Easy view Wi-Fi signal indicator
Some implementations disclosed herein enable users of electronic devices to recognize when device issues may be the result of no or poor Wi-Fi connectivity by making Wi-Fi signal information more easily accessible, visually prominent, graphically indicating an application's dependence upon a Wi-Fi signal, or otherwise providing useful connectivity information in a noticeable and easy to understand manner. This may involve providing a graphic indication of Wi-Fi signal strength on a tablet device used in a prison, jail, or other confinement institution.
1 . A method, comprising:
at an electronic device having a processor:
determining a current Wi-Fi status of the device at a position within a facility offering Wi-Fi service, the current Wi-Fi status corresponding to current strength of Wi-Fi at the device;
displaying user interface content provided on a display of the electronic device; and
displaying a Wi-Fi indicator based on the current Wi-Fi status, wherein the Wi-Fi indicator is displayed along multiple sides of a border area to form a frame around (a) the display area or (b) an application window, wherein a thickness of the Wi-Fi indicator increases or decreases based on increasing or decreasing of the current strength of Wi-Fi at the device.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator is displayed along an entire side of the window.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator is displayed along all sides of the window.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator forms a rectangular border framing the window on all sides.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator forms a rectangular border along the outside perimeter of the display, wherein application content is prevented from covering over the Wi-Fi indicator.
6 . The method of claim 1 , where the color is green and indicates a strong Wi-Fi signal.
7 . The method of claim 1 , where the color is red and indicates a weak Wi-Fi signal.
8 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
executing an application that provides the user interface content;
determining a Wi-Fi requirement of the application; and
determining to display a Wi-Fi status indicator with the application based on the Wi-Fi requirement of the application.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the Wi-Fi requirement of the application specifies that the application requires access to a network or resource only available via Wi-Fi.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indictor has size or shape indicative of a signal strength.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indictor is configured to flash, blink, or display animated change over time to draw attention to the Wi-Fi indicator.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator further includes a partially transparent portion that provides a color tint or pattern over all of the display area or all of the window to indicate the Wi-Fi status.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator presents a constant color, shape, or display attribute while Wi-Fi signal strength is above a threshold and presents a changing color, shape, or display attribute while Wi-Fi signal strength is below the threshold.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator presents a constant color, shape, or display attribute while Wi-Fi signal strength is below a threshold and presents a changing color, shape, or display attribute while Wi-Fi signal strength is above the threshold.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator is configured to have an attention-grabbing attribute when no Wi-Fi signal is available or signal strength is below a threshold.
16 . A method, comprising:
at an electronic device having a processor:
determining a current Wi-Fi status of the electronic device at a position within a facility offering Wi-Fi service, the current Wi-Fi status corresponding to current strength of Wi-Fi at the device;
determining to display a Wi-Fi indicator that is app-specific based on the current Wi-Fi status not satisfying a requirement, wherein the requirement corresponds to a function provided by one or more an application executing on the electronic device; and
displaying the Wi-Fi indicator indicating that the current Wi-Fi status does not satisfy the requirement corresponding to the function provided by the application, wherein the Wi-Fi indicator is displayed along multiple sides of a border area to form a frame around (a) a display area or (b) an application window, wherein a thickness of the Wi-Fi indicator increases or decreases based on increasing or decreasing of the current strength of Wi-Fi at the device.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the requirement comprises a threshold level of Wi-Fi signal strength required for a video visitation session.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the requirement comprises a threshold level of Wi-Fi signal strength required for video streaming at a resolution level.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator is displayed along multiple sides of a border area of (a) a display area of the electronic device or (b) an application window, wherein the Wi-Fi indicator comprises a color or pattern representing the current Wi-Fi status of the device.
20 . An electronic device comprising:
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium; and
one or more processors coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprises program instructions that, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to perform operations comprising:
determining a current Wi-Fi status of the device at a position within a facility offering Wi-Fi service, the current Wi-Fi status corresponding to current strength of Wi-Fi at the device;
displaying user interface content on a display of the electronic device; and
displaying a Wi-Fi indicator based on the current Wi-Fi status, wherein the Wi-Fi indicator is displayed along multiple sides of a border area to form a frame around (a) the display area or (b) an application window, wherein a thickness of the Wi-Fi indicator increases or decreases based on increasing or decreasing of the current strength of Wi-Fi at the device.
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator surrounds a portion of the display area or application window that is not obscured by the Wi-Fi indicator.
22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indicator has width such that a portion of the display area or application window is not obscured by the Wi-Fi indicator.
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi indictor is displayed only along edges of the display area or application window.