Patent ID: 8421637
Filing Date: 2013-04-16
Classification: G08B,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of utilizing device indicator lights, comprising: providing a device comprising a plurality of device indicator lights and a user control; monitoring a first set and a second set of device states, wherein the first set of device states comprise a binary ‘on’ or ‘off’ state, and further wherein the second set of device states comprise an analog state; individually utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights to communicate each of the first set of device states such that each of the plurality of device indicator lights represents a distinct binary state of one of the first set of device states; determining if the user control has been activated; utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate one of the second set of device states upon a determination that the user control has been activated; wherein monitoring the second set of device states includes monitoring a device state having a magnitude; and utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises activating a consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicator lights, the consecutive portion including a selected number of the device indicator lights, the selected number being proportional to the magnitude; and wherein each of the activated consecutive portion of device status indicator lights corresponds to a fraction of the magnitude such that the sum of the fractions plus a remainder is equal to the magnitude; and utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises activating the consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicator lights in a first manner and activating another of the plurality of device indicator lights in a second manner different than the first manner, the first manner indicating the fraction, the second manner indicating the remainder.