Abstract: A deformable electronic device includes a flexible display supported by a deformable housing comprising a plurality of linkage members and one or more magnet magnetometer pairs. Each magnet magnetometer pair includes a magnetometer situated in a linkage member of the plurality of linkage members and at least one corresponding magnet situated in another linkage member of the plurality of linkage members that is adjacent to the linkage member among the plurality of linkage members. One or more processors operable with one or more magnetometers of the one or more magnet magnetometer pairs are configured to identify a deformed shape of the deformable electronic device from signals received from the one or more magnetometers.

Abstract: An electronic device enables techniques for ambience style adaptation of different portions of an adaptive display device in a surface support configuration. The device includes a flexible electronic display, that is mounted in a flexible enclosure that enables the display to be bent into a configuration for use in a surface support configuration, such as standing on a desk or table. The device further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the electronic display, and which obtains context data from one or more data sources, wherein the context data is associated with one or more of a user and an environment surrounding the electronic device, and determines a device context. Based on the device context, a customization display theme for the electronic device is loaded, and the customization display theme is presented on the display of the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device enables techniques for user style adaptation of different portions of an adaptive display device in a wearable configuration. The device includes a flexible electronic display, that is mounted in a flexible enclosure that enables the display to be bent into a configuration for use as a wearable device. The device further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the electronic display, and which identifies a context associated with a user of the electronic device, while the electronic device is being worn by the user. Based on the context, the electronic device loads and presents a customization display theme on at least an outward facing portion of the display.

Abstract: A communication device, a method, and a computer program product provide virtual action centers superimposed over secondary segments of a video image preview on a display during video capture for a video communication session. The method includes receiving a local video stream comprising video images, identifying a primary region of interest (ROI) within a video image, and delineating the video image into a primary segment that encompasses the primary ROI and at least a secondary segment. The method includes associating a virtual interface with a location of the secondary segment in the video image, the virtual interface presenting at least one feature that can be selected via one of air gestures and screen touches during presentation of the primary segment of the video image preview. A preview of the delineated segments of the video image presents at least the primary segment and the virtual interface visible within the display device.

Abstract: An electronic device, a method, and a computer program product provides freeze frame videos in place of a live video feed to a video communication session. A processor of the electronic device determines that a local participant is connected via the electronic device to an ongoing video communication session with second participants having corresponding second participant devices. The processor captures, via an image capturing device, local video encompassing the local participant. The processor determines a video segment of the local video to identify as a freeze frame video. The processor presents the freeze frame video to the video communication session in response to a trigger condition that pauses a presentation of live video feed of the local participant to the video communication session. The processor loops the presentation of the freeze frame video until an expiration of a threshold maximum time established for presenting the freeze frame video.

Abstract: An electronic system, a method, and a computer program product generate a video recording or stream with a spherical background image that maintains orientation like a natural background for a video call as an image capturing device changes location or aim direction. The method includes connecting, by a communication subsystem of an electronic system, over a network to a video communication session with second electronic device(s). The method includes determining a stationary orientation of a spherical background image in a virtual space geospatially aligned with a first physical location of the electronic system. The method includes extracting a foreground image from an image stream from image capturing device(s). The method includes generating a composite image stream of the foreground image superimposed on the spherical background image. The method includes communicating the composite image stream to second electronic system(s) that participate in a video communication session.

Abstract: A method provides non-mirrored preview of text-based demonstration objects in a locally captured video stream. The method includes identifying a demonstration object within the video stream. The demonstration object contains content that is best when pre-viewed in a non-mirrored orientation. The method includes spatially segmenting the video image into two or more segments, including a demonstration object preview (DOP) segment that encompasses the defined area with the demonstration object and at least one second segment encompassing a remaining portion of the video image. The method includes presenting a preview of the video image on the display device with the remaining portion of the video image mirrored within the preview and at least the DOP segment presented without mirroring in a correct spatial location relative to the remaining portion of the video image. A person presenting the demonstration object receives a non-mirrored presentation preview of the demonstration object.

Abstract: An electronic system, a method, and a computer program product generate a video recording or stream with spherical background effects for video generation with automatic gesture-control background positioning for a spatially constrained user. The method includes extracting a foreground image from an image stream of the field of view captured by the image capturing device. The method includes generating a composite image stream of the foreground image superimposed on the spherical background image. The method includes identifying, within the image stream, that the foreground image is in a physically constrained space defined by physical constraint(s) around at least a portion of a background of the foreground image. In response to identifying that the foreground image is in a physically constrained space, the method includes activating a gesture-controlled background repositioning feature of the electronic system to automatically rotate a spherical background image based on receipt of a gesture control input.

Abstract: An apparatus for autonomous form factor control of a foldable mobile device includes a processor that determines a current form factor of the foldable mobile device and senses a forward motion or a backward motion of a subject within a field of view of a camera of the device. In response to forward motion of a user, the processor raises a pointing elevation angle of the camera to maintaining the user within the field of view by autonomously controlling the hinge angle between the first device housing and the second device housing of the foldable mobile device and in response to backward motion the processor lowers the pointing elevation angle by autonomously using shape memory actuators to control the hinge angle in the direction determined based on the form factor.

