Ease of use feature for audio communications within chat conferences

Abstract

Methods and arrangements to communicate aurally during a chat conference are contemplated. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to communicate aurally during a chat conference by receiving through a user interface for the chat conference the designation of a participant in the chat conference, receiving through the user interface for the chat conference a command to capture audio, capturing audio, and transmitting the captured audio to the participant based upon the designation of the participant. In some embodiments, a participant may be designated by a mouse click on a name representing the participant. In some embodiments, the command to capture audio may be expressed by holding down a mouse button. In alternate embodiments, the command to capture audio may be expressed by a pop-up menu. In further embodiments, the captured audio may be stored and transmitted to additional participants.

Description

FIELD [0001] The present invention is in the field of the audio communications over a network. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and arrangements to transmit audio over a network during a chat conference. BACKGROUND [0002] Chat conferences are the real-time exchange of text among groups of people. Chat conferences are popular among social and business users. Social users can gossip and discuss fields of interest. Business users may be able to avoid in-person conferences by participating in the chat conferences, thereby avoiding the concomitant travel and disruption. In addition, because the chat conferences are far more convenient and easier to arrange, business users can participate in them more often and more flexibly. Chat conferences may be formed spontaneously. One person can join others, or several people may each join several others. A chat conference may present problems of privacy and speed of input. A participant may wish to make a comment to anot...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

A chat conference may present problems of privacy and speed of input.

The chat conference may not provide a mechanism for this type of private comment.

In addition, typing is a relatively slow form of data entry.

The chat conference may not provide a mechanism for transmitting voice messages.

The VoIP program may not, however, be integrated with the chat conference.

Moreover, the participant may be unable to specify a proper destination at which the other participants may be reached.

The participant may be limited in making the calls by limits on the number of VoIP windows permitted to be opened at any one time.

Further, if the participant is engaged in multiple conversations at once, with multiple windows open, all of the participants may hear all of the conversations, some of the conversations may drown out other conversations, and the participant may be confused about who is talking.

As a result, it may be difficult to call the other participant over the VoIP application during the chat conference.

Even if the VoIP address of the other participant is available, it may be inconvenient to use the VoIP system to make a call during the chat conference.

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