Abstract: In some cases, a delivery service system may include a handheld electronic device for use with a delivery service (e.g., a grocery delivery service). When operating in a voice input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store audio data in memory. The stored audio data may be communicated from the handheld electronic device (e.g., via a Wi-Fi connection) to the delivery service for speech processing. When operating in a scanner input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store item identifier information (e.g., barcode data) in memory. The stored data may be communicated to the delivery service for item identification processing. In some cases, a user interface associated with the delivery service may allow the user to review and confirm an order prior to submission of the order for delivery.

Abstract: In some cases, a delivery service system may include a handheld electronic device for use with a delivery service (e.g., a grocery delivery service). When operating in a voice input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store audio data in memory. The stored audio data may be communicated from the handheld electronic device (e.g., via a Wi-Fi connection) to the delivery service for speech processing. When operating in a scanner input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store item identifier information (e.g., barcode data) in memory. The stored data may be communicated to the delivery service for item identification processing. In some cases, a user interface associated with the delivery service may allow the user to review and confirm an order prior to submission of the order for delivery.

Abstract: Described are systems to manage the rate of energy delivery to computing devices. The computing devices may connect to a shared data and power distribution system. Techniques are described for distributing energy to the computing devices directly or via an energy and data delivery device using limits determined for the computing devices. Once the energy transfer to the computing devices is complete, the limits on the rate of energy delivery may be rescinded.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques for determining a position of one or more people within a physical environment, such as an aisle in a fulfillment center. In some instances, the aisle is instrumented with a plurality of radio frequency receivers (RFRXs), active infrared transmitter-receiver pairs (AIRTRPs), and passive infrared (PIR) proximity sensors. A radio frequency-emitting tag carried by the user is detected by the RFRX to determine an identity and approximate position along the length of the aisle. Data indicating obscuration of beams from one or more of the AIRTRPs provides further refinement as to position along the length of the aisle. Data from the PIR provides disambiguation as to which side of the aisle the user is on. Accordingly, the user may be identified and precisely positioned in the aisle.

Abstract: Described are techniques for determining whether a received audio signal is corrupted or a product of noise, prior to decoding the entire signal. An emitted audio signal may include initialization data, which includes a predetermined sequence of symbols, and which precedes encoded payload data. Correspondence between the predetermined sequence of symbols and expected symbols stored as confirmation data may be determined. If the correspondence indicates a match, an audio receiver may continue decoding the audio signal to access the payload data. If the correspondence does not indicate a match, the audio receiver may cease decoding, which may conserve power, computing resources, and time, ensuring that subsequent audio signals are not missed while the audio receiver decodes a false or corrupted signal.

Abstract: Described are systems to manage energy distribution and operation of computing devices (“devices”). The devices may connect to a shared data and power distribution system, such as receiving electrical energy in conjunction with data signals using Power over Ethernet (POE). During activation of the facility, such as after an energy outage, the demand for energy from many devices attempting to startup may exceed the energy capacity available. Described are devices and techniques for distributing energy to devices, coordinating operating mode of the devices, and so forth, to mitigate demand spikes for electrical energy that exceed the capacity of the energy distribution system.

Abstract: A wireless communications system mitigates the threat of a man-in-the-middle attack when sharing network credentials with a new device. A new wireless device signals that it needs credentials if no other devices are signaling that they need credentials. The new device provides a visible or audible indicator when requested to do so by a device with credentials. Either in response to approval by a user or automatically in response to the indicator, the device with credentials shares credentials with the new device, which can then establish a connection to the network.

Abstract: Described are techniques for determining whether a received audio signal is corrupted or a product of noise, prior to decoding the entire signal. A received audio signal may include both initialization data and encoded payload data. Correspondence between the initialization data and confirmation data may be determined. If the correspondence indicates a match, the audio receiver may continue decoding the audio signal to access the payload data. If the correspondence does not indicate a match, the audio receiver may cease decoding, which may conserve power, computing resources, and time, ensuring that subsequent audio signals are not missed while the audio receiver decodes a false or corrupted signal.

Abstract: Techniques are described for presenting data received from a headless device in an application served from distributed computing device(s), and using the application to generate data for configuring and registering the headless device. The headless device may have limited or absent display capabilities and the data may be employed to configure the headless device for wireless communication with other devices. The application may execute on a user device that communicates with the headless device over a wireless access point incorporated into the headless device. The data received from the headless device may be integrated into the application provided by the distributed computing devices(s), to enable updates to the appearance or user experience of the application without updating software on the headless device.