Abstract: An electronic system, a method, and a computer program product generate an image stream with spherical background effects for multiple participants presented in a shared virtual venue during a video call. The method includes generating a composite image stream of the first foreground image superimposed at a first assigned location and a second foreground image superimposed at a second assigned location on a spherical background image. The method includes communicating the composite image stream to first and second electronic devices oriented to respective first and second vantage points associated with the first and second assigned locations of a virtual venue presented within the spherical background image. The method includes rotating the spherical background image relative to the first and the second vantage point presented to a respective display device of the first and the second electronic devices in relation to movement of a corresponding first participant and second participant.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method are provided that prompt a person who is participating in a video communication session with at least one second electronic device to gaze toward a local image capturing device. A controller of the electronic devices receives an image stream from an image capturing device having a field of view that incorporates a person that is proximate to the display device. The controller communicates the image stream to a video communication session. In response to a trigger that indicates that the first image stream is being presented as a primary image stream by the at least one second electronic device, the controller presents a prompt indicating that the participant should gaze toward the image capturing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for autonomous form factor control of a foldable mobile device includes a processor that determines a current form factor of the foldable mobile device and senses a forward motion or a backward motion of a subject within a field of view of a camera of the device. In response to forward motion of a user, the processor raises a pointing elevation angle of the camera to maintaining the user within the field of view by autonomously controlling the hinge angle between the first device housing and the second device housing of the foldable mobile device and in response to backward motion the processor lowers the pointing elevation angle by autonomously using shape memory actuators to control the hinge angle in the direction determined based on the form factor.

Abstract: An electronic system, a method, and a computer program product generate a video recording or stream with a spherical background image that maintains orientation like a natural background as an image capturing device changes location or aim direction. The method includes determining a stationary orientation of a spherical background image in a virtual space geospatially aligned with a first physical location of an image capturing device. The method includes extracting a foreground image from an image stream of the field of view captured by the image capturing device. The method includes generating a composite image stream of a foreground image, which is extracted from an image stream from the image capturing device, superimposed on the spherical background image. In response to movement, the method includes updating a virtual orientation and/or a virtual location of the spherical background image to remain geospatially aligned with the first physical location.

Abstract: A communication device, a method, and a computer program product modifies visual characteristics of live videos to enable non-disruptive transition from presenting a freeze frame video to a video communication session. While presenting the freeze frame video, the device captures live video including the participant and current background. The device detects a change in at least one visual characteristic of the live video that can present a visual distraction to other participants of the video communication session while transitioning from presenting the freeze frame video to the video communication session. In response to detecting the change: the device modifies aspects of the live video to provide a modified live video that retains the at least one visual characteristic consistent with the freeze frame video. The device presents the modified live video to the video communication session on transition from presenting the freeze frame video to presenting live video.

Abstract: A method provides non-disruptive transition from a freeze frame video back to a live video feed from a first communication device connected via a server device to a video communication session with other participants. The method includes presenting, by the server device, a freeze frame video including an image of a participant with a background. The method includes receiving live video of a field of view of an image capturing device of the first communication device, and detecting a change in a visual characteristic of the live video that can present a visual distraction to other participants. The method includes, in response to detecting the change: modifying aspects of the live video to provide a modified live video that retains the visual characteristic consistent with the freeze frame video; and presenting the modified live video to the video communication session on transition from freeze frame video to live video.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques that provide a “best” picture taken within a few seconds of the moment when a capture command is received (e.g., when the “shutter” button is pressed). In some situations, several still images are automatically (that is, without the user's input) captured. These images are compared to find a “best” image that is presented to the photographer for consideration. Video is also captured automatically and analyzed to see if there is an action scene or other motion content around the time of the capture command. If the analysis reveals anything interesting, then the video clip is presented to the photographer. The video clip may be cropped to match the still-capture scene and to remove transitory parts. Higher-precision horizon detection may be provided based on motion analysis and on pixel-data analysis.

Abstract: A support device, an electronic system of an electronic device on the support device, and a method provide subject tracking up to 360°. A movable subject is identified within an image stream received from an image capturing device (ICD) of an electronic device that is positioned on a docking structure of a support device. The docking structure is received for rotation on a base of the support device. In response to determining that the movable subject is moving in either a first direction or an opposite second direction within the image stream. The electronic device transmits a rotation command indicating the first or the second direction to prompt the support device to trigger a rotation actuator of the support device to rotate the docking structure in a corresponding first or second rotation direction, enabling the electronic device to maintain the movable subject within a field of view of the ICD.

Abstract: A communication device provides subject-based segmentation and selective presentation of a video feed. A processor identifies a primary subject and a secondary subject within a captured video stream. The processor delineates the video stream into a primary segment and at least one secondary segment respectively encompassing the primary and secondary subjects. The processor identifies for each connected second device, a request type from among: (i) a first request type to only receive the primary segment; (ii) a second request type to receive the primary segment and secondary segment(s); and (iii) a third request type to receive secondary segments, but not the primary segment. The processor transmits, to each second device, specific segments of the video feed based on the request type associated with each respective second device. An accessibility setting enables a second device to selectively receive video segments of a sign language interpreter along with a main presenter.

Abstract: An electronic device, a method, and a computer program product provide vibrating the electronic device for bidirectional tracking of a subject identified within a field of view of an image capturing device. In response to determining that the subject is moving in a first direction, a controller of the electronic device triggers vibratory component(s) to vibrate in a first mode that results in rotating in the first direction to maintain the movable subject within a field of view of the image capturing device. In response to determining that the subject is moving in an opposite second direction, the controller triggers the vibratory component(s) to vibrate in a second mode that results in the housing rotating in the second direction to maintain the movable subject within the field of view.

Abstract: An electronic device incorporates, and a method and a computer program product provide automatic selection of an image capturing device during video communication session to encompass a local participant. A network interface(s) of the electronic device communicatively connects over a network second electronic device(s). A controller of the electronic device monitors a first image capturing device having a first field of view (FOV) and that produces first image content and a second image capturing device having a second FOV that differs from the first FOV and that produces second image content. In response to a trigger event to start providing image content to the video communication session, the controller determines which one of the first FOV and the second FOV encompasses the local participant in the video communication session and communicates a corresponding one of the first image content and the second image content to the video communication session.