A multimedia desktop collaboration system

Abstract

Distributed multimedia applications are a class of exciting new applications made possible by the emergence of highspeed networking and high-performance desktop computers. One important application in this class is desktop multimedia conferencing, which can enhance the quality of collaboration between remote participants. This paper discusses the architectural and implementation issues involved in the design of such an application. It then presents a prototype desktop conferencing system being developed at the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center. The system provides a multiparty collaborative environment which integrates highquality video and audio with a shared workspace manager. Some of the distinguishing features of this system are the flexibility to support various types of collaboration, fullmotion (30 frames/second) video, support for multiple video windows, and unconstrained audio. The shared workspace manager allows existing X-windows applications to be used concurrently by the participants in the conference.