Abstract: A collaborative communication system comprises a highly flexible architecture that facilitates connecting communication devices and networks to establish multimedia collaboration sessions in a manner that allows distribution of various services and features throughout the collaborative communication system to provide scalability and selectable combination of cost, resource usage, and performance.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system comprises client devices that include user interfaces that comprise private workspaces that can be used to display a live history of a multimedia collaboration session. The private workspaces can be configured to display information representative of media elements that can be shared within the multimedia collaboration session, but that are only viewable to a participant associated with a particular client device. The private workspaces can be used to preview information before publishing it to other participants or to view a live history of the multimedia collaboration session.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically configuring and optimizing a multimedia conference session. An exemplary method of the invention may include providing a plurality of services to be used in the multimedia conference session, wherein each of the plurality of services may be hosted by and independently executable through at least one service endpoint in a communications network. Further, a plurality of users may be enabled to participate in the multimedia conference session. In particular, each user may participate in the conference session through a respective user endpoint in the communications network, where the respective user endpoint may be hosted by and independently executable through at least one service endpoint. Each service endpoint is configurable as an authentication service and a presence service such that the at least one service endpoint is operable to authenticate and publish a presence of each user endpoint.

Abstract: A system and method for voice transmission over high level network protocols. On the Internet and the World Wide Web, such high level protocols are HTTP/TCP. The restrictions imposed by firewalls and proxy servers are avoided by using HTTP level connections to transmit voice data. In addition, packet delivery guarantees are obtained by using TCP instead of UDP. Variable compression based on silence detection takes advantage of the natural silences and pauses in human speech, thus reducing the delays in transmission caused by using HTTP/TCP. The silence detection includes the ability to bookend the voice data sent with small portions of silence to insure that the voice sounds natural. Finally, the voice data is transmitted to each client computer independently from a common circular list of voice data, thus insuring that all clients will stay current with the most recent voice data. The combination of these features enables simple, seamless, and interactive Internet conferencing.

Abstract: A collaborative communication system comprises a highly flexible architecture that facilitates connecting communication devices and networks to establish multimedia collaboration sessions in a manner that allows distribution of various services and features throughout the collaborative communication system to provide scalability and selectable combination of cost, resource usage, and performance.

Abstract: A source communication device comprises a cluster manager to group destination device connections into a plurality of performance clusters. The cluster manager then causes a synchronization mechanism to be generated for each performance cluster. Each synchronization cluster can then allow data to be optimally shared between the source device and destination devices within a given cluster.

Abstract: A collaborative communication system that includes a plurality of endpoints and interconnecting nodes configured to communicate via messages over interconnecting channels. Each of the plurality of endpoints and/or interconnecting nodes can determine whether to apply protection to the messages on a per message basis and/or base on the interconnecting channel being used. Thus, a balance between adequate protection and use of system resources and bandwidth can be maintained.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium comprising instructions for causing a first computer to control a browser application of at least a second computer, thereby enabling a collaborative web browsing session with at least said second computer, receiving audio and visual data elements of said session from a computer participating in the collaborative web browsing session, merging the received audio and visual data elements, storing said merged audio and visual data elements in a presentation file, receiving a selection request for said presentation file and playing back said presentation file.

Abstract: A source communication device comprises a cluster manager to group destination device connections into a plurality of performance clusters. The cluster manager then causes a synchronization mechanism to be generated for each performance cluster. Each synchronization cluster can then allow data to be optimally shared between the source device and destination devices within a given cluster.

Abstract: A source communication device comprises a cluster manager to group destination device connections into a plurality of performance clusters. The cluster manager then causes a synchronization mechanism to be generated for each performance cluster. Each synchronization cluster can then allow data to be optimally shared between the source device and destination devices within a given cluster.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system that facilitates more efficient, free-flowing collaboration sessions. The role of the presenter can be exchanged among participants in a collaboration session. The multimedia collaboration system is configured so that control of a collaboration session can be exchanged freely between participants in the collaboration session. The multimedia collaboration system enables participants in the collaboration session to determine the pace and course of the session.

Abstract: A collaborative Web browsing session may take place over a network, allowing the Presenter on a first computer to direct the audio and visual components of a browser on one or more second computers. The Attendee on the second computer logs into a control site computer located on the Web and subsequently relinquishes Web browser control to the Presenter on the first computer. The collaborative Web browsing session (“session”), as created by the Presenter and witnessed by the Attendee, is comprised of a predetermined set of Web pages and slides. The present invention allows the Presenter of a collaborative Web browsing session to dynamically integrate a region of the Presenter's display into the session. The Presenter configures the first computer to select a region on its display for integration into the session. Additionally, the Presenter configures keyboard combinations to execute the capture of the selected region.

