Patent ID: 7899170
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: H04N,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method of distributing conference content that comprises at least one of audio and video content during a conference between participants at a plurality of at least three computers, the method comprising: at a particular computer, assessing conferencing capabilities of the particular computer of the plurality of computers to determine whether the particular computer meets a set of criteria to be designated as a central distributor of content; at the particular computer, designating the particular computer of the plurality of computers as the central distributor for said conference based on the assessment, wherein the remaining computers of the plurality of computers are designated as non-central distributors; receiving, at the central distributor, conference content from the non-central distributors; generating, at the central distributor, composite conference content from (i) the received conference content from the non-central distributors and (ii) conference content locally captured with the central distributor; distributing, from the central distributor, the composite conference content to the non-central distributors; and at the central distributor, presenting audio and video content received from the non-central distributors.