Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlling airflow in large industrial forced-convection ovens that are used for cooking, smoking, drying, and processing meat and food products. The system and apparatus reduce temperature, color, and yield variation within the ovens, and also reduce cooking times and power requirements. The system and apparatus use variable-width supply-air slots and dual, side-mounted return ducts to precisely control the airflow within the oven so that the air can be directed to the slowest cooking areas in the oven.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first audio input from a user requesting access to information or a service, sending a request for the information or service to an authentication server, where the request includes first authentication information based on the first audio input and further includes a user identifier associated with the user, receiving a second audio input from a client system of the user, where the second audio input includes a first authentication code to be compared to a second authentication code generated by the authentication server, sending second authentication information based on the second audio input and the user identifier to the authentication server for verification, receiving, from the authentication server, an indication of whether the user is successfully authenticated based on the second authentication information, and providing, to the user, access to the information or service when the user is successfully authenticated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, by one or more computing systems, receiving, from a client system associated with a user, an initial portion of a user input, wherein the initial portion comprises a partial request, and wherein the initial portion is received while the user is continuing to provide further input, generating, responsive to receiving the initial portion of the user input, one or more speculative queries based on the partial request and a machine-learning predictive model, wherein each speculative query is a predicted complete request based on the partial request, calculating a confidence score for each speculative query based on the predictive model, ranking the one or more speculative queries based on their respective confidence scores and associated costs, executing one or more of the speculative queries based on their ranks, and caching one or more results of the executed one or more speculative queries.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a user request for a summarization of a particular type of content objects from a client system associated with a first user, determining one or more modalities associated with the user request, selecting a plurality of content objects of the particular type based on a user profile of the first user, wherein the user profile comprises one or more confidence scores associated with one or more subjects associated with the first user, respectively, and wherein the plurality of content objects are selected based on the one or more confidence scores, generating a summary of each content object based on the user profile and the determined modalities, and sending, to the client system in response to the user request, instructions for presenting the summaries of the plurality of content objects, wherein the summaries are presented via one or more of the determined modalities.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first user input from a first user, wherein the first user input comprises a partial request, presenting one or more suggested intent auto-completions corresponding to the partial request, receiving a selection by the first user of a first suggested intent auto-completion of the suggested intent auto-completions and a second user input, presenting one or more suggested slot auto-completions corresponding to one or more candidate slot-hypotheses corresponding to the second user input, respectively, wherein each of the candidate slot-hypotheses comprise a slot-suggestion, and wherein each suggested slot auto-completion comprises the second user input and the corresponding candidate slot-hypothesis, receiving a selection by the first user of a first suggested slot auto-completion of the suggested slot auto-completions, and presenting execution results of one or more tasks corresponding to the first suggested intent auto-completion and the first suggested slot auto

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a user input including a partial request from a client system of a first user, analyzing the user input to generate one or more candidate hypotheses based on a personalized language model where each of the candidate hypotheses includes one or more of an intent-suggestion or a slot-suggestion, sending instructions for presenting one or more suggested auto-completions corresponding to one or more of the candidate hypotheses, respectively, to the client system, where each suggested auto-completion comprises the partial request and the corresponding candidate hypothesis, receiving an indication of a selection by the first user of a first suggested auto-completion of the suggested auto-completions from the client system, and executing one or more tasks based on the first suggested auto-completion selected by the first user via one or more agents.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a user request for a summarization of a particular type of content objects from a client system associated with a first user, determining one or more modalities associated with the user request, selecting a plurality of content objects of the particular type based on a user profile of the first user, wherein the user profile comprises one or more confidence scores associated with one or more subjects associated with the first user, respectively, and wherein the plurality of content objects are selected based on the one or more confidence scores, generating a summary of each content object based on the user profile and the determined modalities, and sending, to the client system in response to the user request, instructions for presenting the summaries of the plurality of content objects, wherein the summaries are presented via one or more of the determined modalities.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a user input including a partial request from a client system of a first user, analyzing the user input to generate one or more candidate hypotheses based on a personalized language model where each of the candidate hypotheses includes one or more of an intent-suggestion or a slot-suggestion, sending instructions for presenting one or more suggested auto-completions corresponding to one or more of the candidate hypotheses, respectively, to the client system, where each suggested auto-completion comprises the partial request and the corresponding candidate hypothesis, receiving an indication of a selection by the first user of a first suggested auto-completion of the suggested auto-completions from the client system, and executing one or more tasks based on the first suggested auto-completion selected by the first user via one or more agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for automated detection of multi-user computing devices such as kiosks, public terminals, and so on. Network resource requests are obtained from a client computing device. It is determined whether the client computing device is a multi-user system based at least in part on whether the network resource requests embody characteristics associated with multi-user systems. The resulting classification is stored and may be used to customize generation of requested network resources.

