IP Library Granted Patent US 9,607,487
Granted Patent B2
US 9,607,487 · App. 14/337,943 · Granted Mar 28, 2017

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

Inventor: Vincent Dureau (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Google Inc.
G08B5/36H04N5/64G08B7/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,607,487
App. No.
14/337,943
Granted
Mar 28, 2017
Kind
B2
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 (37)

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.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 2, 2017
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 044097/0658 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2014
From: DUREAU, VINCENT
To: GOOGLE INC.
Reel/Frame 033369/0684 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61857025 · Jul 22, 2013
Related Publication 20150022370A1 · Jan 22, 2015