Abstract: The techniques discussed herein allow an agent that provides dialog-based services to converse with a user via any mode. A central service programmed to be able to communicate via any mode collects information from agents necessary to act on the agents' behalf. In order to ensure that an agent has a maximal presence across modes, the central service provides auxiliary services such as language translation, fidelity upgrading and/or downgrading, modal constraint conformation, etc. Moreover, the central service provides session tracking via user profiles stored at the intercom so that if a user changes a mode by which the user is conversing with an agent, the central service can keep the context of the conversation across the new mode. Furthermore, agents can communicate with other agents via the central service, allowing other agents to provide services to agents or to add their services to an ongoing dialog with a user.

Abstract: A server is provided, including a processor configured to execute a bot server program. The bot server program may receive from a computing device an input with an input type that includes one or more of speech and text. The bot server program may programmatically generate an output, wherein the output is generated based on the input. The bot server program may detect one or more output types capable of being output by the computing device and select an output type from a plurality of output types that may include speech and text. The selected output type may be an output type capable of being output by the computing device. The bot server program may modify the programmatically generated output to produce a modified output with the selected output type, and may convey the modified output to the computing device for output on a display and/or speaker.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable a vendor to utilize a digital wallet service to complete an online transaction with a user via a messaging channel (e.g., a chat channel), in a scenario where the vendor does not have a front end application running on the user's client device (i.e., there is no mechanism for the vendor's web-based application, such as a bot, to communicate with a digital wallet application running on the user's device). An online digital wallet service generates and caches a payment request (which can be rendered at a later time by the digital wallet service for interaction with the user) which is requested by the vendor, and provides the vendor with a reference to the cached payment request. The vendor provides the reference to the user such that the user can access the payment request via the link.

Abstract: The techniques discussed herein allow an agent that provides dialog-based services to converse with a user via any mode. A central service programmed to be able to communicate via any mode collects information from agents necessary to act on the agents' behalf. In order to ensure that an agent has a maximal presence across modes, the central service provides auxiliary services such as language translation, fidelity upgrading and/or downgrading, modal constraint conformation, etc. Moreover, the central service provides session tracking via user profiles stored at the intercom so that if a user changes a mode by which the user is conversing with an agent, the central service can keep the context of the conversation across the new mode. Furthermore, agents can communicate with other agents via the central service, allowing other agents to provide services to agents or to add their services to an ongoing dialog with a user.

Abstract: The techniques discussed herein allow an agent that provides dialog-based services to converse with a user via any mode. A central service programmed to be able to communicate via any mode collects information from agents necessary to act on the agents' behalf. In order to ensure that an agent has a maximal presence across modes, the central service provides auxiliary services such as language translation, fidelity upgrading and/or downgrading, modal constraint conformation, etc. Moreover, the central service provides session tracking via user profiles stored at the intercom so that if a user changes a mode by which the user is conversing with an agent, the central service can keep the context of the conversation across the new mode. Furthermore, agents can communicate with other agents via the central service, allowing other agents to provide services to agents or to add their services to an ongoing dialog with a user.

Abstract: In an example, a method includes receiving a data package, the data package including a contact identification and a message payload; in response to determining that a key for the contact identification does not exist in a contact table: generating a key for the contact identification; and updating the contact table with the generated key to indicate an association between the key and the contact identification; calculating a hashed identification based on the generated key and contact identification; and associating the message payload with the hashed identification in a message table.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable a vendor to utilize a digital wallet service to complete an online transaction with a user via a messaging channel (e.g., a chat channel), in a scenario where the vendor does not have a front end application running on the user's client device (i.e., there is no mechanism for the vendor's web-based application, such as a bot, to communicate with a digital wallet application running on the user's device). An online digital wallet service generates and caches a payment request (which can be rendered at a later time by the digital wallet service for interaction with the user) which is requested by the vendor, and provides the vendor with a reference to the cached payment request. The vendor provides the reference to the user such that the user can access the payment request via the link.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for extending application functionality via conversational interfaces. In one implementation, a first communication is received from an interaction engine. The first communication is processed to identify an application that the communication is directed to, The first communication is provided to an application extension engine associated with the first application. A second communication is received from the application extension engine. The second communication is provided to the interaction engine.

Abstract: In an example, a method includes receiving a data package, the data package including a contact identification and a message payload; in response to determining that a key for the contact identification does not exist in a contact table: generating a key for the contact identification; and updating the contact table with the generated key to indicate an association between the key and the contact identification; calculating a hashed identification based on the generated key and contact identification; and associating the message payload with the hashed identification in a message table.

Abstract: A server is provided, including a processor configured to execute a bot server program. The bot server program may receive from a computing device an input with an input type that includes one or more of speech and text. The bot server program may programmatically generate an output, wherein the output is generated based on the input. The bot server program may detect one or more output types capable of being output by the computing device and select an output type from a plurality of output types that may include speech and text. The selected output type may be an output type capable of being output by the computing device. The bot server program may modify the programmatically generated output to produce a modified output with the selected output type, and may convey the modified output to the computing device for output on a display and/or speaker.

Abstract: The techniques discussed herein allow an agent that provides dialog-based services to converse with a user via any mode. A central service programmed to be able to communicate via any mode collects information from agents necessary to act on the agents' behalf. In order to ensure that an agent has a maximal presence across modes, the central service provides auxiliary services such as language translation, fidelity upgrading and/or downgrading, modal constraint conformation, etc. Moreover, the central service provides session tracking via user profiles stored at the intercom so that if a user changes a mode by which the user is conversing with an agent, the central service can keep the context of the conversation across the new mode. Furthermore, agents can communicate with other agents via the central service, allowing other agents to provide services to agents or to add their services to an ongoing dialog with a user.

