Abstract: Digital microfluidic (DMF) methods and apparatuses (including devices, systems, cartridges, DMF readers, etc.), and in particular DMF apparatuses and methods that may be used to safely manually add or remove fluid within a cartridge while it is actively applying DMF. Also described herein are DMF readers for use with a DMF cartridges, including those including multiple and/or redundant safety interlocks. Also described herein are DMF reader devices having a cover with active control of microfluidics on the cover while actively controlling DMF on the reader base.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating search results. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a transcription of a voice query, and data that identifies an accent of the voice query, submitting the transcription and the data that identifies the accent of the voice query to a search engine to generate one or more accent-influenced results of the voice query, and providing the accent-influenced results to a client device for display.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing a user of a source computing device with the ability to communicate with a destination communication device, while using a navigation application that provides directions to a geographical location associated with the destination communication device. Specifically, the source computing device may provide within the navigation application a mechanism, such as a selectable item, that upon selection allows the user to communicate with the destination communication device without exiting the navigation application that is providing directions to the geographical locations associated with the destination communication device.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing a user with an alert device that provides alert options indicatives of events associated with applications or actions of a computing device. The provided alert options may be such that they do not create additional distractions, and eliminate the need for the user to have to constantly check for upcoming appointments or events. Specifically, a user can utilize a device to receive alerts from an associated computing device. The alerts may be associated with applications and actions running on the computing device.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing a user of a source computing device with the ability to communicate with a destination communication device, while using a navigation application that provides directions to a geographical location associated with the destination communication device. Specifically, the source computing device may provide within the navigation application a mechanism, such as a selectable item, that upon selection allows the user to communicate with the destination communication device without exiting the navigation application that is providing directions to the geographical locations associated with the destination communication device.

Abstract: A method of restricting distribution of electronic messages may include receiving an electronic message, the message including message content and message-specific distribution restriction information, enabling a recipient of the electronic message to compose a related message that includes at least a portion of the message content, the composed message including a list of proposed recipients. In connection with an operation to process a draft of the composed message without initiating transmission of the composed message to the list of proposed recipients, the method includes identifying recipients from the list of proposed recipients that violate the distribution restriction information and notifying the recipient of the identified recipients that violate the distribution restriction.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing a user of a source computing device with the ability to communicate with a destination communication device, while using a navigation application that provides directions to a geographical location associated with the destination communication device. Specifically, the source computing device may provide within the navigation application a mechanism, such as a selectable item, that upon selection allows the user to communicate with the destination communication device without exiting the navigation application that is providing directions to the geographical locations associated with the destination communication device.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide systems and methods for providing turn by turn directions based on imprecise destination information. In one embodiment, a user may request turn by turn directions based on a first location, such as an address, and a destination area, defined by the name of a geographic area, such as a city or state. A plurality of access locations may be identified based on the geographic area. These access locations may be displayed to the user so that the user may select a particular destination. The selected location may then be used, along with the first location, to provide a set of turn by turn directions to the user.

Abstract: A method of restricting distribution of electronic messages may include receiving an electronic message, enabling a recipient of the electronic message to compose a related message that includes at least a portion of the message content, and notifying the recipient if the list of proposed recipients is inconsistent with the distribution restriction information embedded in the received electronic message. The message may include message content and embedded distribution restriction information and the composed message may include a list of proposed recipients.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating search results. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a transcription of a voice query, and data that identifies an accent of the voice query, submitting the transcription and the data that identifies the accent of the voice query to a search engine to generate one or more accent-influenced results of the voice query, and providing the accent-influenced results to a client device for display.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing spelling suggestions in response to user input. One example method comprises receiving user input via a keyboard associated with a computing device, the input specifying a sequence of characters of a word the user wishes to enter into a text-based application of the computing device. The method further comprises generating suggestion words based on the sequence of characters and on an alternate sequence of characters, where the alternate sequence of characters is generated by replacing characters in the sequence of characters with alternate characters corresponding to keys proximately located on the keyboard to keys corresponding to characters in the sequence of characters. In one example, the sequence of characters includes non-letter characters such as a DELETE character, the method further including replacing the DELETE character with a letter corresponding to a key adjacent to the DELETE key on the keyboard.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing spelling suggestions in response to user input. One example method comprises receiving user input via a keyboard associated with a computing device, the input specifying a sequence of characters of a word the user wishes to enter into a text-based application of the computing device. The method further comprises generating suggestion words based on the sequence of characters and on an alternate sequence of characters, where the alternate sequence of characters is generated by replacing characters in the sequence of characters with alternate characters corresponding to keys proximately located on the keyboard to keys corresponding to characters in the sequence of characters. In one example, the sequence of characters includes non-letter characters such as a DELETE character, the method further including replacing the DELETE character with a letter corresponding to a key adjacent to the DELETE key on the keyboard.

Abstract: The present invention adapts, diagnoses, optimizes, and prescribes a network-based application between a client and a host system. Some or all components of the network-based application, including configuration information may be installed on the client. The components and configuration information may be installed as the network-based application is executed. Alternatively, the components and configuration information may be installed in advance of the network-based application. To launch the network-based application, a user via the client sends an application request to the host system. The host system sends program code to the client. Upon executing the program code, the client attempts to establish a session with the host system and determines configuration information for the network-based application. Upon establishing the session and determining the configuration information, the client then launches the network-based application.

Abstract: The present invention adapts, diagnoses, optimizes, and prescribes a network-based application between a client and a host system. Some or all components of the network-based application, including configuration information may be installed on the client. The components and configuration information may be installed as the network-based application is executed. Alternatively, the components and configuration information may be installed in advance of the network-based application. To launch the network-based application, a user via the client sends an application request to the host system. The host system sends program code to the client. Upon executing the program code, the client attempts to establish a session with the host system and determines configuration information for the network-based application. Upon establishing the session and determining the configuration information, the client then launches the network-based application.

Abstract: A graphical editing system is provided which creates a "place-holder" that holds or suspends a complex gesture or complex menu selection before committing to the command. Such a place-holder acts as a virtual stylus, i.e. as if the user was actually holding the stylus to the screen just prior to committing to the command. The virtual stylus thus allows the user to execute other arbitrary drawings or menu commands or gestures while the original complex command is suspended. The user can then return to the complex command he/she chooses and remove the place-holder to commit to the command or cancel the command if desired. The virtual stylus can take on many forms, e.g., a hand with a pointed finger, an icon or any other desired indicator, and the virtual stylus can be created by any user action, e.g., an actuated stylus button, pressure sensitive display surface or by sensing the time during which the stylus remains stationary on the display screen. The virtual stylus can be removed in basically the same way.

Abstract: A computer program is disclosed for reclaiming unreferenced computer memory space, also known as garbage collection. The program operates in a virtual memory environment wherein user memory space is divided into pages. For each active page, a table stores the age of the oldest object on the page (A-value) and the age of the youngest object pointed to from that page (F-value). A generational partition divides the pages into "safe" pages and "threatened" pages, based on their A-values. Rescuer pages, which may contain pointers to threatened pages, are determined by comparing the F-values to the generational partition. All potential pointers on the rescuing pages are traced and the objects pointed to are marked as reachable. All objects reachable from other reachable objects are also marked. Unmarked threatened objects are de-allocated.