Abstract: A communication system is described herein which provides an indicator that helps hub participants of a meeting (or other environmental setting) determine a direction of attention of a satellite participant (who is not physically present at the meeting). The indicator can be implemented as a mechanical pointer, a solid-state display mechanism, a rotating display mechanism, a display mechanism which presents visual information that reflects directionality, and so on. The communication system can assess the directionality of the satellite participant based on any combination of control inputs from explicit input mechanism(s) and/or implicit input mechanism(s). The communication system can also choose between explicit and/or implicit control of the indicator based on at least one selection criterion.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an architecture for establishing multi-participant video conferences. This architecture has a central distributor that receives video images from two or more participants. From the received images, the central distributor generates composite images that the central distributor transmits back to the participants. Each composite image includes a set of sub images, where each sub image belongs to one participant. In some embodiments, the central distributor saves network bandwidth by removing each particular participant's image from the composite image that the central distributor sends to the particular participant. In some embodiments, images received from each participant are arranged in the composite in a non-interleaved manner. For instance, in some embodiments, the composite image includes at most one sub-image for each participant, and no two sub-images are interleaved.

Abstract: Existing remote workspace sharing systems are difficult to use. For example, changes made on a common work product by one user often appear abruptly on displays viewed by remote users. As a result the interaction is perceived as unnatural by the users and is often inefficient. Images of a display of a common work product are received from a camera at a first location. These images may also comprise information about objects between the display and the camera such as a user's hand editing a document on a tablet PC. These images are combined with images of the shared work product and displayed at remote locations. Advance information about remote user actions is then visible and facilitates collaborative mediation between users. Depth information may be used to influence the process of combining the images.

Abstract: A video-conferencing system includes a display panel configured to form a display image for viewing by a local video conferencer, a camera configured to acquire a facial image of the local video conferencer and having an aperture oriented toward the display panel, and an array of partly reflective facets aligned in parallel against a plane disposed parallel to and forward of the display panel, each facet positioned to transmit a portion of the display image from the display panel through that facet to the local video conferencer, and to reflect a portion of the facial image of the local video conferencer to the aperture.

Abstract: A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support the operation of a Virtual Media Room or Virtual Meeting Room (VMR), wherein each VMR can accept from a plurality of participants at different geographic locations a variety of video conferencing feeds from video conference endpoints that can be either proprietary or standards-based and enable a multi-party video conferencing session among the plurality of participants by composing one composite audio and video stream for each of the participants. Each single VMR can be implemented across an infrastructure of globally distributed set of servers/media processing nodes co-located in Points of Presence (POPs) for Internet access. Each VMR also gives its users a rich set of conferencing and collaboration interaction hitherto not experienced by video conferencing users.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a radio frequency circuit that operates on a radio frequency signal and a digital processing circuit coupled to the radio frequency circuit. The digital processing circuit includes a plurality of bus masters coupled to a shared bus. A bus arbiter is provided for arbitrating between requests to access the bus by a first bus master and one or more other bus masters. Accesses by the one or more other bus masters to the bus are restricted in response to a signal indicative of a change in a mode of operation of the RF circuit. In one particular implementation, a communication apparatus employs time domain isolation wherein the digital processing circuit may be placed in a shutdown mode when the radio frequency circuit is active.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving data indicative of a personal position of an end user and receiving image data associated with an object. The image data can be captured by a first camera at a first angle and a second camera at a second angle. The method also includes synthesizing the image data in order to deliver a three-dimensional rendering of the object at a selected angle, which is based on the data indicative of the personal position of the end user. In more specific embodiments, the synthesizing is executed by a server configured to be coupled to a network. Video analytics can be used to determine the personal position of the end user. In other embodiments, the method includes determining an approximate time interval for the synthesizing of the image data and then delaying audio data based on the time interval.

Abstract: After a video conference is established, a video conferencing system receives a video stream from the participants of the video conference. One of the received video streams is transmitted to the conference participants (e.g. the video stream of the person currently speaking). The video conferencing system monitors a second one (or typically all) of the received video streams to determine if a designated video event (e.g. someone raising his hand) has occurred. If the designated video event has occurred, the video conferencing system switches or supplements the currently transmitted video stream to or with the second one of the received video streams that contains the designated video event. The second video stream is then transmitted to participants in the video conference. The switching of the video stream and the switching of the audio stream may be independent.

