Abstract: Techniques for dynamically changing internal state of a battery are described herein. Generally, different battery configurations are described that enable transitions between different battery power states, such as to accommodate different battery charge and/or discharge scenarios.

Abstract: Techniques for dynamically changing internal state of a battery are described herein. Generally, different battery configurations are described that enable transitions between different battery power states, such as to accommodate different battery charge and/or discharge scenarios.

Abstract: An imaging sensor system includes a control system that helps save energy, computing, and communication resources by capturing evaluation images with a gating image sensor and processing the evaluation images to determine whether there is a region of interest (ROI) present that warrants capturing a subsequent image with a gated image sensor for additional image processing. That is, the gating image sensor and preliminary processing operates as a gate for turning on the gated sensor for the additional image capturing and processing. The additional image captured by the gated sensor may include only the ROI, which is provided to an image processing algorithm for further image processing. In addition, a gating sensor may include infrared sensing to help determine whether the ROI includes thermal data indicative of human features.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for cloud-offloaded position calculation with on-device acquisition. One method includes operations for collecting raw global positioning system (GPS) signals for a set of positions, and storing in memory the raw GPS signals. The method further includes processing the raw GPS signals in batch mode at the computing device to obtain acquisition data for the positions, where the processing includes identifying tasks for parallel processing by a graphics processing unit (GPU), performing, by the GPU, the tasks in parallel by assigning each of the tasks to a core processor within the GPU, and combining results from performing the tasks to obtain the acquisition data. Additionally, the method includes an operation for transmitting the acquisition data to a server for calculating locations for the set positions at the server, the server storing the locations and making the locations available for location-tracking applications.

Abstract: Some implementations provide low power reduced sampling of global positioning system (GPS) locations. A server may be configured to assist a mobile device in determining a location from a plurality of GPS signal samples and corresponding time stamps provided by the mobile device, such as by identifying a set of possible reference locations, which may be used to calculate a location of the mobile device. In another example, the mobile device may sample GPS signals using a GPS receiver, compress the samples, and provide the compressed samples to the server for processing.

Abstract: Wearable audio accessories for computing devices are described. In one embodiment the wearable audio accessory provides a speech based interface between the user and a nearby computing device for the performance of user-initiated or computing device initiated microtasks. Information is provided to the user via a loudspeaker and the user can provide input via a microphone. An audio sensing channel within the accessory continuously monitors the audio signal as detected by the microphone and in various embodiments will trigger more complex audio processing based on this monitoring. A wireless communication link is provided between the accessory and the nearby computing device. To mitigate any delay caused by the switching between audio processing techniques, the audio accessory may include a rolling buffer which continuously stores the audio signal and outputs a delayed audio signal to the audio processing engines.

Abstract: The description relates to smart rings. One example can include a finger band configured to accommodate a user's finger. This example can also include a set of pressure sensors positioned on an inner surface of the finger band and configured to sense changes to tendons of the user's finger as pressure differentials and to output associated signals. The example can further include a gesture component configured to interpret the signals from the set of pressure sensors to identify individual actions performed by the user's finger.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses of load allocation for multi-battery devices. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses determine an amount of load power that a multi-battery device consumes to operate. Respective efficiencies at which the device's multiple batteries are capable of providing power are also determined. A respective portion of load power is then drawn from each of the batteries based on their respective efficiencies.

Abstract: Wearable audio accessories for computing devices are described. In one embodiment the wearable audio accessory provides a speech based interface between the user and a nearby computing device for the performance of user-initiated or computing device initiated microtasks. Information is provided to the user via a loudspeaker and the user can provide input via a microphone. An audio sensing channel within the accessory continuously monitors the audio signal as detected by the microphone and in various embodiments will trigger more complex audio processing based on this monitoring. A wireless communication link is provided between the accessory and the nearby computing device. To mitigate any delay caused by the switching between audio processing techniques, the audio accessory may include a rolling buffer which continuously stores the audio signal and outputs a delayed audio signal to the audio processing engines.

Abstract: Latency-based selections of energy storage devices are described herein. In implementations, latency behavior of computing tasks performed by a computing device is predicted for a period of time. Based on the predicted latency behavior of the computing device over the period of time, an assessment is made regarding which of multiple heterogeneous energy storage devices are most appropriate to service the system workload. For example, high energy density devices may be favored for latency sensitive tasks whereas high energy density devices may be favored when latency sensitivity is not a concern. A combination of energy storage devices to service the current workload is selected based upon the latency considerations and then power supply settings are adjusted to cause supply of power from the selected combination of energy storage devices during the time period.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for suppressing power spikes. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses determine an available amount of power that a battery is capable of providing while maintaining a particular voltage level and a requisite amount of power that components will consume to perform a task. When the requisite amount of power exceeds the available amount of power, execution of the task or other tasks can be rescheduled effective to enable the battery to maintain the particular voltage level.

