Patent Publication Number: US-2022239779-A1

Title: Systems and methods for facilitating side-channel communications during shared communication session

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/160,695, filed Jan. 28, 2021, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present application relates generally to facilitating side-channel communications during a shared communication session and, more particularly, to mixing audio streams of the side-channel and the shared communication session to generate a composite audio output stream. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Online classes are typically support via a shared video conference experience. A host sets up a shared communication channel (e.g., a video conference call) for participants to join. The host may present live streamed content (e.g., a live training class or lecture) or previously recorded content (e.g., a past training class or lecture). The participants of the shared communication channel can then view the content presented by the host. 
     Often, participants in a shared communication channel know one another. If the class was presented offline, participants that know each other tend to group so that they can quietly communicate with one another without disturbing the other participants in the class or lecture. However, this ability to engage in private conversations during a class is not provided by video conference technology. Conventionally, participants must establish a separate video conference (e.g., via a break out room or creating a new video conference) or speak to the entire class. Neither conventional solution adequately replicates the ability to quietly converse with other participants similar to offline classes. 
     Therefore, there is a need for systems and method of facilitating side-channel communications during a shared communication session. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a system for providing side-channel communications to supplement a shared communication channel is provided. The system includes (i) one more processors; (ii) one or more transceivers configured to receive a plurality of audio streams from a plurality of audio sources, wherein the plurality of audio sources include a host audio source and a plurality of participant audio sources corresponding to a plurality of participant devices; and (iii) one or more non-transitory memories configured to store (a) an indication that two or more participant devices of the plurality of participant devices are members of a side-channel communication group, and (b) computer executable instructions that, when executed via the one or more processors, cause the system to (1) for each participant device that is a member of the side-channel communication group, (a) generate a side-channel audio stream by combining the audio streams received from other members of the side-channel communication group, (b) generate an output audio stream by combining the side-channel audio stream with the audio stream from the host audio source, and (c) transmit, to the participant device of the member of the side-channel communication group and via the one or more transceivers, the output audio stream; and (2) for participant devices that are not members of the side-channel communication group, transmit, to the participant device and via the one or more transceivers, the host audio stream. 
     In another embodiment, a method for participating in side-channel communications to supplement a shared communication channel is provided. The method includes (1) joining, by one or more processors, the shared communication channel; (2) forming, by the one or more processors, a side-channel communication group with at least one other participant device of the shared communication channel; (3) receiving, from a server, a host audio stream generated by a host device of the shared communication channel; (4) receiving, from the server, a side-channel audio stream that includes audio data generated by the at least one other participant device included in the formed side-channel communication group; and (5) outputting, by the one or more processors, a composite audio stream formed from the host audio stream and the side-channel audio stream. 
     In yet another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to (1) join a shared communication channel; (2) form a side-channel communication group with at least one other participant device of the shared communication channel; (3) receive, from a server, a host audio stream generated by a host device of the shared communication channel; (4) receive, from the server, a side-channel audio stream that includes audio data generated by the at least one other participant device included in the formed side-channel communication group; and (5) output a composite audio stream formed from the host audio stream and the side-channel audio stream. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The Figures described below depict various aspects of the system and methods disclosed herein. Each figure depicts a particular aspect of the disclosed system and methods, and each of the figures is intended to accord with a possible aspect thereof. Further, wherever possible, the following description refers to the reference numerals included in the following figures, in which features depicted in multiple figures are designated with consistent reference numerals. 
       There are shown in the Figures arrangements which are presently discussed, it being understood, however, that the present embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are a block diagram of an example environment that includes a host platform configured to facilitate the side-channel communication techniques described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating the audio paths for a shared channel and a side-channel, in accordance with the techniques described herein; 
         FIG. 3A  is an example user interface presented by a participant device to request the formation of a side-channel communication group in accordance with the techniques described herein; 
         FIG. 3B  is an example user interface presented by a participant device to accept a request to join a side-channel communication group in accordance with the techniques described herein; 
         FIG. 3C  is an example user interface presented by a participant device while within a side-channel communication group in accordance with the techniques described herein; 
         FIG. 4  is an example flow diagram for mixing audio for a side-channel communication group with audio of a shared communication channel via the host platform of  FIGS. 1-2 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is an example flow diagram for mixing audio for a side-channel communication group with audio of a shared communication channel via a participant device of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
     
    
    
     The Figures depict preferred embodiments for purposes of illustration only. Alternative embodiments of the systems and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent and equivalents. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical. Numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include a host platform that supports shared communication channels between a host device and a plurality of participant devices. As it is used herein, a “shared communication channel” is a communication channel in which each participant device is configured to contemporaneously receive content provided by a host device. Typically, the content is video content associated with a video stream and an audio stream. However, these techniques may also be applied to visual and audio streams of shared augmented or virtual reality content. 
     The present disclosure generally refers to the content of the shared communication channel as being associated with a fitness and/or wellness platform. For example, the shared communication channel may be a live fitness class hosted by a trainer device. As another example, the shared communication channel may be a pre-recorded fitness class hosted by the host platform itself. That said, the present disclosure may be applied to many different types of content, such as lectures, presentations, live-streamed gaming, sporting, or other types of live performances and/or events, or other types of content associated with a plurality of participants viewing shared content presented by a host device. For many types of content, individual participants are generally muted and/or cannot readily communicate with particular our participants by speech via the platform hosting the presented content. 
