EP3161611A1

EP3161611A1 - Controlling brightness of a remote display

Info

Publication number: EP3161611A1
Application number: EP15721502.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Austin Robison; Gabriel Aaron Cohen
Original assignee: Google LLC
Current assignee: Google LLC
Priority date: 2014-06-24
Filing date: 2015-04-28
Publication date: 2017-05-03
Also published as: WO2015199806A1; CN106537325A

Abstract

A computing device is described that includes one or more processors, an ambient light sensor that detects an amount of ambient light for a location of the computing device, and at least one module. The at least one module is operable by the one or more processors to determine whether the amount of ambient light for the location of the computing device is indicative of an amount of ambient light for a location of a different computing device, and responsive to determining that the amount of ambient light for the location of the computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the different computing device, transmits, to the different computing device, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of the different computing device.

Description

CONTROLLING BRIGHTNESS OF A REMOTE DISPLAY

BACKGROUND

[0001] Mobile computing devices typically include a display and an ambient light sensor. Based on a light level measured by an ambient light sensor, some mobile computing devices may adjust a brightness (e.g., an illumination level) of the mobile computing device display. Users have become accustomed to such features being included in mobile computing devices. However, in order to make mobile computing devices physically smaller, the number of sensors included in the mobile computing device may need to be reduced, which may result in reduced functionality of the mobile computing device. For example, removing an ambient light sensor from the mobile computing device may enable the mobile computing device to have a smaller form factor, but may also remove the ability for the mobile computing device to adjust the brightness of the display based on the ambient light level of the environment around the mobile computing device. By removing such a sensor from a mobile computing device, the mobile computing device may no longer provide the functionality expected by users.

SUMMARY

[0002] In one example, a method includes determining, by a first computing device, an ambient light level of a current location of the first computing device, and determining, by the first computing device, whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of an ambient light level of a current location of a second computing device. The method may also include, responsive to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the second computing device, transmitting, by the first computing device and to the second computing device, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of the second computing device.

[0003] In another example, a computing device includes one or more processors, an ambient light sensor, and at least one module. The at least one module is operable by the one or more processors to determine whether the amount of ambient light for the location of the computing device is indicative of an amount of ambient light for a location of a different computing device, and, responsive to determining that the amount of ambient light for the location of the computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the different computing device, transmits, to the different computing device, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of the different computing device.

[0004] In an additional example, a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, configure one or more processors of a computing system to determine an ambient light level of a current location of the first computing device, and determine whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of an ambient light level of a current location of a second computing device. The instructions, when executed, further configure the one or more processors of the computing system to, responsive to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the second computing device, transmit, to the second computing device, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of the second computing device.

[0005] The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system for adjusting the brightness of a remote display using a light sensor, in accordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating further details of the example system for adjusting the brightness of a remote display using a light sensor, in accordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device that outputs graphical content for display at a remote device and that adjusts the screen brightness of the remote device, in accordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating example operations of a computing device to adjust the brightness of a remote display using a light sensor, in accordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Techniques according to the disclosure may enable a computing device to adjust a brightness of a display of the computing device based on an ambient light level of a remote computing device. For example, the computing device may not include an ambient light level sensor. Instead, the computing device may be communicatively coupled to a remote computing device that includes an ambient light sensor. The remote computing device may determine an ambient light level of a location of the remote computing device and provide the ambient light level to the computing device. Based on the ambient light level provided by the remote computing device, the computing device may dynamically adjust the brightness of the display of the computing device. In some examples, the remote computing device may selectively provide the ambient light level to the computing device based on whether the ambient light level detected by the remote computing device is determined to be indicative of a level of ambient light at the location of the computing device (e.g., using a context of the remote computing device, a context of the computing device, etc.). That is, the remote computing device may provide the ambient light level information to the computing device in response to determining that the ambient light level detected by the remote computing device is likely the same or similar to an ambient light level of the location of the computing device.

[0011] Throughout the disclosure, examples are described in which a computing device and/or a computing system may analyze information (e.g., locations, speeds, etc.) associated with a computing device only if the computing device receives permission from the user to analyze the information. For example, in situations discussed below in which the computing device may collect or may make use of information associated with the user, the user may be provided with an opportunity to provide input to control whether programs or features of the computing device can collect and make use of user information (e.g., information about a user's current location, current speed, etc.), or to dictate whether and/or how to the computing device may receive content that may be relevant to the user. In addition, certain data may be treated in one or more ways before it is stored or used by the computing device and/or computing system, so that personally identifiable information is removed. For example, a user's identity may be treated so that no personally identifiable information can be determined about the user, or a user's geographic location may be generalized where location information is obtained (such as to a city, ZIP code, or state level), so that a particular location of a user cannot be determined. Thus, the user may have control over how information is collected about the user and used by the computing device.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system for adjusting the brightness of a remote display using a light sensor, in accordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the system includes mobile computing device 2 and to wearable computing device 20. In some examples, computing device 2 may be communicatively and/or operatively coupled to wearable computing device 20 using wireless communication, such a Bluetooth, Nar- Filed Communication, Wi-Fi, etc. In some instances, mobile computing device 2 may be located in a bag or a pocket of a user and wearable computing device may be on the user's wrist.

[0013] In the example of FIG. 1, mobile computing device 2 includes user interface ("UI") device 4, user interface ("UI") module 6, communication module 8, brightness control module 10, and ambient light sensor 12. Examples of mobile computing device 2 may include, but are not limited to, portable or mobile devices such as mobile phones (including smart phones), tablet computers, laptop computers, cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), gaming system, media player, e-book reader, television platform, etc. Other examples of mobile computing device 2 that implement techniques of this disclosure may include additional components not shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] UI device 4 of mobile computing device 2 may function as respective input and/or output devices for mobile computing device 2. A user associated with mobile computing device 2 may interact with mobile computing device 2 by providing various user inputs into the mobile computing device 2, e.g., using the at least one UI device 4. UI device 4 may be implemented using various technologies. For instance, UI device 4 may function as an input device using a presence-sensitive input screen, such as a resistive touchscreen, a surface acoustic wave touchscreen, a capacitive touchscreen, a projective capacitance touchscreen, a pressure sensitive screen, an acoustic pulse recognition touchscreen, or another presence-sensitive display technology. UI device 4 may function as an output (e.g., display) device using any one or more display devices, such as liquid crystal displays (LCD), dot matrix displays, light emitting diode (LED) displays, organic light- emitting diode (OLED) displays, e-ink, or similar monochrome or color displays capable of outputting visible information to a user of mobile computing device 2. In some examples, the display devices can be physically separate from a presence-sensitive device included in mobile computing device 2.

[0015] UI device 4 may include a presence-sensitive display that may receive tactile input from a user of mobile computing device 2. UI device 4 may receive indications of tactile input by detecting one or more gestures from a user (e.g., the user touching or pointing to one or more locations of UI device 4 with a finger or a stylus pen). UI device 4 may present output to a user, for instance at respective presence-sensitive displays. UI device 4 may present the output as respective graphical user interfaces, which may be associated with functionality provided by computing device 2. For example, UI device 4 may present various user interfaces related to the functionality of computing platforms, operating systems, applications, and/or services executing at or accessible by mobile computing device 2 (e.g., electronic message applications, Internet browser applications, mobile or desktop operating systems, etc.). A user may interact with a user interface to cause mobile computing device 2 to perform respective operations relating to functions.

[0016] Mobile computing device 2 may include a user interface ("UI") module 6, communication module 8, and brightness control module 10. UI module 6 can perform one or more functions to receive an indication of input, such as user input, and send the indications of the input to other components associated with mobile computing device 2. UI module 6 may receive indications of user input from various sources, such as UI device 4, communication module 8, a network interface, or a user input device. Using the data, UI module 6 may cause other components associated with mobile computing device 2, such as UI device 4, to provide output based on the data.

[0017] In some examples, communication module 8 may manage communications between mobile computing device 2 and an external (e.g., remote) device. In some examples, communication module 8 may also manage communication between mobile computing device 2 and one or more wearable computing devices, such as wearable computing device 20. As one example, communication module 8 may transmit ambient light level data to wearable computing device 20. As another example, communication module 8 may receive indications of user input detected by wearable computing device 20. In some examples, communication module 8 may provide the received information to other components of mobile computing device 2. For example, communication module 8 may provide the received user input information to brightness control module 10 for processing.

