Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for implementing an accident reporter are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of receiving data that reflects characteristics of a vehicle. The actions further include, based on the data, determining that the vehicle has been in an accident. The actions further include, based on determining that the vehicle has been in an accident and based on the data that reflects the characteristics of the vehicle, determining a classification of the accident. The actions further include determining additional data to collect and a recipient of a description of the accident. The actions further include receiving the additional data. The actions further include generating the description of the accident based on the data that reflects the characteristics of a vehicle and the additional data. The actions further include providing, for output, the description of the accident.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for implementing a road condition reporter are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of receiving, from a computing device, data that reflects characteristics of a vehicle. The actions further include, based on the data that reflects the characteristics of the vehicle, determining a characteristic of a road traveled by the vehicle. The actions further include, based on the characteristic of the road traveled by the vehicle, generating an instruction to perform an action. The actions further include providing, for output, the instruction to perform the action.

Abstract: A central IoT controller is described for conserving power resources of mobile IoT devices. Specifically, the central IoT controller is configured to at least monitor power reserves of mobile IoT devices, and in response to detecting that a power reserve has fallen below a predetermined threshold, generate computer-executable instructions that adjust configuration settings of the mobile IoT devices to conserve a remaining power reserve. The central IoT controller may modify a check-in interval for mobile IoT devices, configure the transmission of data communications via more power-efficient communication protocols, or reduce the number of active sensors on the mobile IoT device based on proximity to a trusted geolocation or a trusted device. Further, data communications may be rerouted via a proximate trusted device or other proximate mobile IoT device, in response to such device providing an efficiency with respect to available communication protocols.

Abstract: A system for coordinated management of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to minimize power consumption and network congestion is provided. A mobile device designated as local group management device (LGMD) identifies a group of IoT devices that are configured to access a network. The mobile device receives information regarding an upcoming event involving the group of IoT devices. The mobile device generates usage knowledge specifying the group of IoT devices, a location, and a time associated with the upcoming event. The mobile device receives configuration update data that are generated based on the usage knowledge for scheduling operations of the group IoT devices. The mobile device delivers the configuration update data to the group of IoT devices.

Abstract: Techniques for location-based apparatus management can result in significant battery power savings for the apparatus and robust controls over the apparatus. This may be achieved by using discovered wireless network(s) to learn repeating patterns of the apparatus and, accordingly, set up soft geofences to trigger automatic operations of the apparatus. Information associated with the discovered wireless network(s) is used to determine the location of the apparatus, and the type of location can be identified. Based on the type of location, the apparatus is placed in a mode corresponding to the identified type of location. Alternatively, or additionally, specific features and/or applications on the apparatus may be activated or deactivated.

Abstract: A system for coordinated management of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to minimize power consumption and network congestion is provided. A mobile device designated as local group management device (LGMD) identifies a group of IoT devices that are configured to access a network. The mobile device receives information regarding an upcoming event involving the group of IoT devices. The mobile device generates usage knowledge specifying the group of IoT devices, a location, and a time associated with the upcoming event. The mobile device receives configuration update data that are generated based on the usage knowledge for scheduling operations of the group IoT devices. The mobile device delivers the configuration update data to the group of IoT devices.

Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to a tracking method using a two-component tracking device are described. The tracking device includes two components paired with one another: a first component that is specific to a subject the tracking device is intended to track, and a second component that is generic. The second component is capable of establishing a wireless connection with a cellular network, as well as collecting location information of the second component itself. The tracking method involves receiving from the cellular network a set of requirements associated with the subject, and triggering an action based on the set of requirements and the location information collected. The tracking method enables tracking of multiple subjects without a pairing mistake. Namely, a mismatch between multiple subjects to be tracked and multiple tracking devices intended to track the subjects can be avoided.

Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to a tracking method using a two-component tracking device are described. The tracking device includes two components paired with one another: a first component that is specific to a subject the tracking device is intended to track, and a second component that is generic. The second component is capable of establishing a wireless connection with a cellular network, as well as collecting location information of the second component itself The tracking method involves receiving from the cellular network a set of requirements associated with the subject, and triggering an action based on the set of requirements and the location information collected. The tracking method enables tracking of multiple subjects without a pairing mistake. Namely, a mismatch between multiple subjects to be tracked and multiple tracking devices intended to track the subjects can be avoided.

Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to a tracking method using a two-component tracking device are described. The tracking device includes two components paired with one another: a first component that is specific to a subject the tracking device is intended to track, and a second component that is generic. The second component is capable of establishing a wireless connection with a cellular network, as well as collecting location information of the second component itself. The tracking method involves receiving from the cellular network a set of requirements associated with the subject, and triggering an action based on the set of requirements and the location information collected. The tracking method enables tracking of multiple subjects without a pairing mistake. Namely, a mismatch between multiple subjects to be tracked and multiple tracking devices intended to track the subjects can be avoided.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for tracking an item of interest using a plurality of user equipment that can communicate with a tracking device that is configured to attach to the tracked item. The techniques include: storing a unique tracking device identifier corresponding to a tracking device associated with a first user equipment; receiving a location information of the tracking device from a second user equipment in response to the second user equipment receiving a tracking device signal transmitted by the tracking device, the tracking device signal comprising the location information of the tracking device and the unique tracking device identifier corresponding to the tracking device; authenticating the second user equipment to facilitate communication between the second user equipment and the tracking device; and transmitting the location information of the tracking device to the first user equipment.

Abstract: A system for coordinated management of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to minimize power consumption and network congestion is provided. A mobile device designated as local group management device (LGMD) identifies a group of IoT devices that are configured to access a network. The mobile device receives information regarding an upcoming event involving the group of IoT devices. The mobile device generates usage knowledge specifying the group of IoT devices, a location, and a time associated with the upcoming event. The mobile device receives configuration update data that are generated based on the usage knowledge for scheduling operations of the group IoT devices. The mobile device delivers the configuration update data to the group of IoT devices.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a rotational coupling mechanism for releasably coupling a device to a mounting platform. In one example, a user may nest a device within the mounting platform and perform a single rotation of the nested device to toggle between a locked position and an unlocked position. The user may continue the single rotation of the nested device, in the same clockwise or anticlockwise direction, to toggle the device from the unlocked position and back to the locked position. In a locked position, the device is restricted from translation relative to the mounting platform, however, the device may continue to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to toggle between a locked and unlocked position. In an unlocked position, the device may disengage freely from the mounting platform and is thus subsequently free to move in any translational direction or about any rotational axis.

Abstract: Techniques for location-based apparatus management can result in significant battery power savings for the apparatus and robust controls over the apparatus. This may be achieved by using discovered wireless network(s) to learn repeating patterns of the apparatus and, accordingly, set up soft geofences to trigger automatic operations of the apparatus. Information associated with the discovered wireless network(s) is used to determine the location of the apparatus, and the type of location can be identified. Based on the type of location, the apparatus is placed in a mode corresponding to the identified type of location. Alternatively, or additionally, specific features and/or applications on the apparatus may be activated or deactivated.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for tracking an item of interest using a plurality of user equipment that can communicate with a tracking device that is configured to attach to the tracked item. The techniques include: storing a unique tracking device identifier corresponding to a tracking device associated with a first user equipment; receiving a location information of the tracking device from a second user equipment in response to the second user equipment receiving a tracking device signal transmitted by the tracking device, the tracking device signal comprising the location information of the tracking device and the unique tracking device identifier corresponding to the tracking device; authenticating the second user equipment to facilitate communication between the second user equipment and the tracking device; and transmitting the location information of the tracking device to the first user equipment.

Abstract: A central IoT controller is described for conserving power resources of mobile IoT devices. Specifically, the central IoT controller is configured to at least monitor power reserves of mobile IoT devices, and in response to detecting that a power reserve has fallen below a predetermined threshold, generate computer-executable instructions that adjust configuration settings of the mobile IoT devices to conserve a remaining power reserve. The central IoT controller may modify a check-in interval for mobile IoT devices, configure the transmission of data communications via more power-efficient communication protocols, or reduce the number of active sensors on the mobile IoT device based on proximity to a trusted geolocation or a trusted device. Further, data communications may be rerouted via a proximate trusted device or other proximate mobile IoT device, in response to such device providing an efficiency with respect to available communication protocols.