Abstract: A method of receiving user input includes operating a software program in a first operating mode and modifying a graphical interface of the software program in response to receiving gesture. The method also includes receiving a haptic input and operating the software program in a second operating mode in response to the haptic input. In the second operating mode, the gesture produces a different modification to the graphical interface than in the first operating mode.

Abstract: A method of providing parking assistance in a vehicle includes identifying with a controller in a vehicle a plurality of available parking spaces for the vehicle, generating with a video output device operatively connected to the controller an interface with a graphical depiction of the vehicle and the plurality of available parking spaces, receiving a first input gesture with a gesture input device to select one parking space from the plurality of available parking spaces, and operating the vehicle to park the vehicle in the one parking space using the controller configured with a parking assistance service in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of interaction with an in-vehicle information system includes receiving first and second inputs from an operator with first and second input devices, respectively. The method further includes identifying a service request corresponding to the first input, and a parameter of the service request with a value that is included in the second input with a controller in the in-vehicle information system. The controller executes stored program instructions to perform the identified service request with reference to the identified parameter.

Abstract: A method of providing information assistance services includes generating a plurality of service requests for a plurality of request elements that are generated from a single client request received by a processor. The service requests are sent to both software application service providers that are executed by the processor and remote service providers that are connected to the local processor through a data network. The processor receives a plurality of service responses from the service providers, generating at least one output message element corresponding to the service responses, and sending the output message data to at least one output device that is operatively connected to the processor to produce a response to the client request.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a navigation system includes a display device configured to detect user gestures, a data storage device including program instructions stored therein, a map stored within the data storage device, and a controller operatively coupled to the data storage device and the display device and configured to execute the program instructions to receive first user gesture data associated with a first portion of a first user gesture from the display device, generate a first predicted user gesture data based upon the stored map and the first user gesture data, and control the display device to render the first predicted user gesture data as the user is continuing the first user gesture.

Abstract: A method for speech recognition includes providing a source of geographical information within a vehicle. The geographical information pertains to a current location of the vehicle, a planned travel route of the vehicle, a map displayed within the vehicle, and/or a gesture marked by a user on a map. Words spoken within the vehicle are recognized by use of a speech recognition module. The recognizing is dependent upon the geographical information.

Abstract: A method for speech recognition includes providing a source of geographical information within a vehicle. The geographical information pertains to a current location of the vehicle, a planned travel route of the vehicle, a map displayed within the vehicle, and/or a gesture marked by a user on a map. Words spoken within the vehicle are recognized by use of a speech recognition module. The recognizing is dependent upon the geographical information.

Abstract: A method for speech recognition includes providing a source of geographical information within a vehicle. The geographical information pertains to a current location of the vehicle, a planned travel route of the vehicle, a map displayed within the vehicle, and/or a gesture marked by a user on a map. Words spoken within the vehicle are recognized by use of a speech recognition module. The recognizing is dependent upon the geographical information.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dialog system that utilizes contextual information to perform recognition of proper names are described. Unlike present name recognition methods on large name lists that generally focus strictly on the static aspect of the names, embodiments of the present system take into account of the temporal, recency and context effect when names are used, and formulates new questions to further constrain the search space or grammar for recognition of the past and current utterances.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dialog system that utilizes contextual information to perform recognition of proper names are described. Unlike present name recognition methods on large name lists that generally focus strictly on the static aspect of the names, embodiments of the present system take into account of the temporal, recency and context effect when names are used, and formulates new questions to further constrain the search space or grammar for recognition of the past and current utterances.

Abstract: A method of receiving input from a user includes providing a surface within reach of a hand of the user. A plurality of locations on the surface that are touched by the user are sensed. An alphanumeric character having a shape most similar to the plurality of touched locations on the surface is determined. The user is audibly or visually informed of the alphanumeric character and/or a word in which the alphanumeric character is included. Feedback is received from the user regarding whether the alphanumeric character and/or word is an alphanumeric character and/or word that the user intended to be determined in the determining step.

Abstract: A method of operating an entertainment system includes computer-implemented steps including accessing a source of audio/video content. The source is capable of providing a plurality of media items. The media items are analyzed to thereby determine a corresponding classification for each of the items. A visual representation of each of the classifications is provided on a display of the entertainment system. One of the classifications being selected by a user is sensed. In response to the sensing, one of the media items corresponding to the selected classification is played, and/or the user is offered a choice among a plurality of the media items corresponding to the selected classification.

Abstract: A method for speech recognition includes providing a source of geographical information within a vehicle. The geographical information pertains to a current location of the vehicle, a planned travel route of the vehicle, a map displayed within the vehicle, and/or a gesture marked by a user on a map. Words spoken within the vehicle are recognized by use of a speech recognition module. The recognizing is dependent upon the geographical information.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dialog system that utilizes a multi-modal input interface for recognizing user input in human-machine interaction (HMI) systems are described. Embodiments include a component that receives user input from a plurality of different user input mechanisms (multi-modal input) and performs certain synchronization and disambiguation processes. The multi-modal input components synchronizes and integrates the information obtained from different modalities, disambiguates the input, and recovers from any errors that might be produced with respect to any of the user inputs. Such a system effectively addresses any ambiguity associated with the user input and corrects for errors in the human-machine interaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of an interface system that enables a call center agent to access and intervene in an interaction between an automated call center system and a caller whenever necessary for complex application tasks is described. The system includes a user interface that presents the agent with one or more categories of information, including the conversation flow, obtained semantic information, the recognized utterances, and access to the utterance waveforms. This information is cross-linked and attached with a confidence level for better access and navigation within the dialog system for the generation of appropriate responses to the caller.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dialog system that utilizes contextual information to perform recognition of proper names are described. Unlike present name recognition methods on large name lists that generally focus strictly on the static aspect of the names, embodiments of the present system take into account of the temporal, recency and context effect when names are used, and formulates new questions to further constrain the search space or grammar for recognition of the past and current utterances.

Abstract: A dialog system and method may generate and maintain in parallel multiple dialog sessions, determine to which dialog session a user speech input applies, selectively provide control to one of the dialog sessions, at any one time, to output data to the user, synchronize multiple dialog sessions, and support user interruptions at any time during the dialog sessions.

Abstract: A dialog system that includes a dialog manager to manage a conversation between the dialog system and a user, and to associate the conversation with a complex activity, and a plan engine to execute a plan script in connection with the complex activity, the plan script including a set of atomic dialog activities and logic to control a data and sequence flow of the atomic dialog activities, the set of atomic dialog activities being sub-activities of the complex activity, the complex activity being specified via a declarative activity specification language that connects the atomic dialog activities with a process.