Abstract: A computer-based virtual assistant the behavior of which can be changed by the user, comprising a voice user interface for inputting information into and receiving information from the virtual assistant by speech, a communications network, a virtual assistant application running on a remote computer, the remote computer being electronically coupled to the user interface via the communications network, wherein the behavior of the virtual assistant changes responsive to user input.

Abstract: A computer based method for performing a command via a voice user interface on a subset of objects. The subset is selected from a set of objects, each having an object type. At least one taggable field is associated with the object type and has a corresponding value. The set of objects is stored in the computer memory. An utterance is received from the user and includes a command, an object type selection, a taggable field selection, and a value for the taggable field. Responsive to the utterance, at least one object is retrieved from the set of objects, the object of the type selected by the user and having a value in the taggable field selection that matches the taggable field value received from the user. The command is performed on the object. The object consists of text which is converted to voice output.

Abstract: A communications-oriented computer system backplane including an input/output bus for transmission of address, data, and control information, the input/output bus including a plurality of expansion slot module connected to the input/output bus for the connection of I/O logic cards; and a time-domain multiplexed signal bus (TDMSB) for transmission of high-speed digitized signal information, the time-domain multiplexed signal bus including a plurality of expansion slot modules connected to the time-domain multiplexed signal bus for the connection of high-speed digitized signal logic cards. The expansion modules associated with the two busses are aligned to facilitate interconnecting the input/output bus with the time-domain multiplexed signal bus for transmitting data therebetween.