Illuminated user interface

• US 20040179135A1
• Filed: 03/14/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Dow, James C., Battles, Amy E.
• Application Number:
  US10/389,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20040179135A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00405 Output means output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0049 providing a visual indication to the user, e.g. using a lamp H04N1/00408 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0027 Adapting to communicate with plural different types of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0072 Detecting the status of a connected apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

An illuminated interface system provides a user with information regarding the operation of an electronic device in communication with a docking station therefor. A plurality of illumination sources each emit light of certain states depending on the status of the electronic device. A controller is provided for controlling activation of the illumination sources. The illumination sources may be configured to have a first illumination state for indicating when the electronic device is electrically connected to, and operative to communicate with, the docking station and another device; a second illumination state for additionally indicating when a data transfer signal is being communicated between the first electronic device and the docking station or another device, and a third illumination state for indicating when the electronic device is not operative to communicate with another device. Such light sources may also be associated with the input means to further control activity of the devices, thereby initiating certain illumination states.

Claims

1. A docking station interface for assisting a user in the operation thereof, the docking station interface comprising:

a module configured for interfacing with a first electronic device and a second electronic device, at least one of the first and second electronic devices being removably connected to the module;

a first light source for indicating that the first electronic device is electrically connected to, and operative to communicate with, the module;

a second light source for indicating that the second electronic device is electrically connected to, and operative to communicate with, the module; and

a controller for controlling illumination of the first and second light sources such that the first light source and second light source may enter into various illumination states, at least one of the first and second light sources configured to enter a first illumination state to indicate when the respective electronic device is electrically connected to, and operative to communicate with, the interfacing module, and a second illumination state having a varying illumination state from the first illumination state for additionally indicating substantially when a file transfer signal is being communicated between the respective electronic device and the module.

2. The docking station interface of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device and second electronic device are in communication with one another through the interface module.

3. The docking station interface of claim 1, further comprising an input means disposed on the interface module and associated with one of the first light source and the second light source to allow the user to initiate a command for the respective electronic device.

4. The docking station interface of claim 3, wherein the second illumination state is entered upon the user activating the input means.

5. The docking station interface of claim 1, further comprising at least one input key disposed on the interface module and associated with one of the first light source and the second light source to allow the user to initiate a command for the respective electronic device.

6. The docking station interface of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device is a digital camera.

7. The docking station interface of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device is one of a personal computer, a video monitor, and a printer.

8. The docking station interface of claim 1, wherein the light source is provided with a solid illumination level in the first illumination state.

9. The docking station interface of claim 1, wherein the light source is provided with a variable illumination level in the second illumination state.

10. A method for providing information to a user regarding the operation of an electronic device configured for removable connection to a docking station, the method comprising the steps of:

removably connecting the electronic device to the docking station; and

selectively illuminating at least one light source disposed on the docking station indicative of certain activity between the electronic device and the docking station, the step of selectively illuminating the at least one light source comprising;

illuminating the at least one light source in a first illumination state to indicate when the electronic device is electrically connected to, and operative to communicate with, the docking station;

illuminating the at least one light source in a second illumination state having a varying illumination state from the first illumination state for additionally indicating substantially when a data transfer signal is being communicated between the electronic device and the docking station; and

illuminating the at least one light source in a third illumination state having a varying illumination state from the first and second illumination states for indicating when the electronic device is not operative to communicate with the docking station.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the docking station is configured to interface with a second electronic device, the method further comprising the steps of:

removably connecting the second electronic device to the docking station; and

selectively illuminating a second light source disposed on the docking station indicative of certain activity between the second electronic device and the docking station, the step of selectively illuminating the second light source comprising;

illuminating the second light source in a first illumination state to indicate when the electronic device is electrically connected to, and operative to communicate with, the docking station; and

illuminating the second light source in a second illumination state having a varying illumination state from the first illumination states for indicating when the electronic device is not operative to communicate with the docking station.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

storing a set of functions, each function of the set of functions being associated with the activation of at least one particular input button disposed on the docking station, an light source being associated with each particular input button;

selectively illuminating, in response to a user initiating a particular input button, the associated light source indicative of certain activity between the electronic device and the docking station; and

performing the function chosen by the user.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein one of the set of functions includes transferring a file from the electronic device to the docking station.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the electronic device is a digital camera.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the first illumination state comprises providing the light source with a solid illumination level.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the second illumination state comprises providing the light source with a variable illumination level.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the third illumination state comprises providing the light source with no illumination level.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the third illumination state comprises providing the light source with a color of illumination varying from the color of illumination provided in the first and second illumination states.

19. A method for instructing a user regarding the operability of an electronic device removably connected to a docking station, the method comprising the steps of:

selectively illuminating at least one light source disposed on the docking station indicative of certain activity between the electronic device and the docking station, the step of selectively illuminating the at least one light source comprising;

illuminating the at least one light source in a first illumination state to indicate when the electronic device is electrically connected to, and operative to communicate with, the docking station;

illuminating the at least one light source in a second illumination state having a varying illumination state from the first illumination state for additionally indicating substantially when a data transfer signal is being communicated between the electronic device and the docking station; and

illuminating the at least one light source in a third illumination state having a varying illumination state from the first and second illumination states for indicating when the electronic device is not operative to communicate with the docking station.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

storing a set of functions, each function of the set of functions being associated with the activation of at least one particular input button disposed on the docking station, an light source being associated with each particular input button;

selectively illuminating, in response to a user initiating a particular input button, the associated light source indicative of certain activity between the electronic device and the docking station; and

performing the function chosen by the user.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein one of the set of functions includes transferring a file from the electronic device to the docking station.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the electronic device is a digital camera.