Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes location techniques for a mobile device. A mobile device may request permission from a server device to perform a ranging operation. Responsive to receiving an indication of allowance, the mobile device may output a first data packet via a radio signal, which is received by a beacon device that activates an ultrasonic transponder upon receipt of the first data packet. The mobile device then outputs a second data packet via an ultrasonic pulse. The beacon device receives the ultrasonic pulse and outputs a third data packet via a second radio signal that includes information identifying the beacon device. The mobile device calculates a time difference between outputting the ultrasonic pulse and receiving the second radio signal and determines its location based on the third data packet and the time difference.

Abstract: Systems and method of providing personalized data by a public device are provided. In particular, a beacon device associated with a public computing device, such as a kiosk, can broadcast beacon data associated with the public computing device. The beacon data can include an identifier associated with the public device. The beacon data can be detected by a user device proximate the beacon device. The user device can then send user data to a remote computing device associated with the public device. The remote computing device can then update at least a portion of information to be provided by the public device based at least in part on the user data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for code communication are provided. A secure system wirelessly transmits, via a magnetic field transmitter, an access code to a handheld wireless communication device as a sequence of polarities of a short-range magnetic field. The wireless communication device senses the sequence of polarities and determines the code from the sensed sequence of polarities. The code provides access to the secure system. The handheld wireless communication device can wirelessly transmit the code received from the short-range magnetic field and identification information to the secure system to receive access to the secure system. The access is personalized based on at least the identification information and is maintained or validated when the handheld wireless communication device is within range of the short-range magnetic field.

Abstract: Systems, computer-readable storage mediums, and methods for discovering and displaying media content related to an electronic document. At a first computing device, document identifying information—which is one of: at least a portion of a network identifier or source code for the electronic document—for the electronic document is obtained. One or more media entities associated with the electronic document are then obtained from a server. The media entities correspond to media content including scheduled TV programming, steaming media or locally stored media. A representation of a subset of the media entities is displayed, and a user selection from the representation of a respective media entity from the subset is obtained. In response, selection information identifying the respective media entity is sent to a second computing device, which is configured to access and display respective media content corresponding to the respective media entity based on the selection information.

Abstract: A digital sign may be controlled from a user device. The sign may broadcast a network identifier to which the user's device connects. Connecting to the sign may result in the device's web browser launching and displaying a landing page. The landing page may display buttons that can be utilized to control or interact with the digital sign.

Abstract: A digital sign may be controlled from a user device. The sign may broadcast a network identifier to which the user's device connects. Connecting to the sign may result in the device's web browser launching and displaying a landing page. The landing page may display buttons that can be utilized to control or interact with the digital sign.

Abstract: In general, techniques and systems for selecting a read rate for short-range communication with a computing device are described. In one example, a method includes detecting, by a computing device, a trigger event. The method may also include, responsive to the detection of the trigger event, changing a near-field communication (NFC) read rate from a first read rate to a second read rate by multiplying the first read rate by a predetermined value. The method may also include generating, by the computing device, NFC signals at the second read rate. In some examples, the trigger event may include an acceleration or velocity of the computing device exceeding a threshold, detecting the computing device within a predetermined geographical location, or detecting an ambient light intensity exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: A publicly accessible kiosk is provided whereby individuals who connected to the kiosk may share or exchange information about electronic applications, books, magazines, movies, music or the like with other individuals connected to the same kiosk. Two or more mobile devices may be detected. Each mobile device may be connected to a publicly accessible interface. A preference may be received for each device connected to the publicly accessible display. A personalized display may be provided on the publicly accessible interface based on the preference.

Abstract: A first application, operating on a first client device, may perform a task. As part of performing the task, the first application may generate a message that includes a command, data, and a list of client devices suitable for invoking the command. The first client device may determine whether the first client device is in the list. If the first client device is in the list, the first client device may transmit the message to a local application on the first client device, to further perform the task by invoking the command on the data. If the first client device is not in the list, the first client device may select a second client device from the list, and transmit, via a server device, the message to the second client device.

Abstract: Content provided at a venue may be stored to a database by associating the content provided with a content identifier and a venue identifier. In some configurations, the play time indicator may be associated with the content identifier and venue identifier. A query may be received based on a scan of a static, machine-readable computer code. The query may request a search of the database to be performed in order to identify the content provided at the venue. The query may be for content that is currently playing or for content that has been played at the venue within a defined time frame. A response to the query may be provided that identifies the content for the venue. The response may be provided, for example, to a smartphone belonging to a user and may present a purchase option for the content.

