Abstract: The disclosure relates to tracking the location of a target object. In one example, a computer vision system detects a configuration of environment objects. A location model that has been trained for the environment configuration is selected. A signal associated with the target object is received and interpreted using the selected location model to determine the location of the target object.

Abstract: Implementations of the subject matter described herein provide a solution for thin object detection based on computer vision technology. In the solution, a plurality of images containing at least one thin object to be detected are obtained. A plurality of edges are extracted from the plurality of images, and respective depths of the plurality of edges are determined. In addition, the at least one thin object contained in the plurality of images is identified based on the respective depths of the plurality of edges, the identified at least one thin object being represented by at least one of the plurality of edges. The at least one thin object is an object with a significantly small ratio of cross-sectional area to length. It is usually difficult to detect such thin object with a conventional detection solution, but the implementations of the present disclosure effectively solve this problem.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating wireless charging are discussed herein. For example, a power-consuming device may receive a light beam from a charging device. In response, the power-consuming device may determine a power level of a battery associated with the power-consuming device. The power-consuming device may wirelessly signal the power level to the charging device. In some instances, the power-consuming device may determine the power level of the battery without drawing power from the battery. Further, in some instances the power-consuming device may receive another light beam to charge the battery.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to tracking the location of a target object. In one example, a computer vision system detects a configuration of environment objects. A location model that has been trained for the environment configuration is selected. A signal associated with the target object is received and interpreted using the selected location model to determine the location of the target object.

Abstract: Techniques for utilizing two or more mobile devices equipped with projectors to generate a combined seamless user interfaces by stitching projection areas generated by the projectors.

Abstract: In some implementations, an access device may sense movement in six degrees of freedom for interacting with information in a user interface. In some implementations, a security feature may be included for verifying an authorization of a user to use the access device. Additionally, in some implementations, the access device may establish communication with an available computing device for accessing and interacting with information that may include remotely stored information, cloud data, cloud services, and the like.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern a first off-the-shelf device (e.g., game console, laptop) that may lack a sensor interacting with a second off-the-shelf device(s) (e.g., smart phone, tablet) that has a sensor. The first device may ask remote devices to expose sensors, may select a remote device and sensor to work with, may control communications between the devices and may use the sensor data provided by the second data to run an application on the first device. The application may be acquired from a consumer-oriented application repository, may require sensor data, and may run unmodified on the first device due to the availability of the sensor data from the second device. The combination of devices improves the capability of the first device, saves energy, and reduces computing complexity. A game console or application written for the game console may perform better using sensor data from a remote device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques and systems for performing wireless-based localization using a zonal framework. An area (i.e., surface or space) may be partitioned into multiple zones, and one or more signal propagation models for one or more wireless access points (APs) may be generated for each zone. The result is a set of zonal signal propagation models that allow for improved model fitness on a per-zone basis. A process includes receiving a location query associated with a wireless communication device, selecting a target zone among multiple available zones of an area, and estimating a location of the wireless communication device based at least in part on one of a signal propagation model associated with the target zone or a fingerprint-based localization. The signal propagation model associated with the target zone may be generated based on training samples observed exclusively within the target zone.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating wireless charging are discussed herein. For example, a power-consuming device may receive a light beam from a charging device. In response, the power-consuming device may determine a power level of a battery associated with the power-consuming device. The power-consuming device may wirelessly signal the power level to the charging device. In some instances, the power-consuming device may determine the power level of the battery without drawing power from the battery. Further, in some instances the power-consuming device may receive another light beam to charge the battery.

Abstract: An automated charging device detects a presence of a power-consuming device. The automated charging device may determine whether the power-consuming device is in need of recharging by determining a status of a power level of the power-consuming device. In response to determining that the power-consuming device is due for recharging, the automated charging device may direct a wireless power source to the power-consuming device without user intervention and/or instruction. The automated charging device may detect a location of the power-consuming device and use the detected location to appropriately direct the wireless power source to the power-consuming device.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to computing depth images of a scene that includes a mobile object based upon the principle of light falloff are described herein. An infrared image of a scene that includes a mobile object is captured, wherein the infrared image has a plurality of pixels having a respective plurality of intensity values. A depth image for the scene is computed based at least in part upon square roots of respective intensity values in the infrared image.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern a first off-the-shelf device (e.g., game console, laptop) that may lack a sensor interacting with a second off-the-shelf device(s) (e.g., smart phone, tablet) that has a sensor. The first device may ask remote devices to expose sensors, may select a remote device and sensor to work with, may control communications between the devices and may use the sensor data provided by the second data to run an application on the first device. The application may be acquired from a consumer-oriented application repository, may require sensor data, and may run unmodified on the first device due to the availability of the sensor data from the second device. The combination of devices improves the capability of the first device, saves energy, and reduces computing complexity. A game console or application written for the game console may perform better using sensor data from a remote device.

