MULTIPURPOSE INDICATOR LIGHTS

• US 20090015419A1
• Filed: 07/14/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CradlePoint Incorporated (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: CradlePoint Incorporated (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Sewall, Patrick, Johnson, David Alan
• Granted Patent: US 8,421,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/644
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/60 Router architectures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 Communication routing or communication path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method of utilizing device indicator lights includes providing a device that includes a plurality of device indicator lights and a user control. A first set and a second set of device states are monitored. The plurality of device indicator lights are individually utilized to communicate each of the first set of device states. It is determined if the user control has been activated. The plurality of device indicator lights are used in concert to communicate one of the second set of device states upon a determination that the user control has been activated.

Claims

1. A method of utilizing device indicator lights, comprising:

providing a device that includes a plurality of device indicator lights and a user control;

monitoring a first set and a second set of device states;

individually utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights to communicate each of the first set of device states;

determining if the user control has been activated; and

utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate one of the second set of device states upon a determination that the user control has been activated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

providing a device comprises providing a router device configured to route data communications between a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared wireless data link supplied by a data exchanger;

monitoring a second set of device states comprises monitoring a strength of the wireless data link; and

utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the strength.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

providing a device comprises providing a router device configured to route data communications between a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared data link supplied by a data exchanger;

monitoring a second set of device states comprises monitoring rate at which data is transferred over the shared data link; and

utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the rate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

providing a device comprises providing a router device configured to route data communications between a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared data link supplied by a data exchanger, the router device being capable of wireless communication with the plurality of client devices;

monitoring a second set of device states comprises monitoring a number of the plurality of client devices in wireless communication with the router device; and

utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the number.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

providing a device comprises providing a device having a battery power source;

monitoring a second set of device states comprises monitoring a power level of the battery power source; and

utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the power level.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

providing a device comprises providing a device that includes a plurality of device indicator lights and a plurality of user controls;

determining comprises determining if one of the plurality of user controls has been activated; and

utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a particular one of the second set of device states, the particular one of the second set of device states corresponding to the particular one of the user controls determined to have been activated.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

determining comprises determining if two or more of the plurality of user controls have been activated together; and

utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a particular one of the second set of device states, the particular one of the second set of device states corresponding to the two or more user controls determined to have been activated together.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein determining comprises determining if a first or a second one of the plurality of user controls has been activated, and wherein utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises:

upon determining that the first one of the user controls has been activated, utilizing a first set of the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a first one of the second set of device states, the first one of the second set of device states corresponding to the first one of the user controls; and

upon determining that the second one of the user controls has been activated, utilizing a second set of the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a second one of the second set of device states, the second one of the second set of device states corresponding to the second one of the user controls.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

monitoring a second set of device states includes monitoring a device state having a magnitude; and

utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises activating a consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicator lights, the consecutive portion including a selected number of the device indicator lights, the selected number being proportional to the magnitude.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

each of the consecutively activated portion of device status indicator lights corresponds to a fraction of the magnitude such that the sum of the fractions plus a remainder is equal to the magnitude; and

utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises activating the consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicator lights in a first manner and activating another of the plurality of device indicator lights in a second manner different than the first manner, the first manner indicating the fraction, the second manner indicating the remainder.

25. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery power source;

the second set of device states includes a power level of the battery power source; and

the light engine is operable to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the power level.

30. The method of claim 9, wherein:

each of the activated consecutive portion of device status indicator lights corresponds to a fraction of the magnitude such that the sum of the fractions plus a remainder is equal to the magnitude; and

the light engine is configured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert by activating the consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicator lights in a first manner and activating another of the plurality of device indicator lights in a second manner different than the first manner, the first manner indicating the fraction, the second manner indicating the remainder.

11. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions, the instructions being executable by a device having a plurality of device indicator lights and a user control, wherein the medium includes instructions for:

monitoring a first set and a second set of device states;

individually utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights to communicate each of the first set of device states;

determining if the user control has been activated; and

utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate one of the second set of device states upon a determination that the user control has been activated.

12. The medium of claim 11, wherein:

the device is a router device configured to route data communications between a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared wireless data link supplied by a data exchanger;

the instructions for monitoring a second set of device states include instructions for monitoring a strength of the wireless data link; and

the instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the strength.

13. The medium of claim 11, wherein:

the device is a router device configured to route data communications between a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared data link supplied by a data exchanger;

the instructions for monitoring a second set of device states include instructions for monitoring rate at which data is transferred over the shared data link; and

the instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the rate.

