Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Other

Pat Halvorsen

Larry Jin

Susan Chory

Kerry Woolsey

Rylan Michael Hawkins

Jason Dean Giles

Robert Mitchell Smith

Joseph T Wyman

Jonathan Garcia

Li-Chen Lim Miller

Jason Giles

Robert Smith

Li-Chen Miller

A digital assistant operating on a device is configured to be engaged as an active participant in communications between local and remote parties by listening to voice and video calls and participating in messaging sessions. The digital assistant typically can be initiated by voice using a key word or phrase and then be requested to perform tasks, provide information and services, etc. using voice or gestures. The digital assistant can respond to the request and take appropriate actions. In voice and video calls, the interactions with the digital assistant (i.e., the request, response, and actions) can be heard by both parties to the call as if the digital assistant was a third party on the call. In a messaging session, messages are generated and displayed to each participant so that they can see the interactions with the digital assistant as if it was a participant.

Use of a digital assistant in communications

Example apparatus and methods concern attributing user actions based on biometric identifications. One example method includes detecting an action intended to control an application associated with a shared launch surface. The method includes associating the action with a body located in a field of view of a biometric sensor associated with a shared launch surface. Data from the biometric sensor is used to determine a biometric identity for the body and then the action is attributed to a user as a function of the biometric identity. A context associated with the user is accessed and an operation associated with the action is selectively controlled based on the context.

Attributing user action based on biometric identity

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Clyde Hill, WA, United States of America

Pat Halvorsen