Abstract: A computing device includes: a housing defining an exterior of the computing device; a controller supported within the housing; a first communication port disposed on the exterior; a second communication port disposed on the exterior; a port-sharing subsystem supported within the housing, having (i) a first state to connect the controller with the first communication port, exclusive of the second communication port, and (ii) a second state to connect the controller with the first communication port and the second communication port; the controller configured to: detect engagement of an external device with the first communication port; obtain connection parameters from the external device; based on the connection parameters, set the port-sharing subsystem in either the first state or the second state; and establish a connection to the external device via the port-sharing subsystem and the first communication port.

Abstract: Device locationing using a beacon of a battery pack is described herein. A battery pack may determine that a user device is connected to the battery. The battery pack may determine, based on a power output of the battery, that the user device is inactive. The battery pack may cause, based on determining that the user device is inactive, the beacon to emit a beaconing signal that is associated with locating the user device and/or the battery pack.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computer system may initiate a method comprising: the method comprising: initiating communication between a tag and a reader; initiating a first program; determining a communication time period by starting a timer when the tag and the reader are within a communication range and stopping the timer when the tag and the reader are no longer within the communication range; comparing the communication time period to a first threshold time period; and when the communication time is greater than the first threshold time period, initiating a second program different from the first program.

Abstract: A computing device includes: a housing defining an exterior of the computing device; a controller supported within the housing; a first communication port disposed on the exterior; a second communication port disposed on the exterior; a port-sharing subsystem supported within the housing, having (i) a first state to connect the controller with the first communication port, exclusive of the second communication port, and (ii) a second state to connect the controller with the first communication port and the second communication port; the controller configured to: detect engagement of an external device with the first communication port; obtain connection parameters from the external device; based on the connection parameters, set the port-sharing subsystem in either the first state or the second state; and establish a connection to the external device via the port-sharing subsystem and the first communication port.

Abstract: Device locationing using a beacon of a battery pack is described herein. A battery pack may determine that a user device is connected to the battery. The battery pack may determine, based on a power output of the battery, that the user device is inactive. The battery pack may cause, based on determining that the user device is inactive, the beacon to emit a beaconing signal that is associated with locating the user device and/or the battery pack.

Abstract: A computing device includes: a housing defining an exterior of the computing device; a controller supported within the housing; a first communication port disposed on the exterior; a second communication port disposed on the exterior; a port-sharing subsystem supported within the housing, having (i) a first state to connect the controller with the first communication port, exclusive of the second communication port, and (ii) a second state to connect the controller with the first communication port and the second communication port; the controller configured to: detect engagement of an external device with the first communication port; obtain connection parameters from the external device; based on the connection parameters, set the port-sharing subsystem in either the first state or the second state; and establish a connection to the external device via the port-sharing subsystem and the first communication port.

Abstract: A method in a computing device includes: obtaining a task definition including an item identifier; obtaining visual guide data associated with the task definition, the visual guide data including: (i) a reference image depicting an area of a facility corresponding to the identified item, and (ii) a guide element indicating a location for the identified item within the area; and presenting the visual guide data on a display located in an area distinct from the area of the facility corresponding to the identified item.

Abstract: A mobile computing device includes: a battery compartment configured to removably secure a first battery pack; an output device; and a processor configured to: detect a second battery pack in proximity to the mobile computing device; responsive to detecting the second battery pack, place the mobile computing device in a low-power operational mode; control the output device to generate a battery swap readiness notification; and responsive to securing of the second battery pack in the battery compartment in place of the first battery pack, return the mobile computing device to a full-power operational mode.

Abstract: Device locationing using a beacon of a battery pack is described herein. A battery pack may determine that a user device is connected to the battery. The battery pack may determine, based on a power output of the battery, that the user device is inactive. The battery pack may cause, based on determining that the user device is inactive, the beacon to emit a beaconing signal that is associated with locating the user device and/or the battery pack.

