Abstract: A first computing device distributes audio signals to several computing devices of participants in a communication session. In some embodiments, the first computing device serves as a central distributor for receiving audio signals from other computing devices, compositing the audio signals and distributing the composited audio signals to the other computing devices. The first computing device prioritizes the received audio signals based on a set of criteria and selects several highly prioritized audio signals. The first computing device generates composite audio signals using only the selected audio signals. The first computing device sends each computing device the composited audio signal for the device. In some cases, the first computing device sends a selected audio signal to another computing device without mixing the signal with any other audio signal.

Abstract: Some embodiments use several different types of networks to relay several different types of media content among several different computing devices. The media content of some embodiments is data that a computing device can process in order to provide a presentation of the media content to a user of the device. Examples of types of such media content include audio data, video data, text data, picture data, game data, and/or other media data. In some embodiments, two different networks relay media content of two different types among multiple computing devices. Specifically, in some embodiments, a first network routes among the computing devices one type of media data content (e.g., game data), while a second network routes among the computing devices another type of media data content (e.g., audio and/or video data of game participants). The two networks differ in some embodiments based on their topology.

Abstract: Some embodiments use several different types of networks to relay several different types of media content among several different computing devices. The media content of some embodiments is data that a computing device can process in order to provide a presentation of the media content to a user of the device. Examples of types of such media content include audio data, video data, text data, picture data, game data, and/or other media data. In some embodiments, two different networks relay media content of two different types among multiple computing devices. Specifically, in some embodiments, a first network routes among the computing devices one type of media data content (e.g., game data), while a second network routes among the computing devices another type of media data content (e.g., audio and/or video data of game participants). The two networks differ in some embodiments based on their topology.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for conducting a video conference between a first mobile device and a second device. The first mobile device includes first and second cameras. The method selects the first camera for capturing images. The method transmits images captured by the first camera to the second device. The method receives selections of the second camera for capturing images during the video conference. The method terminates the transmission of images captured by the first camera and transmits images captured by the second camera of the first mobile device to the second device during the video conference.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for modifying a composite display of a first mobile device that is engaged in a video conference with a second device. The method presents, on the first device, the composite display having a first video captured by the first device and a second video captured by the second device. The method receives, at the first device, an input for modifying the composite display during the video conference. The method modifies the composite display based on the received input.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for conducting a video conference between a first mobile device and a second device. The first mobile device includes first and second cameras. The method selects the first camera for capturing images. The method transmits images captured by the first camera to the second device. The method receives selections of the second camera for capturing images during the video conference. The method terminates the transmission of images captured by the first camera and transmits images captured by the second camera of the first mobile device to the second device during the video conference.

Abstract: A first computing device distributes audio streams to several computing devices of participants in a communication session. Some embodiments establishes a star network with the first computing device as a central network hub for receiving audio streams from other computing devices, compositing the audio streams and distributing the composited audio streams to the other computing devices. Through the star network, the first computing device receives audio streams from the other computing devices. The first computing device generates at least two different composite audio streams for at least two different computing devices by (i) identifying a set of silent participants in the communication session, and (ii) eliminating redundant audio processing operations that produce the same composite audio streams for different computing devices because of the identified set of silent participants. The first computing device sends each computing device the composited audio stream for the device.

Abstract: Some embodiments dynamically designate one of several network nodes as a network hub of a star network, at the start of a network communication session among the several network nodes that is facilitated by a mesh network and the star network. Some embodiments dynamically designate a new network hub when the previously designated network hub leaves the communication session, which continues among the other network nodes. Different embodiments use different techniques to dynamically designate the network hub of the star network. For instance, some embodiments use communications transmitted along the mesh network to dynamically identify the network hub at the start of the network communication session or after the departure of a previously designated network hub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that manages connection pairs between a pair of devices is described. The device receives a metric from an application that indicates a preference to be used in suggesting a connection pair between a pair of devices. The device further receives characteristics of the connection pairs and selects one of the connection pairs based on these characteristics and the application metric. The device suggests the selected connection pair to the application.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of combining multiple streams of data packets into a single combined stream in a manner that facilitates accurate estimation of bandwidth of a connection over a network between two devices. When combining the streams into the combined stream, the method associates a set of packets from a first stream and a reference packet from a second stream to form a longer sequence of packets in the combined stream. The method sends the combined stream from a first device to a second device so that the second device can estimate the bandwidth of the connection between the first and second devices based on the inter-arrival times of the packets in the sequence of packets.

