(51) Int Cl.: H04L 29/06 ( ) H04M 3/56 ( ) H04M 3/44 ( ) H04L 12/18 ( )

Transcription

1 (19) TEPZZ Z9 79B_T (11) EP B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (4) Date of publication and mention of the grant of the patent: Bulletin 14/1 (21) Application number: (22) Date of filing: (1) Int Cl.: H04L 29/06 (06.01) H04M 3/6 (06.01) H04M 3/44 (06.01) H04L 12/18 (06.01) (86) International application number: PCT/CN07/ (87) International publication number: WO 08/0742 ( Gazette 08/26) (4) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING CONFERENCE VERFAHREN UND SYSTEM ZUR KONFERENZ-STEUERUNG PROCÉDÉ ET SYSTÈME POUR COMMANDER UNE CONFÉRENCE (84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR () Priority: CN (43) Date of publication of application: Bulletin 09/34 (73) Proprietor: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Shenzhen, Guangdong Province (CN) (74) Representative: Körber, Martin Hans Mitscherlich PartmbB Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Sonnenstrasse München (DE) (6) References cited: WO-A-01/90839 CN-A CN-A DE-A GB-A JP-A US-A (72) Inventor: MIAO, Caixia Shenzhen Guangdong (CN) EP B1 Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, 7001 PARIS (FR)

2 1 EP B1 2 Description Field of the Invention [0001] The present disclosure relates to Next Generation Network (NGN) technologies, and in particular, to a method and system for controlling a conference. Background of the Invention [0002] Web conferencing service is a web-based conference call service, which may be applied to multiple networks. A user may access a web conference via a soft terminal, a telephone set, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) hard terminal, or a handset to talk with all other participants of the conference. This provides great convenience for people located in different places to talk. Conference information is displayed in the form of web pages. The conference initiator may control the conference based on web. For example, the conference initiator may invite other people to join the conference, start or stop conference audio recording, set conference background music, or terminate the conference. [0003] However, the web-based conference control method requires a special user terminal. To control a conference, a user must use a web-enabled terminal. This is a great restriction on the usage of the method. For example, when a user uses a non web-enabled telephone terminal and initiates a conference, the user is unable to control the conference based on web via the terminal. This means the prior conference control method is not flexible enough and it imposes certain requirements on the user terminal. [0004] WO A discloses a communications system, which can be used within a conferencing communication system. DE 1382 A1 discloses a telephone conference system which has a communications exchange via which voice terminals can be coupled with each other. In US48782A, an enhanced telephone services are provided through a multi-service telephone switching system that contains a programmable adjunct connected to a telephone switching system. GB21194A provides a telephone exchanges line circuit providing special service. Summary of the Invention [000] In view of the above disadvantage of the prior method, embodiments of the present disclosure intend to provide a method and system for controlling a conference so that a flexible conference control method is provided without any special requirement on the user terminal. The objective technical problem is that how to make conference control more flexible without any special requirement on the user terminal. [0006] To achieve this objective, the following technical solution is disclosed. [0007] A conference control method includes: setting, by an Application Server, AS, a default digit collection template for a conference session when the conference session is created, where the digit collection template defines rules and policies for a Media Resource Server, MRS to collect digits; detecting and collecting, by the MRS, dialing operations of all participants on the conference session according to the default digit collection template for the conference session; receiving, by the AS, a digit collection result reported by the MRS, where the digit collection result is obtained by the MRS by detecting and collecting dialing operations of a participant on the conference session according to the digit collection template set by the AS, controlling, by the AS, the conference according to the digit collection result reported by the MRS; and setting, by the AS, a new digit collection template for the conference session for a participant when the participant is joining the conference or after the participant joins the conference; detecting and collecting, by the MRS, dialing operations of the participant during the conference according to the new digit collection template for the conference session after the new digit collection template for the conference session is set. [0008] A conference control system includes an AS and an MRS, where: [0009] the AS is adapted to set a digit collection template for the conference session and send information of the set digit collection template to the MRS, and adapted to receive a digit collection result from the MRS and control a conference according to the received digit collection result, where the digit collection template defines rules and policies for a Media Resource Server, MRS to collect digits; and [00] the MRS is adapted to detect and collect dialing operations of participants on a conference session according to the digit collection template set by the AS, and report the result of the digit collection to the AS. [0011] In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an AS and an MRS to support the flexible conference control method. [0012] An AS includes a conference service module and a service platform, where: [0013] the conference service module is adapted to set a default digit collection template for a conference session when the conference session is created, send information of the set digit collection template to the service platform, and adapted to receive a digit collection result from the service platform and control a conference according to the received digit collection result, wherein the digit collection template defines rules and policies for a Media Resource Server, MRS to collect digits; the service platform is adapted to send the received digit collection template information to an MRS and adapted to receive a digit collection result from the MRS and send the received digit collection result to the conference service module, where the digit collection result is obtained 2

3 3 EP B1 4 by the MRS by detecting and collecting dialing operations of a participant on the conference session according to the digit collection template; and [0014] the AS, is further configured to set a new digit collection template for the conference session for a participant when the participant is joining the conference or after the participant joins the conference; so as that the MRS detects and collects dialing operations of the participant during the conference according to the new digit collection [001] template for the conference session after the new digit collection template for the conference session is set. [0016] An MRS includes a dialing detecting module and a transceiving module where: [0017] the dialing detecting module is adapted to detect dialing operations of all participants on a conference session, collect dialing information according to a default digit collection template set by an AS when the conference session is created, and send a digit collection result to the transceiving module, where the digit collection template defines rules and policies for the MRS to collect digits; [0018] the transceiving module is adapted to receive digit collection template information from the AS and send the received digit collection template information to