Abstract: Methods are provided in which a collaboration server connects at least two participants via respective user devices to a collaboration session. The collaboration server further distributes, to the respective user devices, media stream data and one or more customized graphical items that are distinguishably displayed in the collaboration session. The one or more customized graphical items are displayed in a foreground or a background associated with a collaboration space of first participant of the at least two participants. The collaboration server further detects a selection, by one of the respective user devices, of a graphical item from the one or more customized graphical items displayed in the collaboration space and performs at least one action associated with the graphical item during the collaboration session based on detecting the selection of the graphical item.

Abstract: Methods are provided in which a collaboration server connects at least two participants via respective user devices to a collaboration session. The collaboration server further distributes, to the respective user devices, media stream data and one or more customized graphical items that are distinguishably displayed in the collaboration session. The one or more customized graphical items are displayed in a foreground or a background associated with a collaboration space of first participant of the at least two participants. The collaboration server further detects a selection, by one of the respective user devices, of a graphical item from the one or more customized graphical items displayed in the collaboration space and performs at least one action associated with the graphical item during the collaboration session based on detecting the selection of the graphical item.

Abstract: Methods are provided in which a collaboration server connects at least two participants via respective user devices to a collaboration session. The collaboration server further distributes, to the respective user devices, media stream data and one or more customized graphical items that are distinguishably displayed in the collaboration session. The one or more customized graphical items are displayed in a foreground or a background associated with a collaboration space of first participant of the at least two participants. The collaboration server further detects a selection, by one of the respective user devices, of a graphical item from the one or more customized graphical items displayed in the collaboration space and performs at least one action associated with the graphical item during the collaboration session based on detecting the selection of the graphical item.

Abstract: Methods are provided in which a collaboration server connects at least two participants via respective user devices to a collaboration session. The collaboration server further distributes, to the respective user devices, media stream data and one or more customized graphical items that are distinguishably displayed in the collaboration session. The one or more customized graphical items are displayed in a foreground or a background associated with a collaboration space of first participant of the at least two participants. The collaboration server further detects a selection, by one of the respective user devices, of a graphical item from the one or more customized graphical items displayed in the collaboration space and performs at least one action associated with the graphical item during the collaboration session based on detecting the selection of the graphical item.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques in which a device connects a plurality of user devices to a communication session in which a plurality of participants of the respective plurality of user devices communicate using audio and/or video and determines respective locations of the plurality of user devices. The devices receives, from a particular user device of the plurality of user devices, a request to group the user devices into a plurality of groups to form one or more breakout communication sessions off of the communication session, assigns user devices to respective ones of the plurality of groups based on the respective locations such that user devices at a common location are assigned to a same group, and transmits information identifying the plurality of groups to the particular user device.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques in which a device connects a plurality of user devices to a communication session in which a plurality of participants of the respective plurality of user devices communicate using audio and/or video and determines respective locations of the plurality of user devices.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques in which a device connects a plurality of user devices to a communication session in which a plurality of participants of the respective plurality of user devices communicate using audio and/or video and determines respective locations of the plurality of user devices. The devices receives, from a particular user device of the plurality of user devices, a request to group the user devices into a plurality of groups to form one or more breakout communication sessions off of the communication session, assigns user devices to respective ones of the plurality of groups based on the respective locations such that user devices at a common location are assigned to a same group, and transmits information identifying the plurality of groups to the particular user device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an auto-complete function in a user's handwriting for touch screen devices is described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, from a touch-screen display, a handwriting input. The handwriting input is converted into textual information. Based on the textual information, one or more prompt options are generated. The one or more prompt options are rendered for display on the touch-screen display in a similar appearance as the handwriting input. The method can further include receiving a selected prompt option input and rendering the selected prompt option for display on the touch screen display in a similar appearance as the handwriting input.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a client computing device stores a plurality of digital media files. For each digital media files, the client computing device stores data identifying a geographic location associated with the digital media file. When the client computing device receives a request to view digital media files through a graphical user interface, the client computing device uses a GPS receiver to determine a geographic location of the client computing device and an electronic compass circuit to determine an orientation of the client computing device. Based, at least in part, on the location and orientation of the client computing device, the client computing device identifies a plurality of particular geographic locations that are associated with one or more digital media files. The client computing device displays icons corresponding to the plurality of particular geographic locations, ordered by a distance from the client computing device to each of the location.

Abstract: A method for following specific participants from among participants of a group conversation over a communications network is implemented on a computing device and includes: presenting participant posts from the participants of a group conversation in an application window, detecting at least one request to follow at least one of the specific participants as a followed participant, and presenting the participant posts associated with at least one followed participant in an application sub-window.

