USER CONFIGURATION FOR MULTI-USE LIGHT INDICATORS

• US 20090303073A1
• Filed: 06/05/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: OQO Incorporated (Audiotone Incorporated)
• Inventors: Betts-LaCroix, Jonathan, Chan, Moshen, Gilling, Erik
• Application Number:
  US12/134,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20090303073A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/815.450
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/325 by lamps or LED's

Abstract

An approach involving light use for multiple purposes in a portable computing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method can include: accessing a user interface in a portable computing device; programming a visual state information indicator via the user interface; programming a monitoring signal that conveys a real-time state of a parameter associated with a device module; and linking the visual state information indicator to a light source and the parameter via the user interface, where the visual state information indicator is adjusted using the light source in response to a comparison of the monitoring signal against the programmed visual state information indicator.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

accessing a user interface in a portable computing device;

programming a visual state information indicator via the user interface;

programming a monitoring signal that conveys a real-time state of a parameter associated with a device module; and

linking the visual state information indicator to a light source and the parameter via the user interface, wherein the visual state information indicator is adjusted using the light source in response to a comparison of the monitoring signal against the programmed visual state information indicator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming the visual state information indicator via the user interface comprises using a demonstration button for testing the visual state information indicator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming the visual state information indicator via the user interface comprises using an intensity control for the visual state information indicator.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming the visual state information indicator via the user interface comprises using a duty cycle control for the visual state information indicator.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming the visual state information indicator via the user interface comprises using an import/export control for the visual state information indicator.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming the visual state information indicator via the user interface comprises using a save control for the visual state information indicator.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming the visual state information indicator via the user interface comprises selecting from among a plurality of predefined patterns for the visual state information indicator.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming the visual state information indicator via the user interface comprises selecting one or more colors for the visual state information indicator.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming the visual state information indicator via the user interface comprises saving the visual state information indicator to a state information store.

11. A portable computing device, comprising:

one or more processors; and

logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by the one or more processors, and when executed operable to;

access a user interface in the portable computing device;

program a visual state information indicator via the user interface;

program a monitoring signal that conveys a real-time state of a parameter associated with a device module; and

link the visual state information indicator to a light source and the parameter via the user interface, wherein the visual state information indicator is adjusted using the light source in response to a comparison of the monitoring signal against the programmed visual state information indicator.

12. The portable computing device of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a demonstration button configured to test the visual state information indicator.

13. The portable computing device of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises an intensity control for the visual state information indicator.

14. The portable computing device of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a duty cycle control for the visual state information indicator.

15. The portable computing device of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises an import/export control for the visual state information indicator.

16. The portable computing device of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a save control for the visual state information indicator.

17. The portable computing device of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a selection control for selecting from among a plurality of predefined patterns for the visual state information indicator.

18. The portable computing device of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises color selection for the visual state information indicator.

19. The portable computing device of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a save control for the visual state information indicator.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

means for accessing a user interface in a portable computing device;

means for programming a visual state information indicator via the user interface;

means for programming a monitoring signal that conveys a real-time state of a parameter associated with a device module; and

means for linking the visual state information indicator to a light source and the parameter via the user interface, wherein the visual state information indicator is adjusted using the light source in response to a comparison of the monitoring signal against the programmed visual state information indicator.