the dialing detecting module, and adapted to receive the digit collection result from the dialing detecting module and report the received digit collection result to the AS; and the MRS, is further configured to detect and collect dialing operations of a participant during the conference according to a new digit collection template for the conference session for the participant after the new digit collection template is set by the AS, wherein the new digit collection template is set when the participant is joining the conference or after the participant joins the conference. In the above technical solution, the MRS is able to collect digits dialed by participants in the progress of a conference. The MRS is able to detect and collect dialing information of a participant during the conference according to the set digit collection template and report digit collection result to the AS. Then the AS controls the conference according to the digit collection result. Thereby, even if a user joins a conference via an ordinary telephone terminal, the user may dial specified digits according to the actual need at any time during the conference to control the conference or enjoy other functions provided by the conference service. For example, the user may invite other participants, set the background music, and start or stop conference audio recording without any special requirement or restriction on the user terminal. In addition, it is flexible to control a conference only by dialing specified digits, with good ease of use. Brief Description of the Drawings [0019] Figure 1 is a schematic structure diagram of a conference control system in the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a schematic structure diagram of a conference control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3 is a flowchart of setting the default digit collection template for the conference session when a conference call is initiated by means of conference convening according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 is a flowchart of setting the default digit collection template for the conference session when a conference call is initiated by means of instant conferencing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure is a flowchart of setting a digit collection template for a participant when the participant joins a conference initiatively according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 6 is a flowchart of setting a digit collection template for a participant when the participant is invited to join a conference according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 is a flowchart that an MRS reports digit collection result to an AS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 8 is a flowchart that an AS controls a conference according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description of the Invention [00] To better explain the objective, technical solution and advantages of the present disclosure, a detailed description of the present disclosure is provided hereinafter with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings. [0021] The basic idea of the conference control method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is: an Application Server (AS) sets a digit collection template for the conference session; a Media Resource Server (MRS) detects dialing operations of participants on the conference session and collects the dialed digits according to the digit collection template set by the AS, and reports the digit collection result to the AS; and the AS controls the conference according to the received digit collection result. [0022] The digit collection template defines rules and policies for the MRS to collect digits, which generally includes the maximum length, minimum length, end of collection key (such as "#"), and inter-digit timeout interval of the collected digits. The MRS collects digits according to the rules and policies defined by the digit collection template. [0023] The conference control may include inviting participants, setting conference background music, starting or stopping conference session audio recording, setting a participant floor, expelling a participant, and listen- 3

4 EP B ing to conference session operation help information. Different digit collection results (user dialing information) may be preset to represent different operations. For example, 11 stands for inviting participants, 12 stands for setting the conference session background music, 13 stands for starting or stopping conference session audio recording, and 14 stands for listening to conference session operation help information. After the AS receives the digit collection result reported by the MRS, the AS executes an operation corresponding to the received digit collection result according to the service logic. [0024] In accordance with the conference control method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a conference control system. As shown in Figure 1, the system includes an AS and an MRS. The AS is adapted to set digit collection template for the conference and send the set digit collection template information to the MRS, receive the digit collection result from the MRS and control the conference according to the received digit collection result. The MRS is adapted to detect dialing operations of participants on the conference session and collect the dialed digits according to the digit collection template set by the AS, and send the digit collection result to the AS. [002] As shown in Figure 2, the AS includes a conference service module and a service platform. The conference service module is adapted to set collection template for the conference session and send the set digit collection template information to the service platform, receive the digit collection result from the service platform and control the conference according to the digit collection result. The service platform is adapted to send the received digit collection template information to the MRS and receive the digit collection result from the MRS and send the received digit collection result to the conference service module. [0026] In other words, the service platform is adapted to provide the loading and operating environment for the service and communicate with the lower layer network device; and the conference service module is adapted to provide a call execution logic to control a conference call and provide different functions for users. [0027] As shown in Figure 2, the MRS includes a dialing detecting module and a transceiving module module. The dialing detecting module is adapted to detect dialing operations of participants and collect dialing information according to the digit collection template set by the AS and send digit collection result to the transceiving module. The transceiving module is adapted to receive the digit collection template information from the AS and send the received digit collection template information to the dialing detecting module, receive the digit collection result from the dialing detecting module and send the received digit collection result to the AS. [0028] The MRS further includes a resource controlling module. The resource controlling module is adapted to provide special resources for the AS and operate resources according to instruction of the AS and send the operation result to the AS.. The instruction of the AS may include such as requesting or releasing a conference session, playing a tone, collecting digits and recording the conference. [0029] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the AS may communicate with MRS via multiple protocols, such as SIP, H.323, and Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP). The description hereinafter assumes that the AS communicates with the MRS via SIP. [00] The digit collection template for the conference session may be set in the following two modes. [0031] In the first mode, setting digit collection rules for a conference that are