Abstract: A system configured to host a teleconference session is disclosed. The system hosts a teleconference session between a plurality of client computing devices. The system provides transitions of displayed content between various positions of a user interface that displays a teleconference stream. The transitions can occur in response to an event that changes a state of the teleconference session, where the state of the teleconference session can be associated with a total number of users participating in the teleconference session. Accordingly, in various examples described herein, a change in state of the teleconference session can be attributed to an event in which a user joins the teleconference session or an event in which a user leaves the teleconference session.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a number of techniques for enhancing a user's experience when joining teleconference sessions with multiple devices. When a user attempts to join a teleconference session using the same user identity for multiple devices, a system differentiates the devices as a primary device and at least one companion device. The primary device has a first control set for controlling a teleconference session and the at least one companion device has a companion control set for sharing content. In some embodiments, the primary device also has one set of selected streams, e.g., a stage view, and the companion device has a subset of those streams or other streams based on an activity level. In addition, the present disclosure provides a number of techniques for enabling users to share content using the companion devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a number of techniques for enhancing a user's experience when joining teleconference sessions. When multiple users join a teleconference session using separate devices, a system identifies devices that are co-located. The co-located devices are identified by the use of a combination of data including, but not limited to social signals, audio signal and other location data. At least one device of the co-located devices, has a first control set for controlling a teleconference session and other devices of the co-located devices have a second control set for sharing content. The at least one device also has one set of streams and the other devices see a subset of those streams or other streams based on an activity level. In addition, the present disclosure provides a number of techniques for enabling users to use multiple devices to share content.

Abstract: Techniques for notification of a communication session in a different user experience are described. According to various implementations, a notification of an active communication session can be presented in a user experience that is not directly involved in the communication session. In at least some implementations, the session notification includes selectable functionality for enabling the particular user to join the communication session.

Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein enable participants of a teleconference session to access the functionality of a number of task-related program modules while maintaining engagement with aspects of a teleconference session within a single user interface. For example, a session participant can access files, various chat discussions, various channels, calendars, emails, an operating system desktop, and other functionality of a computing device while viewing one or more video streams of a teleconference session within a unified graphical user interface. The session participant can maintain engagement with both audio and video capabilities while performing tasks, including but not limited to, selecting, viewing, and modifying content data.

Abstract: A system hosting a telecommunications session is disclosed. The system hosts a telecommunication session between a plurality of client computing devices. The session includes a number of phases, including a first phase, a second phase and a third phase. The first phase is associated with a graphical arrangement showing a number of video streams, and the second phase is associated with a graphical arrangement showing a reduced number of video streams to bring focus to salient actions or material. A third phase provides summary data for enabling users to view and edit material related to the meeting, including salient portions of video streams and other forms of content.

Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein provide coordinated display transitions of renderings of content and people that are moved between display areas of a user interface to bring emphasis to salient activity of a teleconference session. For example, as renderings of people or content shift from one section of a UI to another, the movement is performed in a guiding manner that enables participants of a teleconference session to follow the relevant action of a session. The movement is also performed in a manner that is natural, fluid, and delightful to users. The coordination of moving elements may emphasize the movement of a first rendering of people or content and deemphasize other types of activity. In addition, one or more graphical displays can involve the use of an easing curve and parallax animation techniques to emphasize or deemphasize select renderings of people or content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing communication between participants of a shared user event, in which inputs from participants of the event cause a representation of the event at a user terminal to be updated. A time period is defined, from detection of a first input, during which subsequent inputs are collated, and the representation is updated at the end of the time period to take into account a combination of all the detected inputs. Inputs and corresponding updates may be grouped together by type, and different types may be processed independently, with independent time periods, possibly running in parallel.

Abstract: In one or more implementations, a first video stream of multiple video streams is displayed at a display of a first user device. A reaction that matches an expected reaction of multiple expected reactions is detected in a second video stream of the multiple video streams. If the reaction matches one of the multiple expected reactions, the detected reaction of the second video stream is displayed at a first area of the display of the first user device. In some cases, the second video stream replaces the first video stream which was previously displayed at the first area of the display. Alternately or additionally, the second video stream is moved from being displayed at a second area of the display to the first area of the display.

Abstract: A method of monitoring shared user event at a user terminal, including identifying one or more shared user events of which the user of the terminal is not a participant and obtaining information about the content and/or participants of said shared user event without becoming a participant of the shared user event. Based on said obtained information a display is caused to render at least one portal object representing said shared experience, the portal object providing a view of the content and/or participants of said shared experience.

Abstract: A method for communicating a user expression in a shared media event, such as a live videoconference. A user expression can be input by way of a graphic such as an emoticon or other symbol, and a time period is associated with the symbol or expression. The symbol is then displayed to other participants for the associated time period, while other real time media continues to be exchanged uninterrupted.

Abstract: A communication method comprising receiving input from a participant of a communication event and obtaining an activity metric of said at least one participant in a communication event based on received inputs. A visual theme is varied dynamically in dependence upon the activity metric, to provide a visual indication of the activity of said participant.

Abstract: A system configured to host a teleconference session is disclosed. The system hosts a teleconference session between a plurality of client computing devices. The system provides transitions of displayed content between various positions of a user interface that displays a teleconference stream. The transitions can occur in response to an event that changes a state of the teleconference session, where the state of the teleconference session can be associated with a total number of users participating in the teleconference session. Accordingly, in various examples described herein, a change in state of the teleconference session can be attributed to an event in which a user joins the teleconference session or an event in which a user leaves the teleconference session.

Abstract: In a communication event between a first user and one or more second users via a communication network, a plurality of video streams is received via the network. Each of the streams carries a moving image of at least one respective user. The moving image of a first of the video streams is displayed at a user device of the first user for a first time interval. In the moving image of a second of the video streams that is not displayed at the user device in the first time interval, a human feature of the respective user is identified. A movement of the identified human feature during the first time interval that matches one of a plurality of expected movements is detected. In response to the detected movement, at least the moving image of the second video stream is displayed at the user device for a second time interval.

Abstract: In a communication event between a first user and one or more second users via a communication network. A plurality of video streams is received via the network at a computer connected to the network. Each of the streams carries a respective moving image of at least one respective user. The computer causes the respective moving image of a first of the video streams to be displayed at a user device of the first user for a first time interval. The computer detects, in the respective moving image of a second of the video streams that is not displayed at the user device in the first time interval, a change in the visual content thereof In response to detecting said change in the visual content, the computer causes at least the second video stream to be displayed at the user device for a second time interval.