Abstract: Skinnable touch device grip pattern techniques are described herein. A touch-aware skin may be configured to substantially cover the outer surfaces of a computing device. The touch-aware skin may include a plurality of skin sensors configured to detect interaction with the skin at defined locations. The computing device may include one or more modules operable to obtain input from the plurality of skin sensors and decode the input to determine grips patterns that indicate how the computing device is being held by a user. Various functionality provided by the computing device may be selectively enabled and/or adapted based on a determined grip pattern such that the provided functionality may change to match the grip pattern.

Abstract: Combined display panel circuit techniques are described herein. In one or more implementations, a combined panel circuit of a display device is configured to enable functionality for both recognition of touch inputs and functionality to update images output by the display device. The combined panel circuit, for instance, may include an electrode arrangement in conductive layers that sandwiches display particles used to form images for the display device. The display particles may be manipulated under the influence of a threshold voltage applied to the electrode arrangement that is sufficient to cause the display particles to transition between states. Capacitance sensing indicative of touch inputs may occur under the influence of a different voltage that is not sufficient to manipulate the display particles. The different voltages are selectively applied at different times to update displayed images through manipulation of the display particles and sense capacitance to recognize touch inputs.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling bookmarking for electronic books. The techniques and apparatuses enable a user of an electronic book to bookmark pages of the electronic book and navigate based on these bookmarks as well as bookmarks made by other users.

Abstract: Conductive trace routing techniques for display and bezel sensors are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes display sensors, bezel sensors, and a plurality of conductive traces. The display sensors are configured to detect proximity of an object and are arranged in conjunction with a display area of a display device to support interaction with a user interface displayed by the display device. The bezel sensors are configured to detect proximity of an object and are disposed in a bezel that at least partially surrounds the display device and is outside the display area. The plurality of conductive traces are disposed between the display and bezel sensors and communicatively couple the display sensors and the bezel sensors to one or more computing components that are configured to process inputs received from the display sensors and the bezel sensors.

Abstract: A connection device for computing devices is described. In one or more implementations, a connection device comprises a plurality of connection portions that are physically and communicatively coupled, one to another. Each of the plurality of connection portions has at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with a respective one of a plurality of computing devices and with at least one other communication contact of another one of the connections portions to support communication between the plurality of computing devices. Each of the plurality of connection portions also includes a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the respective one of the plurality of computing devices.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure enable managing a user account, such that a peripheral device is configured to interact with one or more user devices associated with the user account. In some examples, a device identity associated with the peripheral device is identified, and it is determined whether the device identity is associated with a user account. Upon determining that the device identity is associated with the user account, the peripheral device is paired with a user device associated with the user account without manually pairing the peripheral device with the user device. Examples of the disclosure enable the peripheral device to interact with one or more user devices in an efficient, user-friendly manner.

Abstract: Conductive trace routing techniques for display and bezel sensors are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes display sensors, bezel sensors, and a plurality of conductive traces. The display sensors are configured to detect proximity of an object and are arranged in conjunction with a display area of a display device to support interaction with a user interface displayed by the display device. The bezel sensors are configured to detect proximity of an object and are disposed in a bezel that at least partially surrounds the display device and is outside the display area. The plurality of conductive traces are disposed between the display and bezel sensors and communicatively couple the display sensors and the bezel sensors to one or more computing components that are configured to process inputs received from the display sensors and the bezel sensors.

Abstract: A canvas (e.g., a digital page or sheet of paper) on which a user can input data is displayed on a display device of a computing device in response to the canvas being invoked. The canvas can be invoked in different manners, such as by the user activating a switch or button at an “eraser” end of a stylus that mimics a pen/pencil configuration. The user can input any digital data such as notes, drawings, and so forth on the canvas that he or she desires. In response to the canvas being dismissed (e.g., by the user again activating a switch or button at an “eraser” end of a stylus that mimics a pen/pencil configuration), display of the canvas ceases. The digital data input by the user is saved or otherwise processed by the computing device.

Abstract: Global and local light detection techniques in optical sensor systems are described. In one or more implementations, a global lighting value is generated that describes a global lighting level for a plurality of optical sensors based on a plurality of inputs received from the plurality of optical sensors. An illumination map is generated that describes local lighting conditions of respective ones of the plurality of optical sensors based on the plurality of inputs received from the plurality of optical sensors. Object detection is performed using an image captured using the plurality of optical sensors along with the global lighting value and the illumination map.

Abstract: A connection device for computing devices is described. In one or more implementations, a connection device comprises a plurality of connection portions that are physically and communicatively coupled, one to another. Each of the plurality of connection portions has at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with a respective one of a plurality of computing devices and with at least one other communication contact of another one of the connections portions to support communication between the plurality of computing devices. Each of the plurality of connection portions also includes a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the respective one of the plurality of computing devices.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a backlight unit and a liquid crystal layer adjacent the backlight unit. The backlight unit has a plurality of planar emission devices distributed over a viewable display area. The plurality of planar emission devices are disposed in a configurable zone arrangement having a plurality of zones of the viewable area. Each zone includes at least one planar emission device. The liquid crystal layer is configured to selectively filter light generated by the plurality of planar emission devices. The electronic device further includes a processor coupled to the backlight unit and configured to control a brightness level of the at least one planar emission device in each zone separately from other planar emission devices in other zones.

