Light Array Information Presentation for Nearby Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service providers and device manufacturers face challenges in effectively presenting information associated with nearby devices using short-range communication technologies and lighting parameters, as visual notifications are limited to single LEDs or device displays.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines user queries from one device and measures information from nearby devices using short-range communication technologies like Bluetooth, NFC, or WiFi, then presents this information through an array of lights with customizable color, intensity, and blinking patterns, allowing for directional indication and status representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual notifications are limited to single LED or device display, then device complexity is reduced, but information presentation capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system is segmented into multiple independent light elements (LEDs or other light sources) arranged in an array. Each light element can be independently controlled to display different colors, intensities, and blinking patterns, enabling rich information presentation without requiring a single complex display device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-point visual notifications (single LED or display) to a multi-dimensional light array system. By adding spatial dimensionality through multiple light elements positioned at different locations, the system can encode additional information dimensions including direction, location, and multiple simultaneous notification types.
2Loss of information
If multiple light parameters are used to encode information, then information presentation capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes different colors of light to encode specific types of information or notification categories. By assigning meaningful color codes (e.g., red for alerts, green for success, blue for information), the system enhances information encoding capability while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive color recognition that users can quickly interpret without complex decoding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic blinking patterns at different frequencies to encode additional information dimensions. By varying the blink rate or using specific rhythmic patterns, the system can distinguish between different notification types or priorities while maintaining operational simplicity through human-perceptible temporal patterns that are easily differentiated by users.
3Loss of information
If light intensity and color variations are used, then information differentiation is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs partial action by activating only the minimum necessary number of light elements and using subtle intensity variations rather than maximum brightness for all notifications. This approach maintains sufficient information differentiation capability while reducing overall energy consumption by avoiding excessive light output in all circumstances.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for presenting a measure of relevant information stored on or associated with a nearby device using one or more lighting parameters and/or one or more short-range communication technologies. An information platform determines one or more queries from at least one device. The information platform causes, at least in part, a measurement of an amount of information associated with one or more other devices that is responsive to the one or more queries. The information platform further causes, at least in part, a presentation of one or more representations of the amount.