     As it is used here, a “side-channel communication group” refers to an audio channel established between two or more participants of the shared communication channel. It should be appreciated that participation in the shared communication channel may cause a video stream from each participant device to be routed to the other participant devices of the shared communication channel. However, due to the large number of participants in the shared communication channel, the audio stream associated with the video stream shared to the other participants is typically muted. Accordingly, the side-channel communication group establishes an additional audio stream that is routed to the participant devices of the side-channel communication group. This additional audio stream is not routed to the other participant devices of the shared communication channel that are not included in the side-channel communication group. As a result, the participant devices of the side-channel communication group receive audio and video streams of content presented by the host to the shared communication channel and an additional audio stream corresponding to the side-channel communication group. 
     Receiving two audio streams at a participant device presents technical challenges on how to prioritize the audio streams to ensure that each participant in a side-channel communication group is still able to meaningfully understand the content of the shared communication channel. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein relate to audio mixing techniques that mix the shared communication channel audio stream and the side-channel communication group audio stream to generate a composite audio stream presented to participant. The audio mixer may be implemented centrally at the host platform and/or at the individual participant devices. In some embodiments, the audio mixer is configured to produce a composite audio stream where a volume level of the shared communication channel audio stream is higher than a volume level of the side-channel communication group audio stream volume level. As it is used herein, volume level does not refer to an instantaneous magnitude of the audio stream, but an amount of gain applied to the audio stream. Generally, gains between 0 and 1 decrease the volume level of an audio stream within the composite audio stream and gains over 1 increase the volume level of an audio stream within the composite audio stream. 
     In some embodiments, the audio mixer dynamically adjusts the volume levels of the shared communication channel audio stream and the side-channel communication group audio stream. As one example, in the context of a fitness class, the host trainer may instruct the participants to engage in a first exercise and not speak again until instructing the participants to engage in a second exercise. In this interim period, the audio mixer may detect that a magnitude of the audio stream from the host device is below a threshold magnitude and increase the volume level of side-channel communication group audio streams. Similarly, when the instructor the provides the second instruction to the participants, the audio mixer may detect that the magnitude of the audio stream from the host device is above a threshold magnitude and reset the volume level of the side-channel communication group audio streams to a default level. To measure the magnitude of the audio stream from the host device, the audio mixer may calculate a rolling average of magnitudes for a prior time period (e.g., 250 msec, 500 msec, 1 sec, etc.). 
     To provide a smooth audio experience, the audio mixer may detect that the magnitude of the audio stream from the host is below the threshold magnitude for a threshold duration before adjusting the volume level of the side-channel communication group audio stream. It should be appreciated that this duration may vary depending on the type of content presented by the host device. For example, the gaps between instructor commentary may be shorter for a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class than a meditation class. Accordingly, the threshold duration may be shorter for the HIIT class than the meditation class. As another way to smooth out the dynamic volume shifts, the audio mixer may gradually increase volume of the side-channel communication group audio stream up to a maximum volume level. Similar to the threshold duration, the rate of increase may vary depending on the type of content presented by the host device. 
     In some embodiments, the host is able to control when the side-channel communication groups are enabled. For example, the content presented by the host device may include a break period, an open discussion period, a Q&amp;A period, and so on. Unlike the other periods of the content presented by the host device, participant participation is encouraged during these periods. Accordingly, when the host disables the side-channel communication groups, the audio streams generated by a participant device are routed to the shared communication channel, not the side-channel communication group. Similarly, when the host re-enables the side-channel communication groups, the audio streams generated by a participant device included in a side-channel communication group are again routed to the side-channel communication group, and not the shared communication channel. 
     In some embodiments, a user interface presented to the host includes interface elements that enable manual control over enabling/disabling the side-channel communication groups. Additionally or alternatively, some types of content may include a schedule that includes indications when to enable or disable side-channel communication groups. For example, a fitness class may schedule the first 45 minutes to active training where side-channel communication groups are enabled, followed by a 5-minute break period side-channel communication groups are disabled, and then another 45 minutes of active training where the side-channel communication groups are enabled again. In this example, the host device may automatically enable or disable the side-channel communication groups in accordance with the schedule. As a result, the host platform is able to control the routing of audio streams of participant devices to improve the participant experience when viewing content presented by the host device. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , illustrated is an example environment  100  that includes a host platform  115  configured to host shared communication channels. The host platform  115  may be a server or other type of computing platform. In some scenarios, the host platform  115  is operated by a provider of livestreamed and/or pre-recorded content, such as fitness classes or lectures. While  FIG. 1A  illustrates that host platform  115  as a single entity, in other embodiments, the host platform  115  may be multiple entities acting in conjunction with one another. For example, in some embodiments, the host platform  115  is implemented in a distributed computing environment, such as a cloud computing environment. 
