Abstract: An example device for processing image data includes a memory configured to store an image; and one or more processors implemented in circuitry and configured to: process the image to identify a pilot signal in the image indicating a portion of the image, the pilot signal forming a boundary around the portion and having pixel values defined according to a mathematical relationship with pixel values within the portion such that the pilot signal is not perceptible to a human user and is detectable the device; determine the portion of the image using the pilot signal; and further process the portion to attempt to detect one or more contents of the portion without attempting to detect the one or more contents of the image in portions of the image outside the portion.

Abstract: An example device for processing image data includes a memory configured to store an image; and one or more processors implemented in circuitry and configured to: process the image to identify a pilot signal in the image indicating a portion of the image, the pilot signal forming a boundary around the portion and having pixel values defined according to a mathematical relationship with pixel values within the portion such that the pilot signal is not perceptible to a human user and is detectable the device; determine the portion of the image using the pilot signal; and further process the portion to attempt to detect one or more contents of the portion without attempting to detect the one or more contents of the image in portions of the image outside the portion.

Abstract: A system and an associated method for responding to a user's voice inquiry are disclosed. The system accepts the voice inquiry and obtains personal data regarding the user. The system then identifies potential subjects of interest in the voice inquiry from media content currently provided to the user through a device which has captured the voice inquiry, media content present in or capturing the user's surroundings, or media content previously provided to the user as responses to previous voice inquiries by the user. Next, the system determines at least one subject of interest based on at least one of the personal data and the user's previous voice inquiries. The system then presents a response related to the determined subject of interest to the user's voice inquiry.

Abstract: A system and an associated method for responding to a user's voice inquiry are disclosed. The system accepts the voice inquiry and obtains personal data regarding the user. The system then identifies potential subjects of interest in the voice inquiry from media content currently provided to the user through a device which has captured the voice inquiry, media content present in or capturing the user's surroundings, or media content previously provided to the user as responses to previous voice inquiries by the user. Next, the system determines at least one subject of interest based on at least one of the personal data and the user's previous voice inquiries. The system then presents a response related to the determined subject of interest to the user's voice inquiry.

Abstract: A system and an associated method for responding to a user's voice inquiry are disclosed. The system accepts the voice inquiry and obtains personal data regarding the user. The system then identifies potential subjects of interest in the voice inquiry from media content currently provided to the user through a device which has captured the voice inquiry, media content present in or capturing the user's surroundings, or media content previously provided to the user as responses to previous voice inquiries by the user. Next, the system determines at least one subject of interest based on at least one of the personal data and the user's previous voice inquiries. The system then presents a response related to the determined subject of interest to the user's voice inquiry.

Abstract: A system with an associated method for preloading advertisements by a server to a user's device is disclosed. In response to inquiries made by members of a user group, the system presents advertisements to the members and keeps a record of these presentations. Next, the system identifies those advertisements which have been frequently presented to the members, and preloads the identified advertisements on the device of a user who belongs to the user group. Subsequently, upon receiving a specific inquiry from the user's device, the system determines a response to the specific inquiry. When the determined response contains one of the preloaded advertisements, the system sends an instruction to the user's device to present the preloaded advertisement to the user.

Abstract: A system and with an associated method for preloading advertisements from a server to a user's device is disclosed. In response to inquiries made by members of a user group, user devices of the members present advertisements to the members and the server keeps a record of these presentations. Next, the server identifies those advertisements which have been frequently presented to the members, and preloads the identified advertisements to the device of a user who belongs to the user group. Subsequently, upon receiving a specific inquiry by the user's device, the server determines a response to the specific inquiry. When the determined response contains one of the preloaded advertisements, the server sends an instruction to the user's device to present the preloaded advertisement to the user.

Abstract: An automated communication system with an associated method for presenting customized voices is disclosed. The system which performs a predetermined task accepts information regarding an intended user indicating the intended user's identity, preferences, etc. Next, the system customizes one or more voices for the intended user based on the accepted information. The system then presents to the intended user one or more audible communications converted from text associated with a predetermined task performed by the system using the one or more customized voices.

Abstract: A system and an associated method for responding to a user's voice inquiry are disclosed. The system accepts the voice inquiry and obtains personal data regarding the user. The system then identifies potential subjects of interest in the voice inquiry from media content currently provided to the user through a device which has captured the voice inquiry, media content present in or capturing the user's surroundings, or media content previously provided to the user as responses to previous voice inquiries by the user. Next, the system determines at least one subject of interest based on at least one of the personal data and the user's previous voice inquiries. The system then presents a response related to the determined subject of interest to the user's voice inquiry.

Abstract: An automated communication system with an associated method for presenting customized voices is disclosed. The system which performs a predetermined task accepts information regarding an intended user indicating the intended user's identity, preferences, etc. Next, the system customizes one or more voices for the intended user based on the accepted information. The system then presents to the intended user one or more audible communications converted from text associated with a predetermined task performed by the system using the one or more customized voices.

Abstract: A system with an associated method for preloading advertisements by a server to a user's device is disclosed. In response to inquiries made by members of a user group, the system presents advertisements to the members and keeps a record of these presentations. Next, the system identifies those advertisements which have been frequently presented to the members, and preloads the identified advertisements on the device of a user who belongs to the user group. Subsequently, upon receiving a specific inquiry from the user's device, the system determines a response to the specific inquiry. When the determined response contains one of the preloaded advertisements, the system sends an instruction to the user's device to present the preloaded advertisement to the user.

Abstract: A system and with an associated method for preloading advertisements from a server to a user's device is disclosed. In response to inquiries made by members of a user group, user devices of the members present advertisements to the members and the server keeps a record of these presentations. Next, the server identifies those advertisements which have been frequently presented to the members, and preloads the identified advertisements to the device of a user who belongs to the user group. Subsequently, upon receiving a specific inquiry by the user's device, the server determines a response to the specific inquiry. When the determined response contains one of the preloaded advertisements, the server sends an instruction to the user's device to present the preloaded advertisement to the user.