Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating and operating voice conversing virtual agents with pre-modeled and inherited human behavior across use cases and domains. One of the methods includes: using a first non-domain specific neural network based model to predict a non-domain specific conversational situation, the first neural network based model trained with labelled parts of conversations from more than one domain; forwarding the non-domain specific conversational situation to a second domain specific neural network based model; using the second domain specific neural network based model to predict a conversational situation and to provide a system intent, the second domain specific neural network based model trained with labelled parts of conversation from a specified domain; and generating a response based at least in part on the predicted conversational situation and system intent.

Abstract: A wearable electronic ornament has a manually-changeable skin and an electronic screen exhibiting a visual. When a user replaces the skin, the visual automatically changes to match the skin. Visuals are received from a store on the skin, a mobile device of the user, or a remote server, or can be generated by a camera of the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing presentations of digital graphical objects which are optimized at the time of presentation according to the characteristics of the user's input device. A web page has the ability to present a graphical object in one of two alternative representations: The first representation is displayed on the screen of the user's computer when there is no control signal from an input device communicating with the computer, or if an input device communicating with the computer provides fewer than three degrees of freedom simultaneously for manipulating the graphical object. The second representation is displayed on the screen of the user's computer when there is an input device communicating with the computer which simultaneously provides three or more degrees of freedom for manipulating the graphical object.

Abstract: A wearable electronic ornament has a manually-changeable skin and an electronic screen exhibiting a visual. When a user replaces the skin, the visual automatically changes to match the skin. Visuals are received from a store on the skin, a mobile device of the user, or a remote server, or can be generated by a camera of the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and applications (apps) for capturing, storing, retrieving and presenting social traces, which are records of previous visits of friends and contacts of a user to specific locations. Both physical (geographical) and virtual (network) locations are supported. A user at a location may indicate that he or she would like to learn more about the location from a friend or acquaintance listed in the contact list of his or her personal computing device who has previously visited the location. At the user's request, a query is sent out to persons in the contact list, who are prompted to respond if the location appears in a log of their visited locations. A person who responds affirmatively will be automatically connected in a communication session with the inquiring user. Personal privacy is assured, because location and visitation records are kept under control of each user, and no information is sent out without explicit approval by the user.

Abstract: A method and system for suggesting conversation topics to a participant in a social conversation. A conversation log is maintained for the participant, containing records of the times, durations, and parties of previous conversations. When the participant engages in a subsequent conversation with a party, the conversation log is searched to obtain the time of the most recent previous conversation with that party. Social media and other publications subsequent to that time are searched for subjects that can be presented to the participant as topics of conversation. In contrast to other schemes related to conversational topics, no voice analysis of the conversations is required.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing presentations of digital graphical objects which are optimized at the time of presentation according to the characteristics of the user's input device. A web page has the ability to present a graphical object in one of two alternative representations: The first representation is displayed on the screen of the user's computer when there is no control signal from an input device communicating with the computer, or if an input device communicating with the computer provides fewer than three degrees of freedom simultaneously for manipulating the graphical object. The second representation is displayed on the screen of the user's computer when there is an input device communicating with the computer which simultaneously provides three or more degrees of freedom for manipulating the graphical object.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for coordinated presentation of web content on a handheld device having a portable display screen paired with a stationary device having a stationary display screen. If a pairing is detected, a visual channel component of web content video is automatically presented on the stationary device, while a text component is automatically presented on the handheld device. In addition, the visual channel is also blocked from presentation on the handheld device and/or the text component is also blocked from presentation on the stationary device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a play system representing a character, including multiple distinct physical play units for representing the same character simultaneously, while establishing and preserving the impression that, independent of the physical play units, the character itself has a genuine and unique existence of its own. The invention provides for this property of the play system by permitting only a single play unit to fully represent the dynamic components of the character at any given time. Enabled status can be reversibly transferred from one play unit to another by user command.

Abstract: A method for automatically providing a computer application to a user connected to a network, based on the user's browsing patterns related to vertical markets. A software agent embedded in the user's computer monitors traffic between a browser and the network. The agent detects website access from the browser to the network as well as patterns related thereto. The agent reports browsing parameters to a designated network server, which selects an application relevant to the user's browsing patterns and automatically installs the application title on the computer. The full application can also be installed for local execution. The application is launched upon installation and a popup window demonstrates the application to the user. An icon representing the application can also be automatically installed on a toolbar in the browser window, so the user can benefit from running the application even when not actively browsing on the network.