     To join shared communication channel supported by the host platform  115 , the participants interact with a participant device  105 , such as mobile phone  105   a , laptop computer  105   b , a tablet, a smart wearable device (e.g., smart glasses, a smart watch, smart apparel), a home personal assistance device, connected fitness equipment, or any other electronic device that is normally used to access internet-based content. The participant devices  105  are communicatively coupled to the host platform  115  via one or more wired or wireless networks  110  that facilitate any type of data communication via any current or future-developed standard or technology (e.g., GSM, CDMA, TDMA, WCDMA, LTE, EDGE, OFDM, GPRS, EV-DO, New Radio, UWB, IEEE 802 including Ethernet and Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, and others). Although  FIG. 1  only illustrates two participant devices  105 , the environment  100  may include any number of participant devices  105 . 
     The host platform  115  includes one or more processors  128  configured to execute instructions that form the various applications, modules, and other components of the search platform  115  described herein. In cloud computing embodiments, the processors  128  may be physically located in different hardware entities (e.g., servers) while still being logically connected to execute the various tasks described herein. The processors  128  may include central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), and/or any other types of computer processors. While the disclosure may generally refer to the processors  128  executing the various tasks described herein, particular tasks may be better suited to one type of processor. For example, some of the audio mixing techniques disclosed herein may be more efficiently executed by dedicated audio processors or GPUs than CPUs. Accordingly, in embodiments that include multiple types of processors, the host platform  115  may utilize a particular type of processor to execute instructions that are more efficiently executed by the particular type of processor. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the host platform  115  also includes a program memory  120 , a random-access memory (RAM)  127 , and an input/output (I/O) circuit  129 , all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus  126 . It should be appreciated the memory of the search platform  115  may include multiple RAMs  127  and multiple program memories  120  implemented as any type of memory, such as semiconductor memory, magnetically readable memory, or optically readable memory, for example. Similarly, although the I/O circuit  129  is shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that the I/O circuit  129  may include a number of different types of I/O circuits. For example, the I/O block  129  may include one or more transceiver circuits to facilitate communications over the networks  110  and/or directly with one or more databases. 
     The program memory  120  may store any number of applications, routines, tools, or other collections of computer-readable instructions that support the audio mixing techniques described herein. For example, the program memory  120  may include a hosting service  121  configured to establish shared communication channels, an audio mixing application  122  configured to mix the audio streams from a shared communication channel and a side-channel communication group to produce a composite audio stream, and a content scheduling program  123  configured to support scheduling the establishment of shared communication channels (e.g., via the hosting service  121 ) and/or demarcation of time periods within content presented to the established shared communication channel. Of course, other applications that relate to shared communication channels may be stored at the program memory  120  (e.g., an application configured to support social networking functionality between users of the host platform  115 ). 
     As illustrated, the host platform  115  is connected to a user database  130  that stores user profiles corresponding to users of the host platform  115 . For example, the user profile may include an indication identifying the particular participant device  105  used by the user to view shared communication channels (e.g., a MAC address, a serial number, a MEID, a UICC, or other unique identifier), a network location (e.g., IP address) at which the participant is accessing the host platform  115 , an indication of other users to which the user is connected, an indication of past shared communication channels joined by the user, an indication of future shared communication channels the user wants to join, a user identifier, and/or other data related to user interactions with the host platform  115 . As another example, the host platform  115  may be associated with different tiers of service. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the ability to be a member of side-channel communication groups is a premium feature restricted to particular classes of users. In these embodiments, the user profile may include a flag or other indication indicative of whether or not the user has access to participate in side-channel communication groups. The user database  130  may utilize any known database architecture. For example, in some embodiments, the user database  130  is a distributed file system, such as a cloud storage solution. 
     In addition to the participant devices  105 , the host platform  115  may also be connected to a host device  113  via the networks  110 . Similar to the participant devices  105 , the host device  113  may be s mobile phone, a laptop computer, a tablet, a smart wearable device (e.g., smart glasses, a smart watch, smart apparel), a home personal assistance device, a connected fitness equipment, or any other electronic device that is normally used to access internet-based content. Although  FIG. 1A  only depicts a single host device  113 , the environment  100  may include any number of host devices  113 . 
     As described herein, a host may interact with the host device  113  to initiate a shared communication channel hosted by the host platform  115 . For example, an application (e.g., a dedicated application associated with the host platform  115  or a browser viewing data at website supported by the host platform  115 ) executing on the host device  113  may interface with the hosting server  121  to initiate the shared communication channel. In some embodiments, the interface is an application programming interface (API) corresponding to the hosting service  121 . Upon receiving an indication from the host device  113  to initiate the shared communication channel, the host service  121  may establish the shared communication channel to which content from the host device  113  is presented to the shared communication channel. As part of establishing the shared communication channel, the hosting service  121  may assign the shared communication channel an identifier (e.g., a session ID) to be able to distinguish between any concurrently hosted shared communication channels. In some embodiments, the hosting service  121  may assign a channel type (e.g., yoga, HIIT, lecture, etc.) to the shared communication channel. 
     After the hosting service  121  establishes the shared communication channel, participants may join the shared communication channel via respective participant devices  105 . Upon joining the shared communication channel, the participant device  105  may be configured to present a video stream to the shared communication channel to be viewed by other participants of the shared communication channel. 
