Method and system for log-in-based video and multimedia calls

• US 6,351,762 B1
• Filed: 06/07/1996
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pragmatus AV LLC (Pragmatus, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Collaboration Properties Incorporated
• Inventors: Burns, Emmett R., Lantz, Keith A., Lauwers, J. Chris, Burnett, Gerald J., Ludwig, Lester F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Dung C.
• Application Number:
  US08/664,238
• Time in Patent Office: 2,090 Days
• Field of Search: 370/260, 370/261, 395/200.34, 395/200.36, 395/200.57, 395/200.58, 709/204, 709/205, 709/206, 709/207, 709/227, 709/228, 709/229
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• 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 12/1818 Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1831 Tracking arrangements for later retrieval, e.g. recording contents, participants activities or behavior, network status
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1836 with heterogeneous network architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/38 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5018 Initiating a conference during a two-party conversation, i.e. three-party-service or three-way-call computer conference organisation arrangements H04L12/1818
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5027 Dropping a party from a conference conducting a computer conference, e.g. admission detection H04L12/1822
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42221 : Conversation recording systems at the subscriber's set H04M1/656
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 : PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4285 : Notifying, informing or entertaining a held party while on hold, e.g. Music On Hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 : for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/562 : where the conference facilities are distributed
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/563 : User guidance or feature selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/564 : whereby the feature is a sub-conference
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 : Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 : Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/148 : Interfacing a video terminal to a particular transmission medium, e.g. ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 : Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 : Multipoint control units therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 : Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1319 : Amplifier, attenuation circuit, echo suppressor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1326 : Consultation call, broker's call, call hold, toggling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13337 : Picturephone, videotelephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet

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.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants using workstations with AV ports and associated monitors for displaying visual images, and with associated AV capture and reproduction capabilities for capturing and reproducing video images and spoken audio of the participants, at least a first and second of said workstations being disposed in different local area networks, and being used by first and second participants, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) associating first and second participants only with each workstation logged into by a first and second participant, respectively, each participant having a unique identifier;

(b) initiating a call from the first to the second participant and mapping between predetermined participant identifiers and AV ports, each AV port having a unique port identifier, on a corresponding workstation;

(c) routing the initiated call to each and only each workstation at which the second participants is logged in on the basis of said participant unique identifiers and said unique port identifiers;

(d) capturing participant video images and audio of the first and second participants;

(e) carrying AV signals representing the captured video images and spoken audio of the participants along an AV path among workstations associated with the first and second participants; and

(f) managing a videoconference during which the video image and spoken audio of the first participant is reproduced at the workstation of the second participant.

2. A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, comprising:

(a) a plurality of workstations, each having a visual image display monitor and associated participant audio and video capture and reproduction capabilities;

(b) an AV path for carrying AV signals representing video images and spoken audio of the participants among the workstations; and

(c) an AV conference manager configured to manage a videoconference during which the video image and spoken audio of one participant, captured at a workstation, is reproduced at another workstation, wherein the system is configured to associate a participant with only each workstation at which the participant logs in and to route a videoconference call, for that participant, to each workstation at which that participant is logged in.

3. The teleconferencing system of claim 2 further comprising:

(a) a services directory of workstation audio and video capabilities that enables the processing of a call to a participant based on the capabilities associated with that participant.

4. The teleconferencing system of claim 3 further comprising:

(a) a plurality of switches operable to establish a teleconference between any two participants out of a total pool of at least 100 participants.

5. The teleconferencing system of claim 4, wherein at least two of the switches are geographically dispersed and the AV path is defied by at least one Wide Area Network.

6. The teleconferencing system of claim 2, further comprising:

(a) an AV signal switcher for receiving and routing the AV signals to an intended location;

(b) at least one AV reproduction device with associated audio and/or video reproduction capabilities; and

(c) a directory of each AV reproduction device and its associated capabilities and wherein the AV conference manager processes a request for a reproduction service, generated at a workstation, by addressing the directory of reproduction devices, selecting an appropriate AV reproduction device and causing the selected device to provide the requested reproduction service to the workstation.

7. The teleconferencing system of claim 6, wherein the AV conference manager selects the AV reproduction device according to a predetermined order of available reproduction capabilities.

