Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting the frame rate or other settings of a video camera device operably connected to a computing device are discussed. Embodiments disclosed herein include features such as detecting a camera activation event, acquiring location information about the location of the computing device, determining an AC power frequency associated with the device location or with a power source used by the device, determining ambient lighting conditions near or around the device, identifying a camera frame rate meant to reduce or avoid flicker that would otherwise be caused by a mismatch between AC frequency and camera frame rate, and setting the frame rate of the camera to the identified rate. Embodiments may include some or all of the features noted above, as well as additional features described herein.

Abstract: Implementations generally relate to enhancing video conferences. In some implementations, a method includes determining one or more characteristics of a video stream provided by a first camera. The method further includes determining one or more functions of the first camera based on the one or more characteristics. The method further includes enabling a browser to control the one or more functions of the first camera, and wherein the browser is remote relative to the first camera.

Abstract: Provided are methods for switching active speakers during a video conferencing session. An image of an active speaker in a video conference is provided for presentation in a main display area of a display screen, where the active speaker is one of a plurality of users participating in the video conference over a network. When, a new active speaker out of the users participating in the video conference is detected, resolutions of available video streams received for each of the users are determined. In response to determining that the resolution of the video stream received for the new active speaker is below a threshold resolution, the image of the active speaker continues to be provided for presentation in the main display area until a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A method and computing system for monitoring an AV synchronous communication session of a user. The AV synchronous communication session includes an audio channel and a video channel. A performance characteristic is determined for the audio channel. The performance characteristic is compared to a defined audio performance threshold. If the performance characteristic does not meet the defined audio performance threshold, the video channel is adjusted to reduce the bandwidth requirements of the video channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing communication initiation controls. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a term that a user has entered into a text field, selecting one or more contacts that match the term, providing a communication initiation control for each of multiple communication modes, determining, for each of the multiple communication modes, whether any of the selected contacts are available or are capable of communicating through the communication mode, and enabling or disabling, for each of the multiple communication modes, the communication initiation control for the communication mode based on determining whether any of the selected contacts are available or are capable of communicating through the communication mode.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling audio in a multi-user meeting is provided. The method may include determining, using the one or more processing devices, that a group video conferencing device is associated with a multi-user video conference. The method may further include determining, using the one or more computing devices, whether a user associated with the multi-user video conference is located in a geographical location associated with the group video conferencing device. The method may also include, when the user is located in the geographic location of the group video conferencing device, automatically activating, using the one or more computing devices, a no-audio mode for a computing device associated with the user located in the geographical location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting the frame rate or other settings of a video camera device operably connected to a computing device are discussed. Embodiments disclosed herein include features such as detecting a camera activation event, acquiring location information about the location of the computing device, determining an AC power frequency associated with the device location or with a power source used by the device, determining ambient lighting conditions near or around the device, identifying a camera frame rate meant to reduce or avoid flicker that would otherwise be caused by a mismatch between AC frequency and camera frame rate, and setting the frame rate of the camera to the identified rate. Embodiments may include some or all of the features noted above, as well as additional features described herein.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, a method may include executing, by a processor of a computing device, at least a portion of an application that includes a plurality of tabs, each tab associated with a respective document that is configured to be rendered for display by the application. The method may also include determining a particular tab of the plurality of tabs that is recording an audio and/or visual signal derived from an environment of the computing device. The method may further include providing a graphical indication, associated with the particular tab, that indicates to a user of the computing device that the particular tab is recording the audio and/or visual signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing communication initiation controls. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a term that a user has entered into a text field, selecting one or more contacts that match the term, providing a communication initiation control for each of multiple communication modes, determining, for each of the multiple communication modes, whether any of the selected contacts are available or are capable of communicating through the communication mode, and enabling or disabling, for each of the multiple communication modes, the communication initiation control for the communication mode based on determining whether any of the selected contacts are available or are capable of communicating through the communication mode.

Abstract: A system having one or more processors and a memory, sends a plurality of test audio packets at a level of signal complexity deviating from a model level of signal complexity to a destination device through one or more networks. The system then receives a response to the plurality of test audio packets, where the response is indicative of a value for a quality of service characteristic associated with the one or more networks, and where the value for the quality of service characteristic is determined by how the plurality of test audio packets deviate from the model level of signal complexity when received by a remote device. In response to receiving the response to the plurality of test audio packets, the system activates a signal correction action when the value for the quality of service characteristic fails to meet a performance threshold.

Abstract: A system having one or more processors and a memory, receives both speech data from first and second participants of a session. The system outputs the speech of the first participant. The system outputs the speech of the second participant in accordance with an adjustment of the speech of a participant of the session when the speech of the second participant temporally overlaps less than a first predetermined threshold amount of a terminal portion of the speech of the first participant. The system drops the speech of the second participant when the speech of the second participant temporally overlaps more than the first predetermined threshold amount of the terminal portion of the speech of the first participant. Optionally, the system adjusts the speech of a participant of the session by delaying output of the speech of the second participant.

Abstract: In general, the techniques are described for adjusting audio gain levels for multi-talker audio. In one example, an audio system monitors an audio stream for the presence of a new talker. Upon identifying a new talker, the system determines whether the new talker is a first-time talker. For a first-time talker, the system executes a fast-attack/decay automatic gain control (AGC) algorithm to quickly determine a gain value for the first-time talker. The system additionally executes standard AGC techniques to refine the gain for the first-time talker while the first-time talker continues speaking. When a steady state within a decibel threshold is attained using standard AGC for the first-time talker, the system stores the steady state gain for the first-time talker to storage. Upon identifying a previously-identified talker, the system retrieves from storage the steady state gain for the talker and applies the steady state gain to the audio stream.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for muting participants in a communication session. A communication session, such as a teleconference or a video conference, may be established between a plurality of participants using devices. Each participant engaged in the communication session may be authorized to mute or un-mute other participants. Information related to the communication session may be provided to some of the participants, including but are not limited to, indications of when a participant is muted or un-muted, indications of which participant initiated a muting or un-muting, indications of volume of a participant, or indications of types of sounds in a communication session. Social controls, utilized through transparency (e.g., providing identifying indications), may reduce the chance of misuse of the muting functionality.

Abstract: In general, the techniques are described for adjusting audio gain levels for multi-talker audio. In one example, an audio system monitors an audio stream for the presence of a new talker. Upon identifying a new talker, the system determines whether the new talker is a first-time talker. For a first-time talker, the system executes a fast-attack/decay automatic gain control (AGC) algorithm to quickly determine a gain value for the first-time talker. The system additionally executes standard AGC techniques to refine the gain for the first-time talker while the first-time talker continues speaking. When a steady state within a decibel threshold is attained using standard AGC for the first-time talker, the system stores the steady state gain for the first-time talker to storage. Upon identifying a previously-identified talker, the system retrieves from storage the steady state gain for the talker and applies the steady state gain to the audio stream.