Abstract: A device including a processor and a memory, in which the memory includes executable instructions for detecting that a first user has invited a second user to a communication session, wherein the first user is associated with a first user account registered to a first domain platform and the second user is not associated with any of user accounts registered to the first domain platform, the first domain platform defining a first user privilege granted to the user accounts registered to the first domain platform; causing a second user account associated with the second user to be created and registered to a second domain platform, the second domain platform being different from the first domain platform and defining a second user privilege granted to user accounts registered to the second domain platform; and granting the second user account the second user privilege.

Abstract: A device including a processor and a memory, in which the memory includes executable instructions for detecting that a first user has invited a second user to a communication session, wherein the first user is associated with a first user account registered to a first domain platform and the second user is not associated with any of user accounts registered to the first domain platform, the first domain platform defining a first user privilege granted to the user accounts registered to the first domain platform; causing a second user account associated with the second user to be created and registered to a second domain platform, the second domain platform being different from the first domain platform and defining a second user privilege granted to user accounts registered to the second domain platform; and granting the second user account the second user privilege.

Abstract: Systems for transitioning a user interface arrangement from a display of a two-dimensional image of a user to a rendering of a three-dimensional representation of the user is provided. A system can start with a UI including a rendering of a user that is based on a 2D image file. The system can receive an input that is configured to cause the system to transition the display of the rendering of the 2D image of the select user to a rendering of the three-dimensional representation of the select user. To display the rendering of the 3D representation of the select user, the system uses permission data and a three-dimensional model defining a position and orientation to display the 3D representation of the user. The system allows users to switch between viewing modes to allow users to interact with content using the most effective type of hardware.

Abstract: A device including a processor and a memory, in which the memory includes executable instructions for detecting that a first user has invited a second user to a communication session, wherein the first user is associated with a first user account registered to a first domain platform and the second user is not associated with any of user accounts registered to the first domain platform, the first domain platform defining a first user privilege granted to the user accounts registered to the first domain platform; causing a second user account associated with the second user to be created and registered to a second domain platform, the second domain platform being different from the first domain platform and defining a second user privilege granted to user accounts registered to the second domain platform; and granting the second user account the second user privilege.

Abstract: A device including a processor and a memory, in which the memory includes executable instructions for detecting that a first user has invited a second user to a communication session, wherein the first user is associated with a first user account registered to a first domain platform and the second user is not associated with any of user accounts registered to the first domain platform, the first domain platform defining a first user privilege granted to the user accounts registered to the first domain platform; causing a second user account associated with the second user to be created and registered to a second domain platform, the second domain platform being different from the first domain platform and defining a second user privilege granted to user accounts registered to the second domain platform; and granting the second user account the second user privilege.

Abstract: A device including a processor and a memory, in which the memory includes executable instructions for detecting that a first user has invited a second user to a communication session, wherein the first user is associated with a first user account registered to a first domain platform and the second user is not associated with any of user accounts registered to the first domain platform, the first domain platform defining a first user privilege granted to the user accounts registered to the first domain platform; causing a second user account associated with the second user to be created and registered to a second domain platform, the second domain platform being different from the first domain platform and defining a second user privilege granted to user accounts registered to the second domain platform; and granting the second user account the second user privilege.

Abstract: Various user interfaces and other technologies for seamlessly transitioning between calls of different types can be implemented. The technologies can be implemented to give the impression of a single call that is upgraded from one call type to another. A new application can register so that an appropriate user interface control appears for activation when seamless call transition is possible. Transitioning for third party applications can thus be supported. Cross-platform implementations can be supported.

Abstract: Signaling from a mobile device is transparently tunneled through a cellular voice network to a Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) core network so that multi-party calls, including conference calls and call waiting, can be managed entirely within the VoIP core network. The tunneled signals enable call control to be implemented in the VoIP core network and also establish a way to communicate requests, instructions, and call state. The signaling is transparent to the cellular network because that network does not receive and interpret the signaling. Instead, the cellular network's existing and unmodified control plane is repurposed by the mobile device by placing new, brief outgoing calls through the cellular network to the VoIP core network where the called party number (i.e., the caller-ID) encodes specific information. The VoIP core network immediately releases the new cellular call once the caller-ID is received and the encoded information is interpreted.

Abstract: A continual learning process is applied to a class of risk estimate-based algorithms and associated risk thresholds used for deciding when to initiate a handoff between different types of network connections that are available to a mobile device having telephony functionality. The process is implemented as a virtuous loop providing ongoing tuning and adjustment to improve call handoff algorithms and risk thresholds so that handoffs can be performed with the goals of minimizing dropped calls and unacceptable degradation in call quality as well as avoiding premature handoffs. Device characteristics, environmental context, connection measurements, and outcomes of call handoff decisions are crowd-sourced from a population of mobile devices into a cloud-based handoff decision enabling service.

Abstract: A continual learning process is applied to a class of risk estimate-based algorithms and associated risk thresholds used for deciding when to initiate a handoff between different types of network connections that are available to a mobile device having telephony functionality. The process is implemented as a virtuous loop providing ongoing tuning and adjustment to improve call handoff algorithms and risk thresholds so that handoffs can be performed with the goals of minimizing dropped calls and unacceptable degradation in call quality as well as avoiding premature handoffs. Device characteristics, environmental context, connection measurements, and outcomes of call handoff decisions are crowd-sourced from a population of mobile devices into a cloud-based handoff decision enabling service.

