Abstract: Techniques are provided to allow a user to interact with a computer to automatically analyze a transcript and provide interactive feedback pertaining to interactions between the user and other parties. This may be accomplished by dividing the transcript into text sequences, such as sentences, and matching each text sequence against a set of rules that define patterns that relate text sequences to particular characteristic categories. These matches can be further scored and ranked to allow particular text sequences to be interactively displayed to the user in response to selection of a particular categorization.

Abstract: A technique for decoding video signals includes receiving, by electronic decoding circuitry, a set of video data representing a two-dimensional array of pixels of a video signal. The set of video data includes (i) multiple residual layers, each residual layer providing an incomplete, lossily-compressed representation of the two-dimensional array of pixels (ii) multiple sets of prediction information, one for each of the residual layers, and (iii) a set of masks for directing reconstruction of the two-dimensional array of pixels. The method further includes generating multiple decompressed layers based on the residual layers and on the sets of prediction information for the respective residual layers and combining the decompressed layers, as directed by the set of masks, to generate a complete reconstruction of the two-dimensional array of pixels of the video signal.

Abstract: A technique processes an initial recording of a meeting. The technique involves receiving the initial recording of the meeting, and performing a content classification operation that electronically classifies the initial recording of the meeting into a set of relevant conference portions and a set of irrelevant conference portions. The technique further involves, based on the initial recording of the meeting, providing a shortened recording of the meeting. The shortened recording includes the set of relevant conference portions and omits the set of irrelevant conference portions.

Abstract: A technique provides a sync notification to indicate when a shared screen view of a presenter device has been delivered to an audience. The technique involves generating a sync time estimation based on communications with a set of audience devices, and detecting occurrence of an update to the shared screen view of the presenter device. The technique further involves outputting, after the sync time estimation has elapsed since the detected occurrence of the update, the sync notification on the presenter device to indicate when the shared screen view of the presenter device has been delivered to the audience. Such a technique is well suited for a variety of online collaboration systems such as online conference systems, online webinar systems, online meeting systems, and so on.

Abstract: A technique for interacting with a computing device includes operating an AR (Augmented Reality) headset as a UI (user interface) component of the computing device. The technique includes pairing the AR headset with the computing device to establish a communication pathway between the two. Once pairing is established, the AR headset detects gestures of the user and transmits UI metadata derived from the gestures to the computing device. The computing device is configured to receive the UI metadata over the communication pathway and to map the UI metadata to user operations to be performed on the computing device. The technique thereby enables the user to control the computing device using gestures.

Abstract: Item classification rules are created based on examples selected by a user, such as by selecting a subset of emails, and the rule is used across a larger set of items to obtain automatic classification of similar items according to the rule. Based on an analysis, a candidate classification rule is generated identifying text-based features shared among the items of the subset. The user can review the candidate rule as well as a resultant subset of items generated by the rule, and either accept the candidate rule or make an adjustment to the examples and then perform one or more iterations of the analysis to refine the rule. Adjustments can be made by removing items incorrectly included in a resultant subset and/or adding items incorrectly excluded from a resultant subset, and using the adjusted subset in a next iteration.

Abstract: A technique for encoding a video signal includes generating a representative value for each block of one or more video frames by applying a predetermined function to the pixels of the respective block. To perform a block matching operation for a current block, the technique applies the predetermined function to the current block and interrogates representative values of blocks at specified locations in a spatial and/or temporal vicinity of the current block to find a matching block whose representative value matches the one generated for the current block.

Abstract: A technique for acquiring information about entities includes receiving starting data including an entity name and/or email address, generating a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) from the starting data, and downloading content from a website at the generated URL. Downloaded content from the website is analyzed to generate a set of entity-specific information and a confidence score. The confidence score specifies a likelihood that the entity-specific information pertains to the same entity that was described in the starting data. Using the improved technique, persons are able to obtain information about entities, even small, private entities about which information online is sparse, along with a measure of quality of the information obtained.

Abstract: A technique provides, to a user, a set of diagram views of a diagram model stored in memory. The technique involves obtaining, by processing circuitry, electronic access to the diagram model stored in the memory. The diagram model includes a group of objects. Each object has a defined object size. The technique further involves, after obtaining electronic access to the diagram model stored in the memory, performing, by the processing circuitry, an object selection operation that selects an initial set of objects from the group of objects based on the defined object size of each object of the group of objects. The technique further involves, after performing the object selection operation, rendering, by the processing circuitry, an initial diagram view of the diagram model on an electronic display to the user, the initial diagram view including the initial set of objects.

Abstract: When packet loss is detected during a communication session, a current interactivity mode is checked to determine whether to increase the amount of received audio data stored in a buffer of the receiving device. If the current interactivity mode indicates a low level of interactivity between participants in the communication session, then the total amount of received audio data stored in the buffer is increased, in order to increase the delay between receipt of audio data by the electronic device, and outputting of the audio data by the electronic device. The increased output delay is then used to recover lost packets, so that audio quality is increased while the level of interactivity between participants is low. When the current interactivity mode subsequently indicates higher participant interactivity, the amount of received audio data stored in the buffer may be reduced.

Abstract: Methods and systems for switching between computing devices during an online meeting are described herein. A collaboration server may receive a token from a first computing device connected to an online meeting hosted by the collaboration server. The collaboration server may receive another token from a second computing device and determine whether the received tokens match. If so, the collaboration server may establish an association between the second computing device and the meeting participant attending the online meeting via the first computing device. The collaboration server may accept a request from the second computing device to join the online meeting thus allowing the meeting participant to continue the online meeting from the second computing device.

