Initiation and support of video conferencing using instant messaging
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a plurality of client nodes, wherein each of the plurality of client nodes comprises a memory and a processor; and
one or more processors that initiate a video conference from an instant message request, the one or more processors comprising;
an instant messaging server for supporting instant messages between the plurality of client nodes;
a second server for supporting video conferences between the plurality of client nodes; and
a video conference allocator for setting up and managing video conferences on the second server, wherein the video conference allocator is configured to;
receive the instant message request, from one of the plurality of client nodes via the instant messaging server, for the video conference, wherein the instant message request is received over a first communication channel opened between the video conference allocator and the instant messaging server, and wherein the instant message request invites one or more of the plurality of client nodes;
in response to receiving the instant message request, determine conference information for the one of the plurality of client nodes and the one or more invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes, wherein the determined conference information includes a communication mode associated with each of the one or more invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes;
initiate the video conference by transmitting the determined conference information to the second server over a second communication channel between the video conference allocator and the second server; and
communicate to the one or more invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes, via the first communication channel opened between the video conference allocator and the instant messaging server, an instant message to join the video conference;
wherein the communication mode is embedded in the instant message request such that the video conference is set up between the one of the plurality of client nodes and each of the invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes using the communication mode.
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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.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a plurality of client nodes, wherein each of the plurality of client nodes comprises a memory and a processor; and one or more processors that initiate a video conference from an instant message request, the one or more processors comprising; an instant messaging server for supporting instant messages between the plurality of client nodes; a second server for supporting video conferences between the plurality of client nodes; and a video conference allocator for setting up and managing video conferences on the second server, wherein the video conference allocator is configured to; receive the instant message request, from one of the plurality of client nodes via the instant messaging server, for the video conference, wherein the instant message request is received over a first communication channel opened between the video conference allocator and the instant messaging server, and wherein the instant message request invites one or more of the plurality of client nodes; in response to receiving the instant message request, determine conference information for the one of the plurality of client nodes and the one or more invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes, wherein the determined conference information includes a communication mode associated with each of the one or more invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes; initiate the video conference by transmitting the determined conference information to the second server over a second communication channel between the video conference allocator and the second server; and communicate to the one or more invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes, via the first communication channel opened between the video conference allocator and the instant messaging server, an instant message to join the video conference; wherein the communication mode is embedded in the instant message request such that the video conference is set up between the one of the plurality of client nodes and each of the invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes using the communication mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 55)
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28. A communication method, comprising:
initiating a video conference between a plurality of client nodes using an instant message request, wherein the initiating further comprises; providing an instant messaging server for supporting instant messages between the plurality of client nodes; providing a second server for supporting video conferences between the plurality of client nodes; and providing a video conference allocator for setting up and managing video conferences on the second server, wherein the video conference allocator; receives the instant message request, from one of the plurality of client nodes via the instant messaging server, for the video conference, wherein the instant message request is received over a first communication channel opened between the video conference allocator and the instant messaging server, and wherein the instant message request invites one or more of the plurality of client nodes; in response to receiving the request, determines conference information for the one of the plurality of client nodes and the one or more invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes, wherein the determined conference information includes a communication mode associated with each of the one or more invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes; initiates the video conference by transmitting the determined conference information to the second server over a second communication channel between the video conference allocator and the second server; and communicates to the one or more invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes, via the first communication channel opened between the video conference allocator and the instant messaging server, an instant message to join the video conference; wherein the communication mode is embedded in the instant message request such that the video conference is set up between the one of the plurality of client nodes and each of the invited client nodes of the plurality of client nodes using the communication mode. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56)
Specification