Abstract: Speech generating devices, communication systems, and methods for communicating using the devices and systems are disclosed herein. In certain examples, a communication system is configured to receive a generated communication, establish a connection between a speech generating device and a computing device subsequent to receipt of the generated communication, and transmit the generated communication to the computing device. In other examples, a computing device is configured to establish a connection with a speech generating device, and receive a transmission generated by the speech generating device following the connection, the transmission including previously generated communications or real-time communication segments or proxies.

Abstract: Speech generating devices, communication systems, and methods for communicating using the devices and systems are disclosed herein. In certain examples, the speech generating device includes a display device and an input device configured to generate a communication to be displayed on the display device, wherein the speech generating device is configured to allow a user to select between playing the generated communication through a speaker and transmitting the generated communication via a communication network to a computing device separate from the speech generating device. In certain examples, the computing device may be designated with other computing devices of other conversation partners within a conversation group.

Abstract: Speech generating devices, communication systems, and methods for communicating using the devices and systems are disclosed herein. In certain examples, the speech generating device includes: a first display device positioned in a first direction, the first display device configured to face a user of the speech generating device; an input device configured to generate a communication to be displayed on the first display device; and a second display device positioned in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the second display device is configured to display a social cue proxy or an emotional proxy of the generated communication.

Abstract: In general, the immersive telepresence implementations described herein allow desired telepresence experiences of users or telepresence travel participants to be automatically matched with travel volunteers that can provide these telepresence experiences. The mobile computing devices of the travel volunteers provide audio, video and other data to the travel participant so that the travel participant can experience the sights and sounds of a desired telepresence experience (which can include location and time, as well as a desired activity) without the travel participant physically being present. The immersive telepresence implementations described herein automatically find matches between telepresence experiences on a list (e.g., bucket list) of a travel participant and one or more travel volunteers and provide for various features to provide an immersive and personalized telepresence experience for the travel participant.

Abstract: A request may be obtained to electronically access a first network site. A selection indicator associated with selection of a dialog display for bibliography collection may be displayed, and an indication of a device user selection of the selection indicator may be received. A recordation of accessible entities that a user device accesses may be initiated, the accessible entities including one or more second network sites, in response to receiving the indication of the selection of the selection indicator. Representations of the recorded accessible entities may be displayed, and data representing at least a portion of the recorded accessible entity accesses may be transmitted to a device that is associated with the first network site.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to generating crowd-sourced answers are described herein. A text string is received, and the text string is parsed to determine if the text string represents an information need that is desirably answered by a collective of crowd workers. When it is determined that the information need is desirably answered by the collective of crowd workers, a query or question that represents the information need is provided to a first plurality of crowd workers, who generate proposed answers for the information need. The proposed answers are provided to a second plurality of crowd workers, who vote on the proposed answers. An answer to the information need is output based upon responses of the crowd workers.

Abstract: A wearable device conveys information to a user. The device includes a master soft circuit cell and a plurality of actuation soft circuit cells. These cells are physically interconnected to form a garment that is worn by a user and each of these cells includes an electrically non-conductive fabric covering. Each of the actuation cells is electrically connected to and operates under the control of the master cell. The master cell is configured to wirelessly receive actuation instructions and activate a combination of the actuation cells based on the received actuation instructions. Each of the actuation cells is configured to generate a particular actuation that is perceived by one or more senses of the user whenever the actuation cell is activated by the master cell. A system also conveys affective state information to a user.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for obtaining remote shopping advice are described herein. In one example, a method includes taking two or more media representations of items to be discussed. A parameter is selected within a social shopping app for obtaining feedback on the items to be discussed. The two or more media representations are assembled into a query within the social shopping app based, at least in part, on the parameter. The query is sent to a reviewer from within the social shopping app. Feedback on the items to be discussed is received from the reviewer within the social shopping app.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to generating crowd-sourced answers are described herein. A text string is received, and the text string is parsed to determine if the text string represents an information need that is desirably answered by a collective of crowd workers. When it is determined that the information need is desirably answered by the collective of crowd workers, a query or question that represents the information need is provided to a first plurality of crowd workers, who generate proposed answers for the information need. The proposed answers are provided to a second plurality of crowd workers, who vote on the proposed answers. An answer to the information need is output based upon responses of the crowd workers.