14. The medium of claim 11, wherein:

the device is a router device configured to route data communications between a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared data link supplied by a data exchanger, the router device being capable of wireless communication with the plurality of client devices;

the instructions for monitoring a second set of device states include instructions for monitoring a number of the plurality of client devices in wireless communication with the router device; and

the instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the number.

15. The medium of claim 11, wherein:

the device has a battery power source;

the instructions for monitoring a second set of device states include instructions for monitoring a power level of the battery power source; and

the instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the power level.

16. The medium of claim 11, wherein:

the device has a plurality of device indicator lights and a plurality of user controls;

the instructions for determining include instructions for determining if one of the plurality of user controls has been activated; and

the instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a particular one of the second set of device states, the particular one of the second set of device states corresponding to the particular one of the user controls determined to have been activated.

17. The medium of claim 16, wherein:

the instructions for determining include instructions for determining if two or more of the plurality of user controls have been activated together; and

the instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a particular one of the second set of device states, the particular one of the second set of device states corresponding to the two or more user controls determined to have been activated together.

18. The medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions for determining include instructions for determining if a first or a second one of the plurality of user controls has been activated, and wherein utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructions for:

upon determining that the first one of the user controls has been activated, utilizing a first set of the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a first one of the second set of device states, the first one of the second set of device states corresponding to the first one of the user controls; and

upon determining that the second one of the user controls has been activated, utilizing a second set of the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a second one of the second set of device states, the second one of the second set of device states corresponding to the second one of the user controls.

19. The medium of claim 11, wherein:

the instructions for monitoring a second set of device states include instructions for monitoring a device state having a magnitude; and

the instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructions for activating a consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicator lights, the consecutive portion including a selected number of the device indicator lights, the selected number being proportional to the magnitude.

20. The medium of claim 19, wherein:

each of the consecutively activated portion of device status indicator lights corresponds to a fraction of the magnitude such that the sum of the fractions plus a remainder is equal to the magnitude; and

the instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructions for activating the consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicator lights in a first manner and activating another of the plurality of device indicator lights in a second manner different than the first manner, the first manner indicating the fraction, the second manner indicating the remainder.

21. A system, comprising:

a plurality of device indicator lights and a user control;

a state engine configured to monitor a first set and a second set of device states;

a light engine configured to individually utilize the plurality of device indicator lights to communicate each of the first set of device states;

a control engine configured to determine if the user control has been activated; and

wherein the light engine is configured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate one of the second set of device states upon a determination by the control engine that the user control has been activated.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising a router configured to route data communications between a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared wireless data link supplied by a data exchanger, and wherein:

the second set of device states includes a strength of the wireless data link; and

the light controller is configured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the strength.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising a router configured to route data communications between a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared data link supplied by a data exchanger, and wherein:

the second set of device states includes a rate at which data is transferred over the shared data link; and

the light controller is configured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the rate.

24. The system of claim 21, further comprising a router configured to route data communications between a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared data link supplied by a data exchanger, the router being capable of wireless communication with the plurality of client devices, and wherein:

the second set of device states includes a number of the plurality of client devices in wireless communication with the router; and

the light engine is configured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate the number.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein:

the user control is one of a plurality of user controls;

the control engine is configured to determine if one of the plurality of user controls has been activated; and

the light engine is configured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a particular one of the second set of device states, the particular one of the second set of device states corresponding to the particular one of the user controls determined to have been activated by the control engine.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein:

the control engine is configured to determine if two or more of the plurality of user controls have been activated together; and

the light engine is configured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a particular one of the second set of device states, the particular one of the second set of device states corresponding to the two or more user controls determined to have been activated together by the control engine.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the control engine is configured to determine if a first one and a second one of the plurality of user controls has been activated, and the light engine is configured to:

upon a determination by the control engine that the first one of the user controls has been activated, utilize a first set of the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a first one of the second set of device states, the first one of the second set of device states corresponding to the first one of the user controls; and

upon a determination by the control engine that the second one of the user controls has been activated, utilize a second set of the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate a second one of the second set of device states, the second one of the second set of device states corresponding to the second one of the user controls.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein:

the state engine is configured to monitor a device state having a magnitude; and

the light engine is configured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert by activating a consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicator lights, the consecutive portion including a selected number of the plurality of device indicator lights, the selected number being proportional to the magnitude.

31. A device, comprising:

means for providing a plurality of device indicator lights and a user control;

means for monitoring a first set and a second set of device states;

means for individually utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights to communicate each of the first set of device states;

means for determining if the user control has been activated; and

means for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate one of the second set of device states upon a determination that the user control has been activated.