     The hosting service  121  may maintain a list of participants and/or participant devices  105  that joined the shared communication channel. For each participant, the host service  121  may query the user database  130  to determine whether any connected users to the participant have also joined the shared communication channel. If there are other connected users to the participant in the shared communication channel, the host service  121  may configure the user interface presented by the corresponding participant device  105  to prioritize the connected users. For example, the host service  121  may pin the video stream from the connected users&#39; participant devices  105  to a particular location in the user interface. As another example, the host service  121  may include a user interface element that presents a list of the participant&#39;s connected users currently in the shared communication channel. 
     As described herein, a first participant device  105  may be configured to send a request to a second participant device  105  corresponding to a connected user to establish a side-channel communication group. In particular, the first participant device  105  may transmit the request to the host platform  115  via the interface of the hosting service  121 , which then relays the request to the second participant device  105 . In embodiments where participation in side-channel communication groups is restricted to particular classes of users, the hosting service  121  may query the user profile of the second participant maintained at the user database  130  to verify the second participant has sufficient permission to join a side-channel communication group before relaying the request to the second participant. If the second participant does not have sufficient permission, the hosting service  121  may instead send a notification to the first participant device  105  informing the first participant as such. 
     To establish the side-channel communication group, the hosting service  121  may be configured to create an entry in the record corresponding to the shared communication channel in which the side-channel communication group is to be established. The hosting service  121  may assign the side-channel communication group an identifier (e.g., a group ID) to distinguish between multiple side-channel communication groups formed within the same shared communication channel. Accordingly, the entry may include an indication of the side-channel communication group identifier and a list of the participants that are included in the side-channel communication group (and/or network addresses of participant devices  105  associated therewith). After establishing the side-channel communication group, the hosting service  121  may update the entry as participants join or leave the side-channel communication group. When an audio stream is received from a participant device  105  included the side-channel communication group, the hosting service  121  queries the entry to identify the other participant devices  105  included in the side-channel communication group to which the audio stream should be routed. 
     To route the audio stream to the other participant device  105 , the hosting service  121  may invoke the audio mixer  122  to combine the audio stream with the audio stream of the shared communication channel to produce a composite audio stream. The audio mixer  122  may apply the various audio mixing techniques disclosed herein to produce the composite audio stream. For example, the audio mixer  122  may overlay the audio streams onto one other to produce a composite output audio stream that includes the component audio streams. When overlaying the audio streams, the audio mixer may set various parameters, such as a volume level, to adjust the component audio streams. In some embodiments, the audio mixer  122  may analyze the content type identifier associated with the shared communication channel to set parameters associated with dynamically mixing the audio streams. The hosting service  121  may route the composite output audio stream to the corresponding participant devices included in the side-channel communication group. 
     As described herein, in some embodiments, the host platform  115  initiates the shared communication channel, not the host device  113 . For example, content previously presented to a shared communication channel by a host device  113  may be archived by the hosting platform  115  for subsequent replays. Accordingly, a user may schedule a replay via the content scheduling application  123 . When the host platform  115  detects the time is the scheduled replay time, the content scheduling application  123  may automatically initiate the shared communication channel and begin presenting the archived replay to the shared communication channel. 
     The content scheduling application  123  may also provide the hosting server  121  with a schedule for content presented to the shared communication channel. As part of establishing the shared communication channel, the hosting service  121  may obtain a corresponding schedule from the content scheduling application  123 . For pre-recorded content, a user may demarcate periods where side-channel communications are enabled and/or disabled (e.g., identify periods associated with breaks). For livestreamed content, the host may upload a planned schedule to the host platform  115 . The schedule may indicate demarcate periods when the host expects that side-channel communications should be enabled/disabled. When detecting a shift into a new period, the hosting service  121  may automatically enable/disable the side-channel communication groups in accordance with the schedule. Additionally or alternatively, to account for any deviations from the schedule, the hosting service  121  may transmit an alert to the host device  113  that enables the host to manually enable/disable side-channel communication groups. 
     As illustrated, the host platform  115  is also connected to a music server  114  via the networks  110 . Many types of content presented to shared communication channels include background music. Due to usage rights restrictions on music, the hosting platform  115  may prevent hosts from directly playing background music in their livestreams. Instead, the host may create or modify the schedule to include a music schedule based on music files available from the music server  114 . Accordingly, the hosting service  121  and/or content scheduling application  123  may be configured to transmit schedule information to the music server  114  such that the music server  114  transmits, to the participant devices  105  included in the shared communication channel, an audio stream in accordance with the music schedule. While  FIG. 1A  illustrates the music server  114  being external to the host platform  115 , in some embodiments, the music server  114  may be a component of the host platform  115 . 
     Similar to the host platform  115  and as shown in  FIG. 1B , the participant device  105  includes the program memory  140 , one or more processors  148 , a random-access memory (RAM)  147 , a display  144 , audio output  145 , and an input/output (I/O) circuit  149 , all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus  146 . It should be appreciated the memory of the participant device  105  may include multiple RAMs  147  and multiple program memories  140  implemented as any type of memory, such as semiconductor memory, magnetically readable memory, or optically readable memory, for example. Similarly, although the I/O circuit  149  is shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that the I/O circuit  149  may include a number of different types of I/O circuits. For example, the I/O block  149  may include one or more transceiver circuits to facilitate communications over the networks  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the program memory  140  includes a browser application  142  that enables the participant to access a website associated with the host platform  115 . Additionally or alternatively, the program memory  140  includes a dedicated application  143  for interacting with the host platform  115 . The dedicated application  143  may be downloaded to the participant device  105  via an application store, downloaded from a website (e.g. via a plugin or the like), or otherwise installed onto the participant device  105 . In some embodiments, the dedicated application  143  is a standalone executable application that generates and presents interfaces on the display  144  associated with the hosting platform  115 . While the instant disclosure describes various functionality performed by the dedicated application  143 , any such description envisions that alternate performance of the functionality by the browser  142 . 
