meeting request e-mail, - said yet further update comprising said at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail as an indication of the sender of the yet further update such that the yet further update sent will be interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail; and

- said information message is linked to said yet further update to the meeting request e-mail and comprises the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address.

13. A computer program product (13a) loadable into the internal memory of a computer (13), comprising software code portions for carrying out the method as claimed in any of claims 1-12 when said product is run on said computer .

14. A conference application server (13) capable of setting up audio or video conferences that can be accessed via Internet link addresses, telephone

numbers, or other addresses, characterized by in that said conference application server comprises:

- a receiving module provided for receiving (21) from a terminal (12) having an e-mail program with in-person meeting scheduling and updating functionality (12a) installed therein, a meeting request e-mail comprising a subject, a scheduled date and time for the meeting, an identification of the sender (11) of the meeting request e-mail, and the identification of at least a further recipient of the meeting request e-mail, which recipient is invited to the audio or video conference;

- an interpreting module provided for interpreting (22) said meeting request e-mail as a request to set up an audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time and with the sender and the at least one recipient as participants; - a providing module provided for providing (24) at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, via which the participants can access the audio or video conference; and

- a preparation and sending module provided for

preparing and sending (26) (i) an update to said meeting request e-mail to the participants of the audio or video conference, (ii) an update to said meeting request e-mail to the at least further recipient of the meeting request e-mail and another message to the sender (11) of the meeting request e-mail, or (iii) information messages to the participants of the audio or video conference, wherein

- said update comprises the subject, the scheduled date and time for the meeting, the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail as an indication of the sender of the update such that the update sent will be interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail; - said another message is linked to said meeting request e-mail and comprises the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address; and

15. A conference application server (13) capable of setting up audio or video conferences that can be accessed via Internet link addresses, telephone

numbers, or other addresses, characterized in that said conference application server comprises:

- a receiving module provided for receiving from a terminal (12) having an e-mail program with in-person meeting scheduling and updating functionality (12a) installed therein, a meeting request e-mail comprising a subject, a scheduled date and time for the meeting, and an identification of the sender (11) of the meeting request e-mail;

- an interpreting module provided for interpreting said meeting request e-mail as a request to set up an audio or video conference at the scheduled date and time; - a providing module provided for providing at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address via which participants of said audio or video conference can access the audio or video conference; - a preparation and sending module provided for

preparing and sending (i) an update to said meeting request e-mail or (ii) a message to the sender, said update comprising the subject, the scheduled date and time for the meeting, the at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e- mail as an indication of the sender of the update such that the update sent will be interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail, wherein

- the receiving module is further provided for

receiving a further update to said meeting request e- mail from the sender, said received further update comprising the identification of at least one further recipient of the further update to the meeting request e-mail, which recipient is invited to the audio or video conference; and - the preparation and sending module is further provided, if said message is prepared and sent to the sender, for preparing and sending (i) a yet further update to said meeting request e-mail to the at least one further recipient of the further update to the meeting request e-mail, or (ii) an information message to the at least one further recipient of the further update to the meeting request e-mail,

- said yet further update comprising said at least one Internet link address, telephone number, or other address, and the identification of the sender of the meeting request e-mail as an indication of the sender of the yet further update such that the yet further update sent will be interpreted as an update to the meeting request e-mail; and