Multiparty communications systems and methods that optimize communications based on mode and available bandwidth

• US 9,215,412 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2014
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shindig, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Shindig, Inc.
• Inventors: Gottlieb, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, QUOC DUC
• Application Number:
  US14/539,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20150077508A1
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.01, 348/14.08, 348/14.09, 348/14.12
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/155 involving storage of or access to video conference sessions tracking arrangements for later retrieval of a computer conference content or participants activities H04L12/1831
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management

Abstract

Improved methods, systems, and devices for managing communications are provided. A user device may display all ongoing communications so that a user can visualize the communications network or some subset thereof (e.g., a subgroup or group of users). A system may maintain the user device in an instant ready-on mode of communication with the other user devices. A user may then initiate communications with a subgroup (e.g., a pair) or group without initiating a new connection. Accordingly, a user can simultaneously and fluidly communicate at the subgroup level, at the group level, or at the inter-group level. Moreover, users can function as independent actors that can freely form and leave subgroups as well as groups.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating dynamic communications amongst multiple users, the method comprising:

receiving video communications, the received video communications being sent by a transmitting device and directed to a receiving device;

determining the receiving device'"'"'s available bandwidth;

deriving, from the received video communications, contextual communications based at least on the determined available bandwidth such that the derived contextual communications comprises an amount of information from the received video communications that is suitable for the determined available bandwidth; and

transmitting the contextual communications to the receiving device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the available bandwidth is minimal; and

based on the minimal available bandwidth, the contextual communications include a periodically updated image derived from the received communications.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the periodically updated image is updated at a frequency based on the available bandwidth.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the available bandwidth is minimal; and

based on the minimal available bandwidth, the contextual communications include a low-resolution video derived from the received communications.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the available bandwidth is minimal; and

based on the minimal available bandwidth, the contextual communications include a grayscale video derived from the received communications.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the available bandwidth is substantial; and

based on the substantial available bandwidth, the contextual communications include high-resolution, color video at a standard refresh rate.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a communication mode applicable to the transmitting device and the receiving device, wherein the contextual communications are derived based on both the available bandwidth and the determined communication mode.

8. A method for facilitating dynamic communications amongst multiple users, the method comprising:

receiving video communications, the received video communications being sent by a transmitting device and directed to a receiving device;

determining the transmitting device'"'"'s available bandwidth;

determining the receiving device'"'"'s available bandwidth; and

in response to determining the transmitting device has an available bandwidth, instructing the transmitting device to transmit contextual communications to at least the receiving device at a rate consistent with the available bandwidth.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the available bandwidth is minimal; and

based on the minimal available bandwidth, the contextual communications include a periodically updated image.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the periodically updated image is updated at a frequency based on the available bandwidth.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the available bandwidth is minimal; and

based on the minimal available bandwidth, the contextual communications include a low-resolution video derived from the received communications.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the available bandwidth is minimal; and

based on the minimal available bandwidth, the contextual communications include a grayscale video derived from the received communications.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the available bandwidth is substantial; and

based on the substantial available bandwidth, the contextual communications include high-resolution, color video at a standard refresh rate.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving the contextual communications from the transmitting device; and

transmitting the contextual communications to the receiving device.

15. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

determining a communication mode applicable to the transmitting device and the receiving device; and

in response to determining the communication mode, instructing the transmitting device to transmit contextual communications.