Abstract: A computer-implemented method manages drop-ins on conversations near a focal point of proximal activity in a gathering place. One or more processors receive a first set of sensor data from one or more sensors in a gathering place, and then identify a focal point of proximal activity based on the first set of received sensor data received from the one or more sensors. One or more processors characterize a conversation near the focal point based on a second set of received sensor data from the one or more sensors, and then present a characterization of the conversation to an electronic device. One or more processors enable the electronic device to allow a user to drop-in on the conversation.

Abstract: A method of balancing a demand for electricity is disclosed. Consumers of the electricity are organized into a hierarchical set of nodes. A demand for a node at a first level of the hierarchy is defined. A rate structure is defined at nodes of a second level of the hierarchy so that a sum of the electricity demands at the second level obtained in response to the defined rate structure is substantially the same as the defined demand at the first level.

Abstract: Data is obtained specifying a measure of a data set to be analyzed by human experts and allotted time for analysis completion. Based on same, a schedule is created for a primary meeting of human experts, whose aim is to analyze the data. The meeting is evaluated to create rate estimates for hypothetical meeting partitions; and, if the primary meeting is not adhering to schedule and/or can be speeded up, the meeting partitions are simulated until a partitioning scheme is determined that can restore the meeting to schedule and/or speed it up. In another aspect, a model of focus of attention of each member of a group of individuals engaged in an activity requiring cooperation is dynamically updated, and a cooperation index is determined based on the model of focus of attention, an interaction graph, and at least one physiological parameter of at least one of the members.

Abstract: Data is obtained specifying a measure of a data set to be analyzed by human experts and allotted time for analysis completion. Based on same, a schedule is created for a primary meeting of human experts, whose aim is to analyze the data. The meeting is evaluated to create rate estimates for hypothetical meeting partitions; and, if the primary meeting is not adhering to schedule and/or can be speeded up, the meeting partitions are simulated until a partitioning scheme is determined that can restore the meeting to schedule and/or speed it up. In another aspect, a model of focus of attention of each member of a group of individuals engaged in an activity requiring cooperation is dynamically updated, and a cooperation index is determined based on the model of focus of attention, an interaction graph, and at least one physiological parameter of at least one of the members.

Abstract: A system for verifying factual assertions in natural language. Receiving a text input. Identifying, a verifiable factual statement in the text. Forming a query based on the verifiable factual assertion. Searching a corpus based on the query. Determining the veracity of verifiable factual assertion based on the search results.

Abstract: A method for managing and rendering one or more information nodes relative to a current focus. The method receives one or more principal topics from an analysis of the information nodes. The method determines a topic vector from a similarity of a first information node to each of the principal topics and a map from the topic vector to a storage location of the first information node. The method determines one or more current topics from a second information node that has been recently accessed by a user and a current focus vector from a similarity of the one or more current topics to the one or more principal topics. The method renders the current focus vector and the first information node according to a rendering algorithm that is applied to the current focus vector and the first information node.

Abstract: A method for structuring an electric utility grid having traditional and renewable sources of electric power uses a weather forecasting system to determine, for a time interval, whether there are paths between all generating units and all consuming units satisfying certain constraints. The method includes computing a probable output for each of the generating units, both traditional and renewable, and computing a probable load for each of said consuming units for the time interval using both historical and weather forecast data. The method also includes determining the maximum load capacity of each segment in the utility grid for the time interval, the segments being the power lines making up the grid, and assigning the maximum load capacity of each segment to be a constraint therefor for the time interval and computing whether there are paths from each of the generating units to each of the consuming units for which the maximum load capacities will not be exceeded.

