Abstract: The embodiments described herein can dynamically adjust timing of network bandwidth estimations by adjusting a target frequency for sending probing sequences to one or more receivers of content. The receivers receive these probing sequences from a transmitter and respond to the transmitter with network bandwidth estimations. In one embodiment, the probing sequences can use the content itself to create the probing sequences. The embodiments can be used in video conferencing applications to control how a transmitter of content can adjust transmissions based upon the network bandwidth estimations. In one embodiment, a policy can be used at a transmitter to begin a video transmission with a high frequency target for sending probing sequences (with, e.g., smaller length probing sequences) and transition to a lower frequency target (with, e.g., longer length probing sequences) when network bandwidth deteriorates and then return to the higher frequency target when the network bandwidth improves.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can dynamically adjust timing of network bandwidth estimations by adjusting a target frequency for sending probing sequences to one or more receivers of content. The receivers receive these probing sequences from a transmitter and respond to the transmitter with network bandwidth estimations. In one embodiment, the probing sequences can use the content itself to create the probing sequences. The embodiments can be used in video conferencing applications to control how a transmitter of content can adjust transmissions based upon the network bandwidth estimations. In one embodiment, a policy can be used at a transmitter to begin a video transmission with a high frequency target for sending probing sequences (with, e.g., smaller length probing sequences) and transition to a lower frequency target (with, e.g., longer length probing sequences) when network bandwidth deteriorates and then return to the higher frequency target when the network bandwidth improves.

Abstract: A device implementing cellular communication protocol aware multimedia streaming may include at least one processor configured to establish a link for communicating with another device, wherein the link utilizes at least one of a first cellular communication protocol or a second cellular communication protocol. The at least one processor may be configured to determine a bit rate for a video stream to be provided to the other device based at least in part on whether the link utilizes the first cellular communication protocol or the second cellular communication protocol, wherein a first bit rate is determined when the link utilizes the first cellular communication protocol and a second bit rate is determined when the link utilizes the second cellular communication protocol. The at least one processor may be configured to provide, for transmission over the link to the other electronic device, the video stream at the determined bit rate.

Abstract: Computing devices may implement instant video communication connections for video communications. Connection information for mobile computing devices may be maintained. A request to initiate an instant video communication may be received, and if authorized, the connection information for the particular recipient mobile computing device may be accessed. Video communication data may then be sent to the recipient mobile computing device according to the connection information so that the video communication data may be displayed at the recipient device as it is received. New connection information for different mobile computing devices may be added, or updates to existing connection information may also be performed. Connection information for some mobile computing devices may be removed.

Abstract: A device implementing cellular communication protocol aware multimedia streaming may include at least one processor configured to establish a link for communicating with another device, wherein the link utilizes at least one of a first cellular communication protocol or a second cellular communication protocol. The at least one processor may be configured to determine a bit rate for a video stream to be provided to the other device based at least in part on whether the link utilizes the first cellular communication protocol or the second cellular communication protocol, wherein a first bit rate is determined when the link utilizes the first cellular communication protocol and a second bit rate is determined when the link utilizes the second cellular communication protocol. The at least one processor may be configured to provide, for transmission over the link to the other electronic device, the video stream at the determined bit rate.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can dynamically adjust timing of network bandwidth estimations by adjusting a target frequency for sending probing sequences to one or more receivers of content. The receivers receive these probing sequences from a transmitter and respond to the transmitter with network bandwidth estimations. In one embodiment, the probing sequences can use the content itself to create the probing sequences. The embodiments can be used in video conferencing applications to control how a transmitter of content can adjust transmissions based upon the network bandwidth estimations. In one embodiment, a policy can be used at a transmitter to begin a video transmission with a high frequency target for sending probing sequences (with, e.g., smaller length probing sequences) and transition to a lower frequency target (with, e.g., longer length probing sequences) when network bandwidth deteriorates and then return to the higher frequency target when the network bandwidth improves.

Abstract: Computing devices may implement instant video communication connections for video communications. Connection information for mobile computing devices may be maintained. A request to initiate an instant video communication may be received, and if authorized, the connection information for the particular recipient mobile computing device may be accessed. Video communication data may then be sent to the recipient mobile computing device according to the connection information so that the video communication data may be displayed at the recipient device as it is received. New connection information for different mobile computing devices may be added, or updates to existing connection information may also be performed. Connection information for some mobile computing devices may be removed.

Abstract: Computing devices may implement instant video communication connections for video communications. Connection information for mobile computing devices may be maintained. A request to initiate an instant video communication may be received, and if authorized, the connection information for the particular recipient mobile computing device may be accessed. Video communication data may then be sent to the recipient mobile computing device according to the connection information so that the video communication data may be displayed at the recipient device as it is received. New connection information for different mobile computing devices may be added, or updates to existing connection information may also be performed. Connection information for some mobile computing devices may be removed.

Abstract: A video streaming method for transitioning between multiple sequences of coded video data may include receiving and decoding transmission units from a first sequence of coded video data. In response to a request to transition to a second sequence of coded video data, the method may determine whether a time to transition to the second sequence of coded video data can be reduced by transitioning to the second sequence of coded video data via an intermediate sequence of coded video data. If the time can be reduced, the method may include receiving at least one transmission unit from an intermediate sequence of coded video data that corresponds to the request to transition, decoding the transmission unit from the intermediate sequence, and transitioning from the first sequence to the second sequence via the decoded transmission unit from the intermediate sequence.

