Abstract: The present invention establishes a direct communication session between separate users that are engaged in active sessions in an Internet chat or instant messaging environment. Within these active sessions, a video telephony call is initiated for sending video over a public data network simultaneously with sending voice within a telephone call placed over a public telephone network.

Abstract: The present invention establishes a direct communication session between separate users that are engaged in active sessions in an Internet chat or instant messaging environment. Within these active sessions, a video telephony call is initiated for sending video over a public data network simultaneously with sending voice within a telephone call placed over a public telephone network.

Abstract: A data call between at least two internetworked computers is established using a central server and call clients in the two computers. Once the data call is in place, a video telephony conversation is initiated. In addition, still images such as a slideshow of personal photographs are shared between the two computers while the video telephony call fully continues. Image viewer subclients utilize the same network session as is used by the call clients. Either user can pause, navigate through, or change the display a parameters of the slideshow as it is being viewed by both users.

Abstract: A user system uses a called number to establish a telephone call over a public telephone network to a called party. In response to the telephone call, the user system transfers a video call request to a server system over a public data network. The server system uses the called telephone number to check a database to determine if the called party is ready to receive video calls. If the called party is ready and accepts the video call, the server system exchanges video between the caller and called parties over the public data network.