Abstract: A collaborative communication session (“session”), as created by the presenter and witnesses by one or more users on second computers, may be recorded. The session may be replayed by a user's computer, directing the audio and visual components of the browser on the user's computer as if the user was attending the live session. The recorded session replays the events of the live session in real time such that they playback experience contains the same audio and visual events that took place when the session was originally being recorded. Moreover, the recorded session may be encoded such that the session may be played back according to the client's playback capabilities, permissions and preferences.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically data streaming a multiparty conference. The system allows a session moderator or other guests to request data streaming of the multiparty. The data-stream-initiation request is received from an Internet-based interface. Upon receiving the request, the conferencing system automatically establishes data streams of audio and visual data of the conference and transmits the data stream to call participants. The conferencing system is also configured to record the conference call and transcode the call for subsequent playback.

Abstract: A collaborative Web browsing session may take place over a network, allowing the presenter on a first computer to direct the audio and visual components of a browser on one or more second computers. The second computer is instructed to log into a control site that downloads an active control, such as an applet, to the second computer. The present invention allows a collaborative Web browsing session (“session”), as created by the presenter and witnesses by one or more users on second computers, to be recorded and archived by the control site. When a user of a computer is connected to the control site through a communication network such as the World Wide Web, that user may log into the control site and request to view an archived session. The session will then be replayed by the control site on the user's computer, directing the audio and visual components of the browser on the user's computer as if the user was attending the live session.

Abstract: A system and method for voice transmission over high level network protocols. On the Internet and the World Wide Web, such high level protocols are HTTP/TCP. The restrictions imposed by firewalls and proxy servers are avoided by using HTTP level connections to transmit voice data. In addition, packet delivery guarantees are obtained by using TCP instead of UDP. Variable compression based on silence detection takes advantage of the natural silences and pauses in human speech, thus reducing the delays in transmission caused by using HTTP/TCP. The silence detection includes the ability to bookend the voice data sent with small portions of silence to insure that the voice sounds natural. Finally, the voice data is transmitted to each client computer, independently from a common circular list of voice data, thus insuring that all clients will stay current with the most recent voice data. The combination of these features enables simple, seamless, and interactive Internet conferencing.

Abstract: A collaborative Web browsing session may take place over a network, allowing the Presenter on a first computer to direct the audio and visual components of a browser on one or more second computers. The Attendee on the second computer logs into a control site computer located on the Web and subsequently relinquishes Web browser control to the Presenter on the first computer. The collaborative Web browsing session (“session”), as created by the Presenter and witnessed by the Attendee, is comprised of a predetermined set of Web pages and slides. The present invention allows the Presenter of a collaborative Web browsing session to dynamically integrate a region of the Presenter's display into the session. The Presenter configures the first computer to select a region on its display for integration into the session. Additionally, the Presenter configures keyboard combinations to execute the capture of the selected region.

Abstract: A presentation system is disclosed for distributing a performance of a presentation synchronously to a plurality of client nodes on a network such as the Internet. The presentation system distributes presentation content data to a plurality of network server nodes, and during a performance of the presentation, the client nodes receiving the presentation determine a particular variation of data presentation to retrieve from the network server nodes. In particular, the retrieval of presentation data depends upon the transmission characteristics of the network such as data transmission rate. Thus, if a low transmission data rate is detected at a first client node, presentation elements of a reduced size can be retrieved. Alternatively, if a higher transmission rate is detected at a second client node, presentation elements of greater size (and corresponding enhanced quality of presentation) can be retrieved.

Abstract: A presentation system is disclosed for distributing a performance of a presentation synchronously to a plurality of client nodes on a network such as the Internet. The presentation system distributes presentation content data to a plurality of network server nodes, and during a performance of the presentation, the client nodes receiving the presentation determine a particular variation of data presentation to retrieve from the network server nodes. In particular, the retrieval of presentation data depends upon the transmission characteristics of the network such as data transmission rate. Thus, if a low transmission data rate is detected at a first client node, presentation elements of a reduced size can be retrieved. Alternatively, if a higher transmission rate is detected at a second client node, presentation elements of greater size (and corresponding enhanced quality of presentation) can be retrieved.