Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for facilitating a connection between two users in a call by providing an “answering window” when a user calls. When a caller places a call to a callee, the call invitation may remain open for a window of time during which the caller remains available. The callee may opt to answer the call at any time during the window. During the window, the caller may be placed in a lobby and may share audio and/or video. Accepting the call during the answering window may place the callee in the lobby or may directly convert the interaction into an active call. The callee may request that the window can be altered, or may signal their intention to answer the call at a particular time.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to uses of face detection for modifying the background of a video. By detecting the portion of the video shot that corresponds to a face, it can also determined which portion of the shot do not correspond to the face (e.g., the background of the video). The thus-detected background may be replaced with a movie, event, or other material. Different types of materials may be targeted at different users based on user affinities or preferences. In some embodiments, a user may manually select and apply a background during a video call. When applying a custom background, the system can transmit a control signal and the background. The client recognizes the control signal and, in response, applies the background.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for connecting two users when a caller places a call but a callee rejects the call or fails to answer in a predetermined period of time. The calling application may terminate the call attempt and request status updates regarding the called party to determine when the callee is available for a follow-up call. The system may gain insight into when a user is available based on the user's presence in a messaging or social networking app, activity in a third-party application unrelated to the call, or the power status of the user's device. When it is determined that the callee is available, a notification may be sent to the caller informing the caller that it is a good time to call back. The techniques may also be used in reverse, informing the callee of when the caller is available for a return call.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for connecting two users when a caller places a call but a callee rejects the call or fails to answer in a predetermined period of time. The calling application may terminate the call attempt and request status updates regarding the called party to determine when the callee is available for a follow-up call. The system may gain insight into when a user is available based on the user's presence in a messaging or social networking app, activity in a third-party application unrelated to the call, or the power status of the user's device. When it is determined that the callee is available, a notification may be sent to the caller informing the caller that it is a good time to call back. The techniques may also be used in reverse, informing the callee of when the caller is available for a return call.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for selecting which users should be shown in an interface during a group call, and for presenting the users on (potentially small) displays. According to some embodiments, a most-relevant speaker is selected for display on each call participants' screen. When deciding which user to display in the primary window of a video call, a dominant or relevant user is selected. A dominant user may be selected based on the audio energy represented by the audio packets for the user's device; alternatively dominant user selection may be implemented using artificial intelligence or machine learning, allowing for better differentiation between speaking and noise. On each user's display that does not belong to the relevant user, the current relevant user is shown. On the current relevant user's display, the previous relevant user is shown.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to the creation of a media effect index for group video conversations. Media effect application (e.g., in the form of graphical overlays, filters, sounds, etc.) may be tracked in a timeline during a chat session. The resulting index may be used to create a highlights reel, which may serve as an index into a live show or may be used to determine the best time to insert materials into a recording of the conversation. The index may be used to automatically detect events in the video feed, to allow viewers to skip ahead to exciting moments (e.g., represented by clusters of applications of particular types of media effects), to determine where each participant spoke in a discussion, or to provide a common “watch together” experience while multiple users watch a common video. An analysis of the index may be used for research or consumer testing.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for displaying participants in an interface during a group call, and is particularly well-suited to use with small displays. A full-size call interface may be shrunk down into a chathead that makes good use of limited screen real estate, especially when being used on a mobile device. On the smaller chathead, the dominant user is shown, and a roster of users is shrunk and may exhibit reduced functionality. The chathead may be moved around the screen, and other applications may continue to run in the space not occupied by the chathead.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for sharing live video while maintaining an asynchronous copy of the video. According to some embodiments, a user begins to record video and shares the video with selected other users. If one of the other users opts to join the original user, the shared video upgrades to a live video conversation. If no one (or only some participants) joins the original user, the recorded video becomes an asynchronous artifact in the users' messaging history. In some embodiments, the live video may be recorded and shared in response to a first user initiating a video call with at least a second user, but receiving no answer. The first user begins to share a live video (which may become an asynchronous artifact). If the second user joins the call while the video is being recorded, the conversation may upgraded to a video conversation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes launching, by a client system of a first user, a video-call session; receiving, by the client system of the first user, a video stream including video captured at a client system of a second user; and displaying the video stream in a small-overlay-window on a display of the client system of the first user, wherein the small-overlay-window is positioned over an active application.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes sending an availability-notification a caller-user in response to an occurrence of a trigger event; establishing a call session to enable a media stream comprising media of the caller-user that is of a first type to be received by a callee-user; sending the media of the first media type to the callee-user; re-establishing the call session to enable a media stream comprising media of the callee-user that is of a second media type to be received by the caller-user; and sending the media of the second media type to the caller-user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining an occurrence of a trigger event; sending a notification to the caller-user; receiving a request from the caller-user to initiate the call session; establishing the call session to enable a media stream of the caller-user to be received by the callee-user; and sending the media stream to the callee-user.

Abstract: A method includes presenting a UI of a first application on a screen of a computing device and detecting a user input. For example, the detected user input may be an input tracing a continuous path on the screen of the computing device, and the path may include a first gesture extending from a first location to a second location on the screen followed by a second gesture extending from the second location to a third location on the screen. In response to detecting the first gesture, the computing device may display an interactive menu of the first application, the interactive menu comprising a plurality of menu options. In response to the detecting the second gesture, the computing device may identify one of the menu options. In response to detecting user input indicating completion of the second gesture, the computing device may determine the selection of the identified menu option.