Abstract: A canvas (e.g., a digital page or sheet of paper) on which a user can input data is displayed on a display device of a computing device in response to the canvas being invoked. The canvas can be invoked in different manners, such as by the user activating a switch or button at an “eraser” end of a stylus that mimics a pen/pencil configuration. The user can input any digital data such as notes, drawings, and so forth on the canvas that he or she desires. In response to the canvas being dismissed (e.g., by the user again activating a switch or button at an “eraser” end of a stylus that mimics a pen/pencil configuration), display of the canvas ceases. The digital data input by the user is saved or otherwise processed by the computing device.

Abstract: Input device writing surface techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a connection portion configured to form a communicative and physical coupling to a computing device sufficient to secure the input device to the computing device. The input device also includes an input portion having a writing surface configured to perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable without use of electronic computation.

Abstract: Optical stylus interaction techniques are described. In an implementation, a display of a computing device includes optical sensors capable of detecting images projected by a stylus. A stylus may include a projection system to project various images used to convey interaction information that may be interpreted by the computing device. Based on recognition of different projected images, a context for interaction of the stylus may be ascertained and corresponding operations may be performed by the computing device. This may include resolving a spatial position of the stylus relative to the display device as well as movement of the stylus and images that defines various stylus-based gestures. In addition, the environment for optical stylus interaction enables a writing mode that emulates natural writing by mapping different projectable images to changes in pressure applied to the stylus when in contact with the display.

Abstract: Binding techniques are described that are configured to bind an apparatus for operation with a computing device. A computing device may include one or more object detection sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object, a wireless communication module configured to support wireless communication, and one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are configured to perform operations that include recognizing a first event as involving detection of proximity of an apparatus by the one or more object detection sensors, recognizing a second event as involving receipt of a wireless communication by the wireless communication module from the apparatus, and responsive to the recognizing of the first and second events, causing the apparatus to be bound for operation with the computing device such that the apparatus is configured to initiate one or more host side commands of the computing device.

Abstract: Object detection techniques for use in conjunction with optical sensors is described. In one or more implementations, a plurality of inputs are received, each of the inputs being received from a respective one of a plurality of optical sensors. Each of the plurality of inputs are classified using machine learning as to whether the inputs are indicative of detection of an object by a respective said optical sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a backlight unit and a liquid crystal layer adjacent the backlight unit. The backlight unit has a plurality of planar emission devices distributed over a viewable display area. The plurality of planar emission devices are disposed in a configurable zone arrangement having a plurality of zones of the viewable area. Each zone includes at least one planar emission device. The liquid crystal layer is configured to selectively filter light generated by the plurality of planar emission devices. The electronic device further includes a processor coupled to the backlight unit and configured to control a brightness level of the at least one planar emission device in each zone separately from other planar emission devices in other zones.

Abstract: This document describes various apparatuses and techniques for rapid synchronized lighting and shuttering. These apparatuses and techniques are capable of capturing two images, where one of the images integrates multiple exposures during which an image area is illuminated by a light source and another of the images integrates multiple exposures during which the image is not illuminated by the light source. The image area can be illuminated by rapidly flashing the image area with the light source and synchronizing a shutter to permit one image sensor to capture an image when the image area is illuminated and another image sensor to capture the image area when the image area is not illuminated. These two images can be captured concurrently or nearly concurrently, thereby reducing or eliminating motion artifacts. Further, these apparatuses and techniques may do so with slow and relatively low-cost cameras and relatively low computational costs.

Abstract: Binding techniques are described that are configured to bind an apparatus for operation with a computing device. A computing device may include one or more object detection sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object, a wireless communication module configured to support wireless communication, and one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are configured to perform operations that include recognizing a first event as involving detection of proximity of an apparatus by the one or more object detection sensors, recognizing a second event as involving receipt of a wireless communication by the wireless communication module from the apparatus, and responsive to the recognizing of the first and second events, causing the apparatus to be bound for operation with the computing device such that the apparatus is configured to initiate one or more host side commands of the computing device.

Abstract: Binding techniques are described that are configured to bind an apparatus for operation with a computing device. A computing device may include one or more object detection sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object, a wireless communication module configured to support wireless communication, and one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are configured to perform operations that include recognizing a first event as involving detection of proximity of an apparatus by the one or more object detection sensors, recognizing a second event as involving receipt of a wireless communication by the wireless communication module from the apparatus, and responsive to the recognizing of the first and second events, causing the apparatus to be bound for operation with the computing device such that the apparatus is configured to initiate one or more host side commands of the computing device.