Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program for instant remote document sharing. In one embodiment, referred to as “remote document sharing,” a file on a remote server is converted to a “shared document” which is distributed to the members of a data conference for review. In another embodiment, referred to as “remote application viewing,” the “owner” of a document on a remote server shares the screens created by an application associated with the document. The other members of the data conference can view the screens, but cannot interact with the application. In another embodiment, referred to as “remote application sharing,” the “owner” of a document on a remote server shares the screens created by an application associated with the document. The other members of the data conference can view the screens and interact with the application.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a slide from a video. A slide is automatically identified in video frames of a video input stream. A digitized representation of the slide is generated based on the video frames of the video input stream.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture that allow a document containing custom objects to be shared in a distributed collaborative computer system. This is accomplished by allowing custom objects to be embedded in a document. When the document is to be shared, the document with custom objects is converted to a Rich Multi-Media (RMM) format. Furthermore, the converted document may be shared during a collaborative session among multiple computers. Alternatively, the converted document may be viewed by a user independent of a collaborative session.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for instant document sharing. In one embodiment, referred to as “document sharing,” a file is converted to a “shared document” which is distributed to the members of a data conference for review. In another embodiment, referred to as “application viewing,” the “owner” of a document shares the screens created by an application associated with the document. The other members of the data conference can view the screens, but cannot interact with the application. In another embodiment, referred to as “application sharing,” the “owner” of a document shares the screens created by an application associated with the document. The other members of the data conference can view the screens and interact with the application.

Abstract: A distributed collaborative computer system is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention is easily scalable to support an arbitrary number of participants to a conference by merely adding the appropriate number of server computers to the system. In addition, by replicating the conference information on more than one server computer, the single point of failure limitation is eliminated. In fact, if a server hosting or participating in a conference malfunctions, the failure is detected by other server computers and the client computer is able to reconnect to the conference through a new server computer.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the creation and maintenance of network connections over an interconnected network for the purpose of facilitating the creation and participation of on-line conferences in accordance to the peer-to-peer paradigm is disclosed. A designated location on the network (e.g. a web site) on an interconnected network such as the internet is setup in such a manner that a conference may be created and conference participants can be easily connected into the created conference by making a few simple selections. The IP addresses of the conference participants are maintained at the designated site and are transmitted to a new conference participant to allow the new conference participant to connect directly into the conference without the new participant having to know the IP addresses of the conference participants. The new participant may be connected to any one of the existing conference participants.