Abstract: A computer-implemented technique is described herein for assisting a user in advancing a task objective. The technique uses a suggestion-generating system (SGS) to provide one or more suggestions to a user in response to at least a last-submitted query provided by the user. The SGS may correspond to a classification-type or generative-type neural network. The SGS uses a machine-trained model that is trained using a multi-task training framework based on plural groups of training examples, which, in turn, are produced using different respective example-generating methods. One such example-generating method constructs a training example from queries in a search session. It operates by identifying the task-related intent the queries, and then identifying at least one sequence of queries in the search session that exhibits a coherent task-related intent. A training example is constructed based on queries in such a sequence.

Abstract: Implementations of a sensing device may include: a circuit board including a microprocessor, an ultrasonic sensor coupled with the circuit board, an infrared sensor coupled with the circuit board, and a wireless communication module coupled with the circuit board. Each of the ultrasonic sensor and the infrared sensor may be configured to receive input from the surroundings of the user to indicate a presence of an individual behind the user.