Abstract: An outsourcing environment is described herein by which an outsourcing entity may delegate document-transformation tasks to at least one worker entity, while preventing the worker entity from gaining knowledge of sensitive items that may be contained within a non-obfuscated original document (NOD). In one example, the environment may transform the NOD into an obfuscated original document (OOD) by removing sensitive items from the NOD. The worker entity may perform formatting and/or other document-transformation tasks on the OOD, without gaining knowledge of the sensitive items in the NOD, to produce an obfuscated transformed document (OTD). The environment may then allow for the outsourcing entity to view a content-restored version of the OTD.

Abstract: An outsourcing environment is described herein by which an outsourcing entity may delegate document-transformation tasks to at least one worker entity, while preventing the worker entity from gaining knowledge of sensitive items that may be contained within a non-obfuscated original document (NOD). In one example, the environment may transform the NOD into an obfuscated original document (OOD) by removing sensitive items from the NOD. The worker entity may perform formatting and/or other document-transformation tasks on the OOD, without gaining knowledge of the sensitive items in the NOD, to produce an obfuscated transformed document (OTD). The environment may then allow for the outsourcing entity to view a content-restored version of the OTD.

Abstract: A multi-layer assembly, such as a sound damping metal laminate used in the automotive industry, having first and second rigid layers and an adhesive layer in between. A retention feature in the form of a raised embossment may be formed in one or more of the rigid layers and may be located near a fastening hole, which accommodates a nut and bolt or some other type of fastening device. The retention feature may impart rigidity and improved stiffness to the multi-layer assembly in the area surrounding the fastening hole, and it may also create a space between the rigid layers that is generally devoid of adhesive from the adhesive layer. This, in turn, can improve the long term performance of the multi-layer assembly by addressing issues such as compression set, spring back and/or stress relaxation. Methods of manufacture and other embodiments are also provided, including ones that accommodate multiple fastening holes, have discontinuous retention features, and use welds in place of nuts and bolts, to name a few.

Abstract: A metal panel assembly that may be used in a number of different applications, particularly those that are concerned with improved stiffness and/or reduced vibration and noise. According to an exemplary embodiment, the metal panel assembly has a multi-layer or sandwich construction and includes a metal body layer, a sound damping adhesive layer, and a metal outer layer. The outer layer is bonded to the body layer via the adhesive layer and improves the stiffness and/or reduces vibrations in the metal panel assembly. The outer layer may include a number of contact sections that confront the body layer through the adhesive layer, as well as a number of raised sections that are spaced from the body layer and increase or otherwise improve the stiffness of the metal panel assembly. In one embodiment, the raised sections resemble channels and are generally arranged in a column-like pattern; in another embodiment, the raised sections resemble ribs and are generally arranged in a grid-like pattern.

Abstract: The validation of a product for placement in a catalog in a marketplace utilizes a distributed approval workflow. A validation engine receives product submissions for inclusion into the marketplace's catalog. The validation engine initiates the distributed approval workflow to one or more approval engines that are equipped to perform the tasks needed to validate the product. The validation engine monitors the distributed approval workflow performed by the approval engines until completion. Upon successful completion of the distributed approval workflow, the product may be placed onto the marketplace's catalog for distribution.

Abstract: The metadata-based intermediation between two data sources. A computing system accesses a query message (e.g., a query or a query response). The query message is structured to be compatible with the first data source. The computing system uses metadata either directly, or indirectly through the execution of code referenced by the metadata to convert the query message into a semantically equivalent query message that is compatible with the second data source. If the query message were a query, then a query response may be acquired and the metadata may perhaps be used again to convert the query response into a form that is compatible with the first data source. In one embodiment, the conversion using the metadata is performed with the assistance of a framework, making changes to the conversion process as simple as perhaps just editing the metadata itself.

Abstract: A multi-layer assembly, such as a sound damping metal laminate used in the automotive industry, having first and second rigid layers and an adhesive layer in between. A retention feature in the form of a raised embossment may be formed in one or more of the rigid layers and may be located near a fastening hole, which accommodates a nut and bolt or some other type of fastening device. The retention feature may impart rigidity and improved stiffness to the multi-layer assembly in the area surrounding the fastening hole, and it may also create a space between the rigid layers that is generally devoid of adhesive from the adhesive layer. This, in turn, can improve the long term performance of the multi-layer assembly by addressing issues such as compression set, spring back and/or stress relaxation. Methods of manufacture and other embodiments are also provided, including ones that accommodate multiple fastening holes, have discontinuous retention features, and use welds in place of nuts and bolts, to name a few.

Abstract: A metal panel assembly that may be used in a number of different applications, particularly those that are concerned with improved stiffness and/or reduced vibration and noise. According to an exemplary embodiment, the metal panel assembly has a multi-layer or sandwich construction and includes a metal body layer a sound damping adhesive layer, and a metal outer layer. The outer layer is bonded to the body layer via the adhesive layer and improves the stiffness and/or reduces vibrations in the metal panel assembly. The outer layer may include a number of contact sections that confront the body layer through the adhesive layer, as well as a number of raised sections that are spaced from the body layer and increase or otherwise improve the stiffness of the metal panel assembly. In one embodiment, the raised sections resemble channels and are generally arranged in a column-like pattern; in another embodiment, the raised sections resemble ribs and are generally arranged in a grid-like pattern.

Abstract: The use of search context to determine a manner in which related items are to be display to a user upon selecting a search result of a number of search results generated by a search engine. Upon the user selecting one of the search result items, details regarding the selected search result item are then displayed. The details include a listing of related items that includes at least a set of strongly related items. The context of the plurality of search result items is used to determine a manner of display of the related items. Thus, the display manner for the related items may be different according to the context.