Abstract: A system for synchronizing a natural language input element and a graphical user interface has a synchronization engine. The synchronization engine is adapted to monitor user interactions with the natural language input element and the graphical user interface and to synchronize the natural language input element and the graphical user interface responsive to the user interactions.

Abstract: A method and system for federated searching that includes receiving a user query a first location, extracting terms from the user query, assigning the query a ranking based on the terms, sending the user query to a second location for resolution if the ranking of the query meets a predetermined threshold, and receiving a response from the second location. The user query is parsed, normalized and ranked to determine if terms in the user query are relevant to the search facility of the second location. In order to make that ranking determination, data representative of the goods or services provided by the second location is provided to the first location by the second location. A data structure is built to allow an original value provided by the second location and the slot wherein the original value is expected to be indexed by all possible values for the original value by determining substantially all possible values for the original value.

Abstract: In response to receiving a natural language request, possible intents may be determined and ranked and an appropriate action performed. Intent may be determined by removing as much ambiguity as possible by leveraging all the available information received to generate and rank interpretations of a user request. Actions may be generated as a result of the ranked interpretations. Actions may include performing a task or search. Search results from multiple pluggable search providers may be returned.

Abstract: A schema-based Categories service for centralized access to per-user categories, wherein access to data is based on each user's identity. The Categories service includes a schema that defines rules and a structure for each user's data, and also includes methods that provide access to the data in a defined way. The Categories schema thus corresponds to a logical document containing the data for each user. The user manipulates (e.g., reads or writes) data in the logical document by data access requests through defined methods. In one implementation, the Categories schemas are arranged to provide XML documents, and the services provide methods that control access to the data based on the requesting user's identification, defined role and scope for that role. In this way, document data can be accessed by its owner, and shared to an extent determined by the owner.