Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Skype Limited

Benjamin Gareth Dove

Natasha Valerie Sopieva

Stephanie Robesky

Richard James Cole

Mohammed Ladha

Richard Cole

Lee Christoper Pethers

Duncan Lamb

Lee Christopher Pethers

Systems and methods for delivering media files in communication sessions are disclosed. User interfaces are displayed on first and second client devices. A media file is selected at the first client device and a representation of the media file is transmitted to the second client device. The representation is selectable within a sent message region of the user interface on the second client device. In response to selecting the representation of the media file, an embedded viewer is launched within the sent message region of the user interface of the second client device that includes embedded selectable controls which, when activated, control viewing or playback of the media file within the user interface.

Instant messaging communication system and method

Systems and methods for conducting an instant messaging communication session are disclosed. A method may include displaying an instant messaging user interface that includes a message composition region for composing an instant messaging communication. The method also includes receiving a selection of media for insertion into the instant messaging communication by receiving a reference to the media. The method may further include generating a link comprising an address of the selected media. The method also includes creating a selectable control with the link embedded therein in the user interface, and detecting selection of a selectable control. The method may further include displaying a video player region within the instant messaging user interface in response to the detected selection of the selectable control, and accessing a network element to play the media within a video player region in response to the detected selection of the selectable control.

There is provided a method comprising: rendering, on a first area of a display controlled by a user terminal, visual data associated with a user participating in a call; determining that the user's connection to the call has ended; determining whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate; and retaining the area of the display for the user for a predetermined amount of time in dependence on the determination of whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate.

Communication system

Disclosed are systems, methods, and machine readable mediums which determine whether a computer participating in a network-based conversation deliberately left the network-based conversation. A time period is selected in response to the determination of whether the computer deliberately left the network conversation. After the time period has elapsed, removing a graphical indication of the computing device from a display of a second computing device still part of the network-based conversation.

A method of providing instant messaging communication between a first user and at least one other user via a communication network. The method comprises: executing an instant messaging client at a user terminal of the first user, the instant messaging client having a user interface comprising a message composition region; the instant messaging client receiving a selection of media for insertion into the instant messaging communication from the first user; the instant messaging client generating a link comprising the address of the selected media at a network element and creating a selectable control with the link embedded therein; inserting the selectable control in the message composition region of the instant messaging client; the instant messaging client receiving user-viewable text entered by the first user into the message composition region in addition to the selectable control; and the instant messaging client transmitting the contents of the message composition region of the instant messaging client to the at least one other user over the communication network responsive to a command from the first user.

A method of capturing an image from a video call between a first user and a remote user over a communication network. The method includes receiving video data from the remote user at a client executed at a user terminal of the first user, the video data comprising a sequence of frames; the client capturing a frame of the video data responsive to a command from the first user; the client extracting image data from the frame; the client converting the image data to an image file and embedding a communication identity of the remote user in the image file, wherein the communication identity is suitable for initiating a communication event with the remote user; and storing the image file on a storage means of the user terminal.

Growing community of inventors

London, United Kingdom

Benjamin Gareth Dove