Abstract: Methods for establishing a direct peer-to-peer (“P2P”) connection between two computers are disclosed. In particular, the methods are designed to work in cases where one or both of the computers are connected to a private network, such private networks being interconnected via a public network, such as the Internet. The connections between the private network and the public network are facilitated by network address translation (“NAT”).

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a device that transmits/receives encrypted communications with another device. A first device, such as a smart phone or smart watch, may generate a message associated with a certain data class, which may determine the security procedure used in the communication of the message. The first device may establish an encryption session for the purpose of communicating the message to a second device. Prior to sending the message, the first device may wait until encryption credentials are accessible according to certain conditions, which may be determined at least in part by the data class of the message. Similarly, after receiving the message, the second device may not be able to decrypt the message until encryption credentials are accessible according to certain conditions, which may be determined at least in part by the message data class.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for allowing a first device to learn how to connect to a first network using information that a second device obtained about a second network that is related to the first network. The second device can perform a virtual network discovery of the first network on behalf of the first device. The second device can describe how to initiate one or more connections to the first network by modifying the information the second device obtained about the second network. The second device can send the information identifying how to initiate the connections to the first network to the first device. The first device can automatically initiate connections to the first network without requiring user input.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a device that transmits/receives encrypted communications with another device. A first device, such as a smart phone or smart watch, may generate a message associated with a certain data class, which may determine the security procedure used in the communication of the message. The first device may establish an encryption session for the purpose of communicating the message to a second device. Prior to sending the message, the first device may wait until encryption credentials are accessible according to certain conditions, which may be determined at least in part by the data class of the message. Similarly, after receiving the message, the second device may not be able to decrypt the message until encryption credentials are accessible according to certain conditions, which may be determined at least in part by the message data class.

Abstract: A video streaming method for transitioning between multiple sequences of coded video data may include receiving and decoding transmission units from a first sequence of coded video data. In response to a request to transition to a second sequence of coded video data, the method may determine whether a time to transition to the second sequence of coded video data can be reduced by transitioning to the second sequence of coded video data via an intermediate sequence of coded video data. If the time can be reduced, the method may include receiving at least one transmission unit from an intermediate sequence of coded video data that corresponds to the request to transition, decoding the transmission unit from the intermediate sequence, and transitioning from the first sequence to the second sequence via the decoded transmission unit from the intermediate sequence.

Abstract: Computing devices may implement instant video communication connections for video communications. Connection information for mobile computing devices may be maintained. A request to initiate an instant video communication may be received, and if authorized, the connection information for the particular recipient mobile computing device may be accessed. Video communication data may then be sent to the recipient mobile computing device according to the connection information so that the video communication data may be displayed at the recipient device as it is received. New connection information for different mobile computing devices may be added, or updates to existing connection information may also be performed. Connection information for some mobile computing devices may be removed.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a device that transmits/receives encrypted communications with another device. A first device, such as a smart phone or smart watch, may generate a message associated with a certain data class, which may determine the security procedure used in the communication of the message. The first device may establish an encryption session for the purpose of communicating the message to a second device. Prior to sending the message, the first device may wait until encryption credentials are accessible according to certain conditions, which may be determined at least in part by the data class of the message. Similarly, after receiving the message, the second device may not be able to decrypt the message until encryption credentials are accessible according to certain conditions, which may be determined at least in part by the message data class.

Abstract: Computing devices may implement instant video communication connections for video communications. Connection information for mobile computing devices may be maintained. A request to initiate an instant video communication may be received, and if authorized, the connection information for the particular recipient mobile computing device may be accessed. Video communication data may then be sent to the recipient mobile computing device according to the connection information so that the video communication data may be displayed at the recipient device as it is received. New connection information for different mobile computing devices may be added, or updates to existing connection information may also be performed. Connection information for some mobile computing devices may be removed.

Abstract: A unified message delivery between multiple devices is disclosed. Sending messages through a local communications link, such as but not limited to at least one of a Bluetooth connection and a peer-to-peer WiFi connection, can lead to faster transmission times and reduced server load. When the local communications link is unavailable or not suitable, the messages can be sent through a network and a push server. In some examples, messages can be sent through both the local communications link and through the network and the push server. Duplicates of a received message can be avoided by utilizing indicators. In some examples, one or more devices can include queue(s) to ensure ordered delivery of a plurality of messages when a local communications link and network connection become unavailable.

Abstract: For a first device participating in a video communications session with a second device, some embodiments provide a method that receives sets of encoding features supported by each of one or more decoders of the second device. The method selects an encoder for the video communication session from several encoders available to the first device. The method selects a set of encoding features of the selected encoder based on the sets of encoding features received from the second device. The method transmits an encoded video bitstream to the second device along with information identifying the selected features in order for the second device to select a decoder to decode the bitstream.

Abstract: A video streaming method for transitioning between multiple sequences of coded video data may include receiving and decoding transmission units from a first sequence of coded video data. In response to a request to transition to a second sequence of coded video data, the method may determine whether a time to transition to the second sequence of coded video data can be reduced by transitioning to the second sequence of coded video data via an intermediate sequence of coded video data. If the time can be reduced, the method may include receiving at least one transmission unit from an intermediate sequence of coded video data that corresponds to the request to transition, decoding the transmission unit from the intermediate sequence, and transitioning from the first sequence to the second sequence via the decoded transmission unit from the intermediate sequence.