Abstract: Studio, studio system, studio configuration and calibration method for life-size videoconferencing include local conferee space and local transceiver for life-size videoconferencing. The transceiver includes optical input unit and optical output unit providing continuous duplex image transfer via a duplexer area of a screen configured to simultaneously transmit to local conferee space the image of remote conferee space including a remote studio, and reflect the image of local conferee space to the optical input unit, enabling visualizing to scale without aberrations image of the entire local conferee space to the remote conferee space; enabling a local party conferee to establish eye contact and register body movements of a remote party conferee. Images of physically separated conferee spaces are concatenated to an operational conference setting, enabling a remote conferee located anywhere in the remote space to establish eye contact with a conferee visible in the image of the second remote space.

Abstract: A method comprising rendering a video display signal comprising combining local illumination video objects from different sources into each frame of a plurality of frames, wherein the local illumination video objects are video objects on which chromatic adaptation was performed using an illumination reference common to all video objects. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to render a video display signal comprising combining local illumination video objects from different sources into each frame of a plurality of frames, wherein the local illumination video objects are video objects on which chromatic adaptation was performed using an illumination reference common to all video objects.

Abstract: A conference call system with a plurality of endpoints, a participant control server, a conference bridge and a switch is described. A first endpoint transmits conference data to the participant control server. The participant control server transmits the conference data to the other endpoints. In response to requests from the endpoint, the participant control server transmits recorded conference data for video, audio and web sessions that are individually controllable to pause, fast-forward and rewind the conference data. The participant control server establishes secondary connections for the endpoints including a ghost hold and a sidebar.

Abstract: A combined video display and image capture system and method are disclosed. In one embodiment the system alternates between the capture period of the camera (306) and the image display (302) period to isolate the camera (306) from the display (302). Various methods are disclosed to achieve the alternation in the capture and the display periods of the system. Distortions in the captured image can be corrected using an image correction subsystem.

Abstract: To provide a center device for accommodating a variety of situations which may occur when a home-use game machine, or the like, is used, in which a plurality of users use their own controller devices such as an input device. A center device communicates with a plurality of devices in either a wired or radio manner, receives an instruction operation from a user of each device, and carries out a process based on the instruction operation, the plurality of devices each having unique identifier, including: a unit that obtains an identifier of a device; a unit that provides information concerning the device, the identifier of the device is not associated with the identifier of the user; and a unit that associates the identifier of the device selected by the user, the identifier of the user is already associated with the identifier of another device, with the identifier of the user.

Abstract: A conference control device includes: a communication processing unit which performs transmission/reception processing of conference information containing voice information and image information between the conference control device and a plurality of video conference terminal devices through a network; an information collecting unit which collects information on connection paths between the conference control device and the respective video conference terminal devices; a grouping unit which sorts the plurality of video conference terminal devices into a plurality of groups based on information on the connection paths collected by the information collecting unit; a band monitoring unit which monitors a use band of the communication processing unit in accordance with every group; and a bandwidth control unit which is, when the group having the use band of less than a predetermined value is detected by the band monitoring unit, controls the bandwidth of the video conference terminal devices belonging to the gr

