System and method for a light based configuration guide for electronic ports
View Patent ↗A media component is provided for controlling home automation signals. The media component can include a housing containing management circuitry. A plurality of communication ports can also be included for the media component. The communication ports may be coupled to the housing. In addition, a plurality of light units is provided. The light units are lit in order to guide a user to take a pre-determined action with respect to the communication ports.
1. A media component, comprising:
a housing containing management circuitry;
a plurality of communication ports for the media component, the communication ports being coupled to the housing. wherein at least one of the communication ports is a relay controller; and
a plurality of light units, wherein a light unit is lit in order to guide a user where to connect a device to at least one of the plurality of communication ports based on a device type.
2. The media component as in claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of light units is associated with a separate communication port and each is configured to be lit up in order to instruct a user to connect a communication cable to the communication port.
3. The media component as in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light units are independently colored to represent different functions of the communication ports.
4. The media component as in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light units are independently colored to represent different device types to be connected to the communication ports.
5. The media component as in claim 1 , wherein the light units are selected from a group consisting of light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent lights, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
6. The media component as in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of communication ports are selected from the group consisting of audio inputs, audio outputs, video inputs or video outputs.
7. The media component as in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of communication ports are relay controllers.
8. The media component as in claim 1 , farther comprising a panel for the housing and supporting the communication ports configured to be located on a back or side face of the housing.
9. A media component, comprising:
a housing having management circuitry;
a user interface associated with the management circuitry, said user interface adapted to allow a user to select a desired communication interface;
a plurality of communication ports being coupled to the housing; and
a plurality of light units referenced to the communication ports, wherein the light units are referenced to the communication ports using a matrix on a housing panel referencing the light units to the communication ports, and wherein the light units are activated to instruct a user in connecting a communication cable to a specific communication port based on a user selected communication interface.
10. The media component as in claim 9 , wherein the light units are referenced to the communication ports by locating the light units physically adjacent to the communication port.
11. The media component as in claim 9 , wherein the light units are referenced to the communication ports using printed indicia referencing the light units to the communication ports.
12. The media component as in claim 9 , wherein the light units are referenced to the communication ports using printed lines on a housing panel referencing the light units to the communication ports.
13. A method for directing a user in configuring a media component, comprising the steps of:
providing electronic survey questions to determine the device type to be connected to the media component;
requesting user input into a media component containing management circuitry and communication ports;
receiving input from the user of the media component regarding a device type desired to be connected to the media component; and
activating a light unit on the media component associated with a communication port in order to instruct a user where to connect a connection cable to the media component based on the device type.
14. The method as in claim 13 , further comprising the step of receiving input from the user regarding a type of communication interface desired to be used with the media component, wherein a light unit can be activated based on the communication interface requested.
15. The method as in claim 13 , further comprising the step of receiving input from a user regarding a routing of a communication signal between a first device type and a second device type.
16. The method as in claim 13 , further comprising the step of connecting a connection cable to the communication port on the media component based on the light that is being displayed.
17. The method as in claim 13 , wherein the light units are selected from a group consisting of light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent lights, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
18. A method for directing a user in configuring a media component, comprising the steps of:
requesting user input into a media component containing management circuitry and communication ports;
receiving input from the user regarding a type of communication interface desired to be used with the media component; and
activating at least two light units on the media component associated with a matrix communication port in order to instruct a user where to connect a connection cable to the media component based on the communication interface desired.