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 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: 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 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: An electronic device, a method, and a computer program product provides freeze frame videos in place of a live video feed or a low-quality video feed to a video communication session. The electronic device hosts the video communication session between a first participant device and second participant devices. The electronic device receives, from the first participant device, a first video feed of a first participant to the video communication session. The electronic device determines a video segment of the received first video feed to identify as the first freeze frame video, generates the first freeze frame video from the video segment, and stores the first freeze frame video within a server repository. In response to a trigger condition, the electronic device temporarily presents to the video communication session the first freeze frame video in place of the first video feed as video content from the first participant device.

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: 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: Techniques for selective video conference segmentation are described and are implementable in a video conference setting. The described implementations enable control over segments of video content that are viewable by a given participant in a video conference. For instance, segments of video content are generated that represent spatial portions of video content captured by a host device. The segments can be configured in a variety of ways for inclusion in one or more video streams. The video streams can be communicated to different participants within the video conference, for instance based on a status of a given participant, thus providing different fields of view to different participants.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method are provided that prompt a person who is participating in a video communication session to gaze toward a local image capturing device. A controller of the electronic devices receives an image stream from an image capturing device configured to be spaced away from a display device and 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. The controller receives second image stream(s) from second communication device(s) and presents the second image stream(s) at a display device. 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 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: A method provides concurrent transmission of a virtual action center with a primary segment cropped from a video image, enabling remote participant control of aspects of the primary segment. The method includes identifying a primary region of interest (ROI) within a video image and delineating the video image into a primary segment encompassing the primary ROI and a secondary segment. The method includes associating a virtual action center within a location of the secondary segment and assigning control features of the virtual action center to the second device connected via a video communication session. The method includes transmitting the primary segment and concurrently transmitting the features/functions of the virtual action center to the second device, enabling the second device to concurrently present, on its display, the primary segment and the virtual action center as portions of a received video stream, providing second device control of content within the primary segment.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method are provided that autonomously switch between first and second image streams of two image capturing devices during a video communication session, reducing data transmission and display size requirements for recipients. A controller of the electronic device identifies a person in the first image stream and identifies a writing surface in the second image stream. In response to determining that the person is not attending to the writing surface, the controller communicates, to at second electronic device(s) during the video communication session, at least a first portion of the first image stream that focusses on a face of the person. In response to determining that the person is attending to the writing surface, the controller communicates at least a second portion of the second image stream that focusses on the writing surface.

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: 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: 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: Techniques for selective video conference segmentation are described and are implementable in a video conference setting. The described implementations enable control over segments of video content that are viewable by a given participant in a video conference. For instance, segments of video content are generated that represent spatial portions of video content captured by a host device. The segments can be configured in a variety of ways for inclusion in one or more video streams. The video streams can be communicated to different participants within the video conference, for instance based on a status of a given participant, thus providing different fields of view to different participants.

Abstract: Techniques for selective video conference segmentation are described and are implementable in a video conference setting. The described implementations enable control over segments of video content that are viewable by a given participant in a video conference. For instance, segments of video content are generated that represent spatial portions of video content captured by a host device. The segments can be configured in a variety of ways for inclusion in one or more video streams. The video streams can be communicated to different participants within the video conference, for instance based on a status of a given participant, thus providing different fields of view to different participants.

Abstract: A method allows a receiving device to control aspects of an image stream transmitting (IST) device. The method includes receiving a segmented video stream from the IST device during a video communication session. The segmented video stream includes a primary segment and a secondary segment presenting a virtual control interface. The method includes presenting, on a display device, a control enabling view of the segmented video stream and monitoring for movement, captured by at least one image capturing device, that is indicative of the input occurring within a spatial location proximate to the selectable feature. The method includes in response to detecting the input, identifying a function associated with the selectable feature and activating the function to affect one or more characteristics of a video image presented within the primary segment.

Abstract: A method allows a receiving device to control aspects of an image stream transmitting (IST) device. The method includes receiving a segmented video stream from the IST device during a video communication session. The segmented video stream includes a primary segment and a secondary segment presenting a virtual control interface. The method includes presenting, on a display device, a control enabling view of the segmented video stream and monitoring for movement, captured by at least one image capturing device, that is indicative of the input occurring within a spatial location proximate to the selectable feature. The method includes in response to detecting the input, identifying a function associated with the selectable feature and activating the function to affect one or more characteristics of a video image presented within the primary segment.

Abstract: A method in an electronic device includes detecting the electronic device being electronically in communication with another electronic device while an image capture device of the electronic device captures one or more images from an environment of the electronic device. One or more processors determine one or more content input parameters requested by the content presentation companion device that differ from at least one content output parameter of the image capture device. The one or more processors alter the one or more images to create one or more altered images meeting the one or more content input parameters required for the presentation on the content presentation companion device.