Abstract: A method is described for providing voice conferencing between a plurality of users over a communications network. A host user initiates a voice conference using a host user terminal, where pluralities of user terminals join the voice conference. On joining the voice conference, each participant user terminal displays a participant user interface, and the host user terminal displays a host user interface. At least one participant user activates a request control on the participant user interface which, in turn, transmits a request to the host user to speak in the voice conference. The host user can then activate a selection control to select from among participant users who transmitted the request, the speech of the at least one selected user being transmitted to all of the plurality of users.

Abstract: A unified communication framework in which multiple users communicate using multiple modes. Conversations are kept consistent across users' devices. A backend maintains the true and authoritative version of the conversation within the communication framework.

Abstract: A method is described for providing voice conferencing between a plurality of users over a communications network, the plurality of users comprising a host user and a plurality of participant users. The method comprises the host user initiating a voice conference using a host user terminal connected to the communications network. The plurality of users join the voice conference. Each of the plurality of users joins the conference by using a client executed at their respective user terminals, wherein on joining the voice conference the user terminal of each of the plurality of participant users displays a participant user interface and the user terminal of the host displays a host user interface. At least one of the plurality of participant users activates a request control on the participant user interface. The client transmits via the communication network a request to the host user to speak in the voice conference in response to the activation of the request control.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a combined audio signal to at least one of a plurality of participants in a communication event comprising; receiving an audio signal from each of said plurality of participants together with audio activity information associated with each of said received audio signals; analysing a measure of audio activity for each received audio signal based on the audio activity information associated with each of said received signals, wherein said measure of audio activity allows audio signals comprising audio activity to be compared; selecting a set of audio signals from said received audio signals based on the analysed measure of audio activity for each signal; decoding said set of audio signals; and combining said set of audio signals to generate said combined audio signal to be transmitted to said at least one of said plurality of participants.

Abstract: A method is described for providing voice conferencing between a plurality of users over a communications network, the plurality of users comprising a host user and a plurality of participant users. The method comprises the host user initiating a voice conference using a host user terminal connected to the communications network. The plurality of users join the voice conference. Each of the plurality of users joins the conference by using a client executed at their respective user terminals, wherein on joining the voice conference the user terminal of each of the plurality of participant users displays a participant user interface and the user terminal of the host displays a host user interface. At least one of the plurality of participant users activates a request control on the participant user interface. The client transmits via the communication network a request to the host user to speak in the voice conference in response to the activation of the request control.