Abstract: Mobile devices, such as a smartphone, tablet or wearable, are leveraged to facilitate remote support between a user of the device, and a remote technician. In this approach, the mobile device is used as a tool on behalf of the remote technician. In particular, and in one embodiment, the mobile device is used to transfer images to the remote technician's desktop. The remote technician desktop is provisioned with a whiteboard functionality by which the remote technical draws on the camera image that the remote technician is then viewing. The resulting annotation(s) are then transferred back over the network and drawn on the end user's camera view. In this manner, the technician highlights any area of the camera image, and those highlights are visible on the end user mobile device regardless of whether the local end user rotates the view or moves the mobile device camera during the support session.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the “one tap” operation of this disclosure enables a user having a mobile device “one tap” mobile application (or “app”) to log-in to the user's desktop or laptop computer by bringing the user's device in physical proximity to the computer and, while in such proximity, accepting a push notification that is received on the mobile device. In a second embodiment, the user uses the “one tap” functionality to access a cloud-based account that has been set up for the user on a third party web application (e.g., SalesForce.com). The technique seamlessly integrates with third party websites using well-known protocols (e.g., SAML2), and it enables secure cross-origin resource sharing in a highly secure, reliable and available manner. Still another aspect of this disclosure is an enhanced proximity detection routine that is used to facilitate the one tap function when the user's mobile device is moved into proximity with the computer.

Abstract: Techniques for real-time generation and customization of text classification models. An initial dataset of input text samples are manually assigned labels, and the labeled input text samples are tokenized and provided as training data to train machine learning classifiers for various classes or categories of the input text samples. As the machine learning classifiers train with the training data, feedback in the form of suggestions (or predictions) are provided in real time by the text classification models regarding which label(s) to assign to any input text sample(s) currently in the training data or any new input text sample(s) further provided as training data for the respective machine learning classifiers. The suggested (or predicted) label(s) can be manually assigned to the input text sample(s), if deemed appropriate, and the newly labeled input text sample(s) can be provided to supplement the existing training data for the respective machine learning classifiers.

Abstract: A technique for providing federated login to a password vault generates a master password for a federated user, renders the master password as multiple parts, and stores the key parts in separate entities. After successful authentication with an identity provider (IDP), a user's local machine receives the password parts and combines them to recreate the master password. The local machine then applies the master password to decrypt the password vault.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for sending and receiving digital video in high-quality compressed form over a network. Such techniques may include (a) performing chroma subsampling on an original video stream to yield an altered video stream; (b) applying video compression to the altered video stream to yield a compressed base layer (BL) stream; (c) creating an enhancement layer (EL) stream based on differences between the original video stream and a decompressed version of the BL stream, the EL stream including additional chroma information, which, when combined with the BL stream, encodes a video stream that has higher chroma fidelity to that of the original video stream than does the BL stream alone; and (d) sending both streams to a receiver device across the network to enable the receiver device to generate a version of the original video stream by combining the BL stream with the EL stream's additional chroma information.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the “one tap” operation of this disclosure enables a user having a mobile device “one tap” mobile application (or “app”) to log-in to the user's desktop or laptop computer by bringing the user's device in physical proximity to the computer and, while in such proximity, accepting a push notification that is received on the mobile device. In a second embodiment, the user uses the “one tap” functionality to access a cloud-based account that has been set up for the user on a third party web application (e.g., SalesForce.com). The technique seamlessly integrates with third party websites using well-known protocols (e.g., SAML2), and it enables secure cross-origin resource sharing in a highly secure, reliable and available manner. Still another aspect of this disclosure is an enhanced proximity detection routine that is used to facilitate the one tap function when the user's mobile device is moved into proximity with the computer.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the “one tap” operation of this disclosure enables a user having a mobile device “one tap” mobile application (or “app”) to log-in to the user's desktop or laptop computer by bringing the user's device in physical proximity to the computer and, while in such proximity, accepting a push notification that is received on the mobile device. In a second embodiment, the user uses the “one tap” functionality to access a cloud-based account that has been set up for the user on a third party web application (e.g., SalesForce.com). The technique seamlessly integrates with third party websites using well-known protocols (e.g., SAML2), and it enables secure cross-origin resource sharing in a highly secure, reliable and available manner. Still another aspect of this disclosure is an enhanced proximity detection routine that is used to facilitate the one tap function when the user's mobile device is moved into proximity with the computer.

Abstract: A technique for preparing screen content for remote display includes identifying non-shareable elements in the screen content and, prior to sending the screen content to a client machine for rendering by the client machine, selectively blurring the non-shareable elements, such that the client machine receives the screen content with the non-shareable elements already blurred.

Abstract: Techniques for managing a user's tasks based on the user's focus level. High focus time slots are identified during which the user has a high level of focus, as well as low focus time slots during which the user has a low level of focus. Tasks for completion by the user are scheduled such that the high focus time slots are allocated to tasks that require a high level of user focus, and the low focus time slots are allocated to tasks that require a low level of user focus. High focus times may be identified based on user indications and/or on biometric data describing the user's physical state. Interruption requests may also be managed based on the user's focus level. Necessary resources may be pre-loaded prior to the high focus time periods, and breaks may be automatically scheduled to maintain the user's high level of focus.

Abstract: A computer-implemented technique provides electronic text recommendations to a user. The technique involves capturing content from a conference among multiple participants. The technique further involves receiving electronic typing input from the user while the user is typing to document the conference. The technique further involves outputting, in response to the electronic typing input from the user, electronic text recommendations to the user based on the captured content. Such recommendations can take the form of predictive typing for taking notes based on content shared during an online meeting. The words and/or phrases in the predictive typing may be derived from the words spoken and/or from visual data displayed during the conference. Accordingly, a user is able to document what is discussed with minimal typing and thus reduced distraction. Furthermore, the information that is documented can be made more on-point and less verbose than a lengthy transcription of an audio feed.

