Abstract: An environment for integrating a collection of video and audio processors into a multifunction system ideally suited for a common board in a hosted system. Codec and transcoding functions may be autonomous, operate under external control, be managed by a common chaperoning processor, or operated in combinations of each of these ways. The plurality of reconfigurable media signal processors can cooperatively support a variety of concurrent independent or coordinated tasks so as to provide on-demand network functions such as flexibly reconfigurable A/V transcoding, broadcast, video storage support, video mosaicing, etc., each supporting a variety of analog and digital signal formats. The system can be used for networked video services such as conferencing MCU functions, streaming transcoding record and playback video storage, call recording, conference recording, video answering (greeting playback, message record), and other functions.

Abstract: A content storage and communication system is claimed. The system includes at least one local network at first physical premises. The system includes at least one audio-video storage device in communication with the local network. The audio-video storage device is configured for storing at least one media file, which includes at least video. The system includes at least a first client device in communication with the local network. The system is configured to enable a user of the first client device to communicate with a wide area network. The system is configured to enable simultaneous multiple retrieval of the at least one media file stored on the audio-video storage device. The system is configured to enable multiple playbacks of media associated with the accessed media file.

Abstract: A networking system is claimed. The system includes a local network. The system includes at least one multimedia resource at a first physical premises in communication with a wide area network. The wide area network is in communication with the local network. The system includes at least a first client device at a second physical premises in communication with the local network. The first client device is configured to receive at least one media file including at least video from the multimedia resource. The system is configured to cause playback of data associated with the media file.

Abstract: A content storage and distribution networked system is described. The system includes at least one local network at a first physical premises, at least one audio-video storage device in communication with the local network, and at least two client devices in communication with the local network. The audio-video storage device is configured to store at least one media file, which includes at least video. The first client device is configured to enable the two client device to simultaneously access the at least one media file stored on the audio-video storage device. The system is configured to cause playback of media that is associated with the retrieved media file, and to enable the user of the first client device to operate on the playback of the media associated with the retrieved media file, using at least the operations of start, stop, pause, fast forward, and reverse.

Abstract: A method of communication between a plurality of users is claimed. Two communication devices are registered with at least one communication network. At least one of the two communication devices is configured for wireless communication. Two users are allowed to use one of the two communication devices to connect to at least one communication network. A service record is maintained for each registered communication device. The service record includes the respective communication device's addressing information. A query is issued for a service instance associated with one of the two users in response to a request by the other user to establish communication. Addressing information of the second communication device is retrieved and a communication over at least one communication network established using the retrieved addressing information if a service instance is found.

Abstract: A collaboration initiation software product includes machine readable code to allow a first user to log in at a first device. The code is operable to cause the first device to communicate first user location-related information to a network to allow a server to maintain a service record. The code is operable to cause display of representations of at least two real-time communication types from the group consisting of video communication, audio communication and data conferencing. The code is operable to allow the user to select a real-time communication type. The code is operable to cause display of a user identifier for a second user in a directory on the first device. The code is operable to respond to the first user's selection of the displayed identifier to cause initiation of communication, in which location information of a second device at which the second user has logged in is retrieved.

Abstract: A method of communication between two users using a system is claimed. Two communication devices are registered with at least one communication network and are capable of at least one communication type. A first user is allowed to connect to at least one communication network by using the first communication device. The first communication device is configured for wireless communication. From the first communication device, information indicating the location of the first user is sent to the system to enable the system to maintain a service record including the first user's location information. The first user is allowed to request communication by selecting an identifier for the second user from a list of displayed user identifiers. Location information from a service record is retrieved for the second communication device in response to the request. Communication of a selected type is initiated using the communication network and the retrieved address information.

Abstract: A content storage and communication system is claimed. The system includes at least one local network at first physical premises. The system includes at least one audio-video storage device in communication with the local network. The audio-video storage device is configured for storing at least one media file, which includes at least video. The system includes at least a first client device in communication with the local network. The system is configured to enable a user of the first client device to communicate with a wide area network. The system is configured to enable simultaneous multiple retrieval of the at least one media file stored on the audio-video storage device. The system is configured to enable multiple playbacks of media associated with the accessed media file.

Abstract: A system for real-time communication between a plurality of separated users is claimed. The system includes a record including associated location information of where a first user is logged in. Computer software causes display of a user identifier for a second user on the display of a communication device of the first user for selection by the first user. Collaboration initiation software causes the retrieving of necessary addressing information for the second user upon selection by the first user. The collaboration initiation software causes the establishing of a connection between the first and second users, and to enable real-time communication including between the users. The system is configured to indicate to the first user whether another user is not logged in and to display at least two real-time communication types of the group consisting of video, audio and data conferencing on the display of the first user.

Abstract: Two users are allowed to establish communication over at least two communication networks by using respective first and second communication devices. The first communication device is registered with a communication network. The second communication device is registered with a communication network. A service record that includes the second communication device's location information is maintained. The first user requests communication with the second user by selecting an identifier for the second user from a list of user identifiers displayed to the first user. Location information of the second communication device is retrieved in response to the request by the first user. Communication, including audio, is initiated between the two users by using at least one of the communication networks and the retrieved location information. The first user is associated with location information corresponding to the first communication device into which the first user is logged in.