Abstract: Techniques for indoor location-finding are described herein. Inside buildings, anomalies in the Earth's magnetic field may be caused by the buildings' structures. These anomalies tend to be location specific and temporally stable. Accordingly, a database or map may be constructed of field strength measurements, and made available to clients, either online (e.g., through cloud services) or offline. As a user carrying a portable device walks within a building, magnetic field measurements may be made. The measurements may be configured in as vectors and compared to the database. A specific location may be indicated by anomaly information seen in both the vector(s) and database. Optionally, techniques may be combined with a particle filter that may be operated step-by-step as the user moves within the building. In another option, fusion with Wi-Fi signals may be performed, such as with a two-pass bidirectional particle filtering.

Abstract: Techniques for utilizing two or more mobile devices equipped with projectors to generate a combined seamless user interfaces by stitching projection areas generated by the projectors.

Abstract: Expandable application representation techniques are described. The techniques may include support of an expandable tile that may function as an intermediary within a root level (e.g., start menu or screen) of a file system. The expandable tile, for instance, may be output via a gesture to gain additional information that was not included in an unexpanded version of the tile, may be utilized to provide inputs to an application such that a user, and so on. Thus, this may support non-modal interaction by a user. Techniques are also described in which the expanded representation is included in a taskbar, which may also be used for non-modal interaction, sending of content represented in the representation to a device or application, continuation of interaction initiated with the representation by a mobile computing device, and so on. Expandable tile techniques may also be utilized to support interaction between shells of an operating system, such as a desktop and immersive shell.

Abstract: Expandable application representation techniques are described. The techniques may include support of an expandable tile that may function as an intermediary within a root level (e.g., start menu or screen) of a file system. The expandable tile, for instance, may be output via a gesture to gain additional information that was not included in an unexpanded version of the tile, may be utilized to provide inputs to an application such that a user, and so on. Thus, this may support non-modal interaction by a user. Techniques are also described in which the expanded representation is included in a taskbar, which may also be used for non-modal interaction, sending of content represented in the representation to a device or application, continuation of interaction initiated with the representation by a mobile computing device, and so on. Expandable tile techniques may also be utilized to support interaction between shells of an operating system, such as a desktop and immersive shell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques and systems for performing wireless-based localization using a zonal framework. An area (i.e., surface or space) may be partitioned into multiple zones, and one or more signal propagation models for one or more wireless access points (APs) may be generated for each zone. The result is a set of zonal signal propagation models that allow for improved model fitness on a per-zone basis. A process includes receiving a location query associated with a wireless communication device, selecting a target zone among multiple available zones of an area, and estimating a location of the wireless communication device based at least in part on one of a signal propagation model associated with the target zone or a fingerprint-based localization. The signal propagation model associated with the target zone may be generated based on training samples observed exclusively within the target zone.

Abstract: Techniques for utilizing two or more mobile devices equipped with projectors to generate a combined seamless user interfaces by stitching projection areas generated by the projectors.

Abstract: A user device is equipped with one or more sensors that collect data relating to a movement of a user having the user device. An estimated area within which a starting location of the user device is located is determined based on one or more signals received from adjacent signal sources. A plurality of candidate locations is identified within the estimated area as the potential starting location of the user device. Map information of surrounding area that covers the estimated area is also obtained. One or more candidate locations are filtered out depending on whether they could have experienced the movement based on the map information. When one or more re-starting conditions have met during the movement, a then starting location of the user device needs to be determined.

Abstract: An automated charging device detects a presence of a power-consuming device. The automated charging device may determine whether the power-consuming device is in need of recharging by determining a status of a power level of the power-consuming device. In response to determining that the power-consuming device is due for recharging, the automated charging device may direct a wireless power source to the power-consuming device without user intervention and/or instruction. The automated charging device may detect a location of the power-consuming device and use the detected location to appropriately direct the wireless power source to the power-consuming device.