Seamless multimedia conferencing system using an enhanced multipoint control unit and enhanced endpoint devices
First Claim
1. A method for implementing a multimedia conference in a system comprisingi) a network including a plurality of network communications links, each network communications link being associated with a network address;
- ii) a multimedia server (MMS) coupled to the network and comprisinga) multimedia bridge means for mixing and switching multimedia electronic signals representing audio, video, data, and control among a plurality of endpoint devices through the network;
b) MMS communications link establishment means for establishing multimedia communications links on the network;
c) MMS network address transceiver for transmitting and receiving network addresses over the network;
d) processing means comprising a microprocessor; and
e) memory means;
iii) a plurality of endpoint devices, including a first and a second endpoint device, each endpoint device comprisinga) user interface means for accepting input from a user and for providing multimedia output to a user, the multimedia output including at least one of audio, video, and data;
b) endpoint communications link establishment means for establishing communications links on the network;
c) an endpoint network address transceiver for transmitting and receiving network addresses over the network;
d) processing means including a microprocessor; and
e) memory means;
THE METHOD INCLUDING THE STEPS OF;
a) the network assigning the MMS an MMS network address uniquely specifying a particular MMS; and
b) programming the MMS network address into the memory means of at least one of the plurality of endpoint devices.
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Accused Products
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.
226 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for implementing a multimedia conference in a system comprising
i) a network including a plurality of network communications links, each network communications link being associated with a network address; -
ii) a multimedia server (MMS) coupled to the network and comprising a) multimedia bridge means for mixing and switching multimedia electronic signals representing audio, video, data, and control among a plurality of endpoint devices through the network; b) MMS communications link establishment means for establishing multimedia communications links on the network; c) MMS network address transceiver for transmitting and receiving network addresses over the network; d) processing means comprising a microprocessor; and e) memory means; iii) a plurality of endpoint devices, including a first and a second endpoint device, each endpoint device comprising a) user interface means for accepting input from a user and for providing multimedia output to a user, the multimedia output including at least one of audio, video, and data; b) endpoint communications link establishment means for establishing communications links on the network; c) an endpoint network address transceiver for transmitting and receiving network addresses over the network; d) processing means including a microprocessor; and e) memory means; THE METHOD INCLUDING THE STEPS OF; a) the network assigning the MMS an MMS network address uniquely specifying a particular MMS; and b) programming the MMS network address into the memory means of at least one of the plurality of endpoint devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification