Variable density content display

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11545115-B1
Application number	US-201916429963-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jun 3, 2019
Priority date	Aug 6, 2014
Publication date	Jan 3, 2023
Grant date	Jan 3, 2023

Abstract

A video display hub is mounted in a common household area such as a kitchen or family room. The display hub is configured to display various types of information for users in the area, such as weather, traffic updates, schedules, notes, messages, lists, news, etc. When the user is at a distance from the display hub, information is presented at a relatively low density, with a low level of granularity and detail in conjunction with large fonts, graphics, and icons. When the user is close to the display hub, information is presented at a relatively high density, with a high level of granularity and detail in conjunction with small fonts, graphics, and icons.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A device comprising:
a display;
a microphone;
memory that stores computer-executable instructions; and
at least one processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:
detect presence of a plurality of users in an ambient environment of the device;
determine a first user account associated with a first user of the plurality of users;
determine first content using the first user account;
determine a first content density for the first content based at least in part on settings associated with the first user account;
present the first content having the first content density on the display;
receive speech input;
determine that the speech input is associated with a second user account; and
determine a second content density for the first content based at least in part on settings associated with the second user account.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
determine a first distance between the device and a second user associated with the second user account; and
determine a third content density for the first content based at least in part on the first distance.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein prior to determining the first user account, the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
determine that a gaze of the first user is directed towards the device.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein prior to determining the first user account, the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
determine a first distance between the device and the first user at a first time;
determine a second distance between the device and the first user at a second time; and
determine, using the first distance and the second distance, that the first user is approaching the device.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
capture an image of a human face in the ambient environment;
determine facial characteristics of the human face using the image; and
determine that the facial characteristics are associated with the second user account.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein prior to determining the first user account, the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
determine that the first user is nearest to the device relative to other users of the plurality of users.

7. A method comprising:
detecting, by a device, presence of a plurality of users in an ambient environment of the device;
determining a first user account associated with a first user of the plurality of users;
determining first content using the first user account;
determining a first content density for the first content based at least in part on settings associated with the first user account;
presenting the first content having the first content density on the display;
receiving speech input;
determining that the speech input is associated with a second user account; and
determining a second content density for the first content based at least in part on settings associated with the second user account.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
determining a first distance between the device and a second user associated with the second user account; and
determining a third content density for the first content based at least in part on the first distance.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
determining a first distance between the device and the first user at a first time;
determining a second distance between the device and the first user at a second time; and
determining, prior to determining the first user account, and using the first distance and the second distance, that the first user is approaching the device.

10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
capturing an image of a human face in the ambient environment;
determining facial characteristics of the human face using the image; and
determining that the facial characteristics are associated with the second user account.

11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
determining, prior to determining the first user account, that the first user is nearest the device relative to other users of the plurality of users.

12. A device comprising:
a display;
a microphone;
a camera;
memory that stores computer-executable instructions; and
at least one processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:
detect presence of a plurality of users in an ambient environment;
determine that a first user of the plurality of users is a user nearest to the device;
determine a first user account associated with the first user;
determine first content for display at the device using the first user account;
determine a first content density for the first content based at least in part on settings associated with the first user account;
receive speech input;
determine that the speech input is associated with a second user account; and
determine a second content density for the first content based at least in part on settings associated with the second user account.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
determine that a third user is approaching the device;
determine that a gaze of the third user is directed towards the device; and
determine a third content density for the first content based at least in part on settings associated with a third user account.

14. The device of claim 12 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
determine a first distance between the device and a second user associated with the second user account; and
determine a third content density for the first content based at least in part on the first distance.

15. The device of claim 12 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
capture an image of a human face in the ambient environment using the camera;
determine facial characteristics of the human face using the image; and
determine that the facial characteristics are associated with the second user account.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Mcqueen Michael Douglas
• Li Meng
• Breitbard Eric Alan
• Murdock Robert Steven
• Beguin Julien George
• Hart Gregory Michael
• Blanksteen Scott Ian

Classifications

• G09G2354/00

  Aspects of interface with display user · CPC title

• G06F3/0481

  based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance · CPC title

• G06F1/1605

  Multimedia displays, e.g. with integrated or attached speakers, cameras, microphones · CPC title

• G06F3/0482

  Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus · CPC title

• G09G5/373 Primary

  for modifying the size of the graphic pattern · CPC title