     In some embodiments, the dedicated application  143  includes an audio mixer configured similar to the audio mixer  122  of the host platform  115 . For example, the audio mixing application  122  may combine audio streams of each participant of the side-channel communication group into a side-channel audio stream. The hosting service  121  may then route both the side-channel audio stream and the audio stream of the shared communication channel to the participant device  105  for mixing by the audio mixer of the dedicated application  143 . As another example, the music server  114  may be configured to transmit the audio stream of music files directly to the participant device  105  of the shared communication channel. Accordingly, the audio mixer of the dedicated application  143  may be configured to mix the music audio stream, the shared communication channel audio stream, and/or the side-channel audio streams into a composite output audio stream. 
     As illustrated, the participant device is connected to an external audio output device  108  via the I/O  149 . For example, the external audio output device may be an external speaker or other electronic device connected via a wired connection (e.g., analog or digital communication wires) or a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.). In some embodiments, rather than mixing the shared communication channel audio stream and the side-channel audio stream into a composite stream, the dedicated application  143  may be configured to route the audio streams to different audio outputs. For example, the dedicated application  143  may route the shared communication channel audio stream to the audio output  145  of the participant device  105  and the side-channel audio stream to the external audio output  108 , or vice versa. As another example, the dedicated application  143  may route the composite audio stream to audio output  145  and the music audio stream to the external audio output  108 , or vice versa. 
     With concurrent reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B ,  FIG. 2  depicts a flow diagram  200  illustrating the audio paths for the audio steams associated with a shared communication channel  170  and a side-channel communication group  180 . As illustrated, the shared communication channel  170  includes three participant devices  105   a ,  105   b , and  105   c . Of course, in other scenarios, the shared communication channel could have any number of additional participant devices. In addition to being participants of the shared communication channel  170 , the participant device  105   a  and the participant device  105   b  have formed the side-channel communication group  180  that does not include the participant device  105   c . In other scenarios, the side-channel communication group  180  may also include additional participant device  105 . 
     As described herein, the host device  113  is configured to present content (e.g., a livestreamed class) to the shared communication channel. It should be appreciated in some alternative embodiments, the host platform  115  is configured to present the content to the shared communication channel  170  exclusive of the host device  113  (e.g., when the host platform  115  is presenting pre-recorded content). Accordingly, any reference to the capability of the host device  113  to configure a shared communication channel and/or present content to the shared communication channel herein envisions an alternate implementation by the host platform  115  itself. 
     The audio stream generated by host device  113  is routed to the shared communication channel  170 . More particularly, the host device  113  transmits the content to the host platform  115  via the networks  110 . This transmission may include an identifier of the host device  113  (e.g., a device identifier or an IP address) and/or an identifier of the shared communication channel (e.g., a session ID). In response, the hosting service  121  detects that the identifier(s) and identifies the corresponding shared communication channel hosted at the host platform  115 . The hosting service  121  then identifies the participants of the shared communication channel  170  (e.g., the participants  105   a ,  105   b , and  105   c ) and routes the audio stream to each identified participant via the networks  110 . 
     Additionally, because the participant device  105   a  and  105   b  are members of the side-channel communication group  180 , the participant devices  105   a  and  105   b  also transmit respective audio streams to the host platform  115  via the networks  110 . Similar to the audio stream from the host device  113 , the participant devices  105   a  and  105   b  may include an identifier of the participant device  105  (e.g., a device identifier or an IP address), an identifier of the shared communication channel (e.g., a session ID), and/or an identifier of the side-channel communication group (e.g., a group ID). In response, the hosting service  121  detects that the identifier(s) and identifies the corresponding shared communication channel hosted at the host platform  115 . The hosting service  121  then identifies the participants of the side-channel  180  (e.g., the participants  105   a  and  105   b ) and routes the audio stream to the identified participants via the networks  110 . It should be appreciated that the audio stream generated by a particular participant device  105  may not be routed back to the same participant device  105 . That is, in the illustrated scenario, the participant device  105   a  receives the audio stream generated by participant device  105   b  and the participant device  105   b  receives the audio stream generated by the participant device  105   a . In scenarios where the side-channel communication group  180  includes three or more participants, the hosting service  121  may combine the participant audio streams such that a side-channel audio stream is created for each side-channel communication group member that excludes their own respective audio stream. 
     While  FIG. 2  illustrates each participant device  105  separately receiving the audio stream from the shared communication channel  170  and their respective side-channel audio stream from the side-channel communication  180 , the hosting service  121  may instead route the audio streams to the audio mixer  122  to produce a composite audio stream in accordance with techniques described herein. Accordingly, the hosting service  121  may be configured to transmit respective composite audio streams for each participant of the side-channel communication group  180  via the networks  110 . 