8. The teleconferencing system of claim 7 further comprising:

(a) at least one interface for interfacing between the AV conference manager and an external AV reproduction device.

9. The teleconferencing system of claim 8, further comprising:

(a) a user interface for enabling the first participant to select a capability associated with the external AV reproduction device to cause an AV reproduction service to be provided to the workstation associated with the first participant.

10. The teleconferencing system of claim 2, wherein the teleconferencing system can support different signal format standards.

16. The teleconferencing system of claim 2, further comprising a data path along which digital data signals can be transmitted between a plurality of the workstation.

17. The teleconferencing system of claim 2, wherein the AV path connects the workstation of a first participant at a first location to the workstation of another participant at a second location via a third location, the system further comprising:

(a) at least first and second codecs, respectively at the first and second locations, configured to compress AV signals and decompress compressed AV signals; and

(b) an AV signal switch at the third location, operable to route compressed AV signals, destined for another without the compressed signals being decompressed at the third location.

18. The teleconferencing system of claim 16, wherein the system is configured to manage a data conference, during which images based on shared data are displayed interactively on the workstation monitors of a plurality of participants.

19. The teleconferencing system of claim 17, wherein video images are reproduced at the workstations at at least 20 frames per second.

20. The teleconferencing system of claim 19, wherein video images are reproduced at the workstations at at least 30 frames per second.

11. A method of conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants using workstations with associated monitors for displaying visual images, and with associated AV capture and reproduction capabilities for capturing and reproducing video images and spoken audio of the participants, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) associating first and second participants only with each workstation logged into by a first and a second participant;

(b) initiating a call from the first to the second participant;

(c) routing the initiated call to each and only each workstation at which the second participant is logged in;

(d) capturing participant video images and audio of the first and second participants;

(e) carrying AV signals representing the captured video images and spoken audio of the participants along an AV path among workstations associated with the first and second participants; and

(f) managing a videoconference during which the video image and spoken audio of the first participant is reproduced at the workstation of the second participant.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

(a) tracking the audio and video capabilities associated with each workstation; and

(b) processing a call, from a second to the first participant, based on which audio and video capabilities are associated with the first participant.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

(a) providing at least one AV reproduction device with associated capabilities of reproducing at least audio or video signals at a workstation;

(b) defining at least one directory of AV reproduction devices and each devices associated capabilities;

(c) addressing the directory of devices to select an appropriate AV reproduction device; and

(d) causing the selected device to provide the requested reproduction service to the workstation.

14. The method of claim 13, former comprising the step of:

(a) interfacing between the AV conference manager and an external AV reproduction device.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

(a) converting signals of one format to another format to enable the video conference system to support different signal format standards.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein the AV path connects the workstation of the first participant at a first location to the workstation of another participant at a second location via a third location, the method further comprising the steps of:

(a) compressing the AV signals;

(b) receiving the compressed AV signals at the third location; and

(c) routing the received compressed AV signals to the second location with decompressing them at the third location.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of:

(a) sharing data among a plurality of participants; and

(b) interactively displaying images based on the shared data on the monitors of the participants'"'"' workstations;

(c) managing a videoconference to reproduce the video images and spoken audio of one of the participants at the workstation of another of the participants by utilizing a data network operating system and data network protocol of the first network.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein video images are reproduced at the workstations at at least 20 frames per second.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein video images are reproduced at the workstations at at least 30 frames per second.

25. A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, at least a first and second of said workstations being disposed in different local area networks, and being used by first and second participants, the teleconferencing system comprising:

(a) a plurality of workstations having a visual image display monitor and associated participants audio and video capture and reproduction capabilities;

(b) an AV path for carrying AV signals representing video images and spoken audio of the participants among the workstations; and

(c) an AV conference manager configured to mange a videoconference during which the video image and spoken audio of one participant, captured at a workstation, are reproduced at another workstation;

wherein the system is configured to manage a data conference, during which shared data is displayed interactively on the visual display monitor of at least two participants; and

configured to associate a participant with each workstation at which the participant logs in and to route a videoconference call for that participant, to each workstation at which that participant is logged in.

