Abstract: Described herein is a split virtual keyboard that is displayed on a tablet (slate) computing device. The split virtual keyboard includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being separated from the second portion. The first portion includes a plurality of character keys that are representative at least one respective character. The tablet computing device is configured to support text generation by way of a continuous sequence of strokes over the plurality of character keys in the first portion of the split virtual keyboard.

Abstract: A wearable interactive device, such as a wearable identity badge is disclosed. When a user moves the device, such as to position a display (e.g., part) of the device a sensed distance at a sensed horizontal and vertical angle, the device outputs content that is based on the position. Context data also may be used in determining the content to output, as well as any other sensed data that may be available.

Abstract: A mobile device is described herein that provides a user interface experience to a user who is operating the mobile device within a vehicle. The mobile device provides the user interface experience using mode functionality. The mode functionality operates by receiving inference-input information from one or more input sources. At least one input source corresponds to at least one movement-sensing device, provided by the mobile device, that determines movement of the mobile device. The mode functionality then infers a state of the vehicle based on the inference-input information and presents a user interface experience that is appropriate for the vehicle state. In one scenario, the mode functionality can also infer that the vehicle is in a distress condition. In response, the mode functionality can solicit assistance for the user.

Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to provision of haptic feedback to users of computing devices with touch-sensitive displays are described. First haptic feedback is provided to assist a user in localizing a finger or thumb relative to a graphical object displayed on a touch-sensitive display, where no input data is provided to an application corresponding to the graphical object. A toggle command set forth by the user is subsequently identified; thereafter, an input gesture is received on the touch-sensitive display, and second haptic feedback is provided to aid the user in setting forth input data to the application.

Abstract: Described herein is a split virtual keyboard that is displayed on a tablet (slate) computing device. The split virtual keyboard includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being separated from the second portion. The first portion includes a plurality of character keys that are representative at least one respective character. The tablet computing device is configured to support text generation by way of a continuous sequence of strokes over the plurality of character keys in the first portion of the split virtual keyboard.

Abstract: Real-time query expansion (RTQE) is a process of supplementing an original query with additional terms or expansion choices that are ranked according to some figure of merit and presented while users are still formulating their queries. As disclosed herein, individual terms may be combined and submitted as a phrase into a query. By building the phase term-by-term, users can compositionally formulate queries while maintaining the same benefits that other RTQE interfaces offer. To promote greater flexibility in its working environment, the number of terms that are presented on a display may be reduced. In place of some terms, placeholders may be used and expanded by the user when necessary. This allows phrases to be readily presented on small displays (e.g., hand-held devices).

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure enable a user-interactive display presented on a touch-sensitive input panel to be modified. In some examples, a request to modify an arrangement of a plurality of keys presented on the touch-sensitive input panel is generated. The keys are arranged in a first quantity of rows and are associated with a first set of characters including a first plurality of characters and a second plurality of characters. A first key is associated with the first plurality of characters, and a second key is associated with the second plurality of characters. Based on the generated request, the keys are arranged in a second quantity of rows different from the first quantity of rows. Aspects of the disclosure enable a mobile device to be customized such that a user may provide input (e.g., via typing) in a user-friendly manner.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a handheld device (e.g., a cellular telephone) is provided herein. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: A dictation module is described herein which receives and interprets a complete utterance of the user in incremental fashion, that is, one incremental portion at a time. The dictation module also provides rendered text in incremental fashion. The rendered text corresponds to the dictation module's interpretation of each incremental portion. The dictation module also allows the user to modify any part of the rendered text, as it becomes available. In one case, for instance, the dictation module provides a marking menu which includes multiple options by which a user can modify a selected part of the rendered text. The dictation module also uses the rendered text (as modified or unmodified by the user using the marking menu) to adjust one or more models used by the dictation model to interpret the user's utterance.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies relating to display of a representation of an object on a display screen with visual verisimilitude to a viewer. A location of eyes of the viewer relative to a reference point on the display screen is determined. Additionally, a direction of gaze of the eyes of the viewer is determined. Based upon the location and direction of gaze of the eyes of the viewer, the representation of the object can be displayed at a scale and orientation such that it appears with visual verisimilitude to the viewer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology for dynamic presentation of search result information within a selected area of a display. In one aspect, a computerized interface for data presentation is provided. The system includes a lens component associated with a portion of a user interface display, wherein the lens component defines an area to display information from at least one search result. A layout component displays a detailed subset of information within the lens component based upon the search result.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve the text entry user experience and performance. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a text entry, receiving input on a touch screen in the form of a first single touch input located over a word of previously entered text, and presenting the user with one or more suggestion candidates indicated possible replacement words related to the selected word. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates using a second single touch input to replace the selected word with a word associated with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: A soft input panel (SIP) for a computing device is configured to be used by a person holding a computing device with one hand. For example, a user grips a mobile computing device with his right hand at the bottom right corner and uses his right thumb to touch the various keys of the SIP, or grips a mobile computing device with his left hand at the bottom left corner and uses his left thumb to touch the various keys of the SIP. The SIP comprises arced or slanted rows of keys that correspond to the natural pivoting motion of the user's thumb.

Abstract: Technologies described herein relate to simulating real-time detection of position of a member relative to a display. Sensor data is received, wherein the sensor data is indicative of position of the member relative to the display. Based upon the sensor data, the positions of the member relative to the display for a plurality of frames that are to be presented on the display are predicted. Computing operations are performed at the time the frames are displayed based upon the predicted positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow an on-line game to extract information relevant to a specific need of a game platform or service platform. The specific need relates to management and use of digital content, and is addressed by designing and playing an on-line collaborative game. The rules of the game intend to solve a specific task dictated by the specific need. Players' responses to the game generate a wealth of information related to a specific task objective, such as ranking, sorting, and evaluating a set of digital content items. To compel participation in a game, players can be rewarded with monetary value rewards. As a game illustration, an image selection game (ISG) that exploits human contextual inference is described in detail. The information extracted from ISG is a list of key-image associations, relevant for the task of image sorting and ranking.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve the text entry user experience and performance. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a text entry, receiving input on a touch screen in the form of a first single touch input located over a word of previously entered text, and presenting the user with one or more suggestion candidates indicated possible replacement words related to the selected word. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates using a second single touch input to replace the selected word with a word associated with the selected suggestion candidate.