     As illustrated the music server  114  is also configured to route a music audio stream (“music stream”) to each participant device  105  that joined the shared communication channel  170 . For example, the host device  113  and/or the host platform  115  may have transmitted a music schedule for the shared communication channel  170  to the music server  114 . Accordingly, the music server may be configured to transmit the music stream to the participant devices  105  in accordance with the received music schedule. To facilitate proper routing of the music stream by the music server  114 , the host platform  115  may transmit to the music server an indication of each participant device  105  within the shared communication channel  170  that corresponds to the music schedule. As participants join or leave the shared communication channel  170 , the host platform  115  may update the music server  114  accordingly. 
     It should be appreciated that while the audio path between the host device  113  and the shared communication channel  170  and the audio path between the participant device  105  and the shared communication channel are illustrated as being unidirectional, these audio paths may become bidirectional when side-channel communication groups are disabled. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3A-3C , illustrated are example user interfaces displayed by a participant device  105  as part of viewing content presented to a shared communication channel (such as the shared communication channel  170  of  FIG. 2 ) supported by the host platform  115 . More particularly, the user interfaces may be presented by the browser  142  or the dedicated application  143  executing on the participant device  105 . It should be appreciated that the participant device  105  may only be configured to display these user interfaces if the dedicated application  143  determines that the user profile corresponding to the participant device  105  has sufficient permissions to join a side-channel communication group. 
     Starting with  FIG. 3A , illustrated is an example user interface  300  presented by the participant device  105  to facilitate generating a request to form of a side-channel communication group with another participant of the shared communication channel. The user interface  300  includes a first display area  302  for displaying video streams presented to the shared communication channel by the host device  113  and a second display area  304  for displaying video streams presented to the shared communication channel by other participant devices  105  that have joined the shared communication channel. As illustrated, the second display area  304  may be overlaid on top of the first display area  302 . 
     As described herein, the participant corresponding to the user interface  300  may be associated with a user profile maintained at the user database  130  that indicates a plurality of connected users. Accordingly, the hosting service  121  may transmit to the participant device  105  a list of connected users have joined the shared communication channel. In response, the dedicated application  143  may be configured to prioritize the video streams received from the participant device  105  corresponding to the connected users in the second display area  304 . For example, the dedicated application may pin those video streams to the second display area  304 . 
     As illustrated, the user interface  300  also includes a selection interface  306  that enables the user to generate a selection of users from the received list of connected users. The selection interface  306  may enable the user of the participant device  105  to select any number of the listed connected users. While  FIG. 3A  illustrates a selection interface where the user selects the connected user by interacting with the indication of connected user itself, alternate user interface means of generating a selection are envisioned (e.g., radio selection buttons, checkboxes, etc.). In embodiments where access to side-channel communication groups is restricted to only certain participants, the list of connected users received by the participant device  105  may include an indication of whether or not each connected user is permitted to join side-channel communication groups. Accordingly, the selection interface  306  may distinguish between connected users that are permitted to join side-channel communication groups and those that are not. For example, the selection interface  306  may grey-out or otherwise disable the selection of connected users that are not permitted to join side-channel communication groups. 
     The user interface  300  also includes a selection confirmation element  308 . When the user interacts with the selection confirmation element  308 , the dedicated application  143  may be configured to generate a request to invite the users selected via the selection interface  306 . More particularly, the dedicated application  143  may cause the participant device  105  to transmit the request to the host platform  115  to route the request to the corresponding participant devices  105  of the selected users. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3B , illustrated is an example user interface  320  displayed by the participant device  105  to facilitate accepting a request to join a side-channel communication group. More particularly, the participant device  105  may be configured to display the user interface  320  in response to receiving a request to join the side-channel communication group from the host platform  115 . The user interface  320  includes a first display area  322  for displaying video streams presented to the shared communication channel by the host device  113  and a second display area  324  for displaying video streams presented to the shared communication channel by other participant devices  105  that have joined the shared communication channel. It should be appreciated that the first and second display areas  322  and  324  may be generated in a similar manner as described with respect to the first and second display areas  302  and  304  of  FIG. 3A . 
     As illustrated, the user interface  320  includes a notification element  326  that informs the user that the request to join a side-channel communication group was received by the participant device  105 . The notification element  326  may indicate the particular connected user that generated the request based upon an indication of the particular connected user included in the request. 
     The user interface  320  also includes an acceptance element  328  and rejection element  329  that enables the user to accept or reject the request, respectively. In response to detecting a user interaction with the rejection element  329 , the participant device  105  may be configured to transmit a rejection notification to the host platform  115  or simply cause the participant device  105  to stop displaying elements  326 ,  328 , and  329  thereby letting the request time out. On the other hand, in response to detecting a user interaction with the acceptance element  328 , the participant device  105  may be configured to transmit an acceptance notification to the host platform  115 . In response to receiving the acceptance notification, the host platform  115  may cause the participant device  105  to join the side-channel communication group the requestor is currently a member of or establish a new side-channel communication group with the requestor. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates an example user interface  340  presented by the participant device  105  while within a side-channel communication group (such as the side-channel communication group  180  of  FIG. 2 ). The user interface  340  includes a first display area  342  for displaying video streams presented to the shared communication channel by the host device  113  and a second display area  344  for displaying video streams presented to the shared communication channel by other participant devices  105  that have joined the shared communication channel. If there are more connected users in the shared communication channel than available for display in the second display area  344 , the participant device  105  may prioritize the display of the connected users that are members of the side-channel communication group in the second display area  344 . Otherwise, the first and second display areas  342  and  344  may be generated in a similar manner as described with respect to the first and second display areas  302  and  304  of  FIG. 3A . 
