Conference

A conference call is a telephone call where more than 2 telephones or intercom stations are participating. In the SeaCom system this is implemented using the "Semi-duplex-conference" system call number. 

Semi-duplex

By the word "Semi-duplex" we mean that not everyone can speak at a time. That is the case for all conversations among people. You cannot speak 5 people at a time. Then no one gets the meaning. When you are in a meeting, typically one person is speaking, and the others are listening - until one of the participants interrupts and gains the right to speak. 
This is also the way the semi-duplex-conference works.

Rules for the semi-duplex conference

• One party is the initiator or "master" of the conference
• Up to 10 telephones or substations can participate. These are "slaves"
• All participants can hear the conversation between the master and the speaking slave
• The master can always speak
• Only one slave at a time can speak
• A slave gains the right to speak in 3 ways:
  - beeing the latest to join the conference
  - beeing selected by the master by a numeric key press on the master telephone
  - pressing the R button of own telephone or intercom station

How to program a semi-duplex conference

You must install a system call number of type "semi-duplex-conference" and go to the editor of the properties for that call number. The properties window is shown below:

#07 is the call number to use when initiating a conference. The list of conference members selects the telephones or intercom stations to be participating as slaves.
The Mode Direct in can be checked if the conference set up shall turn the slaves into hands free like a direc-in call.

How to initiate a conference

When the above system call number is installed, setting up the conference is as simple as dialling the #07 bcall number. The participant memeber telephones or intercom stations will ring. The slaves that like to participate must then pickup the handset or take the call in hands-free. 

Conducting a conference call

The master must act as the conference leader. The master must request the participants to push the R button when they have to speak. When first a slave has taken the right to speak to the master and the group, this right persist until another slave takes over.

Releasing the conference

A slave can leave the conference by making hook on. The master can terminate the full conference by making hook on, or the conference is terminated when the last slave has left the conference.