Method and apparatus for asynchronous multimedia collaboration

摘要

A multimedia collaboration system combines unique multimedia communications and media processing mechanisms with off-the-shelf components that support information sharing and distribution. More specifically, the system provides an asynchronous multimedia collaboration whiteboard that enables the creation of messages containing synchronized voice, graphics and mouse gestures to describe conditions associated with an underlying multimedia object. On the server side, the system includes a delayed conference manager connected to a conference database, an email server, a newsgroup server and a web server. On the client side, the system includes a dynamic annotation editor which enables the use of synchronized voice, graphics and mouse gestures in the discussion. The client side also includes a newsgroup and email reader and a web browser.