     The user interface  340  includes user side-channel communication group panel element  346  that includes an indication of other members of the side-channel communication group. The panel element  346  includes an element  347  that enables the participant device  105  to generate a request that another connected user joins the side-channel communication group. For example, in response to interacting with the element  347 , the participant device  105  may present the selection element  306  and selection confirmation element  308  of the user interface  300 . Additionally, the panel element  346  includes an element  348  that enables the user to leave the side-channel communication group. Accordingly, in response to detecting a user interaction with the element  348 , the participant device  105  may transmit a notification to the host platform  115  that causes the host device  115  to remove the participant device  105  from the side-channel communication group. 
     Additional or alternative user interfaces may provide similar capabilities to that shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C  and/or may provide additional capabilities described herein. Furthermore, user interface techniques may be implemented that use audio input/output via a microphone and/or speaker of the participant device  105 , in various embodiments, to communicate via audio channels (e.g., voice commands). 
       FIG. 4  is an example flow diagram of an example method  400  for mixing audio for a side-channel communication group (e.g. the side-channel communication group  180  of  FIG. 2 ) with audio of a shared communication channel (e.g. the shared communication channel  170  of  FIG. 2 ). A host platform (e.g., the host platform  115  of  FIGS. 1-2 ) and/or applications executing thereon (e.g., the hosting service  121  and/or the audio mixer  122  of  FIG. 1A ) may be configured to perform the steps of the method  400 . More particularly, the host platform  115  may perform the steps of the method  400  when one or more side-channel communication groups have been established as part of a shared communication channel. Accordingly, the host platform may store a data record corresponding to the shared communication channel that includes an indication of the side-channel communication group and an indication of the members thereof. 
     The method  400  begins when the host platform generates, for a member of the side-channel communication group, a side-channel audio stream by combining the audio streams received from the other members of the side-channel communication group (block  402 ). For example, the host platform may combine the audio streams using an audio mixer. Accordingly, the host platform may generate a different side-channel audio stream for each member of the side-channel communication group. 
     At block  404 , the host platform generates an output audio stream by combining the side-channel audio stream with the audio stream from the host audio source. For example, the host platform may use the audio mixer to combine the side-channel audio stream and the host audio stream. To prioritize audio from presented by the host device to the shared communication channel, the host platform may mix the side-channel audio stream with the audio stream from the host audio source such that a volume level of the side-channel audio stream is less than a volume level of the audio stream from the host audio source. 
     As another example, the host platform may dynamically mix the host audio stream and the side-channel audio stream. For example, the host platform may be configured to determine that a magnitude of the host audio stream is below a first threshold magnitude and increase the volume level of the side-channel audio stream within the output audio stream. Subsequently, the host platform may determine that the magnitude of the host audio stream is above a second threshold magnitude, and decrease the volume level of the side-channel audio stream within the output audio stream. 
     To smooth out the volume levels, the host platform may implement hysteresis techniques. As one example, the second threshold may be a higher magnitude than the first magnitude. As another example, the host platform may determine that the magnitude of the host audio stream is below the first threshold magnitude for a threshold duration before adjusting the volume level of the side-channel audio stream. The threshold duration may vary depending on the type of shared communication channel. For example, the host platform may categorize the contents channel types and assign a threshold duration to each category. 
     At block  406 , the host platform transmits, to the member of the side-channel communication group, the output audio stream. The host platform may be configured to obtain a network address corresponding to the member&#39;s participant device from a record associated with the shared communication channel and/or side-channel communication group. 
     As described herein, the host platform may enable the host device to enable and/or disable side-channel communication groups. Accordingly, the host platform may be configured to obtain an indication that side-channel communications are disabled. In response, the host platform may route audio to the participant devices of members of the side-channel communication group in a similar manner as participant devices of the shared communication channel that are not members of a side-channel communication group. That is, the host platform may be configured to transmit a participant audio stream to each participant device of the shared communication channel when side-channel communications are disabled. The participant audio stream may be an audio stream formed by mixing the audio streams received from the host device and each other participant device in the shared communication channel. 
     In some embodiments, the host platform is configured to receive, via the one or more transceivers, an indication that a particular participant device is to be added to the side-channel communication group. For example, the indication may be received in response to a user interacting with the acceptance element  328  of  FIG. 3B . The host platform may then modify the indication of the participant devices included in the side-channel communication group to include an indication of the particular participant device. In embodiments where access to the side-channel communication groups are restricted to users having sufficient permission, the host platform may query the permissions included in the user profile corresponding to particular participant device to ensure the particular participant device has sufficient permissions before modifying the indication of the side-channel communication group. 