Abstract: A method for using a mobile device as a companion device to a computer during a browsing session. In addition to browser code that provides content and control for the web page being browsed, mobile device code is downloaded to the computer, a direct connection between the computer and the mobile device is initiated, and the mobile device code is sent to the mobile device from the computer via the computer-mobile device connection. The mobile device code provides functionalities to the mobile device to extend and enhance the browsing session. The additional browser code and mobile device code is provided by the website's host server or by a separate service server.

Abstract: A method for automatically providing a computer application to a user connected to a network, based on the user's searching. A software agent embedded in the user's computer monitors message traffic between a browser and a network search server. The agent detects a search query from the browser to the search server as well as a search result from the search server. The agent reports search parameters to a designated network server, which selects an application relevant to the user's search and automatically installs the application title on the computer. The full application can also be installed for local execution. The application is launched upon installation and a popup window demonstrates the application to the user. An icon representing the application can also be automatically installed on a toolbar in the browser window, so the user can benefit from running the application even when not actively searching on the network.

Abstract: A multimedia packet re-multiplexer system having a plurality of multimedia sources, each multimedia source sending incoming multimedia packets, each packet having a header which includes a packet identifier (PID) to determine the packet type. The system includes an interface multiplexer (mux) for periodically scanning the multimedia sources for the incoming packets. The system also includes a main storage device for storing each incoming packet, a secondary storage device having a cut-through mechanism for storing the header of each incoming packet, an input classifier for selecting a process for each packet stored in the main storage device, in accordance with the corresponding header from the secondary storage device.

Abstract: A system, comprising of a consumer device having processing capabilities and incorporating communication means, and an ornament comprising of: a microprocessor, a memory for storing digital image data, a display for displaying selected image data from the memory, a receiver for receiving image data and storing it in the memory, and a battery for energizing the microprocessor, the display and the receiver; wherein a dedicated application in the consumer device is used for creating and changing images and animations, and then transmitting them to the ornament via a transmitter incorporated in the consumer device. The images and animations are stored in the ornament memory for viewing them on the ornament display when desired, and according to received control data. Said consumer device may be a cellular phone, a personal computer, a PDA and such.

Abstract: A multimedia packet re-multiplexer system having a plurality of multimedia sources, each multimedia source sending incoming multimedia packets, each packet having a header which includes a packet identifier (PID) to determine the packet type. The system includes an interface multiplexer (mux) for periodically scanning the multimedia sources for the incoming packets. The system also includes a main storage device for storing each incoming packet, a secondary storage device having a cut-through mechanism for storing the header of each incoming packet, an input classifier for selecting a process for each packet stored in the main storage device, in accordance with the corresponding header from the secondary storage device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a coded data stream of video information (e.g., video-on-demand) for selective display according to a Normal PLAY Mode or a Fast PLAY Mode, by splitting the coded data stream into (a) anchor data constituted of anchor picture frames (e.g., I-frames) coded without reference to other picture frames, and (b) complemental data (e.g., B-frames and P-frames) complementing the anchor data; storing the anchor data in an anchor data file and the complemental data in a complemental data file; upon the selection of a Normal PLAY Mode, combining the data of both the anchor data file and the complemental data file to recompose and display the video information; and upon the selection of a fast PLAY mode, displaying only the data of the anchor data file.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for browsing through a motion picture in order to locate desired segments in the motion picture, frames are selected from sequential parts of the motion picture according to predetermined sampling critera, e.g., "by time", "by tag" or "by change". Each selected frame is reduced in size such that the screen can accommodate the simultaneous display of "n" frames. The frames are displayed sequentially at "n" sequential locations on the screen according to a predefined closed loop, each frame being displayed in its respective location for a time interval starting with a time delay "t.sub.D " after the start of the display of the frame at the preceding location in the loop and continuing until the loop has been completed with another frame displayed in its respective location. Thus, only the selected frames need be viewed in order to locate a desired segment, but each selected frame may be viewed for an extended time interval, equal to "nt.sub.D ".