Abstract: An audio recognition system provides for delivery of promotional content to its user. A user interface device, locally or with the assistance of a network-connected server, performs recognition of audio in response to queries. Recognition can be through a method such as processing features extracted from the audio. Audio can comprise recorded music, singing or humming, instrumental music, vocal music, spoken voice, or other recognizable types of audio. Campaign managers provide promotional content for delivery in response to audio recognized in queries.

Abstract: A platform provides for developers of applications, such as devices, with natural language interfaces to configure the availability of vertical domain modules in applications. Modules can include grammars for parsing natural language expressions and interfaces to data sources. Third party developers can create modules with pricing models for their usage or access to their data. Device developers can browse or search available modules and test their performance for specific queries. The platform provides for devices users to access the chosen modules as configured by device developers and for charging and payment between users, application developers, and module developers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing identification information in response to an audio segment using a first mode of operation including receiving an audio segment and sending the audio segment to a remote server and receiving, from the remote server, identification information relating to the audio segment, and a second mode of operation of receiving an audio segment and using stored information to obtain identification information relating to the received audio segment received, without sending the audio segment to the remote server. The present invention further includes using identification information from the remote server and using local identification information and selecting either identification information from the remote server or local identification information based on selection criteria, and generating an output based on the selected identification information.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that recognize audio queries and select related information to return in response to recognition of the audio queries. The technology disclosed facilitates easy designation of aggregate user experience categories and custom audio references to be recognized. It facilitates linking and returning of selected information in response to recognition of audio queries that match the designated aggregate user experience categories or custom audio references to be recognized.

Abstract: Agents engage and disengage with users intelligently. Users can tell agents to remain engaged without requiring a wakeword. Engaged states can support modal dialogs and barge-in. Users can cause disengagement explicitly. Disengagement can be conditional based on timeout, change of user, or environmental conditions. Engagement can be one-time or recurrent. Recurrent states can be attentive or locked. Locked states can be unconditional or conditional, including being reserved to support user continuity. User continuity can be tested by matching parameters or tracking user by many modalities including microphone arrays, cameras, and other sensors.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for a natural language module store. In general, the invention can be used to manage natural language modules offered through a natural language module store. Natural language module (NLM) developers can post NLMs at a NLM store to make the NLMs available for use by others. Developers can select NLMs for inclusion in natural language interpreters (NLIs) containing (and possibly integrating the functionality of) one or more NLMs. Prior to selecting a NLM, a developer can search or browse NLMs to identify an appropriate NLM. Optionally, a developer can test a NLM in the NLM store prior to inclusion in an NLI. For example, multiple NLMs purporting to provide the same specified natural language functionality can be tested relative to one another prior to selection of one of the NLMs for inclusion in an NLI.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the continuous monitoring of an audio signal and identification of audio items within an audio signal. The technology disclosed utilizes predictive caching of fingerprints to improve efficiency. Fingerprints are cached for tracking an audio signal with known alignment and for watching an audio signal without known alignment, based on already identified fingerprints extracted from the audio signal. Software running on a smart phone or other battery-powered device cooperates with software running on an audio identification server.

Abstract: An ad processor evaluates bid functions that are based on concepts that might be generated from interpretations of natural language expressions. Ad buyers provide the functions with corresponding ads to ad processors. Bid functions are further based on the values of semantic information referenced by expressions. Bid functions are further based on environmental information. Ad buyers are able to modify bid functions. Ads may be provided in the form of questions, and may be indicated by an identifying sound. Upon finding no expression concepts within a bid function, the set of expression concepts is expanded according to strengths of connections between concepts in a concept graph.

Abstract: A speech-enabled dialog system responds to a plurality of wake-up phrases. Based on which wake-up phrase is detected, the system's configuration is modified accordingly. Various configurable aspects of the system include selection and morphing of a text-to-speech voice; configuration of acoustic model, language model, vocabulary, and grammar; configuration of a graphic animation; configuration of virtual assistant personality parameters; invocation of a particular user profile; invocation of an authentication function; and configuration of an open sound. Configuration depends on a target market segment. Configuration also depends on the state of the dialog system, such as whether a previous utterance was an information query.

