Abstract: A portable device includes micro-electro-mechanical systems (“MEMS”) wind turbines integrated in the portable device. A gesture detection module receives signals generated by the MEMS wind turbines based on movement of the portable device that causes a wind force to be applied to the MEMS wind turbines. The gesture module then recognizes a gesture based on the signals generated from the wind force and initiates an action of the portable device that corresponds to the gesture (e.g., the device is awakened).

Abstract: In certain embodiments of surface material enhancement with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, one or more RFID pressure assemblies are incorporated into a surface material. An RFID pressure assembly includes a pressure switch and an RFID tag. The RFID tag can be in an inactive state or in an active state. The RFID tag is generally in the inactive state, but the RFID tag is placed in the active state if a person applies pressure to the pressure switch. If the RFID tag is in the inactive state, the RFID tag fails to respond to an interrogation signal transmitted from an RFID reader. If the RFID tag is in the active state, the RFID tag responds to an interrogation signal by reflecting back a responsive signal. The responsive signal sent from the RFID tag may include a positional indicator of the RFID pressure assembly or an appliance control command.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor, that identifies biometric input received at the biometric sensor. One or more processors operable with the biometric sensor identify one or more companion devices operating within a wireless communication radius of the electronic device. Where multiple companion devices are within the wireless communication radius, a user can make a selection of one or more of them. One or more gesture sensors identify a predefined gesture input, such as a key turn simulation. A wireless communication circuit responsive to the one or more processors, delivers an actuation credential to at least one companion device to control the companion device.

Abstract: In aspects of on-demand RFID tag activation, an RFID tag is configured so as to enable a person to activate the RFID tag if or when the person wishes. An RFID tag includes an integrated circuit (IC), an antenna coupled to the IC, activation circuitry, and a detachable disable tab. For an example implementation, the RFID tag is in an active state if the IC is capable of responding to an interrogation signal and is in an inactive state if the IC is incapable of responding to an interrogation signal. The activation circuitry is configured to establish the inactive state if the disable tab is attached to the RFID tag or to establish the active state if the disable tab is detached from the RFID tag. The disable tab, if attached to the RFID tag, may impose a short-circuit linkage against the activation circuitry to prevent operation of the tag.

Abstract: Device testing using radio-frequency identification (RFID) is described herein. The testing uses one or more RFID readers that interrogate an RFID tag on a mobile device and, in response to the interrogation, receive data from the RFID tag. The one or more RFID readers, in response to receipt of the data from the RFID tag, transmit a command to execute a test program on the mobile device. The results of the test program are then provided by the mobile device.

Abstract: A computing device determines whether the device is in a Stowed state (a state in which the device is stowed in a location such as a pocket, purse, bag, etc.) or a Not Stowed state (a state in which the device is not stowed in such a location). This determination is made using multiple different sensors on the device, at least one of which is situated on one side (e.g., the front or top) of the device and at least one of which is situated on the opposite side (e.g., the back or bottom) of the device. Values sensed by these multiple different sensors are used to determine whether the device is in the Stowed state or the Not Stowed state, as well as optionally to generate a confidence value indicating how confident the device is in its determination that it is in the Stowed state.

Abstract: One disclosed method includes communicating with a kernel running on a primary processor, by a second processor, in response to detection of a state change; performing a hardware operation, in response to the state change, using the kernel without waking user space on the primary processor, where the user space remains suspended; and resuming a sleep mode of the primary processor by suspending the kernel after the hardware operation is completed. One example of a hardware operation is modification of display data on a touchscreen display. The method of operation may perform the hardware operation using the kernel without waking hardware drivers other than a hardware driver related to the hardware operation.

Abstract: In embodiments of RFID-based device wireless updates, a RFID reader interrogates a RFID tag of a device, and receives a response that indicates device software is not a latest version. The RFID reader communicates wireless network connection information and a file location of a device software update to the RFID tag of the device, and RFID tag memory maintains the file location and the wireless network connection information that is associated with a wireless network. The RFID reader communicates a power-up command to the RFID tag to initiate enabling an interrupt line to power the device on. A bootloader application executing on the device determines that the device software update is available. The bootloader application then obtains the wireless network connection information and configures the device for communication via the wireless network. The bootloader application also obtains the file location and downloads the device software update via the wireless network.

Abstract: A method includes providing a plurality of identification tags each associated with one of a plurality of physical locations. First identification data is read from a selected one of the plurality of identification tags designated as a home location on a device. Second identification data is read from at least a subset of the plurality of identification tags other than the selected one on the device. Directions to the home location are provided on a display of the device based on the first identification data and the second identification data.

Abstract: A method includes reading transaction initiation data from an identification tag associated with a selected physical location on a device. Transaction data associated with the selected physical location is communicated using a communication link operated by the device. Transaction completion data is received using the communication link. The transaction completion data is stored on the identification tag.

Abstract: Device testing using radio-frequency identification (RFID) is described herein. The testing uses one or more RFID readers that interrogate an RFID tag on a mobile device and, in response to the interrogation, receive data from the RFID tag. The one or more RFID readers, in response to receipt of the data from the RFID tag, transmit a command to execute a test program on the mobile device. The results of the test program are then provided by the mobile device.

