Abstract: Techniques for combining the results of multiple recognizers in a distributed speech recognition architecture. Speech data input to a client device is encoded and processed both locally and remotely by different recognizers configured to be proficient at different speech recognition tasks. The client/server architecture is configurable to enable network providers to specify a policy directed to a trade-off between reducing recognition latency perceived by a user and usage of network resources. The results of the local and remote speech recognition engines are combined based, at least in part, on logic stored by one or more components of the client/server architecture.

Abstract: An interaction assistant conducts multiple turn interaction dialogs with a user in which context is maintained between turns, and the system manages the dialog to achieve an inferred goal for the user. The system includes a linguistic interface to a user and a parser for processing linguistic events from the user. A dialog manager of the system is configured to receive alternative outputs from the parser, and selecting an action and causing the action to be performed based on the received alternative outputs. The system further includes a dialog state for an interaction with the user, and the alternative outputs represent alternative transitions from a current dialog state to a next dialog state. The system further includes a storage for a plurality of templates, and wherein each dialog state is defined in terms of an interrelationship of one or more instances of the templates.

Abstract: Techniques for combining the results of multiple recognizers in a distributed speech recognition architecture. Speech data input to a client device is encoded and processed both locally and remotely by different recognizers configured to be proficient at different speech recognition tasks. The client/server architecture is configurable to enable network providers to specify a policy directed to a trade-off between reducing recognition latency perceived by a user and usage of network resources. The results of the local and remote speech recognition engines are combined based, at least in part, on logic stored by one or more components of the client/server architecture.

Abstract: A method of localizing transportable apparatus (200) within an environment includes receiving (402) data obtained from a first ranging sensor device (202) that is configured to collect information relating to a 2D representation of an environment (301) through which the transportable device is moving. Further data is received (404), that data being obtained from a second ranging sensor device (204) of the transportable apparatus configured to collect information relating to at least a surface (218) over which the transportable apparatus is moving. The ranging sensor device data is used (406) to estimate linear and rotational velocities of the transportable apparatus and the estimates are used (408) to generate a new 3D point cloud (212) of the environment. The method seeks to match (412) the new 3D point cloud with, or within, existing 3D point cloud (216) in order to localize the transportable apparatus with respect to the existing point cloud.

Abstract: Metadata is validated against a metadata schema by semantically validating metadata objects in metadata for a computer program, to confirm that required relationships among the metadata objects are present and conform to predefined rules. The metadata objects in the metadata for the computer program are also syntactically validated against a metadata schema for the metadata. Related methods, systems and computer programs are described.

Abstract: Microelectronic assemblies and methods for making the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a microelectronic assembly comprises assembling first and second components to have first major surfaces of the first and second components facing one another and spaced apart from one another by a predetermined spacing, the first component having first and second oppositely-facing major surfaces, a first thickness extending in a first direction between the first and second major surfaces, and a plurality of first metal connection elements at the first major surface, the second component having a plurality of second metal connection elements at the first major surface of the second component; and plating a plurality of metal connector regions each connecting and extending continuously between a respective first connection element and a corresponding second connection element opposite the respective first connection element in the first direction.

Abstract: A method and system for determining extrinsic calibration parameters for at least one pair of sensing devices mounted on transportable apparatus obtains (202) image data (110) representing images captured by an image generating sensing device (102) of the pair at a series of poses during motion through an environment (120) by transportable apparatus (100). The method obtains (202) data (112) representing a 3D point cloud based on data produced by a 2D LIDAR sensing device (104) of the pair. The method selects (204) an image captured by the image at a particular pose. The method generates (210) a laser reflectance image based on a portion of the point cloud corresponding to the pose. The method computes (212) a metric measuring alignment between the selected image and the corresponding laser reflectance image and uses (214) the metric to determine extrinsic calibration parameters for at least one of the sensing devices.

Abstract: A method of detecting the structural elements within a scene sensed by at least one sensor within a locale, the method comprising: a) capturing data from the sensor, which data provides a first representation of the sensed scene at the current time; b) generating a second representation of the sensed scene where the second representation is generated from a prior model of the locale; and c) comparing the first and second representations with one another to determine which parts of the first representation represent structural elements of the locale.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a sensor comprising an on-board control system and a testing system. The on-board system can determine viability of the control system or the testing system. Also disclosed are methods of using such a sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating electrical power using a solar power system that comprises a pressurized closed loop pipe containing a transfer liquid extending between a solar collector and a heat exchanger. The transfer liquid is heated by the solar collector and gives up its thermal energy at the heat exchange to produce steam. The system also includes a source of geothermal energy and a source of natural gas. The geothermal energy in the form of heat separates the natural gas from the ground water in a separation tank. At the resulting heated ground water from the separation tank is connected to the heat exchanger to supplement thermal energy from the solar collector.

