Abstract: A method of collecting and indexing data by appending a tracking identifier (generated directly or indirectly by a tracking company) into a data file, wherein the data file is acquired from a computer system operated by a user. The data file could be data collected by a form made available through a website hosted by a web server. Additional data collected from other sources (stored as a record), such as a computer system operated by an agent, would be associated with the collected data file by an inquiry management company. The collected data and associated records are forwarded to a computer system that tracks online users and visitors. The process can marry computer collected data (other than the data file) about website activity with other activities that are independent of the website.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that enable a 3D telepresence. In an exemplary method, a 3D image stream is generated of a first participant in a virtual meeting. A virtual meeting room is generated. The virtual meeting room includes a virtual window, and the 3D image stream is reconstructed in the virtual window. The first participant thus appears as a 3D presence within the virtual window. The virtual meeting room may also include virtual windows providing 3D views of other participants in the virtual meeting and may further include avatars of other meeting participants and/or of the first meeting participant.

Abstract: An apparatus for video communication connected to a local processing device executing a video conferencing software for communicating with a remote location, the apparatus being configured to be locally wirelessly connected to a plurality of mobile devices each comprising a display and a video camera, to receive a plurality of video signals related to a plurality of participants in a video conference generated by the video cameras of the plurality of local mobile devices, to generate a video stream based on said plurality of video signals received from the plurality of local mobile devices, to transmit the video stream to said local processing device, to receive from the local processing device an output signal representing a content displayed by a display of the processing device when executing the video conferencing software and to share with the plurality of local mobile devices the output signal.

Abstract: Implementations of the present application relate to caller preview data and call messages based on caller preview data. In some implementations, a method includes sending, by a caller device, a call request to one or more callee devices, and establishing a connection to at least one callee device prior to receipt of an acceptance of the call request by the callee device. At least a portion of caller preview data is transmitted to the callee device over the connection prior to the receipt of the call acceptance. In response to determining that the at least a portion of the caller preview data has been transmitted for a particular time period without receipt of the acceptance of the call request, information is transmitted to instruct a call message to be stored on the callee device, where the call message includes at least a part of the caller preview data.

Abstract: A video call method and system may use a two-way transmission of a visual effect or an auditory effect. A server may manage and store content that includes visual information or auditory information as an effect to apply to a video call in association with an effect identifier. A server may receive, during the video call, an effect identifier and may transmit the visual information or audio information associated with the effect identifier to a reception-side electronic device together with a data packet for the video call.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to dynamic video image management. A set of dynamic image quality factors may be collected with respect to a dynamic video image. A set of display parameter values may be determined based on the set of dynamic image quality factors. The set of display parameter values may be of a set of display parameter values for a set of computing assets. The set of display parameter values may be determined to benefit the set of dynamic image quality factors with respect to the dynamic video image. The set of computing assets may be configured using the set of display parameter values. The set of computing assets may be configured to benefit the set of dynamic image quality factors with respect to the dynamic video image.

Abstract: An online system customizes video conversations between users of the online system. During a video conversation, the online system presents a composite view to the participating users. The composite view may include visual representations of the users, a background graphic, or other types of graphics such as masks and props that the users can wear or interact with in the environment of the video conversation. The visual representations may be generated based on a live video feed of the users or include avatars of the users. The online system can determine the graphics based on information about the users. For instance, the online system determines a background graphic showing a location that the users have each visited. Upon viewing the background graphic, the users may be encouraged to interact with the background graphic or other graphics included in the composite view, which can promote an engaging video conversation experience.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method that includes receiving an audio video stream, decoding the audio video stream to yield decoded video and decoded audio, transmitting the decoded video on a video cable to a display, transmitting a signal, such as, for example, a signal on an audio channel of the video cable, identifying an impulse response based on a received signal responsive to the transmitting of the signal, identifying a delay amount based on the impulse response and transmitting the decoded audio to a loudspeaker according to the delay amount. The cable can include an HDMI cable with the audio return channel (ARC) capability.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for receiving, at a computing device, a call from a first telephony device using a telephone number associated with a second telephony device and a web-based user account. An indication of the call is received at the computing device where the web-based user account is signed into. An input is received at the computing device to accept the call. A conferencing application session associated with the web-based user account is initiated at the computing device between the first telephony device and the computing device based upon, at least in part, receiving the input to accept the call.