Abstract: A technique performs electronic conferencing operations. The technique involves electronically conveying video of a local environment from local conferencing equipment (e.g., a local electronic portal) to remote conferencing equipment (e.g., a remote electronic portal) while electronically muting audio of the local environment. The technique further involves, while the video of the local environment is electronically conveyed from the local conferencing equipment to the remote conferencing equipment and while the audio of the local environment is electronically muted, detecting a user gesture within the local environment, the user gesture being detected electronically in a contactless manner. The technique further involves, in response to detection of the user gesture within the local environment, electronically unmuting the audio of the local environment.

Abstract: A technique involves electronically providing live video of a first participant of the online meeting to a set of other participants of the online meeting. The live video displays live physical movement of the first participant. The technique further involves receiving a live video replacement command from the first participant after electronically providing the live video of the first participant of the online meeting to the set of other participants of the online meeting. The technique further involves electronically providing recorded video of the first participant of the online meeting to the set of other participants of the online meeting in place of the live video in response to the live video replacement command. The recorded video displays recorded physical movement of the first participant. Such operation affords the first participant with a period of privacy during the online meeting without calling attention to the video's change in state.

Abstract: One or more delay estimators are used to detect failure in a signal processing component, such as an acoustic echo canceller. A first delay estimator is used to generate i) an estimated post-processing delay between when a known audio signal was conveyed to a loudspeaker, and when a portion of the processed audio signal that includes the known audio signal was output from the signal processing component, and ii) a confidence level for the estimated post-processing delay. A failure of the signal processing component may be detected in response to the estimated post-processing delay exceeding a threshold. A second delay estimator may also be used to generate an estimated pre-processing delay and a confidence level for the estimated pre-processing delay for comparison to the estimated post-processing delay and confidence level for the estimated post-processing delay in order to provide further failure detection accuracy and specificity.

Abstract: An input ambisonic audio signal includes multiple channels, each of which is made up of audio data representing sound captured by an ambisonic microphone. A remote audio signal made up of audio data representing sound captured by remote meeting equipment is output by a local loudspeaker. Acoustic echo cancellation is performed on the input ambisonic audio signal by removing the remote audio signal from the input ambisonic audio signal. The acoustic echo cancellation may be performed on ambisonic A-format or B-format encoded audio data, or on an output encoding generated from the B-format encoded audio data. Comfort noise may be generated based on spectral and spatial characteristics of noise in the input audio data, for insertion into the input signal during acoustic echo cancellation. Automatic gain control may be performed across the multiple channels of the input audio signal.

Abstract: Improved techniques of identifying when a device needs of service involve using data analytics to determine conditions when a device administrator of a computerized device is to be sent an alert regarding that device. Along these lines, a device monitoring system receives state data from a device that indicates the device is in a particular state, e.g., running certain applications, using some percentage of the processor and memory capacity, etc. The device monitoring system maps the device state data to a decision of whether or not to send a device administrator an alert concerning the device. The decision itself is a result of applying a model to the state data that is derived from the application of data analytics on historical device state data and administrator login data.

Abstract: Techniques of conducting an online meeting involve outputting ambient sound to a participant of an online meeting. Along these lines, in an online meeting during which a participant wears headphones, the participant's computer receives microphone input that contains both speech from the participant and ambient sound that the participant may wish to hear. In response to receiving the microphone input, the participant's computer separates low-volume sounds from high-volume sounds. However, instead of suppressing this low-volume sound from the microphone input, the participant's computer renders this low-volume sound. In most cases, this low-volume sound represents ambient sound generated in the vicinity of the meeting participant. The participant's computer then mixes the low-volume sound with speech received from other conference participants to form output in such a way that the participant may distinguish this sound from the received speech.

Abstract: A technique for facilitating online collaboration among users of client machines allows multiple users to work together and concurrently on a set of documents. In response to a request from a user, a server opens a document in a software application running on the server and virtualizes the software application to the client machines. Multiple users can then operate the software application from the respective client machines to edit the document via remote control. The server multiplexes pointer input from the client machines to provide pointer input to the software application from one user at a time. Multiplexing of pointer input takes place seamlessly and automatically in response to user activity with respect to the virtualized software application.

Abstract: A technique for encoding a video signal generates multiple layers and multiple corresponding masks for each of a set of blocks of the video signal. Each of the layers for a given block is a rendition of that block, and each of the masks distinguishes pixels of the respective layer that are relevant in reconstructing the block from pixels that are not. The encoder applies lossy compression to each of the layers and transmits the lossily compressed layers and a set of the masks to a decoder, such that the decoder may reconstruct the respective block from the layers and the mask(s).

Abstract: Screenshots are captured for a visual summary of an online meeting using a dynamically determined inactivity threshold time period. The inactivity threshold time period may be the sum of i) an average time interval between arrival times of screen update messages in a set of received screen update messages, and ii) a multiple of the standard deviation of such time intervals. If no significant updates to a shared screen occur during the inactivity threshold time period, a screenshot may be captured for the online meeting visual summary. A premature screenshot threshold time period may also be determined. If significant visual data is received during the premature screenshot threshold time period, the previously captured screenshot is replaced with an updated screenshot.