Abstract: A videoconference system includes a plurality of computers associated with the system to collectively send and receive video data streams. A video encoding program is stored in a memory and is executable by at least a first computer. When executed, the executing computer encodes video data using one or more encoding parameters. A decode information set request monitoring program is stored in a memory and is executable by at least the first computer, causing the first computer to perform the steps of monitoring the network for receipt of a decode information set request message and responding to the received request message by querying the received message for an ID and, if the ID of the received message corresponds to a video data stream generated from the first computer, communicating the corresponding decode information set including the encoding parameters to at least a computer that transmitted the message.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a videoconference system in which multiple users communicate video and audio data to one another over a data network. The example system comprises a first conference server linking a plurality of first users to one another to allow each of the first users to communicate at least one video data stream and at least one audio data stream to others of the first users whereby the first users are in real-time two way audio and video communication with one another. The example system further comprises a second conference server linking a plurality of second users to one another to allow each of the second users to communicate at least one video data stream and at least one audio data stream to others of the second users whereby the second users are in real-time two way audio and video communication with one another.

Abstract: A computer program product for managing communications during a videoconference includes computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium that when executed by one or more computers causes the computers to receive an input first set of communications control parameters that apply to all videoconferences to be conducted over one or more videoconference servers. The computer stores the input first set of control parameters in a memory, and receives an input second set of communications control parameters that includes a subset of the first set and that applies to only a portion of videoconferences to be conducted over the videoconference servers. The computer compares the second set of communications control parameters to the first set of control parameters and retains the second set of communications control parameters in a memory for use during the conference if they do not violate the first set of control parameters.

Abstract: A method for organizing a virtual meeting includes steps of creating a meeting file, the meeting file including at least a meeting date, a meeting start time, a meeting duration time, and a meeting code. The meeting file is stored on a memory accessible to the network, and at least one attendee is specified. A step of communicating a meeting invitation to the at least one attendee is also performed, with the invitation including at least the meeting date, meeting start time, meeting code, and a meeting entry portal. Methods and systems of the invention may be embodied in computers and computer program products.

Abstract: An exemplary method of the invention is for connecting a plurality of clients to one another over a computer network for communication of real-time streaming data to one another, with at least one of the clients being separated by a security device from the network. Exemplary steps include each of the clients communicating a request to the server including a client address and a conference identifier, the server using the conference identifier to identify a conference address, and the server communicating a confirmation to each of the clients in a first protocol containing the at least one conference address. The at least one security device recognizes one or both of the confirmation and request as a signal to allow traffic to pass from said conference address to the respective client separated from the network by the security device.

Abstract: A videoconference system in which a plurality of users communicate video and audio data to each other, the system including at least two conference servers each having a plurality of users linked to one another over the server wherein the plurality of users can share real time audio and video data with one another, the conference servers being in communication with each other, a plurality of redundant videoconference applications configured to be run on the at least two conference servers, and at least one resource distribution node configured to determine in response to a request for access to one of the videoconference applications which of the plurality of redundant videoconference applications to utilize.

Abstract: One example method for communicating a file modification during a collaboration event includes steps of a first computer communicating a file modification status request to a second computer, the status request including at least a file identifier and a file property. The second computer uses the file identifier from the request to identify a current property of a corresponding file. The second computer compares the current file property to the file property from the status request and communicates a response to the first computer when the current property does not match the property from the status request.

Abstract: A method for organizing a virtual meeting includes steps of creating a meeting file, the meeting file including at least a meeting date, a meeting start time, a meeting duration time, and a meeting code. The meeting file is stored on a memory accessible to the network, and at least one attendee is specified. A step of communicating a meeting invitation to the at least one attendee is also performed, with the invitation including at least the meeting date, meeting start time, meeting code, and a meeting entry portal. Methods and systems of the invention may be embodied in computers and computer program products.

Abstract: One example method for communicating a file modification during a collaboration event includes steps of a first computer communicating a file modification status request to a second computer, the status request including at least a file identifier and a file property. The second computer uses the file identifier from the request to identify a current property of a corresponding file. The second computer compares the current file property to the file property from the status request and communicates a response to the first computer when the current property does not match the property from the status request.

Abstract: A videoconference system includes a camera at each several user locations, a computer at each user location linked to the camera at each location, and one or more bridges linking the computers to one another. A video encoding program stored on each computer causes each computer to encode video data received from the camera at the user location. A decode information set request monitoring program stored on at least one of the computers causes the computer to monitor the bridges for reception of a decode information set request message; and respond to the decode information set request message by querying the request message for an ID. If the ID of the request message matches an ID assigned to the computer, the computer generates a decode information set based on video data received from the camera, and communicates the decode information set to all of the other computers.

