36 research outputs found
Answering user queries based on aggregate information
People often consult others in their neighborhood for recommendations regarding specific household needs, such as appliances, furniture, kitchenware, etc. Many common household objects have the capability to connect to the Internet. However, there are no current mechanisms to obtain and present aggregate information about these items, e.g., for geographic neighborhoods. This disclosure describes techniques that use permitted information gathered from smart objects in households in a neighborhood to provide appropriate answers to user queries. The information is obtained with permission of the respective users that own the smart objects and can be incorporated within rule-based and/or machine learning based techniques to generate answers
Advertising based on usage characterization of household appliances
This disclosure describes usage characterization of an appliance (or service) within a household and identification of key decision makers associated with the appliance. Per techniques of this disclosure, with user permission and express consent, use of appliances and services within a household is linked to respective users from within the household. Use of an appliance is identified with the use of voice recognition techniques to analyze voice commands issued via a virtual assistant to respective appliances by different users in the household. An edge connects an appliance to one or more users and indicates usage of the appliance that meets a threshold use by a user. The weight of the edge is indicative of an extent of usage. The weighted graph enables identification of decision makers for different products and services. With user permission, the graph can be utilized to direct advertisements for particular products towards key decision makers
Behavior of a Multi-Planetary Search Engine
The present disclosure describes computer-implemented systems and methods for providing search results to users located in remote areas utilizing local hardware and locally cached data to return search results at little or no cost and providing a greater search breadth tier that utilizes remote hardware and data with an associated cost. User profiles associated with the users located in the remote areas may drive an aggregate, anonymized and frequency adjust model to determine subjects of interest to the plurality of users
Customized query responses based on available appliances
This disclosure describes techniques to provide customized responses to user queries for household tasks, e.g., use of an appliance such as a washer/dryer. The responses are customized based on information regarding appliances available within the household, obtained with user permission. The query may be received by a virtual assistant, e.g., available via a household appliance, or via device such as a smartphone, smart speaker, personal computer, etc. Information regarding the appliances is obtained, e.g., by indexing product manuals and other information. Results are provided that guide the user to complete the household task using an available appliance
Smart email send scheduling
Although users can select a time and date to schedule an email, such selection is currently done manually. The inconvenience of manual scheduling is accentuated when there are multiple recipients or when a slot for transmission of email is to be selected across time zones. This disclosure describes techniques that automatically schedule the transmission of email based on available information pertaining to the recipients, e.g., information available on recipient calendars, on office productivity software, etc
MEETING-AWARE PRESENTATION OF A HOME SCREEN USER INTERFACE FOR A CLOUD-BASED CONTENT MANAGEMENT PLATFORM
A mechanism is proposed for intelligently presenting a home screen UI of a CBCM platform based on scheduled meetings. The method includes receiving a request to provide a home screen of the CBCM platform. The method also includes determining attributes of one more meetings scheduled in close proximity to receiving the request. Further, the method includes determining whether the request is associated with a meeting based on attributes of the meeting. The method furthermore includes, responsive to determining that the request is associated with the meeting, determining a type of the meeting based on the attributes of the meeting. The method includes predicting one or more files to be displayed in the home screen of the CBCM platform based on the type of meeting. The method then includes presenting the home screen of the CBCM platform with the predicted one or more files
Automatic, voice-activated adjustment of shopping cart
Screen-free virtual assistants, e.g., provided via smart speakers or appliances, are often used for online shopping by issuing voice commands. Prior to checkout, a user often finds a need to remove some items, e.g., due to cost or other considerations. When the device lacks a screen that allows viewing the shopping cart, it is difficult for the user to determine an optimal combination of items to remove such that high-priority items remain in the shopping cart and the shopping cart remains within budget.
This disclosure describes techniques that enable a user to command a virtual assistant to automatically prune a shopping list to stay within budget. The virtual assistant determines the items that stay in the shopping cart by removing the least important items from the cart, by reducing the quantity of items that cannot be dropped from the cart, or both
Location-based searches performed on behalf of users by trusted others
Search engines account for user location into account by tailoring search results based on a user’s current location, if permitted by the user. However, there may be situations in which a user’s information need is tied to the location of another user. In such situations, the user must first ask for the other party’s location and formulate queries that explicitly include the provided location. This disclosure describes techniques that enable a seamless user experience when searching for information or resources connected to the location of another party, such as a relative, friend, co-worker, etc., with permission from the parties involved. The trusted party can search for information and resources by forming queries that explicitly indicate the granting individual’s location
HIV and Malnutrition: Effects on Immune System
HIV or human immunodeficiency virus infection has assumed worldwide proportions and importance in just a span of 25 years. Continuous research is being done in many parts of the world regarding its treatment and vaccine development, and a lot of money has flown into this. However, fully understanding the mechanisms of immune depletion has still not been possible. The focus has also been on improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS through education, counselling, and nutritional support. Malnutrition further reduces the capacity of the body to fight this infection by compromising various immune parameters. Knowledge of essential components of nutrition and incorporating them in the management goes a long way in improving quality of life and better survival in HIV-infected patients
Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. - Lesser Known Medicinal Plants with Significant Pharmacological Activities
Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. (Acanthaceae) is relatively lesser-known, yet important medicinal plant of Herbal Materia Medica. The plant is used in traditional systems of medicine, including Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM) or Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The plant is reported to contain phytochemicals including alkaloid and wide range of glucosides (lignan and phenylethanoid). In traditional medicine, the plant is used in the treatment of diseases ranging from snake bite to skin diseases. Laboratory investigations on extracts of the plant have demonstrated significant pharmacological activities like antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-osteporotic and hepatoprotective. The review analyses traditional medicinal usage, and phyto-pharmacological investigations done on the medicinal plant