Patent ID: 7558823

Claim:
A system comprising: a management subsystem including: an interface coupled to a network; a data storage module containing for each of multiple nodes coupled to the network, a node type and a record of prioritized intents; wherein the management subsystem is configured to: dynamically configure an event topology of a virtual collaborative event wherein the event topology simulates spatial relationships among attendees of the event, and receive and process requests originating from at least one node, wherein the configuration of said event topology includes the determination of media stream connections among multiple nodes based on at least one policy, wherein said media stream connections establish and maintain virtual relationships among said nodes with the connection of video streams to appropriate displays among multiple nodes to maintain natural eye contact and facilitate natural communication among the attendees; and at least one event focus coupled to the event management system configured to: receive node requests from at least one node, receive from the management subsystem a selected intent from the record of prioritized intents and media connection assignments for the node type, wherein a selected intent includes information about relationships among multiple devices at a node and specifies a subset of the capabilities of the at least one node to be utilized during a given event, and translate the selected intent and media connection assignments to directives for the at least one node.