Abstract: An interconnect element includes a semiconductor or insulating material layer that has a first thickness and defines a first surface; a thermally conductive layer; a plurality of conductive elements; and a dielectric coating. The thermally conductive layer includes a second thickness of at least 10 microns and defines a second surface of the interconnect element. The plurality of conductive elements extend from the first surface of the interconnect element to the second surface of the interconnect element. The dielectric coating is between at least a portion of each conductive element and the thermally conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of localising portable apparatus (200) obtains: a stored experience data set comprising a set of connected nodes; captured location representation data provided by at least one sensor associated with the portable apparatus, and a current pose estimate of the portable apparatus within the environment. The pose estimate is used to select a candidate set of the nodes that contain a potential match for the captured location representation data. The pose estimate is used to obtain a set of paths from path memory data, each said path comprising a set of said nodes previously traversed in the environment under similar environmental/visual conditions. The set of paths is used to refine the candidate set. The captured location representation data and the refined candidate set of nodes is compared in order to identify a current pose of the portable apparatus within the environment.

Abstract: A component, e.g., interposer has first and second opposite sides, conductive elements at the first side and terminals at the second side. The terminals can connect with another component, for example. A first element at the first side can comprise a first material having a thermal expansion coefficient less than 10 ppm/° C., and a second element at the second side can comprise a plurality of insulated structures separated from one another by at least one gap. Conductive structure extends through at least one insulated structure and is electrically coupled with the terminals and the conductive elements. The at least one gap can reduce mechanical stress in connections between the terminals and another component.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly including a dielectric region, a plurality of electrically conductive elements, an encapsulant, and a microelectronic element are provided. The encapsulant may have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) no greater than twice a CTE associated with at least one of the dielectric region or the microelectronic element.

Abstract: A component, e.g., interposer has first and second opposite sides, conductive elements at the first side and terminals at the second side. The terminals can connect with another component, for example. A first element at the first side can comprise a first material having a thermal expansion coefficient less than 10 ppm/° C., and a second element at the second side can comprise a plurality of insulated structures separated from one another by at least one gap. Conductive structure extends through at least one insulated structure and is electrically coupled with the terminals and the conductive elements. The at least one gap can reduce mechanical stress in connections between the terminals and another component.

Abstract: Navigation data is generated by receiving (502) a new experience data set (321) relating to a new experience capture. At least one stored experience data set (320) relating to at least one previous experience capture is also received (504). An experience data set includes a set of nodes, with each node comprising a series of visual image frames taken over a series of time frames. A candidate set of said nodes is obtained (506) from the stored experience data set that potentially matches a said node in the new experience data set, and then a check (508) if performed to see if a node in the candidate set matches the node in the new experience data set. If the result of the checking is positive then data relating to the matched nodes is added (510) to a place data set useable for navigation, the place data set indicating that said nodes in different said experience data sets relate to a same place.

Abstract: An interconnect element includes a semiconductor or insulating material layer that has a first thickness and defines a first surface; a thermally conductive layer; a plurality of conductive elements; and a dielectric coating. The thermally conductive layer includes a second thickness of at least 10 microns and defines a second surface of the interconnect element. The plurality of conductive elements extend from the first surface of the interconnect element to the second surface of the interconnect element. The dielectric coating is between at least a portion of each conductive element and the thermally conductive layer.

Abstract: An interaction assistant conducts multiple turn interaction dialogs with a user in which context is maintained between turns, and the system manages the dialog to achieve an inferred goal for the user. The system includes a linguistic interface to a user and a parser for processing linguistic events from the user. A dialog manager of the system is configured to receive alternative outputs from the parser, and selecting an action and causing the action to be performed based on the received alternative outputs. The system further includes a dialog state for an interaction with the user, and the alternative outputs represent alternative transitions from a current dialog state to a next dialog state. The system further includes a storage for a plurality of templates, and wherein each dialog state is defined in terms of an interrelationship of one or more instances of the templates.

Abstract: A method of localising a vehicle hosting a sensor comprises capturing data from the sensor providing a sensed scene around the vehicle at a current time, processing the sensed scene to extract a set of features from the sensed scene and determine a position of the vehicle from the sensed scene in relation to a previous position of the sensor, comparing the extracted set of features to one or more stored experiences, wherein each stored experience comprises a plurality of sets of features, where each set of features has been determined from a previously sensed scene, to ascertain whether the sensed scene can be recognised within any of the stored experiences, and if the extracted set of features of the sensed scene are recognised then that stored experience is used to produce an estimate of the position of the vehicle at the current time with respect to the stored experience.

Abstract: A method of localizing a vehicle hosting a sensor comprises capturing data from the sensor providing a sensed scene around the vehicle at a current time, processing the sensed scene to extract a set of features from the sensed scene and determine a position of the vehicle from the sensed scene in relation to a previous position of the sensor, comparing the extracted set of features to one or more stored experiences, wherein each stored experience comprises a plurality of sets of features, where each set of features has been determined from a previously sensed scene, to ascertain whether the sensed scene can be recognized within any of the stored experiences, and if the extracted set of features of the sensed scene are recognized then that stored experience is used to produce an estimate of the position of the vehicle at the current time with respect to the stored experience.