Patent ID: 9338399
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: G06F,H04M,H04N

Claim Text:
1. A method comprising: receiving, from a user, instructions for defining output characteristics of audio communication sessions, the audio communication sessions being associated with a first identity associated with the user, and the output characteristics including: determining, in response to the received instructions, audio output controls for audio communication sessions associated with the first identity; associating the output controls with the first identity and the second identity associated with an instant messaging service; storing the associated output controls in a configuration file, the configuration file defining separate audio output controls for communications between the first identity and each of the second and third identities; detecting an audio communication session associated with the first identity; accessing, in response to the detection, the stored output controls from the configuration file; dependent on whether the audio communication session is between the first identity and the second identity, enabling rendering of the first volume level for the audio communication session based on the audio output controls; dependent on whether the audio communication session is between the first identity and the third identity, enabling rendering of the second volume level for the audio communication session based on the audio output controls; and muting the audio communication session after an amount of time included in the audio output controls has elapsed.