Abstract:
A computer software product, methods and apparatus for improved video communications are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that is configured to allow multi-user video communication. The video communications are streamed to and stored on a server device on a network. In one embodiment, the server device is configured to associate multiple video streams to a thread and allow users access to stored video content and associated files. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Description:
RELATED CASES 
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending Ser. No. 11/748,428, filed May 14, 2007, whose entire disclosure is incorporated by this reference as though set forth fully herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to video communications. More particularly, the invention concerns a system, methods, and apparatus for online multi-user video communications. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Modern communications systems have become commonplace in our society. From ecommerce to cell-phones to email communication networks have changed the way we live. With the advent of cellular telephones and the related infrastructure, communications have become more immediate. A communication user may be reached virtually anywhere at any time. Other forms of more immediate communications include instant messaging and text messaging. 
         [0004]    Other forms of communications may include more of a time delay. With email a user may reply to an email when ever they wish. Email is limited with respect to the user&#39;s experience since it primarily contains text that a user reads. While it is true that most email systems additionally allow for attachments, such as files, these attachments may, or may not comprise the message being communicated. Forms of video communications exist where a user send video through the use of a camera. Most of these video communications platforms comprise relatively immediate communications in the form of “video chat”. For example, a number of commercial internet “messengers” include video. One limitation inherent in these messengers is the video content is not captured on either end of the conversation. In a situation where important discussions are occurring, there is no record of the substance of what transpired. Further, these messenger applications typically have no ability to playback or forward the video content to other interested parties. 
         [0005]    In many contexts it would be useful to have a video-mail system which allows users to communicate more effectively. Therefore there exists a need for a system, methods, and apparatus for improved video communications. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a system, apparatus and methods for overcoming some of the difficulties presented above. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of facilitating video communications is provided. In this embodiment, a first electronic device is configured to include a graphical user interface. In various embodiments, the graphical user interface may include a number of controls and input sections. One control present on the graphical user interface is a video control interface that allows a user to stream video to a second electronic device on the network. In this embodiment, the user interface additionally contains a recipient section allowing a user to designate a recipient of the video stream. Once the video is initiated, a camera connected to the electronic device is activated and video is streamed to a second device on the network. As further described below the second electronic device may be a server where the video is stored. Once the video has been transferred to the second device a notification is sent that the video has been stored. 
         [0007]    In a another embodiment, a method is provided that allows a user to associate other electronic files to the video. In this embodiment, the user interface includes a control for selecting a file. When video is streamed to the server, the file is transferred to the server where it is associated to the video stream. Further embodiments provide for association of files to the video through a database. In an exemplary embodiment, the second electronic device associates a plurality of video streams to a thread. The thread may contain a series of video correspondences between users of electronic devices. Additionally, other items such as electronic files, audio and the like may be associated to the thread. One feature of this embodiment is that the thread may be transferred to an electronic device on the network where a user may select portions of the thread to view. Additionally, in some embodiments, controls are provided for a user may to forward a portion of the thread to another electronic device. 
         [0008]    In a still further embodiment, an electronic device is provided. In this embodiment, the electronic device includes a video display device where a graphical user interface may be displayed. The graphical user interface consisting of at least a video control and an input section for designating a recipient of a video message. The electronic device having a connection to a camera suitable for streaming video to another electronic device on a network. In this embodiment, the device is configured to stream a video message to a second device where the second device stores the video message. The second device then sends a notification to the recipient indicating that the video has been stored and is available for viewing. 