Abstract: A system for real-time communication between a plurality of separated users is claimed. The system includes a record including associated location information of where a first user is logged in. Computer software causes display of a user identifier for a second user on the display of a communication device of the first user for selection by the first user. Collaboration initiation software causes the retrieving of necessary addressing information for the second user upon selection by the first user. The collaboration initiation software causes the establishing of a connection between the first and second users, and to enable real-time communication including between the users. The system is configured to indicate to the first user whether another user is not logged in and to display at least two real-time communication types of the group consisting of video, audio and data conferencing on the display of the first user.

Abstract: Two users are allowed to log in to respective first and second communication devices. The first and second communication devices are registered with at least one communication network. At least one communication network is a wireless network. Service records are maintained for the first and second communication devices. The service records include location information for the communication device at which the respective users have logged in. A user identifier for the second user is displayed in a list on the display of the first communication device. The first user is allowed to request communication with the second user by selecting the displayed identifier. Necessary location information of the second communication device is retrieved from a service record in response to the selection. The retrieved information is used to establish a connection between the first and second communication devices, thereby enabling real-time communication, including at least audio, between the two users.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants. The system has a plurality of video display devices, each having associated participant video capture capabilities and participant audio capture and reproduction capabilities. At least one communication path is provided for transmitting signals representing participant audio and video. A graphical rolodex can be displayed on a participant's video display device and includes a scrollable listing of entries of video-enabled potential participants. Also included is a quick dial list, listing icons representing video-enabled potential participants copied from the graphical rolodex.

Abstract: A system for real-time, communication between a plurality of separated users comprising at least one communication device for use by each of the plurality of users and having an associated display, at least one communication network to which at least first and second users can connect by logging in at their respective communication devices. Further included are at least one service record for the first and second logged in users, the at least one service record including user identification information and an associated location where each user is logged in. Computer software also is provided for causing display of a user identifier for at least the second user on the display of at least the first user's communication device, and generating a signal in response to a user selecting the displayed second user's identifier.

Abstract: An environment for integrating a collection of video and audio processors into a multifunction system ideally suited for a common board in a hosted system. Codec and transcoding functions may be autonomous, operate under external control, be managed by a common chaperoning processor, or operated in combinations of each of these ways. The plurality of reconfigurable media signal processors can cooperatively support a variety of concurrent independent or coordinated tasks so as to provide on-demand network functions such as flexibly reconfigurable A/V transcoding, broadcast, video storage support, video mosaicing, etc., each supporting a variety of analog and digital signal formats. The system can be used for networked video services such as conferencing MCU functions, streaming transcoding record and playback video storage, call recording, conference recording, video answering (greeting playback, message record), and other functions.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system has multimedia document marking and searching capabilities such that a user can rapidly access desired selected portions of stored multimedia documents. The mark and search feature can be context-based, content-based, time-based, or event based. The multimedia documents can be a collection of individual components in multiple media combined with an overall structure and timing component. The multimedia collaboration system itself integrates separate real-time and asynchronous networks—the former for real-time audio and video, and the latter for control signals and textual, graphical and other data—in a manner that is interoperable across different computer and network operating system platforms and which closely approximates the experience of face-to-face collaboration, while liberating the participants from the limitations of time and distance.

Abstract: A system for providing video communication services to one or more premises with video communications-services users, comprising a first premises network, a plurality of user workstations interconnected by the first premises network, and a multimedia central office being in communication with the first premise network and a public digital network. The multimedia central office, in use, transceives audio, video and digital data signals for providing at least switching functions originating at or destined for at least one user workstation, to and from the first premises network to provide video communications services.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system and method utilizing an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) network among a plurality of workstations, the UTP network defining a data path along which data can be shared among workstation participants and an AV path along which AV signals, representing video images and spoken audio of the participants, can be carried among the workstations. The system is configured to manage a data conference during which the data is shared and interactively displayed on at least two participants' workstation monitors, and to control the reproduction of the video images and spoken audio of one or more participants at the workstation of another participant during a videoconference.

Abstract: A networked multimedia system comprises a plurality of workstations and at least one storage server. A signal path interconnects the workstations and the storage server. Each workstation includes video and audio reproduction capabilities, as well as video and audio capture capabilities. Any given storage server comprises a set of storage cells that operate under the direction of a storage cell manager. A storage cell may include one or more encoding and/or transcoding converters configured to convert or transform audio and video signals originating at a workstation into a form suitable for storage. A storage cell may further include one or more decoding converters configured to convert stored signals into a form suitable for audio and video signal reproduction at a workstation. Each storage cell additionally includes at least one storage device and storage device controller capable of storing, for later retrieval, signals generated by one or more converters.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system integrates separate real-time and asynchronous network paths—the former for real-time audio and video, and the latter for control signals and textual, graphical and other data—in a manner that is interoperable across different computer and network operating system platforms and which facilitates close approximations of face-to-face collaboration, while liberating the participants from the limitations of time and distance. In one embodiment, the system and method include at least one analog video-signal source, a plurality of video display devices, and at least one communication control component configured to produce digital control-signals.