[0018] Brightness control module 10 may adjust the brightness of a display device (e.g., of UI device 4) communicatively and/or operative ly coupled to mobile computing device 2. For example, brightness control module 10 may receive, from ambient light sensor 12, information about an ambient light level of the location of mobile computing device 2. Using the ambient light level information, brightness control module 10 may adjust a brightness level the display device. If the ambient light level information indicates that there is a relatively low amount of ambient light (e.g., it is dark), brightness control module 10 may decrease a brightness level of the display device. If the ambient light level information indicates that there is a relatively high amount of ambient light (e.g., it is bright), brightness control module 10 may increase the brightness level of the display. In general, brightness control module 10 may be configured to dynamically adjust the brightness level of the display based on the ambient light level information. There may be an number of different brightness levels of the display device and brightness control module 10 may be configured to select a different brightness level based on the ambient light level information.

[0019] Ambient light sensor 12 may be a hardware ambient light sensor that detects an amount of light in the environment around mobile computing device 2. In some examples, ambient light sensor 12 may include one or more of photoresistors, photocells, photodiodes, and/or phototransistors. In general, ambient light sensor 12 is configured to imitate the sensitivity of a human eye over a visual spectral range of light having wavelengths of 380 nm to 780 nm. However, ambient light sensor 12 may be configured with different sensitivity and for different wavelengths of light. For example, ambient light sensor 12 may be configured to respond to infrared and/or ultraviolet light and may be configured to compensate for the detected infrared and/or ultraviolet light such that adjustments to the brightness level of a display made by brightness control module 10 may be more accurate.

[0020] Modules 6, 8, and 10 may perform operations described using software, hardware, firmware, or a mixture of hardware, software, and firmware residing in and/or executing at respective mobile computing device 2. Mobile computing device 2 may each execute respective modules 6, 8, and 10 with one or more processors. Mobile computing device 2 may execute respective modules 6, 8, and 10 as one or more virtual machines executing on underlying hardware of mobile computing device 2. Modules 6, 8, and 10 may execute as one or more services or components of operating systems or computing platforms of mobile computing device 2. Modules 6, 8, and 10 may execute as one or more executable programs at application layers of computing platforms of computing device 2. UID 4 and modules 6, 8, and 10 may be otherwise arranged remotely to and remotely accessible to respective mobile computing device 2, for instance, as one or more network services operating in a network cloud.

[0021] In the example of FIG. 1, wearable computing device 20 includes at UI device 22, communication module 24, and brightness control module 26. Examples of wearable computing device 20 may include, but are not limited to, smart watches, smart glasses, headsets, mobile phones (including smartphones), tablet computers, cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc.

[0022] A user associated with wearable computing device 12 may interact with wearable computing device 20 by providing various user inputs to the wearable computing device 20, e.g., using the at least one UI device 22. In some examples, the at least one UI device 22 is configured to receive tactile, audio, or visual input. In addition to receiving input from a user, UI device 22 can be configured to output content such as a graphical user interface (GUI) for display. In some examples, UI device 22 can include a display and/or a presence-sensitive input device. In some examples, the presence-sensitive input device and the display may be integrated into a presence-sensitive display, which displays the GUI and receives input from the user using capacitive, inductive, surface acoustic wave, and/or optical detection at or near the presence sensitive display. In other examples, the display device can be physically separate from a presence-sensitive device included in wearable computing device 22.

[0023] In some examples, communication module 24 may manage communications between wearable computing device 20 and a mobile computing device, such as mobile computing device 2. For instance, communication module 24 may exchange information with mobile computing device 2. As one example, communication module 24 may receive an indication of an ambient light level from mobile computing device 2. In some examples, communication module 24 may exchange information with other components of wearable computing device 20. For example, communication module 24 may provide the received indication of the ambient light level to brightness control module 26.

[0024] Either of communication module 24 and brightness control module 26

(collectively the "wearable computing device modules") may be implemented in various ways. For example, one or more of the wearable computing device modules can be implemented as a downloadable or pre-installed application or "app." In another example, one or more of the wearable computing device modules can be implemented as part of a hardware unit of wearable computing device 20. In another example, one or more of the wearable computing device modules can be implemented as part of an operating system of wearable computing device 20.

[0025] In accordance with techniques of this display, typically, wearable computing device 20 does not include an ambient light sensor. Rather than including an ambient light sensor within wearable computing device 20, wearable computing device 20 may be configured to receive ambient light level information from mobile computing device 2 (e.g., using communication module 24) and adjust (e.g., using brightness control module 26) a brightness of a display device of wearable computing device 20 (e.g., UI device 4). Mobile computing device 2 may be configured to provide an ambient light level detected by ambient light sensor 12 to wearable computing device 20.

[0026] Mobile computing device 2 may detect an ambient light level of a current location of mobile computing device 2 using, for example, ambient light sensor 12. Ambient light sensor 12 may provide an indication of the detected ambient light level to brightness control module 10. Brightness control module 10 may adjust, based on the detected ambient light level, a brightness of a display of mobile computing device 2 (e.g., UI device 4, a display device component of UI device 4, etc.). For example, brightness control module 10 may adjust the brightness of the display proportionally to the detected ambient light level such that the brighter the detected ambient light, the brighter the display.

[0027] Brightness control module 10 may also determine whether the detected ambient light level is indicative of an ambient light level of one or more other devices associated with mobile computing device 2. In order to determine whether the detected ambient light level is indicative of an ambient light level of other devices, brightness control module 10 may analyze a context of mobile computing device 2 and/or a context of at least one of the one or more other devices associated with mobile computing device 2. In general, the context of mobile computing device 2 and the context of each of the one or more other devices associated with mobile computing device 2 may include, as non- limiting examples, a current location of each device, a current date, a current time, calendar information (e.g., scheduled events), text communications (e.g., email, text messages, social network posts, etc.), audio communications (e.g., voicemails, voice messages), sensor data (e.g., gyroscope data, accelerometer data, proximity sensor data, etc.), currently executing application(s), application usage history, web usage history, other people and/or devices located proximate to mobile computing device 2 and/or the other devices, other devices communicatively coupled to mobile computing device 2 and/or the other devices, etc.

[0028] In situations in which the systems discussed herein may collect personal information about the user, or may make use of the user's personal information, the user may be provided with an opportunity to control whether, and to what extent, programs or features collect the user's information (e.g., information about the user's social network, social actions or activities, profession, the user's preferences, or the user's current location), or to control whether and/or how to receive content from the content server that may be more relevant to the user. In addition, certain data may be treated in one or more ways before it is stored or used, so that personally identifiable information is removed. For example, the user's identity may be treated so that no personally identifiable information can be determined for the user, or the user's geographic location may be generalized where location information is obtained (such as to a city, ZIP code, or state level), so that a particular location of the user cannot be determined. Thus, the user may have control over how information is collected about the user and used by a content server.

[0029] In one example of how mobile computing device 2 may use context to determine whether the detected ambient light level is indicative of an ambient light level of one or more other devices associated with mobile computing device 2, ambient light sensor 12 may detect a very low ambient light level (e.g., near darkness). Mobile computing device 2 may determine that a current time corresponds with daytime (e.g., a time at which the ambient light level should correspond to daylight) and that a current location of mobile computing device 2 corresponds to an outdoor location (e.g., a location outside of a building). Brightness control module 10 may also receive additional information from one or more other sensors, such as a proximity sensor. In this example, the proximity sensor may be located on a same side of mobile computing device 2 as ambient light sensor 12 (e.g., on a side that includes a display) and may indicate that there is an object in close proximity to the display. Brightness control module 10 may also receive motion data from an accelerometer of mobile computing device 2. The motion data may indicate that mobile computing device is not moving (i.e., is stationary). Based on the contextual information provided to brightness control module 10, brightness control module 10 may determine that the detected ambient light level is not indicative of an ambient light level of a location of the one or more other devices (e.g., because the contextual information indicates that mobile computing device 2 is placed on a desk, screen-side down).

Responsive to determining that the detected ambient light level is not indicative of the ambient light level of a location of the one or more other devices, brightness control module 10 refrains from outputting information indicative of the detected ambient light level to the one or more other devices.

[0030] As another example, the context of mobile computing device 2 may include gyroscope data indicating that mobile computing device 2 is positioned at an angle (e.g., 40 degrees relative to the ground) associated with a typical angle at which a user views a display of mobile computing device 2. The context may also include motion data indicating movement corresponding to a walking motion and a current time

corresponding to daytime. Based on this set of context data, brightness control module 10 may determine that a detected ambient light level corresponding to moderately bright conditions (e.g., a cloudy day) is indicative of an ambient light level of one or more other devices.

