Abstract: Methods of establishing multimedia conferences between a multimedia server and a plurality of endpoint devices. One or more of these endpoint devices are enhanced in that they include a memory adapted to store one or more telephone numbers, each telephone number corresponding to a respective endpoint device, and a user interface coupled to the memory for selecting a telephone number stored in the memory. The methods are performed in a substantially continuous manner, signifying that a third endpoint device is added to a preexisting conference between a first and a second endpoint device without substantially interrupting this preexisting conference. Therefore, a seamless multimedia conference is provided between the first and second enhanced endpoint devices even when a third endpoint device is added to the conference.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling the communication of multimedia electronic signals representing audio, video, and/or data. These techniques operate in conjunction with a system including a network, a multimedia server (MMS) connected to the network, and a plurality of endpoint devices connected to the network. The network is comprised of communications links and switches adapted for selectively connecting and disconnecting the communications links. The endpoint devices are adapted for converting multimedia electronic signals into audio, video, and/or data. The MMS is equipped to control the network such that multimedia signals may be exchanged among a plurality of endpoint devices, thereby providing a multimedia conference.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling the communication of multimedia electronic signals representing audio, video, and/or data. These techniques operate in conjunction with a system including a network and a plurality of endpoint devices connected to the network. A novel MMS is coupled to the network and is equipped to utilize the network such that multimedia signals may be exchanged among a plurality of endpoint devices, thereby providing a multimedia conference. A Multi-Media Server (MMS) provides a multimedia conference independently, such that the reservation system utilized by existing multimedia conferencing system is no longer required. The conference is initiated by a multimedia endpoint that is equipped with a user interface device for encoding user input as BAS signals. The MMS is responsive to BAS DTMF commands issued by endpoint devices to implement multimedia conferences.