applicable to the entire conference session when the conference session is being created, namely setting a default conference session digit connection template for all participants. The default digit collection template is valid to all participants after it is successfully set. The MRS collects digits dialed by all participants during the conference according to the default digit collection template. [0032] In the second mode, setting a digit collection template for a participant when the participant joins the conference instead of setting a default digit collection template for the conference session when the conference session is being created. The MRS collects digits dialed by the participant according to the digit collection template set for the participant. [0033] In the second mode, if no digit collection template is set for a participant when the participant joins the conference, digits dialed by the participant cannot be collected during the conference. [0034] In the first mode, if no other digit collection template is set for a participant when the participant joins the conference, digits dialed by the participant is collected according to the default digit collection template for the conference session; if a new digit collection template is set for the participant, digits dialed by the participant is collected according to the new digit collection template. [003] In addition, in either the first or the second mode, a new digit collection template for the conference session may be set for a participant after the participant joins the conference. The new digit collection template for conference session may be set many times and the digit collection template set newly overlays the digit collection template set previously. The MRS collects digits dialed by the participant according to the newly set digit collection template during the conference. [0036] As is widely known, a conference call may be initiated in two modes, which are. conference convening and instant conferencing. Conference convening may be a conference that a conference period and required conference resources are preset by a conference scheduler. A conference system reserves the scheduled conference period and the conference resources, assign conference session ID and returns the assigned conference session ID to the conference scheduler. When the preset conference start time arrives, a conference service module cre- 4

5 7 EP B1 8 ates a conference session according to the preset condition. Participants may dial the conference service access code and enter the conference session ID to join the conference. Instant conferencing may ba a conference initiated instantly by a user called a chair of the conference. The chair is added to the conference session automatically when the conference is created. [0037] Respective processes of setting the default digit collection template for the conference session in the conferences through the two modes of initiating a conference call will be described in detail as follows. [0038] As shown in Figure 3, when a conference call is initiated by means of conference convening, a method for setting the default digit collection template for the conference session may refer to a method described as follows. [0039] Step 1: The conference service module requests the service platform to create a conference session by means of reservation according to settings of the conference scheduler and sets the default digit collection template for the conference session for all participants. [00] Step 2: Upon reception of the request of the conference service module, the service platform sends an Invite message to the MRS requesting the MRS to create a conference session by means of reservation. The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of the Invite message includes information of the default digit collection template for the conference session set by the conference service module. [0041] Step 3: Upon reception of the Invite message, the MRS creates the conference session and after the conference session is created successfully, the MRS sends a 0 OK message to the service platform to notify the service platform of the successful creation of the conference session. [0042] Step 4: The service platform sends an ACK message to the MRS, acknowledging reception of the 0 OK message. [0043] Step : The service platform notifies the conference service module of the successful creation of the conference session. [0044] After the conference session is created successfully, users may dial the conference service access code to access the conference during the reserved conference period. [004] As shown in Figure 4, when a conference call is initiated by means of instant conferencing, a method for setting the default digit collection template for the conference session may refer to a method described as follows. [0046] Step 1: The conference initiator dials a conference service access code initiatively to initiate a conference call. [0047] Step 2: A softswitch triggers the conference service and sends an Invite message to the service platform to report the call request. [0048] In this step, the softswitch is adapted to trigger the conference service, rout, and connect the call and may interact with the AS via SIP signaling. After determining that the call service is triggered, the softswitch forwards the call to the AS for subsequent control. The AS may instruct the softswitch to connect or release the call initiator according to need of the service logic. [0049] Step 3: The service platform reports the call request to the conference service module. [000] Step 4: The conference service module processes the call request according to the service logic. The conference service module requests the service platform to create a conference session and set a default digit collection template for the conference session for all participants. [001] Step : Upon reception of the request of the conference service module, the service platform sends an Invite message to the MRS, requesting to create a conference session. The URI of the Invite message includes information of the default digit collection template for the conference session set by the conference service module. [002] Step 6: Upon reception of the Invite message, the MRS creates the conference session and after the conference session is created successfully, the MRS sends a 0 OK message to the service platform to notify the service platform of the successful creation of the conference session. [003] Step 7: The service platform sends an ACK message to the MRS, acknowledging reception of the 0 OK message. [004] Step 8: The service platform notifies the conference service module the successful creation of the conference session. [00] Otherwise, a participant may join a conference in the following two modes. [006] 1. The participant dials the conference service access code to join the conference initiatively. [007] 2. The conference chair invites the participant to join the conference via the conference service module. [008] The following are respective processes of setting a digit collection template for a participant when the participant is added to the conference session through the two modes. [009] As shown in Figure, when a participant joins the conference initiatively, a process of setting a digit collection template for the participant may refer to a method described as following. [0060] Step 01: The participant dials the conference service access code, requesting to join the conference. [0061] Step 02: The softswitch sends an Invite message to the service platform, notifying that the participant requests to join the conference. [0062] Step 03: The service platform reports the event that the participant requests to join the conference to the conference service module. [0063] Step 04: Upon reception of the event, the conference service module sets the conference session digit collection module for the participant according to need of the service logic.