[0031] Responsive to determining that the detected ambient light level is indicative of the ambient light level of one or more other devices, brightness control module 10 may determine which of the one or more other device are communicatively coupled to mobile computing device 10. For example, brightness control module 10 may determine that wearable computing device 20 is communicatively coupled to mobile computing device 2 because wearable computing device 20 is currently connected to mobile computing device 2 using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other communication protocol capable of exchanging data (e.g., using communication module 8). Brightness control module 10 may transmit, to wearable computing device 20 via communication module 8, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of wearable computing device 20 (e.g., UI device 22). The instruction may include an instruction specifying a brightness level of the display, an indication of the detected ambient light level, or both.

[0032] Wearable computing device 20 receives the instruction (e.g., using communication module 24) and brightness control module 26 adjusts, based on the recieved instruction, the brightness of the display of wearable computing device 20. In some examples, brightness control module 26 may analyze the recieved instruction and determine, based on the ambient light level information included in the instruction, a brightness level for the display of wearable computing device 20. Brightness control module 26 may also determine that the instruction indicates a particular brightness level at which to set the display. In various instances, brightness control module 26 may override the specified brightness level (e.g., based on user configuration data, based on the ambient light level information included in the instruction, etc.).

[0033] In this manner, techniques of this disclosure may enable a computing device (e.g., wearable computing device 20) to provide the functionality enabled by an ambient light sensor without including one within the computing device. By using ambient light level values determined by a remote computing device (e.g., mobile computing device 2), the computing device may be physically smaller, provide better battery life (e.g., because of inclusion of a larger battery enabled by the additional space made available by excluding an ambient light sensor). In instances where the remote computing device selectively sends the ambient light level information to the computing device, the ambient light level detected by the remote computing device may be more likely to accurately reflect the ambient light level of the location of the computing device, which may provide a better user experience than if the remote computing device always provided the ambient light level information to the computing device. Further, in instances where multiple computing devices are communicatively coupled to a single remote computing device, the remote computing device may provide ambient light level information to all of the computing devices, reducing the amount of hardware and associated financial and power costs for each of the computing devices.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating further details of the example system for adjusting the brightness of a remote display using a light sensor, in accordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates only one particular example of mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20, and many other examples of mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20 may be used in other instances.

[0035] As shown in the example of FIG. 2, mobile computing device 2 includes UI device 4, ambient light sensor 12, one or more processors 40, one or more input devices 42, one or more communication units 44, one or more output devices 46, one or more sensors 48, and one or more storage devices 50. In the example of FIG. 2, mobile computing device 2 further includes UI module 6, communication module 8, brightness control module 10, context module 52, and operating system 54, which are executable by one or more processors 40. Each of components 4, 12, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 may be coupled (physically, communicatively, and/or operatively) using communications channels 56 for inter-component communications. In some examples, communication channels 56 may include a system bus, a network connection, an inter-process

communication data structure, or any other method for communicating data. UI module 6, communication module 8, brightness control module 10, context module 52, and operating system 54 may also communicate information with one another, as well as with other components in mobile computing device 2.

[0036] One or more processors 40, in one example, are configured to implement functionality and/or process instructions for execution within mobile computing device 2. For example, processors 40 may be capable of processing instructions stored by storage device 50. Examples of one or more processors 40 may include, any one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry.

[0037] One or more storage devices 50 may be configured to store information within mobile computing device 2 during operation. Storage devices 50, in some examples, include a computer-readable storage medium or computer-readable storage device. In some examples, storage devices 50 include a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose of storage device 50 is not long-term storage. Storage devices 50, in some examples, include a volatile memory, meaning that storage device 50 does not maintain stored contents when power is not provided to storage device 50. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art. In some examples, storage devices 50 are used to store program instructions for execution by processors 40. Storage devices 50, in some examples, are used by software or applications running on mobile computing device 2 (e.g., brightness control module 10) to temporarily store information during program execution.

[0038] In some examples, storage devices 50 may further include one or more storage device 50 configured for longer-term storage of information. In some examples, storage devices 50 include non- volatile storage elements. Examples of such non- volatile storage elements include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, floppy discs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories.

[0039] Mobile computing device 2, in some examples, also includes one or more communication units 44. Mobile computing device 2, in one example, utilizes communication unit 44 to communicate with external devices via one or more networks, such as one or more wireless networks. Communication unit 44 may be a network interface card, such as an Ethernet card, an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, or any other type of device that can send and receive information. Other examples of such network interfaces may include Bluetooth, 3G, and Wi-Fi radios computing devices as well as Universal Serial Bus (USB). In some examples, mobile computing device 2 utilizes communication unit 44 to wirelessly communicate with an external device such as a server or a wearable computing device. For instance, mobile computing device 2 may utilize communication unit 44 to wirelessly communicate with wearable computing device 20 over link 82. In some examples, communication unit 44 may receive input from other components of mobile computing device 2, such as communication module 8, that causes communication unit 44 to wirelessly communicate with an external device, such as communication unit 64 of wearable computing device 20.

[0040] Mobile computing device 2, in one example, also includes one or more input devices 42. Input device 42, in some examples, is configured to receive input from a user through tactile, audio, or video sources. Examples of input device 42 include a presence- sensitive device, such as a presence-sensitive display, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice responsive system, video camera, microphone or any other type of device for detecting a command from a user. In some examples, a presence-sensitive display includes a touch- sensitive display.

[0041] One or more output devices 46 may also be included in mobile computing device 2. Output device 46, in some examples, is configured to provide output to a user using tactile, audio, or video stimuli. Output device 46, in one example, includes a presence- sensitive display, a sound card, a video graphics adapter card, or any other type of device for converting a signal into an appropriate form understandable to humans or machines. Additional examples of output device 46 include a speaker, a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED), or any other type of device that can generate intelligible output to a user. In some examples, UI device 4 may include functionality of one or more of input devices 42 and/or output devices 46.

[0042] Mobile computing device 2 also can include UI device 4. In some examples, UI device 4 is configured to receive tactile, audio, or visual input. In addition to receiving input from a user, UI device 4 can be configured to output content such as a GUI for display at a display device, such as a presence-sensitive display. In some examples, UI device 4 can include a presence-sensitive display that displays a GUI and receives input from a user using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical detection at or near the presence sensitive display. In some examples, UI device 4 is both one of input devices 44 and one of output devices 46.

[0043] In some examples, UI device 4 of mobile computing device 2 may include functionality of input devices 42 and/or output devices 46. In some examples, a presence- sensitive device may detect an object at and/or near the presence-sensitive device. As one example range, a presence-sensitive device may detect an object, such as a finger or stylus, which is within two inches or less of the presence-sensitive device. The presence- sensitive device may determine a location (e.g., an (x,y,z) coordinate) of the presence- sensitive device at which the object was detected. In another example range, a presence- sensitive device may detect an object six inches or less from the presence-sensitive device. Other example ranges are also possible. The presence-sensitive device may determine the location of the device selected by the object using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques. In some examples, the presence-sensitive device provides output to a user using tactile, audio, or video stimuli as described with respect to output device 46.

[0044] Sensors 48 may be configured to determine a location of mobile computing device 2, detect movement of mobile computing device 2 and/or may collect other information associated with mobile computing device 2 . For instance, sensors 48 may be configured to measure the position, rotation, velocity, and/or acceleration of mobile computing device 2. Examples of sensors 48 that detect and/or measure movement of mobile computing device 2 may include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and compasses. Sensors 48 may also include a galvanic skin response sensor, a proximity sensor, and any other type of sensor capable of collecting information related to mobile computing device 2.

[0045] Mobile computing device 2 may include operating system 54. Operating system 54, in some examples, controls the operation of components of mobile computing device 2. For example, operating system 54, in one example, facilitates the communication of UI module 6, communication module 8, brightness control module 10, and context module 52 with ambient light sensor 12, processors 40, communication units 44, storage devices 50, input devices 42, output devices 46, and sensors 48. UI module 6, communication module 8, brightness control module 10, and context module 52 can each include program instructions and/or data that are executable by mobile computing device 2 (e.g., by one or more processors 40). As one example, brightness control module 10 can include instructions that cause mobile computing device 2 to perform one or more of the operations and actions described in the present disclosure.

