Abstract: The use of data from multiple data source provides inferred air quality indices with respect to a particular pollutant for multiple areas without the addition of air quality monitor stations to those areas. Labeled air quality index data for a pollutant in a region may be obtained from one or more air quality monitor stations. Spatial features for the region may be extracted from spatially-related data for the region. The spatially-related data may include information on fixed infrastructures in the region. Likewise, temporal features for the region may be extracted from temporally-related data for the region that changes over time. A co-training based learning framework may be further applied to co-train a spatial classifier and a temporal classifier based at least on the labeled air quality index data, the spatial features for the region, and the temporal features for the region.

Abstract: The techniques and systems described herein create and train a multiple clustered instance learning (MCIL) model based on image features and patterns extracted from training images. The techniques and systems separate each of the training images into a plurality of instances (or patches), and then learn multiple instance-level classifiers based on the extracted image features. The instance-level classifiers are then integrated into the MCIL model so that the MCIL model, when applied to unclassified images, can perform image-level classification, patch-level clustering, and pixel-level segmentation.

Abstract: Techniques for unsupervised object class discovery via bottom-up multiple class learning are described. These techniques may include receiving multiple images containing one or more object classes. The multiple images may be analyzed to extract top saliency instances and least saliency instances. These saliency instances may be clustered to generate and/or update statistical models. The statistical models may be used to discover the one or more object classes. In some instances, the statistical models may be used to discover object classes of novel images.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can enhance an experience associated with indicia related to a local environment. In particular, the architecture can receive an image that depicts a view of the local environment including a set of entities represented in the image. One or more of the entities can be matched or correlated to modeled entities included in a geospatial model of the environment, potentially based upon location and direction, in order to scope or frame the view depicted in the image to a modeled view. In addition, the architecture can select additional content that can be presented. The additional content typically relates to services or data associated with modeled entities included in the geospatial model or associated with modeled entities included in an image-based data store.

Abstract: The techniques and systems described herein create and train a multiple clustered instance learning (MCIL) model based on image features and patterns extracted from training images. The techniques and systems separate each of the training images into a plurality of instances (or patches), and then learn multiple instance-level classifiers based on the extracted image features. The instance-level classifiers are then integrated into the MCIL model so that the MCIL model, when applied to unclassified images, can perform image-level classification, patch-level clustering, and pixel-level segmentation.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can leverage private affinities in order to facilitate or enrich relationships between people. In particular, the architecture can receive a profile associated with a user wherein the profile includes a set of private affinities that are cryptographically protected from public inspection. The architecture can decrypt and/or cryptographically compare a private affinity from the profile to an affinity in a disparate profile (associated with a disparate user) in order to identify a matching affinity. Once a matching affinity is identified, a message indicating such can be provided to the user along with a request to publish certain revealed information to the disparate user, possibly based upon a mutual exchange of commensurate information from the disparate user.

Abstract: Techniques for unsupervised object class discovery via bottom-up multiple class learning are described. These techniques may include receiving multiple images containing one or more object classes. The multiple images may be analyzed to extract top saliency instances and least saliency instances. These saliency instances may be clustered to generate and/or update statistical models. The statistical models may be used to discover the one or more object classes. In some instances, the statistical models may be used to discover object classes of novel images.

Abstract: A software and/or hardware facility for inferring user context and delivering advertisements, such as coupons, using natural language and/or sentiment analysis is disclosed. The facility may infer context information based on a user's emotional state, attitude, needs, or intent from the user's interaction with or through a mobile device. The facility may then determine whether it is appropriate to deliver an advertisement to the user and select an advertisement for delivery. The facility may also determine an appropriate expiration time and/or discount amount for the advertisement.