Abstract: In an approach to determining an introduction of a user in a meeting, one or more computer processors retrieve a document containing information associated with a user, wherein the document includes one or more fragments describing the user. The one or more computer processors determine an audience of a meeting associated with the user. The one or more computer processors determine a description of the meeting. The one or more computer processors prioritize one or more of the one or more fragments, based, at least in part, on the audience of the meeting and on the description of the meeting. The one or more computer processors select one or more of the one or more fragments for the introduction of the user in the meeting, based, at least in part, on the prioritization of the one or more fragments.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for shared machine learning. The method includes providing a model to a plurality of agents included in a machine learning system. The model specifies attributes and attribute value data types for an event in which the agents act. The method further includes receiving agent-provided inputs during an instance of the event. The agent-provided inputs include estimated attribute values that are consistent with the attribute value data types. The method also includes determining expertise weights for at least some agents in response to at least one ground-truth which is learned from the estimated attribute values. The method additionally includes determining an estimate value for one or more of the attributes using respective adaptive mixtures of the estimated attribute values.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for shared machine learning. The method includes providing a model to a plurality of agents included in a machine learning system. The model specifies attributes and attribute value data types for an event in which the agents act. The method further includes receiving agent-provided inputs during an instance of the event. The agent-provided inputs include estimated attribute values that are consistent with the attribute value data types. The method also includes determining expertise weights for at least some agents in response to at least one ground-truth which is learned from the estimated attribute values. The method additionally includes determining an estimate value for one or more of the attributes using respective adaptive mixtures of the estimated attribute values.

Abstract: A system for verifying factual assertions in natural language. Receiving a text input. Identifying, a verifiable factual statement in the text. Forming a query based on the verifiable factual assertion. Searching a corpus based on the query. Determining the veracity of verifiable factual assertion based on the search results.

Abstract: A method for structuring an electric utility grid having traditional and renewable sources of electric power uses a weather forecasting system to determine, for a time interval, whether there are paths between all generating units and all consuming units satisfying certain constraints. The method includes computing a probable output for each of the generating units, both traditional and renewable, and computing a probable load for each of said consuming units for the time interval using both historical and weather forecast data. The method also includes determining the maximum load capacity of each segment in the utility grid for the time interval, the segments being the power lines making up the grid, and assigning the maximum load capacity of each segment to be a constraint therefor for the time interval and computing whether there are paths from each of the generating units to each of the consuming units for which the maximum load capacities will not be exceeded.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for operating an energy-using device are disclosed. Current data related to operation of the energy-using device is received at a remote device. An operating specification for the energy-using device is received at the remote device from a database. A recommended setting of the energy-using device is determined from the current data and the operating specification. The remote device communicates the recommended setting to the energy-using device. A control unit at the energy-using device receives the recommended setting and implements the recommended setting at the energy-using device.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for operating an energy-using device are disclosed. Current data related to operation of the energy-using device is received at a remote device. An operating specification for the energy-using device is received at the remote device from a database. A recommended setting of the energy-using device is determined from the current data and the operating specification. The remote device communicates the recommended setting to the energy-using device. A control unit at the energy-using device receives the recommended setting and implements the recommended setting at the energy-using device.

Abstract: A method of balancing a demand for electricity is disclosed. Consumers of the electricity are organized into a hierarchical set of nodes. A demand for a node at a first level of the hierarchy is defined.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips with antennas having one or more radiating elements and tuning elements that are formed from package lead wires that are appropriated shaped and arranged to form antenna structures for millimeter wave applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging antennas with semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips to provide highly-integrated and high-performance radio/wireless communications systems for millimeter wave applications including, e.g., voice communication, data communication, and radar applications. For example, wireless communication modules are constructed with IC chips having receiver/transmitter/transceiver integrated circuits and planar antennas that are integrally constructed from BEOL (back end of line) metallization structures of the IC chip.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging antennas with semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips to provide highly-integrated and high-performance radio/wireless communications systems for millimeter wave applications including, e.g., voice communication, data communication, and radar applications. For example, wireless communication modules are constructed with IC chips having receiver/transmitter/transceiver integrated circuits and planar antennas that are integrally constructed from BEOL (back end of line) metallization structures of the IC chip.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device for processing a signal includes providing a circuit board including an input signal line, providing a high performance resonant element connected to the input signal line, and providing an output signal line connected to the high performance resonant element. The high performance resonant element includes a via.

Abstract: Dual-band antennas that are embedded within portable devices such as laptop computers. In one aspect, a dual-band antenna for a portable device (e.g., laptop computer) includes a first element having a resonant frequency in a first frequency band and a second element having a resonant frequency in a second frequency band, wherein the first element is connected to a signal feed, wherein the second element is grounded, and wherein the first and second elements are integrated within a portable device.