Abstract: Methods and systems include determining that a device is proximate to a sign, providing sign identification information associated with the sign, and providing a sign history. A request for sign data associated with the sign identification information may be received, and sign data may be provided. Determining that a sign is proximate to a device may be based on a signal from the sign and/or the device. Additionally, a location of a device may be received and it may be determined that the device is proximate to a sign based on determining a location of the sign and determining that the difference in the location of the device and the location of the sign is less than a given threshold. A request for sign data associated with the sign may be sent. In response, sign data may be received, stored, and displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for code communication are provided. A secure system wirelessly transmits, via a magnetic field transmitter, an access code to a handheld wireless communication device as a sequence of polarities of a short-range magnetic field. The wireless communication device senses the sequence of polarities and determines the code from the sensed sequence of polarities. The code provides access to the secure system. The handheld wireless communication device can wirelessly transmit the code received from the short-range magnetic field and identification information to the secure system to receive access to the secure system. The access is personalized based on at least the identification information and is maintained or validated when the handheld wireless communication device is within range of the short-range magnetic field.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide systems, methods, and software to automatically reorder search results presented to users based on information specific to the user or the computing environment of the user. Some embodiments include a data store holding user or environment specific data that is used to identify search results that are more likely to be relevant to the user. These and other embodiments are described in greater detail herein.

Abstract: A method comprising determining that a phone call has been answered, missed, or terminated, generating an indication of the phone call being answered, missed, or terminated at a graphical user interface, and determining one or more contextual identifiers associated with the phone call. The contextual identifiers may include metadata associated with the phone call, and may be based on data associated with at least one of data generated indications and data received by the computing device from a first input at the graphical user interface associated with the computing device. The method further includes storing the contextual identifiers in association with the indication of the phone call in a data structure that includes other contextual identifiers associated with other indications of phone calls. The contextual identifiers and the other contextual identifiers included in the data structure are searchable.

Abstract: A method and/or system for automating help task across multiple devices may include receiving from a requesting device a request for help instructions corresponding to a receiving electronic device, where the receiving device is not the requesting device. Help instructions may be sent to the requesting device in response to the request for help instructions. A request to automate the help instructions on the receiving device may be received from the requesting device. Automation data may be sent to the receiving device in response to the request to automate the help instructions. A determination may be made of whether the requesting device corresponds to a particular user. A determination of the receiving device may be made from a plurality of devices corresponding to the particular user. Automation status may be sent to the requesting device indicative of whether the help instructions were automated on the receiving device.

Abstract: In general, techniques and systems for defining a gesture with a computing device using short-range communication are described. In one example, a method includes obtaining position information from an array of position devices using near-field communication (NFC) during a movement of the computing device with respect to the array, wherein the position information identifies unique positions within the array for each position device from which position information was obtained. The method may also include determining sequence information associated with the position information, wherein the sequence information is representative of an order in which the position information was obtained from each position device, and performing, by the computing device, an action based at least in part on the position information and the sequence information, wherein the position information and the sequence information are representative of a gesture input associated with the movement of the computing device.

Abstract: In general, techniques for using short range communication, such as near-field communication (NFC), to redirect the communication of a computing device to receive digital items selected at a kiosk may include receiving, by a computing device and from a kiosk computing device via a first communication pathway comprising short-range wireless communication, a device identifier associated with the kiosk computing device, wherein the kiosk computing device is operable to receive a selection of a digital item. The techniques may further include sending, by the computing device, a request for access to the digital item based at least in part on the device identifier associated with the kiosk computing device. The techniques may further include receiving, by the computing device via a second communication pathway, access to the digital item based at least in part on the device identifier.

Abstract: In general, techniques and systems for retrieving supplemental information associated with visual media are described. In one example, a method includes obtaining, by a computing device, position information from a position device using near-field communication (NFC), wherein the position information identifies a position of the position device in relation to a portion of visual media associated with the position device. The method may also include receiving, by the computing device, supplemental information that is provided by a networked device based at least in part on the position information, wherein the supplemental information comprises additional information related to the portion of the visual media. In some examples, the position device is included within an array of position devices mounted behind the visual media.

Abstract: In general, techniques and systems for retrieving supplemental information associated with visual media are described. In one example, a method includes obtaining, by a computing device, position information from a position device using near-field communication (NFC), wherein the position information identifies a position of the position device in relation to a portion of visual media associated with the position device. The method may also include receiving, by the computing device, supplemental information that is provided by a networked device based at least in part on the position information, wherein the supplemental information comprises additional information related to the portion of the visual media. In some examples, the position device is included within an array of position devices mounted behind the visual media.

Abstract: In general, techniques and systems for controlling a parameter of a target device are described. In one example, a method includes obtaining, by a computing device, control information from an identification device that is associated with a target device, wherein the control information identifies the target device and a parameter that at least partially defines operation of the target device. The method may also include detecting, by at least one sensor of the computing device, physical movement of the computing device subsequent to obtaining the control information and transmitting the control information and movement information to a networked device configured to adjust a value of the parameter of the target device based at least in part on a function of the movement information. The movement information may include information that indicates the detected physical movement.