Static and dynamic video calling avatars

1. A method, performed by a computer device, the method comprising:

receiving, by the computer device, a request to initiate a video call from a first user device to a second user device;

requesting, by the computer device, a first avatar for a first user associated with the first user device from a video avatar system that stores the first avatar remotely from the first user device;

receiving, by the computer device, the first avatar from the video avatar system, wherein the first avatar corresponds to an image selected by the first user to be used as a replacement for a video stream for video calls associated with the first user; and

incorporating, by the computer device, the first avatar into a video stream to the second user device.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

requesting, by the computer device, a second avatar for a second user associated with the second user device from the video avatar system;

receiving, by the computer device, the second avatar from the video avatar system; and

incorporating, by the computer device, the second avatar into a video stream to the first user device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first user device includes:

a mobile communication device associated with the first user;

a personal computer device associated with the first user; or

a video calling device associated with the first user.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

identifying a condition associated with the first user;

providing information relating to the identified condition to the video avatar system; and

wherein the first avatar has been selected by the first user to be associated with the condition.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the condition associated with the first user includes at least one of:

a location associated with the first user;

a time of day;

a day of week;

a contact group associated with the second user; or

a status associated with the first user.

6. A method, performed by a communication device, the method comprising:

detecting, by the communication device, a request to initiate a video call by a user of the communication device;

selecting, by the communication device, an avatar for the video call, wherein the avatar corresponds to an image selected by the user to be used as a replacement for a video stream for video calls associated with the user;

determining, by the communication device, a facial expression associated with the user of the communication device;

selecting, by the communication device, an avatar facial expression for the selected avatar, based on the determined facial expression; and

incorporating, by the communication device, the selected avatar facial expression into a video stream associated with the video call.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining the facial expression associated with the user of the communication device includes:

capturing an image of the user's face using a sensor device associated with communication device; and

wherein determining the facial expression associated with the user of the communication device includes:

analyzing the captured image to identify the facial expression associated with the user.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the sensor associated with the communication device includes:

one or more cameras attached to a pair of glasses worn by the user.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein analyzing the captured image to identify the facial expression associated with the user includes one or more of:

determining a position of the user's head in the captured image;

determining a position of the user's eyebrows in the captured image;

determining a position of the user's cheekbones in the captured image; or

determining a position of the user's lips in the captured image.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining the facial expression associated with the user of the communication device includes:

analyzing audio signals associated with the video call.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein analyzing audio signals associated with the video call includes:

determining whether the user is talking; and

wherein selecting the avatar facial expression for the selected avatar, based on the determined facial expression, includes:

selecting a talking avatar facial expression, when the user is talking.

12. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining the facial expression associated with the user of the communication device includes:

determining the facial expression based on user input.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein determining the facial expression based on user input includes:

receiving a selection of the avatar facial selection from a list of avatar facial expressions provided to the user; or

receiving user manipulation of an avatar image, wherein the user manipulation corresponds to a gesture performed by the user on the avatar image displayed by the communication device.

14. A communication device comprising:

logic configured to:

detect a request to initiate a video call by a user of the communication device;

select an avatar for the video call, wherein the avatar corresponds to an image selected by the user to be used as a replacement for a video stream for video calls associated with the user;

determine a facial expression associated with the user of the communication device;

select an avatar facial expression for the selected avatar, based on the determined facial expression; and

incorporate the selected avatar facial expression into a video stream associated with the video call.

15. The communication device of claim 14 , wherein when the logic is configured to determine the facial expression associated with the user of the communication device, the logic is further configured to:

capture an image of the user's face using a sensor device associated with communication device; and

wherein, when the logic is configured to determine the facial expression associated with the user of the communication device, the logic is further configured to:

analyze the captured image to identify the facial expression associated with the user.

16. The communication device of claim 15 , wherein the sensor device associated with the communication device includes:

one or more cameras attached to glasses worn by the user.

17. The communication device of claim 15 , wherein when the logic is configured to analyze the captured image to identify the facial expression associated with the user, the logic is further configured to one or more of:

determine a position of the user's eyebrows in the captured image;

determine a position of the user's cheekbones in the captured image; or

determine a position of the user's lips in the captured image.

18. The communication device of claim 14 , wherein when the logic is configured to determine the facial expression associated with the user of the communication device, the logic is further configured to:

determine whether the user is talking; and

wherein, when the logic is configured to select the avatar facial expression for the selected avatar, based on the determined facial expression, the logic is further configured to:

select a talking avatar facial expression, when the user is talking.

19. The communication device of claim 14 , wherein when the logic is configured to determine the facial expression associated with the user of the communication device, the logic is further configured to:

determine the facial expression based on user input.

20. The communication device of claim 19 , wherein when the logic is configured to determine the facial expression based on user input, the logic is further configured to:

receive a selection of the avatar facial selection from a list of avatar facial expressions provided to the user; or

receive user manipulation of an avatar image, wherein the user manipulation corresponds to a gesture performed by the user on the avatar image displayed by the communication device.