Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.

Blue Jeans Network, Inc.

Selina Hu

David G Skuratowicz

Mohammad Raheel Khalid

Alagu Periyannan

Kashif Shamaz

Shaileshchandra Hegde

An illustrative communication provider system determines that a first virtual location of a first avatar in a shared virtual space is proximate to a second virtual location of a second avatar in the shared virtual space. The first avatar represents a first user and the second avatar represents a second user located remotely from the first user. The communication provider system detects an availability status of the second user, and, based on the availability status of the second user and the determination that the first virtual location of the first avatar is proximate to the second virtual location of the second avatar, the communication provider system provides audio content for presentation to the second user. The audio content is representative of a spoken communication by the first user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Methods and systems for providing communication between users based on virtual proximity and availability status

An illustrative communication provider system presents, to a first user, a communication interface that displays a representation of a shared virtual space that the first user shares with a second user. The communication provider system determines a virtual location status and an availability status for the second user. The virtual location status is representative of a virtual location of the second user within the shared virtual space. The availability status is representative of a particular availability mode included in a plurality of selectable availability modes. The communication provider system displays, within the communication interface presented to the first user, a profile icon for the second user. The profile icon indicates both the virtual location status and the availability status of the second user to the first user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Methods and systems for indicating location status and availability status within a communication interface

An illustrative communication provider system presents, to a first user, a communication interface that displays a two-dimensional ('2D') representation of a shared virtual space that includes a 2D representation of an avatar associated with a second user. By way of the communication interface, the communication provider system receives a request by the first user to initiate a communication session of a particular communication type with the second user, and, based on the request, initiates the communication session of the particular communication type with the second user. During the initiated communication session and based on the particular communication type, the communication provider system replaces the 2D representation of the shared virtual space with a three-dimensional ('3D') representation of the shared virtual space that includes a 3D representation of the avatar associated with the second user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Methods and systems for providing a communication interface to operate in 2D and 3D modes

A user interface of a video conference system includes a bi-axial display of highlight information corresponding to highlights designated by participants in a video conference. The biaxial display shows highlights organized in timeline fashion within a panel arranged alongside a display of conference participants, and indications of those highlights within a timeline associated with the display of conference participants. The highlights organized in timeline fashion within the panel may include spaces for comments by the conference participants. Moreover, the panel may be configurable to display either the spaces for comments by the conference participants or an annotated transcript of the video conference, the transcript being annotated with indicators of instances of the highlights.

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Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Selina Hu