Abstract: A virtual assistant device recognizes multiple wake-up phrases. In response to a particular wake-up phrase the device sends speech audio to either a default or a third party virtual assistant server. A virtual assistant server can receive speech audio and an indication of which of multiple wake-up phrases was used and, accordingly, send the speech audio, or text recognized from the speech audio using automatic speech recognition, to a third party server. A response from the third party server can be voice audio or text for the virtual assistant server to synthesize distinctively corresponding to the wake-up phrase.

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 morphine 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 virtual assistant device recognizes multiple wake-up phrases. In response to a particular wake-up phrase the device sends speech audio to either a default or a third party virtual assistant server. A virtual assistant server can receive speech audio and an indication of which of multiple wake-up phrases was used and, accordingly, send the speech audio, or text recognized from the speech audio using automatic speech recognition, to a third party server. A response from the third party server can be voice audio or text for the virtual assistant server to synthesize distinctively corresponding to the wake-up phrase.

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 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: An enhanced wiki function is included for an Internet based community associated with financial markets. Shared resource objects created by members, as well as other content, can be integrated by a wiki editor—including with WYSIWYG functionality—into Wiki pages for ease of information dissemination.

Abstract: A graphical prediction editor for an Internet based community is adapted to collect and compile member votes/predictions. Aspects of an item graph can be customized and tailored by individuals to permit ease of data entry and review.

Abstract: An Internet based community predictor for equities and other assets collects and compiles member votes and makes predictions based on overall community statistics. Individual votes are cast by members representing price predictions for particular equities over a target period. By relying on aggregated data it is possible to make more accurate forecasts for the behavior of other populations as well.