Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for enabling members of the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired (D-HOH-SI) community to start and control communications conducted through a video relay service (VRS) without the need for a remote-control device. A combination of standard-ASL and non-ASL hand commands are interpreted using “hand recognition” (similar to “face recognition”) to control the operation of a VRS system through multiple operating modes. The “hand recognition” process employs a camera/codec connected to a CPU which executes commands which may be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage device.

Abstract: A system comprising a web-enabled video camera, at least one microphone, a remote server, and a command processing unit, which allow users to communicate remotely with video and audio. The system further is controlled by either gestures from a user, or a remote control, and can have gestures customized by the user for specific inputs. The system contains a menu the user may navigate, and multiple system states which provide different functionality and recognize different gesture commands.

Abstract: A system comprising a web-enabled video camera, at least one microphone, a remote server, and a command processing unit, which allow users to communicate remotely with video and audio. The system further is controlled by either gestures from a user, or a remote control, and can have gestures customized by the user for specific inputs. The system contains a menu the user may navigate, and multiple system states which provide different functionality and recognize different gesture commands.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for enabling members of the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired (D-HOH-SI) community to start and control communications conducted through a video relay service (VRS) without the need for a remote-control device. A combination of standard-ASL and non-ASL hand commands are interpreted using “hand recognition” (similar to “face recognition”) to control the operation of a VRS system through multiple operating modes. The “hand recognition” process employs a camera/codec connected to a CPU which executes commands which may be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage device.

Abstract: A method implemented in a communication device, the method comprising receiving a context preference for a contact, storing the context preference, connecting to a communication session via the communication device, transmitting, for display at a second communication device, context information based on the context preference and presence information indicating that the communication device has connected to the communication session, and receiving from the second communication device a request from the contact to connect to the communication session.

Abstract: A method implemented in a communication device, the method comprising receiving a context preference for a contact, storing the context preference, connecting to a communication session via the communication device, transmitting, for display at a second communication device, context information based on the context preference and presence information indicating that the communication device has connected to the communication session, and receiving from the second communication device a request from the contact to connect to the communication session.

Abstract: System and methods for meeting update dissemination in a real-time communication system are provided. An embodiment method of disseminating updates in a real-time communications system includes storing, in a database, indicators received from a leader of a meeting, the indicators pertaining to predetermined topics to be discussed during the meeting, collecting, in the database, data from the meeting corresponding to the indicators while the meeting is in progress, receiving, at the database, an indication that a participant has joined the meeting after the meeting has begun, and alerting, by the database, the participant that the data that was collected before the participant joined the meeting is available to the participant for review during the meeting.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the apparatus comprises communication settings not associated with a user, and wherein the processor is configured to receive user information associated with the user, cause the user information to be transmitted via the transmitter to a profile server for authentication, receive user profile data associated with the user from the profile server, and update the communication settings to include the user profile data.

Abstract: A conferencing apparatus comprising a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the memory contains instructions that when executed by the processor cause the apparatus to receive a video stream, evaluate the video stream for a plurality of participants, detect an interest activity of at least one of the plurality of participants, and increase a prominence of a portion of the video stream associated with the at least one of the plurality of participants based on the detected activity.

Abstract: A method embodiment includes creating, by a processor, a number of contexts for a first user, creating a list of potential contexts based on the number of contexts when the first user and a second user engage in a real-time communication, displaying the list of potential contexts to the first user.

Abstract: System and methods for meeting update dissemination in a real-time communication system are provided. An embodiment method of disseminating updates in a real-time communications system includes storing, in a database, indicators received from a leader of a meeting, the indicators pertaining to predetermined topics to be discussed during the meeting, collecting, in the database, data from the meeting corresponding to the indicators while the meeting is in progress, receiving, at the database, an indication that a participant has joined the meeting after the meeting has begun, and alerting, by the database, the participant that the data that was collected before the participant joined the meeting is available to the participant for review during the meeting.

Abstract: An apparatus to automatically prioritize and divide a video into a plurality of video segments for a user, wherein the apparatus comprises a processor configured to, obtain a plurality of video content data that describes the content within the video, display the video in a viewable format for the user, receive at least one keyword from a search field, wherein the keyword indicates the type of video content data the user is searching for, search through the video content data using the keyword, divide the video into the plurality of video segments using the keyword, prioritize the video segments using the keyword, and display the prioritize video segments in a priority list.

Abstract: An apparatus to automatically prioritize and divide a video into a plurality of video segments for a user, wherein the apparatus comprises a processor configured to, obtain a plurality of video content data that describes the content within the video, display the video in a viewable format for the user, receive at least one keyword from a search field, wherein the keyword indicates the type of video content data the user is searching for, search through the video content data using the keyword, divide the video into the plurality of video segments using the keyword, prioritize the video segments using the keyword, and display the prioritize video segments in a priority list.

Abstract: A method implemented in a communication device, the method comprising receiving a context preference for a contact, storing the context preference, connecting to a communication session via the communication device, transmitting, for display at a second communication device, context information based on the context preference and presence information indicating that the communication device has connected to the communication session, and receiving from the second communication device a request from the contact to connect to the communication session.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the apparatus comprises communication settings not associated with a user, and wherein the processor is configured to receive user information associated with the user, cause the user information to be transmitted via the transmitter to a profile server for authentication, receive user profile data associated with the user from the profile server, and update the communication settings to include the user profile data.