Coordinated media control system

Abstract

A coordinated media control system includes a node manager, a device control system, and a device. The node manager is operatively connected to a first node. The device control system is operatively connected to the node manager. The device is operatively connected to the device control system. The node manager is configured to establish and coordinate media streams for transmitting media from the device to a second node or for receiving media to the device from the second node.

1 . A coordinated media control system, comprising:
 a node manager operatively connected to a first node;   a device control system operatively connected to the node manager; and   a device operatively connected to the device control system;   wherein the node manager is configured to establish and coordinate media streams for at least one of transmitting media from the device to a second node and receiving media to the device from the second node.   
     
     
         2 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a device data storage operatively connected to the node manager, the device data storage configured to store configuration and control information related to the first node.   
     
     
         3 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 2 , wherein the information related to the first node comprises at least one of a state of the first node, event participation configuration and control data, node device configuration and control data, and user interface data. 
     
     
         4 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a graphical user interface (GUI) operatively connected to the node manager, the GUI configured to enable a user to enter commands to establish and coordinate the media streams for at least one of transmitting media from the device to a second node and receiving media to the device from the second node.   
     
     
         5 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 4 , wherein the GUI provides a plurality of devices from which to select the device. 
     
     
         6 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an event manager operatively connected to the node manager, the event manager configured to establish media streams between the first node and the second node in accordance with at least one policy.   
     
     
         7 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an event data storage operatively connected to the event manager, the event data storage configured to store the at least one policy.   
     
     
         8 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 6 , wherein the event manager is further configured to describe the state of the first node and the second node in accordance with an event. 
     
     
         9 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 1 , wherein the device control system is configured to provide an abstracted interface to the device. 
     
     
         10 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises one of a fax machine, a video camera, a telephone, a printer, a scanner, a display, a personal computer, a microphone, and a speaker. 
     
     
         11 . A coordinated media control system, comprising:
 a node manager operatively connected to a first node;   a device data storage operatively connected to the node manager and configured to store configuration and control information related to the first node;   a graphical user interface operatively connected to the node manager and configured to enable a user to enter commands to establish and coordinate media streams for at least one of transmitting media from the device to a second node and receiving media to the device from the second node;   a device control system operatively connected to the node manager; and   a device operatively connected to the device control system, the device control system configured to provide an abstracted interface to the device;   wherein the node manager is configured to establish and coordinate media streams for at least one of transmitting media from the device to the second node and receiving media to the device from the second node.   
     
     
         12 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 11 , wherein the device comprises one of a fax machine, a video camera, a telephone, a printer, a scanner, a display, a personal computer, a microphone, and a speaker. 
     
     
         13 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 11 , wherein the second node comprises:
 a second node manager operatively connected to the second node;   a second device data storage operatively connected to the second node manager and configured to store configuration and control information related to the second node;   a second graphical user interface operatively connected to the second node manager and configured to enable a user to enter commands to establish and coordinate the media streams for at least one of transmitting media from the device to the first node and receiving media to the device from the first node;   a second device control system operatively connected to the second node manager; and   a second device operatively connected to the second device control system, the second device control system configured to provide an abstracted interface to the second device;   wherein the second node manager is configured to establish and coordinate media streams for at least one of transmitting media from the second device to the first node and receiving media to the second device from the first node.   
     
     
         14 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an event manager operatively connected to the node manager and the second node manager, the event manager configured to establish media streams between the first node and the second node in accordance with at least one policy.   
     
     
         15 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an event data storage operatively connected to the event manager, the event data storage configured to store the at least one policy.   
     
     
         16 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 14 , wherein the event manager is further configured to describe the state of the first node and the second node in accordance with an event. 
     
     
         17 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 13 , wherein the graphical user interface and the second graphical user interface each provide a plurality of devices from which to select the device and the second device. 
     
     
         18 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 13 , wherein the device and the second device are the same type of device. 
     
     
         19 . The coordinated media control system of  claim 13 , wherein the device and the second device are different types of devices. 
     
     
         20 . A method of establishing and sharing media between a first node and a second node, wherein the first node includes a node manager configured to establish and coordinate media streams for at least one of transmitting media from a device in the first node to the second node and receiving media to the device from the second node, the method comprising:
 selecting a first node device in the first node from a first plurality of devices to at least one of share media from and receive media to the first node device;   selecting a second node device in the second node from a second plurality of devices to at least one of share media from and receive media to the second node device;   sharing media between the first node device and the second node device; and   configuring the first node device.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first node device is configured prior to sharing media between the first node device and the second node device. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first node device is configured while sharing media between the first node device and the second node device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein configuring the first node device comprises adjusting settings of the first node device.