Abstract: A computing device includes a logic machine and a storage machine holding instructions. The instructions are executable by the logic machine to, receive a machine-understandable representation of voice input, determine a pronoun associated with the voice input, map the pronoun to an object of user focus, generate one or more focus-specific search queries for the object of user focus, execute the one or more focus-specific search queries, and present the results of the one or more focus-specific search queries.

Abstract: A technique is described herein for defining at least some characteristics of a digital pen in a global manner across plural applications, such that the pen exhibits the same characteristics across two or more applications. In one implementation, the technique involves: receiving a pen activation signal in response to a user's activation of an input mechanism provided by a particular digital pen; identifying a location on a user interface (UI) presentation that is readily accessible to the user; generating a pen configuration presentation; presenting the pen configuration presentation on the UI presentation at the location that has been identified; receiving a configuration input from the user in response to the user's interaction with the pen configuration presentation; and, in response to the configuration input, storing a global configuration setting that governs a characteristic of ink strokes produced by the particular digital pen across at least two different applications.

Abstract: Emotional/cognitive state-triggered recording is described. A buffer is used to store captured video content until a change in an emotional or cognitive state of a user is detected. Sensor data indicating a change in an emotional or cognitive state of a user triggers the creation of a video segment based on the current contents of the buffer.

Abstract: Personalized containers for use at a public device are provided. A container can be personalized based on a multitude of factors including a profile associated with a user, a profile associated with the public device, a time of day, and a file accessed. The container can be used to access one or more sensitive files or programs associated with permissions. The permissions are consolidated and managed by the container such that only authorized users can view and edit the sensitive files or programs.

Abstract: Emotional/cognitive state-triggered recording is described. A buffer is used to temporarily store captured video content until a change in an emotional or cognitive state of a user is detected. Sensor data indicating a change in an emotional or cognitive state of a user triggers the creation of a video segment based on the current contents of the buffer.

Abstract: A container comprising an isolated computing session is associated with a project. One or more users associated with the container can access the container across multiple usage sessions as the container keeps data, applications, and so on for the project together. The container can comprise multiple layers that require user authentication to access.

Abstract: A container for one or more scheduled meeting is pre-built for the meeting prior to the meeting occurring. The container can be built in a variety of manners, including using both static and dynamic techniques. Dynamic techniques for building a container allows a pre-build system to include more pertinent data in the container whereas static techniques reduce computing workload and allow for pre-building containers for unscheduled meetings. A combination of static and dynamic building techniques can be applied using a layer repository. Alternately, a static base layer can be used and customized for scheduled meetings.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to attributing touch events on a touch-sensitive computing device to a user who performed the touch event. One example provides a computing system, comprising a touch sensor, a communication subsystem comprising a first communication mechanism integrated with the touch sensor, the first communication mechanism configured to communicate with a portable device over a first communication channel via a body-transmissible signal upon detection of a touch input, and also comprising a second communication mechanism configured to communicate with the portable device via a second communication channel.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for identifying objects using gaze tracking techniques are described. A computing system may determine or infer that an individual is requesting to identify an object that is unknown to the individual based at least partly on images of the individual, images of a scene including the object, or both. In some cases, images of the individual may be used to determine a gaze path of the individual and the unknown object may be within the gaze path of the individual. Additionally, a computing system may send a request to identify the object to at least one individual. One or more of the responses received from the at least one individual may be provided in order to identify the object.

Abstract: A user may be authenticated to access an account, computing device, or other resource using gaze tracking. A gaze-based password may be established by prompting a user to identify multiple gaze targets within a scene. The gaze-based password may be used to authenticate the user to access the resource. In some examples, when the user attempts to access the resource, the scene may be presented on a display. In some examples, the scene may be a real-world scene including the user's real-world surroundings, or a mixed reality scene. The user's gaze may be tracked while the user is viewing the scene to generate login gaze tracking data. The login gaze tracking data may be compared to the gaze-based password and, if the login gaze tracking data satisfies the gaze-based password, the user may be authenticated to access the resource.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses for a dynamic face and voice signature authentication for enhanced authentication techniques are described herein. In one or more implementations, an authentication system is configured to authenticate a user using a combination of voice and facial recognition techniques. The authentication system supports multiple phrases per user, such that the user can use different phrases to gain different types of access to a device or resources. Doing so provides enhanced customized access to the device or resources.

