Abstract: A system, a computer program product, and method for controlling synthesized speech output on a voice-controlled device. The voice-controlled device recognized that speech input is being received. The voice-controlled device outputs synthesized speech based on the speech input. While outputting synthesized speech based on the audio is captured. The voice-controlled device recognized the audio input as speech and pausing the outputting of synthesized speech. Otherwise, in response to the captured audio not being recognized as speech and above a settable background noise threshold, pausing the outputting of synthesized speech. The paused output of speech based on the synthesized speech input is resumed after the pausing of the output of synthesized speech being within a settable pause timeframe.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for presenting locations of individuals in an interface are described. A location and an orientation of a portable device with respect to an environment are monitored. A set of locations of one or more individuals of interest with respect to a region of interest in the environment is determined. An orienting background and a set of representations against the orienting background are presented in an interface on the display. Each representation is of a respective individual of interest in the region of interest. The interface presented according to the location and orientation of the display. The orienting background contains a positional cue of a landmark of the environment which the portable device is oriented toward. A representation of a respective individual of interest is displayed only if the portable device is oriented toward the respective individual of interest.

Abstract: Presenting locations of individuals on a display of a portable device is described. A region of interest is determined by a location and an orientation of the portable device. The region of interest is a cone of interest radiating away from the location of the portable device in a direction of orientation of the portable device. A set of locations of one or more individuals of interest is determined with respect to the cone of interest. An orienting background and a first set of representations against the orienting background is presented on the display according to the location and orientation of the display. Each representation is of a respective individual of interest located in the cone of interest. The orienting background contains a positional cue of a landmark which the portable device is oriented toward. The cone of interest is adjusted with a pinch gesture on the orienting background.

Abstract: A region of interest is determined by a location and an orientation of a device, wherein the region of interest is proximate to the device. A set of locations of items of interest is determined with respect to the region of interest. A background and a first set of representations against the background is presented on the device display according to the location and orientation of the device. Each representation is of a respective item of interest located in the region of interest. The region of interest is adjusted with a pinch gesture on the background, however, the presenting of the background does not change in response to the pinch gesture. Instead, the set of locations of one or more items of interest is determined with respect to the adjusted region of interest, and a second set of representations is presented against the background. Each representation of a respective item of interest is located in the adjusted region of interest.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for presenting locations of individuals in an interface are described. A region of interest is determined by a location and an orientation of a portable device in an environment. The region of interest is a cone of interest radiating away from the location of the portable device in a direction of orientation of the portable device. A set of locations of one or more individuals of interest with respect to the cone of interest in the environment is determined. An orienting background and a first set of representations against the orienting background are presented in an interface on the display. Each representation is of a respective individual of interest in the cone of interest. The interface is presented according to the location and orientation of the display. The orienting background contains a positional cue of a landmark of the environment which the portable device is oriented toward.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, systems and computer program products for providing access to a secure service. Aspects include receiving, from a user device, a request to access a secure service, the request including access information and receiving, from the user device, a requested action on the secure service. Aspects also include correlating the access information and the requested action with stored information associated with the user device and performing the requested action, in response to said correlating.

Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes acquiring a first image by a first user. The method further includes performing, using a processor, a comparative analysis of the first image and at least one other image acquired within a threshold time by at least one other user. The method also includes establishing a real-time communication interface between the first user and the at least one other user in response to the comparative analysis.

Abstract: A selection of content from a content presentation is received. At least one topic from the selected content is extracted using natural language processing (NLP). The at least one topic is representative of a subject conveyed within the selected content. At least one perspective associated with the at least one topic is extracted using NLP. The at least one perspective is representative of a point of view conveyed within the selected content regarding the at least one topic. A topic rating of the extracted topics and associated perspectives is determined based upon the extracted topics and associated perspectives. The topic rating is representative of a topic diversity among the extracted topics and associated perspectives. The topic rating is presented within a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes acquiring a first image by a first user. The method further includes performing, using a processor, a comparative analysis of the first image and at least one other image acquired within a threshold time by at least one other user. The method also includes establishing a real-time communication interface between the first user and the at least one other user in response to the comparative analysis.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to managing companionship data. The managing of companionship data includes establishing a set of companion data. The set of companion data relates to a user. A computer establishes the set of companion data. The computer also collects a set of stimuli. The set of stimuli is associated with the user. Based on the set of stimuli, a portion of the set of companion data is determined. The portion of the set of companion data is provided to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, in accordance with the present invention, a method, computer program product, and system for performing actions based on captured interpersonal interactions during a meeting is provided. One or more computer processors capture the interpersonal interactions between people in a physical space during a period of time, using machine learning algorithms to detect the interpersonal interactions and a state of each person based on vision and audio sensors in the physical space. The one or more computer processors analyze and categorize the interactions and state of each person, and tag representations of each person with the respectively analyzed and categorized interactions and states of the respective person over the period of time. The one or more computer processors then take an action based on the analysis.