[0046] Mobile computing device 2 can include additional components that, for clarity, are not shown in FIG. 2. For example, mobile computing device 2 can include a battery to provide power to the components of mobile computing device 2. Similarly, the components of mobile computing device 2 shown in FIG. 2 may not be necessary in every example of mobile computing device 2. For example, in some configurations, mobile computing device 2 may not include output devices 46. [0047] As shown in the example of FIG. 2, wearable computing device 20 includes UI device 22, one or more processors 60, one or more input devices 62, one or more communication units 64, one or more output devices 66, one or more sensors 68, and one or more storage devices 70. In the example of FIG. 2, wearable computing device 20 further includes communication module 24, brightness control module 26, UI module 72, and operating system 74, which are executable by one or more processors 60. Each of components 22, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 may be coupled (physically, communicatively, and/or operatively) using communications channels 76 for inter-component

communications. In some examples, communication channels 76 may include a system bus, a network connection, an inter-process communication data structure, or any other method for communicating data. Communication module 24, brightness control module 26, UI module 72, and operating system 74 may also communicate information with one another, as well as with other components in wearable computing device 20.

[0048] One or more processors 60, in one example, are configured to implement functionality and/or process instructions for execution within wearable computing device 20. For example, processors 60 may be capable of processing instructions stored by storage device 70. Examples of one or more processors 60 may include, any one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry.

[0049] One or more storage devices 70 may be configured to store information within wearable computing device 20 during operation. Storage devices 70, in some examples, include a computer-readable storage medium or computer-readable storage device. In some examples, storage devices 70 include a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose of storage device 70 is not long-term storage. Storage devices 70, in some examples, include a volatile memory, meaning that storage device 70 does not maintain stored contents when power is not provided to storage device 70. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art. In some examples, storage devices 70 are used to store program instructions for execution by processors 60. Storage devices 70, in some examples, are used by software or applications running on wearable computing device 20 (e.g., brightness control module 26) to temporarily store information during program execution. [0050] In some examples, storage devices 70 may further include one or more storage device 70 configured for longer-term storage of information. In some examples, storage devices 70 include non- volatile storage elements. Examples of such non- volatile storage elements include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, floppy discs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories.

[0051] Wearable computing device 20, in some examples, also includes one or more communication units 64. Wearable computing device 20, in one example, utilizes communication unit 64 to communicate with external devices via one or more networks, such as one or more wireless networks. Communication unit 64 may be a network interface card, such as an Ethernet card, an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, or any other type of device that can send and receive information. Other examples of such network interfaces may include Bluetooth, 3G, and Wi-Fi radios computing devices as well as Universal Serial Bus (USB). In some examples, wearable computing device 20 utilizes communication unit 64 to wirelessly communicate with an external device such as a mobile computing device or a server. For instance, wearable computing device 20 may utilize communication unit 64 to wirelessly communicate with mobile computing device 2 over link 82. In some examples, communication unit 64 may receive input from other components of wearable computing device 20, such as communication module 24, that causes communication unit 64 to wirelessly communicate with an external device, such as communication unit 44 of mobile computing device 2.

[0052] Wearable computing device 20, in one example, also includes one or more input devices 62. Input device 62, in some examples, is configured to receive input from a user through tactile, audio, or video sources. Examples of input device 62 include a presence- sensitive device, such as a presence-sensitive display, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice responsive system, video camera, microphone or any other type of device for detecting a command from a user. In some examples, a presence-sensitive display includes a touch- sensitive display.

[0053] One or more output devices 66 may also be included in wearable computing device 20. Output device 66, in some examples, is configured to provide output to a user using tactile, audio, or video stimuli. Output device 66, in one example, includes a presence-sensitive display, a sound card, a video graphics adapter card, or any other type of device for converting a signal into an appropriate form understandable to humans or machines. Additional examples of output device 66 include a speaker, a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED), or any other type of device that can generate intelligible output to a user. In some examples, UI device 22 may include functionality of one or more of input devices 62 and/or output devices 66.

[0054] Wearable computing device 20 also can include UI device 22. In some examples, UI device 22 is configured to receive tactile, audio, or visual input. In addition to receiving input from a user, UI device 22 can be configured to output content such as a GUI for display at a display device, such as a presence-sensitive display. In some examples, UI device 22 can include a presence-sensitive display that displays a GUI and receives input from a user using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical detection at or near the presence sensitive display. In some examples, UI device 22 is both one of input devices 62 and one of output devices 66.

[0055] In some examples, UI device 22 of wearable computing device 20 may include functionality of input devices 62 and/or output devices 66. In some examples, a presence- sensitive device may detect an object at and/or near the presence-sensitive device. As one example range, a presence-sensitive device may detect an object, such as a finger or stylus, which is within two inches or less of the presence-sensitive device. The presence- sensitive device may determine a location (e.g., an (x,y,z) coordinate) of the presence- sensitive device at which the object was detected. In another example range, a presence- sensitive device may detect an object six inches or less from the presence-sensitive device. Other example ranges are also possible. The presence-sensitive device may determine the location of the device selected by the object using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques. In some examples, the presence-sensitive device provides output to a user using tactile, audio, or video stimuli as described with respect to output device 66.

[0056] Sensors 68 may be configured to detect movement of wearable computing device 20 and/or may collect other information associated with wearable computing device 20. For instance, sensors 68 may be configured to measure the position, rotation, velocity, and/or acceleration of wearable computing device 20. Examples of sensors 68 that detect and/or measure movement of wearable computing device 20 may include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and compasses. Sensors 68 may also include a clasp sensor (e.g., in examples where wearable computing device 20 includes a clasp), a galvanic skin response sensor, a proximity sensor, and any other type of sensor capable of collecting information related to mobile computing device 2. [0057] Wearable computing device 20 may include operating system 74. Operating system 74, in some examples, controls the operation of components of wearable computing device 20. For example, operating system 74, in one example, facilitates the communication of communication module 24, brightness control module 26, and UI module 72 with processors 60, communication units 64, storage devices 70, input devices 62, and output devices 66. Communication module 24, brightness control module 26, and UI module 72 can each include program instructions and/or data that are executable by wearable computing device 20 (e.g., by one or more processors 60). As one example, brightness control module 26 can include instructions that cause wearable computing device 20 to perform one or more of the operations and actions described in the present disclosure.

[0058] Brightness control module 26, in some examples, may perform one or more functions to determine a brightness level of a display of wearable computing device 20 (e.g., of a display device of UI device 22). For instance, brightness control module 26 may receive an instruction from mobile computing device 2 and determine the brightness level based on information included in the recieved instruction. Brightness control module 26 may provide the determined brightness level to other components of wearable computing device 20, such as UI device 22.

[0059] Wearable computing device 20 can include additional components that, for clarity, are not shown in FIG. 2. For example, wearable computing device 20 can include a battery to provide power to the components of wearable computing device 20. Similarly, the components of wearable computing device 20 shown in FIG. 2 may not be necessary in every example of wearable computing device 20. For example, in some

configurations, wearable computing device 20 may not include input devices 62.

[0060] In accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure, wearable computing device 20 may adjust, based on an ambient light level detected by mobile computing device 2, a brightness of a display device of wearable computing device 20. For example, ambient light sensor 12 may detect an amount of ambient light for a location of mobile computing device 2. Based on the detected amount of ambient light, brightness control module 10 may determine the ambient light level of the current location of mobile computing device 2. In some examples, brightness control module 10 may adjust a brightness of a display device of mobile computing device 2 (e.g., one of output devices 46 and/or a display device of UI device 4). [0061] Brightness control module 10 may also determine whether the ambient light level of mobile computing device 2 is indicative of an ambient light level of a current location of wearable computing device 20. For example, brightness control module 10 may determine whether the ambient light level of mobile computing device 2 is indicative of an ambient light level of a current location of wearable computing device 20 by at least determining whether an object is at least partially blocking ambient light sensor 12. In some instances, brightness control module 10 may determine whether an object is at least partially blocking ambient light sensor 12 based on a context of mobile computing device 2. The context of mobile computing device may be determined, at least in part, by context module 52. That is, context module 52 may be operable by processors 40 to determine a context of mobile computing device 2. The context may include, for example, sensor data from sensors 48, a current time and date, a current location of mobile computing device 2, etc. The sensor data may include an orientation of mobile computing device 2 (e.g., as detected by a compass and/or gyroscope), an indication of whether or not an object is proximate to a surface of mobile computing device 2 (e.g., as detected by a proximity sensor), etc.

