Abstract: A method and system are provided for enabling voice communications via a messaging application. The method comprises enabling an instant messaging (IM) presence status option to be selected; and blocking an incoming voice communication when the presence status option has been selected. A method and system are also provided comprising displaying a first instant message in an instant messaging conversation user interface comprising call status information; and displaying updated call status information in the instant messaging conversation user interface after determining whether an call attempt has been successful.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for enabling voice communications via a messaging application. The method comprises enabling an instant messaging (IM) presence status option to be selected; and blocking an incoming voice communication when the presence status option has been selected. A method and system are also provided comprising displaying a first instant message in an instant messaging conversation user interface comprising call status information; and displaying updated call status information in the instant messaging conversation user interface after determining whether an call attempt has been successful.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) system receives a plurality of local 3D models of a part of a real-world environment, each having been generated by a different AR device when located in the real-world environment. The local 3D models are combined to generate a global 3D model, at least part of which is transmitted to a device remote from the real-world environment. The global 3D model represents a greater portion of the real-environment than any of the local 3D models individually. The AR system receives rendering data from the remote device, and transmits it to an AR device when the AR device is located in the real-world environment. Alternatively, the rendering data may be transmitted from the remote device to the AR device via a network directly. The rendering data is for use in rendering a virtual object at the AR device in the real-world environment.

Abstract: A user device comprises a network interface, a rendering module, and a scene modification module. The network interface is configured to receive a video signal from another device via a network. The rendering module is configured to control display apparatus of the user device to display a virtual element to a user of the user device, the virtual element comprising a video image derived from the video signal. The modification module is configured to generate rendering data for displaying a modified version of the virtual element at the other device. The modified version does not include said video image. The network interface is configured to transmit the rendering data to the other device via the network. Alternatively or in addition, the rendering data can be modified at the other device to the same end.

Abstract: A user device within a communication architecture, the user device comprising a session viewer configured to: receive at least one annotation object associated with a mixed reality/virtual reality session; determine a field of view position; and generate an image overlay based on the determined field of view position and at least one annotation object to display an indicator to guide a user of the user device to a representation of the annotation object.

Abstract: A user device within a communication architecture, the user device comprising an asynchronous session viewer configured to: receive asynchronous session data, the asynchronous session data comprising at least one image, camera pose data associated with the at least one image, and surface reconstruction data associated with the camera pose data; select a field of view position; and edit the asynchronous session data by adding/amending/deleting at least one annotation object based on the selected field of view.

Abstract: A user device within a communication architecture, the user device comprising an asynchronous session generator configured to: capture at least one image; determine camera pose data associated with the at least one image; capture surface reconstruction data, the surface reconstruction data being associated with the camera pose data; generate an asynchronous session comprising asynchronous session data, the asynchronous session data comprising the at least one image, the camera pose data, surface reconstruction data, and at least one annotation object wherein the asynchronous data is configured to be stored and retrieved at a later time.

Abstract: Augmented reality apparatus comprises stereoscopic display apparatus, a computer interface, and a rendering module. The stereoscopic display apparatus is arranged to provide to a user of the augmented reality apparatus a view of a real-world environment in which the user is located. The display apparatus is configured to generate a stereoscopic image that is visible to the user simultaneously with the real-world view. The computer interface is configured to receive from a network externally generated 3D model data of the real-world environment in which the user is located. The rendering module is configured to use the externally generated 3D model data to control the display apparatus to render a virtual element in a manner such that it is perceived by the user as a 3D element located at a desired location in the real-world environment.

Abstract: An unobtrusive tab is provided in a user interface (UI) used in communicating with a contact, for providing a notification of new information, and to enable access to the information or a representation of the information. The items provided in the information pane may also be selectable to enable further information to be displayed, e.g. an application related to or containing the selected item. Various data items can also be associated with items in the information pane in order to enable further content and information to be launched through selection of an item in the information pane. The information pane can be used as an alternative communication channel and portal for sending and receiving data items such as links, pictures, or other attachments to enable sharing between contacts without disrupting or cluttering a conversational exchange or consuming resources in a particular communication medium.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein SMS-only contacts are integrated into an IM environment. An IM contact list interface distinguishes between SMS and IM chats (and contacts), such that limitations and potential differential costs associated with the respective mediums can be identified. The system is also configured to route SMS messages into the IM contact list interface for later filtering and/or selection by the user. By providing SMS-specific categories with the IM contact list interface SMS integration operations such as routing of SMS messages can be controlled to avoid degrading the user's experience.

