Background

[0001] An electronic device can include computing devices. In some examples, a plurality of computing devices can be utilized together to perform particular functions. Computing devices can provide services to remote computing devices. In some examples, the computing devices can be managed by a designated computing device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a computing device for providing port notifications.

[0003] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a peripheral device for providing port notifications.

[0004] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a system for providing port notifications.

[0005] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a system for providing port notifications.

Detailed Description

[0006] A user may utilize a computing device for various purposes, such as for business and/or recreational use. As used herein, the term computing device refers to an electronic system having a processor resource and a memory resource. Examples of computing devices can include, for instance, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, networking device (e.g., router, switch, etc.), computing server, and/or a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal digital assistant, smart glasses, a wrist-worn device, etc.), among other types of computing devices. [0007] Electronic devices such as computing devices can be utilized with a plurality of additional computing devices or remote computing devices. For example, computing devices can be stored and utilized in a data center. As used herein, a data center can include an area designated to storing and operating a plurality of computing devices. In some examples, the plurality of computing devices can be controlled or managed by a managing device. As used herein a managing device can be a computing device that can monitor performance and/or alter settings of a plurality of computing device. In some examples, the managing device can be utilized to monitor the computing activities of the plurality of computing devices, allocate resources of the plurality of computing devices to particular computing tasks, and/or determine a health status of the plurality of computing devices among other managing functions.

[0008] In some examples, the plurality of computing devices may not include corresponding display devices. As used herein, a display device can include a monitor or screen of a plurality of light sources that can be utilized to display images generated by the computing device. In some examples, the plurality of computing devices can be server computing devices that are performing functions for remote computing devices. In some examples, hardware of the plurality of computing devices may be updated or altered by a human user. In these examples, the managing device can identify that a particular computing device of the plurality of computing devices is experiencing a particular event and/or is to be updated or altered by the human user. In these examples, it can be difficult to identify the particular computing device for the human user when the particular computing device does not include a display device.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to proving port notifications to a computing device to provide visual communication to users. The present disclosure provides peripheral devices that can be coupled to a port of a computing device. In some examples, the peripheral device can include a light source that can be utilized to provide a signal corresponding to a particular event. In some examples, the managing device can provide a signal to the computing device and the signal can be utilized to generate a particular visual signal through the port to provide the visual signal to a user. In this way, a particular computing device from a plurality of computing devices can be identified and/or provide a signal to indicate that it is experiencing a particular event. [0010] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a computing device 102 for providing port notifications. In some examples the computing device 102 can include a processor resource 104 communicatively coupled to a memory resource 106. As described further herein, the memory resource 106 can include instructions 108, 110 that can be executed by the processor resource 104 to perform particular functions.

In some examples, the computing device 102 can be associated with a server computing device and/or server system of computing devices.

[0011] The computing device 102 can include components such as a processor resource 104. As used herein, the processor resource 104 can include, but is not limited to: a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a metal- programmable cell array (MPCA), a semiconductor-based microprocessor, or other combination of circuitry and/or logic to orchestrate execution of instructions 108, 110. In other examples, the computing device 102 can include instructions 108, 110 stored on a machine-readable medium (e.g., memory resource 106, non-transitory computer-readable medium, etc.) and executable by a processor resource 104. In a specific example, the computing device 102 utilizes a non-transitory computer- readable medium storing instructions 108, 110 that, when executed, cause the processor resource 104 to perform corresponding functions.

[0012] In some examples, the computing device 102 can include a port 112. In some examples, the port 112 can be a serial port that can provide a communication pathway between the computing device 102 and a plurality of different peripheral devices (e.g., computing mouse, memory device, computing keyboard, etc.). In some examples, the port 112 can be a serial port that can provide communication signals and/or electrical power to the plurality of peripheral devices. In a specific example, the port 112 can be a universal serial bus (USB) port (e.g., USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, etc.). In this way, the computing device 102 can send notification signals and/or electrical power to the peripheral device 114 when a connector 116 is coupled to the port 112. In some examples, the computing device 102 can include instructions to provide a notification signal to the peripheral device 114 through the port 112 to activate and/or deactivate a light source 118 associated with the peripheral device 114.

