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 client device is in communication with a first storage device over a wide area network. The first storage device is of multiple storage devices in a networking system and stores media files. The client device can access a media file at the first storage device and the media file includes at least a reference to a video portion and at least a hyperlink that references a second media file.

Abstract: A content storage and distribution networked system is described. The system includes at least one local network at a first physical premises, at least one audio-video storage device in communication with the local network, and at least two client devices in communication with the local network. The audio-video storage device is configured to store at least one media file, which includes at least video. The first client device is configured to enable the two client device to simultaneously access the at least one media file stored on the audio-video storage device. The system is configured to cause playback of media that is associated with the retrieved media file, and to enable the user of the first client device to operate on the playback of the media associated with the retrieved media file, using at least the operations of start, stop, pause, fast forward, and reverse.

Abstract: An audio-video storage device includes a storage interface to interface with a storage medium that store a media file including video. The storage device includes a network interface to interface with a local network. The storage device performs replication of the stored media file. The storage device provides access to the media file to a first client device and a second client device over the local network and the wide area network respectively.

Abstract: A method 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: A user logs in, at a first address, using a first communication device and establishes communication with an associated server using a wireless communication link. The user enables the first user to log in, at a second address, using the first communication device and establish communication with an associated server. Another user can log in using one or more communication devices. User identifiers for a second user are displayed in a quick dial list for a first user. When the first user selects the second user's identifier, the second user's address information is obtained and used to establish communication between these users.

Abstract: First and second users log in using at least one of a plurality of respective communication devices using corresponding collaboration initiation software. Address information of the communication devices used by the first and second users to log in are sent to respective first and second servers connected to respective first and second communication networks. In response to a request from the first user for communication with the second user, address information of the second communication device is retrieved from at least one of the first and second servers, which set up real-time wide area communication between ports.

Abstract: First and second users log in using respective communication devices. Address information of the communication devices are sent to respective first and second servers. At the communication device used by the first user, a graphical icon representing the second user is retrieved from the first server, and is displayed in a quick dial list of first-user-selected user identifiers on the display. The first user selects the icon to request communication with the second user. Real-time communication types are displayed on a display associated with the communication device used by the first user. In response, the first server is queried to obtain the current address information for the selected second user. The received address information is used to establish a communication type. If a communication type is selected by the first user, the real-time communication is of the selected type. Otherwise, the real-time communication is of a default communication type.

Abstract: First and second users log in using at least one of a plurality of respective communication devices. Address information of the communication devices used by the first and second users to log in are sent to respective first and second servers, separated from each other by at least one wide area network. A user identifier for the second user is displayed in a quick dial list of user identifiers selected by the first user. The first user selects the displayed second user's identifier to request communication with the second user. The first user also selects a communication type. In response, the first server is queried to obtain the current address information for the selected second user. The received address information is used to establish the selected communication type, over the wide area network, between the first and second users.

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.

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: 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: 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 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, 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 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.