Method and system for improving establishing of a multimedia session
Multimedia communication systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary system comprises a server adapted to communicate with two or more multimedia endpoints; and a MCU adapted to communicate with the at least one server and the multimedia endpoints, wherein the server contains a module for instructing the multimedia endpoints to call a dial number for the MCU to establish a multimedia conference in response to a requested list of multimedia endpoints received from one of the multimedia endpoints. An exemplary method for establishing a multimedia conference comprises receiving at a server from a first endpoint a requested list of second endpoints desired to participate in the multimedia session; reviewing at the server the status of the second endpoints; and if the status of a particular second endpoint is an available status, instructing at least some of the available second endpoints to call a dial number for a MCU to participate in the multimedia conference. A further exemplary method allows for a determination to be made whether a multipoint or point-to-point conference is required, and allows a user to leave a message for users who unavailable to participate in the conference.
1. A method for leaving a message for a user in a multimedia session environment, comprising:
receiving at a server from a first endpoint a requested list of at least one second endpoint desired to participate in the multimedia session;
determining a status of the at least one second endpoint at the server; and
transmitting from the server a message to a user at the at least one second endpoint, responsive to determining that the status of the at least one second endpoint is such that the at least one second endpoint is unavailable to participate in the multimedia session,
wherein the message invites the user to the multimedia session,
wherein determining the status and transmitting the message are performed a predetermined number of times before indicating the at least one second endpoint is unavailable to participate in the multimedia session with the first endpoint; and
wherein determining the status of the at least one second endpoint at the server comprises checking a database at the server.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the message is transmitted to the at least one second endpoint upon receiving a request from the at least one second endpoint.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the server is an IP server.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first endpoint and the at least one second endpoint each are associated with a computer, and wherein the server communicates with the first endpoint and the at least one second endpoint via their associated computer.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the server is integrated with at least one computer.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one network for carrying communications between the server and the first endpoint and the at least one second endpoint.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least one network comprises an IP network.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the server is integrated with at least one of the first endpoint and the at least one second endpoint.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the server comprises at least one buddy list, wherein each buddy in the buddy list is associated with an endpoint, and wherein the requested list is generated via access to the buddy list.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the buddy list comprises information concerning the status of the endpoints for each buddy in the buddy list.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending from the server a message to a user at the first endpoint that at least one second endpoint is unavailable, and permitting the user at the first endpoint to compose a message to the user at the at least one second endpoint.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the status of the at least one second endpoint at the server occurs continuously.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the status of the at least one second endpoint at the server comprises determining whether the at least one second endpoint is on.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the message inviting the user to the multimedia session requests the user to turn on the at least one second endpoint.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
waiting for a predetermined period after sending the message inviting the user to the multimedia session.