         [0009]    One feature of this embodiment is that it allows for a more persistent record of a video communication by storing the contents and related documents on an electronic device on a network where they can be later accessed. Further, by associating a plurality of videos to a thread a user may select a portion of the thread for viewing or forwarding to another device. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a method of facilitating multi-user video communications is provided. In this embodiment, a method of facilitating video-based communications includes streaming video streams from at least two of a plurality of electronic devices to a server on a network, the streaming responsive to a video control on a graphical user interface on a display attached to each of the plurality of electronic devices, and the streaming further responsive to a video camera attached to each of the at least two of the plurality of electronic devices. The video streams are then stored on the server. The stored video streams are associated to a thread on the server. The server notifies at least one client electronic device of the stored video streams and provides access to the thread to the client electronic device. In further embodiments, the graphical user interface includes a session identifier. In further embodiments, the graphical user interface includes a control for a token passing scheme. In further embodiments, the client electronic device includes a software module configured with an embedded browser control, the control configured to allow playback on a client electronic device. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, a server device for facilitating multi-user video communications is provided. In this embodiment, a server device for facilitating multi-user video communications includes a processor, a memory; and, a storage media. The storage media includes a set of machine executable instructions, the machine executable instructions including a configuration for controlling the server to receive a plurality of video streams and store the video streams to a thread on the storage media where the video streams originate from a plurality of electronic devices on a network. The electronic devices are configured to display a graphical user interface on a video display, wherein the graphical user interface includes a recipient section and a video control interface. The electronic devices are configured to stream video from a server that is responsive to the video control interface and a video camera, the server being further configured to notify a recipient of the stored video streams. The server is further configured to provide a client electronic device access to the thread. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, a computer software product is provided. The computer software product includes a physical storage media that includes a set of computer executable instructions. The instructions are capable of configuring a computer to provide a graphical user interface on at least two of a plurality of electronic devices, wherein the graphical user interface includes a recipient selection section and a video control interface. The instructions also configure a computer to stream video from the at least two of a plurality of electronic devices to a server on a network responsive to the video control interface and video cameras, the video cameras being attached to the at least two of a plurality of electronic devices. The instructions also configure a computer to store the video streams on the server and associate the stored video streams to a thread on the server. The instructions also configure a computer to notify a recipient of the stored video streams and provide a client electronic device access to the thread. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Various embodiments of the present invention taught herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  Illustrates a communication network consistent with various embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a client server communication network consistent with provided embodiments; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates an electronic device consistent with provided embodiments; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates another electronic device consistent with provided embodiments; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a further electronic device and a computer software product consistent with provided embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates various advantages and features of the an enhanced video communication system; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts the flow of one provided method of video communications; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a graphical user interface; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates the flow of another provided method for video communications; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  illustrates another embodiment of a graphical user interface; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  depicts the flow of another provided method of video communications; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is an exemplary illustration of features of various embodiments of video communications; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  illustrates the flow of another provided method of video communications; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  depicts the flow of a further provided method of video communications; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a graphical user interface; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a provided graphical user interface; 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  depicts the flow of another provided method of video communications. 
       
    
    
       [0031]    It will be recognized that some or all of the Figures are schematic representations for purposes of illustration and do not necessarily depict the actual relative sizes or locations of the elements shown. The Figures are provided for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention with the explicit understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    In the following paragraphs, the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. While this invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. That is, throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. Descriptions of well known components, methods and/or processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the invention. As used herein, the “present invention” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s). 
         [0033]    Text based communications and to some extent voice based communications sometimes mask portions of a conversation. For example, in an email exchange or a cellular phone call a persons facial expressions are not apparent to the recipient. Video chat systems exist that overcome part of this limitation, but these programs are not persistent in their ability to store and later retrieve the video content. An object of the present invention is to provide a system, methods and apparatus that overcome some of these difficulties and provide a richer communication experience to the user. Additionally, since various embodiments provide for storage, association, and playback, the embodiments of the present invention are a significant improvement over existing communication technologies. 
         [0034]    Various embodiments provide for video-centric communication between devices on a network. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of electronic devices  20  may be communicating through network  10 . In one embodiment, network  10  is a peer-to-peer network where electronic devices  20  are peers communicating directly with each other across network  10 . In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 2 , one or more of electronic devices  20  may be a server  30 , otherwise referred to herein as a server device. In this embodiment, network  10  may be considered a client-server network where communication between electronic devices  10  occurs through a server  30  on network  10 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , server  30  may be associated with a database  40  where communications and in various embodiments, files may be stored and associated with the video communications. In some embodiments, database  40  is located internally on server  30 , in other embodiments it is located on another electronic device  20  on network  10 . 
