Abstract: An always-listening-capable decoupled accessory for a computing device is disclosed. The accessory comprises an electronic sensor, configured to record user input comprising an utterance or gesture, and a gatekeeping module implemented by a processor, wherein all data received by the communications module based on data from the first electronic sensor passes through the gatekeeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, wherein no data based on data from the first electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, wherein all data input to the gatekeeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the first electronic sensor, and wherein all data output from the gatekeeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the first electronic sensor. The processor determines that user input comprises a first input content and in response automatically transmits a message to the computing device.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for anticipating and rendering unnecessary human action in a smart home or other connected environment. Sensor data and data from smart appliances may be used to determine and predict human user behavior to a degree that allows an automated system to act upon the appliances or other devices even before the human user is able to act, allowing the human user's past actions to program the automated system without conscious effort by the human user to define the conditions under which an action should be taken.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for anticipating and rendering unnecessary human action in a smart home or other connected environment. Sensor data and data from smart appliances may be used to determine and predict human user behavior to a degree that allows an automated system to act upon the appliances or other devices even before the human user is able to act, allowing the human user's past actions to program the automated system without conscious effort by the human user to define the conditions under which an action should be taken.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for reordering an inventory item are provided herein. The device comprises a memory, a processor, and may comprise a sensor and/or a programming interface. The device receives and indication that an event occurred indicating that the inventory item has been used. The indication is received through a transceiver or through a sensor. The user programs a trigger threshold, and may program the device with a weighting factor for the triggering events or allow the device to calculate a weighting factor. The device automatically sends a signal when the number of triggering events calculated based on the weighting factor equals the trigger threshold. The indication may automatically reorder the inventory item or may send a message to the user requesting additional instructions.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable computing device is disclosed, comprising: a first electronic sensor configured to receive user input, a second electronic sensor configured to receive a signal indicating that a user depressed a physical button, a gate-keeping module implemented by a processor, wherein data from the first electronic sensor passes through the gate-keeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, no data from the first electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, all data input to the gate-keeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the first electronic sensor, and all data output from the gate-keeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the first electronic sensor. The device receives the signal indicating that the user has depressed the physical button; and enables or disables a functionality of a second computing device.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable decoupled cap for a computing device having a communication module, comprising an electronic sensor and a gatekeeping module. All data received by the communications module based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the gatekeeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, no data based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, all data input to the gatekeeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the electronic sensor, and all data output from the gatekeeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the electronic sensor. The cap interferes with a function of the computing device and retrieves a response to the user input from a server different from a server that the computing device would have retrieved data from but for the interference.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable decoupled cap for a computing device having a communication module is disclosed, comprising an electronic sensor and a gatekeeping module. All data received by the communications module based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the gatekeeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, no data based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, all data input to the gatekeeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the electronic sensor, and all data output from the gatekeeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the electronic sensor. The cap interferes with a function of the computing device, determines that user input recorded by the first electronic sensor comprises a first input content, and changes a nature of interference with the function of the computing device.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable decoupled accessory for a computing device is disclosed. The accessory comprises an electronic sensor, configured to record user input comprising an utterance or gesture, and a gatekeeping module implemented by a processor, wherein all data received by the communications module based on data from the first electronic sensor passes through the gatekeeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, wherein no data based on data from the first electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, wherein all data input to the gatekeeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the first electronic sensor, and wherein all data output from the gatekeeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the first electronic sensor. The processor determines that user input comprises a first input content and in response automatically transmits a message to the computing device.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable first computing device decoupled from a second computing device, comprising an electronic sensor and gate-keeping module. All data received by the communications module based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the gatekeeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, no data based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, all data input to the gatekeeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the electronic sensor, and all data output from the gatekeeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the electronic sensor. The first computing device retrieves responses to user input from a server different from a server that the second computing device would have retrieved data from but for prevented communication between the second computing device and the second server.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable computing device is disclosed, comprising a camera for recording video of human actions, a module for communication with a remote server, and a gate-keeping module that, when enabled prevents the communication module from transmitting data external to the device. The device determines, based on the content of the video, a user desire or situation requiring human attention and transmits messages as appropriate for satisfying that desire or addressing that situation. Additional methods for handling user input directed to a recipient other than the device and for ensuring data security via controlling the device's network access are also disclosed.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable computing device includes a receiver for input from a user, a module for communication with a remote server, and a gate-keeping module that, when enabled, prevents the communication module from transmitting data external to the device. After determining that user input includes a first wake up phrase, the device processor automatically transmits a representation of user input subsequent to the phrase, activates an always-receiving mode to transmit a stream of user input captured subsequent to the phrase, deactivates the always-receiving mode to prevent transmission of user input received subsequent to the phrase, unless also preceded by a second wake up phrase, or enables the gate-keeping module to prevent transmission of data external to the device.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for reordering an inventory item are provided herein. The device comprises a memory, a processor, and may comprise a sensor and/or a programming interface. The device receives and indication that an event occurred indicating that the inventory item has been used. The indication is received through a transceiver or through a sensor. The user programs a trigger threshold, and may program the device with a weighting factor for the triggering events or allow the device to calculate a weighting factor. The device automatically sends a signal when the number of triggering events calculated based on the weighting factor equals the trigger threshold. The indication may automatically reorder the inventory item or may send a message to the user requesting additional instructions.