Abstract: Within a surface computing environment users are provided a seamless and intuitive manner of modifying security levels associated with information. If a modification is to be made the user can perceive the modifications and the result of such modifications, such as on a display. When information is rendered within the surface computing environment and a condition changes, the user can quickly have that information concealed in order to mitigate unauthorized access to the information.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed that provide for document retrieval where a user can identify key attributes of potential target documents that are desirable (e.g., have a particular semantic content for the user). Further, relevant documents that comprise the desired semantic content can be retrieved. Additionally, the user can provide feedback on the retrieved documents, for example, based on key semantic concepts found in the documents, and the input can be used to update the classification. For example, this process can be iterated to improve the retrieval and precision of documents found through machine learning techniques.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed that provide for document retrieval where a user can identify key attributes of potential target documents that are desirable (e.g., have a particular semantic content for the user). Further, relevant documents that comprise the desired semantic content can be retrieved. Additionally, the user can provide feedback on the retrieved documents, for example, based on key semantic concepts found in the documents, and the input can be used to update the classification. For example, this process can be iterated to improve the retrieval and precision of documents found through machine learning techniques.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can leverage private affinities in order to facilitate or enrich relationships between people. In particular, the architecture can receive a profile associated with a user wherein the profile includes a set of private affinities that are cryptographically protected from public inspection. The architecture can decrypt and/or cryptographically compare a private affinity from the profile to an affinity in a disparate profile (associated with a disparate user) in order to identify a matching affinity. Once a matching affinity is identified, a message indicating such can be provided to the user along with a request to publish certain revealed information to the disparate user, possibly based upon a mutual exchange of commensurate information from the disparate user.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can enhance an experience associated with indicia related to a local environment. In particular, the architecture can receive an image that depicts a view of the local environment including a set of entities represented in the image. One or more of the entities can be matched or correlated to modeled entities included in a geospatial model of the environment, potentially based upon location and direction, in order to scope or frame the view depicted in the image to a modeled view. In addition, the architecture can select additional content that can be presented. The additional content typically relates to services or data associated with modeled entities included in the geospatial model or associated with modeled entities included in an image-based data store.

Abstract: Providing for task-related electronic feedback based on user interaction with a communication network is described herein. By way of example, user interactions the network or a network interface can be monitored to identify user activities performed in conjunction with a task. A rating for performance of the task can be obtained via comparison of user activities with benchmark performance activities. Based on the rating and user-benchmark comparison, inefficiencies can be identified, along with corrective actions for such activities. The corrective actions can then be output to coach the user on techniques for improving performance of the task. Accordingly, by employing corrective feedback based on monitored user activity, personal training can be automated, potentially reducing time and cost of such training.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate, enrich, or nurture relationships in a business enterprise environment. In particular, the architecture can construct a set of profiles associated with entities of the enterprise (e.g., employees, teams, departments, or the enterprise) based upon a wide range of transactions (e.g., behavior, activity, productivity, relationships, explicit or implicit feedback from collaborators . . . ) relating to the entity. Based upon these profiles, the architecture can determine a set of tasks and also identify advantageous relationships, wherein the tasks and relationships are deemed to facilitate accomplishing an objective to benefit the enterprise or entity. In addition, the architecture can nurture or cultivate the advantageous relationships by suggesting suitable behavior or performing opportunistic actions.

Abstract: Within a surface computing environment users are provided a seamless and intuitive manner of modifying security levels associated with information. If a modification is to be made the user can perceive the modifications and the result of such modifications, such as on a display. When information is rendered within the surface computing environment and a condition changes, the user can quickly have that information concealed in order to mitigate unauthorized access to the information.

Abstract: Described is a technology that uses a web service as a proxy for transferring data between mobile communications devices. A short range communication link is established between a source device and a destination device. The source device sends a content identifier over the short range communication link to the destination device, that the destination devices uses to access the content, including when the short range communication link no longer exists. Also described is security for the content via authentication data (e.g., credentials) and policy associated with the content to control its access. The source device may select the destination device or may broadcast the content identifier to any number of destination devices within range.

Abstract: A voice message is processed in a distributed system by storing voice message data indicative of a plurality of voice messages on a distributed data store. A distributed data processor accesses the voice messages and extracts desired information from the voice messages. The data processor then augments the data stored in the voice message data store with the extracted information. The user interface component provides user access to the voice messages with the augmented data.

Abstract: A method of searching audio data is provided including receiving a query defining multiple phonetic possibilities. The method also includes comparing the query with a lattice of phonetic hypotheses associated with the audio data to identify if at least one of the multiple phonetic possibilities is approximated by at least one phonetic hypothesis in the lattice of phonetic hypotheses.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a portable computing device having a broad set of functionality, such as image or audio/video capture capabilities, are provided. One or more specialized modes are provided in a portable computing device, such as a smart phone, for intelligently disabling any distracting functionality of the portable computing device with respect to a target subset of functionality possessed by the device and invoked during operation of a specialized mode. In various embodiments, the special mode for operation of a portable computing device in accordance with the invention is such that functionality that is likely to interfere with a time capture event of the device is disabled or mitigated during operation.