Voice conference call using pstn and internet networks

A method for establishing a secure multi-participant conference call including full duplex audio, the method comprising:

• initiating a dial-in process to establish a connection with a local moderator client in response to an input from a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) client;
• receiving first audio data at the local moderator client from the PSTN client through a PSTN gateway;
• receiving second audio data at the local moderator client from a remote client through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel;
• transmitting third audio data, first video data, and first collaboration data from the local moderator client to the remote client through the first VPN tunnel;
• and
• transmitting fourth audio data from the local moderator client to the PSTN client through the PSTN gateway.

A method for conducting a secure multi-participant conference call including full duplex audio, the method comprising:

• receiving first audio data, first video data, and first collaboration data at a server from a first remote client through a first Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel;
• receiving second audio data at the server from a second remote client through a second VPN tunnel;
• receiving third audio data at the server from a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) client through a PSTN gateway;
• mixing the first audio data with the second audio data into a first mixed audio data;
• mixing the second audio data with the third audio data into a second mixed audio data;
• mixing the first audio data with the third audio data into a third mixed audio data;
• transmitting the first mixed audio data from the server to the PSTN client through the PSTN gateway;
• transmitting the second mixed audio data from the server to the first remote client through the first VPN tunnel;
• transmitting the third mixed audio data from the server to the second remote client through the second VPN tunnel;
• and
• transmitting the first video data and the first collaboration data from the sever to the second remote client.

An apparatus for conducting a secure multi-participant conference call including full duplex audio, the apparatus comprising:

• a server being configured to receive:
• first audio data, first video data, and first collaboration data from a first remote client through a first Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel;
• second audio data from a second remote client through a second VPN tunnel;
• and
• third audio data from a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) client through a PSTN gateway;
• the server being configured to mix:
• the first audio data with the second audio data into a first mixed audio data;
• second audio data with the third audio data into a second mixed audio data;
• and
• the first audio data with the third audio data into a third mixed audio data;
• the server being configured to transmit:
• the first mixed audio data to the PSTN client through the PSTN gateway;
• the second mixed audio data to the first remote client through the first VPN tunnel;
• the third mixed audio data to the second remote client through the second VPN tunnel;
• and
• the first video data and the first collaboration data to the second remote client.