[0013] In some examples, the computing device 102 can include instructions 108 to identify an event to provide a notification to a user associated with the computing device 102. As described herein, an event can be a determination that a process is to be performed on the computing device 102. In some examples, the process to be performed on the computing device 102 can be performed by a user associated with the computing device 102. In some examples, the event can include a determination that the process is to be performed to update or alter a feature or element of the computing device. For example, the event can be a malfunction, a cable being unplugged, a hardware update, a software update, and/or other alteration to be performed on the computing device 102. In some example, the computing device 102 can provide a notification signal to the peripheral device 114 that generates a particular visual signal utilizing the light source 118. As described further herein, a notification signal can correspond to a particular event of a plurality of different events and the visual signal generated by the light source 118 can correspond to the notification signal.

[0014] In some examples, the computing device 102 can receive a notification signal from a remote computing device to indicate that the event is occurring or has occurred. For example, the remote computing device can be a managing device that can manage a plurality of computing devices including the computing device 102. In some examples, the managing device can send a signal to the computing device 102 to indicate the event at the computing device 102. In some examples, the managing device can send the signal to the computing device 102 to generate a particular visual signal through the light source 118 to provide a notification to a user associated with the computing device 102. In this way, a user can physically identify that the computing device 102 is experiencing a particular event based on the visual signal generated by the light source 118.

[0015] In some examples, the computing device 102 can include instructions 110 to transmit a notification signal to a peripheral device 114 coupled to a port 112 of the computing device 102 that corresponds to the event. In these examples, the peripheral device 114 includes a light source 118 that is activated based on the notification signal. As described herein, the event that is identified can be utilized to generate a particular notification signal to be transmitted to the peripheral device 114. In some examples, the notification signal can be transmitted to the peripheral device 114 through a connection between the port 112 and the connector 116.

[0016] In some examples, the peripheral device 114 can include circuitry to generate a particular visual signal based on the received notification signal from the computing device 102. In some examples, the visual signal can include a particular color and/or flashing pattern that can be generated by the light source 118. For example, a color and pattern of the visual signals can correspond to a communication signal received from the computing device 102 indicating an event at the computing device 102. In some examples, the light source 118 can be a light emitting diode (LED) or other type of light source. In some examples, the light source is a LED coupled to an enclosure of the peripheral device 114 that indicates the event based on a display pattern (e.g., solid light, flashing light, flash pattern, color, etc.). As used herein, a display pattern can include a color a flashing pattern displayed by the light source 118.

[0017] In some examples, the light source 118 can be a multi-color light source that can generate a particular color based on the notification signal received by the computing device 102. In this way, a particular event or event type can correspond to a particular color, pattern, or combination that is generated by the light source 118 to notify a user associated with the computing device 102 that a particular event is occurring at the computing device 102.

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a peripheral device 214 for providing port notifications. In some examples, the peripheral device 214 can include the same or similar elements as peripheral device 114 as illustrated in Figure 1. For example, the peripheral device 214 can include a connector 216, circuitry 222, and/or a light source 218 that can be utilized to generate visual signals based on a notification signal provided to the peripheral device 214 through the connector 216.

[0019] In some examples, the peripheral device 214 can include a connector (e.g., adaptor, etc.) to be coupled to a port of a computing device. In some examples, the connector 216 can be a serial connector such as a universal serial bus (USB) connector that can be coupled to a corresponding port of a computing device (e.g., computing device 102 as illustrated in Figure 1, etc.). In some examples, the connector 216 can be utilized to receive electrical power from the computing device through the connector 216. In these examples, the computing device can provide power to the circuitry 222 and/or the light source 218. In some examples, the connector 216 can be utilized to receive signals, such as notification signals, that can be provided to the circuitry 222.