6 9 EP B [0064] Step 0: The conference service module instructs the service platform to add the participant to the conference session. [006] Step 06: The service platform sends an Invite message to the MRS, requesting to add the participant to the conference session. The URI of the Invite message includes information of the digit collection template for the conference session of the participant. [0066] Step 07: After successfully adding the participant to the conference session, the MRS sends a 0 OK message to the service platform, notifying that the participant is added to the conference session successfully. [0067] Step 08: The service platform sends a 0 OK to the softswitch, notifying that the participant is added to the conference session successfully. [0068] Step 09: The softswitch sends an ACK to the service platform, acknowledging that the 0 OK is received. [0069] Step : The softswitch notifies the participant that the participant joins the conference successfully. [0070] Step 11: The service platform sends an ACK to the MRS, acknowledging that the participant joins the conference successfully. The participant may speak and listen to other participants during the conference. [0071] Step 12: The service platform reports the event that the participant joins the conference successfully to the conference service module. [0072] As shown in Figure 6, when the conference chair invites a participant to join the conference, a process of setting a digit collection template for the participant may as follows. [0073] Step 601: The conference service module requests the service platform to route the participant according to the participant number set by the conference chair. [0074] Step 602: The service platform sends an Invite message to the softswitch, requesting to route the participant corresponding to the participant number. [007] Step 603: The softswitch initiates a call to the participant. [0076] Step 604: The participant s telephone rings. [0077] Step 60: The softswitch sends a 180 Ringing message to the service platform, notifying that the participant s telephone rings. [0078] Step 606: The service platform reports the ringing event to the conference service module. [0079] Step 607: The participant goes off-hook and answers. [0080] Step 608: The softswitch sends a 0 OK message to the service platform, notifying that the participant goes off-hook. [0081] Step 609: The service platform reports the offhook event to the conference service module. [0082] Step 6: The conference service module sets the digit collection template for the conference session for the participant. [0083] Step 611: The conference service module instructs the service platform to add the participant to the conference session. [0084] Step 612: The service platform sends an Invite message to the MRS, requesting to add the participant to the conference session. The URI of the Invite message includes information of the digit collection template for the conference session for the participant. [008] Step 613: After successfully adding the participant to the conference session, the MRS sends a 0 OK message to the service platform, notifying that the participant is added to the conference session successfully. [0086] Step 614: The service platform sends an ACK to the MRS, acknowledging that the participant joins the conference successfully. The participant may speak and listen to other participants during the conference. [0087] Step 61: The service platform sends an ACK to the softswitch, notifying the softswitch that the participant joins the conference successfully. [0088] Step 616: The service platform reports the event that the participant joins the conference successfully to the conference service module. [0089] As shown in Figure 7, the process that the MRS reports the digit collection result to the AS may refer to as follows. [0090] Step 701: A participant dials a number during a conference. The MRS detects the dialing information of the participant and collects dialing information according to the digit collection template corresponding to the participant. [0091] Step 702: After collecting the dialing information, the MRS sends an INFO message to the AS to report the digit collection result. Meanwhile, the MRS isolates the participant from the conference session automatically so that the participant is not included in the mixed audio. [0092] In this step, a participant state controlling module may be set in the MRS, which is adapted to isolate the participant from the conference session. [0093] Step 703: The service platform receives the digit collection result reported by the MRS and sends a 0 OK message to the MRS, acknowledging successful reception of the information. [0094] Step 704: The service platform reports the digit collection result reported by the MRS to the conference service module. [009] Meanwhile, the service platform changes the state of the participant to suspend_in_meeting, indicating that the participant is isolated from the conference session. A separate channel control may be performed on the participant, for example, playing a tone or collecting digits using separate channel. [0096] Step 70: Upon reception of the digit collection result reported by the service platform, the conference service module controls the conference according to the received digit collection result. For example, the conference service module plays a tone or collects digits dialed by the participant according to need of the service logic. [0097] Upon reception of the tone playing or digit col- 6