       FIG. 5  is an example flow diagram for an example method  500  for mixing audio of a side-channel communication group with audio of a shared communication channel. The method  500  may be performed by a participant device (e.g., the participant device  105  of  FIGS. 1-2 ). More particularly, the method  500  may be performed by an application executing on the participant device (e.g., the dedicated application  143  of  FIG. 1B ). 
     The method  500  begins when the participant device joins the shared communication channel (block  502 ). For example, the user may interact with the dedicated application to join a class hosted by a server, such as the host platform  115  of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
     At block  504 , the participant device forms a side-channel communication group with at least one other participant device of the shared communication channel. For example, the participant device may receive a request to join a side-channel communication group from another participant. Accordingly, the participant device may form the side-channel communication group by transmitting an acceptance notification to the server (e.g., in response to detecting an interaction with the acceptance element  328 ). As another example, the participant device may form the side-channel communication group by transmitting a request for another participant device to join the side-channel communication group (e.g., by detecting an interaction with the selection confirmation element  308  of  FIG. 3A ). In response to the other participant device joining the side-channel communication group, the participant device may receive an acknowledgement from the server that the other participant agreed to join the side-channel communication group. 
     At block  506 , the participant device receives, from the server, a host audio stream generated by a host device of the shared communication channel. At block  508 , the participant device receives, from the server, a side-channel audio stream that includes audio data generated by the at least one other participant device included in the formed side-channel communication group. For example, the host audio stream may be the audio stream from the shared communication channel  170  of  FIG. 2  and the side-channel audio stream may be the audio stream from the side-channel communication group  180  of  FIG. 2 . 
     In some embodiments, the host audio stream and the side-channel audio stream are received as part of a composite audio stream from the server. In these embodiments, the participant device may be able to adjust parameters, such as a volume level, associated with the component audio streams of the composite audio stream. In other embodiments, the host audio stream and the side-channel audio stream are received as separate audio streams. 
     At block  508 , the participant device outputs a composite audio stream formed from the host audio stream and the side-channel audio stream. In embodiments where the server mixed the composite audio stream, such as by following the techniques corresponding to the method  400 , the participant device may route the received audio to an audio output of the participant device. In other embodiments, the participant device may be configured to mix the host audio stream and the side-channel audio stream together. For example, the dedicated application may include an audio mixer capable of mixing the audio streams in accordance with the techniques described herein. 
     For example, to prioritize audio from presented by the host device to the shared communication channel, the participant device may mix the side-channel audio stream with the host audio stream such that a volume level of the side-channel audio stream is less than a volume level of the host audio stream. As another example, the participant device may dynamically mix the host audio stream and the side-channel audio stream. For example, the participant device may be configured to determine that a magnitude of the host audio stream is below a first threshold magnitude and increase the volume level of the side-channel audio stream within the composite audio stream. Subsequently, the host platform may determine that the magnitude of the host audio stream is above a second threshold magnitude, and decrease the volume level of the side-channel audio stream within the composite audio stream. 
     To smooth out the volume levels, the participant device may implement hysteresis techniques. As one example, the second threshold may be a higher magnitude than the first magnitude. As another example, the participant device may determine that the magnitude of the host audio stream is below the first threshold magnitude for a threshold duration before adjusting the volume level of the side-channel audio stream. The threshold duration may vary depending on the type of shared communication channel. For example, the server may categorize the contents channel types and assign a threshold duration to each category. The participant device may then utilize the channel type identifier to apply the appropriate threshold duration. 
     The participant device may also be configured to receive, from a server (e.g. the music server  114  of  FIGS. 1A-1B ), a music audio stream associated with the shared communication channel. It should be appreciated that the server from which the music stream is received may be a different server than the server that hosts the shared communication channel. Accordingly, the participant device may be configured to mix the music audio stream, the host audio stream and the side-channel audio stream to produce the composite audio stream. 
     In some embodiments, the participant device may be configured to output the composite audio stream by routing the composite audio streams to respective audio output devices. For example, the participant device may include an internal audio output device (e.g., the audio output  145  of  FIG. 1B ) and be operatively coupled to one or more external audio output devices (e.g., the audio output device  108  of  FIG. 1B ). Accordingly, the participant device may be configured to route the host audio stream to the internal audio output device and the side-channel audio stream to the external audio output device, or vice versa. As another example, the participant device may be configured to route the host audio stream and the side-channel audio stream to the internal audio output device and the music audio stream to the external audio output device. 
     ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 
     All of the foregoing computer systems may include additional, less, or alternate functionality, including that discussed herein. All of the computer-implemented methods may include additional, less, or alternate actions, including those discussed herein, and may be implemented via one or more local or remote processors and/or transceivers, and/or via computer-executable instructions stored on computer-readable media or medium. 
     The following additional considerations apply to the foregoing discussion. Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein. 
     Additionally, certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a number of routines, subroutines, applications, or instructions. These may constitute either software (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware. In hardware, the routines, etc., are tangible units capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardware module that operates to perform certain operations as described herein. 
     The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may be located in a single geographic location (e.g., within a home environment, a fitness studio environment, or a server farm). In other example embodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may be distributed across a number of geographic locations. 
     Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using words such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions or processes of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or other machine components that receive, store, transmit, or display information. 
     As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the description. This description, and the claims that follow, should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.