Initiation and support of video conferencing using instant messaging

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.

1 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A system for initiating video conferences between a plurality of nodes, the system comprising:
 a processor, including a memory, for initiating video conferences from instant message requests that is configured to:
 receive, from an instant messaging server that supports instant messaging between the plurality of nodes, an instant message request created using, an instant, messaging application on a node that invites one or more other nodes to a video conference; 
 in response to receiving the instant message request, extract a communication mode associated with each of the plurality of nodes and location information associated with a conference server that supports the video conference between the plurality of nodes; 
 initiate the video conference by transmitting the extracted communication mode to the conference server; and 
 communicate, using the instant messaging server, to the one or more other nodes an instant message to join the video conference, wherein the communication mode and location information are embedded in the instant message such that the video conference is set up between the node and the one or more other nodes using the communication mode through the conference server located using the location information. 
   
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the conference server is a multipoint conference unit that hosts the video conference. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the conference server sets up communication links with gateways associated with each of the plurality of nodes and wherein the location information extracted from the instant message request includes location information associated with the gateways. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the gateways translate between a protocol used by at least one of the plurality of nodes and a different protocol used by the conference server. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the node and the one or more other nodes participate in the video conference via at least one of: a public switched telephone network (PSTN), an internet protocol (IP) network, an Ethernet network, cellular communication, a computer, a network gateway, a video conferencing standard protocol, an ISDN standard protocol, and an ATM standard protocol. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 55 , further comprising a database for storing information related to the node and the one or more other nodes, wherein the information stored in the database is related to the communication mode of each of the node and the one or more other nodes participating in the video conference. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 55 . Wherein the processor is further configured to provide presence information of the node and the one or more other nodes, wherein the presence information identifies a capability to receive instant messages in an instant messaging list. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide a presence indicator for the video conference in an instant messaging list. 
     
     
         63 . A method for initiating video conferences between a plurality of nodes, wherein an instant messaging server supports instant messaging between the plurality of nodes and a conference server for supporting video conferencing between the plurality of nodes, the method comprising:
 initiating a video conference on the conference server between a plurality of client nodes using an instant message request transmitted over the instant messaging server, wherein the initiating further comprises:
 receiving, from the instant messaging server, the instant message request created using an instant messaging application on a node that invites one or more other nodes to the video conference; 
 in response to receiving the instant message request, extracting a communication mode associated with each of the plurality of nodes and location information associated with the conference server; 
 initiating the video conference by transmitting the extracted presence information to the conference server; and 
 communicate, using the instant messaging server, to the one or more other nodes an instant message to join the video conference, wherein the communication mode and location information are embedded in the instant message such that the video conference is set up between the node and the one or more other nodes using the communication mode through the conference server located using the location information. 
   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the conference server is a multipoint conference unit that hosts the video conference. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising setting up, using the conference server, communication links with gateways associated, with each of the plurality of nodes, wherein the information extracted from the instant message request includes location information associated with the gateways. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising using the gateways to translate between a protocol used by at least one of the plurality of nodes and a different protocol used by the conference server. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the node and the one or more other nodes participate in the video conference via at least one of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), an internet protocol (IP) network, an Ethernet network, cellular communication, a computer, a network gateway, a video conferencing standard protocol, an ISDN standard protocol, and an ATM standard protocol. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising storing information related to the node and the one or more other nodes in a database, wherein the information stored in the database is related to the communication mode of each of the node and the one or more other nodes participating in the video conference. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising providing presence information of the node and the one or more other nodes, wherein the presence information identifies a capability to receive instant messages in an instant messaging list. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising providing, a presence indicator for the video conference in an instant messaging list. 
     
     
         71 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for initiating video conference, the method comprising:
 initiating a video conference on a conference server between a plurality of client nodes using, an instant: message request transmitted over an instant messaging server, wherein the instant messaging server supports instant messaging between the plurality of nodes and the conference server for supporting video conferencing between the plurality of nodes, and wherein the initiating further comprises:
 receiving. from the instant messaging server, the instant message request created using an instant messaging application on a node that invites one or more other nodes to the video conference; 
 in response to receiving the instant message request, extracting a communication mode associated with each of the plurality of nodes and location information associated with the conference server; 
 initiating the video conference by transmitting the extracted presence information to the conference server; and 
 communicating, using the instant messaging server, to the one or more other nodes an instant message to join the video conference, wherein the communication mode and location information are embedded in the instant message such that the video conference is set up between the node and the one or more other nodes using the communication mode through the conference server located using the location information. 
   
     
     
         72 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 71 , wherein the conference server is a multipoint conference unit that hosts the video conference. 
     
     
         73 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 71 , wherein the method further comprises setting up, using the conference server, communication links with gateways associated with each of the plurality of nodes, wherein the information extracted from the instant message request includes location information associated with the gateways. 
     
     
         74 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 73 , wherein the method further comprises uses the gateways to translate between a protocol used by at least one of the plurality of nodes and a different protocol used by the conference server. 
     
     
         75 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 71 , wherein the node and the one or more other nodes participate in the video conference via at least one of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), cellular communication, a computer, a network gateway, a video conferencing standard protocol, an ISDN standard protocol, and an ATM standard protocol. 
     
     
         76 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 71 , wherein the method further comprises storing information related to the node and the one or more other nodes in a database, wherein the information stored in the database is related to the communication mode of each of the node and the one or more other nodes participating in the video conference. 
     
     
         77 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 71 , wherein the method further comprises providing presence information of the node and the one or more other nodes, wherein the presence information identifies a capability to receive instant messages in an instant messaging list. 
     
     
         78 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 71 , wherein the method further comprises providing a presence indicator for the video conference in an instant messaging list.