Abstract: A variable bandwidth communication system includes a first and a second communication station, coupled for continuous, bi-directional communication. The first communication station is capable of transmitting at a first and a second bandwidth, and is capable of receiving at a third and a fourth bandwidth. The second communication station is capable of receiving at the first and second bandwidth and is capable of transmitting at the third and fourth bandwidth. The transmitting bandwidth of each station is selectable by the user. The second bandwidth is greater than the first and the fourth bandwidth is greater than the third. Preferably, but not necessarily, the first and third bandwidth like the second and fourth bandwidth are about the same. The first communication system can display communication received at the fourth bandwidth at the first bandwidth, and the second communication system can display communications received at the second bandwidth at the third bandwidth.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving through a telephony user interface from a user at the telephony user interface an indication of a first direction of a sound source along a first axis with respect to the user and a second direction of the sound source along a second axis with respect to the user. The first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. The method further involves communicating the indication of the first direction and the second direction to enable audio communication of sound originating at the sound source to the user as if coming from the first direction and the second direction with respect to the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving registration messages at a call control agent device via first unicast transmissions from at least three video conference terminals. The registration messages request set up of a video conference between the at least three video conference terminals. The computer-implemented method includes sending a set up message from the call control agent device to each of the at least three conference terminals via second unicast transmissions. The set up message includes at least an identification of a multicast control group, a send multicast group of each of the at least three conference terminals, and a default receive multicast group. In response to the set up message, one or more of the at least three video conference terminals join the default receive multicast group.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image pickup apparatus 100 including a sound obtaining section 6 to obtain a sound emitted from the main subject and a central control section 71 to specify an image region of the main subject based on the sound obtained by the sound obtaining section 6 in order to specify the image region of the main subject from an obtained image.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for adjusting one or more video parameters of a video communication session based on a type of use for the video communication session. At least one method includes detecting a use for a certain video communication session and applying a profile of video parameters to the session based on the use. The method further includes detecting a network constraint and adjusting one or more of the video parameters based on the network constraint.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a system for implementing a video call are provided. The method includes: when a video call initiated by a calling party is received, performing media negotiation with the calling party and initiating the video call to a called party; and after the called party makes a response, performing media negotiation with the called party and completing establishment of a video voice channel between the calling party and the called party; and when an indication of the calling party and/or the called party is received, processing a video according to the indication. With the method, device, or system of the present invention, the calling and called users can change video contents viewed by the other party or by himself/herself, which provides the capability of actively controlling the video contents for the calling and called users that conduct a video call and improves the users' interactive capability during the video call.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a visual-collaborative systems and methods enabling geographically distributed groups to engage in face-to-face, interactive collaborative video conferences. In one aspect, a method for establishing a collaborative interaction between a local participant and one or more remote participants includes capturing images of the local participant in front of a display screen. The includes collecting depth information of the local participant located in front of the display screen and transmitting the images and depth information of the local participant to the one or more remote participants. The method also includes receiving images and depth information of the one or more remote participants and projecting the images of the one or more remote participants on the display screen based on the depth information of the remote participants.

Abstract: A method including creating a local view for a local endpoint, where the local view is created from a local topology for the local endpoint, where the local topology is created from a central topology, scanning for a request to change the local view for the local endpoint, and updating the local view for the local endpoint when the request to change the local view will not violate the local topology for the local endpoint and will not violate the central topology.

Abstract: An action analysis apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires moving image data including a series of frame image data obtained by imaging a human body and environmental information in a period when the moving image data is imaged, a unit that detects at least one image area in which a predetermined portion of the imaged human body is imaged in the frame image data and generates and stores information to identify the detected image area, a unit that (i) generates feature quantity information, (ii) generates information to identify frames of the moving image data imaged at a timing at which the feature quantity information satisfies a predetermined condition, (iii) obtains a length of continuous timings at which a length of the feature quantity information exceeds the predetermined condition based on to generated information, and (iv) stores the information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing a video image sent from a first terminal of a video-telephony system to a second terminal of the video-telephony system during a video telephony call. An image style is selected at the first terminal and a description of the image style is transmitted from the first terminal to the second terminal. A sequence of video images transmitted from the first terminal to the second terminal is modified by a style generator at the second terminal in accordance with description of the image style before being displayed at the second terminal. The first terminal includes a user interface that controls a style selector to produce the style description that defines the properties or the style such as a cropping region, a border style, an image filter, a background and an animation.

Abstract: In order to prevent leakage of confidential data, a meeting system includes a MFP and a projector. The MFP includes a data obtaining portion to obtain data, a participant information obtaining portion to obtain user identification information as participant information, an access permission determination portion and an output permission determination portion to determine whether or not a user identified by the participant information can access the obtained data, to determine that the obtained data can be output if the determination result shows that all the meeting participants can access the obtained data, and to determine that the obtained data cannot be output if any one of the meeting participants cannot access the obtained data, and an output portion to output data on condition that it is determined by the output permission determination portion that data can be output. The display device displays an image based on the data output from the data processing apparatus.

