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

• US 9,661,270 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2015
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• 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 D
• Application Number:
  US14/938,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20160065897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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:

determining an available bandwidth of at least one of a transmitting device and a receiving device, wherein the available bandwidth comprises one of;

a minimal available bandwidth corresponding to an amount of unused bandwidth that is insufficient for live robust video communications; and

substantial available bandwidth corresponding to enough unused bandwidth for live robust video communications;

analyzing a size of video communications between the transmitting device and the receiving device; and

adjusting the video communications based on the available bandwidth and the size of the video communications that are analyzed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing further comprises:

analyzing a communication mode applicable to at least one of the transmitting device and the receiving device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting comprises:

adjusting a refresh rate of the video communications.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting comprises:

adjusting a resolution of the video communications.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting comprises:

instructing the transmitting device to transmit different video communications.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the video communications before the size of the video communications is analyzed; and

transmitting the video communications to the receiving device after adjusting the video communications.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the available bandwidth of the transmitting device comprises unused bandwidth between the transmitting device and a server.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the available bandwidth of the receiving device comprises unused bandwidth between a server and the receiving device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the available bandwidth comprises an average measure of unused bandwidth between a message origin and destination.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining further comprises:

performing at least one ping operation to determine the available bandwidth.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the size of the video communications is relative to the available bandwidth.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting further comprises:

adjusting the size of the video communications to conform with the available bandwidth.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an applicable communication mode for at least one of the transmitting device and the receiving device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein adjusting further comprises:

adjusting the video communications based on the applicable communication mode that is determined such that a context of the video communications is appropriate for the available bandwidth.

15. The method of claim 5, wherein the different video communications that are instructed to be transmitted conform to the available bandwidth.

16. A system for facilitating dynamic communications, the system comprising:

a transmitting device;

a receiving device; and

a server operable to;

determine an available bandwidth of at least one of the transmitting device and the receiving device, wherein the available bandwidth comprises one of;

minimal available bandwidth corresponding to an amount of unused bandwidth that is insufficient for live robust video communications; and

substantial available bandwidth corresponding to enough unused bandwidth for live robust video communications;

analyze a size of video communications between the transmitting device and the receiving device; and

adjust the video communications based on the available bandwidth that was determined, and the size of the video communications that are analyzed.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the server is further operable to:

analyze a communication mode applicable to the transmitting device and the receiving device.

18. The system of claim 16, where the adjustment comprises:

an adjustment to a refresh rate of the video communications.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the adjustment comprises:

an adjustment to a resolution of the video communications.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the server is further operable to:

instruct, in response to the adjustment, the transmitting device to transmit different video communications.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the different video communications conform to the available bandwidth.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the server is further operable to:

receive the video communications before the size of the video communications between the transmitting device and the receiving device is analyzed; and

transmit the video communications to the receiving device after the video communications have been adjusted.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the available bandwidth of the transmitting device comprises unused bandwidth between the transmitting device and the server.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the available bandwidth of the receiving device comprises unused bandwidth between the server and the receiving device.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the available bandwidth comprises an average measure of unused bandwidth between a message origin and a destination.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein the determination further comprises:

at least one ping operation to be performed to determine the available bandwidth.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein the size of the video communications is relative to the available bandwidth.

28. The system of claim 16, wherein the adjustment further comprises:

an adjustment to the size of the video communications to conform with the available bandwidth.

29. The system of claim 16, wherein the server is further operable to:

determine an applicable communication mode for at least one of the transmitting device and the receiving device.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the adjustment further comprises:

an adjustment to the video communications based on the applicable communication mode that is determined such that a context of the video communications is appropriate for the available bandwidth.