Communication event

A computer program product comprising executable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, which are configured, when executed, to carry out the following steps, to effect a communication event via a network between a requesting user, operating a first user device, and a responding user, operating a second user device:

• initiating the communication event, in which each of the user devices captures a stream of audio data, transmits the captured stream of audio data to the other user device via the network for receiving thereat, and outputs, to its user, the audio stream received from the other user device;
• wherein a video exchange function is initially suppressed for the communication event for at least the second user device, by a video suppression component associated with the second user device, and the first user device transmits to the second user device, in response to a user input from the requesting user during the communication event, a request to stop suppressing video for the communication event, the user input being a drag and release gesture on a touchscreen of the user device;
• and
• wherein if the responding user does not accept the request, the video suppression component continues suppressing the video exchange function for at least the second user device, wherein if the responding user accepts the request, the video suppression component stops suppressing the video exchange function for the second user device in response, wherein the user devices implement the video exchange function by:
• at least the second user device capturing a stream of video data and transmitting the captured stream of video data to the first user device via the network for receiving thereat, and the first device displaying, to its user, the stream of video data received from the second user device.

A computer system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• electronic storage coupled to the at least one processor configured to hold executable instructions, which are configured, when executed on the at least one processor, to carry out the following steps, to effect a communication event via a network between a requesting user, operating a first user device, and a responding user, operating a second user device:
• initiating the communication event, in which each of the user devices captures a stream of audio data, transmits the captured stream of audio data to the other user device via the network for receiving thereat, and outputs, to its user, the audio stream received from the other user device;
• wherein a video exchange function is initially suppressed for the communication event for at least the second user device, by a video suppression component associated with the second user device, and the first user device transmits to the second user device, in response to a user input from the requesting user during the communication event, a request to stop suppressing video for the communication event, the user input being a drag and release gesture on a touchscreen of the user device;
• and
• wherein if the responding user does not accept the request, the video suppression component continues suppressing the video exchange function for at least the second user device, wherein if the responding user accepts the request, the video suppression component stops suppressing the video exchange function for the second user device in response, wherein the user devices implement the video exchange function by:
• at least the second user device capturing a stream of video data and transmitting the captured stream of video data to the first user device via the network for receiving thereat, and the first device displaying, to its user, the stream of video data received from the second user device.