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 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 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.

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.

Abstract: A teleconferencing apparatus and system consisting of a unitary housing. The housing includes audio and video capture capabilities for capturing video images and spoken audio of a participant in a videoconference; a monitor for displaying visual images associated with at least one participant; audio and reproduction capabilities; and an adaptive acoustic echo canceler to reduce echo during the reproduction of audio. A plurality of the apparatuses are distributed in the system and interconnected by a first network and a second network. The first network provides an AV path along which AV signals, representing video images and spoken audio of the participants can be carried while the second network provides a data path along which data can be shared among a plurality of participants. The system may also include two monitors, one for displaying the video images of the participants and the other for displaying data shared among the participants.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, computer hardware, software and communications technologies are combined in novel ways to produce a multimedia collaboration system that greatly facilitates distributed collaboration, in part by replicating the benefits of face-to-face collaboration. The system tightly integrates a carefully selected set of multimedia and collaborative capabilities, principal among which are desktop teleconferencing and multimedia mail.

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 video collaboration system and method utilizing at least one control communications link, and an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) wire network among a plurality of video sources and display devices, the UTP network defining a video signal path for transport of video signals. In the invention, the control communications link controls any of transmission, routing, multipoint conferencing, and end display of video signals as well as connection termination.

Abstract: In a video communications system and method, first and second unshielded twisted pairs (UTP) of wires are provided, with analog video signals being transported over at least one of the two UTP pairs. A switch is provided to switch transported analog video signals between the first and second UTP pairs. Full motion video having TV quality frame rate, resolution, and color is provided on a video display device. In another embodiment, a plurality of video display devices and video sources may be provided, and the switch may switch analog video signals bidirectionally among the video sources and video devices.

Abstract: A system and method for presence-based video and multimedia calling by which a workstation is dynamically associated with a user based on user log-in information so that video and multimedia calls are routed to at least one workstation at which that user is logged in. This allows a caller to place a video or multimedia call to a recipient without knowing the network address of the workstation at which the user is logged-in or the physical location of the recipient. The invention provides for detecting whether a participant is logged into the network and notifying the caller accordingly. The invention further provides for the routing of AV and data signals among workstations dispersed over multiple LANs, on different networks, or at different locations. Mulitple types of services and signal format standards may be supported within the same call. Network and workstation capabilities may be included as calls follow a user to any workstation in the system.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system and method comprising a plurality of workstations, providing AV capture and reproduction facilities, interconnected by a network providing an AV path for carrying signals representing videoconference participants. The system and method includes one or more of a remote participant hold selection mechanism and a remote participant disconnection mechanism. The remote participant hold selection mechanism is operable to place at least one of the other participants on hold, during a videoconference call among a hold-activating participant and a plurality of other participants. The remote participant disconnection mechanism is operable by a participant teleconference call among the participant and a plurality of the other participants without disconnecting the remaining participants.

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 real-tine 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 enviroments.

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.