Abstract: Techniques for managing call sessions in multi-display systems are described. For instance, the described techniques can be implemented to manage media content in the context of a client device that includes two or more housings attached via a hinge region such that the housings are pivotable relative to one another. The described techniques, for example, enable dynamic configuration of output of call sessions based on changes in user position relative to a client device.

Abstract: Techniques for notification handling based on identity and physical presence are described and may be implemented to determine whether to route a notification from a first device (e.g., a mobile device) to a second device (e.g., a display device) for output at the second device. Generally, the described implementations utilize sensor data captured at a physical location to detect and/or identify persons present at the physical location and to determine whether to route notifications between devices based on the detected persons/identities.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method are provided that prompt a person who is participating in a video communication session to gaze toward a local image capturing device. A controller of the electronic devices receives an image stream from an image capturing device configured to be spaced away from a display device and having a field of view that incorporates a person that is proximate to the display device. The controller communicates the image stream to a video communication session. The controller receives second image stream(s) from second communication device(s) and presents the second image stream(s) at a display device. In response to a trigger that indicates that the first image stream is being presented as a primary image stream by the at least one second electronic device, the controller presents a prompt indicating that the participant should gaze toward the image capturing device.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method are provided that automatically focus on meaningful content in an image stream during an instruction-oriented video communication session. The electronic device communicatively connects the electronic device via a network to image stream transmitting (IST) electronic device(s) during a video communication session. A controller of the electronic device identifies a person and a writing surface within an image stream received from the IST electronic device. In response to determining that the person is attending to the writing surface, the controller presents on display device(s) a first portion of the image stream that focuses on the writing surface. In response to determining that the person is not attending to the writing surface, the controller presents on the display device(s) a second portion of the image stream that does not focus on the writing surface.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method are provided that prompt a person who is participating in a video communication session with at least one second electronic device to gaze toward a local image capturing device. A controller of the electronic devices receives an image stream from an image capturing device having a field of view that incorporates a person that is proximate to the display device. The controller communicates the image stream to a video communication session. In response to a trigger that indicates that the first image stream is being presented as a primary image stream by the at least one second electronic device, the controller presents a prompt indicating that the participant should gaze toward the image capturing device.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method manage presenting and pausing of media content in response to remotely detected interruptions. The electronic device includes network interface(s) by which the electronic device communicatively connects to: (i) a media output device that presents media content; and (ii) external device(s) that is configured to detect an event that draws user attention. A controller of the electronic device is communicatively coupled to the at least one network interface and a user interface device. The controller presents, via one or more signals transmitted via the network interface(s), media content presented on the media output device. The controller monitors the external device(s). In response to receiving input indicating that at least one external device has detected an event, the controller pauses the presentation of the media content on the media output device and presents, on a user interface device, a notification of the event.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method are provided that autonomously switch between first and second image streams of two image capturing devices during a video communication session, reducing data transmission and display size requirements for recipients. A controller of the electronic device identifies a person in the first image stream and identifies a writing surface in the second image stream. In response to determining that the person is not attending to the writing surface, the controller communicates, to at second electronic device(s) during the video communication session, at least a first portion of the first image stream that focusses on a face of the person. In response to determining that the person is attending to the writing surface, the controller communicates at least a second portion of the second image stream that focusses on the writing surface.

Abstract: A method, a communication device and a computer program product for selecting an active camera from a front facing camera and a rear facing camera for use during a video communication session. The method includes receiving, via a processor, first communication input associated with a non-video communication session. In response to detecting a switch from the non-video communication session to a video communication session, a first context is determined at the communication device based on the first communication input. The first context is associated with using an active camera selected at the communication device to capture and share video data with the second communication device. The selected active camera is one of the front facing camera and the rear facing camera. The method further includes selecting, as the active camera, one of the front facing camera or the rear facing camera that is associated with the first context.

