Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media are presented to provide dynamic speech processing services during variable network connectivity. The method includes monitoring, via a processor, a level of network connectivity between a device and a network server. When the level of network connectivity between the device and the network server is below a threshold, the method includes performing speech processing using a speech processor of the device. When the level of network connectivity between the device and the network server is at or above the threshold, the method includes performing speech processing using a speech processor at the network server.

Abstract: A user device provides dynamic speech processing services during variable network connectivity with a network server. The user device includes a monitor that monitors a level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server. A user device speech processor processes speech data and is initiated based on a determination that the level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server is impaired. The monitor determines when the level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server is no longer impaired.

Abstract: A user device provides dynamic speech processing services during variable network connectivity with a network server. The user device includes a monitor that monitors a level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server. A user device speech processor processes speech data and is initiated based on a determination that the level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server is impaired. The monitor determines when the level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server is no longer impaired.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for presenting speech from a selected text that is on a computing device. This method includes presenting text on a touch-sensitive display and having that text size within a threshold level so that the computing device can accurately determine the intent of the user when the user touches the touch screen. Once the user touch has been received, the computing device identifies and interprets the portion of text that is to be selected, and subsequently presents the text audibly to the user.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to offer for sale an avatar engine that generates a visual representation of an interactive avatar capable of engaging in a verbal communication exchange by way of an audio system of a computing device from which the avatar engine is adapted to operate, receive a purchase request from a communication device, transmit to the communication device a usage policy and a copy of the avatar engine responsive to determining that the purchase request involves a request for a reproduction of at least a portion of the avatar engine, and enable the communication device to access services of the avatar engine responsive to determining that the purchase request involves the request for services of the avatar engine. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile of a user, present the user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user during a communication exchange between the user and the avatar, identify from the one or more responses a need to determine a medical status of the user, establish communications with a medical diagnostic system, receive physiological information associated with the user, submit the physiological information to the medical diagnostic system, receive from the medical diagnostic system a diagnostic analysis of the physiological information, and present the diagnostic analysis to at least one of the user and a medical agent of the user, wherein the user is presented the diagnostic analysis by way of the avatar. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A user device provides dynamic speech processing services during variable network connectivity with a network server. The user device includes a monitor that monitors a level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server. A user device speech processor processes speech data and is initiated based on a determination that the level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server is impaired. The monitor determines when the level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server is no longer impaired.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for presenting speech from a selected text that is on a computing device. This method includes presenting text on a touch-sensitive display and having that text size within a threshold level so that the computing device can accurately determine the intent of the user when the user touches the touch screen. Once the user touch has been received, the computing device identifies and interprets the portion of text that is to be selected, and subsequently presents the text audibly to the user.

Abstract: A user device provides dynamic speech processing services during variable network connectivity with a network server. The user device includes a connection determiner that monitors a level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server, a simplified speech processor that processes speech data and is initiated based on a determination by the connection determiner that the level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server is impaired, a memory that stores processed speech data processed by the simplified speech processor, and a transmitter configured to transmit the stored processed speech data. The connection determiner determines when the level of network connectivity between the user device and the network server is no longer impaired.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for presenting speech from a selected text that is on a computing device. This method includes presenting text on a touch-sensitive display and having that text size within a threshold level so that the computing device can accurately determine the intent of the user when the user touches the touch screen. Once the user touch has been received, the computing device identifies and interprets the portion of text that is to be selected, and subsequently presents the text audibly to the user.

Abstract: A network communication system includes a connection server that assigns a network address within a data communication network to a subscriber terminal. The connection server receives outgoing communications from the subscriber terminal and transmits the outgoing communications to a network access point and receives incoming communications from the network access point and transmits the incoming communications to the subscriber terminal. The connection server intercepts a tracking cookie received from a remote server in the data communications network and intended for the subscriber terminal and stores the tracking cookie at the connection server so that the tracking cookie can be used to support a communication session between the subscriber terminal and the remote server without the tracking cookie being stored at the subscriber terminal.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to present a user an avatar correlated to a profile of the user, detect a communication exchange between the user and the avatar, identify from the communication exchange a directive from the user to share the avatar with an other user, and submit to an other avatar engine associated with the other user a shared avatar comprising a usage policy and at least one of a replica in whole or in part of the avatar engine or in whole or in part of characteristics of the avatar. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile, cause a presentation device to present a user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user, identify from the one or more responses a need to communicate with a merchant system, establish a communication session with the merchant system, receive a notification from the merchant system of a merchant avatar engine, establish communication with the merchant avatar engine, adapt the characteristics of the avatar at least in part according to instructions supplied by the merchant avatar engine, and cause the presentation device to present the user the adapted avatar. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile of a user, present the user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user during a communication exchange between the avatar and the user, establish a communication session with a language translation system responsive to identifying from the one or more responses a need to engage in language translations, transmit to the language translation system content in a language format other than a language understood by the user, receive from the language translation system a translation of the content in the language understood by the user, and present the user an adaptation of the avatar that presents the translated content in the user's language. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable storage media for captioning a media presentation. The method includes receiving automatic speech recognition (ASR) output from a media presentation and a transcription of the media presentation. The method includes selecting via a processor a pair of anchor words in the media presentation based on the ASR output and transcription and generating captions by aligning the transcription with the ASR output between the selected pair of anchor words. The transcription can be human-generated. Selecting pairs of anchor words can be based on a similarity threshold between the ASR output and the transcription. In one variation, commonly used words on a stop list are ineligible as anchor words. The method includes outputting the media presentation with the generated captions. The presentation can be a recording of a live event.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a profile of a user, present the user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the profile, detect one or more responses of the user during a communication exchange between the avatar and the user, identify a request of the user to apply a security protocol to a task identified in the request, retrieve the security protocol, engage in the task according to the security protocol, detect while engaged in the task a breach in the security protocol, identify a communication device of the user to engage in a communication session with the user, establish a communication session with the communication device, and present by way of the communication device the avatar describing the security breach. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to present a video program to a visually impaired person are disclosed. An example method comprises detecting a text portion of a media stream including a video stream, the text portion not being consumable by a blind person, retrieving text associated with the text portion of the media stream, and converting the text to a first audio stream based on a first type of a first program in the media stream, and converting the text to a second audio stream based on a second type of a second program in the media stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for answering a communication notification. The method for answering a communication notification comprises receiving a notification of communication from a user, converting information related to the notification to speech, outputting the information as speech to the user, and receiving from the user an instruction to accept or ignore the incoming communication associated with the notification. In one embodiment, information related to the notification comprises one or more of a telephone number, an area code, a geographic origin of the request, caller id, a voice message, address book information, a text message, an email, a subject line, an importance level, a photograph, a video clip, metadata, an IP address, or a domain name. Another embodiment involves notification assigned an importance level and repeat attempts at notification if it is of high importance.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a processor that causes a STB to present an avatar. The processor can receive from the STB a response of the user, detect from the response a change in an emotional state of the user, adapt a search for media content according to the change in the emotional state of the user, and adapt a portion of the characteristics of the avatar relating to emotional feedback according to the change in the emotional state of the user. The processor can cause the STB to present the adapted avatar presenting content from a media content source identified from the adapted search for media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile associated with a user, present the user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user during a communication exchange between the user and the avatar, identify from the one or more responses a need of the user, establish a communication session with a second avatar engine responsive to the identified need of the user, engage in a communication exchange with the second avatar engine in relation to the identified need of the user, and identify one or more results from the communication exchange. Other embodiments are disclosed.