[0020] In some examples, the peripheral device can include circuitry 222 (e.g., a circuit, a controller, etc.) to receive electrical power and communication signals from the port of the computing device. As described herein, the circuitry 222 can receive a particular notification signal that can be generated and transmitted to the peripheral device 214 through the connector 216. In this way, the computing device can utilize the peripheral device 214 to provide visual notifications through the port of a computing device used to connect the peripheral device 214 to the computing device.

[0021] In some examples, the circuitry 222 can send a signal to the computing device to notify the computing device of the peripheral device 214. In some examples, the computing device can identify when the peripheral device 214 is connected to a particular port utilizing the connector 216. In some examples, the computing device can determine the port location of the peripheral device 214. In some examples, the port location can be utilized to identify particular events associated with the computing device. For example, the peripheral device 214 can be utilized with a plurality of additional peripheral devices such that the visual signal generated by the light source 218 can be utilized in combination with the port location to provide the visual notification to a particular user.

[0022] For example, a particular computing device can include a plurality of ports that are positioned at different physical locations around the particular computing device. In this example, peripheral devices that include the elements of the peripheral device 214 can be coupled to different physical locations around the particular computing device and the notification signal can indicate particular port locations to activate corresponding light sources 218 and other port locations to deactivate corresponding light sources 218. In this way, the combination or proximity can indicate particular hardware or features of the computing device to be altered or updated. In some examples, the computing device can identify a location of the peripheral device 214 based on the port of the computing device. For example, the computing device can determine a physical location of the peripheral device based on the port location of the peripheral device 214.

[0023] In some examples, the peripheral device 214 can provide a persistent signal to the light source 218 to remain activated until manually deactivated. In some examples, the peripheral device 214 can be manually deactivated by removing the peripheral device 214 from a port of the computing device. The peripheral device 214 can be recoupled to the computing device and the signal to the light source 218 can be deactivated. In other examples, the peripheral device 214 can be manually deactivated through a remote computing device by receiving a deactivation signal. [0024] In some examples, the peripheral device 214 can include a light source 218 coupled to the circuitry 222 to be activated and deactivated to provide visual signals based on the communication signals from the port of the computing device. As described herein, the notification signal can be processed by the circuitry 222 to determine features of activating the light source 218 or whether the light source 218 is to be deactivated based on the notification signal. In some examples, the circuitry 222 can determine a color and/or pattern to be displayed or illuminated by the light source 218 based on the notification signal. As described herein, the notification signal can be based on a particular event or event type. In this way, the visual display of the light source 218 can be illuminated with a particular color and/or pattern to notify a user of the particular event or event type. In this way, the [0025] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a system 300 for providing port notifications. In some examples the system 300 can include a first computing device 302-1 can be a device that includes a processor resource 304-1 communicatively coupled to a memory resource 306-1. As described herein, the memory resource 306-1 can include or store instructions 332, that can be executed by the processor resource 304-1 to perform particular functions.

[0026] In some examples, the first computing device 302-1 can be a managing device that can be utilized to monitor and/or provide instructions for a plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4. In some examples, the first computing device 302-1 can be communicatively coupled to the plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4. In some examples, the plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4 can each include a corresponding processor resource and memory resource to perform particular functions. For example, the second computing device 302-2 can include a processor resource 304-2 and a memory resource 306-2.

[0027] In some examples, the first computing device 302-1 can include instructions 332 that can be executed by a processor resource 304-1 to identify a plurality of peripheral devices 314-2, 314-3, 314-4 coupled to a corresponding plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4 utilizing a universal serial bus (USB) port of the corresponding plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4. In these examples, the plurality of peripheral devices 314-2, 314-3, 314-4 include light emitting diodes to generate visual signals based on a signal transmitted through the USB port of the corresponding plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302- 4.

