Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable storage media are provided to monitor a mobile device. An example method includes determining whether acceleration data collected by an acceleration sensor of a mobile electronic device satisfies a threshold associated with the acceleration data, and when the acceleration data satisfies the threshold, swelling a component of the mobile electronic device to absorb shock from the mobile electronic device impacting a surface.

Abstract: A server receives an electronic shopping cart from a client device. The electronic shopping cart describes an item for purchase from a merchant. The server comparison-shops to determine a different merchant offering the same or comparable item for sale. The server sends a notification to the client device describing a lower price offered by the different merchant. The server may then receive an approval to replace the item selected for purchase from the merchant with the item offered by the different merchant.

Abstract: Various devices for sterilizing a surface are disclosed. For example, a first device includes an ultraviolet light emitting unit, a processor and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a proximity of a surface to the ultraviolet light emitting unit and activating the ultraviolet light emitting unit to sterilize the surface in response to the detecting. Another device includes an ultraviolet light emitting unit, a processor and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for establishing interaction among electronic devices of an environment. The device has a transmitter, receiver, memory for storing interaction rules, and a processor for learning the interaction rules in association with the transmitter, receiver, and other devices of the environment. The device also includes components for performing the device specific functions and a state sensor for determining the logical or physical state of the device. Methods involve observing at one or more devices change of state activity among the plurality of devices through receiving a change of state message that is transmitted to the one or more devices. A set of rules are learned at the one or more devices based upon observing the change of state activity. The learned set of rules are then applied at the one or more devices to automatically control changes of state of devices within the plurality of devices.

Abstract: Various devices for sterilizing a surface are disclosed. For example, a first device includes an ultraviolet light emitting unit, a processor and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a proximity of a surface to the ultraviolet light emitting unit and activating the ultraviolet light emitting unit to sterilize the surface in response to the detecting. Another device includes an ultraviolet light emitting unit, a processor and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including detecting, by a controller coupled to an array of elements, an object having a plurality of portions, and analyzing a selected portion to determine its volume and density, to determine parameters of radio frequency thermal excitation for the selected portion. The method also includes selecting radiation emitters from the array elements according to the parameters; each of the array elements is separately selectable and controllable. The method also includes controlling the radiation emitters according to the parameters to perform the thermal excitation of the selected portion. The controlling includes causing interference of waves emitted from separate radiation emitters. The method also includes forming a three-dimensional thermal image of the selected portion, analyzing the thermal image, adjusting the parameters according to the analyzing, and detecting movement into a space irradiated by the radiation emitters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of selectively sorting post-consumption items that are associated with radio-frequency tags based on data received from the RF tag. One embodiment includes a conveyor, a picker arm, and an RF reader. Another embodiment includes an RF reader and a receptacle for selectively holding post-consumption items based on data retrieved from the associated RF tag.

Abstract: Private communication networks are facilitated. One method includes broadcasting, by a first device, to an access point device associated with a first network, a first signal comprising an identifier for a second network, wherein the access point device of the first network foregoes broadcast of a name of the first network, and wherein the first device is located at a first location and a second device is located at a second location remote from the first location. The first device and the second device are associated with the second network. The method also includes receiving a second signal indicative of a broadcast of the name of the second network based on an authentication of the identifier for the second network and key data representing a key for the second network; and connecting to a network device of the second network in response to the receiving the second signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products adapt gaming applications to participants. Should one of the participants be a minor, for example, the gaming application may adapt to scenarios that are appropriate for minors. Similarly, the gaming application may adapt to customs associated with a country of a participant.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for establishing interaction among electronic devices of an environment. The device has a transmitter, receiver, memory for storing interaction rules, and a processor for learning the interaction rules in association with the transmitter, receiver, and other devices of the environment. The device also includes components for performing the device specific functions and a state sensor for determining the logical or physical state of the device. Methods involve observing at one or more devices change of state activity among the plurality of devices through receiving a change of state message that is transmitted to the one or more devices. A set of rules are learned at the one or more devices based upon observing the change of state activity. The learned set of rules are then applied at the one or more devices to automatically control changes of state of devices within the plurality of devices.

Abstract: Hand gestures may be performed to control a visual projector. When a human hand is placed into a projection field of the visual projector, the visual projector responds to hand gestures performed by the human hand. The human hand, for example, may gesture to rotate a projected image or to correct the projected image. The visual projector may thus manipulate and/or correct the projected image in response to the gesture performed by the human hand.

Abstract: Service providers may subcontract some services to subcontractors. Electronic packets of data may be outsourced for a subcontracted processing service provided by a server or other element. A result of the subcontracted processing service may then be received and incorporated.

Abstract: Cable assemblies react to electrical power. A visual indicator in a cable assembly changes color in response to the electrical power. The visual indicator, for example, may respond to heat or electromagnetic field in the cable assembly. In smart cables, a controller may activate the visual indicator in response to the electrical power applied to the cable.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products adapt gaming applications to participants. Should one of the participants be a minor, for example, the gaming application may adapt to scenarios that are appropriate for minors. Similarly, the gaming application may adapt to customs associated with a country of a participant.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including receiving, by a system comprising a processor, a multicast video stream directed to an array of a plurality of display modules movably attached to a modular display, extracting, by the system, video display data from the multicast video stream according to a location within the array of a first display module of the plurality of display modules, and updating, by the system, a video display of the first display module according to the video display data that is extracted from the multicast video stream, wherein the updating is synchronized to a master clock of the modular display. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Various devices for sterilizing a surface are disclosed. For example, a first device includes an ultraviolet light emitting unit, a processor and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a proximity of a surface to the ultraviolet light emitting unit and activating the ultraviolet light emitting unit to sterilize the surface in response to the detecting. Another device includes an ultraviolet light emitting unit, a processor and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products track equipment used during surgical procedures. An allowable zone associated with a surgical procedure is identified. The allowable zone determines where surgical items may be used during the procedure. A location of a surgical item is determined. When the location is outside the allowable zone, an alarm is triggered to indicate the surgical item is moving outside the allowable zone towards an area in which the surgical item may not be used.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products track equipment used during surgical procedures. An allowable zone associated with a surgical procedure is identified. The allowable zone determines where surgical items may be used during the procedure. A location of a surgical item is determined. When the location is outside the allowable zone, an alarm is triggered to indicate the surgical item is moving outside the allowable zone towards an area in which the surgical item may not be used.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable storage media are provided to monitor a mobile device. An example method includes determining whether acceleration data collected by an acceleration sensor of a mobile electronic device satisfies a threshold associated with the acceleration data, and when the acceleration data satisfies the threshold, swelling a component of the mobile electronic device to absorb shock from the mobile electronic device impacting a surface.

Abstract: Devices and systems are provided for controlling electronic devices using a mobile remote control device. A mobile remote control device provides an interface to control a plurality of electronic devices. The mobile device has a unique identifier, and the electronic device transmits a presentation of a remote control to the mobile device. A user of the mobile device controls the electronic device by operating the “virtual” remote control displayed on the mobile device. The user may further define his or her custom remote control. The user may define batches of commands, or “macros” that transmit a specific series of commands to one or more electronic devices. Proximity and motion of a mobile device may be used as an input, such that the electronic devices are programmed to react in specific ways depending upon the position and movement of the user of the mobile device.