Interactive conference content distribution device and methods of use thereof

A multimedia distribution device, comprising:

• a network interface, for coupling the distribution device to a network, the network interface operative to receive audio and video data from a peripheral videoconferencing device at a conference site, the audio data representative of speech and the video data representative of human behavior;
• an encoder in communication with the network interface, for creating a stream of data from the audio data and the video data, the steam being encoded in a streaming technology format;
• a stream server, for transmitting the stream to at least one remote terminal connected to the network;
• a data interface, for receiving presentation data from a source;
• and
• a file conversion engine, for creating a graphic image file by converting the presentation data into a graphic image format;
• wherein the stream includes the audio data and the video data and a link to the location of the graphic image.

A multimedia distribution device for use with a network, a videoconferencing device at a conference site, a source providing presentation data and at least one remote terminal connected to the network, the distribution device, comprising:

• a network interface for coupling to the network;
• an audio and video interface for receiving audio and video data from the videoconferencing device, the audio data representative of speech and the video data representative of human behavior;
• an encoder coupled to the audio and video interface for encoding the audio and the video data received through the audio and video interface into a streaming technology format;
• a data interface for receiving presentation data from the source;
• and
• a file conversion engine coupled to the data interface for creating a graphic image file by converting the presentation data into a graphic image format and storing the graphic image file at a location;
• and
• a stream server coupled to the encoder, the file conversion engine, and the network interface for transmitting streaming data for receipt by at least one remote terminal connected to the network, wherein the streaming data includes the audio and video data in streaming technology format and a link to the location of the graphic image file.

A multimedia distribution device for transmitting audio, video and/or other data between a local site and remote sites via a digital electronic network, comprising:

• a network interface for communicating with other devices on the network;
• an audio and video interface for receiving audio and video data from a peripheral videoconferencing device at a local site;
• a streaming encoder coupled to the audio and video interface for creating streaming audio and video data in streaming technology format from the received audio and video data;
• a streaming server coupled to the network interface and the streaming encoder for transmitting streaming audio and video data in streaming technology format;
• and
• a web server coupled to the network interface for receiving and transmitting image data and text data.

A method for multimedia conferencing wherein audio, video, still image and text data are received and transmitted through a network, the method comprising:

• receiving audio and video data from a local multimedia conferencing unit through an audio and video interface;
• encoding audio and video data to streaming audio and video data streaming technology format;
• transmitting streaming audio and video data in streaming technology format through the network;
• transmitting still images through the network;
• and
• transmitting text data through the network.

A multimedia distribution device for use with a network, a videoconferencing device at a conference site and at least one remote terminal connected to the network, the distribution device comprising:

• an interface for coupling to the network and the video conferencing device to receive audio and video data from the videoconferencing device;
• an encoder coupled to the interface for creating a stream of data from the received audio and video data;
• and
• a stream server coupled to the encoder and the interface for transmitting the stream of data over the network for receipt by the remote terminal.

A multimedia distribution device for use with a network, videoconferencing device at a conference site and at least one remote terminal connected to the network, the distribution device further for use with a source providing presentation data, wherein the interface is further for coupling to the presentation data source to receive presentation data, the distribution device comprising:

• an interface for coupling to the network and the video conferencing device to receive audio and video data from the videoconferencing device;
• an encoder coupled to the interface for creating a stream of data from the received audio and video data;
• a stream server coupled to the encoder and the interface for transmitting the stream of data over the network for receipt by the remote terminal;
• a file conversion engine coupled to the interface for creating and storing a graphic image file by converting the received presentation data into a graphic image format, and
• wherein the stream server is coupled to the file conversion engine and includes a link to the location of the graphic image file in the stream.