# US 9,883,042 B1 · Teleforum participant screening > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,883,042 B1 - Document ID: US9883042B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/054,514 - Filed: 2016-02-26 - Granted: 2018-01-30 - Earliest claimed: 2006-09-11 - Assignees: Broadnet Teleservices, LLC - Applicants: Broadnet Teleservices, LLC - Inventors: Brian Brown; Lorin Jurow - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9883042B1 ## CPC - H04M 3/566: {relating to a participants right to speak (arrangements for multi-party communication with floor control, e.g. for conferences, H04L65/4038, H04L65/4046, H04L65/4053)} - G06F 3/0484: for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range - H04L 65/1086: {session scope modification} - H04L 65/4038: with floor control - H04M 3/56: Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities (video conference systems H04N7/15) - H04M 3/564: {whereby the feature is a sub-conference} - G06F 3/0481: based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance - H04M 3/382: {using authorisation codes or passwords} - H04M 2203/256: comprising a service specific user interface - H04M 2203/5036: using conference for collection of feedback - H04M 2203/5054: Meet-me conference, i.e. participants dial-in - H04M 2203/5072: Multiple active speakers - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Implementations disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for conference screening. According to one implementation, a method includes connecting a participant to a multi-mode conference in a listen-only mode and receiving a request of active participation in the multi-mode conference from the participant. In response to receipt of the request for active participation, the participant is bridged into a private screening subconference, and information relating to the participant's requested active participation to the multi-mode conference is received via the private screening subconference responsive to a prompt. In response to the receipt of the information via the private screening subconference, the participant is placed in a queue to await authorization for active participation in the multi-mode conference, the queue including at least one other participant previously screened in another private screening sub-conference. The method further includes detecting selection of the participant from the queue, and establishing a connection between the participant and the multi-mode conference based on detection of the selection. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of providing a multi-mode conference comprising: connecting a participant to the multi-mode conference in a listen-only mode; receiving a request for active participation in the multi-mode conference from the participant; in response to receipt of the request for active participation, bridging the participant into a private screening sub-conference; receiving, via the private screening sub-conference, information relating to the participant's requested active participation to the multi-mode conference responsive to a prompt; in response to the receipt of the information via the private screening sub-conference, placing the participant in a queue to await authorization for active participation in the multi-mode conference, the queue including at least one other participant previously screened in another private screening sub-conference; detecting selection of the participant from the queue; and establishing a connection between the participant and the multi-mode conference based on detection of the selection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the participant is connected to the multi-mode conference in the half-duplex mode while in the queue. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying at least some of information collected during the private screening sub-conference on an interface visible to a multi-mode conference host. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the interface further displays a list of participants in the queue. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the participant is connected to the multi-mode conference at a reduced volume while in the private screening sub-conference. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the queue includes both screened participants and participants awaiting screening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: placing the participant back in the listen-only mode after the participant has actively participated in the multi-mode conference via the connection. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving input to selectively re-order the queue. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein detecting selection of the participant from the queue further comprises detecting selection of a participant that is not at the top of the queue. ### Claim 10 One or more tangible computer-readable storage media encoding computer-executable instructions for executing on a computer system a computer process comprising: connecting a participant to the multi-mode conference in a listen-only mode; receiving a request for active participation in the multi-mode conference from the participant; in response to receipt of the request for active participation, bridging the participant into a private screening sub-conference; receiving, via the private screening sub-conference, information relating to the participant's requested active participation to the multi-mode conference responsive to a prompt; and in response to the receipt of the information via the private screening sub-conference, placing the participant in a queue to await authorization for active participation in the multi-mode conference, the queue including at least one other participant previously screened in another private screening sub-conference; detecting the selection of the participant from the queue; and establishing a connection between the participant and the multi-mode conference based on the detection of the selection. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The one or more tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the participant is connected to the multi-mode conference in the half-duplex mode while in the queue. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The one or more tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, further comprising: placing the participant back in the listen-only mode after the participant has actively participated in the multi-mode conference via the full-duplex connection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The one or more tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, displaying at least some of information collected during the private screening sub-conference on an interface visible to a multi-mode conference host while the participant is in the queue. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The one or more tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the interface further displays a list of participants in the queue. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The one or more tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the participant is connected to the multi-mode conference at a reduced volume while in the private screening sub-conference. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The one or more tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the queue includes both screened participants and participants awaiting screening. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The one or more tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the computer process further comprises: receiving input to selectively re-order the queue. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The one or more tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein detecting selection of the participant from the queue further comprises detecting selection of a participant that is not at the top of the queue. ### Claim 19 A multi-mode conference system comprising: one or more control interfaces configured to: connect a participant to the multi-mode conference in a listen-only mode; receive a request for active participation in the multi-mode conference from the participant; in response to receipt of the request for active participation, bridge the participant into a private screening sub-conference; receive, via the private screening sub-conference, information relating to the participant's requested active participation to the multi-mode conference responsive to a prompt; in response to the receipt of the information via the private screening sub-conference, place the participant in a queue to await authorization for active participation in the multi-mode conference, the queue including at least one other participant previously screened in another private screening sub-conference; detect a selection of the participant from the queue; and establish a full-duplex connection between the selected participant and the multi-mode conference based on the detection of the selection. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The multi-mode conference system of claim 19, wherein the participant is connected to the multi-mode conference in the half-duplex mode while in the queue. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The multi-mode conference system of claim 19, wherein the control interfaces are further configured to place the participant back in the listen-only mode after the participant has actively participated in the multi-mode conference via the full-duplex connection. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The multi-mode conference system of claim 19, wherein the control interfaces are further configured to: display at least some of information collected during the private screening sub-conference on an interface visible to a multi-mode conference host. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The multi-mode conference system of claim 19, wherein the control interfaces are further configured to display a list of participants in the queue. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The multi-mode conference system of claim 19, wherein the control interfaces are further configured to: place the participant back in the listen-only mode after the participant has actively participated in the multi-mode conference via the full-duplex connection. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The multi-mode conference system of claim 19, wherein the control interfaces are further configured to receive input to selectively re-order the queue. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The multi-mode conference system of claim 19, wherein the control interfaces are further configured to detect selection of a participant that is not at the top of the queue.