Abstract: One conferencing system allows conference participants to share all or a portion of the display seen on their computer screens. The conferees may be at sites removed from each other, or may view a recorded presentation or archived conference at different times. Conference participants are either “presenters” who can modify the display or “attendees” who cannot modify the display. A pointer icon, which can be labeled to identify the conferee, is displayed on the shared image area. Each conferee can modify the position of his or her own pointer, even when not presenting, so that every participant can see what each conferee is pointing to, should a conferee choose to point to an element of the display. These and other features apply to other data streams shared in the conference or in meetings where there is no shared-image data stream.

Abstract: A calling method for the video phone, includes: playing a Multimedia Ring Back Tone for a calling terminal via a first bearer of video phone established between a Multimedia Ring Back Tone server and the calling terminal; establishing a second bearer of video phone between a called terminal and the Multimedia Ring Back Tone server upon detecting that the called terminal answers the call; and performing a video phone communication between the calling terminal and the called terminal via the first bearer and the second bearer established. Another calling method for the video phone, comprises: playing a Multimedia Ring Back Tone for the calling terminal by the Multimedia Ring Back Tone server via a third bearer of video phone established with the calling terminal; establishing a fourth bearer of video phone between the calling terminal and the called terminal, and performing the video phone communication between the calling terminal and the called terminal via the fourth bearer.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies for tracking a face with a plurality of cameras wherein a geometry between the cameras is initially unknown. One disclosed method includes detecting a head with two of the cameras and registering a head model with the image of the head (as detected by one of the cameras). The method also includes back projecting the other detected face image to the head model and determining a head pose from the back-projected head image. Furthermore, the determined geometry is used to track the face with at least one of the cameras.

Abstract: There is provided a interactive IPTV broadcasting service system of user participation, the system including: a broadcast controller reserving time of IPTV broadcast channels to perform an IPTV broadcast according to the reserved time, notifying user participation to accept the user participation during the broadcasting service, and controlling so that video of the user making a request for participation in broadcasting is included in video of the broadcast in progress, and then broadcast, a plurality of clients each notifying the broadcast controller of the request of the corresponding user when the participation in broadcasting is requested according to a selection of the IPTV broadcasting user and generating video and audio traffic of the corresponding user, and a media server relaying the users' participation in broadcasting between the broadcast controller and the clients, and receiving and mixing video and audio traffic of a broadcaster and the video and audio traffic of each of the users making the req

Abstract: Techniques to stitch together multiple video streams are described. In an embodiment, a technique may include receiving a plurality of video streams from a plurality of video sources in a room. The video streams may be analyzed for feature points, such as furniture, light fixtures, window frames and so forth. The video streams may be processed to make the video qualities of the video streams, such as scale, color, brightness and so forth, more consistent with each other. Using the feature points, the processed video streams may be stitched together to generate a unified stream. The unified stream may be output to a display in the room and/or to remote viewers. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of measuring video latency between a sender and a receiver in a video conference system is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes initiating an electrical signal from a first location in a video conference system, transmitting the electrical signal through the video components of the video conference system, reflecting the electrical signal back through the video components of the video conference system and measuring the latency of the electrical signal at the first location related to the transmission and reflection of the electrical signal.

Abstract: In an image information storage device, a registration information storage unit stores registration information while associating it with first image data stored in an image data storage unit, while storing registration information for area information representing one of areas set in a drawing area of first image data stored in the image data storage unit. When an input specifying an area represented by area information is made while an image represented by first image data stored in the image data storage unit is displayed on a display screen, a search unit searches for second image data associated with registration information that has been associated with the area information in the registration information storage unit. An output control unit controls output of image/information to the display screen while outputting an image represented by the second image data search by the search unit to the display screen.

Abstract: Videoconferencing images captured by a video camera in suboptimal lighting conditions are enhanced by analyzing light associated with a portion of the video camera field of view and applying that analysis for white balance of the entire field of view. For example, the face or silhouette of a videoconference participant is detected within the camera field of view so that light within a perimeter of the face or silhouette is analyzed to determine a white balance correction for application to the entire field of view. To reduce the impact of the white balance correction factor based upon the area within a silhouette participant, the image outside the perimeter may be subdued, such as with blurring or dimming.