         [0035]    As is known in the art, network  10  may employ wireless, wired, and optical media as the media for communication. Further, in some embodiments, portions of network  10  may comprise the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Networks, as used herein may be classified by range. For example, a local area networks, wide area networks, metropolitan area networks and personal area networks. Additionally, networks may be classified by communications media, such as wireless networks and optical networks for example. Further, some networks may contain portions in which multiple media are employed. For example, in modern television distribution networks, Hybrid-Fiber Coax networks are typically employed. In these networks, optical fiber is used from the “head end” out to distribution nodes in the field. At a distribution node communications content is mapped onto a coaxial media for distribution to a customer&#39;s premises. In many environments, the Internet is mapped into these Hybrid Fiber Coax networks providing high-speed Internet access to customer premises through a “cable-modem”. In these types of networks  10 , electronic devices  20  may comprise computers, laptop computers, and servers  30  to name a few. Some portions of these networks may be wireless through the use of wireless technologies such as a technology commonly known as “WiFi” which is currently specified by the IEEE as 802.11 and its various variants which are typically alphabetically designated as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n to name a few. 
         [0036]    Portions of a network may additionally include wireless networks that are typically designated as “cellular networks”. In many of these networks, Internet traffic is routed through high-speed “packet-switched” or “circuit-switched” data channels that may be associated to traditional voice channels. In these networks  10 , electronic devices  20 , may include cell-phones, PDA&#39;s laptop computers, or other types of portable electronic devices. Additionally, metropolitan area networks may include “WiMax” networks employing an alternate wide area, or metropolitan area wireless technology. Further personal area networks are known in the art. Many of these personal area networks employ a frequency-hopping wireless technology known in the industry as “Bluetooth” others personal area networks may employ a technology known as Ultra-Wideband (UWB). The hallmark of personal area networks is their limited range, and in some instances very high data rates. Since many types of networks and underlying communication technologies are known in the art, various embodiments of the present invention will not therefore be limited with respect to the type of network or the underlying communication technology. 
         [0037]    For purposes of clarity the term network as used herein specifically includes but is not limited to the following networks: a wireless communication network, a local area network, a wide area network, a client-server network, a peer-to-peer network, a wireless local area network, a wireless wide area network, a cellular network, a public switched telephone network, and the Internet. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device  20  consistent with provided embodiments. Electronic device  20  is suitable for connection to network  10 . In wireless networks  10  this connection is through an antenna (not illustrated). In some embodiments, electronic device  20  comprises a processor  50 , a memory  60 , a storage media  70 , a video display  80 , and a connection port  100  suitable for connecting a camera  90  to electronic device  20 . As is known in the art, electronic device  20  may comprise additional components, such as a microphone (not illustrated for convenience). Processor  50  may comprise any general purpose processor or in some embodiments, may be an application specific processor or even a digital signal processor. A number of memory technologies are known in the art and may be used to practice the current invention, therefore embodiments are not limited by the specific memory  60  used. In some embodiments, the video display  80  may be integrated into the electronic device (as illustrated), in other embodiments, video display  80  may be external and connected to the electronic device through a connection port such as a Digital Visual Interface (DVI), a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a serial port, a parallel port, a S-Video port, a coaxial cable, a twisted pair connection port, or other port suitable for connecting video display  80  to electronic device  20 . In an exemplary embodiment, connection port  100  is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection. 