Abstract: An electronic device, method and computer program product provide multiple simultaneous camera previews of different imaging modes of the same image. The electronic device includes at least one image capturing device that generates a photographic image stream. The electronic device includes an image processing module that simultaneously produces more than one camera previews of the photographic image stream in different imaging modes. The electronic device includes a display driver. A controller of the electronic device is communicatively coupled to the at least one image capturing device, the image processing module, the display driver, and a first display device. The controller receives the more than one camera previews from the image processing module. The controller simultaneously presents, via the display driver, the more than one camera previews on the first display device.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method are provided that support individualized dynamic playback of a live video communication session. A controller configures the electronic device to receive at least one of an audio stream and an image stream provided by at least one transmitting device from among second electronic devices during a video communication session. The controller configures the electronic device to communicate the at least one of the audio stream and the image stream from the at least one transmitting device to other devices among the second electronic devices. The controller configures the electronic device to buffer the communication session in a dynamically accessible format. In response to receipt of a trigger during the communication session, the controller configures the electronic device to communicate a length of the buffered communication session to a particular one of the second electronic devices.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method mitigates loss of communication between participants in a communication session when a remote participant attempts to speak without manually unmuting the electronic device. A controller configures the electronic device to monitor one or more image streams originating respectively at one or more second electronic devices during a video communication session. The controller identifies, in a particular image stream of the one or more image streams, at least one of a speaking movement of a mouth of a particular participant or a gesture by the particular participant to present an audio input via the video communication session. A user interface presented on at least one user interface device of the electronic device presents an alert that the particular participant is attempting to speak to other participants in the video communication session.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method are provided that autonomously mitigates degraded transmissions from a second electronic device to a video communication session. The electronic device receives at least one of an audio stream and an image stream provided by transmitting device(s) of second electronic devices(s) during a video communication session. The electronic device communicates the at least one of the audio stream and the image stream to other second electronic device(s). A controller of the electronic device determines whether the at least one of the audio stream and the image stream from a particular second electronic device is in a degraded state. In response to determining that at least one of the audio stream and the image stream received from the particular second electronic device is in a degraded state, the controller alerts the particular second electronic device of the degraded state of the transmission.

Abstract: A method, a first communication device and a computer program product for selecting an active camera from a front facing camera and a rear facing camera for use during a video communication session. A request is detected, via a processor, to transition to a video communication session between the first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device receives, from the second communication device, first context identifying data that identifies which of at least one front facing camera or at least one rear facing camera to activate. The first context identifying data is generated at the second communication device based on information within the exchanged communication. At least one front facing camera or at least one rear facing camera identified by the received first context identifying data is selected and activated.

Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method perform face tracking within an image stream captured by an image capturing device for preview on a second display device. At least one first display device presents a first preview image of the image stream via a first graphical user interface (GUI). The first GUI has a first aspect ratio. A controller of the electronic device tracks a primary face of a subject within the image stream. A second display device presents a second preview image via a second GUI. The controller generates the second preview image from the first preview image by cropping around the primary face to a second aspect ratio of the second GUI.

Abstract: Techniques for user state for user image in media content are described and are implementable to enable a user state of a user to be determined and to control whether a user image is included in media content based on the user state. Generally, the described implementations enable different user states to be defined and utilized to control inclusion of user images with media content.

Abstract: A method, a communication device and a computer program product for selecting an active camera from a front facing camera and a rear facing camera for use during a video communication session. The method includes receiving, via a processor, first communication input associated with a non-video communication session. In response to detecting a switch from the non-video communication session to a video communication session, a first context is determined at the communication device based on the first communication input. The first context is associated with using an active camera selected at the communication device to capture and share video data with the second communication device. The selected active camera is one of the front facing camera and the rear facing camera. The method further includes selecting, as the active camera, one of the front facing camera or the rear facing camera that is associated with the first context.

Abstract: A method, a first communication device and a computer program product for selecting an active camera from a front facing camera and a rear facing camera for use during a video communication session. A request is detected, via a processor, to transition to a video communication session between the first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device receives, from the second communication device, first context identifying data that identifies which of at least one front facing camera or at least one rear facing camera to activate. The first context identifying data is generated at the second communication device based on information within the exchanged communication. At least one front facing camera or at least one rear facing camera identified by the received first context identifying data is selected and activated.

Abstract: Techniques for managing call sessions in multi-display systems are described. For instance, the described techniques can be implemented to manage media content in the context of a client device that includes two or more housings attached via a hinge region such that the housings are pivotable relative to one another. The described techniques, for example, enable dynamic configuration of output of call sessions based on changes in user position relative to a client device.

Abstract: Techniques for managing media content in multi-display systems are described. For instance, the described techniques can be implemented to manage media content in the context of a client device that includes two or more housings attached via a hinge region such that the housings are pivotable relative to one another. The described techniques, for example, enable dynamic configuration of output of media content based on changes in user position relative to a client device.

Abstract: Techniques for user state for user image in media content are described and are implementable to enable a user state of a user to be determined and to control whether a user image is included in media content based on the user state. Generally, the described implementations enable different user states to be defined and utilized to control inclusion of user images with media content.