Abstract: In a distributed computing system, clients of a communications application are deployed on user devices. The clients on target user devices collect and report context information for a target user such as location and application-in-use. Reported context information is associated with response time information describing time to respond to initiation of communications in respective contexts, and a predictive model is maintained and used to obtain an estimate for a response time of the target user to respond to a new initiation of communications in a current context. A presence indicator on an initiator user device provides a presence indicator for the target user, and is generated and updated by obtaining current context of the target user and applying it to the predictive model to obtain an estimate of a current response time of the target user, and setting a value of the presence indicator according to the estimate.

Abstract: A technique for estimating and enhancing audio quality in a real-time communication session between parties over a computer network produces real-time measurements of factors that are known to impact audio quality, assigns a separate MOS value to each of the measured factors, and combines the MOS values for the various factors to produce an overall measure of audio quality. At least one party to the real-time communication session operates a computing device that runs a software program, and the technique further includes directing the software program to render an indication of the overall audio quality, thereby enabling the party operating the computing device to take remedial action to improve the audio quality.

Abstract: Mobile devices, such as a smartphone, tablet or wearable, are leveraged to facilitate remote support between a user of the device, and a remote technician. In this approach, the mobile device is used as a tool on behalf of the remote technician. In particular, and in one embodiment, the mobile device is used to transfer images to the remote technician's desktop. The remote technician desktop is provisioned with a whiteboard functionality by which the remote technical draws on the camera image that the remote technician is then viewing. The resulting annotation(s) are then transferred back over the network and drawn on the end user's camera view. In this manner, the technician highlights any area of the camera image, and those highlights are visible on the end user mobile device regardless of whether the local end user rotates the view or moves the mobile device camera during the support session.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing conference calling using a URL assigned to a conference call organizer. One method includes receiving, from a conference call organizer, a request to be placed into a conference call associated with a URL assigned to the organizer; and receiving, from a prospective conference call participant, a request to be placed into the conference call associated with the URL. Another method includes receiving, from a first user, through a web page of a URL assigned to the first user, a first phone number at which the first user can be called; receiving, from a second user, through the web page of the URL, a second phone number at which the second user can be called; and initiating phone calls to the first user at the first number and the second user at the second number.

Abstract: A host machine has a web browser. A user of the host machine also has a mobile device. A time-based, one-time password (TOTP) authentication scheme leverages a plug-in associated with the browser to automatically inject a received TOTP code into an element of an HTML-based TOTP authentication page, and to programmatically submit the HTML form (e.g., by mimicking the “click to submit” button on the TOTP form). Typically, the TOTP code is obtained following a successful completion of a push notification interaction between a cloud service, which stores TOTP shared secrets that are used to generate the TOTP codes, and the user of the mobile device.

Abstract: A technique for sharing screen content of a host machine with a client machine includes identifying multiple screen regions formed by image features within screen content of the host machine and enabling a user of the client machine to move selected screen regions to desired screen locations on the client machine, while leaving unselected screen regions in place. For example, when the user of the client machine selects and drags a particular screen region, the client machine creates a new window and displays the screen contents of the selected screen region in the new window, which the user may place and resize as desired.

Abstract: In communication between first and second endpoints, packets include respective sequence numbers reflecting a sequential order of transmission. The second endpoint (1) identifies reception times for the packets, and stores the sequence number and reception time of each received packet, and (2) sends packet report messages to the first endpoint, each identifying (i) a respective received packet by its position within the sequential order of transmission of the packets, and (ii) the reception time of the received packet. The first endpoint (1) receives the packet report messages from the second endpoint, and (2) processes the packet report messages to (i) detect missing packets not identified as received in the packet report messages, and initiating re-transmission of the missing packets, and (ii) based on the reception times for the received packets, calculate time-based performance characteristics for the communications link for use in higher-level control of the communications link.

Abstract: The present invention includes an expert system in which a search index furnishes answers to incoming queries provided in natural language. A search index for a specific field contains components that facilitate selecting a best fitting stored answer to the incoming query. Furthermore, context of the incoming query (e.g. location of the user, a current web page or service being used/viewed by the user, the time, etc.) may be considered when selecting a best fitting answer.

Abstract: A motion-based authentication method is operative in a mobile computing device having a display interface and that includes an accelerometer. Normally, the device software includes a locking mechanism that automatically locks the display interface after a configurable timeout. The authentication method operates to un-lock the display interface (and thus allow the user access to the device) by movement of the device in a predetermined series of physical movements and without display-based entry of a password or other access code on the display itself. In this manner, the user can un-lock the device without display-based entry of a password (on the display itself) by simply holding the device and performing the necessary movement(s) to generate the unique code.

Abstract: A mobile device has a display that supports gesture-based control operations. Computers maintain connections to a remote access service. The user desires to copy and/or move resources between first and second of his connected computers. After receipt of data indicating a first gesture requesting an operation with respect to the resource, an overview of one or more target devices is displayed. The overview is a folder level view of all folders and files located on the target devices. In addition, an additional display element is shown. This element is a representation of the resource from which the operation has been requested. The element is displayed as an overlay, and it is adapted to be selectively positioned in the overview using a gesture. Upon receipt of data indicating a second gesture positioning the representation over an available location within a computer connected to the service, the operation is completed.