7 11 EP B1 12 lection operation from the conference service module, when the service platform finds that the participant state is suspend_in_meeting, the service platform sends directly an INFO message indicating playing tone or digit collection to the MRS without the need to request or negotiate media resources with the MRS. [0098] Step 706: After completing the conference control operation, the conference service module may request the service platform to add the participant to the conference again. [0099] Step 707: The service platform sends an INFO message to the MRS. In the URI of the INFO message, the service platform sets mode=sendrecv is set, instructing the MRS to add the participant to the conference again. [00] Step 708: Upon reception of the INFO message from the service platform, the MRS adds the participant to the conference again and sends a 0 OK message to the service platform, acknowledging reception of the INFO message. [01] The participant may be added to the conference again by the participant state controlling module. [02] As shown in Figure 8, the process that the AS controls the conference according to the received digit collection result may refer to the following. [03] Step 801: Upon reception of a digit collection result reported from the MRS, the conference service module judges the content of the digit collection result and executes an operation according to the digit collection result to control and manage the conference session. [04] The following describes the processing of the AS in detail based on four different digit collection results. Steps correspond to a digit collection result that indicates an invitation of a participant. Steps correspond to a digit collection result that indicates setting the conference session background music. Step 809 corresponds to a digit collection result that indicates starting or stopping conference session audio recording. Step 8 corresponds to a digit collection result that indicates listening to conference session help information. [0] Step 802: When the digit collection result indicates the invitation of a participant, the conference service module notifies the MRS to collect number information of the invited participant. [06] Step 803: Upon reception of the notification to collect the participant number, the MRS instructs (for example, via a voice announcement) the inviter to enter the number of the invited participant and sends the received participant number to the conference service module. [07] Step 804: The conference service module receives the participant number from the MRS and routes the participant according to the participant number. [08] Step 80: Upon successful routing, the conference service module instructs the MRS to add the participant to the conference session. [09] The communication between the MRS and the conference service module is fulfilled via the service platform [01] Step 806: When the digit collection result indicates setting the conference session background music, if multiple forms of background music differentiated by numbering exist in the system, the conference service module may notify the MRS to collect the number of the desired background music. [0111] Step 807: The MRS receives the notification to collect the background music number and prompts the user initiating the dialing to enter the background music number, and sends the received background music number to the conference service module. [0112] Step 808: The conference service module receives the background music number from the MRS and instructs the MRS to set the background music corresponding to the number as the conference session background music. [0113] If only one piece of background music exists in the system, the conference service module directly instructs the MRS to set the one piece of background music as the conference session background music upon reception of the digit collection result that indicates setting the conference session background music, without the need to notify the MRS to collect the background music number. [0114] Step 809: When the digit collection result indicates starting or stopping conference session audio recording, the conference service module instructs the MRS to start or stop conference session audio recording. [011] Step 8: When the digit collection result indicates listening to conference session operation help information, the conference service module instructs the MRS to play the conference session help information to the participant that initiates the dialing. [0116] Step 811: After the operation requested by the participant that initiates the dialing is completed, the conference service module may release the participant or instruct the MRS to add the participant to the conference session again according to actual need. [0117] Although the objective, technical solution and benefits of the present disclosure have been described in detail through exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. It is apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is intended to cover the modifications and variations provided that they fall in the scope of protection defined by the claims. Claims 1. A conference control method, comprising: setting (601), by an Application Server, AS, a default digit collection template for a conference session when the conference session is created, wherein the digit collection template defines 7

8 13 EP B1 14 rules and policies for a Media Resource Server, MRS to collect digits; detecting and collecting, by the MRS, dialing operations of all participants on the conference session according to the default digit collection template for the conference session; receiving (702), by the AS, a digit collection result reported by the MRS, wherein the digit collection result is obtained by the MRS by detecting and collecting dialing operations of a participant on the conference session according to the digit collection template set by the AS; controlling (70), by the AS, the conference according to the digit collection result reported by the MRS; and setting, by the AS, a new digit collection template for the conference session for a participant when the participant is joining the conference or after the participant joins the conference; detecting and collecting, by the MRS, dialing operations of the participant during the conference according to the new digit collection template for the conference session after the new digit collection template for the conference session is set. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of setting the default digit collection template for the conference session comprises: requesting (612), by the AS, the MRS to create the conference session by means of reservation according to settings of a conference scheduler; setting (6), by the AS, the default digit collection template for the conference session for all participants; and sending (612), by the AS, information of the set default digit collection template for the conference session to the MRS. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of setting the default digit collection template for the conference session comprises: requesting (06), by the AS, the MRS to create the conference session upon reception of a call request from a conference initiator; setting (04), by the AS, the default digit collection template for the conference session for all participants; and sending (06), by the AS, information of the set default digit collection template for the conference session to the MRS. 4. The method of one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the digit collection result indicates setting conference session background music, and the process of controlling the conference by the AS according to the digit collection result reported by the MRS comprises: instructing, by the AS, the MRS to set an only piece of background music existing on the conference session as the conference session background music; or notifying, by the AS, the MRS to collect the number of background music to set, so that the MRS collects the background music number upon reception of the notification and sends the collected background music number to the AS; and instructing, by the AS, the MRS to set the background music corresponding to the number as the conference session background music after collecting the background music number.. The method of one of the claims 1 to 4, after a process of MRS report the digit collection result to the AS, the method further comprises: isolating (702), by the MRS, the participant from the conference session. 6. The method of claim, after the AS controls the conference according to the digit collection result reported by the MRS, further comprising: releasing (811), by the AS, the participant; or instructing (811), by the AS, the MRS to add the participant to the conference session again. 7. An Application Server, AS, comprising a conference service module and a service platform, wherein: the conference service module, is adapted to set a default digit collection template for a conference session when the conference session is created, send information of the set digit collection template to the service platform, receive a digit collection result from the service platform and control a conference according to the received digit collection result, wherein the digit collection template defines rules and policies for a Media Resource Server, MRS to collect digits; the service platform, is adapted to send the received digit collection template information to the Media Resource Server, MRS, receive a digit collection result from the MRS and send the received digit collection result to the conference service module, wherein the digit collection result is obtained by the MRS by detecting and collecting dialing operations of a participant on the conference session according to the digit collection template; and the AS, is further configured to set a new digit collection template for the conference session 8

9 1 EP B1 16 for a participant when the participant is joining the conference or after the participant joins the conference; so to enable the MRS to detect and collect dialing operations of the participant during the conference according to the new digit collection template for the conference session after the new digit collection template for the conference session is set. 8. A Media Resource Server, MRS, comprising a dialing detecting module and a transceiving module, wherein: the dialing detecting module, is adapted to detect dialing operations of all participants on a conference session, collect dialing information according to a default digit collection template set by an Application Server, AS, when the conference session is created, and send a digit collection result to the transceiving module, wherein the digit collection template defines rules and policies for the MRS to collect digits; and the transceiving module, is adapted to receive digit collection template information from the AS, send the received digit collection template information to the dialing detecting module, receive the digit collection result from the dialing detecting module and report the received digit collection result to the AS; and the MRS, is further configured to detect and collect dialing operations of a participant during the conference according to a new digit collection template for the conference session for the participant after the new digit collection template is set by the AS, wherein the new digit collection template is set when the participant is joining the conference or after the participant joins the conference. 9. A conference control system, comprising an Application Server as in claim 7 and a Media Resource Server of claim 8. Patentansprüche 1. Konferenzsteuerverfahren, das Folgendes umfasst: Einstellen (601) einer Standard-Ziffernsammlungsschablone für eine Konferenzsitzung durch einen Anwendungsserver, AS, wenn die Konferenzsitzung erzeugt wird, wobei die Ziffernsammlungsschablone Regeln und Strategien für einen Medienbetriebsmittelserver, MRS, zum Sammeln von Ziffern definiert; Detektieren und Sammeln von Wählvorgängen aller Teilnehmer in der Konferenzsitzung gemäß der Standard-Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung durch den MRS; Empfangen (702) eines Ziffernsammlungsergebnisses, das durch den MRS berichtet wird, durch den AS, wobei das Ziffernsammlungsergebnis durch den MRS durch Detektieren und Sammeln von Wählvorgängen eines Teilnehmers in der Konferenzsitzung gemäß der durch den AS eingestellten Ziffernsammlungsschablone erhalten wird; Steuern (70) der Konferenz durch den AS gemäß dem durch den MRS berichteten Ziffernsammlungsergebnis; und Einstellen einer neuen Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung für einen Teilnehmer durch den AS, wenn der Teilnehmer der Konferenz beitritt oder nachdem der Teilnehmer der Konferenz beigetreten ist; Detektieren und Sammeln von Wählvorgängen des Teilnehmers während der Konferenz gemäß der neuen Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung durch den MRS, nachdem die neue Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung eingestellt worden ist. 2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Schritt des Einstellens der Standard-Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung Folgendes umfasst: Anfordern (612), durch den AS, dass der MRS die Konferenzsitzung mittels Reservierung gemäß Einstellungen eines Konferenzplaners erzeugt; Einstellen (6) der Standard-Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung für alle Teilnehmer durch den AS; und Senden (612) von Informationen über die eingestellte Standard-Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung durch den AS zu dem MRS. 3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Schritt des Einstellens der Standard-Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung Folgendes umfasst: Anfordern (06), durch den AS, dass der MRS die Konferenzsitzung nach dem Empfang einer Verbindungsanforderung von einem Konferenz- Initiator erzeugt; Einstellen (04) der Standard-Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung für alle Teilnehmer durch den AS; und Senden (06) von Informationen über die eingestellte Standard-Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung durch den AS zu dem MRS. 4. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei 9

