User Input Peripheral

A system comprising:

• a non-graphical actuator operable to be actuated by a user;
• an interface for connecting to a user terminal;
• control logic for interfacing with the user terminal via said interface, in order to control a communication client application running on the user terminal, and to thereby control a voice or video call that is conducted over a packet-based network from the user terminal using the communication client application;
• wherein the control logic is configured such that said control of the call comprises performing a function in relation to the call in response to actuation of said hardware actuator by the user, and wherein the control logic is further configured such that the function of said actuation of the actuator is dependent on a current status of the call;
• and
• wherein the user terminal has a display screen and a user operating system having a presentation layer for rendering a graphical user interface of the communication client application on said display screen.

A method comprising:

• connecting a peripheral device to a user terminal, in order to enable the peripheral device to control a communication client application running on the user terminal, and to thereby control a voice or video call conducted from the user terminal using the client application;
• the user actuating a non-graphical actuator on the peripheral device;
• and
• in response to said actuation of the hardware actuator by the user, the peripheral device performing a function in relation to the call via said connection, wherein the function of said actuation of the actuator is made dependent on a current status of the call.