[0062] In various instances, brightness control module 10 may determine whether an object is at least partially blocking ambient light sensor 12 based on an orientation of mobile computing device 2. For example, if the orientation of mobile computing device 12 indicates that mobile computing device 2 is positioned such that the surface of mobile computing device 12 on which ambient light sensor 12 is located (e.g., a side of mobile computing device 12 that includes a display) is positioned face down (i.e., facing the ground), brightness control module 10 may determine that an object is at least partially blocking ambient light sensor 12. As another example, if the orientation of mobile computing device 12 indicates that mobile computing device 2 is positioned such that the surface of mobile computing device 12 on which ambient light sensor 12 is located (e.g., a side of mobile computing device 12 that includes a display) is positioned face up (i.e., facing the ground), brightness control module 10 may determine that an object is not at least partially blocking ambient light sensor 12.

[0063] In some examples, brightness control module 10 may determine that an object is at least partially blocking ambient light sensor 12 in response to determining that an amount of ambient light detected by ambient light sensor 12 is different from a predicted amount of ambient light determined based on the context of mobile computing device 2. As one example, ambient light sensor 12 may detect a very low ambient light level (e.g., near darkness). Mobile computing device 2 may determine that a current time corresponds with daytime (e.g., a time at which the ambient light level should correspond to daylight) and that a current location of mobile computing device 2 corresponds to an outdoor location (e.g., a location outside of a building). Brightness control module 10 may also receive additional information from one or more other sensors, such as a proximity sensor. In this example, the proximity sensor may be located on a same side of mobile computing device 2 as ambient light sensor 12 (e.g., on a side that includes a display) and may indicate that there is an object in close proximity to the display. Based on the contextual information provided to brightness control module 10, brightness control module 10 may determine that there is an object at least partially blocking ambient light sensor 12.

[0064] As another example, the context of mobile computing device 2 may include gyroscope data indicating that mobile computing device 2 is positioned at an angle (e.g., 40 degrees relative to the ground) associated with a typical angle at which a user views a display of mobile computing device 2. The context may also include motion data indicating movement corresponding to a walking motion and a current time

corresponding to daytime. Based on this set of context data, brightness control module 10 may determine that there is not an object at least partially blocking ambient light sensor 12. Mobile computing device 2 may transmit, to wearable computing device 20, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of wearable computing device 20 in response to determining that an object is not at least partially blocking ambient light sensor 12.

[0065] In some examples, mobile computing device 2 may be configured to determine whether the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the second computing device based on the current context of mobile computing device 2. Context module 52 may determine a current context of mobile computing device 2. In some instances, brightness control module 10 may determine an ambient light level range for the current context of mobile computing device 2. The ambient light level range may be described in terms of a number of lumens per square meter (i.e., lux values). For example, brightness control module 10 may determine that a range for very dark ambient light levels corresponds to a range of 0 to 200 lux, dimly lit indoor ambient light levels correspond to a range of 201 to 400 lux, normally lit indoor ambient light levels correspond to a range of 401 to 1000 lux, bright indoor ambient light levels correspond to a range of 1001 to 5000 lux, dim outdoor light levels correspond to a range of 5001 to 10,000 lux, cloudy outdoor light levels correspond to a range of 10,001 to 30,000 lux, and bright outdoor light levels correspond to a range of 30,001 to 100,000 lux.

[0066] In examples where the current context of mobile computing device 2 includes a current time, brightness control module 10 may determine an ambient light level range associated with the current time. For example, if the current time is noon, brightness control module 10 may determine that the ambient light level range is between 10,000 and 100,000 lux. Mobile computing device 2 may be configured to transmit, to wearable computing device 20, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of wearable computing device 20 in response to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of mobile computing device 2 is within the ambient light level range associated with the current time.

[0067] As another example, the current context of mobile computing device 2 may include a current activity associated with a user of the mobile computing device 2. In this example, brightness control module 10 may determine an ambient light level range associated with the current activity. For example, if the current activity is watching a movie in a movie theater, brightness control module 10 may determine that the ambient light level range associated with a movie theater is between 201 and 400 lux. Mobile computing device 2 may be configured to transmit, to wearable computing device 20, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of wearable computing device 20 in response to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of mobile computing device 2 is within the ambient light level range associated with the current activity.

[0068] In some examples, mobile computing device 2 may be configured to determine whether the ambient light level of the current location of mobile computing device 2 is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of wearable computing device 20 based on whether mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20 are physically proximate to each other. Mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20 may be determined to be physically proximate to each other in instances whether they are located within a threshold distance of each other. The threshold distance may be any distance at which the ambient light level of the location of mobile computing device 2 may be indicative the ambient light level of the location of wearable computing device 20 and may change based on the context of mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20. For example, the threshold distance may be 5 feet, 20 feet, 100 feet, 1000 feet, or similar distances if the respective contexts of mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20 indicates that they are both located is located inside of a structure (i.e., indoors). Whereas, while the threshold distance may be if the respective contexts of mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20 indicates that they are both located outside of a structure (i.e., outdoors), the threshold distance may be greater, such as 1 mile, 5 miles, etc.

[0069] In general, mobile computing device 2 may be configured to transmit, to wearable computing device 20, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of wearable computing device 20 in response to determining that wearable computing device 20 is located within the threshold distance of mobile computing device 2. In some examples, mobile computing device 2 may determine whether wearable computing device 20 is located within a threshold distance of mobile computing device 2 by at least determining whether mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20 are

communicatively coupled. Mobile computing device 2 may also determine whether wearable computing device 20 is located within a threshold distance of mobile computing device 2 by at least determining whether mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20 are communicatively coupled using a short-range wireless communication protocol.

[0070] As another example, mobile computing device 2 may determine whether wearable computing device 20 is located within a threshold distance of mobile computing device 2 by at least receiving, from wearable computing device 20, an indication of ambient audio data detected by wearable computing device 20 and determining, based on a comparison of ambient audio detected by mobile computing device 2 and the indication of the ambient audio detected by wearable computing device 20, whether wearable computing device 20is located within a threshold distance of mobile computing device 2. For example, mobile computing device 2 may perform acoustic fingerprinting to determine if the audio detected by wearable computing device 20 is the same as the audio detected by mobile computing device 2.

[0071] In some examples, mobile computing device 2 may be configured to determine whether the ambient light level of the current location of mobile computing device 2 is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of wearable computing device 20 by at least receiving, from wearable computing device 20, motion data indicative of movement of wearable computing device 20 and determining whether a relationship between the motion data indicative of movement of wearable computing device 20 and motion data indicative of movement of mobile computing device 2 indicates that wearable computing device 20 is within a threshold distance of the first computing device. One or more of sensors 68 (e.g., an accelerometer, a gyroscope, etc.) of wearable computing device 20 may detect the movement of wearable computing device 20 and may generate the motion data based on the detected movement. Similarly, one or more of sensors 48 of mobile computing device 2 may detect the movement of mobile computing device 2 and may generate the motion data based on the detected movement.

[0072] In determining whether the relationship between the motion data indicative of movement of wearable computing device 20 and motion data indicative of movement of mobile computing device 2 indicates that wearable computing device 20 is within a threshold distance of the first computing device, mobile computing device 2 may determine whether a pattern of the motion data received from wearable computing device 20 is associated with a pattern of the motion data generated by mobile computing device 2. For example, mobile computing device 2 may determine that the motion data received from wearable computing device 20 corresponds to an arm swinging motion and that the motion data generated by mobile computing device 2 corresponds to a leg moving in a swinging motion. Accordingly, mobile computing device 2 may determine that a combination of an arm swinging and a leg swinging indicates that both devices detected movement associated with walking. That is, the relationship between the motion data indicative of movement of wearable computing device 20 and motion data indicative of movement of mobile computing device 2 is that both are detecting motion indicative of walking.

[0073] Based on the relationship, mobile computing device 2 may determine that mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20 are in proximity to each other and, thus, the ambient light level of the current location of mobile computing device 2 is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of wearable computing device 20. Mobile computing device 2 may be configured to transmit, to wearable computing device 20, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of wearable computing device 20 in response to determining that the relationship indicates that the second computing device is within the threshold distance of the first computing device.

[0074] In general, in response to determining that the detected ambient light level is indicative of the ambient light level of one or more other devices, brightness control module 10 may transmit, to wearable computing device 20 via communication module 8, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of wearable computing device 20 (e.g., UI device 22). The instruction may include an instruction specifying a brightness level of the display, an indication of the detected ambient light level, or both.

[0075] Wearable computing device 20 may receive the instruction (e.g., using

communication module 24) and may adjusts, based on the recieved instruction, the brightness of the display of wearable computing device 20. In some examples, brightness control module 26 may analyze the recieved instruction and determine, based on the ambient light level information included in the instruction, a brightness level for the display of wearable computing device 20. Brightness control module 26 may also determine that the instruction indicates a particular brightness level at which to set the display. In various instances, brightness control module 26 may override the specified brightness level (e.g., based on user configuration data, based on the ambient light level information included in the instruction, etc.).