10 17 EP B1 18 das Ziffernsammlungsergebnis das Einstellen von Konferenzsitzungs-Hintergrundmusik angibt und der Prozess des Steuerns der Konferenz durch den AS gemäß dem Ziffernsammlungsergebnis, das durch den MRS berichtet wird, Folgendes umfasst: Anweisen des MRS durch den AS, nur ein Stück von Hintergrundmusik, das in der Konferenzsitzung vorhanden ist, als die Konferenzsitzungs- Hintergrundmusik einzustellen; oder Melden, durch den AS an den MRS, die Nummer der Hintergrundmusik, die eingestellt werden soll, abzuholen, so dass der MRS die Hintergrundmusik-Nummer nach dem Empfang der Meldung abholt und die abgeholte Hintergrundmusik-Nummer zu dem AS sendet; und Anweisen des MRS durch den AS, nach dem Abholen der Hintergrundmusik-Nummer die Hintergrundmusik, die der Nummer entspricht, als die Konferenzsitzungs-Hintergrundmusik einzustellen.. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei das Verfahren nach einem Prozess, dass der MRS das Ziffernsammlungsergebnis dem AS berichtet, ferner Folgendes umfasst: 1 2 das Konferenzdienstmodul ausgelegt ist, eine Standard-Ziffernsammlungsschablone für eine Konferenzsitzung einzustellen, wenn die Konferenzsitzung erzeugt wird, Informationen über die eingestellte Ziffernsammlungsschablone zu der Dienstplattform zu senden, ein Ziffernsammlungsergebnis von der Dienstplattform zu empfangen und eine Konferenz gemäß dem empfangenen Ziffernsammlungsergebnis zu steuern, wobei die Ziffernsammlungsschablone Regeln und Strategien für einen Medienbetriebsmittelserver, MRS, zum Sammeln von Ziffern definiert; die Dienstplattform ausgelegt ist, die empfangenen Ziffernsammlungsschabloneninformationen zu dem Medienbetriebsmittelserver, MRS, zu senden, ein Ziffernsammlungsergebnis von dem MRS zu empfangen und das empfangene Ziffernsammlungsergebnis zu dem Konferenzdienstmodul zu senden, wobei das Ziffernsammlungsergebnis durch den MRS durch Detektieren und Sammeln von Wählvorgängen eines Teilnehmers in der Konferenzsitzung gemäß der Ziffernsammlungsschablone erhalten wird; und der AS ferner konfiguriert ist, eine neue Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung für einen Teilnehmer einzustellen, wenn der Teilnehmer der Konferenz beitritt oder nachdem der Teilnehmer der Konferenz beigetreten ist; um dem MRS zu ermöglichen, Wählvorgänge des Teilnehmers während der Konferenz gemäß der neuen Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung zu detektieren und zu sammeln, nachdem die neue Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung eingestellt worden ist. 8. Medienbetriebsmittelserver, MRS, der ein Wähldetektionsmodul und ein Sende/Empfangs-Modul umfasst, wobei: Trennen (702) des Teilnehmers von der Konferenzsitzung durch den MRS. 6. Verfahren nach Anspruch, das, nachdem der AS die Konferenz gemäß dem durch den MRS berichteten Ziffernsammlungsergebnis steuert, ferner Folgendes umfasst: Freigeben (811) des Teilnehmers durch den AS; oder Anweisen (811) des MRS durch den AS, den Teilnehmer wieder zu der Konferenzsitzung hinzuzufügen. 7. Anwendungsserver, AS, der ein Konferenzdienstmodul und eine Dienstplattform umfasst, wobei: das Wähldetektionsmodul ausgelegt ist, Wählvorgänge aller Teilnehmer in einer Konferenzsitzung zu detektieren, Wählinformationen gemäß einer Standard-Ziffemsammlungsschablone, die durch einen Applikationsserver, AS, eingestellt ist, zu sammeln, wenn die Konferenzsitzung erzeugt wird, und ein Ziffernsammlungsergebnis zu dem Sende/Empfangs-Modul zu senden, wobei die Ziffernsammlungsschablone Regeln und Strategien für den MRS zum Sammeln von Ziffern definiert; und das Sende/Empfangs-Modul ausgelegt ist, Ziffernsammlungsschabloneninformationen von dem AS zu empfangen, die empfangenen Ziffernsammlungsschabloneninformationen zu dem Wähldetektionsmodul zu senden, das Ziffernsammlungsergebnis von dem Wähldetektionsmodul zu empfangen und das empfangene Ziffernsammlungsergebnis dem AS zu berichten; und der MRS ferner konfiguriert ist, Wählvorgänge eines Teilnehmers während der Konferenz gemäß einer neuen Ziffernsammlungsschablone für die Konferenzsitzung für den Teilnehmer zu detektieren und zu sammeln, nachdem die neue Ziffernsammlungsschablone durch den AS eingestellt worden ist, wobei die neue Ziffernsammlungsschablone eingestellt wird, wenn der Teilnehmer der Konferenz beitritt oder nachdem der Teilnehmer der Konferenz beigetreten ist.

11 19 EP B1 9. Konferenzsteuersystem, das einen Anwendungsserver nach Anspruch 7 und einen Medienbetriebsmittelserver nach Anspruch 8 umfasst. envoyer (612), par l AS, au MRS, des informations sur le modèle de collecte de chiffres par défaut instauré pour la session de conférence. Revendications 1. Procédé de commande de conférence, comprenant les étapes consistant à : instaurer (601), par un serveur d applications, dit AS, un modèle de collecte de chiffres par défaut pour une session de conférence au moment de la création de la session de conférence, le modèle de collecte de chiffres définissant des règles et des politiques permettant à un serveur de ressources multimédia, dit MRS, de collecter des chiffres ; détecter et collecter, par le MRS, des opérations de numérotation de la totalité des participants à la session de conférence conformément au modèle de collecte de chiffres par défaut pour la session de conférence ; recevoir (702), par l AS, un résultat de collecte de chiffres communiqué par le MRS, le résultat de collecte de chiffres étant obtenu par le MRS par détection et collecte d opérations de numérotation d un participant à la session de conférence conformément au modèle de collecte de chiffres instauré par l AS ; commander (70), par l AS, la conférence conformément au résultat de collecte de chiffres communiqué par le MRS ; et instaurer, par l AS, un nouveau modèle de collecte de chiffres pour la session de conférence pour un participant lorsque le participant rejoint la conférence ou après que le participant a rejoint la conférence ; détecter et collecter, par le MRS, des opérations de numérotation du participant au cours de la conférence conformément au nouveau modèle de collecte de chiffres pour la session de conférence après que le nouveau modèle de collecte de chiffres pour la session de conférence a été instauré. 