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.

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: The security of Near Field Communications (NFC) against eavesdroppers is improved by encoding a hidden key, private to an initiating device, onto the carrier wave when a target device communicates its data via the carrier. The initiating device, in possession of the hidden key, is enabled to undo the scrambling effects of the hidden key to thereby privately interpret the data encoded onto the carrier wave by the target device. In various aspects, the hidden key is a one-time-use key that is randomly generated, used, and then discarded, preventing malicious parties from gaining the hidden key to later interpret intercepted data signals.

Abstract: Providing product recommendations in a physical retail store. A method includes detecting that the user arrives at the physical retail store. The method further includes, in response, receiving information from a recommendation server for a particular user. The method further includes storing locally, the information from the recommendation server. The method further includes, detecting a plurality of user interactions for the user with products in the retail store as part of the shopping experience and prior to a check-out phase of the shopping experience. The method further includes based on the locally stored information and the user interaction, providing product recommendations.

Abstract: Providing discounts to users in a physical store location. The method includes detecting that a user has stopped at a given location in the physical store. The method further includes, based on the location, identifying a set of products. The method further includes, providing an identification of the set of products to an ad server. At the ad server an auction is initiated between different product promoters to identify ads to be provided to the user. The method further includes, receiving from the ad server one or more ads to be provided to the user based on the results of the ad auction. The method further includes, providing the one or more ads to the user.

Abstract: The description relates to mobile device location. One example can identify global navigation satellite system (GNSS) satellites expected to be in line-of-sight of a mobile device. This example can detect differences between received GNSS data signals and expected GNSS data signals from the expected GNSS satellites. The example can also determine a direction from the mobile device of an obstruction that is causing at least some of the detected differences.

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: A shared electrode battery includes multiple electrodes of one type (e.g., two or more cathodes) that share an electrode of another type (e.g., a shared anode). The multiple electrodes of the same type (e.g., the multiple cathodes) can have different characteristics, such as different chemistries, particle sizes and distributions, capacities, and so forth that are designed to provide particular features such as high energy density, high power density, high cycle life, fast charge, safety, and so forth. Multiple cathode-anode pairings of one of the multiple electrodes of the same type with the shared electrode are possible. Switching hardware is operable to select one of the multiple pairings at any given time, allowing the battery to provide power using the cathode having the desired characteristics at that given time. A single battery is thus able to provide these multiple different features.

Abstract: The description relates to mobile device location. One example can identify global navigation satellite system (GNSS) satellites expected to be in line-of-sight of a mobile device. This example can detect differences between received GNSS data signals and expected GNSS data signals from the expected GNSS satellites. The example can also determine a direction from the mobile device of an obstruction that is causing at least some of the detected differences.