Abstract: Techniques for providing digital assistant devices with the capability to plan and execute complex macrotasks. In an aspect, a digital assistant device queries an online macrotask repository for task templates associated with a macrotask. The task templates may be designed and configured by Internet crowd-sourcing, with oversight from human editors. Based on a retrieved task template, a digital assistant device may automatically execute autonomous microtasks specified by the task template, and further elicit user input for executing certain microtasks requiring user oversight and/or confirmation. The online macrotask repository enables digital assistant devices to execute a broad range of complex macrotasks that would otherwise be difficult to execute in a satisfactory manner.

Abstract: A method disclosed herein for allows users to avoid such undesirable encounters by determining whether an undesirable contact of the user has opted for sharing location information, in response to determining that the undesirable contact has opted for sharing location information, collecting location signal from the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over a period based on the location signal of the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the user over the period, determining potential of encounter between the user and the undesirable contact based on analysis of anticipated locations of the user and the anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over the period, generating an undesirable contact avoidance scheme based on the potential of encounter, and optionally notifying the user of the undesirable contact avoidance scheme.

Abstract: A computer-implemented technique is described for enabling a user to create a conversational bookmark in the course of the user's interaction with a BOT. The bookmark designates a particular juncture in the user's interaction with the BOT. When the user later invokes the bookmark, the computer-implemented technique resumes the user's interaction with the BOT, starting at the particular juncture. The technique can accomplish the above functions in a BOT-independent manner (which does not involve changes to the BOT) or a BOT-dependent manner (which involves changes to the BOT). The technique can also be extended to a task of creating and activating bookmarks in the course of a conversation among two or more humans.

Abstract: A method disclosed herein for allows users to avoid such undesirable encounters by determining whether an undesirable contact of the user has opted for sharing location information, in response to determining that the undesirable contact has opted for sharing location information, collecting location signal from the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over a period based on the location signal of the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the user over the period, determining potential of encounter between the user and the undesirable contact based on analysis of anticipated locations of the user and the anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over the period, generating an undesirable contact avoidance scheme based on the potential of encounter, and optionally notifying the user of the undesirable contact avoidance scheme.

Abstract: A user profile and messaging bots can be joined to participate in a group chat session. A first natural language requirement set can be received from the profile and sent to the bots. A first solution set from a first bot can be processed, with the set including a first natural language script describing a first solution to the requirement set. A second solution set from a second bot can be processed, with the set including a second natural language script that describes a second solution to the requirement set. The first and second scripts can be sent to the profile, and at least part of each solution set can be sent to the other bot. A selection of the first bot for providing a solution to the requirement set can be received from the profile, and an indication of the selection can be transmitted to the first bot.

Abstract: A method disclosed herein for allows users to avoid such undesirable encounters by determining whether an undesirable contact of the user has opted for sharing location information, in response to determining that the undesirable contact has opted for sharing location information, collecting location signal from the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over a period based on the location signal of the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the user over the period, determining potential of encounter between the user and the undesirable contact based on analysis of anticipated locations of the user and the anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over the period, generating an undesirable contact avoidance scheme based on the potential of encounter, and optionally notifying the user of the undesirable contact avoidance scheme.

Abstract: A user profile and messaging bots can be joined to participate in a group chat session. A first natural language requirement set can be received from the profile and sent to the bots. A first solution set from a first bot can be processed, with the set including a first natural language script describing a first solution to the requirement set. A second solution set from a second bot can be processed, with the set including a second natural language script that describes a second solution to the requirement set. The first and second scripts can be sent to the profile, and at least part of each solution set can be sent to the other bot. A selection of the first bot for providing a solution to the requirement set can be received from the profile, and an indication of the selection can be transmitted to the first bot.

Abstract: A method disclosed herein for allows users to avoid such undesirable encounters by determining whether an undesirable contact of the user has opted for sharing location information, in response to determining that the undesirable contact has opted for sharing location information, collecting location signal from the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over a period based on the location signal of the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the user over the period, determining potential of encounter between the user and the undesirable contact based on analysis of anticipated locations of the user and the anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over the period, generating an undesirable contact avoidance scheme based on the potential of encounter, and optionally notifying the user of the undesirable contact avoidance scheme.

Abstract: A user profile and messaging bots can be joined to participate in a group chat session. A first natural language requirement set can be received from the profile and sent to the bots. A first solution set from a first bot can be processed, with the set including a first natural language script describing a first solution to the requirement set. A second solution set from a second bot can be processed, with the set including a second natural language script that describes a second solution to the requirement set. The first and second scripts can be sent to the profile, and at least part of each solution set can be sent to the other bot. A selection of the first bot for providing a solution to the requirement set can be received from the profile, and an indication of the selection can be transmitted to the first bot.

Abstract: A method disclosed herein for allows users to avoid such undesirable encounters by determining whether an undesirable contact of the user has opted for sharing location information, in response to determining that the undesirable contact has opted for sharing location information, collecting location signal from the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over a period based on the location signal of the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the user over the period, determining potential of encounter between the user and the undesirable contact based on analysis of anticipated locations of the user and the anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over the period, generating an undesirable contact avoidance scheme based on the potential of encounter, and optionally notifying the user of the undesirable contact avoidance scheme.