Abstract: A mobile computing device includes: a beacon transmitter; a receiver; a controller connected with the beacon transmitter and the receiver, the controller configured to: control the beacon transmitter to broadcast a lost device signal, the lost device signal configured for locating the mobile computing device and including an indicator of a designated reception window; during the designated reception window, enable the receiver; and in response to receiving a discovery command from a searching device, control the beacon transmitter to transmit a response signal for locating the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A method of assessing multicell battery health in a battery control device includes: obtaining (i) a measured indicator value corresponding to an indicator battery parameter, and (ii) a measured first input value corresponding to a first input parameter; obtaining, based on the first input value, an expected indicator value corresponding to the indicator battery parameter; determining whether a difference between the measured indicator value and the expected indicator value exceeds a predefined cell loss threshold; and when the difference exceeds the predefined cell loss threshold, generating a cell loss alert.

Abstract: A mobile computing device includes: a battery compartment configured to removably secure a first battery pack; an output device; and a processor configured to: detect a second battery pack in proximity to the mobile computing device; responsive to detecting the second battery pack, place the mobile computing device in a low-power operational mode; control the output device to generate a battery swap readiness notification; and responsive to securing of the second battery pack in the battery compartment in place of the first battery pack, return the mobile computing device to a full-power operational mode.

Abstract: Methods and a system for dynamically modifying charging settings for a battery assembly are described. A first usage value and a second usage value for the battery assembly are received. A usage difference value for the battery assembly is determined by comparing the first usage value to the second usage value. The usage difference value is compared to a plurality of battery usage ranges. Each battery usage range is associated with a bin count, a different voltage offset, and a different current offset. The bin count of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges is updated based on the comparison. The bin counts of the plurality of battery usage ranges are analyzed to determine a largest bin count and a respective battery usage range. The battery assembly is charged with a voltage offset and a current offset corresponding to the respective battery usage range with the largest bin count.

Abstract: Methods and a system for dynamically modifying charging settings for a battery assembly are described. A first usage value and a second usage value for the battery assembly are received. A usage difference value for the battery assembly is determined by comparing the first usage value to the second usage value. The usage difference value is compared to a plurality of battery usage ranges. Each battery usage range is associated with a bin count, a different voltage offset, and a different current offset. The bin count of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges is updated based on the comparison. The bin counts of the plurality of battery usage ranges are analyzed to determine a largest bin count and a respective battery usage range. The battery assembly is charged with a voltage offset and a current offset corresponding to the respective battery usage range with the largest bin count.

Abstract: A method of assessing multicell battery health in a battery control device includes: obtaining (i) a measured indicator value corresponding to an indicator battery parameter, and (ii) a measured first input value corresponding to a first input parameter; obtaining, based on the first input value, an expected indicator value corresponding to the indicator battery parameter; determining whether a difference between the measured indicator value and the expected indicator value exceeds a predefined cell loss threshold; and when the difference exceeds the predefined cell loss threshold, generating a cell loss alert.

Abstract: A method and system for charging a battery is provided. A group charging policy specifying a conditional charging behavior for charging a battery of a computing device is stored in a memory of the computing device. The computing device is coupled to a power source. Battery status data is received, via a communications interface of the device, for each of at least one other computing device coupled to the power source. A power draw rate for charging the battery of the computing device is throttled according to the group charging policy and the battery status data of the computing device and the at least one other computing device.

Abstract: A device and method of sound interference avoidance is provided. The device includes: a speaker; an electronic component; a memory storing data defining a plurality of different sounds associated with a given action at the electronic component; a communication interface; and, a controller configured to: communicate, using the communication interface, with one or more of a server and other devices to determine sounds currently in use by the other devices; select one sound, of the plurality of different sounds, to indicate the given action based on the sounds in use by the other devices; and, when the given action is detected at the electronic component, control the speaker to play the one sound that has been selected.