Abstract: Methods and electronic devices for facilitating communication are described. In one example, the present application describes processor-implemented method. The method includes: receiving an audio signal; determining that the audio signal includes a voice command to communicate with a contact using a first communication type; and determining that communication with the contact using the first communication type is unavailable; and after determining that communication with the contact using the first communication type is unavailable, facilitating communication with the contact using a second communication type.

Abstract: Methods of making an artificial leather substrate from leather waste (e.g., shavings, such as wet blue, and/or pulverized trim scrap) and products formed using the artificial leather substrate are disclosed. In one example, the artificial leather substrate comprises a composite web comprising leather waste mixed with a lightweight web, a lightweight web atop the composite web, and another lightweight web atop the first lightweight web. A method of making the artificial leather substrate includes the steps of mixing one or more fiber components, leather shavings, and/or pulverized leather trim scrap to form the composite web; needle punching the composite web; and bonding the composite web.

Abstract: In an automatic speech recognition post processing system, speech recognition results are received from an automatic speech recognition service. The speech recognition results may include transcribed speech, an intent classification and/or extracted fields of intent parameters. The speech recognition results are post processed for use in a specified context. All or a portion of the speech recognition results are compared to keywords that are sensitive to the specified context. The post processed speech recognition results are provided to an appropriate application which is operable to utilize the context sensitive product of post processing.

Abstract: In a conditional multipass automatic speech recognition system, one or more intent templates may be received from an application. A spoken utterance is received and audio frames are generated from the utterance. The audio frames are compared to a first grammar. Recognized speech results are generated and unrecognized audio frames or low confidence frames are collected. One of one or more intent templates and one or more corresponding intent parameters may be determined based on the recognized speech results. The unrecognized audio frames may be conditionally compared to a second grammar in instances when additional information is requested, relative to the determined intent template or the corresponding intent parameters.

Abstract: Described herein is a combination that includes compound (A) and compound (B), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the foregoing, for ameliorating and/or treating a hepatitis C viral infection.

Abstract: These teachings provide for receiving from a user (via, for example, a voice-recognition component) a name-based identifier for an entity to be contacted via wireless communications and then using that name-based identifier to access a contacts list to identify a corresponding communications address to use when contacting the entity via the wireless communications. Upon determining that the contacts list includes at least two contacts having the same name-based identifier, these teachings then provide for providing to the user location information as pertains to at least one of the candidate contacts to thereby facilitate disambiguation.

Abstract: A method and system on an electronic device which uses speech recognition to initiate a communication from a mobile device having access to contact information for a number of contacts. The method includes: receiving through an audio input interface a voice input for initiating a communication, extracting from the voice input a type of communication and at least part of a contact name, and outputting, to an output interface, a selectable list of all contacts from the contact information which have the part of the contact name and which have a contact address associated with the type of communication. The mobile device may also be configured to access remote contact information from a remote server.

Abstract: An application services interface system includes an automatic speech recognition control application program interface that receives a request for a recognition session from an application-based automatic speech recognition controller. An automatic speech recognition control engine directs the performance of an automatic speech recognition module. The automatic speech recognition module compares a spoken utterance to a vocabulary of active grammars to generate recognition results through limited data interchanges or exchanges.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to computer graphics, and more specifically to methods of, and systems for, configuring, controlling and accessing multiple hardware graphics layers that are used to compose a single video display.

Abstract: These teachings provide for receiving from a user (via, for example, a voice-recognition component) a name-based identifier for an entity to be contacted via wireless communications and then using that name-based identifier to access a contacts list to identify a corresponding communications address to use when contacting the entity via the wireless communications. Upon determining that the contacts list includes at least two contacts having the same name-based identifier, these teachings then provide for providing to the user location information as pertains to at least one of the candidate contacts to thereby facilitate disambiguation.

Abstract: A system for providing a software application customized with subject matter pertaining to a celebrity, including a processor, data storage, and software thereon that implement a content provision hub operable to provide a mobile application and content related thereto for download to a user device, an advertising server operable to download an advertisement under the direction of the content provision hub to the mobile application, and a charging engine operable to effect a payment transaction between the celebrity, the user, and/or an advertiser. The system can be used by a celebrity to generate a celebrity-specific downloadable mobile application by selecting templates and options that control the celebrity app appearance and operation.