Abstract: In implementations, a mobile device having a plurality of housings connected, one to another, using a flex structure that is bendable, is configured to determine spatial relationships between the housings. Sensors within the mobile device allow the mobile device to determine the spatial relationships as the mobile device is manipulated via the flex structure.

Abstract: In embodiments of on-demand RFID tag activation, an RFID tag is configured so as to enable a person to activate the RFID tag if or when the person wishes. An RFID tag includes an integrated circuit (IC), an antenna coupled to the IC, activation circuitry, and a detachable disable tab. For an example implementation, the RFID tag is in an active state if the IC is capable of responding to an interrogation signal and is in an inactive state if the IC is incapable of responding to an interrogation signal. The activation circuitry is configured to establish the inactive state if the disable tab is attached to the RFID tag or to establish the active state if the disable tab is detached from the RFID tag. The disable tab, if attached to the RFID tag, may impose a short-circuit linkage against the activation circuitry to prevent operation of the tag.

Abstract: In embodiments of RFID-based activation for wireless network communication, a mobile device includes a RFID reader to interrogate and communicate with a RFID tag to retrieve information associated with a wireless network. An activation module is implemented to receive a notification from the RFID reader that the wireless network is available based on communication with the RFID tag, which can also include receiving authentication credentials associated with the wireless network. The activation module can then activate a wireless transceiver of the mobile device and connect to the wireless network using the received authentication credentials.

Abstract: In embodiments of hardware verification with RFID-stored build information, a mobile device includes hardware components and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag to store build information for hardware verification of the hardware components in the mobile device. A bootloader can interrogate the RFID tag to obtain the build information and compare the build information to current information of the hardware components in the mobile device. The bootloader can then determine whether the current information matches the build information. If the current information does not match the build information, then a message can be displayed on the mobile device indicating that unauthorized hardware is installed in the mobile device.

Abstract: A computing device determines whether the device is in a Stowed state (a state in which the device is stowed in a location such as a pocket, purse, bag, etc.) or a Not Stowed state (a state in which the device is not stowed in such a location). This determination is made using multiple different sensors on the device, at least one of which is situated on one side (e.g., the front or top) of the device and at least one of which is situated on the opposite side (e.g., the back or bottom) of the device. Values sensed by these multiple different sensors are used to determine whether the device is in the Stowed state or the Not Stowed state, as well as optionally to generate a confidence value indicating how confident the device is in its determination that it is in the Stowed state.

Abstract: A method includes illuminating at least a portion of a display proximate an ambient light sensor of a device, detecting a first light measurement using the ambient light sensor responsive to the illuminating, and generating an asserted value for a proximity state of the device based on the light measurement exceeding a first predetermined threshold. A device includes a display, an ambient light sensor, and a processor coupled to the display and the ambient light sensor to illuminate at least a portion of the display proximate the ambient light sensor, detect a first light measurement using the ambient light sensor with the display illuminated, and generate an asserted value for a proximity state of the device based on the light measurement exceeding a first predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A computing device includes wireless sensor hardware that senses wireless signals from various wireless devices that are in close proximity to the computing device. The wireless signals are sensed by the wireless sensor hardware, which provides the data embedded in the sensed wireless signals to a host processor of the computing device or to a low power sensor core of the computing device. In a high power mode, the host processor is responsible for monitoring the data embedded in wireless signals sensed by the wireless sensor hardware. In the low power mode, the low power sensor core is responsible for monitoring the data embedded in wireless signals sensed by the wireless sensor hardware, thereby reducing power consumption by the computing device. The low power sensor core also optionally incorporate contextual awareness techniques to adjust the monitoring of wireless devices and reduce power consumption by the computing device.

Abstract: In embodiments of RFID-based power status and battery management, a mobile device includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes a memory to maintain context information associated with the mobile device. The mobile device includes a processing system to execute a power manager and to interface with the RFID tag via a communication bus. The power manager can determine a stowed context of the mobile device based on one or more sensors implemented in the mobile device, and communicate a stowed context indication of the stowed context of the mobile device to the RFID tag to be stored in the RFID tag memory. The power manager can also communicate a power-state indicator of a power on state or a power off state of the mobile device to the RFID tag to be stored in the RFID tag memory.

Abstract: In certain embodiments of surface material enhancement with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, one or more RFID pressure assemblies are incorporated into a surface material. An RFID pressure assembly includes a pressure switch and an RFID tag. The RFID tag can be in an inactive state or in an active state. The RFID tag is generally in the inactive state, but the RFID tag is placed in the active state if a person applies pressure to the pressure switch. If the RFID tag is in the inactive state, the RFID tag fails to respond to an interrogation signal transmitted from an RFID reader. If the RFID tag is in the active state, the RFID tag responds to an interrogation signal by reflecting back a responsive signal. The responsive signal sent from the RFID tag may include a positional indicator of the RFID pressure assembly or an appliance control command.