Proximity-based control of media devices

Abstract

Embodiments relate generally to electrical/electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, portable, wearable, and stationary media devices. Media devices may include a plurality of RF transceivers, an audio system, and a proximity detection system. The RF transceivers and/or audio system may be used to wirelessly communicate between media devices and allow configuration and other data to be wirelessly transmitted from one media device to another media device. The proximity detection system may be configured to detect a presence of a user or multiple users and upon detecting presence, take some action defined by a user preference and/or environmental conditions around the media device. One or more user devices in proximity of the media device post detection may wirelessly communicate with the media device and the media device may orchestrate handling of content from those devices or from a wirelessly accessible location such as the Cloud or Internet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for proximity-based control, comprising:
 detecting an approach of a user using a proximity detection island positioned on a media device;   notifying the user, using one or more of light, sound, or vibration, that a presence of the user has been detected by the proximity detection island;   indicating that the media device is ready to receive input from the user;   waiting for input from the user; and   taking an action based on a type of input received from the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 determining if ambient light is a factor in the detecting the approach using an ambient light sensor. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  and further comprising:
 modifying the notifying when the ambient light is a factor. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 determining if detected radio frequency (RF) transmission is a factor in the detecting the approach. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  and further comprising:
 modifying the notifying when RF transmission is a factor. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the action that is taken is based on a type of RF transmission that is detected. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the RF transmission comprises RF from a device of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ambient light comprises ambient light in an environment in which the media device is positioned. 
     
     
         9 . A wireless device including proximity detection of users and user devices, comprising:
 a controller in electrical communication with
 a data storage system including non-volatile memory, 
 an input/output ( 1 /O) system, 
 a radio frequency (RF) system including at least one RF antenna electrically coupled with
 a first transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate using a first protocol, 
 a second transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate using a second protocol that is different than the first protocol, and 
 an ad hoc (AH) transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate only with other devices having the AH transceiver using a third protocol that is different than the first and second protocols, 
 
 an audio/video (A/V) system including a loudspeaker electrically coupled with a power amplifier and a microphone electrically coupled with a preamplifier, and 
 a proximity detection island including an IRLED electrically coupled with first driver circuitry, a photosensitive diode electrically coupled with a first analog-to-digital-converter (ADC), a RGB LED electrically coupled with second driver circuitry, and an optically transmissive structure configured to bi-directionally pass light. 
   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  and further comprising:
 capacitive touch circuitry included in the proximity detection island and electrically coupled with the optically transmissive structure and operative to generate a signal indicative of a change in capacitance when the optically transmissive structure is touched by a user. 
 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  and further comprising:
 an ambient light sensor included in the proximity detection island and electrically coupled with circuitry that is in electrical communication with a second ADC. 
 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the proximity detection island is configured to detect a presence of a user within a detection range of the proximity detection island. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein detection of the presence of the user includes using one of the transceivers in the RF system to detect RF transmissions from a user device. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the second driver circuitry is configured to activate RGB LED to emit a color of light upon detection of a user by the proximity detection island. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9  and further comprising:
 a plurality of control elements electrically coupled with the I/O system, each control element configured to generate a signal in response to actuation by a user. 
 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein one or more of the plurality of control elements comprise capacitive touch switches. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein one or more of the plurality of control elements are backlit. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the backlit control elements emit light when a user presence is detected by the proximity detection island. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the proximity detection island is associated with a specific function that is enabled when the proximity detection island detects a user presence. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 9  and further comprising:
 a plurality of the proximity detection islands, each proximity detection island configured to operate independently of other proximity detection islands in the plurality of the proximity detection islands.