Abstract: A shared packet transaction amongst disparate users is provided that preserves user data security. A packet unbundling and distribution system is provided that collects packet data associated with packets comprised of divisible packet elements and understands user needs and user preferences of disparate users based on collected user signals. They system identifies a virtual group of disparate users whose user needs and user preferences match at least a portion of the packet's packet elements and satisfy a threshold associated with a packet, and facilities a shared transaction of the packet that benefits each of the disparate users.

Abstract: A method disclosed herein for allows users to avoid such undesirable encounters by determining whether an undesirable contact of the user has opted for sharing location information, in response to determining that the undesirable contact has opted for sharing location information, collecting location signal from the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over a period based on the location signal of the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the user over the period, determining potential of encounter between the user and the undesirable contact based on analysis of anticipated locations of the user and the anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over the period, generating an undesirable contact avoidance scheme based on the potential of encounter, and optionally notifying the user of the undesirable contact avoidance scheme.

Abstract: A method disclosed herein for allows users to avoid such undesirable encounters by determining whether an undesirable contact of the user has opted for sharing location information, in response to determining that the undesirable contact has opted for sharing location information, collecting location signal from the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over a period based on the location signal of the undesirable contact, forecasting anticipated locations of the user over the period, determining potential of encounter between the user and the undesirable contact based on analysis of anticipated locations of the user and the anticipated locations of the undesirable contact over the period, generating an undesirable contact avoidance scheme based on the potential of encounter, and optionally notifying the user of the undesirable contact avoidance scheme.

Abstract: Techniques for providing digital assistant devices with the capability to plan and execute complex macrotasks. In an aspect, a digital assistant device queries an online macrotask repository for task templates associated with a macrotask. The task templates may be designed and configured by Internet crowd-sourcing, with oversight from human editors. Based on a retrieved task template, a digital assistant device may automatically execute autonomous microtasks specified by the task template, and further elicit user input for executing certain microtasks requiring user oversight and/or confirmation. The online macrotask repository enables digital assistant devices to execute a broad range of complex macrotasks that would otherwise be difficult to execute in a satisfactory manner.

Abstract: A user is allowed to communicate with a chatbot. A menu is provided to the user that includes a list of actions that can be performed by the user. Whenever natural language input asking a question is received from the user, this input is forwarded to the chatbot, a response to this input is received from the chatbot, this response is provided to the user, and the menu is again provided to the user. Whenever natural language input is received from the user requesting an action that is not one of the actions in the menu, this input is forwarded to the chatbot, a response to this input is received from the chatbot, where this response includes another menu that includes a list of subsequent actions that are related to the requested action and can be performed by the user, and this other menu is provided to the user.

Abstract: A system demand-based transport includes a reservation intake engine that receives rider transit requests from various computing devices. Each rider transit request specifies at least one stop request associated with one a plurality predesignated stop locations. Responsive to receiving one or more of the rider transit requests, a route planner plans a transportation route that includes planned stops selected from the predesignated stop locations.

Abstract: Command instruction data can be generated via a computerized control system, with the instruction data being formatted to prompt a plurality of tile units to change their output. The instruction data can be sent from the control system to the tile units, with each of the tile units including a tile controller connected to one or more tiles embedded in one or more sidewalk floors, and with each of the tiles including a user interface output device. At least part of the instruction data from the control system can be received via a tile controller of a tile unit. At least part of the instruction data can be processed via the tile controller. In response, the user interface output device of the tile can be signaled via the tile controller to change the output of the output device.

Abstract: A user profile and messaging bots can be joined to participate in a group chat session. A first natural language requirement set can be received from the profile and sent to the bots. A first solution set from a first bot can be processed, with the set including a first natural language script describing a first solution to the requirement set. A second solution set from a second bot can be processed, with the set including a second natural language script that describes a second solution to the requirement set. The first and second scripts can be sent to the profile, and at least part of each solution set can be sent to the other bot. A selection of the first bot for providing a solution to the requirement set can be received from the profile, and an indication of the selection can be transmitted to the first bot.

Abstract: A user is allowed to communicate with a chatbot. A menu is provided to the user that includes a list of actions that can be performed by the user. Whenever natural language input asking a question is received from the user, this input is forwarded to the chatbot, a response to this input is received from the chatbot, this response is provided to the user, and the menu is again provided to the user. Whenever natural language input is received from the user requesting an action that is not one of the actions in the menu, this input is forwarded to the chatbot, a response to this input is received from the chatbot, where this response includes another menu that includes a list of subsequent actions that are related to the requested action and can be performed by the user, and this other menu is provided to the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented technique is described for enabling a user to create a conversational bookmark in the course of the user's interaction with a BOT. The bookmark designates a particular juncture in the user's interaction with the BOT. When the user later invokes the bookmark, the computer-implemented technique resumes the user's interaction with the BOT, starting at the particular juncture. The technique can accomplish the above functions in a BOT-independent manner (which does not involve changes to the BOT) or a BOT-dependent manner (which involves changes to the BOT). The technique can also be extended to a task of creating and activating bookmarks in the course of a conversation among two or more humans.