Abstract: This document describes techniques (400, 500, 600) and apparatuses (100, 700) for implementing sensor-based near-field communication (NFC) authentication. These techniques (400, 500, 600) and apparatuses (100, 700) enable a computing device (102) to detect, in a low-power state, environmental variances indicating proximity with an NFC-enabled device (104) with which to authenticate. In some embodiments, various components of a computing device (102) in a sleep state are activated to process environmental variance(s), perform authentication operations, and/or an indicate initiation of authentication operations to a user.

Abstract: In aspects of a wireless hand sensory apparatus for weight monitoring, a wearable article is worn by a user who moves items. A tracking system is implemented in the wearable article, and the tracking system includes a force sensor, or force sensors, in the wearable article to register a force on an item. The tracking system includes tracking logic that determines a weight of the item based on the force on the item. The tracking system may also include a motion sensor to sense motion of the wearable article, and the tracking logic determines how the item is moved based on the motion of the wearable article. The tracking logic can also determine the weight of the item based on the force on the item in combination with a speed of the motion of the wearable article.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first surface having an identification tag attached thereto and a second surface having an antenna attached thereto. The first surface engages the second surface to provide a seal for an article and to connect the antenna to the identification tag. A method for sealing an article includes providing a first surface having an identification tag attached thereto. A second surface having an antenna attached thereto is provided. The first surface is attached to the second surface to provide a seal for the article and to connect the antenna to the identification tag.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide dynamic display locations of virtual control buttons based upon detected movement of a computing device. A computing device displays a virtual control button at a first location, such as a location based upon a grip profile. At some point later, the computing device detects movement via a sensor included in the computing device. Upon detecting the movement, the computing device visually moves the virtual control button to at least a second location based upon the detected movement.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide virtual control buttons on a computing device, such as a mobile device, e.g. a smart phone, to produce a computing. The computing device includes a housing component defined by a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge. A touchscreen display defines at least a front surface of the housing component and wraps around at least one edge of the housing component to define at least portions of the one edge. The computing device is configured to receive touch input corresponding to a user gripping the device on the at least one edge. A grip profile is identified and corresponds to placement of a user's digits on the at least one edge. Responsive to identifying the grip profile, at least one virtual control button is visually placed on the touchscreen display based, at least in part, on the grip profile.

Abstract: In aspects of fingerprint authentication based on fingerprint imager orientation, a mobile device has a first housing moveably connected to a second housing in a device configuration that is one of a closed configuration in which the first housing and the second housing are rotated and folded together, or an open configuration in which the first housing and the second housing are rotated apart. The mobile device includes a fingerprint imager to capture a fingerprint image in either device configuration of the mobile device. The mobile device also includes an authentication module to determine an orientation of the fingerprint imager based on the device configuration, manipulate the captured fingerprint image to align with a reference fingerprint image, and authenticate the captured fingerprint image as manipulated to align with the reference fingerprint image for access to the mobile device.

Abstract: This document describes techniques (400, 500, 600) and apparatuses (100, 700) for implementing sensor-based near-field communication (NFC) authentication. These techniques (400, 500, 600) and apparatuses (100, 700) enable a computing device (102) to detect, in a low-power state, environmental variances indicating proximity with an NFC-enabled device (104) with which to authenticate. In some embodiments, various components of a computing device (102) in a sleep state are activated to process environmental variance(s), perform authentication operations, and/or an indicate initiation of authentication operations to a user.

Abstract: This document describes techniques (400, 500, 600) and apparatuses (100, 700) for implementing sensor-based near-field communication (NFC) authentication. These techniques (400, 500, 600) and apparatuses (100, 700) enable a computing device (102) to detect, in a low-power state, environmental variances indicating proximity with an NFC-enabled device (104) with which to authenticate. In some embodiments, various components of a computing device (102) in a sleep state are activated to process environmental variance(s), perform authentication operations, and/or an indicate initiation of authentication operations to a user.

Abstract: In aspects of fingerprint authentication based on fingerprint imager orientation, a mobile device has a first housing moveably connected to a second housing in a device configuration that is one of a closed configuration in which the first housing and the second housing are rotated and folded together, or an open configuration in which the first housing and the second housing are rotated apart. The mobile device includes a fingerprint imager to capture a fingerprint image in either device configuration of the mobile device. The mobile device also includes an authentication module to determine an orientation of the fingerprint imager based on the device configuration, manipulate the captured fingerprint image to align with a reference fingerprint image, and authenticate the captured fingerprint image as manipulated to align with the reference fingerprint image for access to the mobile device.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide activation of virtual control buttons through verbal commands. In some embodiments, a computing device receives audio input, and, upon receiving the audio input, analyzes the audio input to identify an input command. The analysis can sometimes include voice authentication associated with a user. Upon identifying the input command, the computing device visually displays a virtual control button on a touchscreen display. In some embodiments, the computing device displays the virtual control button at a location corresponding to a current grip in contact with the touchscreen display.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques for directional display and audio broadcast are described. It is determined whether a spoken query includes an individual query, a group query, and a display request. For an individual query, an audio response is broadcast in a directional manner towards the source of the spoken query. For a group query, an audio response is broadcast in more than one direction, such as towards directions of sources in an environment. For a display request, an image (e.g., picture, video, web page, and the like) is projected on a surface that is detected so the image is viewable by one or more users, such as the source of the spoken query.

