A system and methods are provided for dynamically muting or suppressing notifications of new communications. When a new communication is received for a user of a communication device (e.g., a mobile telephone, a computer) while notifications are muted, no notification may be issued to the user or, alternatively, a muted notification that differs from a normal notification may be issued. A muted notification may have muted sound or no sound, abbreviated vibration or no vibration, or may otherwise be a dampened version of a normal notification. Dynamic muting may be applied or managed on the user's device or on a system that hosts the communication application for which notifications are muted. Different applications and/or communication sessions (e.g., different chat groups) may be muted differently (e.g., for different periods of time). When a group chat session is muted, the duration of muting may be proportional to the number of participants.

A computer-implemented method includes: determining, by a computer device, contextual data of plural calls to a callee; generating, by the computer device, a predictive model based on the contextual data of the plural calls; determining, by the computer device, contextual data of a current call to the callee; determining, by the computer device and based on the model and the contextual data of the current call, a probability that the callee will answer the current call; determining, by the computer device and based on the model and the contextual data of the current call, an amount of time to ring for the current call; instructing, by the computer device, a caller device to display the determined probability; and instructing, by the computer device, a callee device to control an amount of rings for the current call based on the determined amount of time to ring.

A computer-implemented method includes: determining, by a computer device, contextual data of plural calls to a callee; generating, by the computer device, a predictive model based on the contextual data of the plural calls; determining, by the computer device, contextual data of a current call to the callee; determining, by the computer device and based on the model and the contextual data of the current call, a probability that the callee will answer the current call; determining, by the computer device and based on the model and the contextual data of the current call, an amount of time to ring for the current call; instructing, by the computer device, a caller device to display the determined probability; and instructing, by the computer device, a callee device to control an amount of rings for the current call based on the determined amount of time to ring.

A computer-implemented method for managing calls in a collaboration environment is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a call into a collaboration session of the collaboration environment. The method also includes identifying, by the processor, a user from a plurality of users associated with the collaboration session, based on at least one of contextual information regarding the call and information regarding the plurality of users. The method further includes providing, by the processor, an interface on a device associated with the identified user, wherein the interface enables the identified user to instruct the device to handle the call within the collaboration session.

A computer-implemented method for managing calls in a collaboration environment is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a call into a collaboration session of the collaboration environment. The method also includes identifying, by the processor, a user from a plurality of users associated with the collaboration session, based on at least one of contextual information regarding the call and information regarding the plurality of users. The method further includes providing, by the processor, an interface on a device associated with the identified user, wherein the interface enables the identified user to instruct the device to handle the call within the collaboration session.

In a method of observing users of communication devices, a central computer system recognizes a first user associated with a first communication device and a second user associated with a second communication device. The central computer system observes a communication between the first communication device and the second communication device, wherein at least a portion of the communication is an audible communication. The central computer system relays the communication between the first communication device and the second communication device. The central computer system identifies features of the communication and makes the features available for decision making purposes.

In a method of observing users of communication devices, a central computer system recognizes a first user associated with a first communication device and a second user associated with a second communication device. The central computer system observes a communication between the first communication device and the second communication device, wherein at least a portion of the communication is an audible communication. The central computer system relays the communication between the first communication device and the second communication device. The central computer system identifies features of the communication and makes the features available for decision making purposes.

A method for establishing a telephone call between an originating device and a destination device. A call server receives an originating call made by an originating device to a dedicated number for a destination party. In response to receiving the originating call: (i) the originating call is parked; and (ii) a message is sent to the destination device of the destination party. The message informs the destination device of the originating call to the dedicated number so that the destination device is able to call the call server to be connected to the parked originating call.

A method for establishing a telephone call between an originating device and a destination device. A call server receives an originating call made by an originating device to a dedicated number for a destination party. In response to receiving the originating call: (i) the originating call is parked; and (ii) a message is sent to the destination device of the destination party. The message informs the destination device of the originating call to the dedicated number so that the destination device is able to call the call server to be connected to the parked originating call.

System and method for control using face detection or hand gesture detection algorithms in a captured image. Based on the existence of a detected human face or a hand gesture in an image captured by a digital camera (still or video), a control signal is generated and provided to a device. The control may provide power or disconnect power supply to the device (or part of the device circuits). Further, the location of the detected face in the image may be used to rotate a display screen horizontally, vertically or both, to achieve a better line of sight with a viewing person. If two or more faces are detected, the average location is calculated and used for line of sight correction. A linear feedback control loop is implemented wherein detected face deviation from the optimum is the error to be corrected by rotating the display to the required angular position. A hand gesture detection can be used as a replacement to a remote control wherein the various hand gestures control the various function of the controlled unit, such as a television set.