[AG-TECH] AG calling

[bdr]

When I was at Internet2, we actually used the VRVS to bridge H.323 with 
the AG.  The VRVS would allow a H.323 unit to be part of a VRVS 
"session" and the VRVS reflector would "bridge" to selected AG "rooms".

I'm not sure if any of the code used is available for public 
consumption, but Philippe Galvez <galvez at caltech.edu> is the VRVS "guy".

Derek Piper wrote:
>
>     Hi all,
>
>     Something I was thinking about was the differences between AG and 
> H.323 and I was wondering if a 'blend' of the two, in a way, would be 
> an interesting direction to go in.
>     What I'm thinking about is this, and of course there are many 
> questions and details to work out but I thought I'd bring it up to see 
> what people might think:
>
> A 'Call server' that people log in to when the 'AG caller' client 
> starts, analogous to the IM server, Jabber server or H.323 'gateway'
>     Allows IM communication with all those connected
>     'Buddy lists' to see who's on?
>     What about distribution of servers.. would you need an account on 
> every server in the world? what about a registry of servers?
>
> IM 'calling' ..i.e. make a noise, flash something.. get user attention.
>     nicer than speakers on hanging around in a venue
>     people who don't know you're on or where you're on may stand a 
> better chance of contacting you :>
>
> Initiate video call just allocates IP addresses in the same way as a 
> venue and runs media tools against either multicast or unicast to a 
> bridge if that preference is set.
>     Simple 2-way video conferencing. We've achieved 'AG Skype'
>
> Add another participant to a 'call' by invite or by messaging each 
> participant.
>
> Could also move to 'conference room' which is the same as an AG venue 
> is now.
>     Maybe launch full AG VenueClient at that venue?
>     Then you could do the same shared-app stuff as we have now.
>
>
>     I'm kicking this around as a possibility and a direction for a 
> project either as something that the AGtk moves towards or is an 
> add-on for it. One of the things I've noticed is that polycoms are 
> often used as a back channel and an ad-hoc meeting method because you 
> can *call* someone. It's a videophone. AG relies on someone turning up 
> where you are, and that's sometimes very awkward and not what people 
> want to do.
>     Basically to implement it seeing as we have a Jabber integration 
> doesn't seem that hard on the surface. The client would start off to 
> appearing something like GAIM, Psi or Skype and you place a video call 
> to someone or start a conference in a venue.
>
>     I'm curious to hear some points of view about it.
>
>     Derek
>

-- 
Bob Riddle (bdr @ umich.edu)            Enabling Technologies
University of Michigan Medical School   1301 Catherine Street
M4101 MSB1 - 6024                       Ann Arbor, Michigan  48109-0624

"Math illiteracy affects 7 out of every 5 people"