         [0039]    Like the above ports, there are various technologies that may be used to connect camera  90  to electronic device  20 . Another exemplary connection technology includes a wireless personal area network technology like Bluetooth or UWB. When this technology is used to connect camera  90  to electronic device  20  connection port  100  comprises an antenna and transceiver. In some embodiments, storage media  70  is a hard-drive. Since other storage media  70 , such as chip based media, are known in the art, the various embodiments are not limited with respect to the particular storage media technology employed. In some embodiments, storage media  70  contains a set of machine executable instructions that when executed by processor  50  configures electronic device  20  to provide improved video-centric communications across network  10 . These video-centric communications consistent with various provided methods described below. 
         [0040]    As used herein, electronic device  20  may comprise any electronic device capable of executing the provided configuration and methods for video communications. Specific electronic devices  20  may include but are not limited to a computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a portable electronic device, and a personal digital assistant. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  further illustrates another embodiment of a provided electronic device  20 . In this embodiment, electronic device  20  is capable of connecting to network  10  in a similar manner as described above. Electronic device  20  comprises a processor  50 , a memory  60  a storage media  70 . Like the above embodiments, electronic device  20  may include additional components which are not illustrated for convenience. Processor  50  may comprise any general purpose processor or in some embodiments, may be an application specific processor or even a digital signal processor. A number of memory technologies are known in the art and may be used to practice the current invention, therefore embodiments are not limited by the specific memory  60  used. In one embodiment, electronic device  20  is a server  30  and network  10  is a client-server network. In this embodiment, storage media may further include a database where video and associated files may be stored and associated with each other. As discussed above, in some embodiments database  40  is located within electronic device  20 , or server  30 , or may be located on another device on network  10 . When configured as a server  30 , electronic device  20  may or may not include a video display  80 . Like the above embodiments, storage media  70  contains a set of machine executable instructions that when executed by processor  50  configures electronic device  20 , or in some embodiments, server  30  to provide video communications across network  10 . These video-centric communications consistent with various provided methods described below. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of electronic device  20  and an embodiment of a computer software product  120 . In this embodiment, electronic device  20  is similar, in some respects, to the above embodiments but additionally includes an input device  110 . In one embodiment electronic device  20  additionally includes an input port  120  suitable for accepting a computer software product  120 . As is known in the art, input port  130  may be a port for a removable hard drive, a floppy disk port, an optical disk port, a port suitable to accept a computer software product  120  that comprises a chip based memory, or other port sufficient to accept computer software product  120 . 
         [0043]    In another embodiment (not shown) electronic device does not include input port  130  and computer software product  120  may comprise a storage media, like a hard drive, located in a device on network  10 . 
         [0044]    In one embodiment of computer software product  120 , a storage media  70  contains a set of computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor  50 , configure electronic device  20  to provide video communications across network  10 . These video-centric communications are consistent with various provided methods described below. 
         [0045]    One feature of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this illustration a first user “Alice” uses an electronic device  20  to send a v-mail to a second user “Bob”. as used herein the term “v-mail” refers to video-centric communications consistent with the provided embodiments. This illustration shows a video stream initiated by Alice on an electronic device  20  traversing a network  10 , such as the Internet, being displayed on a second electronic device  20  owned by Bob. 
         [0046]    Various embodiments of provided methods are now discussed with reference to  FIGS. 7-17 . The configuration of an electronic device  20  for enhanced video communications begins in block  140  where a graphical user interface is provided on a first electronic device  20 . An exemplary graphical user interface is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The graphical user interface  190  may contain additional controls and sections but at a minimum contains a video control interface  200  and a recipient section  210 . Exemplary controls within video control section may include record, stop, play, fast-forward, reverse, and fast reverse. Video control section allows a user to stream video from an electronic device  20  to a second electronic device  20  on network  10 . As discussed above, second electronic device  20  may be a server  30 . Recipient section  210  may comprise a text input box allowing a user to type a recipients address or other unique identifier such as a screen-name. In another embodiment, recipient section may include a selection window allowing a user to select receipient(s) from an address book. 
