Patent ID: 8704868

Claim:
A video conferencing system comprising a first video conferencing apparatus, a second video conferencing apparatus, and a third video conferencing apparatus, wherein said first video conferencing apparatus includes: a takeover information generation unit configured to generate takeover information which (i) includes configuration information on a screen layout used in a video conference held between said first video conferencing apparatus and said second video conferencing apparatus, and (ii) is for having the video conference in place of said first video conferencing apparatus; and a sending unit configured to send the takeover information generated by said takeover information generation unit of said first video conferencing apparatus, and wherein said third video conferencing apparatus includes: a receiving unit configured to receive the takeover information; and a takeover setting unit configured to set a screen layout of said third video conferencing apparatus using the takeover information received by said receiving unit of said third video conferencing apparatus, so that said third video conferencing apparatus takes over the screen layout used in the video conference and has the video conference with said second video conferencing apparatus in place of said first video conferencing apparatus after participation of said third video conferencing apparatus in the video conference is approved.