Patent ID: 8754924

Claim:
A system for enabling virtual live video, comprising: a live video media server stored and operating on a network-attached computer; a network-connected host computing device comprising at least a processor, a memory, a camera, a microphone or other audio input device such as a telephone, and a display; and a plurality of network-connected participant computing devices comprising at least a processor, a memory, a camera, a microphone or other audio input device such as a telephone, and a display; wherein a host user establishes a session using the host computing device and a plurality of participants log in to the session each using one of the plurality of participant computing devices; further wherein at least some of the participants are selected for live video viewing by the host, whereupon the respective participant computing devices are caused to activate their cameras; whereupon each participant computing device receives live video from the host computing machine comprising video content captured by the camera of the host computing machine; wherein the host computer, upon receiving a request to call on a first participant not currently sending live audio and whose live video is only viewable at the host computing device, sends a message to the first participant's computing device directing it to activate its microphone and commences sending the first participant's live video and audio to a plurality of other participants; and wherein the host computing device subscribes to each of the activated cameras' video feeds and a plurality of participant video feeds is displayed in a grid on the host computing device.