         [0047]    Returning to  FIG. 7 , responsive to the appropriate video control, video is streamed to a second electronic device  20 , such as a server  30 , across network  10 . One feature of this embodiment is that the video may be streamed to the second electronic device  20  without storage of the video on the first electronic device  20 . In many situations, when the first electronic device  20  has limited storage capability this ability to stream video rather than record, locally save, then transfer is significantly advantageous. One example of this advantage is when the first electronic device is a cell phone or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with limited storage capacity. Flow continues to block  160  where the video is stored on the second device. 
         [0048]    Another advantage of this embodiment is that it provides for a more persistent record of the communications since the video message is stored on the second device  20  and may be later retrieved. Flow continues to block  170  where the second electronic device  20  sends a notification that the video has been stored. In one embodiment, this notification is sent to the originator and the intended recipient(s). In another embodiment, this notification is sent only to the intended recipient(s). Various notification methods, such as text-message, simple message service, recorded phone call, fax, or email are known in the art. Various embodiments, are not therefore limited by the specific notification methodology. Flow then continues to block  180  where the video is made available for viewing by the recipient(s). 
         [0049]    One feature of the present invention is that a user is notified of a video communication which they can view on an electronic device  20 . In various embodiments the video may be streamed to the recipient&#39;s electronic device  20  or may be transferred as a file to the recipient&#39;s electronic device  20 . One advantage of the present invention is that in some embodiments, a user may select to view a video as a stream when they are using an electronic device  20  with limited storage media  70 , and may select to transfer the video as a file when using another electronic device  20  with more modest storage media  70 . Since the second electronic device  20  stores the incoming video, it is available for viewing or downloading at a later time by the intended recipient. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  illustrates another provided method for enhanced video communications. In this embodiment, recipients are selected or input in block  220 . A file is associated with the video in block  230 . In block  150  video is streamed to a second electronic device  20  on network  10 . In block  240  the selected file is transferred to the second electronic device  20 . In blocks  160  and  250  the video and the file are stored on the second electronic device  20 . Like the above embodiment a notification is sent in block  170 , and in blocks  180  and  190  the video and the file are made available to the recipient(s). The order of operation of many of the blocks described is not necessarily fixed. By way of example and not limitation, a file may be selected before recipients. A graphical user interface  190  consistent with this embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . This embodiment of a graphical user interface  190  is similar to the above embodiment with the addition of a control to associate a file with the video (depicted here as file selection control  260 .) As used herein a file may comprise any form of electronic file such as a multi-media file; a voice recording; a video recording; a word processing file; an electronic photograph; a graphic file, and a drawing. In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface additionally contains a record audio control  270 , where a user may record an audio file to be associated with the video. In a still further embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the graphical user interface  190  may contain an optional play audio control  280  where the recorded audio file may be previewed before sending and where a received audio file may be selected for playback through speakers on the electronic device  20 . 
         [0051]    In embodiments where the second electronic device  20  is a server  30 , the server  30  may associate the file to the video through the use of a database  40  located on the server. In other embodiments, the database may be located on another electronic device  20  on the network. 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, the graphical user interface  190  includes a web browser-based interface. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface  190  is independent of a web browser-based interface. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface  190  includes an instant message interface. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface  190  includes a video mail (vmail) interface. 
         [0053]    In some embodiments, the graphical user interface  190  includes a privacy control (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the privacy control may prevent viewing of video and opening of associated files by users other than the initial intended recipients. For example, if a user selects the privacy option when streaming video to a list of recipients and an intended recipient forwards the video to a user not on the initial recipient list, the privacy control may prevent their electronic device from playing back the video or in some instances, opening files associated with the video. In another embodiment, the privacy control acts as an access control on the second device. In this embodiment, when a video is made available to the recipients, all other users are restricted from transferring or initiating streaming of the video. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the graphical user interface  190  includes a session identifier (not shown). The session identifier is a unique reference to a thread. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the graphical user interface  190  includes a control for a token passing scheme (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the token passing scheme control allows an electronic device to instruct the server  30  the order of priority in which a token is passed from one electronic device to another thereby forming a queue for the plurality of electronic devices. In the order provided by the token passing scheme control, the server  30  can pass a token to the next electronic device in the queue. The video stream from the token-bearing electronic device is stored on the server  30 . The video stream from a non-token-bearing electronic device is ignored by the server  30  or, alternatively, discarded by the server  30 . 