[0076] Brightness control module 26 may provide the determined brightness level to UI module 72. UI module 72 may be operable by processors 60 to cause a display device of wearable computing device 20 (e.g., one or more of output devices 66, UI device 22, etc.) to change an amount of light being output by the display device (i.e., the brightness of the display device). For example, UI module 72 may cause the display device become brighter in response to sending an instruction to increase a brightness level of the display device and may cause the display device to become dimmer in response to sending an instruction to decrease the brightness level of the display device.

[0077] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device that outputs graphical content for display at a remote device and that controls the screen brightness of the remote device, in accordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure. Graphical content, generally, may include any visual information that may be output for display, such as text, images, a group of moving images, etc. The example shown in FIG. 3 includes a computing device 130, presence-sensitive display 134, communication unit 140, projector 150, projector screen 152, mobile device 156, and visual display device 160. Although shown for purposes of example in FIGS. 1 and 3 as stand-alone computing devices 10 and 80, a computing device such as computing device 130 may, generally, be any component or system that includes a processor or other suitable computing environment for executing software instructions and, for example, need not include a presence-sensitive display.

[0078] As shown in the example of FIG. 3, computing device 130 may be a processor that includes functionality as described with respect to processor 40 in FIG. 2. In such examples, computing device 130 may be operatively coupled to presence-sensitive display 134 by a communication channel 132A, which may be a system bus or other suitable connection. Computing device 130 may also be operatively coupled to communication unit 140, further described below, by a communication channel 132B, which may also be a system bus or other suitable connection. Although shown separately as an example in FIG. 3, computing device 130 may be operatively coupled to presence- sensitive display 134 and communication unit 140 by any number of one or more communication channels.

[0079] In other examples, such as illustrated previously by mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2, a computing device may refer to a portable or mobile device such as mobile phones (including smart phones), wearable devices (including smart watches) laptop computers, etc. In some examples, a computing device may be a desktop computers, tablet computers, smart television platforms, cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), servers, mainframes, etc.

[0080] Presence-sensitive display 134, like UI devices 4 and 22, as shown in FIG. 1, may include display device 136 and presence-sensitive input device 138. Display device 136 may, for example, receive data from computing device 130 and display the graphical content. In some examples, presence-sensitive input device 138 may determine one or more user inputs (e.g., continuous gestures, multi-touch gestures, single-touch gestures, etc.) at presence-sensitive display 134 using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques and send indications of such user input to computing device 130 using communication channel 132A. In some examples, presence-sensitive input device 138 may be physically positioned on top of display device 136 such that, when a user positions an input unit over a graphical element displayed by display device 136, the location at which presence-sensitive input device 138 corresponds to the location of display device 136 at which the graphical element is displayed. In other examples, presence-sensitive input device 138 may be positioned physically apart from display device 136, and locations of presence-sensitive input device 138 may correspond to locations of display device 136, such that input can be made at presence-sensitive input device 138 for interacting with graphical elements displayed at corresponding locations of display device 136.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3, computing device 130 may also include and/or be operatively coupled with communication unit 140. Communication unit 140 may include

functionality of either or both of communication units 44 and 64 as described in FIG. 2. Examples of communication unit 140 may include a network interface card, an Ethernet card, an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, or any other type of device that can send and receive information. Other examples of such communication units may include Bluetooth, 3G, and Wi-Fi radios, Universal Serial Bus (USB) interfaces, etc. Computing device 130 may also include and/or be operatively coupled with one or more other devices, e.g., input devices, output devices, memory, storage devices, etc. that are not shown in FIG. 3 for purposes of brevity and illustration.

[0082] FIG. 3 also illustrates a projector 150 and projector screen 152. Other such examples of projection devices may include electronic whiteboards, holographic display devices, and any other suitable devices for displaying graphical content. Projector 150 and projector screen 152 may include one or more communication units that enable the respective devices to communicate with computing device 130. In some examples, the one or more communication units may enable communication between projector 150 and projector screen 152. Projector 150 may receive data from computing device 130 that includes graphical content. Projector 150, in response to receiving the data, may project the graphical content onto projector screen 152. In some examples, projector 150 may determine one or more user inputs (e.g., continuous gestures, multi-touch gestures, single- touch gestures, etc.) at projector screen using optical recognition or other suitable techniques and send indications of such user input using one or more communication units to computing device 130. In such examples, projector screen 152 may be unnecessary, and projector 150 may project graphical content on any suitable medium and detect one or more user inputs using optical recognition or other such suitable techniques.

[0083] Projector screen 152, in some examples, may include a presence-sensitive display 104. Presence-sensitive display 154 may include a subset of functionality or all of the functionality of UI device 4 and/or UI device 22 as described in this disclosure. In some examples, presence-sensitive display 134 may include additional functionality. Projector screen 152 (e.g., an electronic whiteboard) may receive data from computing device 130 and display the graphical content. In some examples, presence-sensitive display 154 may determine one or more user inputs (e.g., continuous gestures, multi-touch gestures, single- touch gestures, etc.) at projector screen 152 using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques and send indications of such user input using one or more communication units to computing device 130.

[0084] FIG. 3 also illustrates mobile device 156 and visual display device 160. Mobile device 156 and visual display device 160 may each include computing and connectivity capabilities. Examples of mobile device 156 may include e-reader devices, convertible notebook devices, hybrid slate devices, wearable devices, etc. Examples of visual display device 160 may include other semi-stationary devices such as televisions, computer monitors, etc. As shown in FIG. 3, mobile device 156 may include a presence-sensitive display 158. Visual display device 160 may include a presence-sensitive display 162. Presence-sensitive displays 158, 162 may include a subset of functionality or all of the functionality of UI device 4 and/or UI device 22 as described in this disclosure. In some examples, presence-sensitive displays 158, 162 may include additional functionality. In any case, presence-sensitive display 162, for example, may receive data from mobile computing device 2 and display the graphical content. In some examples, presence- sensitive display 162 may determine one or more user inputs (e.g., continuous gestures, multi-touch gestures, single-touch gestures, etc.) at projector screen using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques and send indications of such user input using one or more communication units to computing device 130.

[0085] As described above, in some examples, computing device 130 may output graphical content for display at presence-sensitive display 134 that is coupled to computing device 130 by a system bus or other suitable communication channel.

Computing device 130 may also output graphical content for display at one or more remote devices, such as projector 150, projector screen 152, mobile device 156, and visual display device 160. For instance, computing device 130 may execute one or more instructions to generate and/or modify graphical content in accordance with techniques of the present disclosure. Computing device 130 may output the data that includes the graphical content to a communication unit of computing device 130, such as

communication unit 140. Communication unit 140 may send the data to one or more of the remote devices, such as projector 150, projector screen 152, mobile device 156, and/or visual display device 160. In this way, computing device 130 may output the graphical content for display at one or more of the remote devices. In some examples, one or more of the remote devices may output the graphical content at a presence- sensitive display that is included in and/or operatively coupled to the respective remote devices.

[0086] In some examples, computing device 130 may not output graphical content at presence-sensitive display 134 that is operatively coupled to computing device 130. In other examples, computing device 130 may output graphical content for display at both a presence-sensitive display 134 that is coupled to computing device 130 by communication channel 132A, and at one or more remote devices. In such examples, the graphical content may be displayed substantially contemporaneously at each respective device. For instance, some delay may be introduced by the communication latency to send the data that includes the graphical content to the remote device. In some examples, graphical content generated by computing device 130 and output for display at presence- sensitive display 134 may be different than graphical content display output for display at one or more remote devices.

[0087] Computing device 130 may send and receive data using any suitable

communication techniques. For example, computing device 130 may be operative ly coupled to external network 144 using network link 142 A. Each of the remote devices illustrated in FIG. 3 may be operatively coupled to network external network 144 by one of respective network links 142B, 142C, and 142D. External network 144 may include network hubs, network switches, network routers, etc., that are operatively inter-coupled thereby providing for the exchange of information between computing device 130 and the remote devices illustrated in FIG. 3. In some examples, network links 142A-142D may be Ethernet, ATM or other network connections. Such connections may be wireless and/or wired connections.