Abstract: A shutter and shutter operator are displayed adjacent to a boundary of an information display region on a display of a portable electronic device. The information display region displays first information. In a first state, the shutter operator indicates a first direction of movement of the shutter away from the boundary for the display of second information. In response to an input, the second information is displayed, and the shutter operator changes to indicate another direction of movement of the shutter towards the boundary for hiding the second information.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein SMS-only contacts are integrated into an IM environment. An IM contact list interface distinguishes between SMS and IM chats (and contacts), such that limitations and potential differential costs associated with the respective mediums can be identified. The system is also configured to route SMS messages into the IM contact list interface for later filtering and/or selection by the user. By providing SMS-specific categories with the IM contact list interface SMS integration operations such as routing of SMS messages can be controlled to avoid degrading the user's experience.

Abstract: In one example, a magnification display system may alert a user to event notifications that are presented outside the magnification area. The magnification display system may apply a magnification area with a magnification module to a section of a viewing area presented by a display. The magnification display system may receive an event notification outside the magnification area. The magnification display system may introduce a notification indication alerting a user to the event notification.

Abstract: A communication device provides a message composition interface. In the message composition interface, the communication device presents a maximum allowable remaining number of characters allowable for further entry in the message only when a character count of the number of character inputs received in the message is greater than or equal to a warning count value. The warning count value is less than a maximum allowable number of characters of the message.

Abstract: A method comprises determining that a personal message for an IM profile has been updated frequently according to at least one metric; providing an option to post subsequent personal messages in a blog; and after determining that the option has been selected, providing a user interface for entering and posting the subsequent personal messages in the blog. Another method comprises providing an option to follow a blog for a contact, the blog including a plurality of personal message updates for an IM profile of the contact; and after determining that the option has been selected, generating a social feed for the blog. Another method comprises determining that a predetermined number of contacts have selected to follow a blog associated with IM personal message updates for a mobile device; and providing an option to at least one of the mobile device and the contacts to participate in an IM group.

Abstract: The present specification provides a method, system and apparatus for posting data to a plurality of accounts at a plurality of remote servers. A display is controlled to generate a message region for receiving message data to be posted to at least a subset of the plurality of accounts. The display is controlled to generate icons, associated with the plurality of accounts, in a one-to-one relationship, the icons provided adjacent to the message region, each icon comprising: a first respective indicator of a respective account; a second respective indicator of a service associated with the account; and a respective picture. Icons are selected and the display is controlled to provide an indicator of selection at each of the selected icons. Message data is transmitted to each of the plurality of accounts associated with each of the icons which are selected via the communication subsystem.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein SMS-only contacts are integrated into an IM environment. An IM contact list interface distinguishes between SMS and IM chats (and contacts), such that limitations and potential differential costs associated with the respective mediums can be identified. The system is also configured to route SMS messages into the IM contact list interface for later filtering and/or selection by the user. By providing SMS-specific categories with the IM contact list interface SMS integration operations such as routing of SMS messages can be controlled to avoid degrading the user's experience.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein SMS-only contacts are integrated into an IM environment. An IM contact list interface distinguishes between SMS and IM chats (and contacts), such that limitations and potential differential costs associated with the respective mediums can be identified. The system is also configured to route SMS messages into the IM contact list interface for later filtering and/or selection by the user. By providing SMS-specific categories with the IM contact list interface SMS integration operations such as routing of SMS messages can be controlled to avoid degrading the user's experience.

Abstract: A method and system are provided which enable an alternative identifier to be used instead of a normally used identifier such as a personal identification number (PIN) in a peer-to-peer (P2P)-based system. The alternative identifier can be used to avoid divulging the normally used identifier and can be cancelled or de-activated at a later time or can be converted to the normally used identifier at a later point.

Abstract: A method comprises determining that a personal message for an IM profile has been updated frequently according to at least one metric; providing an option to post subsequent personal messages in a blog; and after determining that the option has been selected, providing a user interface for entering and posting the subsequent personal messages in the blog. Another method comprises providing an option to follow a blog for a contact, the blog including a plurality of personal message updates for an IM profile of the contact; and after determining that the option has been selected, generating a social feed for the blog. Another method comprises determining that a predetermined number of contacts have selected to follow a blog associated with IM personal message updates for a mobile device; and providing an option to at least one of the mobile device and the contacts to participate in an IM group.