Apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of visual indicating elements of at least one electronic device

A method for controlling a plurality k of visual indicating elements of at least one electronic device, where k≥2, wherein each of the indicating elements is configured to emit light for visual indication of an operating status of the at least one electronic device or individual components of the at least one electronic device or both the at least one electronic device and individual components of the least one electronic device, the method comprising:

• controlling intensities of light emitted from the indicating elements during a normal operating mode to cause the indicating elements to emit light having defined intensities;
• and
• controlling intensities of the light emitted from the indicating elements during an operating action of the at least one electronic device to visually accentuate one or more of the indicating elements that are assigned to the operating action by changing relative intensities of the light emitted from the indicating elements such that:
• the intensities of those indicating elements that are assigned to the operating action are unchanged in comparison to the normal operating mode and the intensities of others of the indicating elements are decreased in comparison to the normal operating mode;
• or
• the intensities of those indicating elements that are assigned to the operating action are increased in comparison to the normal operating mode and the intensities of others of the indicating elements are unchanged in comparison to the normal operating mode;
• or
• the intensities of those indicating elements that are assigned to the operating action are increased in comparison to the normal operating mode and the intensities of others of the indicating elements are decreased in comparison to the normal operating mode.

An electronic device comprising:

• a plurality k of visual indicating elements, where k≥2, wherein each of the visual indicating elements is configured to emit light for visual indication of an operating status of the at least one electronic device or individual components of the at least one electronic device or both the at least one electronic device and individual components of the at least one electronic device;
• and
• an apparatus to control the visual indicating elements, the apparatus comprising:
• at least one evaluation and control unit connected to the indicating elements to control intensities of light emitted from the indicating elements during a normal operating mode to cause the indicating elements to emit light having defined intensities, and to control the intensities of the light emitted from the indicating elements during an operating action of the at least one electronic device to visually accentuate one or more of the indicating elements that are assigned to the operating action by changing relative intensities of the light emitted from the indicating elements such that:
• the intensities of those indicating elements that are assigned to the operating action are unchanged in comparison to the normal operating mode and the intensities of others of the indicating elements are decreased in comparison to the normal operating mode;
• or
• the intensities of those indicating elements that are assigned to the operating action are increased in comparison to the normal operating mode and the intensities of others of the indicating elements are unchanged in comparison to the normal operating mode;
• or
• the intensities of those indicating elements that are assigned to the operating action are increased in comparison to the normal operating mode and the intensities of others of the indicating elements are decreased in comparison to the normal operating mode.