Multiparty communications and methods that utilize multiple modes of communication

• US 9,357,169 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2015
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shindig, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Shindig, Inc.
• Inventors: Gottlieb, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anwah, Olisa
• Application Number:
  US14/691,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20150304608A1
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/14.08, 455/518
• 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:

maintaining an instant ready-on mode of communication between a selected user and a plurality of other users, the plurality of other users comprising at least a first group and a second group;

providing live video communications to the selected user, the live video communications comprising facial expressions of a plurality of other users within the first group;

receiving, in response to providing live video communications, a request from the selected user to join the first group;

granting the request; and

upgrading a mode of communication between the selected user and the plurality of other users within the first group to at least one of an intermediate mode of communication and an active mode of communication.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing presence information to the selected user, the presence information corresponding to presence information for the plurality of other users within the first group.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the presence information comprises an availability of each user of the plurality of other users within the first group.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a mode of communication between the selected user and a plurality of other users within the second group is the intermediate mode of communication.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a mode of communication between the selected user and a plurality of other users within the second group is the active mode of communication.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein granting the request merges the first group and the second group, creating a third group.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the live video communications further comprise facial expressions corresponding to a plurality of other users within the second group.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining an instant ready-on mode of communication between the selected user and a second plurality of other users, the second plurality of other users comprising at least a third group and a fourth group;

receiving a second request from the selected user to join the third group;

granting the second request; and

upgrading a mode of communication between the selected user and the plurality of other users within the third group to at least one of the intermediate mode of communication and the active mode of communication.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing additional live video communications to the selected user prior to receiving the second request, the live video communications comprising facial expressions of the plurality of other users within the third group.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing additional presence information to the selected user, the additional presence information corresponding to presence information for a plurality of other users within the third group.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the additional presence information comprises an availability of each user of the plurality of other users within the third group.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein a mode of communication between the selected user and a plurality of other users within the fourth group is the intermediate mode of communication.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein a mode of communication between the selected user and a plurality of other users within the fourth group is the active mode of communication.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein granting the second request merges the third group and the fourth group, creating a fifth group.