Abstract: A first computing device distributes audio signals to several computing devices of participants in a communication session. In some embodiments, the first computing device serves as a central distributor for receiving audio signals from other computing devices, compositing the audio signals and distributing the composited audio signals to the other computing devices. The first computing device prioritizes the received audio signals based on a set of criteria and selects several highly prioritized audio signals. The first computing device generates composite audio signals using only the selected audio signals. The first computing device sends each computing device the composited audio signal for the device. In some cases, the first computing device sends a selected audio signal to another computing device without mixing the signal with any other audio signal.

Abstract: A first computing device distributes audio streams to several computing devices of participants in a communication session. Some embodiments establishes a star network with the first computing device as a central network hub for receiving audio streams from other computing devices, compositing the audio streams and distributing the composited audio streams to the other computing devices. Through the star network, the first computing device receives audio streams from the other computing devices. The first computing device generates at least two different composite audio streams for at least two different computing devices by (i) identifying a set of silent participants in the communication session, and (ii) eliminating redundant audio processing operations that produce the same composite audio streams for different computing devices because of the identified set of silent participants. The first computing device sends each computing device the composited audio stream for the device.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for managing a video conference between a first device and a second device. The method identifies a first ceiling bit rate for transmitting video conference data to the second device through the communication channel. The method identifies a current bit rate that is less than the first ceiling bit rate. The method receives networking data regarding the communication channel from the second device. The method determines, from the received network data, that the communication channel will sustain an increase in the current bit rate. The method increments the current bit rate. The method iteratively performs the receiving, determining, and incrementing operations until a determination is made that the communication channel will not sustain the increase in the current bit rate.

Abstract: Some embodiments dynamically designate one of several network nodes as a network hub of a star network, at the start of a network communication session among the several network nodes that is facilitated by a mesh network and the star network. Some embodiments dynamically designate a new network hub when the previously designated network hub leaves the communication session, which continues among the other network nodes. Different embodiments use different techniques to dynamically designate the network hub of the star network. For instance, some embodiments use communications transmitted along the mesh network to dynamically identify the network hub at the start of the network communication session or after the departure of a previously designated network hub.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for modifying a composite display of a first mobile device that is engaged in a video conference with a second device. The method presents, on the first device, the composite display having a first video captured by the first device and a second video captured by the second device. The method receives, at the first device, an input for modifying the composite display during the video conference. The method modifies the composite display based on the received input.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for initiating a video conference using a first mobile device. The method presents, during an audio call through a wireless communication network with a second device, a selectable user-interface (UI) item on the first mobile device for switching from the audio call to the video conference. The method receives a selection of the selectable UI item. The method initiates the video conference without terminating the audio call. The method terminates the audio call before allowing the first and second devices to present audio and video data exchanged through the video conference.

Abstract: Some embodiments use several different types of networks to relay several different types of media content among several different computing devices. The media content of some embodiments is data that a computing device can process in order to provide a presentation of the media content to a user of the device. Examples of types of such media content include audio data, video data, text data, picture data, game data, and/or other media data. In some embodiments, two different networks relay media content of two different types among multiple computing devices. Specifically, in some embodiments, a first network routes among the computing devices one type of media data content (e.g., game data), while a second network routes among the computing devices another type of media data content (e.g., audio and/or video data of game participants). The two networks differ in some embodiments based on their topology.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and machine-readable medium are described for establishing, maintaining and utilizing backup channels in a peer-to-peer (“P2P”) network. For example, in one embodiment, each mobile device can establish a primary P2P communication channel with one or more other mobile devices. Once the primary channel is established, each mobile device can use the primary channel to exchange secondary channel connection data and can subsequently open one or more secondary P2P communication channels with the other mobile devices. Upon detecting that the primary P2P communication channel has failed or has degraded below a specified threshold (e.g., a bandwidth or bitrate threshold), one of the secondary P2P communication channels can be automatically promoted to a primary P2P communication channel.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for allowing a first device that is in a video conference with a second mobile device to remotely control the second mobile device. The method sends images captured by a camera of the first device to the second device. The method receives images captured by a camera of the second device. The method sends a command through a communication channel of a real-time communication session to the second device. The command is for instructing the second device to perform an operation that modifies the images captured by the camera of the second device.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for conducting a video conference between a first mobile device and a second device. The first mobile device includes first and second cameras. The method selects the first camera for capturing images. The method transmits images captured by the first camera to the second device. The method receives selections of the second camera for capturing images during the video conference. The method terminates the transmission of images captured by the first camera and transmits images captured by the second camera of the first mobile device to the second device during the video conference.