[0088] In some examples, computing device 130 may be operatively coupled to one or more of the remote devices included in FIG. 3 using direct device communication 148. Direct device communication 148 may include communications through which computing device 130 sends and receives data directly with a remote device, using wired or wireless communication. That is, in some examples of direct device communication 148, data sent by computing device 130 may not be forwarded by one or more additional devices before being received at the remote device, and vice-versa. Examples of direct device communication 138 may include Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication, Universal Serial Bus, Wi-Fi, infrared, etc. One or more of the remote devices illustrated in FIG. 3 may be operatively coupled with computing device 130 by communication links 146A- 146D. In some examples, communication links 146A-146D may be connections using Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication, Universal Serial Bus, infrared, etc. Such connections may be wireless and/or wired connections.

[0089] In accordance with techniques of the disclosure, computing device 130 may be operatively coupled to visual display device 160 using external network 144 and may transmit an instruction to visual display device 160 to cause visual display device 160 to adjust a brightness level of visual display device 160. In general, computing device 130 may detected an ambient light level of the current location of computing device 130 and may determine whether the detected ambient light level of the current location of computing device 130 is indicative of the ambient light level of a location of visual display device 160 using techniques described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Visual display device 160 may receive the instruction and, based on the instruction, adjust a brightness of a display of visual display device 160 (e.g., presence-sensitive screen 162). While described with respect to visual display device 160, computing device 130 may determine whether the detected ambient light level of the current location of computing device 130 is indicative of any of the respective locations of projector 150, mobile device 156, or any other display device communicatively and/or operatively coupled to computing device 130. Computing device 130 may also transmit, to each device for which the detected ambient light level was determined to be indicative of the ambient light level of the location of the respective device, a respective communication to cause each device to adjust a brightness of the display.

[0090] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating example operations of a computing device to adjust the brightness of a remote display using a light sensor, in accordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure. The techniques of FIG. 4 may be performed by one or more processors of a computing device, such as mobile computing device 2 and wearable computing device 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. For purposes of illustration, the techniques of FIG. 4 are described within the context of mobile computing device 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2, although computing devices having different configurations may perform the techniques of FIG. 4.

[0091] In accordance with one or more techniques of the disclosure, mobile computing device 2 may determine an ambient light level of a location at which mobile computing device 2 is located (200). In some examples, mobile computing device 2 determines the ambient light level using ambient light sensor 12. Ambient light sensor 12 measure an amount of light in the environment and provides an indication of the amount of light to other elements of mobile computing device 2, such as brightness control module 10. In some examples, brightness control module 10 may analyze the amount of light detected by ambient light sensor 12 and determine the ambient light level of the current location. In other examples, brightness control module 10 may use the ambient light level information received from ambient light sensor 12 as the determined ambient light level of the current location of mobile computing device 2. [0092] Mobile computing device 2 may determine whether the determined ambient light level of the current location of mobile computing device 2 is indicative of an ambient light level of a location at which a second, different device (e.g., wearable computing device 20) is located (202). As described above, brightness control module 10 may make such a determination based on a number of factors, including proximity of the second device to mobile computing device 2 (i.e., is the second device located within a threshold distance of mobile computing device 2), a comparison between a predicted ambient light level and the detected ambient light level, a determination of whether an object is at least partially blocking ambient light sensor 12, an orientation of mobile computing device 2, a current context of mobile computing device 2, an activity associated with a user of mobile computing device 2, etc. If mobile computing device 2 determines that the detected ambient light level of the current location of mobile computing device 2 is not indicative of an ambient light level of wearable computing device 20 ("NO" branch of 202), mobile computing device 2 may refrain from transmitting an instruction to wearable computing device 20 to cause wearable computing device 20 to adjust a brightness of a display of wearable computing device 20.

[0093] If mobile computing device 2 determines that the detected ambient light level of the current location of mobile computing device 2 is indicative of an ambient light level of wearable computing device 20 ("YES" branch of 202), mobile computing device 2 may transmit, to wearable computing device 20, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of wearable computing device 20 (204). The instruction may include an instruction specifying a brightness level of the display, an indication of the detected ambient light level, or both. Based on the instruction, wearable computing device 20 may adjust the brightness of the display of wearable computing device 20.

[0094] Example 1. A method comprising: determining, by a first computing device, an ambient light level of a current location of the first computing device; determining, by the first computing device, whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of an ambient light level of a current location of a second computing device; and, responsive to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the second computing device, transmitting, by the first computing device and to the second computing device, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of the second computing device. [0095] Example 2. The method of example 1, further comprising, responsive to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is not indicative of the light level of the location of second computing device, refraining from transmitting the instruction.

[0096] Example 3. The method of example 1, wherein determining whether the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the second computing device comprises determining, by the first computing device, whether an object is at least partially blocking an ambient light sensor of the first computing device, and wherein transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the object is not at least partially blocking the ambient light sensor.

[0097] Example 4. The method of any of examples 1-3, further comprising

determining, by the first computing device, a current context of the first computing device, wherein determining whether the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the second computing device is based on the current context of the first computing device.

[0098] Example 5. The method of example 4, wherein the current context of the first computing device includes a current time, the method further comprising: determining, by the first computing device, an ambient light level range associated with the current time, wherein transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is within the ambient light level range associated with the current time.

[0099] Example 6. The method of example 4, wherein the current context of the first computing device includes a current activity associated with a user of the first computing device, the method further comprising: determining, by the first computing device, an ambient light level range associated with the current activity, wherein transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is within the ambient light level range associated with the current activity .

[0100] Example 7. The method of any of examples 1-6, wherein determining, by the first computing device, whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of a second computing device comprises determining, by the first computing device, whether the second computing device is located within a threshold distance of the first computing device, and wherein transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the second computing device is located within the threshold distance of the first computing device.

[0101] Example 8. The method of example 7, wherein determining, by the first computing device, whether the second computing device is located within the threshold distance of the first computing device comprises determining whether the first computing device and the second computing device are communicatively coupled.

[0102] Example 9. The method of example 7, wherein determining, by the first computing device, whether the second computing device is located within a threshold distance of the first computing device comprises determining, by the first computing device, whether the first computing device and the second computing device are communicatively coupled using a short-range wireless communication protocol.

[0103] Example 10. The method of example 7, wherein determining, by the first computing device, whether the second computing device is located within a threshold distance of the first computing device comprises: receiving, by the first computing device and from the second computing device, an indication of ambient audio detected by the second computing device; and determining, by the first computing device, based on a comparison of ambient audio detected by the first computing device and the indication of the ambient audio detected by the second computing device, whether the second computing device is located within the threshold distance of the first computing device.

[0104] Example 11. The method of any of examples 1-10, wherein determining, by the first computing device, whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of a second computing device comprises: receiving, by the first computing device and from the second computing device, motion data indicative of movement of the second computing device; and determining, by the first computing device, whether a relationship between the motion data indicative of movement of the second computing device and motion data indicative of movement of the first computing device indicates that the second computing device is within a threshold distance of the first computing device, and wherein transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the relationship indicates that the second computing device is within the threshold distance of the first computing device.

[0105] Example 12. The method of any of examples 1-11, wherein determining whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of an ambient light level of a current location of a second computing device comprises determining, by the first computing device, an orientation of the first computing device, and wherein transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the orientation of the first computing device indicates that an ambient light sensor of the first computing device is not at least partially blocked by an object.

[0106] Example 13. The method of any of examples 1-12, further comprising adjusting, by the first computing device and based on the ambient light level, a brightness of a display of the first computing device.

[0107] Example 14. The method of any of examples 1-13, wherein the first computing device is a mobile computing device and wherein the second computing device is a wearable computing device

[0108] Example 15. A computing device comprising: one or more processors; an ambient light sensor that detects an amount of ambient light for a location of the computing device; and at least one module executable by the one or more processors to: determine whether the amount of ambient light for the location of the computing device is indicative of an amount of ambient light for a location of a different computing device; and, responsive to determining that the amount of ambient light for the location of the computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the different computing device, transmits, to the different computing device, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of the different computing device.

[0109] Example 16. The computing device of example 15, wherein the one or more modules are further operable by the one or more processors to: determine whether an object is at least partially blocking an ambient light sensor of the first computing device; and transmit the instruction in response to determining that the object is not at least partially blocking the ambient light sensor.

[0110] Example 17. The computing device of any of examples 15-16, wherein the one or more modules are further operable by the one or more processors to: determine a current context of the computing device; and determine, based on the current context of the computing device, whether the ambient light level of the current location of the computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the different computing device.

[0111] Example 18. The computing device of any of examples 15-17, wherein the current context of the first computing device includes a current time, and wherein the one or more modules are further operable by the one or more processors to: determine an ambient light level range associated with the current time; and transmit the instruction in response to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the computing device is within the ambient light level range associated with the current time.

