Abstract: A system for detecting taps on a surface or on a device, the system comprising at least one module configured to detect one or more taps by receiving signals from one or more sensors; at least one module configured to process signals related to the one or more taps to determine a set of temporal and spatial signal characteristics; at least one module configured to map signals related to the one or more taps to associate the one or more taps with one or more application controls; and at least one module configured to classify signals related to the one or more taps to determine whether the one or more taps are associated with the one or more application controls.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining a presumed activity associated with a mobile device. A plurality of sensor values detected by one or more sensors onboard the mobile device is received over a period of time. A plurality of derived values is calculated from the plurality of sensor values. The derived values are selectively combined to generate one or more abstract values. A presumed activity is identified from a plurality of possible activities based on a level of similarity between the one or more abstract values and expected values of each of the plurality of possible activities that correspond to the one or more abstract values.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining a presumed activity associated with a mobile device. A plurality of sensor values detected by one or more sensors onboard the mobile device is received over a period of time. A plurality of derived values is calculated from the plurality of sensor values. The derived values are selectively combined to generate one or more abstract values. A presumed activity is identified from a plurality of possible activities based on a level of similarity between the one or more abstract values and expected values of each of the plurality of possible activities that correspond to the one or more abstract values.