Abstract: A computer aided prioritization (CAP) system may receive, from the emergency event reporter device, an emergency event including a priority selected from a set of event priorities and a type of event selected from a set of event types associated with the selected event priority; determine, based on the emergency event and without querying the emergency event reporter device for additional information, whether the emergency event indicates a higher priority emergency event to be handled by a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system or a lower priority emergency event to be handled automatically by a computer aided event module (CAEM); and selectively route the emergency event report to at least one of the CAD system and the CAEM according to the determination.

Abstract: A smart mirror comprises at least one large touchscreen-enabled smart mirror mounted on at least one frame, wherein the smart mirror is configured to support large-screen video chat, wherein the other participant to the video chat is provided full-size on the smart mirror's screen. When not in use as a video chat device, the present invention may utilize one or more cameras to create a mirror effect on the smart mirror's screen.

Abstract: A videoconference apparatus at a first location detects audio from a location and determines whether the sound should be included in an audio-video stream sent to a second location, or excluded as an interfering noise. Determining whether to include the audio involves using a face detector to see if there is a face at the source of the sound. If a face is present, the audio data from the location will be transmitted to the second location. If a face is not present, additional motion checks are performed to determine whether the sound corresponds to a person talking, (such as a presenter at a meeting), or whether the sound is instead unwanted noise.

Abstract: Implementations of the present application relate to caller previews for video calls. In some implementations, a method includes sending, by a caller device, a call request to a callee device and determining an identifier associated with the callee device. The method determines whether the identifier is associated with an address book of the caller device, and/or is in an outgoing call record of the caller device. An acknowledgment is received from callee device, and, upon receipt of the acknowledgment, a connection is established with the callee device. Based on determining that the identifier is associated with the address book and/or in the outgoing call record, at least a portion of a caller video is transmitted over the connection with the callee device. The caller video is transmitted prior to receipt of an acceptance of the call request from the callee device.

Abstract: A method of aggregating displays of performances into an aggregate site on a network is provided. The aggregated performances originate from at least one performance site on a network. The method includes the steps of selecting a performance criterion; observing at least one performance originating from at least one performance site on a network, the performance being associated with a link; determining when at least one performance meets the performance criterion; establishing an aggregation link to the link associated with the performance meeting the performance criterion; and providing the aggregation link to an aggregate site on a network such that the performance is accessible on the aggregate site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating family communications in a controlled-environment facility. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a request for an electronic communication between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility, identifying that the non-resident is the resident's child or parent and, in response to the identification, enabling a family counseling provider to access the electronic communication.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for customizing a telephone are disclosed in which preferred communication services are conveniently accessible to a user, in which a telephone is tailored to the specific requirements of a user.

Abstract: Implementations relate to providing animated user identifiers. In some implementations, a computer-executed method includes determining that a video call over a communication network is connected between a first device associated with a first user and a second device associated with a second user. The method stores a set of multiple images that are received by the first device as part of the video call, and forms a motion clip including the set of multiple images and indicating a sequence of the set of multiple images for display. The method assigns the motion clip to a user identifier associated with the second user, and causes display of the motion clip to visually represent the second user in response to the user identifier being displayed in at least one user interface on the first device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for collective contribution video creation and messaging wherein story-based communications are created among multiple users. The disclosed method uses a program or application wherein a virtual object is used to authorize a particular user to make the immediate post to the applicable story communication. The possession of the virtual object also indicates that any user that does not have possession of the virtual object is unable to presently contribute to the group storyline. Once the user in possession of the virtual object submits his or her content, the virtual object is made available. Any user inside the story seeking to gain control may then attempt to obtain the virtual object. The present disclosure aids users in creating story timelines of their contributions, as well as promoting full contribution from all group members in messaging.

Abstract: In a battery-powered audio/video recording and communication device having a camera, the length of a preset interval (the interval between instances of the device sending a request to a network to check whether any user requests to access the camera have been received) may be adjusted upward or downward in order to balance the competing interests of reducing latency (e.g. reducing the delay that the user may experience when trying to access the camera) and conserving battery life. The present embodiments advantageously balance these competing interests by initially setting the length of the preset interval to be relatively short to reduce latency, but automatically increasing the length of the preset interval as the battery charge is depleted, thereby extending battery life. The present embodiments also advantageously enable the length of the preset interval to be increased after the battery is recharged, thereby reducing latency.

Abstract: A system for ensuring that the best available view of a person's face is included in a video stream when the person's face is being captured by multiple cameras at multiple angles at a first endpoint. The system uses one or more microphone arrays to capture direct-reverberant ratio information corresponding to the views, and determines which view most closely matches a view of the person looking directly at the camera, thereby improving the experience for viewers at a second endpoint.