Abstract: Described is a system and technique for providing the ability for a user to interact with one or more devices by performing gestures that mimic real-world physical analogies. More specifically, the techniques described herein provide the ability for a user to interact with a device by limiting the conscious gesturing for a computer component by camouflaging computer-recognizable gestures within manipulations of a physical objects.

Abstract: A computing device includes at least one processor; and at least one module, operable by the at least one processor to associate, for an audio interface, a first sound with first information, and associate, for the audio interface, a second sound with second information, wherein the second sound shares at least one perceptual property with a first plurality of perceptual properties based at least in part on a relationship between the first information and the second information. The at least one module may be operable to output in parallel, using an audio output device, the first and second sounds in the audio interface; receive an indication of user input that selects at least one of the first or second information; and perform, based at least in part on the indication of user input, at least one operation corresponding to the at least one of the first or second information.

Abstract: In one example, the disclosure is directed to providing a multi-dimensional audio interface in which a plurality of different spatial locations is defined, wherein each of the plurality of different spatial locations is based on a common reference point and is uniquely identifiable by a computing device; associating, by the computing device, an information type with a first spatial location of the plurality of different spatial locations, the information type included in a plurality of different information types; responsive to determining that first information is of the information type, outputting, using an audio output device and simulating localization of sound at the first spatial location, a first sound that indicates the first information; receiving an indication of user input that selects the first information; and performing at least one operation corresponding to the first information selected based at least in part on the indication of user input.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for simulating a traditional television experience with streamed on-demand content. Streamed content may be buffered to allow a user to preview content even when the content is not organized in a traditional numbered channel format. A user may progress through a series of content items (e.g. simulated channel up/down) in order to preview the on-demand content without having to unduly wait for each content item to load and/or buffer.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for detecting a gesture performed at a first distance and at a second distance. A first aspect of a target may be manipulated according to the first gesture at the first distance and a second aspect of the target may be manipulated according to the first gesture at the second distance.

Abstract: Described is a technique for providing onscreen visualizations of three-dimensional gestures. A display screen may display a gesture indicator that provides an indication of when a gesture begins to produce an effect and when the gesture is complete. The gesture indicator may also indicate a user's relative hand position within a single axis of a capture device's field-of-view. Once the visual indicator is positioned, the characteristics of the indicator may be altered to indicate a direction of movement along one or more dimensions. The direction of movement may be provided using a direction of movement effect. Accordingly, the visualization of a gesture may be enhanced by limiting the visualization to expressive motion along a single axis.

Abstract: In one example, a technique may include outputting, by a computing device associated with a user and for playback at a first volume level by an audio output device, first audio data, receiving, by the computing device, audio input data, and responsive to determining, by the computing device, that the audio input data includes speech associated with an entity different from the user, determining, by the computing device and based at least in part on the audio input data, whether to output second audio data. The method may also include, responsive to determining to output the second audio data: determining, by the computing device, a second volume level lower than the first volume level, and outputting, by the computing device and for playback at the second volume level by the audio output device, the second audio data.

Abstract: An interaction spot is provided that may detect the presence of an electronic device such as a smartphone. A user may make a physical motion with the smartphone proximal to the interaction spot such as moving it upward. The interaction spot may communicate with a second device such as a light or a household appliance. A setting of the second device may be adjusted based on the motion of the electronic device.

Abstract: Implementations relate to self-initiated changing of appearance of subjects in video and images. In some implementations, a method includes receiving at least one captured image, the image depicting a physical scene. The method determines that an input command provided by one or more subjects depicted in the image has been received. The input command instructs a change in visual appearance of at least a portion of the subjects in the image. The method changes the visual appearance in the image of the at least a portion of the subjects in accordance with the input command.

Abstract: Described is a technique for providing intent-based feedback on a display screen capable of receiving gesture inputs. The intent-based approach may be based on detecting uncertainty from the user, and in response, providing gesture information. The uncertainty may be based on determining a pause from the user and the gesture information may include instructions that inform the user of the set of available input gestures. The gesture information may be displayed in one or menu tiers using a delay-based approach. Accordingly, the gesture information may be displayed in an informative and efficient manner without burdening the display screen.

Abstract: Described is a system and technique allowing a user to interact with a device using self-referential gestures. Self-referential gestures allow a user to rely on their inherent knowledge of body positioning to allow movements such as hand movements to be intuitively performed. The disclosure describes determining various reference points on the user and detecting hand movements relative to these reference points. In addition, a device may define axes and/or an origin in a three-dimensional space relative to a position of the user within a field-of-view of a capture device. Accordingly, gesture movements may be detected and/or measured based on references that correspond to the user's body in order to provide a more intuitive interaction experience.

Abstract: Methods for device pairing via a cloud server are provided. In one aspect, a method includes sending an initial signal from a first device to a second device. The method includes sending a notification from the first device of a set of communication capabilities of the first device. The method also includes receiving an indication of a common communication capability between the first and second devices. The method includes initiating pairing of the first device and the second device using the common communication capability in response to the received indication. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: Described is a system and technique for providing the ability for a user to interact with one or more devices by performing gestures that mimic real-world physical analogies. More specifically, the techniques described herein provide the ability for a user to interact with a device by limiting the conscious gesturing for a computer component by camouflaging computer-recognizable gestures within manipulations of a physical objects.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for visually rendering a requested scene based on a virtual camera perspective request as well as a projection of two or more video streams. The video streams can be captured using two dimensional cameras or three dimensional depth cameras and may capture different perspectives. The projection may be an internal projection that maps out the scene in three dimensions based on the two or more video streams. An object internal or external to the scene may be identified and the scene may be visually rendered based on a property of the object. For example, a scene may be visually rendered based on where an mobile object is located within the scene.

Abstract: A computing device includes at least one processor; and at least one module, operable by the at least one processor to associate, for an audio interface, a first sound with first information, and associate, for the audio interface, a second sound with second information, wherein the second sound shares at least one perceptual property with a first plurality of perceptual properties based at least in part on a relationship between the first information and the second information. The at least one module may be operable to output in parallel, using an audio output device, the first and second sounds in the audio interface; receive an indication of user input that selects at least one of the first or second information; and perform, based at least in part on the indication of user input, at least one operation corresponding to the at least one of the first or second information.

Abstract: In one example, a technique may include outputting, by a computing device associated with a user and for playback at a first volume level by an audio output device, first audio data, receiving, by the computing device, audio input data, and responsive to determining, by the computing device, that the audio input data includes speech associated with an entity different from the user, determining, by the computing device and based at least in part on the audio input data, whether to output second audio data. The method may also include, responsive to determining to output the second audio data: determining, by the computing device, a second volume level lower than the first volume level, and outputting, by the computing device and for playback at the second volume level by the audio output device, the second audio data.