Abstract: A system using an in-vehicle camera mounted on a vehicle for an image pickup object of the face of the driver, for: continuously taking an image of the image pickup object; performing manipulation, such as enlargement of an area including the image pickup object with a reference point being the center, for a second image based on image pickup after a first image, on the basis of the range of the image pickup object detected from the first image, the width of the facial contour of the driver, for example, and also a reference point such as the center of the face to be decided based on the location of the eyes and nose of the driver; and performing image processing, such as detection of the range of the image pickup object and decision of the reference point, for the manipulated second image.

Abstract: A distributed system for distributing conferencing data such as video, audio, and other conference data. The distributed system includes a conference data dispatch system, multiple conference participant computing systems, and a network distribution path through which conference data may be distributed from the conference data dispatch system to the various conference participant computing systems. The conference data is segmented. Each segment is encoded to be suitable to a particular class of participant computing systems. The encoded segments may be cached in an intermediary computing system to thereby avoid a strict unicast model for distributing conference data.

Abstract: A TV with Internet communication capability includes a built-in microphone and video camera. Signals from the microphone and video camera are processed by an IP phone module in the TV, multiplexed together, and sent over the Internet to one or more user-selected addresses. Incoming videoconferencing signals are demultiplexed and presented on the TV display and speaker.

Abstract: A method equalizing video signals transmitted across a network is provided. The method can include introducing one or more captured video signals across a network via a plurality of conferencing devices. The conferencing devices can include a video display device adapted to display a received video signal, and a video capture device adapted to provide a captured video signal. One or more modules can be disposed in, on, or about the network, the video display device, the video capture device, or any combination thereof. One or more parameters of the video signals transmitted across the network can be modified via the one or more modules such that the one or more modified display parameters of all or a portion of the video signals transmitted across the network fall within a predetermined parameter range.

Abstract: A communication device is operable to construct one or more image sequences that correspond to voice information, where the image sequences simulate video streaming via the communication device. The image sequences are synchronized with the voice information during active video based connection via the communication device. The image sequences are generated and/or retrieved within the communication device, and/or retrieved from an external source. At least some of the images may be generated via a secondary device that is communicatively coupled with the communication device. The generated images are stored within the secondary device and/or are stored in a dedicated video support server. The secondary device is operable to communicate the images directly during communication with the communication device and/or to communication information that enable retrieving and/or constructing the image sequences. Alternatively, the communication device is operable to generate the image sequences independently.

Abstract: A low complexity block-based, no-reference objective blockiness metric is provided that may be combined with other artifact metrics to measure overall quality of received video stream in a video conferencing application such that measures can be taken at the transmitter or in post-processing to enhance video quality. Prior knowledge of the blockiness boundaries may be used to reduce number of computations in determining the blockiness of a particular video frame.

Abstract: A method for preventing movement in a telepresence system, includes a plurality of cameras. Each camera has a respective field of vision for viewing one or more users. The fields of vision each have lateral boundaries. The system also includes a plurality of restrictive elements. Each restrictive element is positioned along a respective lateral boundary of a field of vision of the fields of vision of the plurality of cameras such that viewed users each positioned within a field of vision of the plurality of cameras are restricted by the plurality of restrictive elements from moving outside of the field of vision in which each viewed user is positioned.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for improving the audio quality during a in a living-room type of environment having multimedia equipment. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the audio signals emanating from various speakers are modified/altered, so as to capture audio signals with the highest signal to noise ratio. One situation where embodiments of the present invention are usable is in the context of a video/audio call. Since the positions of the microphone and speakers are generally fixed, in some embodiments, the speaker outputs are controlled/modified to provide an improved signal-to-noise ratio. In accordance with one embodiment, the audio emanating from the central speaker is subdued or eliminated to reduce significantly the problems that occur due to the audio from the center speaker being captured by the microphone, which is typically in close proximity to the center speaker. The audio may be provided to the speakers by various ways, such as HDMI, RCA, and so on.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an architecture for establishing multi-participant video conferences. This architecture has a central distributor that receives video images from two or more participants. From the received images, the central distributor generates composite images that the central distributor transmits back to the participants. Each composite image includes a set of sub images, where each sub image belongs to one participant. In some embodiments, the central distributor saves network bandwidth by removing each particular participant's image from the composite image that the central distributor sends to the particular participant. In some embodiments, images received from each participant are arranged in the composite in a non-interleaved manner. For instance, in some embodiments, the composite image includes at most one sub-image for each participant, and no two sub-images are interleaved.