Abstract: Controlling aggregation of shared content from multiple presenters during an online conference session includes, at a server having network connectivity, at a server having network connectivity, identifying a master presenter at an endpoint among a plurality of endpoints participating in an online conference session in which at least one of the plurality of endpoints is sharing content with other participants among the plurality of participants at their respective endpoints. One or more assistant presenters are determined among the plurality of participants at their respective endpoints. A master user interface is generated to serve as the user interface on the endpoint of the master presenter and a command is received, via the master user interface, to designate a layout. The layout aggregates shared content from the endpoints of one or more of the assistant presenters to make the layout viewable at the plurality of endpoints.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an auto-complete function in a user's handwriting for touch screen devices is described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, from a touch-screen display, a handwriting input. The handwriting input is converted into textual information. Based on the textual information, one or more prompt options are generated. The one or more prompt options are rendered for display on the touch-screen display in a similar appearance as the handwriting input. The method can further include receiving a selected prompt option input and rendering the selected prompt option for display on the touch screen display in a similar appearance as the handwriting input.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method for presenting conversational history is implemented on a computing device and includes: deriving a collaboration activity index as a function of at least a frequency of a conversation's communications over a period of time, mapping the collaboration activity index to a conversation timeline according to a timeline for the period of time; and displaying the conversation timeline on a display screen.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conferencing device detects a potential echo effect between two or more of a plurality of participant devices in an online conference the two or more participant devices being co-located. The conferencing device presents an echo warning to a user interface of a particular one of the co-located participant devices, in response to detecting the potential echo effect. The conferencing device groups the co-located participant devices into a group. The conferencing device provides audio data from a selected one of the co-located participant devices in the group for presentation by the plurality of participant devices as part of the online conference.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a client computing device stores a plurality of digital media files. For each digital media files, the client computing device stores data identifying a geographic location associated with the digital media file. When the client computing device receives a request to view digital media files through a graphical user interface, the client computing device uses a GPS receiver to determine a geographic location of the client computing device and an electronic compass circuit to determine an orientation of the client computing device. Based, at least in part, on the location and orientation of the client computing device, the client computing device identifies a plurality of particular geographic locations that are associated with one or more digital media files. The client computing device displays icons corresponding to the plurality of particular geographic locations, ordered by a distance from the client computing device to each of the location.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conferencing device detects a potential echo effect between two or more of a plurality of participant devices in an online conference the two or more participant devices being co-located. The conferencing device presents an echo warning to a user interface of a particular one of the co-located participant devices, in response to detecting the potential echo effect. The conferencing device groups the co-located participant devices into a group. The conferencing device provides audio data from a selected one of the co-located participant devices in the group for presentation by the plurality of participant devices as part of the online conference.

Abstract: A method for annotating digital conversations is implemented on a first computing device and includes: presenting participant posts from the digital conversation on a display screen of the first computing device, detecting input of at least an indication of an annotation associated with at least one of the participant posts, and presenting the annotation as superimposed on the at least one of the associated participant posts.

Abstract: A method for following specific participants from among participants of a group conversation over a communications network is implemented on a computing device and includes: presenting participant posts from the participants of a group conversation in an application window, detecting at least one request to follow at least one of the specific participants as a followed participant, and presenting the participant posts associated with at least one followed participant in an application sub-window.

Abstract: In one embodiment, instant messages or collaboration messages are organized in subgroups. A device is configured to receive data indicative of collaborative messages, identify a subgroup identifier from a first collaborative message of the collaborative messages, and encode the first collaborative message for transmission to a subgroup of receiving endpoint devices. The device identifies a second collaborative message and encodes the second collaborative message for transmission to a group of receiving endpoint devices including the subgroup of receiving endpoint devices. The first collaborative message is sent to or displayed by the subset of receiving endpoint devices and the second collaborative message is sent to or displayed by the receiving endpoint devices including the subgroup. The encoding is performed at the endpoint device or an associated server.

Abstract: Controlling aggregation of shared content from multiple presenters during an online conference session includes, at a server having network connectivity, at a server having network connectivity, identifying a master presenter at an endpoint among a plurality of endpoints participating in an online conference session in which at least one of the plurality of endpoints is sharing content with other participants among the plurality of participants at their respective endpoints. One or more assistant presenters are determined among the plurality of participants at their respective endpoints. A master user interface is generated to serve as the user interface on the endpoint of the master presenter and a command is received, via the master user interface, to designate a layout. The layout aggregates shared content from the endpoints of one or more of the assistant presenters to make the layout viewable at the plurality of endpoints.