Seamless multimedia conferencing system using an enhanced multipoint control unit and enhanced endpoint devices

A method for implementing a multimedia conference in a system comprising

• i) a network including a plurality of network communications links, each network communications link being associated with a network address;
• ii) a multimedia server (MMS) coupled to the network and comprising
• a) multimedia bridge means for mixing and switching multimedia electronic signals representing audio, video, data, and control among a plurality of endpoint devices through the network;
• b) MMS communications link establishment means for establishing multimedia communications links on the network;
• c) MMS network address transceiver for transmitting and receiving network addresses over the network;
• d) processing means comprising a microprocessor;
• and
• e) memory means;
• iii) a plurality of endpoint devices, including a first and a second endpoint device, each endpoint device comprising
• a) user interface means for accepting input from a user and for providing multimedia output to a user, the multimedia output including at least one of audio, video, and data;
• b) endpoint communications link establishment means for establishing communications links on the network;
• c) an endpoint network address transceiver for transmitting and receiving network addresses over the network;
• d) processing means including a microprocessor;
• and
• e) memory means;
• THE METHOD INCLUDING THE STEPS OF:
• a) the network assigning the MMS an MMS network address uniquely specifying a particular MMS;
• and
• b) programming the MMS network address into the memory means of at least one of the plurality of endpoint devices.