As Chat services spread and users gain greater skills in using them, there is a growing need to introduce the use of Audio/Video facilities in special conversation rooms.

The technology currently available (H.323) restricts the number of users to no more than two at any one time, which is why we have been working in this field.

Icona has assessed and experimented on types of architecture for the OFS messaging system and more specifically for Chat services, designed to provide integrated videochat facilities. Notably, the possibility of using Java has made it possible to create these services from cutting-edge frameworks like Sun’s JMF.

The net result is that a key service, like the possibility of organising audio/video conferences involving an unlimited number of users (i.e. limited by resources, not architecture) can be combined with the handling of a user presence facility.

An example of this kind of combination is the possibility of checking at any time who is connected and then deciding to invite them to a conference.