Abstract: In aspects of determining blocked wireless communication between devices, a mobile device wirelessly communicates with a wireless device. The mobile device can receive partial data or no data from the wireless device responsive to the wireless communication. The mobile device activates sensors to obtain sensor data based on receiving the partial or no data from the wireless device. The mobile device can then determine whether an object is positioned or located between the mobile device and the wireless device based on the sensor data, and determine that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication based on the object being positioned or located between the devices. The mobile device can then display a notification that the wireless communication is being blocked based on the determination that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication.

Abstract: In aspects of determining blocked wireless communication between devices, a mobile device wirelessly communicates with a wireless device. The mobile device can receive partial data or no data from the wireless device responsive to the wireless communication. The mobile device activates sensors to obtain sensor data based on receiving the partial or no data from the wireless device. The mobile device can then determine whether an object is positioned or located between the mobile device and the wireless device based on the sensor data, and determine that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication based on the object being positioned or located between the devices. The mobile device can then display a notification that the wireless communication is being blocked based on the determination that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication.

Abstract: In aspects of determining blocked wireless communication between devices, a mobile device wirelessly communicates with a wireless device. The mobile device can receive partial data or no data from the wireless device responsive to the wireless communication. The mobile device activates sensors to obtain sensor data based on receiving the partial or no data from the wireless device. The mobile device can then determine whether an object is positioned or located between the mobile device and the wireless device based on the sensor data, and determine that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication based on the object being positioned or located between the devices. The mobile device can then display a notification that the wireless communication is being blocked based on the determination that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication.

Abstract: In aspects of determining blocked wireless communication between devices, a mobile device wirelessly communicates with a wireless device. The mobile device can receive partial data or no data from the wireless device responsive to the wireless communication. The mobile device activates sensors to obtain sensor data based on receiving the partial or no data from the wireless device. The mobile device can then determine whether an object is positioned or located between the mobile device and the wireless device based on the sensor data, and determine that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication based on the object being positioned or located between the devices. The mobile device can then display a notification that the wireless communication is being blocked based on the determination that the object is likely blocking the wireless communication.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques for directional display and audio broadcast are described. It is determined whether a spoken query includes an individual query, a group query, and a display request. For an individual query, an audio response is broadcast in a directional manner towards the source of the spoken query. For a group query, an audio response is broadcast in more than one direction, such as towards directions of sources in an environment. For a display request, an image (e.g., picture, video, web page, and the like) is projected on a surface that is detected so the image is viewable by one or more users, such as the source of the spoken query.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first surface having an identification tag attached thereto and a second surface having an antenna attached thereto. The first surface engages the second surface to provide a seal for an article and to connect the antenna to the identification tag. A method for sealing an article includes providing a first surface having an identification tag attached thereto. A second surface having an antenna attached thereto is provided. The first surface is attached to the second surface to provide a seal for the article and to connect the antenna to the identification tag.

Abstract: A method includes attaching an identification tag and a condition sensor to an article and storing condition data from the condition sensor on the identification tag. An apparatus includes a mobile device. The mobile device includes a display, an interrogator, and a processor coupled to the display and the interrogator. The processor is to receive a delivery request associated with an article, read condition data from an identification tag attached to the article using the interrogator, and display the condition data on the display responsive to the delivery request.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mobile device. The mobile device includes a display, a location module, an interrogator and a processor coupled to the display and the interrogator. The processor is to read a plurality of identification tags of articles near the mobile device using the interrogator to generate an inventory list of the plurality of articles and employ data from the location module to provide directions on the display indicating a delivery location for a selected one of the plurality of articles using the location module. A method includes reading a plurality of identification tags of articles using an interrogator of a mobile device. An inventory list of the plurality of articles is generated. Data from a location module of the mobile device is employed to provide directions on a display of the mobile device indicating a delivery location for a selected one of the plurality of articles.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first mobile device. The mobile device includes a display, an external port, a first interrogator coupled to the external port and a first processor coupled to the display and the first interrogator. The apparatus also includes a docking bracket for receiving the mobile device. A first antenna is mounted to the docking bracket. A connector couples the antenna to the external port of the mobile device.