Patent ID: 7908322

Claim:
A system for initiating video conferences between a plurality of nodes, the system comprising: a processor, including a memory, that initiates a video conference from an instant message request, wherein an instant messaging server supports instant messaging between the plurality of nodes, wherein a conference server supports video conferencing between the plurality of nodes, and wherein the processor is configured to: receive, from the instant messaging server, the instant message request created by an instant messaging utility on a first node, wherein the instant message request invites a second node, to the video conference; in response to detecting the instant message request, extract presence information for the first node and the second node from the instant message request, wherein the extracted presence information identifies a capability to receive instant messages in an instant messaging list and includes a communication mode associated with each of the first node and the second node; initiate the video conference by transmitting the extracted presence information to the conference server that supports the video conference; and communicate, using the instant messaging server, to the second node an instant message to join the video conference, wherein the communication mode is embedded in the instant message such that the video conference is set up between the first node and at least the second node through the conference server using the communication mode.