Abstract: A method for communicating modification data for a shared file stored on a network during a video conference wherein a plurality of users modify the shared file, the method comprising a first video conference participant communicating modifications to make to a first version of a shared file to a conference server, the conference server using the modifications to modify the first version of the shared file stored on a network to thereby create a current version of the shared file, a shared file property changing with the modification to a current property. At least a second video conference participant communicating a shared file property that corresponds to the first version of the shared file to the conference server together with a request to be notified of modifications to the shared file and the conference server communicating the modifications made to the first version of the shared file to the at least a second conference participant.

Abstract: One example embodiment of the invention is directed to a computer program product for initiating a process for use during a data sharing event on a packet based network, the program product comprising computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable medium, the data sharing event including a plurality of users sharing streaming data with one another. The example program product instructions when executed by one or more computers causing the one or more computers to perform steps comprising receive a request to initiate the process communicated from one of the plurality of users participating in the data sharing event, respond to the request by initiating the process on the data network whereby at least one of the users participating in the data sharing event may access said process, and terminate the process after one or more termination conditions has been satisfied.

Abstract: An example of the invention includes a collaboration system having a shared file modification engine useful to notify collaboration users connected to a data network when a shared file is updated, the modification engine comprising a plurality of client computers that communicate a file modification status request including a file identifier and a file property, each of the plurality of client computers having a plurality of shared file applications running thereon. At least one server computer connected to the data network and to the plurality of client computers. At least one shared file useful with the plurality of shared file applications and containing data to be shared with the plurality of client computers, the at least one shared file modifiable by any of the plurality of users and having a file name and a current property associated with it.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a videoconference system in which multiple users communicate video and audio data to one another over a data network. The example system comprises a first conference server linking a plurality of first users to one another to allow each of the first users to communicate at least one video data stream and at least one audio data stream to others of the first users whereby the first users are in real-time two way audio and video communication with one another. The example system further comprises a second conference server linking a plurality of second users to one another to allow each of the second users to communicate at least one video data stream and at least one audio data stream to others of the second users whereby the second users are in real-time two way audio and video communication with one another.

Abstract: A computer program product for managing communications during a videoconference includes computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium that when executed by one or more computers causes the one or more computers to receive an input first set of communications control parameters that apply to all videoconferences to be conducted over one or more videoconference servers. The computer stores the input first set of control parameters in a memory, and receives an input second set of communications control parameters that includes a subset of the first set and that applies to only a portion of videoconferences to be conducted over the one or more videoconference servers. The computer compares the second set of communications control parameters to the first set of control parameters and retains the second set of communications control parameters in a memory for use during the conference if they do not violate the first set of control parameters.

Abstract: One example embodiment of the invention is a method for communicating streaming data between a plurality of users participating in a real-time communications event over a packet based data network, the method comprising the steps of: a source identifying a first sink corresponding to a request, the request including at least a method, one or more method parameters, and a time to live value; the source using a sink data repository to identify a first sink address corresponding to the first sink, the sink data repository comprising sink addresses for a plurality of different sinks; the source communicating the request to said first sink; and, the first sink returning an error message if the time to live has expired, and if the time to live has not expired the first sink processing the request through one or more steps of: acting as a resource by executing the method using the method parameters and communicating a response to the source; acting as a filter by forwarding the request to a second sink; and, redirec

Abstract: According to one feature of the system, a method for updating a file maintained by first, second and third computers. The method comprises steps of the first computer communicating to the second computer a file modification instruction, the file modification instruction including the file identifier and a modification for the file. The third computer issuing to the second computer a request to notify the third computer of a file modification when the master property identifier does not match the property identifier maintained by the third computer.

Abstract: A method for organizing a virtual meeting includes steps of creating a meeting file, the meeting file including at least a meeting date, a meeting start time, a meeting duration time, and a meeting code. The meeting file is stored on a memory accessible to the network, and at least one attendee is specified. A step of communicating a meeting invitation to the at least one attendee is also performed, with the invitation including at least the meeting date, meeting start time, meeting code, and a meeting entry portal. Methods and systems of the invention may be embodied in computers and computer program products.

Abstract: One example embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for communicating streaming data between a plurality of users participating in a real-time communications event over a packet based data network. One example method comprises steps of a source identifying a first sink corresponding to a request, the request including at least a method and method parameters, the source using a sink data repository to determine a first sink address corresponding to the first sink, and the source communicating the request to the first sink at the first sink address. Additional steps include a resource executing the method using the parameters and the resource communicating a response to the source following execution of the method.

Abstract: A method for communicating one or more primary data streams between a plurality of attendees connected to a communications network includes steps of communicating a plurality of data streams from each of the attendees to all others of the attendees, and of designating at least one of the streams from one of the attendees as primary. The primary stream is identified using a primary selection command.