Abstract: A system for integrating local speech recognition with cloud-based speech recognition in order to provide an efficient natural user interface is described. In some embodiments, a computing device determines a direction associated with a particular person within an environment and generates an audio recording associated with the direction. The computing device then performs local speech recognition on the audio recording in order to detect a first utterance spoken by the particular person and to detect one or more keywords within the first utterance. The first utterance may be detected by applying voice activity detection techniques to the audio recording. The first utterance and the one or more keywords are subsequently transferred to a server which may identify speech sounds within the first utterance associated with the one or more keywords and adapt one or more speech recognition techniques based on the identified speech sounds.

Abstract: An image to be shared with other users based on input from a first user is received. A second user is identified from a tag of the image, and information is provided, based at least in part on the tag, to one or both of the first user and the second user. Additionally, after editing of an image a determination can be made as to whether a region of the image having an associated tag has been affected by the editing. The tag associated with the region is altered if the region has been affected by the editing, otherwise the tag associated with the region is left unaltered. Furthermore, the tag can include a first portion storing data identifying a region of the image to which the tag corresponds, and a second portion storing data identifying a person shown in the region.

Abstract: A system for integrating local speech recognition with cloud-based speech recognition in order to provide an efficient natural user interface is described. In some embodiments, a computing device determines a direction associated with a particular person within an environment and generates an audio recording associated with the direction. The computing device then performs local speech recognition on the audio recording in order to detect a first utterance spoken by the particular person and to detect one or more keywords within the first utterance. The first utterance may be detected by applying voice activity detection techniques to the audio recording. The first utterance and the one or more keywords are subsequently transferred to a server which may identify speech sounds within the first utterance associated with the one or more keywords and adapt one or more speech recognition techniques based on the identified speech sounds.

Abstract: A translucent surface protection film suitable for protecting relatively rough surfaces such as, for example, the painted surfaces often found on architectural structures like doors, walls, etc. The translucent surface protection film comprises a polymeric layer backed by an adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesive layer defines a major surface of the film, with another major surface of the film having a surface texture that exhibits a 60 degree Gloss Level of less than or equal to 15. The rheological properties of the adhesive allow the adhesive layer to achieve a wet out of at least 70%, when the adhesive layer is applied onto a surface having a surface roughness with a peak count (PC) of at least 250 peaks/meter.

Abstract: A multimedia system configured to receive user input in the form of a spelled character sequence is provided. In one implementation, a spell mode is initiated, and a user spells a character sequence. The multimedia system performs spelling recognition and recognizes a sequence of character representations having a possible ambiguity resulting from any user and/or system errors. The sequence of character representations with the possible ambiguity yields multiple search keys. The multimedia system performs a fuzzy pattern search by scoring each target item from a finite dataset of target items based on the multiple search keys. One or more relevant items are ranked and presented to the user for selection, each relevant item being a target item that exceeds a relevancy threshold. The user selects the indented character sequence from the one or more relevant items.

Abstract: A global tag for an image is received identifies one or more objects in the image, and a region-specific tag for the image identifies one or more objects in a region of the image. The global tag and the region-specific tag are stored with the image. Displayed, along with the image, is an identifier for each of the one or more objects identified in the global tag, and an identifier for each of the one or more objects identified in the region-specific tag. Different users are able to maintain different names for the same person, allowing the same tag of the image to be used as the basis for displaying the image with different names for the different users. Additionally, the tags can be used as a basis for generating a credits list of people that are included in a compilation of images.

Abstract: An image to be shared with other users based on input from a first user is received. A second user is identified from a tag of the image, and information is provided, based at least in part on the tag, to one or both of the first user and the second user. Additionally, after editing of an image a determination can be made as to whether a region of the image having an associated tag has been affected by the editing. The tag associated with the region is altered if the region has been affected by the editing, otherwise the tag associated with the region is left unaltered. Furthermore, the tag can include a first portion storing data identifying a region of the image to which the tag corresponds, and a second portion storing data identifying a person shown in the region.

Abstract: A method for applying localized image effects to digital images is provided. The method includes receiving a selection representing a location in proximity to a region in the digital image requiring one or more correction. The region requiring correction is processed by an image processing engine to determine the boundaries of the region. The image processing engine applies one or more image effects to the region and varies an intensity level associated with each image effect according to the number clicks received at the location in proximity to the region requiring the correction.

Abstract: An articulated door hinge attaching a vehicle door having an outer surface with a leading edge and an inner surface to a vehicle pillar having an outer surface and an inner surface, the door hinge including a pillar half linkage having a base rigidly attached to the pillar inner surface and a bearing surface projecting from the base supporting a pair of horizontally spaced rotary center shafts, a door half linkage having a base rigidly attached to the door inner surface and a bearing surface projecting from the base supporting a pair of horizontally spaced rotary center shafts, a forward link connecting corresponding longitudinally forward most rotary center shafts of the door half linkage to the pillar half linkage, and a rearward link connecting corresponding longitudinally rearward most rotary center shafts of the door half linkage to the pillar half linkage thereby creating an articulated door hinge, the articulated door hinge operable between a door closed position where the door outer surface leading ed

Abstract: A process for biodegradation of an amine compound by contacting the amine mpound with a consortium of microorganisms effective for consuming carbon and nitrogen components of the amine compound under aerobic conditions, wherein the enzymatically degraded the amine compound forms an ammonia residue, nitrifying the ammonia residue under aerobic conditions, wherein the ammonia residue forms nitrite and nitrate residues and denitrifying the compound with the addition of a supplementary carbon source under anoxic conditions. The amine compound may be DS2 or similar amine structures. The microorganisms include Bacillus circulans, the genera Nitrosomonas, and the genera Nitrobacter. The process is a continuous-fed process in a bioreactor. A composition of microorganisms comprising Bacillus circulans, the genera Nitrosomonas, the genera Nitrobacter, and facultative heterotrophic denitrifiers effective to degrade DS2 also is disclosed.