Abstract: A data capture module can be connected to a multi-point control unit managing a video conference session just as the end point of a participant to the video conference session is connected. The data capture module receives the video and/or audio digital data content just as the participating end points receive the video and/or audio digital data content, via a video conference standard protocol technique. The data capture module is connected to a streaming module, which may be connectable to many data capture modules, each acting as a pseudo-participant in a different video conference session. The streaming module converts and transmits the received digital data as a multicast to one or more unicast servers, which in turn transmit to zero, one, or more multicast clients via a multimedia streaming protocol technique.

Abstract: A data capture module can be connected to a multi-point control unit managing a video conference session just as the end point of a participant to the video conference session is connected. The data capture module receives the video and/or audio digital data content just as the participating end points receive the video and/or audio digital data content, via a video conference standard protocol technique. The data capture module is connected to a streaming module, which may be connectable to many data capture modules, each acting as a pseudo-participant in a different video conference session. The streaming module converts and transmits the received digital data as a multicast to one or more unicast servers, which in turn transmit to zero, one, or more multicast clients via a multimedia streaming protocol technique.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods that allow data to be recorded from communication devices as messages for later viewing through the transmission of audio and digital data streams over a distributed communications network. The invention relates to a method for transmitting a message from a calling device to a remote video mail server and for retrieving the message at a later time over a distributed network including connecting the calling device to the remote video mail server; supplying the message from the calling device to the remote video mail server; storing the message on the remote video mail server; and accessing the message by a communication device from the remote video mail server at a later time.