Abstract: Multiple sensors are used to determine proximity of a user with respect to one or more media devices. Different types of sensors may determine different types of information regarding user proximity, such as presence or absence, proximity, distance, orientation, movement, identity, or a number of users that are detected. The information, sensor types, and times at which the information is acquired are used to generate data that associates specific devices, sensor types, information regarding user proximity, and the times at which the information is acquired. Instructions may be provided to various devices to cause performance of actions based on the generated data.

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 Once the energy transfer to the computing devices is complete, the limits on the rate of energy delivery may be rescinded.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 techniques for determining proximity data indicative of the presence, absence, location, position, or orientation of one or more users relative to one or more devices. Based on the proximity data, a corresponding function may be determined, such as initiating or receiving of a communication with another device, ceasing an existing communication, performing a maintenance function, or entering a lower power state.

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: Knowing a location of a sensor or other device may be useful in a variety of settings. Described herein are devices and techniques for using modular sections of known dimensions that are configured to couple to one another at predetermined coupling positions. The modular sections may intercommunicate to provide data identifying adjacent modular sections, the respective coupling positions, and where on each of the modular sections a device is attached. By analyzing this data, two- or three-dimensional arrangement data of the modular sections and devices may be generated. Using information about the physical dimensions of the modular sections, spatial coordinates indicative of where the devices are located in space may be determined. As devices or modular sections are added, removed, or replaced, the arrangement and the corresponding spatial coordinates may be updated to reflect the changes.

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: 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: Described are techniques for modifying the distribution or behavior of content based on the presence or absence of a particular user or a count of users relative to a media device. Based on user proximity data associated with one or multiple users, a corresponding proximity instruction may be determined. The proximity instruction may be configured to cause one or more media devices to request, present, or modify presentation of content.

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 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.

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: 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: Data indicative of user proximity to one or more devices is provided to a server. Based on the proximity data, the server may modify content distribution to, or the behavior of, the one or more devices. In one implementation, determination that no user is proximate to the device may result in pausing or stopping streaming of content to the server.