Abstract: In some cases, a delivery service system may include a handheld electronic device for use with a delivery service (e.g., a grocery delivery service). When operating in a voice input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store audio data in memory. The stored audio data may be communicated from the handheld electronic device (e.g., via a Wi-Fi connection) to the delivery service for speech processing. When operating in a scanner input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store item identifier information (e.g., barcode data) in memory. The stored data may be communicated to the delivery service for item identification processing. In some cases, a user interface associated with the delivery service may allow the user to review and confirm an order prior to submission of the order for delivery.

Abstract: A rule-based machine learning system monitors frequency bands to detect transmissions from nearby active transmitters, such as those associated with wireless mobile devices. The system logs unique identifiers (UID) embedded in detected transmissions, recognizes patterns of UID detection over time, and selectively takes action when UIDs are detected and when they are expected but absent.

Abstract: A first device is activated and transmits wireless beacon frames. The first device acts as an access point to a temporary wireless network, while the beacon frame invites a second device to connect thereto. The beacon frame may be sent at various rates or intervals in the interest of expeditious discovery or contact, conservation of battery-based energy resources, or according to other goals. The second device may respond to the beacon, and accepted by the first device for connection to the temporary wireless network. The second device may then provide network access credentials corresponding to an established network. The first device may then switch to a station mode and connects to the established wireless network by way established corresponding wireless access point. The temporary wireless network may be terminated after the first device successfully connects to the established wireless network.

Abstract: In some cases, a handheld electronic device may operate in a voice input mode or a scanner input mode. When operating in the voice input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store audio data in memory. In some cases, the stored audio data may be communicated from the handheld electronic device (e.g., via a Wi-Fi connection) to one or more remote computing devices (e.g., for speech processing). When operating in the scanner input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store item identifier information (e.g., as barcode data) in the memory. In some cases, the stored item identifier data may be communicated to the one or more remote computing devices (e.g., for item identification processing).

Abstract: A rule-based machine learning system monitors frequency bands to detect transmissions from nearby active transmitters, such as those associated with wireless mobile devices. The system logs unique identifiers (UID) embedded in detected transmissions, recognizes patterns of UID detection over time, and selectively takes action when UIDs are detected and when they are expected but absent.

Abstract: Described are techniques and systems for obfuscating a location of a computing device as determined using data acquired from wireless devices within communication range of the computing device. The computing device may be configured to generate report data that includes synthetic data which is representative of data of a different location than the actual location of the computing device. As a result, when the report data is analyzed, the computing device appears to be present at an apparent location which differs from the actual location.

Abstract: An activation signal is provided in response to a user gripping force incident to a grip switch. Electronic circuitry transitions from an inactive state to an active state in response to the activation signal. The activation signal may also include encoded information regarding user identity, gripping force magnitude, user input gesturing, and the like. The electronic circuitry may use the information encoded in the signal to select or perform particular functions or operations. Power consumption of a stylus, user device, or other apparatus is reduced, or various functions are improved, accordingly.

Abstract: A first device wirelessly transmits beacon frames having distinct identifying contents within each. The first device issues a request to a second device to report what beacon frame contents the second device may have received. The second device sends a response to the first device. The first device analyzes the response in view of the beacon frame contents actually sent, the respective radio-frequency broadcast power of the beacon frames, and so on. Based on the analysis, the first device may determine proximity or other information regarding the responsive other device.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing content with a group of devices based on proximity. A sharing device transmits an SSID and an audio signal containing a key. The audio signal may be controlled to limit the area in which the audio signal may be received or heard by a receiving device. For example, the audio signal may be controlled to limit receipt to a device at a same table (a few feet away from the first device), in a same room, etc. This allows the sharer to selectively share content with one or more receiving devices without sharing with all devices in proximity to the first device.

Abstract: A user device acquires identifiers and signal strengths corresponding to detectable wireless devices. The user device associates one or more of the identifiers with one or more venues, assigning a confidence value to each association. A score value is also assigned to each association based on the signal strengths and the confidence values. One of the associations is selected based on the score values, and is designated as the most likely venue where the user device is located. Information may be accessed or requested, or one or more operations may be performed, in accordance with the most likely venue.

Abstract: A system including an active stylus and a mobile computing device where an electronic signal emitted by the tip of the stylus that the mobile computing device uses to locate the tip is turned on and off when the stylus is not being used to save power. Whether the stylus is being used is determined based on an orientation of the stylus in comparison to an orientation of an electronic writing surface of the computing device. Difference in barometric air pressure or altitude between the stylus and mobile computing device may also be used to turn the tip signal on and off.