Abstract: Technologies for natural language interactions with virtual personal assistant systems include a computing device configured to capture audio input, distort the audio input to produce a number of distorted audio variations, and perform speech recognition on the audio input and the distorted audio variants. The computing device selects a result from a large number of potential speech recognition results based on contextual information. The computing device may measure a user's engagement level by using an eye tracking sensor to determine whether the user is visually focused on an avatar rendered by the virtual personal assistant. The avatar may be rendered in a disengaged state, a ready state, or an engaged state based on the user engagement level. The avatar may be rendered as semitransparent in the disengaged state, and the transparency may be reduced in the ready state or the engaged state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The Internet can be configured to provide communications to a large number of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Devices can be designed to address the need for network layers, from central servers, through gateways, down to edge devices, to grow unhindered, to discover and make accessible connected resources, and to support the ability to hide and compartmentalize connected resources. Network protocols can be part of the fabric supporting human accessible services that operate regardless of location, time, or space. Innovations can include service delivery and associated infrastructure, such as hardware and software. Services may be provided in accordance with specified Quality of Service (QoS) terms. The use of IoT devices and networks can be included in a heterogeneous network of connectivity including wired and wireless technologies.

Abstract: Technologies for natural language interactions with virtual personal assistant systems include a computing device configured to capture audio input, distort the audio input to produce a number of distorted audio variations, and perform speech recognition on the audio input and the distorted audio variants. The computing device selects a result from a large number of potential speech recognition results based on contextual information. The computing device may measure a user's engagement level by using an eye tracking sensor to determine whether the user is visually focused on an avatar rendered by the virtual personal assistant. The avatar may be rendered in a disengaged state, a ready state, or an engaged state based on the user engagement level. The avatar may be rendered as semitransparent in the disengaged state, and the transparency may be reduced in the ready state or the engaged state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage media associated with proof of location are disclosed herewith. In embodiments, an apparatus may include communication circuitry configured to communicate with one or more external servers jointly hosting a distributed ledger of proximal device records, and posting circuitry configured to post records of sharing of a proximity record of the apparatus with one or more other apparatuses located proximally to the apparatus, and records of receipts of proximity records of the other proximally located apparatuses from the other proximally located apparatuses, into the distributed ledger. The proximity records posted into the distributed ledger may be used to prove the apparatus's location. Additionally, other embodiments, including a participating host server of a distributed ledger or a server of a product/service provider, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The Internet can be configured to provide communications to a large number of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Devices can be designed to address the need for network layers, from central servers, through gateways, down to edge devices, to grow unhindered, to discover and make accessible connected resources, and to support the ability to hide and compartmentalize connected resources. Network protocols can be part of the fabric supporting human accessible services that operate regardless of location, time, or space. Innovations can include service delivery and associated infrastructure, such as hardware and software. Services may be provided in accordance with specified Quality of Service (QoS) terms. The use of IoT devices and networks can be included in a heterogeneous network of connectivity including wired and wireless technologies.

Abstract: Technologies for natural language interactions with virtual personal assistant systems include a computing device configured to capture audio input, distort the audio input to produce a number of distorted audio variations, and perform speech recognition on the audio input and the distorted audio variants. The computing device selects a result from a large number of potential speech recognition results based on contextual information. The computing device may measure a user's engagement level by using an eye tracking sensor to determine whether the user is visually focused on an avatar rendered by the virtual personal assistant. The avatar may be rendered in a disengaged state, a ready state, or an engaged state based on the user engagement level. The avatar may be rendered as semitransparent in the disengaged state, and the transparency may be reduced in the ready state or the engaged state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to techniques for controlling access to data in a decentralized manner. An apparatus includes an apportioning component to divide an item of data into multiple portions based on an organizational structure of the item of data; a tree component to generate a PRN tree including a multitude of nodes and a branching structure based on the organizational structure, the multitude including at least one branching node and multiple leaf nodes that correspond to the multiple portions; a PRN component to generate a PRN for each node of the multitude, the PRN component to use a PRN of a branching node of the PRN tree to generate a PRN for a leaf node that depends therefrom; and a communications component to transmit the multiple portions and multiple addresses based on PRNs of leaf nodes of the PRN tree to a server. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Technologies for natural language interactions with virtual personal assistant systems include a computing device configured to capture audio input, distort the audio input to produce a number of distorted audio variations, and perform speech recognition on the audio input and the distorted audio variants. The computing device selects a result from a large number of potential speech recognition results based on contextual information. The computing device may measure a user's engagement level by using an eye tracking sensor to determine whether the user is visually focused on an avatar rendered by the virtual personal assistant. The avatar may be rendered in a disengaged state, a ready state, or an engaged state based on the user engagement level. The avatar may be rendered as semitransparent in the disengaged state, and the transparency may be reduced in the ready state or the engaged state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Technologies for natural language interactions with virtual personal assistant systems include a computing device configured to capture audio input, distort the audio input to produce a number of distorted audio variations, and perform speech recognition on the audio input and the distorted audio variants. The computing device selects a result from a large number of potential speech recognition results based on contextual information. The computing device may measure a user's engagement level by using an eye tracking sensor to determine whether the user is visually focused on an avatar rendered by the virtual personal assistant. The avatar may be rendered in a disengaged state, a ready state, or an engaged state based on the user engagement level. The avatar may be rendered as semitransparent in the disengaged state, and the transparency may be reduced in the ready state or the engaged state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Technologies for natural language interactions with virtual personal assistant systems include a computing device configured to capture audio input, distort the audio input to produce a number of distorted audio variations, and perform speech recognition on the audio input and the distorted audio variants. The computing device selects a result from a large number of potential speech recognition results based on contextual information. The computing device may measure a user's engagement level by using an eye tracking sensor to determine whether the user is visually focused on an avatar rendered by the virtual personal assistant. The avatar may be rendered in a disengaged state, a ready state, or an engaged state based on the user engagement level. The avatar may be rendered as semitransparent in the disengaged state, and the transparency may be reduced in the ready state or the engaged state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An imaging device may include a housing and a pair of lenses mounted in the housing. A mechanism maintains the lenses in a horizontal orientation when the housing is rotated about an imaging axis.

