Initiation and support of video conferencing using instant messaging

• US 20020118809A1
• Filed: 12/03/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RADVISION Limited (Avaya Incorporated)
• Inventors: Eisenberg, Alfred
• Granted Patent: US 7,631,039 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/202.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5018 Initiating a conference during a two-party conversation, i.e. three-party service or three-way call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 Multipoint control units therefor

Abstract

A system and method for initiating and supporting network video conferences are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, one or more instant messaging enabled clients can initiate a video conference. At least a pair of client nodes communicate with each other via an instant messaging utility. An instant messaging server supports instant messages between the two client nodes. A second server, e.g., a video conferencing server, supports video conferences between video conference participants, a video conference being initiated between video conference participants in response to an instant message transmitted between the at least two client nodes.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

at least two client nodes adapted to communicate with each other via an instant messaging utility;

an instant messaging server for supporting instant messages between the two client nodes; and

a second server for supporting video conferences between video conference participants, a video conference being initiated between video conference participants in response to an instant message transmitted between the at least two client nodes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via cellular communication.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via a computer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via a network gateway.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via a video conferencing standard protocol.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via an ISDN standard protocol.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via an ATM standard protocol.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the instant message contains information related to communication modes of the participants to be used by the participants to participate in the video conference.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication modes comprise cellular communication.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a computer.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a gateway.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a video conferencing standard protocol.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via an ISDN standard protocol.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via an ATM standard protocol.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third server for processing information related to the participants in the video conference to initiate the video conference.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the third server receives the information from the instant message.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the information is related to communication modes of the participants to be used by the participants to participate in the video conference.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication modes comprise cellular communication.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a computer.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a gateway.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a video conferencing standard protocol.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via an ISDN standard protocol.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via an ATM standard protocol.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the second server is a network video conferencing server which supports video conferences using a network video conferencing protocol.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

30. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via cellular communication.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via a computer.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via a network gateway.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via a video conferencing standard protocol.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via an ISDN standard protocol.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the video conference participants participates in the video conference via an ATM standard protocol.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein the instant message contains information related to communication modes of the participants to be used by the participants to participate in the video conference.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the communication modes comprise cellular communication.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a computer.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a gateway.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a video conferencing standard protocol.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via an ISDN standard protocol.

43. The method of claim 36, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via an ATM standard protocol.

44. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing a third server for processing information related to the participants in the video conference to initiate the video conference.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the third server receives the information from the instant message.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the information is related to communication modes of the participants to be used by the participants to participate in the video conference.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the communication modes comprise cellular communication.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a computer.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a gateway.

51. The method of claim 46, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via a video conferencing standard protocol.

52. The method of claim 46, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via an ISDN standard protocol.

53. The method of claim 46, wherein the communication modes comprise communication via an ATM standard protocol.

54. The method of claim 28, wherein the second server is a network video conferencing server which supports video conferences using a network video conferencing protocol.

28. A communication method comprising:

providing at least two client nodes adapted to communicate with each other via an instant messaging utility;

providing an instant messaging server for supporting instant messages between the two client nodes; and

providing a second server for supporting video conferences between video conference participants, a video conference being initiated between video conference participants in response to an instant message transmitted between the at least two client nodes.