Abstract: Some embodiments provide techniques performed by at least one voice agent. The techniques include receiving voice input; identifying at least one application program as relating to the received voice input; and displaying at least one selectable visual representation that, when selected, causes focus of the computing device to be directed to the at least one application program identified as relating to the received voice input.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide techniques performed by at least one voice agent. The techniques include receiving voice input; identifying at least one application program as relating to the received voice input; and displaying at least one selectable visual representation that, when selected, causes focus of the computing device to be directed to the at least one application program identified as relating to the received voice input.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide techniques performed by at least one voice agent. The techniques include receiving voice input; accessing contextual information related to an application program that has focus of the computing device when the voice input is received; and using the contextual information to interpret the received voice input.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide techniques performed by at least one voice agent. The techniques include receiving voice input specifying a requested action; and identifying a subject of the requested action from the voice input and information relating to a prior action invoked by the at least one voice agent, wherein the information identifies a subject of the prior action.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to techniques performed at least in part by at least one voice agent executing on a computing device. The techniques comprise responsive to the at least one voice agent receiving input at least partially specifying a requested action to be performed at least partially by an application program, presenting visual feedback responsive to the input concurrently via a user interface of the at least one voice agent and a user interface of the application program.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide techniques performed by at least one voice agent. The techniques include receiving voice input from a user at least partially specifying a requested action to be performed at least in part by an application program, wherein the requested action requires a plurality of inputs to be fully specified; and in response to receiving the voice input, making the application program accessible to the user prior to completion of performance of the requested action, so as to enable the user to provide and/or edit at least one input of the plurality of inputs by directly interacting with the application program.

Abstract: A system and method to generate a touch-based user interface that allows users to reliably carry out tasks in a low-attention environment. The touch-based user interface relies upon swipe and tap gestures that are easily entered by a user without having to concentrate on a touchscreen or display associated with a touchpad on which the gestures are entered. For gestures that are swipes, only the direction of the swipe is utilized by the system in interpreting the entered command. For tap gestures, only the number of taps in a sequence, as well as the duration of taps, is utilized by the system in interpreting the entered command. By not correlating the location of the entered gestures with what is displayed on the associated display screen, the touch interface disclosed herein is well suited for environments where a user is unable to look at the display screen while performing gestures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described in which a plurality of sensory stimuli are presented to a user. A response from the user to each of selected ones of the sensory stimuli is recorded where the response is given within a period of time from the presentation of the corresponding sensory stimulus. The period of time is selected to increase the likelihood that the recorded responses are spontaneous.