Automatic video switching for multimedia conferencing

A method for changing transmission of a video stream comprising:

• receiving, at a stream monitor, a plurality of video streams that comprise a video conference;
• transmitting, from a stream transmitter, a first video stream of the plurality of video streams;
• monitoring a second video stream of the plurality of video streams to determine if a designated video event has occurred in the second video stream;
• and
• responsive to determining that the designated video event has occurred in the second video stream, transmitting from the stream transmitter, the second video stream, wherein the second video stream is transmitted in place of or simultaneously with the first video stream;
• and wherein the first video stream is dynamically selected, and wherein the plurality of video streams each further comprise an audio stream, and further comprising the steps of:
• monitoring each audio stream of the plurality of video streams for a designated audio event;
• and
• dynamically selecting the first video stream based on an occurrence of the designated audio event.

A means for changing transmission of a video stream comprising:

• means for receiving a plurality of video streams that comprise a video conference;
• means for transmitting a first video stream of the plurality of video streams;
• means for monitoring a second video stream of the plurality of video streams to determine if a designated video event has occurred in the second video stream;
• and
• means responsive to determining that the designated video event has occurred in the second video stream, for transmitting the second video stream, wherein the second video stream is transmitted in place of or simultaneously with the first video stream;
• and wherein the first video stream is dynamically selected, and wherein the plurality of video streams each further comprise an audio stream, and further comprising the steps of:
• monitoring each audio stream of the plurality of video streams for a designated audio event;
• and
• dynamically selecting the first video stream based on an occurrence of the designated audio event.