Proximity-based control of media devices for media presentations

Abstract

Embodiments relate generally to electrical/electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, portable, wearable, and stationary media devices. RF transceivers and/or audio system in each media device 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, access content on a user device, and record the content while also playing back the content on 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 and/or queuing of content from those devices or from a wirelessly accessible location such as the Cloud, Internet, NAS, Flash memory, or other wireless sources.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A proximity-based control method, 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.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein detecting the approach comprises:
 using an ambient light sensor to monitor ambient light; and   detecting the approach based at least in part on the ambient light monitored using the ambient light sensor.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein notifying the user comprises:
 notifying the user that the presence of the user has been detected based on the ambient light.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein detecting the approach comprises:
 detecting the approach based at least in part on radio frequency (RF) transmission.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein notifying the user comprises:
 notifying the user that the presence of the user has been detected based on the RF transmission.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the action that is taken is based on a type of RF transmission that is detected. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the RF transmission comprises RF from a device of the user. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the ambient light comprises ambient light in an environment in which the media device is positioned. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein notifying the user that a presence of the user has been detected by the proximity detection island comprises a user-specific notification distinct from notifications provided to other users. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein indicating that the media device is ready to receive input from the user comprises an indication that is different from a notification notifying the user that a presence of the user has been detected by the proximity detection island. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the indication and the notification include different color lights, different light intensities, different sounds, different sound volumes, or different vibrations. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein indicating that the media device is ready to receive input from the user comprises an input-specific indication distinct from indications provided for other inputs. 
     
     
         33 . A proximity-based control system comprising:
 a proximity detection island;   at least one input device;   at least one output device including at least one of a light output device, a sound output device, or a vibration output device; and   a controller in electrical communication with the proximity detection island, the at least one input device, and the at least one output device, the controller configured to perform processes comprising:
 detecting an approach of a user using the proximity detection island; 
 notifying the user, via at least one of the light output device, the sound output device, or the vibration output device, that a presence of the user has been detected by the proximity detection island; 
 indicating, via at least one output device, that the system 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 via at least one input device. 
   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the proximity detection island comprises an ambient light sensor to monitor ambient light, wherein detecting the approach is based at least in part on ambient light monitored using the ambient light sensor. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein notifying the user comprises:
 notifying the user that the presence of the user has been detected based on the ambient light.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the proximity detection island comprises an RF detector, wherein detecting the approach is based at least in part on detection of radio frequency (RF) transmission using the RF detector. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein notifying the user comprises:
 notifying the user that the presence of the user has been detected based on the RF transmission.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the action that is taken is based on a type of RF transmission that is detected. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the RF transmission comprises RF from a device of the user. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the ambient light comprises ambient light in an environment in which the proximity detection island is positioned. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein notifying the user that a presence of the user has been detected by the proximity detection island comprises a user-specific notification distinct from notifications provided to other users. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein indicating that the system is ready to receive input from the user comprises an indication that is different from a notification notifying the user that a presence of the user has been detected by the proximity detection island. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the indication and the notification include different color lights, different light intensities, different sounds, different sound volumes, or different vibrations. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein indicating that the system is ready to receive input from the user comprises an input-specific indication distinct from indications provided for other inputs. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein comprising a media device including the proximity detection island, the at least one input device, the at least one output device, and the controller.