Abstract: The description relates to smart rings. One example can include a finger band configured to accommodate a user's finger. This example can also include a set of pressure sensors positioned on an inner surface of the finger band and configured to sense changes to tendons of the user's finger as pressure differentials and to output associated signals. The example can further include a gesture component configured to interpret the signals from the set of pressure sensors to identify individual actions performed by the user's finger.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for cloud-offloaded position calculation with on-device acquisition. One method includes operations for collecting raw global positioning system (GPS) signals for a set of positions, and storing in memory the raw GPS signals. The method further includes processing the raw GPS signals in batch mode at the computing device to obtain acquisition data for the positions, where the processing includes identifying tasks for parallel processing by a graphics processing unit (GPU), performing, by the GPU, the tasks in parallel by assigning each of the tasks to a core processor within the GPU, and combining results from performing the tasks to obtain the acquisition data. Additionally, the method includes an operation for transmitting the acquisition data to a server for calculating locations for the set positions at the server, the server storing the locations and making the locations available for location-tracking applications.

Abstract: Techniques for dynamically changing internal state of a battery are described herein. Generally, different battery configurations are described that enable transitions between different battery power states, such as to accommodate different battery charge and/or discharge scenarios.

Abstract: The description relates to smart rings. One example can include a finger band configured to accommodate a user's finger. This example can also include a set of pressure sensors positioned on an inner surface of the finger band and configured to sense changes to tendons of the user's finger as pressure differentials and to output associated signals. The example can further include a gesture component configured to interpret the signals from the set of pressure sensors to identify individual actions performed by the user's finger.

Abstract: Schedule-based energy storage device selection is described for a device having an energy storage device system with heterogeneous energy storage devices, such as heterogeneous battery cells. The techniques discussed herein use information regarding a user's schedule (e.g., the user's calendar) to predict future workload patterns for a computing device and reserve energy storage device capacities across multiple heterogeneous energy storage devices to improve efficiency of the energy storage devices. For example, if a user is expected to attend a video conference call later in the day (e.g., due to the video conference call being on the user's calendar), then energy in an energy storage device that is better capable of handling such a workload (providing power during the video conference call) more efficiently is preserved so that the energy is available when the video conference call occurs.

Abstract: A method includes receiving one or more search terms at a mobile computing device while the mobile computing device is located at a particular location. A search query that includes the one or more search terms and a location history of the mobile computing device is transmitted to a server. The method also includes receiving one or more search results in response to the search query, where the one or more search results include content identified based on a predicted destination of the mobile computing device. An interface identifying the one or more search results is displayed at the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Wearable audio accessories for computing devices are described. In one embodiment the wearable audio accessory provides a speech based interface between the user and a nearby computing device for the performance of user-initiated or computing device initiated microtasks. Information is provided to the user via a loudspeaker and the user can provide input via a microphone. An audio sensing channel within the accessory continuously monitors the audio signal as detected by the microphone and in various embodiments will trigger more complex audio processing based on this monitoring. A wireless communication link is provided between the accessory and the nearby computing device. To mitigate any delay caused by the switching between audio processing techniques, the audio accessory may include a rolling buffer which continuously stores the audio signal and outputs a delayed audio signal to the audio processing engines.

Abstract: Identifying products in a physical store shopping environment. The method includes, using a first detection method, identifying that a given product likely belongs to a given set of products. The method further includes, using one or more other detection methods, determining that the product is likely a specific product from the given set of products.

Abstract: Latency-based selections of energy storage devices are described herein. In implementations, latency behavior of computing tasks performed by a computing device is predicted for a period of time. Based on the predicted latency behavior of the computing device over the period of time, an assessment is made regarding which of multiple heterogeneous energy storage devices are most appropriate to service the system workload. For example, high energy density devices may be favored for latency sensitive tasks whereas high energy density devices may be favored when latency sensitivity is not a concern. A combination of energy storage devices to service the current workload is selected based upon the latency considerations and then power supply settings are adjusted to cause supply of power from the selected combination of energy storage devices during the time period.