Patent ID: 8520050

Claim:
A method of transmitting video data, the method comprising: establishing a bidirectional video channel between a first terminal and a second terminal in a packet-based communication network, wherein the first terminal is configured to be connected to a plurality of alternate sources; beginning a live, face-to-face video call over the established channel by generating first video data from a video camera of the first terminal, transmitting the first video data to the second terminal for display on a screen of the second terminal, receiving second video data generated from a video camera of the second terminal, and displaying the second video data on a screen of the first terminal; generating third video data at the first terminal from at least one source from the plurality of alternate sources other than said video camera of the first terminal; receiving a user selection of one or any combination of the plurality of sources at the first terminal; and in response to the user selection, enabling transmission of, in addition to the first video data, the third video data generated at the first terminal to the second terminal over said established channel of the packet-based communication network for display on the screen of the second terminal.