Videoconference session switching from unicast to multicast

Abstract

A method for switching a videoconference session that is currently taking place from unicast to multicast. The method includes the steps of sending an invitation from server to an additional party, assigning a common multicast Internet Protocol (IP) address and transmitting the common multicast IP address to the current participant in the videoconference session and an additional party to be added to the videoconference session, transmitting an IGMP message to the network from the current participant and the additional party, and hosting videoconference session on multicast address.

1 . A method for switching a videoconference session that is currently taking place from unicast to multicast, comprising the steps of: 
 assigning a common multicast Internet Protocol (IP) address; and    transmitting the common multicast IP address to at least one current participant in the videoconference session and an additional party to be added to the videoconference session.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an ability to transmit and receive all traffic for the videoconference session on the common multicast IP address.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving an Internet Group Multicast Protocol (i.e., IGMP) request from the at least one current participant and the additional party.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a request that identifies the additional party that is to be added to the videoconference session; and    sending an invitation to the videoconference session to the additional party.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of receiving an acceptance or a declination with respect to the invitation.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an ability to cease all unicast communications.  
     
     
         7 . A system for switching a videoconference session that is currently taking place from unicast to multicast, comprising: 
 means for assigning a common multicast Internet Protocol (IP) address; and    means for transmitting the common multicast IP address to at least one current participant in the videoconference session and an additional party to be added to the videoconference session.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising means for transmitting and receiving all traffic for the videoconference session on the common multicast IP address.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising means for receiving an Internet Group Multicast Protocol (i.e., IGMP) request from the at least one current participant and the additional party.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 means for receiving a request that identifies the additional party that is to be added to the videoconference session; and    means for sending an invitation to the videoconference session to the additional party.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising means for receiving an acceptance or a declination with respect to the invitation.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for ceasing all unicast communications.