[0112] Example 19. The computing device of example 18, wherein the current context of the first computing device includes a current activity associated with a user of the computing device, and wherein the one or more modules are further operable by the one or more processors to: determine an ambient light level range associated with the current activity; and transmit the instruction in response to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the computing device is within the ambient light level range associated with the current activity.

[0113] Example 20. The computing device of any of examples 15-19, wherein the one or more modules are further operable by the one or more processors to: determine whether the different computing device is located within a threshold distance of the computing device; and transmit the instruction in response to determining that the different computing device is located within the threshold distance of the computing device.

[0114] Example 21. The computing device of example 20, wherein the one or more modules are operable by the one or more processors to determine whether the different computing device is located within the threshold distance of the computing device by at least being operable to determine whether the computing device and the different computing device are communicatively coupled.

[0115] Example 22. The computing device of example 20 further comprising: an input device that detects ambient audio, wherein the one or more modules are operable by the one or more processors to determine whether the different computing device is located within the threshold distance of the computing device by at least being operable to:

receive, from the different computing device, an indication of ambient audio detected by the different computing device; and determine, based on a comparison of the ambient audio detected by the input device and the indication of the ambient audio detected by the different computing device, whether the different computing device is located within the threshold distance of the computing device.

[0116] Example 23. The computing device of any of examples 15-22, further comprising: one or more sensors that generate, based on movement of the computing device, motion data, wherein the one or more modules are further operable by the one or more processors to: receive, from the different computing device, motion data indicative of movement of the different computing device; determine whether a relationship between the motion data indicative of movement of the different computing device and the motion data generated by the one or more sensors indicates that the different computing device is within a threshold distance of the computing device; and transmit the instruction in response to determining that the relationship indicates that the different computing device is within the threshold distance of the computing device.

[0117] Example 24. The computing device of any of examples 15-23, further comprising: one or more sensors that determine an orientation of the computing device, wherein the one or more modules are further operable by the one or more processors to transmit the instruction in response to determining that the orientation of the computing device indicates that the ambient light sensor is not at least partially blocked by an object.

[0118] Example 25. A computing device comprising means for performing the method recited by any of examples 1-15.

[0119] Example 26. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, configure one or more processors of a computing device to: determine an ambient light level of a current location of the first computing device; determine whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of an ambient light level of a current location of a second computing device; and, responsive to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the second computing device, transmit, to the second computing device, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of the second computing device.

[0120] Example 27. The computer-readable storage medium of example 26 further comprising instructions that configured the one or more processors to: determine an ambient light level range associated with at least one of a current activity associated with a user of the first computing device or a current time; and transmit the instruction in response to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is within the ambient light level range associated with the at least one of the current activity or the current time.

[0121] Example 28. The computer-readable storage medium of any of examples 26-27 further comprising instructions that configured the one or more processors to: receive, from the second computing device, an indication of ambient audio detected by the second computing device; determine, based on a comparison of ambient audio detected by the first computing device and the indication of the ambient audio detected by the second computing device, whether the second computing device is located within the threshold distance of the first computing device; and transmit the instruction in response to determining that the relationship indicates that the second computing device is within the threshold distance of the first computing device.

[0122] Example 29. The computer-readable storage medium of any of examples 26-28 further comprising instructions that configured the one or more processors to: receive, from the second computing device, motion data indicative of movement of the second computing device; determine whether a relationship between the motion data indicative of movement of the second computing device and motion data indicative of movement of the first computing device indicates that the second computing device is within a threshold distance of the first computing device; and transmit the instruction in response to determining that the relationship indicates that the second computing device is within the threshold distance of the first computing device.

[0123] Example 30. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors of a computing device to perform the method recited by any of examples 1-15.

[0124] The techniques described in this disclosure may be implemented, at least in part, in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, various aspects of the described techniques may be implemented within one or more processors, including one or more microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or any other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry, as well as any combinations of such components. The term "processor" or "processing circuitry" may generally refer to any of the foregoing logic circuitry, alone or in combination with other logic circuitry, or any other equivalent circuitry. A control unit including hardware may also perform one or more of the techniques of this disclosure.

[0125] Such hardware, software, and firmware may be implemented within the same device or within separate devices to support the various techniques described in this disclosure. In addition, any of the described units, modules or components may be implemented together or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. Depiction of different features as modules or units is intended to highlight different functional aspects and does not necessarily imply that such modules or units must be realized by separate hardware, firmware, or software components. Rather, functionality associated with one or more modules or units may be performed by separate hardware, firmware, or software components, or integrated within common or separate hardware, firmware, or software components.

[0126] The techniques described in this disclosure may also be embodied or encoded in an article of manufacture including a computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions. Instructions embedded or encoded in an article of manufacture including a computer-readable storage medium encoded, may cause one or more programmable processors, or other processors, to implement one or more of the techniques described herein, such as when instructions included or encoded in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by the one or more processors. Computer readable storage media may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM), a floppy disk, a cassette, magnetic media, optical media, or other computer readable media. In some examples, an article of manufacture may include one or more computer-readable storage media.

[0127] In some examples, a computer-readable storage medium may include a non- transitory medium. The term "non-transitory" may indicate that the storage medium is not embodied in a carrier wave or a propagated signal. In certain examples, a non- transitory storage medium may store data that can, over time, change (e.g., in RAM or cache).

[0128] Various examples of the invention have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method comprising:

determining, by a first computing device, an ambient light level of a current location of the first computing device;

determining, by the first computing device, whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of an ambient light level of a current location of a second computing device; and

responsive to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the second computing device, transmitting, by the first computing device and to the second computing device, an instruction to adjust a brightness of a display of the second computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is not indicative of the light level of the location of second computing device, refraining from transmitting the instruction.

3. The method of any of claims 1-2, wherein:

determining whether the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the second computing device comprises determining, by the first computing device, whether an object is at least partially blocking an ambient light sensor of the first computing device, and

transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the object is not at least partially blocking the ambient light sensor.

4. The method of any of claims 1-3, further comprising:

determining, by the first computing device, a current context of the first computing device,

wherein determining whether the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of the current location of the second computing device is based on the current context of the first computing device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the current context of the first computing device includes a current time, the method further comprising:

determining, by the first computing device, an ambient light level range associated with the current time,

wherein transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is within the ambient light level range associated with the current time.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the current context of the first computing device includes a current activity associated with a user of the first computing device, the method further comprising:

determining, by the first computing device, an ambient light level range associated with the current activity,

wherein transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the ambient light level of the current location of the first computing device is within the ambient light level range associated with the current activity.

7. The method of any of claims 1-6, wherein:

determining, by the first computing device, whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of a second computing device comprises determining, by the first computing device, whether the second computing device is located within a threshold distance of the first computing device, and transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the second computing device is located within the threshold distance of the first computing device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining, by the first computing device, whether the second computing device is located within the threshold distance of the first computing device comprises determining whether the first computing device and the second computing device are communicatively coupled.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein determining, by the first computing device, whether the second computing device is located within a threshold distance of the first computing device comprises:

receiving, by the first computing device and from the second computing device, an indication of ambient audio detected by the second computing device; and

determining, by the first computing device, based on a comparison of ambient audio detected by the first computing device and the indication of the ambient audio detected by the second computing device, whether the second computing device is located within the threshold distance of the first computing device.

10. The method of any of claims 1-9, wherein:

determining, by the first computing device, whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of the ambient light level of a second computing device comprises:

receiving, by the first computing device and from the second computing device, motion data indicative of movement of the second computing device; and determining, by the first computing device, whether a relationship between the motion data indicative of movement of the second computing device and motion data indicative of movement of the first computing device indicates that the second computing device is within a threshold distance of the first computing device, and

transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the relationship indicates that the second computing device is within the threshold distance of the first computing device.

11. The method of any of claims 1-10, wherein:

determining whether the ambient light level of the first computing device is indicative of an ambient light level of a current location of a second computing device comprises determining, by the first computing device, an orientation of the first computing device, and

transmitting the instruction comprises transmitting the instruction in response to determining that the orientation of the first computing device indicates that an ambient light sensor of the first computing device is not at least partially blocked by an object.

12. The method of any of claims 1-11, further comprising:

adjusting, by the first computing device and based on the ambient light level, a brightness of a display of the first computing device.

13. The method of any of claims 1-12, wherein the first computing device is a mobile computing device and wherein the second computing device is a wearable computing device.

14. A computing device comprising means for performing the method recited by any of claims 1-13.

15. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors of a computing device to perform the method recited by any of claims 1-13.