Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for initiating game sessions between subscribers to online gaming services when account IDs of those subscribers are unknown. Such techniques permit a first user to select a second user with whom to play a game from information readily at hand, such as a contact manager that the first user maintains. The first user's device may send a resolution request message to an identity services server that includes contact information of the second user. Contact information may include network-based information regarding the second user, such as the user's e-mail address or phone number. The identity services server may resolve the contact into an account ID. Thereafter, a game launch request may be sent to the game server, which includes the account identifier resolved by the identity services server. An invitation message may be sent to a terminal of the second user to participate in the game and the game may be started.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for managing for visual prominence of participants in a video conference, including conferences where participants communicate visually, such as with sign language. According to these techniques, a visual prominence indication of a participant in a video conference may be estimated, a video stream of the participant may be encoded, and the encoded video stream may be transmitted along with an indication of the estimated visual prominence to a receiving device in the video conference.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for initiating game sessions between subscribers to online gaming services when account IDs of those subscribers are unknown. Such techniques permit a first user to select a second user with whom to play a game from information readily at hand, such as a contact manager that the first user maintains. The first user's device may send a resolution request message to an identity services server that includes contact information of the second user. Contact information may include network-based information regarding the second user, such as the user's e-mail address or phone number. The identity services server may resolve the contact into an account ID. Thereafter, a game launch request may be sent to the game server, which includes the account identifier resolved by the identity services server. An invitation message may be sent to a terminal of the second user to participate in the game and the game may be started.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for initiating game sessions between subscribers to online gaming services when account IDs of those subscribers are unknown. Such techniques permit a first user to select a second user with whom to play a game from information readily at hand, such as a contact manager that the first user maintains. The first user's device may send a resolution request message to an identity services server that includes contact information of the second user. Contact information may include network-based information regarding the second user, such as the user's e-mail address or phone number. The identity services server may resolve the contact into an account ID. Thereafter, a game launch request may be sent to the game server, which includes the account identifier resolved by the identity services server. An invitation message may be sent to a terminal of the second user to participate in the game and the game may be started.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for managing for visual prominence of participants in a video conference, including conferences where participants communicate visually, such as with sign language. According to these techniques, a visual prominence indication of a participant in a video conference may be estimated, a video stream of the participant may be encoded, and the encoded video stream may be transmitted along with an indication of the estimated visual prominence to a receiving device in the video conference.

Abstract: A method of sharing content rendered on a device, including executing an application which generates audiovisual content, retrieving the application's audiovisual content from a graphics memory, and transmitting the retrieved content to a destination device via a network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for initiating direct-connection multiplayer game sessions and for resuming a previously-adjourned multiplayer game session using a stored game object representing a state of the game session. In one exemplary method, a multiplayer gaming application may be executed on a first terminal, which may be associated with a first user. The first terminal may access a game object stored on a content management server that contains data representing a state of a previously adjourned session of the multiplayer gaming application. Further, the first terminal may determine, from the game object, a second terminal associated with a second user. The first terminal may host a session between the first terminal and the second terminal. Finally, an updated game object reflecting an updated state of the session may be stored on the content management system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for initiating direct-connection multiplayer game sessions and for resuming a previously-adjourned multiplayer game session using a stored game object representing a state of the game session. In one exemplary method, a multiplayer gaming application may be executed on a first terminal, which may be associated with a first user. The first terminal may access a game object stored on a content management server that contains data representing a state of a previously adjourned session of the multiplayer gaming application. Further, the first terminal may determine, from the game object, a second terminal associated with a second user. The first terminal may host a session between the first terminal and the second terminal. Finally, an updated game object reflecting an updated state of the session may be stored on the content management system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for initiating direct-connection multiplayer game sessions and for resuming a previously-adjourned multiplayer game session using a stored game object representing a state of the game session. In one exemplary method, a multiplayer gaming application may be executed on a first terminal, which may be associated with a first user. The first terminal may access a game object stored on a content management server that contains data representing a state of a previously adjourned session of the multiplayer gaming application. Further, the first terminal may determine, from the game object, a second terminal associated with a second user. The first terminal may host a session between the first terminal and the second terminal. Finally, an updated game object reflecting an updated state of the session may be stored on the content management system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for initiating direct-connection multiplayer game sessions and for resuming a previously-adjourned multiplayer game session using a stored game object representing a state of the game session. In one exemplary method, a multiplayer gaming application may be executed on a first terminal, which may be associated with a first user. The first terminal may access a game object stored on a content management server that contains data representing a state of a previously adjourned session of the multiplayer gaming application. Further, the first terminal may determine, from the game object, a second terminal associated with a second user. The first terminal may host a session between the first terminal and the second terminal. Finally, an updated game object reflecting an updated state of the session may be stored on the content management system.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for initiating game sessions between subscribers to online gaming services when account IDs of those subscribers are unknown. Such techniques permit a first user to select a second user with whom to play a game from information readily at hand, such as a contact manager that the first user maintains. The first user's device may send a resolution request message to an identity services server that includes contact information of the second user. Contact information may include network-based information regarding the second user, such as the user's e-mail address or phone number. The identity services server may resolve the contact into an account ID. Thereafter, a game launch request may be sent to the game server, which includes the account identifier resolved by the identity services server. An invitation message may be sent to a terminal of the second user to participate in the game and the game may be started.