A software architecture for workstations supporting multimedia conferencing in packet switching networks

The software architecture of a multimedia workstation connected to an experimental packet switching network which is capable of switching voice, data, and video simultaneously is described. The user of a multimedia workstation may engage in several multimedia calls, each using multiple information streams consisting of voice, data, and images. The network interface software in the workstation maintains the temporal relationship among a given call´s information streams. For each call, the network interface provides a multiple information channel interface to upper layer software supporting the notion of a multimedia virtual circuit. A connector mechanism is provided to control the information exchange among the network interface, the various voice, data, and image peripherals, and the computer programs used in a multimedia application. These information sources and sinks share a common abstraction called active devices