Abstract: A system for providing a software application customized with subject matter pertaining to a celebrity, including a processor, data storage, and software thereon that implement a content provision hub operable to provide a mobile application and content related thereto for download to a user device, an advertising server operable to download an advertisement under the direction of the content provision hub to the mobile application, and a charging engine operable to effect a payment transaction between the celebrity, the user, and/or an advertiser. The system can be used by a celebrity generate a celebrity-specific downloadable mobile application by selecting templates and options that control the celebrity app appearance and operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for the biological treatment of saltwater-based domestic wastewater, the apparatus having an inlet for the introduction of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater, an outlet for the removal of treated wastewater, means for monitoring the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater entering or within the apparatus and means for controlling the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater entering or within the apparatus such that fluctuations in the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater are reduced and the biological treatment of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater is thereby maintained.

Abstract: A water craft includes a tow tower including a tower loop raised and lowered by two linear actuators. The tower loop is firmly supported in the raised position by the linear actuators to provide a proper attachment for towing enthusiasts, and is lowered to allow the water craft to be stored in a normal height garage structure. The linear actuators are unique designs with large shaft diameter, short stroke, and high overlap between the shaft and actuator body, and in particular include novel compressible bumpers to create a compressive jam-lock counterforce at full extension to effectively jam-lock the linear actuator and prevent back creep.

Abstract: Hygienic, antibacterial, and anti-allergenic pillows or pillow encasings with a covering are disclosed. The covering comprises a fabric coated with a monolithic coating and a filter. The monolithic coating prevents moisture from entering the pillow and allergens from leaving the pillow or pillow encasing. The filter is operative to allow air to egress and ingress the pillow covering.

Abstract: An apparatus for the biological treatment of saltwater-based domestic wastewater, the apparatus having an inlet for the introduction of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater, an outlet for the removal of treated wastewater, means for monitoring the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater entering or within the apparatus and means for controlling the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater entering or within the apparatus such that fluctuations in the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater are reduced and the biological treatment of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater is thereby maintained.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the origin of a sample of the artificial sweetener sucralose. Stable chlorine isotope analysis is used in the determination. Sucralose is sold under the trademark Splenda® by authorised manufacturers. The ability to determine the origin of a sample of sucralose is particularly useful to manufacturers authorised to use the Splenda® trademark, since it will enable them to monitor the extent of the unauthorised use of the trademark and allow them to take appropriate action in protecting their trademark rights accordingly.

Abstract: Methods for chlorinating sucrose-6-esters to produce 1?,4,6?-trichlorosucrose-6-esters include providing a reaction mixture in a temperature-controlled vessel at a temperature less than about 65° C., the reaction mixture comprising sucrose-6-ester, a tertiary amide, and a chloroformiminium chloride salt, which forms an O-alkylformiminium chloride adduct with the hydroxyl groups of the sucrose-6-ester. The methods for chlorinating the sucrose-6-ester further include subjecting the chloroformiminium chloride salt, tertiary amide, and sucrose-6-ester reaction mixture to an elevated temperature between about 75° C. and 100° C. for a period of time sufficient to produce a chlorinated product mixture of chlorinated sucrose-6-ester products consisting essentially of 1?,4,6?-trichlorogalacto-sucrose-6-ester.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process for producing sucralose from a feed mixture of (a) sucralose-6-ester, such as 6-O-acyl-4,1?,6?-trichloro-4,1?,6?-trideoxygalactosucrose, (b) salt including alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chloride, (c) water, and (d) other chlorinated sucrose by-products, in a reaction medium comprising a tertiary amide, wherein said process comprises deacylating, either before or after removal of the tertiary amide, the sucralose-6-ester under active cooling to produce an aqueous solution comprising sucralose, salt including alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chloride, and other chlorinated sucrose by-products. Additionally, the sucralose may be recovered from the aqueous solution, such as by extraction followed by crystallization or by extractive techniques alone.

Abstract: A heat activated fabric treatment composition comprises from 3 to 75 wt % of one or more fabric treatment active ingredients, from 5 to 60 wt % of a nonionic surfactant and from 10 to 50 wt % of water. The composition is provided in a dispensing device which, in use, is attached to the internal panel of a tumble dryer.