Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates generating a personalized query result for a specific user. An interface can receive at least one of a portion of a text query to be searched or a portion of personalized content related to a user that submits the portion of the text query. A personalization component can combine the portion of personalized content related to the user with a portion of personalized content related to one or more disparate users to create group personalized content, wherein the group personalized content is compared with the portion of the text query to identify a relationship there between to generate a personalized query result in accordance with the relationship.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to presenting search results to a user, wherein the search results are messages generated by way of social networking applications. An interactive graphical object is presented together with retrieved messages, and messages are filtered responsive to interactions with the interactive graphical object. Additionally, a graphical object that is indicative of credibility of a message is presented together with the message.

Abstract: Braille symbols are automatically read aloud, to aid in learning or using Braille. More generally, a tile which bears a tactile symbol and a corresponding visual symbol is placed in a sensing area, automatically distinguished from other tiles, and vocalized. The tile is sensed and distinguished from other tiles based on various signal mechanisms, or by computer vision analysis of the tile's visual symbol. Metadata is associated with the tile. Additional placed tiles are similarly sensed, identified, and vocalized. When multiple tiles are placed in the sensing area, they are vocalized individually, and an audible phrase spelled by their arrangement of tactile symbols is also produced. A lattice is provided with locations for receiving tiles. Metadata are associated with lattice locations. Tile placement is used to control an application program which responds to tile identifications.

Abstract: Collaborative search and share is provided by a method of facilitating collaborative content-finding, which includes displaying a toolbar user interface object for each user that not only allows each user to perform content-finding but also increases awareness of each user to the activities of other users. The method further includes displaying content results as various disparate image clips that can easily be shared, moved, etc. amongst users.

Abstract: A method described herein includes receiving, at a first computer, search data from each of a plurality of interconnected client computing devices, wherein the search data comprises one or more search terms provided to one or more search engines by users of the client computing devices, wherein the search data is independent of the search engines utilized by the users of the client computing device. The method also includes causing the search data to be displayed on a display that is in communication with the first computer.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates authentication of a user in a surface computing environment. A device or authentication object can be carried by a user and employed to retain authentication information. An authentication component can obtain the authentication information from the device and analyze the information to verify an identity of the user. A touch input component can ascertain if a touch input is authentication by associating touch input with the user. In addition, authentication information can be employed to establish a secure communications channel for transfer of user data.

Abstract: Aspects relate to detecting gestures that relate to a desired action, wherein the detected gestures are common across users and/or devices within a surface computing environment. Inferred intentions and goals based on context, history, affordances, and objects are employed to interpret gestures. Where there is uncertainty in intention of the gestures for a single device or across multiple devices, independent or coordinated communication of uncertainty or engagement of users through signaling and/or information gathering can occur.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates generating a personalized query result for a specific user. An interface can receive at least one of a portion of a text query to be searched or a portion of personalized content related to a user that submits the portion of the text query. A personalization component can combine the portion of personalized content related to the user with a portion of personalized content related to one or more disparate users to create group personalized content, wherein the group personalized content is compared with the portion of the text query to identify a relationship there between to generate a personalized query result in accordance with the relationship.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to perform collaborative retrieval, communication, and navigation of electronic content in a co-located environment. In an illustrative implementation, a collaborative content environment comprises a collaborative content interface engine, and an instruction set comprising at least one instruction providing instructions to the collaborative content interface engine to process data representative of inputs from two or more cooperating interface devices to allow for the retrieval, communication, search, and navigation of electronic content. In the illustrative implementation, the collaborative content interface engine can present retrieved, communicated, searched, and/or navigated data according to a selected display paradigm. The display paradigm can include one or more display portions of a display pane comprising data responsive to the inputs received from the two or more cooperating interface devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable collaboration among users on a process for information seeking and review. A collaborative search user interface can enable division of tasks among users to mitigate undesired duplication efforts (e.g., parallelize the tasks). Moreover, attribution information associated with the search process/result for each user can be tracked, and users can opine on the search process. Accordingly, both the process and the product of the search can be performed in a collaborative manner.

Abstract: A technique for the creation of synthesized results from multi-query searches to provide more relevant information to the user in a more useful format and to discard or reduce in relevancy information that is not so useful. It can determine which queries belong to the search based on parameters in the queries or results. It also provides mechanisms for supporting exploratory searches including: saving/restoring search context; search-specific query history; a “keepers” bin for storing useful results; elimination of redundant results; re-ranking of common search results; integration of searching with navigation; pivoting on search results; collaboration among multiple searchers; user-generated content; generation of hypotheses; re-executing queries and executing standing queries; multi-monitor searching and automatic preparation of search summaries.

Abstract: A technique for the creation of synthesized results from multi-query, multi-party and multi-monitor searches to provide more relevant information to the user in a more useful format and to discard or reduce in relevancy information that is not so useful. It also provides mechanisms for supporting exploratory searches including: saving/restoring search context; search-specific query history; a “keepers” bin for storing useful results; elimination of redundant results; re-ranking of common search results; integration of searching with navigation; pivoting on search results; collaboration among multiple searchers; user-generated content; generation of hypotheses; re-executing queries and executing standing queries; multi-monitor searching and automatic preparation of search summaries.

Abstract: A technique for the creation of synthesized results from multi-query searches to provide more relevant information to the user in a more useful format and to discard or reduce in relevancy information that is not so useful. It allows a user to define the boundaries of the exploratory search before it starts or retroactively define which queries belong to the search. It can imply which queries belong to the search based on parameters in the queries or results. It also provides mechanisms for supporting exploratory searches including: saving/restoring search context; search-specific query history; a “keepers” bin for storing useful results; elimination of redundant results; re-ranking of common search results; integration of searching with navigation; pivoting on search results; collaboration among multiple searchers; user-generated content; generation of hypotheses; re-executing queries and executing standing queries; multi-monitor searching and automatic preparation of search summaries.

Abstract: User interfaces for conducting multi-query searches. These user interfaces also provide specific mechanisms for supporting multi-query searches including: saving/restoring search context; search-specific query history; a “keepers” bin for storing useful results; elimination of redundant results; re-ranking of common search results; integration of searching with navigation; pivoting on search results; collaboration among multiple searchers; user-generated content; support for generation of hypotheses; re-executing queries and executing standing queries; multi-monitor searching and automatic preparation of search summaries.