Abstract: A continual learning process is applied to a class of risk estimate-based algorithms and associated risk thresholds used for deciding when to initiate a handoff between different types of network connections that are available to a mobile device having telephony functionality. The process is implemented as a virtuous loop providing ongoing tuning and adjustment to improve call handoff algorithms and risk thresholds so that handoffs can be performed with the goals of minimizing dropped calls and unacceptable degradation in call quality as well as avoiding premature handoffs. Device characteristics, environmental context, connection measurements, and outcomes of call handoff decisions are crowd-sourced from a population of mobile devices into a cloud-based handoff decision enabling service.

Abstract: A mobile device capable of connecting to a hybrid telecommunications network using different connection types is configured to implement various mitigations to audio disruptions that may occur during the performance of a call handover between connections. Negligible audio disruptions that do not impact the conversation between parties to the call are not mitigated at all, while relatively short audio disruptions are mitigated in a passive manner by playing background white noise or comfort sounds on the mobile device. Relatively longer duration disruptions are dealt with using more active mitigations in which audio tones are played and the mobile device's graphical user interface (GUI) is configured to indicate to the user that a handover is in progress. Audio disruptions which are irrecoverable are handled by disconnecting the call and providing options through the GUI to either call the other party back, send a message, or set a callback reminder.

Abstract: A souvenir is provided to enable participants in a real-time sharing session to retain access to the shared content and experiences when the real-time sharing is completed in a fully actionable manner in which all of the functionality and interactivity of the content and experiences are maintained as when they were originally shared. Each of the sharing participants can get a souvenir that can be used to initiate access to the shared content such as a photo or replay an experience such as a telling of a bedtime story. In cases where user generated content (UGC) such as mark-ups, annotations, commentary, content links, highlights, animations, graphics, drawings, directions, points-of-interest, etc., were part of the real-time sharing session—for example, an annotated webpage, a marked-up map, voice commentary over a video recording of a live event, etc.—such UGC can be maintained as part of the post-sharing actionable souvenir experience too.

Abstract: Voice call continuity is provided for calls that are carried over a hybrid network infrastructure in which access connections are distributed over loosely coupled network portions including a backend network such as a core VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service network, one or more cellular mobile networks, and a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”). The calls are routed through the core VoIP network regardless of their points of origination or termination in other network portions so that signaling and call context are anchored in the core VoIP network. The conditions under which user equipment operate are continuously monitored so that when a connection is determined to have been unacceptably degraded or is likely to be interrupted, and/or a more optimal connection is available, a handover of the call to another connection is initiated so that call continuity is maintained using the lowest cost connection that provides acceptable call quality.

Abstract: A methodology for automatic selection of a connection, on behalf of a device user, to a hybrid network for calls is provided in which a combination of a variety of inputs is utilized to populate a filtered list of available connections that is sorted by connection cost in which the least costly connection is at the top of the list. The methodology is executed periodically, or in response to event occurrence such as a call event, and the connection at the top of the filtered sorted list is utilized as the preferred connection for calls. Preferred status may be persisted until the next execution of the methodology when a potentially different connection is selected as preferred.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system is provided that facilitates implementation of a voice over IP (VOIP) application. The system includes a host system and a user interface (UI) host process residing on the host system. The system also includes an agent host process residing on the host system which is being configured to process a VOIP call received by one or more VOIP applications executable on the host system. The agent host process running as a foreground or background process for the duration of the VOIP call to (i) communicate with a VOIP server associated with the VOIP application, (ii) capture content from at least one input device associated with the host system and (iii) render content on an output device associated with the host system when an instance of the UI host process operates in the foreground.

Abstract: A mobile device capable of connecting to a hybrid telecommunications network using different connection types is configured to implement various mitigations to audio disruptions that may occur during the performance of a call handover between connections. Negligible audio disruptions that do not impact the conversation between parties to the call are not mitigated at all, while relatively short audio disruptions are mitigated in a passive manner by playing background white noise or comfort sounds on the mobile device. Relatively longer duration disruptions are dealt with using more active mitigations in which audio tones are played and the mobile device's graphical user interface (GUI) is configured to indicate to the user that a handover is in progress. Audio disruptions which are irrecoverable are handled by disconnecting the call and providing options through the GUI to either call the other party back, send a message, or set a callback reminder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of tools and techniques for updating services in sharing-experience sessions during communications calls. According to one exemplary technique, a first computing device initiates a communications call and receives capability information for a second computing device. The capability information for the second computing device includes information indicating attributes of a service supported by the second computing device. Additionally, the first computing device evaluates the capability information to determine that the service is supported by the first and second computing devices. The first computing device initiates a sharing-experience session that includes the service. An update message comprising update information for the service is received, and based on the received update information, content of the service is updated.

Abstract: A continual learning process is applied to a class of risk estimate-based algorithms and associated risk thresholds used for deciding when to initiate a handoff between different types of network connections that are available to a mobile device having telephony functionality. The process is implemented as a virtuous loop providing ongoing tuning and adjustment to improve call handoff algorithms and risk thresholds so that handoffs can be performed with the goals of minimizing dropped calls and unacceptable degradation in call quality as well as avoiding premature handoffs. Device characteristics, environmental context, connection measurements, and outcomes of call handoff decisions are crowd-sourced from a population of mobile devices into a cloud-based handoff decision enabling service.

Abstract: Signaling from a mobile device is transparently tunneled through a cellular voice network to a Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) core network so that multi-party calls, including conference calls and call waiting, can be managed entirely within the VoIP core network. The tunneled signals enable call control to be implemented in the VoIP core network and also establish a way to communicate requests, instructions, and call state. The signaling is transparent to the cellular network because that network does not receive and interpret the signaling. Instead, the cellular network's existing and unmodified control plane is repurposed by the mobile device by placing new, brief outgoing calls through the cellular network to the VoIP core network where the called party number (i.e., the caller-ID) encodes specific information. The VoIP core network immediately releases the new cellular call once the caller-ID is received and the encoded information is interpreted.