Abstract: A foreign device (FD) authenticates a user by communicating with a personal device (PD) using an audible signal. A system detects audible signals within time windows, and the signals can include codes. Either of the FD and PD can emit an audible signal for reception by the other device. A system uses geolocation, and comparison of audio segments simultaneously captured by each device to determine proximity between the devices. Users can speak audible messages, such as a codes read from PD. Codes can be words or numbers. Either device can enable speech recognition for detecting codes. The FD can also capture a unique user ID. The system can use the unique user ID to lookup a PD's ID.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for performing dual mode speech recognition, employing a local recognition module on a mobile device and a remote recognition engine on a server device. The system accepts a spoken query from a user, and both the local recognition module and the remote recognition engine perform speech recognition operations on the query, returning a transcription and confidence score, subject to a latency cutoff time. If both sources successfully transcribe the query, then the system accepts the result having the higher confidence score. If only one source succeeds, then that result is accepted. In either case, if the remote recognition engine does succeed in transcribing the query, then a client vocabulary is updated if the remote system result includes information not present in the client vocabulary.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for performing dual mode speech recognition, employing a local recognition module on a mobile device and a remote recognition engine on a server device. The system accepts a spoken query from a user, and both the local recognition module and the remote recognition engine perform speech recognition operations on the query, returning a transcription and confidence score, subject to a latency cutoff time. If both sources successfully transcribe the query, then the system accepts the result having the higher confidence score. If only one source succeeds, then that result is accepted. In either case, if the remote recognition engine does succeed in transcribing the query, then a client vocabulary is updated if the remote system result includes information not present in the client vocabulary.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for a natural language module store. In general, the invention can be used to manage natural language modules offered through a natural language module store. Natural language module (NLM) developers can post NLMs at a NLM store to make the NLMs available for use by others. Developers can select NLMs for inclusion in natural language interpreters (NLIs) containing (and possibly integrating the functionality of) one or more NLMs. Prior to selecting a NLM, a developer can search or browse NLMs to identify an appropriate NLM. Optionally, a developer can test a NLM in the NLM store prior to inclusion in an NLI. For example, multiple NLMs purporting to provide the same specified natural language functionality can be tested relative to one another prior to selection of one of the NLMs for inclusion in an NLI.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that recognize audio queries and select related information to return in response to recognition of the audio queries. The technology disclosed facilitates easy designation of aggregate user experience categories and custom audio references to be recognized. It facilitates linking and returning of selected information in response to recognition of audio queries that match the designated aggregate user experience categories or custom audio references to be recognized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for searching databases by sound data input are provided herein. A service provider may have a need to make their database(s) searchable through search technology. However, the service provider may not have the resources to implement such search technology. The search technology may allow for search queries using sound data input. The technology described herein provides a solution addressing the service provider's need, by giving a search technology that furnishes search results in a fast, accurate manner. In further embodiments, systems and methods to monetize those search results are also described herein.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method is described of retrying matching of an audio query against audio references. The method includes receiving a follow-up query that requests a retry at matching a previously submitted audio query. In some implementations, this follow-up query is received without any recognition hint that suggests how to retry matching. The follow-up query includes the audio query or a reference to the audio query to be used in the retry. The method further includes retrying matching the audio query using retry matching resources that include an expanded group of audio references, identifying at least one match and transmitting a report of the match. Optionally, the method includes storing data that correlates the follow-up query, the audio query or the reference to the audio query, and the match after retrying.

Abstract: A method for processing a voice message in a computerized system. The method receives and records a speech utterance including a message portion and a communication portion. The method proceeds to parse the input to identify and separate the message portion and the communication portion. It then identifies communication parameters, including one or more destination mailboxes, from the communication portion, and it transmits the message portion to the destination mailbox as a voice message.

Abstract: A method for matching a query against a broadcast stream includes receiving one or more broadcast streams, from which it generates and stores an audio fingerprint of a selected portion of each received broadcast stream. A query is received from which the method generates an audio fingerprint. From that point, the method continues by identifying audio content from the query, using the query audio fingerprint and a database of indexed audio content. The method concludes by identifying the source of the query using the query audio fingerprint and the stored audio fingerprints. Embodiments of the method further include predictively caching audio fingerprint sequences and corresponding audio item identifiers from a server after storing audio fingerprints extracted from the broadcast stream; and using the predictively cached audio fingerprint sequences to identify an audio item within the audio signal based on at least some additional audio fingerprints of the audio signal.

Abstract: A method for processing a natural language input to a computerized system. The method parses the input to identify a query portion and a communication portion of the input. The system then determines an answer to the query portion, including identifying communication parameters from the communication portion. Upon determining the answer, the system prepares an answer to the communication and transmits that answer. If the answer requires information from a remote source, the system creates a subsidiary query to obtain that information and then submits the subsidiary query to the remote source. A response to the query is used to compose the answer to the query from the answer to the subsidiary query. If the system concludes that the query portion does not require information from a remote source, analyzing and answering the query locally.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the continuous monitoring of an audio signal and identification of audio items within an audio signal. The technology disclosed utilizes predictive caching of fingerprints to improve efficiency. Fingerprints are cached for tracking an audio signal with known alignment and for watching an audio signal without known alignment, based on already identified fingerprints extracted from the audio signal. Software running on a smart phone or other battery-powered device cooperates with software running on an audio identification server.