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: Embodiments for determining ownership of intellectual property data by a processor. Various communications provided by one or more contributors relating to the intellectual property data are tracked using one or more immutable ledgers. The communications maintained in the one or more immutable ledgers may be analyzed to identify a degree of contribution by the one or more contributors to the intellectual property. A degree of ownership may be assigned to the intellectual property data for the one or more contributors according to the analyzed content.

Abstract: A computer program product is provided for improving comprehension in rapid serial visual presentation. The product includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform a method. The method includes determining, by a cognitive load estimator, a cognitive load of a plurality of words included in a rapid serial visual presentation by using at least one metric. The cognitive load is determined on any of a word level and a word sequence level. The method includes calculating, by a word presentation rate calculator, a variable presentation rate for the words based on the cognitive load. The method includes controlling, by a rate controller, a displaying of the words on a display in accordance with the calculated variable presentation rate. The rate controller temporarily reduces the variable presentation rate responsive to the cognitive load being above a threshold.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for normalizing the speaking volume of participants in meetings are provided herein.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method manages remote electronic drop-ins on local conversations. A local audio sensor transmits a captured conversation from a local cluster of persons to a remote communication device where members of the local cluster of persons are within a predefined distance of one another, and where the remote communication device is at a location that is beyond a human hearing range from the local audio sensor. One or more processors determine that the captured conversation is about a particular topic. A request from a remote user is received from the remote communication device to electronically drop in on a particular remote cluster of persons who are having a conversation about the particular topic. In response to receiving the request from the remote user, one or more processors selectively connect a local communication device proximate to the cluster of persons to the remote communication device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of performing an automated maintenance operation on a piece of equipment includes determining, using a processor system, a diagnostic status of the piece of equipment using a first unmanned vehicle, and determining, using the processor system, a maintenance condition of the piece of equipment. A maintenance operation and a safety operation to be performed are identified based on the diagnostic status of the piece of equipment. A second unmanned vehicle is dispatched, using the processor system, to perform the maintenance operation and a third unmanned vehicle is dispatched, using the processor system, to perform the safety operation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for tracking the beginning and completion of tasks and nesting of sub-tasks, of the tasks, of a plurality of users, based opening and closing of applications or documents of the tasks, across a plurality of devices, based on activities of the tasks, of the plurality of users, is provided. The computer-implemented method includes receiving at least one input into at least one of the devices, wherein the received at least one input comprises the beginning or the completion of one of the tasks or nesting of sub-tasks, of one the tasks, determining one of the opened applications and documents, or topics associated with the opened applications and documents, that are connected with the inputs of the plurality of devices and, classifying the topics and sub-topics into a hierarchy, based on topics and processing time of the applications and documents.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer-implemented method and computer system for using a smartphone. A non-limiting example of this method includes receiving an audio input on the smart phone. The audio input is converted to a first digital signal. The first digital signal is transmitted along with location information of the smartphone. The first digital signal is configured to be used as a microphone input for a public address system. The location information is configured to be used to position an automated spotlight.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of performing an automated maintenance operation on a piece of equipment includes determining, using a processor system, a diagnostic status of the piece of equipment using a first unmanned vehicle, and determining, using the processor system, a maintenance condition of the piece of equipment. A maintenance operation and a safety operation to be performed are identified based on the diagnostic status of the piece of equipment. A second unmanned vehicle is dispatched, using the processor system, to perform the maintenance operation and a third unmanned vehicle is dispatched, using the processor system, to perform the safety operation.