2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l étape consistant à instaurer le modèle de collecte de chiffres par défaut pour la session de conférence comprend les étapes consistant à : demander (612), par l AS, au MRS, de créer la session de conférence au moyen d une réservation conformément à des paramétrages d un planificateur de conférences ; instaurer (6), par l AS, le modèle de collecte de chiffres par défaut pour la session de conférence pour la totalité des participants ; et Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel l étape consistant à instaurer le modèle de collecte de chiffres par défaut pour la session de conférence comprend les étapes consistant à : demander (06), par l AS, au MRS, de créer la session de conférence sur réception d une demande d appel en provenance d un initiateur de conférence ; instaurer (04), par l AS, le modèle de collecte de chiffres par défaut pour la session de conférence pour la totalité des participants ; et envoyer (06), par l AS, au MRS, des informations sur le modèle de collecte de chiffres par défaut instauré pour la session de conférence. 4. Procédé selon l une des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le résultat de collecte de chiffres indique l instauration d une musique de fond pour la session de conférence, et l étape consistant à commander, par l AS, la conférence conformément au résultat de collecte de chiffres communiqué par le MRS comprend les étapes consistant à : donner l ordre, par l AS, au MRS, d instaurer comme musique de fond pour la session de conférence un seul morceau de musique de fond existant pour la session de conférence ; ou notifier, par l AS, au MRS, de collecter le numéro de la musique de fond à instaurer de manière à ce que le MRS collecte le numéro de la musique de fond sur réception de la notification et envoie à l AS le numéro collecté de la musique de fond ; et donner l ordre, par l AS, au MRS, d instaurer comme musique de fond pour la session de conférence la musique de fond correspondant au numéro suite à la collecte du numéro de la musique de fond.. Procédé selon l une des revendications 1 à 4, comprenant en outre, après que le MRS a communiqué à l AS le résultat de collecte de chiffres, l étape consistant à : isoler (702), par le MRS, le participant de la session de conférence. 6. Procédé selon la revendication, comprenant en outre, après l étape consistant à commander, par l AS, la conférence conformément au résultat de collecte de chiffres communiqué par le MRS, l étape consistant à : 11

12 21 EP B1 22 libérer (811), par l AS, le participant; ou donner l ordre (811), par l AS, au MRS, d ajouter à nouveau le participant à la session de conférence. 7. Serveur d applications, dit AS, comprenant un module de services de conférence et une plateforme de services, le module de services de conférence étant adapté pour instaurer un modèle de collecte de chiffres par défaut pour une session de conférence au moment de la création de la session de conférence, envoyer des informations sur le modèle de collecte de chiffres instauré à la plateforme de services, recevoir un résultat de collecte de chiffres en provenance de la plateforme de services et commander une conférence conformément au résultat de collecte de chiffres reçu, le modèle de collecte de chiffres définissant des règles et des politiques permettant à un serveur de ressources multimédia, dit MRS, de collecter des chiffres ; la plateforme de services étant adaptée pour envoyer les informations reçues sur le modèle de collecte de chiffres au serveur de ressources multimédia, MRS, recevoir un résultat de collecte de chiffres en provenance du MRS et envoyer le résultat de collecte de chiffres reçu au module de services de conférence, le résultat de collecte de chiffres étant obtenu par le MRS par détection et collecte d opérations de numérotation d un participant à la session de conférence conformément au modèle de collecte de chiffres ; et l AS étant en outre configuré pour instaurer un nouveau modèle de collecte de chiffres pour la session de conférence pour un participant lorsque le participant rejoint la conférence ou après que le participant a rejoint la conférence ; de manière à permettre au MRS de détecter et collecter des opérations de numérotation du participant au cours de la conférence conformément au nouveau modèle de collecte de chiffres pour la session de conférence après que le nouveau modèle de collecte de chiffres pour la session de conférence a été instauré chiffres en provenance de l AS, envoyer les informations reçues sur le modèle de collecte de chiffres au module de détection de numérotation, recevoir le résultat de collecte de chiffres en provenance du module de détection de numérotation et communiquer le résultat de collecte de chiffres reçu à l AS ; et le MRS étant en outre configuré pour détecter et collecter des opérations de numérotation d un participant au cours de la conférence conformément à un nouveau modèle de collecte de chiffres pour la session de conférence pour le participant après que le nouveau modèle de collecte de chiffres a été instauré par l AS, le nouveau modèle de collecte de chiffres étant instauré lorsque le participant rejoint la conférence ou après que le participant a rejoint la conférence. 9. Système de commande de conférence, comprenant un serveur d applications selon la revendication 7 et un serveur de ressources multimédia selon la revendication Serveur de ressources multimédia, dit MRS, comprenant un module de détection de numérotation et un module émetteur-récepteur, le module de détection de numérotation étant adapté pour détecter des opérations de numérotation de la totalité des participants à une session de conférence, collecter des informations de numérotation conformément à un modèle de collecte de chiffres par défaut instauré par un serveur d applications, dit AS, au moment de la création de la session de conférence, et envoyer un résultat de collecte de chiffres au module émetteur-récepteur, le modèle de collecte de chiffres définissant des règles et des politiques permettant au MRS de collecter des chiffres ; et le module émetteur-récepteur étant adapté pour recevoir des informations sur le modèle de collecte de

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20 EP B1 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard. Patent documents cited in the description WO A [0004] DE 1382 A1 [0004] US A [0004] GB A [0004]