Abstract: In a network system (1), in response to a user's operation on a video telephone (32) having no browser function, WEB data described in HTML is supplied from a WEB server (26) to a WEB browse server (4) by HTTP. The supplied WEB data is converted by the WEB browse server (4), for example, into dynamic image data in the MPEG format which can be displayed on the video telephone (32). Furthermore, the dynamic image data is distributed via a transmission path set between the WEB browse server (4) and the video telephone (32) by line switching to the video telephone (32) so as to be displayed. That is, in the network system (1), a user of the video telephone (32) having a dynamic image display function and an audio transmission function but no browser function can view a WEB image on the Internet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conference with multiple end points is provided. At the locations, multiple screens may be configured to display video from a portion of the multiple end points. Video from multiple locations is output onto the multiple screens, such as video streams from N different segments are output on N different screens. The video output may be determined based on a first dimension of the floor control algorithm. A push-to-talk input may then be received from a button. A video segment associated with the push-to-talk button is then determined and the video segment is output on one of the multiple screens in response to receiving the push-to-talk input. The push-to-talk input may be used by users that cannot actively participate in the first dimension of the floor control algorithm. For example, users using sign language cannot speak louder and thus by using the push to talk button or hand gestures can indicate their desire to be switched in as one of the displayed segments.

Abstract: A method for distributing media packets in a multipoint conference includes receiving a plurality of audio signals. Each of the plurality of audio signals includes audio packets, wherein one or more audio packets from each of the plurality of audio signals is coded with an audiometric, the audiometric including an acoustic measurement from a conference site. The method further includes, for each of the plurality of audio signals, extracting an audiometric from one or more audio packets and selecting an active audio signal based on the extracted audiometrics. In addition, the method includes determining a change in the active audio signal and in response to determining a change in the active audio signal, updating a media forwarding table, the media forwarding table including a directory for routing one or more of the plurality of audio signals. The method further includes distributing audio packets to one or more conference sites in accordance with the media forwarding table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conferencing dynamically determines composite image layout based on properties of received conferencing signals that include video signals and control signals. Video signals received from connected sites are processed to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite image layout and the composite video signal is transmitted to the connected sites. Upon a change in properties of one or more received video signals, the composite image layout may be redefined. The received video signals are processed according to the redefined composite image layout to provide a second composite video signal that is transmitted to the connected sites.

Abstract: A teleconference terminal apparatus includes: imaging field changing control means for carrying out control of an imaging field changing unit designed to change the position of the imaging field of an imaging unit; preset information managing means; image signal transmitting means for outputting and transmitting an image signal to another teleconference terminal apparatus; still image generating means for generating still image information based on an image signal obtained by the imaging unit; and transmitted image control means for controlling the image signal transmitting means to transmit an image signal based on an image signal obtained by the imaging unit during a first period in which the imaging field changing control means does not carry out position changing control, and controlling the image signal transmitting means to transmit, during a second period in which the position changing control is carried out, an image signal based on still image information generated by the still image generating means

Abstract: An approach that provides real-time communication integration between a virtual universe and an external source is described. In one embodiment, there is a real-time communication integration interface tool that provides real-time communication integration between a virtual universe and a communication device external to the virtual universe. In this embodiment, there is a communication request component configured to receive a request to initiate a communication between a first resident that is on-line in the virtual universe and a second resident that is logged out of the virtual universe via the communication device. A communication link component is configured to establish a communication link between the virtual universe and the communication device in response to receiving the request.

Abstract: Devices are able to identify other devices in a shared audio space (e.g., a room) by emitting a signal and receiving messages from other devices over a data connection indicating which of the other devices received the emitted signal. Devices that are determined to be in the same audio space can selectively mix audio in a teleconference to inhibit mixing of audio signals for devices that are determined to be in the same audio space.

Abstract: Techniques described herein describe a proxy used in an instant messaging system. The proxy, upon receiving an instant message (IM) from a first mobile device and addressed to a second mobile device, dynamically determines whether, and for how long to store the IM on a local proxy. Otherwise the IM is forwarded to a server.