26. A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, the teleconferencing system comprising:

(a) a plurality of workstations having a visual image display monitor and associated participant audio and video capture and reproduction capabilities;

(b) an AV path for carrying AV signals representing video images and spoken audio of the participants among the workstations; and

(c) an AV conference manager configured to manage a videoconference during which the video image and spoken audio of one participant, captured at a workstation, are reproduced at another workstation;

wherein the system is configured to manage a data conference, during which shared data is displayed interactively on the visual display monitor of at least two participants; and

configured to associate a participant with each workstation at which the participant logs in and

to route a videoconference call for that participant, to each workstation at which that participant is logged in.

27. The teleconferencing system of claim 26, further comprising:

(a) a plurality of switches operable to establish a teleconference between any two participants out of a total pool of at least 100 participants.

28. The teleconferencing system of claim 27, wherein at least two of the switches are geographically dispersed and the AV path is defined by at least one Wide Area Network.

29. The teleconferencing system of claim 26, further comprising:

(a) an AV signal switcher for receiving and routing the AV signals to an intended location;

(b) at least one AV reproduction device with associated audio and/or video reproduction capabilities; and

(c) a directory of each AV reproduction device and its associated capabilities and wherein the AV conference manager processes a request for a reproduction service, generated at a workstation, by addressing the directory of reproduction devices, selecting an appropriate AV reproduction device and causing the selected device to provide the requested reproduction service to the workstation.

30. The teleconferencing system of claim 29, wherein the AV conference manager selects the AV reproduction device according to a predetermined order of available reproduction capabilities.

31. The teleconferencing system of claim 30, further comprising:

(a) at least one interface for interfacing between the AV conference manager and an external AV reproduction device.

32. The teleconferencing system of claim 31, further comprising:

(a) a user interface for enabling the first participant to select a capability associated with the external AV reproduction device to cause an AV reproduction service to be provided to the workstation associated with the first participant.

33. The teleconferencing system of claim 26, wherein the teleconferencing system can support different signal format standards.

34. The teleconferencing system of claim 26, further comprising a data path along which digital data signals can be transmitted between a plurality of the workstation.

35. The teleconferencing system of claim 34, wherein the system is configured to manage the videoconference by communications over the data path.

36. The teleconferencing system of claim 26, wherein the AV path connects the workstation of a first participant at a first location to the workstation of another participant at a second location via a third location, the system further comprising:

(a) at least first and second codecs, respectively at the first and second locations, configured to compress AV signals and decompress compressed AV signals; and

(b) an AV signal switch at the third location, operable to route compressed AV signals, destined for another without the compressed signals being decompressed at the third location.

37. The teleconferencing system of claim 35, wherein video images are reproduced at the workstations at least 20 frames per second.

38. The teleconferencing system of claim 37, wherein video images are reproduced at the workstations at least 30 frames per second.

39. A method of conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants using workstations with associated monitors for displaying visual images, and with associated AV capture and reproduction capabilities for capturing and reproducing video images and spoken audio of the participants, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) associating first and second participants, respectively, with each workstation logged into by a first and a second participant;

(b) initiating a call from the first to the second participant;

(c) routing the initiated call to each and only each workstation at which the second participant is logged in;

(d) capturing participant video images and audio of the first and second participants;

(e) carrying AV signals representing the captured video images and spoken audio of the participants along an AV path among workstations associated with the first and second participants;

(f) managing a videoconference during which the video image and spoken audio of the first participant is reproduced at the workstation of the second participant; and

(g) sharing data, along a data path, among workstations associated with the first and second participants;

(h) managing a data conference, during which images based on the shared data are displayed interactively on at least one workstation monitor associated with each of the first and second participants.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the steps of:

(a) tracking the audio and video capabilities associated with each workstation; and

(b) processing a call, from a second to the first participant, based on which audio and video capabilities are associated with the first participant.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:

(a) providing at least one AV reproduction device with associated capabilities of reproducing at least audio or video signals at a workstation;

(b) defining at least one directory of AV reproduction devices and each devices associated capabilities;

(c) addressing the directory of devices to select an appropriate AV reproduction device; and

(d) causing the selected device to provide the requested reproduction service to the workstation.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of:

(a) interfacing between the AV conference manager and an external AV reproduction device.

43. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:

(a) converting signals of one format to another format to enable the video conference to support different signal format standards.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the AV path connects the workstation of the first participant at a first location to the workstation of another participant at a second location via a third location, the method further comprising the steps of:

(a) compressing the AV signals;

(b) receiving the compressed AV signals at the third location; and

(c) routing the received compressed AV signals to the second location with decompressing them at the third location.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of:

(a) controlling the videoconference by communications transmitted over the data path.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein video images are reproduced at the workstations at least 20 frames per second.

47. The method of claim 40, wherein video images are reproduced at the workstations at least 30 frames per second.

48. A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, comprising:

a) a plurality of workstations, each having a log-in procedure for registering a participant and comprising a visual image display monitor and associated participant audio and video capture and reproduction capabilities;

b) an AV path for carrying AV signals representing video images and spoken audio to and from selected ones of the workstations;

c) a data path for carrying control signals to and from each of said workstations; and

d) at least one AV conference manager configured to manage a videoconference during which the video image and spoken audio of one participant, captured at a workstation, is reproduced at another workstation,

wherein the system is configured to use said data path to associate a participant with only each of a plurality of workstations at which the participant logs-in and to route an incoming videoconference call notification, for that participant, to each workstation at which that participant is currently logged-in.

49. The teleconferencing system of claim 48 further comprising:

a services directory containing workstation audio and video capabilities registered by a participant that enables the processing of a call to the participant based on the capabilities registered for that participant.

50. The teleconferencing system of claim 49 further comprising:

a service database correlating registered services capabilities with specified network resources.

51. The teleconferencing system of claim 50 wherein said services database is replicated in each of said plurality of workstations.

52. The teleconferencing system of claim 50 wherein each of said plurality of workstations associates a user with the user'"'"'s specified network capabilities and establishes such services when a user logs-in.

53. The teleconferencing system of claim 52 wherein said AV conference manager detects if a called user is not logged in anywhere in the system and notifies a calling user accordingly.

54. A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, comprising:

a) at least a first and a second workstation, each workstation having a visual image display monitor and associated participant audio and video capture and reproduction capabilities;

b) an AV path for carrying AV signals representing video images and spoken audio of the participants among the workstations;

c) a data path for carrying control signals to and from each of said workstations; and

d) at least one AV conference manager configured to manage a videoconference during which the video image and spoken audio of one participant, captured at a workstation, is reproduced at another selected workstation, wherein the system is configured to process static &

dynamic information so as to associate a called participant with the workstation at which the participant logs-in and to connect said AV path to create a videoconference call with the called participant at the workstation at which the called participant is logged-in.

55. The teleconferencing system of claim 54 further comprising:

a services directory containing workstation audio and video capabilities registered by a participant that enables the processing of a call to the participant based on the capabilities registered for that participant.

56. The teleconferencing system of claim 55 further comprising:

a service database correlating registered services capabilities with specified network resources.

57. The teleconferencing system of claim 56 wherein said services database is replicated in each of said plurality of workstations.

58. The teleconferencing system of claim 56 wherein each of said plurality of workstations associates a user with the user'"'"'s specified network capabilities and establishes such services when a user logs-in.

59. The teleconferencing system of claim 58 wherein said AV conference manager detects if a called user is not logged in anywhere in the system and notifies a calling user accordingly.

60. The teleconferencing system of claim 54 wherein said static information comprises graphics images and said dynamic information comprises audio or video information.

61. A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, comprising:

(a) a plurality of workstations, each having a unique terminal ID and at least one A/V port having a unique port ID, visual image display monitor and associated participant audio and video capture and reproduction capabilities;

(b) an AV path for carrying AV signals representing video images and spoken audio of the participants among the workstations; and

(c) an AV conference manager configured to manage a videoconference among a plurality of workstations that may be disposed in different local area networks during which the video image and spoken audio of one participant, captured at a workstation, is reproduced at another workstation, wherein the system is configured to associate a participant with only each workstation at which the participants logs in and to route a videoconference call, for that participant, to each workstation at which that participant is logged in, said AV conference manager comprising a means for mapping between predetermined participant identifiers and AV ports on a corresponding workstation using said terminal ID and port ID information.

