Abstract: Techniques are described for providing a smart-mesh socket. The smart-mesh socket may be sized and shaped to be engaged with a conventional electrical socket of one or more types (e.g., a USB receptacle providing DC electrical power) to provide power to one or more circuits housed within the smart-mesh socket. These circuits may include, for example, a main circuit that includes at least a dual processor for controlling the operation and communications of at least two communication circuits. The dual processors may execute instructions for an operating system, thus allowing the smart-mesh socket to provide enhanced capabilities for networked devices. One or more first communication circuits may each include one or more transceivers that allow the first communication circuit to send and receive communications with other devices over wireless network(s) using one or multiple wireless communication protocols.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing a smart-mesh socket. The smart-mesh socket may be sized and shaped to be engaged with any convention light socket to provide power to one or more circuits housed within the smart-mesh socket. These circuits may include, for example, a main circuit that includes at least a dual processor for controlling the operation and communications of at least two communication circuits. The dual processors may execute instructions for an operating system, thus allowing the smart-mesh socket to provide enhanced capabilities for networked devices. The first communication circuit may include a transceiver that allows the first communication circuit to send and receive communications with other devices over a wireless network. The second communication circuit may include a passive receiver that allows the second communication circuit to track and monitor devices as those device move through a smart-mesh network.

Abstract: Techniques are described for controlling distributed operations of devices, such as for devices that are each part of or otherwise associated with a mechanical system containing actuators to manipulate a surrounding environment and optionally further containing sensors to obtain information from the surrounding environment, and with such a device controlling the associated system to perform industrial operations. The described techniques may include identifying a group of multiple such devices to perform one or more assigned tasks, such as in a cooperative distributed manner with each device performing part of the assigned tasks, and/or in a competitive manner with some or all devices independently performing at least one assigned task. The performances of the devices may further be evaluated in various manners, and the devices selected to perform one or more tasks may be identified in various manners (including based at least in part on past performance evaluations).

Abstract: Embodiments of the system herein use a mobile device of a user to act as an onboard camera and capture video of the environment surrounding the user's vehicle and/or telematics data about the user's vehicle. The system can detect when a user has begun to operate the vehicle, for example based on mobile device power information and the proximity/connection of the mobile device to a device associated with the vehicle, and automatically begin onboard camera recording or prompt the user to begin onboard camera recording. The recorded videos and/or telematics data can be locally stored on the mobile device, or in some embodiments transferred to an outside server for storage.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing functionality to users of mobile devices, including coordinating the inter-connection of multiple mobile devices, such as for multiple mobile devices of multiple distinct types, and optionally using multiple different types of inter-connections. In some situations, the described techniques include performing matchmaking operations to determine whether and/or how a group of multiple inter-connected mobile devices will provide functionality to each other and/or will access functionality from one or more remote server computing systems, including to select a host mobile device for the group. In addition, in some situations, the described techniques include providing a distributed display canvas functionality, by using the displays of multiple inter-connected mobile devices of a group to display some or all of the graphical user interface (“GUI”) of an application, such as by displaying on each mobile device a distinct portion of the GUI specific to that mobile device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing functionality to users of mobile devices, including coordinating the inter-connection of multiple mobile devices, such as for multiple mobile devices of multiple distinct types, and optionally using multiple different types of inter-connections. In some situations, the described techniques include performing matchmaking operations to determine whether and/or how a group of multiple inter-connected mobile devices will provide functionality to each other and/or will access functionality from one or more remote server computing systems, including to select a host mobile device for the group. In addition, in some situations, the described techniques include providing a distributed display canvas functionality, by using the displays of multiple inter-connected mobile devices of a group to display some or all of the graphical user interface (“GUI”) of an application, such as by displaying on each mobile device a distinct portion of the GUI specific to that mobile device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing functionality and information to users, including providing promotional information and opportunities to users of mobile devices in manners that are based at least in part on activities and locations of the users (e.g., based on games played by the users on their mobile devices and/or based on user satisfaction of system-directed tasks associated with offers or other activities). At least some of the promotional information and opportunities may be made available by various companies or entities that provide products and/or services (e.g., retailers, merchants, wholesalers, distributors, etc.) and/or by various companies or entities that provide advertising for available products and/or services. Various types of activities may be defined and used to provide promotional information and opportunities to users of mobile devices in particular embodiments and situations.