Procedures for convening multipoint videoconferences

Multipoint videoconferencing can be considered a promising application of broadband communications, in particular for workplace conferencing. A human factors study aiming at developing user-friendly procedures for the convening of multipoint videoconferences is reported. By means of an experimental laboratory system, test subjects used and evaluated two different setup procedures and a procedure for establishing sub-conferences. The execution of the procedures was supported by visual aids. The results show that the convening procedures for multipoint conferences should allow a dynamic extension of the number of subscribers per direct dialing.