Abstract: A technique is described herein for defining at least some characteristics of a digital pen in a global manner across plural applications, such that the pen exhibits the same characteristics across two or more applications. In one implementation, the technique involves: receiving a pen activation signal in response to a user's activation of an input mechanism provided by a particular digital pen; identifying a location on a user interface (UI) presentation that is readily accessible to the user; generating a pen configuration presentation; presenting the pen configuration presentation on the UI presentation at the location that has been identified; receiving a configuration input from the user in response to the user's interaction with the pen configuration presentation; and, in response to the configuration input, storing a global configuration setting that governs a characteristic of ink strokes produced by the particular digital pen across at least two different applications.

Abstract: A user may be authenticated to access an account, computing device, or other resource based on the user's gaze pattern and neural or other physiological response(s) to one or more images or other stimuli. When the user attempts to access the resource, a computing device may obtain login gaze tracking data and measurement of a physiological condition of the user at the time that the user is viewing an image or other stimulus. Based on comparison of the login gaze tracking data and the measurement of the physiological condition to a model, the computing device can determine whether to authenticate the user to access the resource.

Abstract: A technique is described herein by which a user may gain access to a target resource via one or more particular peripheral devices that have been associated with the user. The technique performs this task by detecting when a user communicatively couples an identity-bearing component to a hub device. The user may thereafter use any input and/or output peripheral device that is also coupled to hub device to interact with the target resource, in a manner specified by authentication information associated with the user. In another use scenario, two or more users may interact with the same target resource via respective collections of user-associated peripheral devices.

Abstract: A method for distributing video in a display system equipped with at least one camera. The video is distributed among multiple display zones, which are movable with respect to each other. The method includes acquiring optically, with the camera, a calibration image of a display zone of a display-enabled electronic device. The method includes computing, based on the calibration image, a coordinate transform responsive to dimensions, position, and orientation of the display zone relative to the camera, the coordinate transform being usable to effect video rendering on the display zone. The method includes transmitting to the display-enabled electronic device one or more of the coordinate transform and video rendered for display on the display zone based on the coordinate transform.

Abstract: A technique is described herein for using personal digital assistant (PDA) functionality to assist a user in retrieving a content item from a source component, such as a remote user computing device. In one manner of operation, the technique involves: receiving at least one input message from the user, in which the user expresses an intent to obtain a desired content item; interpreting the input message(s) using a language understanding component of a dialog system, to provide an interpreted request; identifying zero, one or more source components, each of which provides a copy of the desired content item; retrieving the desired content item from at least one identified source component; and sending the desired content item over a computer network to a target component. The identifying operation involves identifying the source component(s) with reference to a hierarchically-arranged set of retrieval options.

Abstract: A computing device includes a logic machine and a storage machine holding instructions. The instructions are executable by the logic machine to, receive a machine-understandable representation of voice input, determine a pronoun associated with the voice input, map the pronoun to an object of user focus, generate one or more focus-specific search queries for the object of user focus, execute the one or more focus-specific search queries, and present the results of the one or more focus-specific search queries.

Abstract: Different containers are used for different usage sessions, a container referring to a virtualization layer for a computing device and used for isolation as well as hardware resource partitioning. A usage session refers to the time span beginning when one or more users begin to use the computing device, and ending when the one or more users cease using the computing device. During a particular usage session that uses a container, all interaction with the computing device is maintained in the container. The container is deleted when the usage session ends, leaving no data from the usage session behind after the usage session ends. Additionally, some usage sessions need not be run in containers, so data generated during such usage sessions is maintained after usage session ends. The host operating system automatically determines which usage sessions to run in containers and which usage sessions to run separate from any containers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented technique is described for verifying the identity of a user using two components of face analysis. In a first part, the technique determines whether captured face information matches a previously stored structural face signature pertaining to the user. The structural face signature describes, at least in part, gross structural characteristics of the face that are largely invariant from pose to pose. In the second part, the technique determines whether the captured face information matches a dynamic face signature associated with the user. The dynamic face signature describes movement of parts of the face over a span of time as the user performs a gesture, and the correlation of different parts of the face during the movement. The technique reduces the risk that a malicious actor can successfully artificially duplicate the appearance of an authorized user.

Abstract: Computer vision systems for segmenting scenes into semantic components identify a differential within the physiological readings from the user. The differential corresponds to a semantic boundary associated with the user's gaze. Based upon data gathered by a gaze tracking device, the computer vision system identifies a relative location of the user's gaze at the time of the identified differential. The computer vision system then associates the relative location of the user's gaze with a semantic boundary.