Configurable colored indicator on computing device
AssigneeGoogle Inc.
InventorsWilliam F. Richardson, Andrew Bowers, Neil Hendin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computing device includes a memory storing executable instructions, a processor configured to execute the instructions, a programmable display screen configured to display text-based information, and a multi-color indicator. The multi-color indicator is located on a surface of the computing device and includes a plurality of segments, each segment configured to display at least four different colors, where colors displayed by segments of the multi-color indicator are programmable, through execution of the instructions by the processor, to display non-text-based information.
Claims21
A computing device, comprising:
- a memory storing executable instructions;
- a processor configured to execute the instructions;
- a programmable display screen configured to display text-based information;
- and
- a multi-color indicator, located on a surface of the computing device, the multi-color indicator including a plurality of generally-rectangular segments arranged contiguously in a line, each segment configured to display at least four different colors,
- the colors displayed by segments of the multi-color indicator being programmable, through execution of the instructions by the processor, to display non-text-based information.
A method of displaying non-text-based information via a multi-segment, multi-color indicator of a computing device located on a surface of the computing device that does not include a programmable display screen configured to display text-based information, the method comprising:
- receiving instructions from an application executing on the computing device, the instructions including instructions to control generally-rectangular segments arranged contiguously in a line;
- applying the instructions to the indicator via an API;
- and
- in response to the application of the instruction, displaying, by the multi-segment, multi-color indicator, the non-text-based information.
A computing device, comprising:
- a display portion of the computing device having a first surface including a programmable display screen configured to display text-based information;
- and
- a multi-color indicator, included in a second surface of the display portion of the computing device, the multi-color indicator including a plurality of generally-rectangular segments arranged contiguously in a line, each of the generally-rectangular segments configured to display at least four different colors, the colors displayed by segments of the multi-color indicator being programmable, through execution of instructions by a processor, to display non-text-based information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.