Methods, systems, and media for projecting light to indicate a device status

• US 9,607,487 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2014
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Dureau, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): MA, KAM WAN
• Application Number:
  US14/337,943
• Publication Number:
  US 20150022370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.4, 340/815.43, 340/815.45, 340/815.65, 340/507, 340/525, 340/635, 340/679, 340/691.1, 340/691.6, 340/7.61, 340/332
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/38 using flashing light
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Systems, methods, and media for projecting light to indicate a device status are provided. In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, systems for projecting light to indicate a device status are provided, the systems comprising: a hardware processor that: determines a light status; determines whether to turn a light source on; selects a light format corresponding to the light status; projects light of a light source according to the light format; and determines whether to turn the light source off.

Claims

1. A media content streaming device for projecting light to indicate a device status, comprising:

a light source; and

a hardware processor that;

detects a presence of a user in proximity to the media content streaming device;

determines a light status indicating a device status of the media content streaming device;

identifies a first direction that the light source is to be projected;

in response to detecting the presence of the user in proximity to the media content streaming device, causes light of the light source to be projected in the first direction according to the light status;

determines whether the light of the light source is to be turned off based on the device status of the media content streaming device; and

in response to determining that the light of the light source is not to be turned off, causes the light of the light source to be projected in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light status indicates at least one of a not-ready status, a connection status, an idle status, or an error status.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source is at least one of a light-emitting diode (LED), a bulb, a wide dispersion bulb, a digital light projector, or a laser.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a lens through which light from the light source is projected.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the lens is a directional lens, a focusing lens, and/or a mirrored lens.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is configured to select a light format corresponding to the light status, and wherein the light format is a light color.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is configured to select a light format corresponding to the light status, and wherein the light format is a light pattern.

8. A method for projecting light to indicate a device status of a media content streaming device, comprising:

detecting a presence of a user in proximity to the media content streaming device;

determining a light status indicating a device status of the media content streaming device;

identifying a first direction that the light source is to be projected;

in response to detecting the presence of the user in proximity to the media content streaming device, causing light of a light source to be projected in the first direction according to the light status;

determining whether the light of the light source is to be turned off based on the device status of the media content streaming device; and

in response to determining that the light of the light source is not to be turned off, causing the light of the light source to be projected in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the light status indicates at least one of a not-ready status, a connection status, an idle status, or an error status.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising projecting the light from at least one of a light-emitting diode (LED), a bulb, a wide dispersion bulb, a digital light projector, or a laser.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising causing the light from the light source to be projected using a lens, wherein the lens is a directional lens, a focusing lens, and/or a mirrored lens.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising selecting a light format corresponding to the light status, wherein the light format is a light color.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising selecting a light format corresponding to the light status, wherein the light format is a light pattern.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for projecting light to indicate a device status of a media content streaming device, the method comprising:

detecting a presence of a user in proximity to the media content streaming device;

determining a light status indicating a device status of the media content streaming device;

identifying a first direction that the light source is to be projected;

in response to detecting the presence of the user in proximity to the media content streaming device, causing light of a light source to be projected in the first direction according to the light status;

determining whether the light of the light source is to be turned off based on the device status of the media content streaming device; and

in response to determining that the light of the light source is not to be turned off, causing the light of the light source to be projected in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises causing the light from the light source to be projected using a lens, wherein the lens is a directional lens, a focusing lens, and/or a mirrored lens.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises selecting a light format corresponding to the light status, and wherein the light format is a light color.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises selecting a light format corresponding to the light status, and wherein the light format is a light pattern.