Abstract: A request may be obtained to electronically access a first network site. A selection indicator associated with selection of a dialog display for bibliography collection may be displayed, and an indication of a device user selection of the selection indicator may be received. A recordation of accessible entities that a user device accesses may be initiated, the accessible entities including one or more second network sites, in response to receiving the indication of the selection of the selection indicator. Representations of the recorded accessible entities may be displayed, and data representing at least a portion of the recorded accessible entity accesses may be transmitted to a device that is associated with the first network site.

Abstract: Various embodiments facilitate linking physical documents to digital documents. Links link physical documents to digital documents. Using a sensor, the physical documents are automatically detected and identified on a digital workspace. A computer is capable of displaying graphics, and user interaction with displayed graphics can be detected. The digital workspace displays a GUI component having one or more controls, and the GUI component is displayed at a location relative to a physical document on the digital workspace. User interaction with the control is detected and either a link between the physical document and one of the digital documents is edited, or an existing link between the physical document and a digital document is used to perform an operation on the digital document. Alternatively or additionally, links may be automatically generated digital documents determined to be implicitly related to the physical document.

Abstract: Physical controls on a physical controller device (PCD) are dynamically mapped to application controls for an application being executed on a computer having a touch-sensitive display surface. The computer identifies a PCD which has been placed by a user on the display surface and displays a mapping aura for the PCD. When the user touches an activate direct-touch button displayed within the mapping aura, the computer activates a mapping procedure for the PCD and displays a highlighted direct-touch button over each application control which is available to be mapped to the physical controls on the PCD. When the user selects a particular application control which is available to be mapped by touching the highlighted button residing over the control, the computer creates a dynamic mapping between the selected application control and a user-selected physical control on the PCD.

Abstract: A search-centric hierarchical browser history technique that provides for the creation of a Web search history hierarchy organized according to the search queries that a user has conducted. In one embodiment, search queries occupy the highest level of the search history hierarchy and all Web sites/search results relating to a particular search query that the user accessed are hierarchically organized below that query. In another embodiment, queries may also be optionally grouped into a higher-level hierarchy that reflects search topics.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies pertaining to search in general, and collaborative searching in particular. Graphical items are generated that are representative of searches. The graphical items include graphical indicia that indicate which search results were included in other, related searches.

Abstract: Physical controls on a physical controller device (PCD) are dynamically mapped to application controls for an application being executed on a computer having a touch-sensitive display surface. The computer identifies a PCD which has been placed by a user on the display surface and displays a mapping aura for the PCD. When the user touches an activate direct-touch button displayed within the mapping aura, the computer activates a mapping procedure for the PCD and displays a highlighted direct-touch button over each application control which is available to be mapped to the physical controls on the PCD. When the user selects a particular application control which is available to be mapped by touching the highlighted button residing over the control, the computer creates a dynamic mapping between the selected application control and a user-selected physical control on the PCD.

Abstract: Various embodiments facilitate linking physical documents to digital documents. Links link physical documents to digital documents. Using a sensor, the physical documents are automatically detected and identified on a digital workspace. A computer is capable of displaying graphics, and user interaction with displayed graphics can be detected. The digital workspace displays a GUI component having one or more controls, and the GUI component is displayed at a location relative to a physical document on the digital workspace. User interaction with the control is detected and either a link between the physical document and one of the digital documents is edited, or an existing link between the physical document and a digital document is used to perform an operation on the digital document. Alternatively or additionally, links may be automatically generated digital documents determined to be implicitly related to the physical document.

Abstract: A search-centric hierarchical browser history technique that provides for the creation of a Web search history hierarchy organized according to the search queries that a user has conducted. In one embodiment, search queries occupy the highest level of the search history hierarchy and all Web sites/search results relating to a particular search query that the user accessed are hierarchically organized below that query. In another embodiment, queries may also be optionally grouped into a higher-level hierarchy that reflects search topics.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising a class of new chemical compounds which can be applied to a textile material preferably composed of fibers of cellulose, regenerated cellulose or a cellulose ester or ether, to contribute an attractive softening effect. The new compounds possess a hydrophilic solubilising group linked to each of two triazine rings and an average of two hydrophobic groups and two halogen substituents per molecule. After impregnation with the compositions of the invention the compounds are fixed to the textile material by heating at 100.degree.-150.degree.C.