Abstract: When making a payment with an electronic payment type, a user may provide additional verification of ownership through communications with the user's mobile computing device. For example, the user may swipe her bank card at a retailer's store. The retailer may authorize the bank card through an issuing party (“host”). The host may transmit a request to the user via a mobile application running on the mobile computing device, which may request the user to approve or decline the purchase request. In various embodiments, the host's request may require the user to enter personal and/or authorization information (e.g., a PIN, password, biometrics, etc.) via the mobile application to approve the request. In some aspects, the host may allow the user to split or allocate a payment amount across one or more electronic payment types available to the user from the host via the mobile application during the authorization process.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a processor. The display system also includes a first display device having a first display surface and receiving display data from the processor. The display system also includes a second displayed device having a display area smaller then the first display device and moveable over the surface of the first display device. The display system also includes a sensor in communication with the processor and communicating location data to the processor. The location data is representative of the relative location of the first display to the second display. Further still, the display system includes a program running on the processor and providing display data to the first and second display devices. The display data is provided to the second display device based on the location data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required.

Abstract: Validation data, such as an image selected by a merchant, is rendered on a mobile device of a customer to provide the merchant confirmation that payment for an item submitted through the mobile device of the customer was in fact received by the merchant. The merchant may establish an account on a network-accessible computing device (e.g., in the “cloud”) that includes the validation data. The customer authorizes payment to the merchant from the mobile device using the network connectivity of the mobile device. When the payment is received by the merchant, the network-accessible computing device sends the validation data to the customer's mobile device. The merchant may be confident that he or she has in fact received an electronic payment from the customer when the validation data is presented on the mobile device. Techniques to prevent reuse and copying of the validation data are also discussed.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for automated detection of multi-user computing devices such as kiosks, public terminals, and so on. Network resource requests are obtained from a client computing device. It is determined whether the client computing device is a multi-user system based at least in part on whether the network resource requests embody characteristics associated with multi-user systems. The resulting classification is stored and may be used to customize generation of requested network resources.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for automated detection of multi-user computing devices such as kiosks, public terminals, and so on. Network resource requests are obtained from a client computing device. It is determined whether the client computing device is a multi-user system based at least in part on whether the network resource requests embody characteristics associated with multi-user systems. The resulting classification is stored and may be used to customize generation of requested network resources.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but not all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.

Abstract: A wall panel system has at least one panel with face sheets of compressed solid cement or gypsum based material bonded to a foam core. The core has at least one channel extending through the core on an axis along the length of the panel from a predetermined position on a top edge to a bottom edge of the panel. A slot is provided on opposed side/end edges of the core to allow for a strengthening rod to be inserted between adjacent panels. An edge recess extends along one or more edges of the panel between the rear of the face sheet(s) and the core. The recess can receive and discretely hide connecting panel/plate members connecting adjacent panels.

Abstract: Audio components such as headsets or earbuds can include a control module that stores an identifying code. When an audio component is connected to an electronic device, the device determines the code and can set certain parameters (e.g., audio playback volume) and/or provide at least some level of access to functionality and data. The control module also includes one or more buttons that enable a user to provide an input sequence that can act as a personal code. When the electronic device receives the personal code and verifies that the code is associated with the identifying code of the audio component, the electronic device can provide access to additional and/or all functionality on the device, and any or all data stored for the user or device. The sequence can correspond to a beat pattern or musical sequence entered using the buttons.

Abstract: A system and method for gathering data for detecting fraudulent transactions includes, in one embodiment, a web page that contains a fraud data gathering script and causes a client device to download a fraud detection applet. The fraud data gathering script causes the client device to collect information from the client device that is usable to identify the client device. The fraud detection applet causes the client device to connect to an identification echo service server to obtain the actual IP address of the client device. The fraud detection data, including the identifying information and the actual IP address, are then sent to a web server and/or a fraud data gathering server for further processing and to determine whether a transaction with the client device is likely to be fraudulent.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing out-of-band authentication of an e-mail message. A recipient of an e-mail message purporting to be from an organization forwards the e-mail message or submits its content to that organization for authentication. The authenticity of the e-mail message is determined based on authentication data, such as outgoing message logs or authentication keys, maintained at the source of the e-mail message. Upon authenticating the e-mail message, the recipient is informed of the authenticity of the e-mail message.