62. The teleconferencing system of claim 61, wherein the AV path connects the workstation of a first participant at a first location in a first local area network to the workstation of another participant at a second location in a second local area network, the system further comprising at least first and second codecs, respectively at the first and second locations, configured to compress AV signals and decompress compressed AV signals.

63. The teleconferencing system of claim 62, wherein the AV conference manager comprises a means for processing login information is at least two steps.

64. The teleconferencing system of claim 61, wherein said plurality of work stations comprise a workstation at a local site and at least one of said workstations at remote sites, and wherein the number of said at least one of said workstations at remote sites as well as and a corresponding number of logins are an arbitrary number.

65. The teleconferencing system of claim 61, wherein the AV path connects the workstation of a first participant at a first location in a first local area network to the workstation of another participant at a second location in a second local area network via a third location, the system further comprising:

(a) at least first and second codecs, respectively at the first and second locations, configured to compress AV signals and decompress compressed AV signals; and

(b) an AV signal switch at the third location, operable to route compressed AV signals originating at a terminal at said first location and destined for another terminal at said second location without the compressed signals being decompressed at the third location.

66. A method of conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants using workstations with associated monitors for displaying visual images, and with associated AV capture and reproduction capabilities for capturing and reproducing video images and spoken audio of the participants, at least a first and a second of said workstations being located in different local area networks, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) associating first and second participants, respectively, with each of said first and second workstation logged into by a first and a second participant;

(b) initiating a call from the first to the second participant;

(c) routing the initiated call to each and only each workstation at which the second participant is logged in;

(d) capturing participant video images and audio of the first and second participants;

(e) carrying AV signals representing the captured video images and spoken audio of the participants along an AV path among workstations associated with the first and second participants;

(f) managing a videoconference during which the video image and spoken audio of the first participant is reproduced at the workstation of the second participant; and

(g) sharing data, along a data path, among workstations associated with the first and second participants;

(h) managing a data conference, during which images based on the shared data are displayed interactively on at least one workstation monitor associated with each of the first and second participants.

67. The method of conducting a teleconferencing of claim 66, wherein the step of associating first and second participants comprises processing login information in at least two steps.

68. The method of conducting a teleconferencing of claim 67, wherein the at least two steps comprises associating a name with a terminal ID and associating a terminal ID with at least one of a datacom port ID and an AV channel.

69. The method of conducting a teleconferencing of claim 67, wherein the at least two steps further comprises associating a terminal ID with a WAN gateway port ID.

70. A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, comprising:

a) a first plurality of workstations connected in a first local area network, each having a log-in procedure for registering a participant and comprising a visual image display monitor and associated participant audio and video capture and reproduction capabilities; and

a second plurality of workstations connected in a second local area network, each having a login procedure for registering a participant and comprising a visual image display monitor and associated participant audio and video capture and reproduction capabilities;

b) an AV path for carrying AV signals representing video images and spoken audio to and from selected ones of the first and second plurality of workstations;

c) a data path for carrying control signals to and from each of said first and second plurality of workstations; and

d) at least one AV conference manager configured to manage a videoconference during which the video image and spoken audio of one participant, captured at a workstation, is reproduced at another workstation,

wherein the system is configured to use said data path to associate a participant with only each of a plurality of workstations at which the participant logs-in and to route an incoming videoconference call notification, for that participant, to each workstation at which that participant is currently logged-in, said AV conference manager comprising at least a directory server and a service server for mapping between predetermined participant identifiers and AV ports on a corresponding workstation.

71. The teleconferencing system of claim 70, wherein the AV path connects the workstation of a first participant at a first location in a first local area network to the workstation of another participant at a second location in a second local area network, the system further comprising at least first and second codecs, respectively at the first and second locations, configured to compress AV signals and decompress compressed AV signals.

72. The teleconferencing system of claim 70, wherein the AV conference manager comprises a means for processing login information is at least two steps.

73. The teleconferencing system of claim 71, wherein the AV conference manager comprises a means for processing login information is at least two steps.

74. The teleconferencing system of claim 73, wherein the different local area networks are connected by a wide area network, and said wide area network comprises a network port having unique port ID'"'"'s, said unique port ID'"'"'s being utilized.