         [0056]    The token passing scheme can be based on any algorithm for ordering a queue known to those skilled in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the token passing scheme is based on a first in time priority, where the first requester for a token is the first to obtain a token. In another exemplary embodiment, the token passing scheme is based on a user-defined scheme, where a user provides the order by which the token should be passed among requesters. In an exemplary embodiment, the token passing scheme is further based on a time-limit scheme, where a token is held by a requester for a determined time and then passed to the next requester in the queue. 
         [0057]      FIG. 11  illustrates another method consistent with various provided embodiments. A second electronic device  20 , such as a server  30 , receives and stores a first video message in block  290 . The video message having a sender and recipients(s), and as discussed above may have files, audio, and text associated with the video. In block  300  a second video message is received by the second electronic device  20 . The second electronic device  20  then associates the first and second messages, files and text if present to a thread in block  300 . This thread then becomes part of a persistent history of communications between the users. In block  320  portions of the thread are made available to the various recipients. 
         [0058]    By way of example and not limitation, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in block  330  user A sends a video-mail “v-mail” M 1  to users B and C. In block  340 , user B replies to v-mail M 1  by sending v-mail M 2  to both A and C. In block  350  user C replies to the first v-mail M 1  by sending v-mail M 3  only to user A. In block  360  user C replies to v-mail M 2  by sending v-mail M 4  only to user B. In block  370  user A responds to v-mail M 2  by sending v-mail M 5  to both user B and user C. In this example, the second electronic device may create a number of threads. As shown thread  380  is associated to user A and references v-mail M 1 , M 2 , M 3 , and M 5  since user A was not a recipient of v-mail M 4 . Thread  390  is associated to user B and contains v-mail M 1 , M 2 , M 4 , and M 5  since user B was not a recipient of v-mail M 3 . In like manner, thread  400  is associated to user C and would contain all v-mail messages in the exchange. In an embodiment without a privacy control or where it was not selected, user C may forward v-mail M 3  to user B, where it would be added to thread  390  and user B would have access to its contents. In an embodiment where v-mail M 3  was sent by user C to user A with a privacy control selected, user B would not have access to the v-mail even if forwarded to them by user A. 
         [0059]    Another embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . This embodiment is similar in many respects to the above embodiment where is begins in block  290  where the second electronic device  20  receives a first video stream and in block  300  receives a second video stream. Flow continues to block  310  where a thread is created. In this embodiment, the video streams are merged in block  330 , and the thread is made available in block  320 . The merger of video streams, as used herein, may consist of associating the streams for sequential playback, or it may involve rendering the contents of the video streams into a single video file. In some embodiments, advertising content may be added to the video streams. In one exemplary embodiment containing advertising content, the additional content is superimposed within a video stream as an additional frame or sequential frames within the video. In another embodiment, the advertising content comprises an additional video that is played between the content of sequential v-mail messages within a thread. In a still further embodiment, the advertising content comprises a logo or other image overlaid onto a portion of a frame or frames of the video message. 
         [0060]    In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a transcript of audio content from a video stream or other file containing audio is provided. Without loss of generality this embodiment is presented by using a video stream as an exemplar it is equally applicable to any content containing audio. In this embodiment, an electronic device  20  receives a video stream with audio content in block  410 . In block  420  voice recognition technology is used to recognize the contents of the audio. Voice recognition technology is known in the art, the details of which are omitted for convenience. In block  430  a transcript of the audio content is created, and in block  440  the transcript is associated with the v-mail content it came from. 
         [0061]    In another embodiment of a method for video based communication. The user interface contains the ability to display a thread in graphical form (see e.g.  FIG. 12 ). In this embodiment, the graphical user interface includes a control that allows a user to select a portion of the thread to forward to other users. 
