Wireless status indicator light

• US 10,417,881 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2017
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nickolas J. Morrow, Norman R. Byrne
• Original Assignee: Norman R. Byrne
• Inventors: Byrne, Norman R., Morrow, Nickolas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Curtis J
• Application Number:
  US15/499,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20170316659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A visual indicator system including a communications module, a processor, and a visual indicator. The communications module is able to wirelessly receive a condition report from a wirelessly connected device. The processor is able to select a status in response to the condition report received by the communications module. The visual indicator is able to visually indicate a status based upon a selected visual configuration of the visual indicator. The processor is also able to select a particular configuration for the visual indicator based upon the selected status.

Claims

1. A visual indicator system comprising:

a communications module configured to wirelessly receive a condition report from a wirelessly connected device associated with an individual user, wherein the condition report corresponds directly to a current condition of the individual user;

a processor configured to select a status in response to the condition report received by the communications module, wherein the selected status is indicative of a current, ongoing activity of the individual user, as defined by the condition report; and

a visual indicator configured to visually indicate to other users a selected status of the individual user based upon a visual configuration for the visual indicator;

wherein the processor is further configured to select a particular configuration for the visual indicator based upon the selected status; and

wherein the visual indicator system is retained and supported in a power and data housing assembly comprising a voltage outlet and a data port, wherein the voltage outlet comprises at least one of a line voltage AC outlet and a low voltage DC outlet.

2. The visual indicator system of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light fixture configured to generate an output light in one of a plurality of colors, wherein an intensity of the output light is variable, and wherein the output light comprises a variable flashing cycle rate.

3. The visual indicator system of claim 1 further comprising an auditory indicator configured to output an audio output signal.

4. The visual indicator system of claim 3, wherein the auditory indicator works in parallel with the visual indicator.

5. The visual indicator system of claim 1, wherein the selected status is indicative of one of:

“

busy,”

“

available,” and

“

away”

.

6. The visual indicator system of claim 1, wherein the condition report is indicative of one of:

“

on a call,”

“

text message received,”

“

voicemail received,”

“

email message received,”

“

call received,”

“

user busy,” and

“

user away”

.

7. The visual indicator system of claim 1, wherein the communications module comprises a wireless receiver.

8. The visual indicator system of claim 7, wherein the wireless receiver is one of a Bluetooth receiver, a near field communication (NFC) receiver, and a Wi-Fi receiver.

9. The visual indicator system of claim 1, wherein the wirelessly connected device comprises one of a portable computing device, a computer, and a cellphone.

10. A method for indicating a status, the method comprising:

wirelessly receiving, with a visual indicator system retained in a power and data housing assembly, a condition report from a connected device associated with an individual user, wherein the condition report corresponds directly to a current condition of the individual user, and wherein the power and data housing assembly comprises a voltage outlet and a data port, wherein the voltage outlet comprises at least one of a line voltage AC outlet and a low voltage DC outlet;

selecting, with the visual indicator system, a status in response to the received condition report, wherein the selected status is indicative of a current, ongoing activity of the individual user, as defined by the condition report; and

indicating to other users, with the visual indicator system, a selected status of the individual user via a visual indicator by commanding the visual indicator to select a particular configuration based upon the selected status.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the visual indicator is a light fixture, and wherein commanding a selection of a particular configuration comprises selecting one of a plurality of colors of light for the light fixture to output, wherein an intensity of the output light is variable, and wherein the output light comprises a variable flashing cycle rate.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising indicating a selected status via an auditory indicator configured to output an audio output signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the auditory indicator operates in parallel with the visual indicator.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the selected status is indicative of one of:

“

busy,”

“

available,” and

“

away”

.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the condition report is indicative of at least one of:

“

on a call,”

“

text message received,”

“

voicemail received,”

“

email message received,”

“

call received,”

“

user busy,”

“

do not disturb,” and

“

user away”

.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said wirelessly receiving the condition report from a connected device comprises receiving a condition report via one of a Bluetooth receiver, a near field communication (NFC) receiver, and a Wi-Fi receiver.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the connected device comprises one of a portable computing device, a computer, and a cellphone.

18. A power and data housing assembly configured to support at least one electrical device, the power and data housing assembly comprising:

a voltage outlet comprising at least one of a line voltage AC outlet and a low voltage DC outlet;

a data port;

a housing body configured to retain and support an electrical device assembly;

wherein the electrical device assembly comprises;

a communications module configured to wirelessly receive a condition report from a wirelessly connected device associated with an individual user, wherein the condition report corresponds directly to a current condition of the individual user;

a processor configured to select a status in response to the condition report received by the communication module, wherein the selected status is indicative of a current, ongoing activity of the individual user, as defined by the condition report; and

an indicator configured to indicate to other users a selected status of the individual user based upon at least one of a visual and auditory configuration of the indicator;

wherein the processor is further configured to select a particular configuration for the indicator, based upon the selected status.

19. The power and data housing assembly of claim 18, wherein the communications module is configured as one of a Bluetooth receiver, a near field communication (NFC) receiver, and a Wi-Fi receiver.

20. The power and data housing assembly of claim 18, wherein the connected device comprises one of a portable computing device, a computer, and a cellphone.