Patent ID: 8319816
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A videoconference system in which multiple users communicate video and audio data to one another over a data network, the system comprising: a first conference server linking a plurality of first users to one another to allow each of the plurality of first users to communicate at least one video data stream and at least one audio data stream to others of the first users whereby the first users are in real-time two way audio and video communication with one another; a second conference server linking a plurality of second users to one another to allow each of the plurality of second users to communicate at least one video data stream and at least one audio data stream to others of the second users whereby the second users are in real-time two way audio and video communication with one another; a high bandwidth communications link connecting the first conference server to the second conference server that exists before, during and after individual videoconferences between the first and second conference servers, the first conference server configured to communicate a first video data stream originating from at least one of the first users to the remote second conference server over the high bandwidth communications link, the second conference server configured to receive the first video data stream and to communicate it to at least one of the second users; wherein the first conference server is configured to communicate only a single version of a video data stream to the second conference server; and, wherein the second conference server is configured to copy the single version of the first video data stream and communicate one copy to each of the plurality of second users that are locally connected to the second conference srver.