Abstract: The Internet can be configured to provide communications to a large number of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Devices can be designed to address the need for network layers, from central servers, through gateways, down to edge devices, to grow unhindered, to discover and make accessible connected resources, and to support the ability to hide and compartmentalize connected resources. Network protocols can be part of the fabric supporting human accessible services that operate regardless of location, time, or space. Innovations can include service delivery and associated infrastructure, such as hardware and software. Services may be provided in accordance with specified Quality of Service (QoS) terms. The use of IoT devices and networks can be included in a heterogeneous network of connectivity including wired and wireless technologies.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to techniques for controlling access to data in a decentralized manner. An apparatus includes an apportioning component to divide an item of data into multiple portions based on an organizational structure of the item of data; a tree component to generate a PRN tree including a multitude of nodes and a branching structure based on the organizational structure, the multitude including at least one branching node and multiple leaf nodes that correspond to the multiple portions; a PRN component to generate a PRN for each node of the multitude, the PRN component to use a PRN of a branching node of the PRN tree to generate a PRN for a leaf node that depends therefrom; and a communications component to transmit the multiple portions and multiple addresses based on PRNs of leaf nodes of the PRN tree to a server. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Technologies for natural language interactions with virtual personal assistant systems include a computing device configured to capture audio input, distort the audio input to produce a number of distorted audio variations, and perform speech recognition on the audio input and the distorted audio variants. The computing device selects a result from a large number of potential speech recognition results based on contextual information. The computing device may measure a user's engagement level by using an eye tracking sensor to determine whether the user is visually focused on an avatar rendered by the virtual personal assistant. The avatar may be rendered in a disengaged state, a ready state, or an engaged state based on the user engagement level. The avatar may be rendered as semitransparent in the disengaged state, and the transparency may be reduced in the ready state or the engaged state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to techniques for controlling access to data in a decentralized manner. An apparatus includes an apportioning component to divide an item of data into multiple portions based on an organizational structure of the item of data; a tree component to generate a PRN tree including a multitude of nodes and a branching structure based on the organizational structure, the multitude including at least one branching node and multiple leaf nodes that correspond to the multiple portions; a PRN component to generate a PRN for each node of the multitude, the PRN component to use a PRN of a branching node of the PRN tree to generate a PRN for a leaf node that depends therefrom; and a communications component to transmit the multiple portions and multiple addresses based on PRNs of leaf nodes of the PRN tree to a server. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage media associated with proof of location are disclosed herewith. In embodiments, an apparatus may include communication circuitry configured to communicate with one or more external servers jointly hosting a distributed ledger of proximal device records, and posting circuitry configured to post records of sharing of a proximity record of the apparatus with one or more other apparatuses located proximally to the apparatus, and records of receipts of proximity records of the other proximally located apparatuses from the other proximally located apparatuses, into the distributed ledger. The proximity records posted into the distributed ledger may be used to prove the apparatus's location. Additionally, other embodiments, including a participating host server of a distributed ledger or a server of a product/service provider, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Technologies for natural language interactions with virtual personal assistant systems include a computing device configured to capture audio input, distort the audio input to produce a number of distorted audio variations, and perform speech recognition on the audio input and the distorted audio variants. The computing device selects a result from a large number of potential speech recognition results based on contextual information. The computing device may measure a user's engagement level by using an eye tracking sensor to determine whether the user is visually focused on an avatar rendered by the virtual personal assistant. The avatar may be rendered in a disengaged state, a ready state, or an engaged state based on the user engagement level. The avatar may be rendered as semitransparent in the disengaged state, and the transparency may be reduced in the ready state or the engaged state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to techniques for controlling access to data in a decentralized manner. An apparatus includes an apportioning component to divide an item of data into multiple portions based on an organizational structure of the item of data; a tree component to generate a PRN tree including a multitude of nodes and a branching structure based on the organizational structure, the multitude including at least one branching node and multiple leaf nodes that correspond to the multiple portions; a PRN component to generate a PRN for each node of the multitude, the PRN component to use a PRN of a branching node of the PRN tree to generate a PRN for a leaf node that depends therefrom; and a communications component to transmit the multiple portions and multiple addresses based on PRNs of leaf nodes of the PRN tree to a server. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Improved techniques for context information management are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a processor element, a selection component for execution by the processor element to select a context information item, a random number generator to generate a random number, and an anonymization component for execution by the processor element to generate a random key based on the random number and send a message associating the context information item with the random key. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Technologies for extensible, context-aware natural language interactions include a computing device having a number of context source modules. Context source modules may be developed or installed after deployment of the computing device to a user. Each context source module includes a context capture module, a language model, one or more database query mappings, and may include one or more user interface element mappings. The context capture module interprets, generates, and stores context data. A virtual personal assistant (VPA) of the computing device indexes the language models and generates a semantic representation of a user request that associates each word of the request to a language model. The VPA translates the user request into a database query, and may generate a user interface element for the request. The VPA may execute locally on the computing device or remotely on a cloud server. Other embodiments are described and claimed.