Abstract: A system of communication that includes causing user identifiers to be displayed in a group or panel that has been previously created by the first user by selecting user identifiers of potential callees from a list, and further including user identifier information for the second user retrieved over at least one network is disclosed.

Abstract: Two or more users can log in using at least one device each. Addresses for the users are sent to servers associated with the users, these servers being separated by a wide area network. From a quick dial list of user identifiers, a user selects an identifier for another user to make a request for communication with the second user. At least one port associated with a collaboration service is specified.

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 method of real-time communication between a plurality of users each with respective communication devices having associated displays, the method comprising the steps of providing each of the plurality of users with collaboration initiation software at their communication devices and allowing at least first and second users to connect to at least one communication network by logging in at their respective communication devices. Further, the method comprises maintaining service records for at least the first and second logged in users, the service records including user identification information and an associated location where each user is logged in no matter where they are located.

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 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.

Abstract: A video storage environment for a networked multimedia system comprising a plurality of workstations, each with audio and video reproduction and capture capabilities. The video storage environmental comprises one or more storage servers. In one embodiment, each video storage server comprises at least one storage cell. Each storage cell internally comprises at least one storage disk, at least one converter, and at least one storage disk, at least one converter, and at least one storage cell manager. The invention provides for various methods of resource allocation under various conditions and policies where there are pluralities of like entities. The invention also provides for transfers of video files among storage disks anywhere in the storage environment, and provides for the same video file to be used simultaneously by multiple users and types of applications.

Abstract: A system and method for employing multiple editors in the creation of self-presenting multimedia documents that include real-time video and time-insensitive media such as graphics and text. The real-time and time-insensitive media may be synchronized or otherwise driven by timing information. The real-time video may be recorded in a studio, at a workstation, or via other facilities, edited there or elsewhere, and brought together with separately authored time-insensitive media (such as graphics and text) created with a entirely different and unrelated editor dedicated to such media. In addition to such formal information presentation, the multimedia document may also accurately record an ad hoc video teleconference involving datasharing. Further, the multimedia document can take the form of a multimedia mail message.

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: A method of real-time communication between a plurality of users each with respective communication devices having associated displays, the method comprising the steps of providing each of the plurality of users with collaboration initiation software at their communication devices and allowing at least first and second users to connect to at least one communication network by logging in at their respective communication devices. Further, the method comprises maintaining service records for at least the first and second logged in users, the service records including user identification information and an associated location where each user is logged in.

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 and 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 no matter where they are located.

Abstract: A method of real-time communication between a plurality of users each with respective communication devices having associated displays, the method comprising the steps of providing each of the plurality of users with collaboration initiation software at their communication devices and allowing at least first and second users to connect to at least one communication network by logging in at their respective communication devices. Further, the method comprises maintaining service records for at least the first and second logged in users, the service records including user identification information and an associated location where each user is logged in no matter where they are located.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system that 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. These capabilities are achieved by exploiting a variety of hardware, software and networking technologies in a manner that preserves the quality and integrity of audio/video/data and other multimedia information, even after wide area transmission, and at a significantly reduced networking cost as compared to what would be required by presently known approaches. The system architecture is readily scalable to the largest enterprise network environments.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system that 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. These capabilities are achieved by exploiting a variety of hardware, software and networking technologies in a manner that preserves the quality and integrity of audio/video/data and other multimedia information, even after wide area transmission, and at a significantly reduced networking cost as compared to what would be required by presently known approaches. The system architecture is readily scalable to the largest enterprise network environments.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system that 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. These capabilities are achieved by exploiting a variety of hardware, software and networking technologies in a manner that preserves the quality and integrity of audio/video/data and other multimedia information, even after wide area transmission, and at a significantly reduced networking cost as compared to what would be required by presently known approaches. The system architecture is readily scalable to the largest enterprise network environments.