         [0062]    Additional functionality that a user interface  190  may optionally provide is illustrated in  FIG. 15 . In one embodiment, the user interface is configured to provide a video control section  200 , a separate video display section  450 , a recipient section  210 , a subject field  460  where a user may enter a subject line, a message content text field  470  where text messages may be entered or displayed, a control section  480 , a global header section  490  and a global footer section  500 . The global header  490  and global footer section  500 , in some embodiments, is used to display additional advertising content. Video display  450  is used to display video content and in some embodiments also is configured to graphically display threads. Control section  200  may include controls for file selection, recording audio files, playing audio files, and a privacy setting control as discussed above. It may additionally include controls for selecting a portion of a thread, forwarding a thread or a selected portion, and enabling a text input section. Further input sections (not illustrated) may include a carbon-copy section where a user can input or select recipients to cc, and a blind carbon copy section where a user can input or select recipients to bcc. It is important to note the placement of controls, inputs, and displays on a graphical user interface may take many forms. The invention is therefore not limited with respect to any specific arrangement or placement. 
         [0063]    Another embodiment of a graphical user interface is illustrated in  FIG. 16 . In this embodiment, a global header  490 , global footer  500 , and video display  450  are provided and function similarly to the above embodiment. One distinction with video display  450  is that it is configured to provide a set of pup-up menus which can include such menu items as “View Video Mail”, “Record Video”, “Display Advertisement Video”, “Initiate Live Video Conference”, and “Video Clip Browsing” to name a few. In this embodiment toolbar  510  contains the above mentioned controls. V-mail listings section  520  in one embodiment, comprises an “In-box” where notifications are received. In other embodiments (not shown) V-mail listing section  520  may be configured to display a graphical representation of a thread. In still further embodiments, V-mail listing section  520  comprises an address book where recipient selection is simplified. This embodiment of a graphical user interface  190  additionally includes an announcement ticker section  530  where text and/or images may be displayed or scrolled. 
         [0064]      FIG. 17  illustrates another method consistent with various provided embodiments. Responsive to the appropriate video control, a first of a plurality of electronic devices  20  for enhanced multi-user video communications begins in block  140  where a graphical user interface is provided on a first electronic device. Video is streamed through a network  150 . A server  30 , receives and stores a first video message in block  540 . Responsive to the appropriate video control, a second of a plurality of electronic devices  20  for enhanced multi-user video communications begins in block  550  where a graphical user interface is provided on a second electronic device. Video is streamed through a network  150 . A server  30 , receives and stores a second video message in block  540 . The video messages having a sender and recipients(s), and as discussed above may have files, audio, and text associated with the video. The server  30  then associates the first and second messages, files and text if present to a thread in block  310 . This thread then becomes part of a persistent history of communications between the users. The server then sends a notification to a client electronic device in block  560 . In block  320  portions of the thread are made available to a client electronic device. A client electronic device can have a display. The display can have a graphical user interface. The client electronic device can have a video camera. As is known in the art, the client electronic device  20  may comprise additional components, such as a microphone (not illustrated for convenience). The client electronic device can have a software module. The software module can be configured with an embedded browser control. The embedded browser control can be configured to allow playback on a client electronic device. Any one or more of the plurality of electronic devices, including the first or second electronic device, can also be a client electronic device. 
         [0065]    The present invention provides significant novel advantages over current forms of electronic communications. Thus, it is seen that a system, method and apparatus for video communications are provided. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the above-described embodiments, which are presented in this description for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. The specification and drawings are not intended to limit the exclusionary scope of this patent document. It is noted that various equivalents for the particular embodiments discussed in this description may practice the invention as well. That is, while the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims. The fact that a product, process or method exhibits differences from one or more of the above-described exemplary embodiments does not mean that the product or process is outside the scope (literal scope and/or other legally-recognized scope) of the following claims.