[0028] In some examples, the first computing device 302-1 can include instructions to select a portion of the plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4 to send notification signals utilizing a communication path 340 For example, the first computing device 302-1 can determine that an event is associated with the portion of the plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4. In this example, the first computing device 302-1 can send a notification signal to the selected portion of the plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4 to activate the corresponding peripheral devices 314-2, 314-3, 314-4. As described herein, the corresponding peripheral devices 314-2, 314-3, 314-4 can be activated to display a particular color and/or pattern based on the notification signal generated by the first computing device 302-1. In this way, a user physically proximate to the plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4 can visually identify the selected portion of the plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4 based on the visual signal generated by the corresponding peripheral devices 314-2, 314-3, 314-4.

[0029] In some examples, the first computing device 302-1 can include a peripheral device 314-1 that can be utilized to provide visual notifications to a user associated with the first computing device 302-1. However, in other examples, the first computing device 302-1 may not include a peripheral device 314-1 when the first computing device 302-1 includes a display device or monitor to display images generated by the first computing device 302-1. In some examples, the plurality of computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4 may be displayless devices. As used herein, a displayless device can include a computing device that is not coupled to a display device such as a computing monitor or scree that can be utilized to generate images that can be viewed by a user of the computing device. In this way, the peripheral devices 314-2, 314-3, 314-4 can be utilized to provide visual notifications for displayless devices.

[0030] In some examples, the second computing device 302-2 can include instructions 334 that can be executed by a processor resource 304-2 to receive a signal from the first computing device 302-1 indicating an event at the second computing device 302-2. As described herein, the first computing device 302-1 can be a managing device and determine that the second computing device 302-2 is experiencing an event. For example, the first computing device 302-1 can determine that an error has occurred at the second computing device 302-2. In other examples, the first computing device 302-1 can determine that the second computing device 302-2 is to be upgraded or altered. In these examples, the first computing device 302-1 can send a notification signal to the second computing device 302-2 to indicate to the second computing device 302-2 that the event has occurred.

[0031] In some examples, the second computing device 302-2 can include instructions 336 that can be executed by a processor resource 304-2 to send a notification signal to a particular USB port that is coupled to a particular peripheral device 314-2 associated with the second computing device 302-2. As described herein, the particular USB port can be associated with the second peripheral device 314-2 when the second peripheral device 314-2 is coupled to the particular USB port. In some examples, the particular USB port can be determined based on the notification signal provided to the second computing device 302-2. In this way, the second peripheral device 314-2 can be at a particular physical location on the second computing device 302-2. As described herein, the second computing device 302-2 can include a second USB port that is coupled to a different peripheral device (not illustrated) that can be activated and deactivated separately from the second peripheral device 314-2. In these examples, an activation of the peripheral device 314-2 can correspond to a first event type and an activation of the different peripheral device can correspond to a second event type. In this way, the display pattern of the peripheral devices 314-1, 314-2, 314-3, 314-4 can be utilized to indicate events, as well as a location of the peripheral devices 314-1 , 314-2, 314-3, 314-4.

[0032] In some examples, the signal can be sent to the second computing device 302-2 and a portion of the plurality of corresponding computing devices 302- 2, 302-3, 302-4 to visually indicate that the second computing device 302-2 and the portion of the plurality of corresponding computing devices 302-2, 302-3, 302-4 are affected by the event. In this way, computing devices that are affected by a particular event can be providing a visual notification through the corresponding peripheral devices 314-2, 314-3, 314-4.

[0033] In some examples, the second computing device 302-2 can include instructions 338 that can be executed by a processor resource 304-2 to receive a deactivation signal to deactivate the light emitting diode of the particular peripheral device (e.g., second peripheral device 314-2, etc.). In some examples, the deactivation signal can be an indication that the event is over at the second computing device 302-2. In some examples, the deactivation signal can be provided by the first computing device 302-1 to indicate that a particular process has been performed or that the event is no longer occurring at the second computing device 302-2. In some examples, the first computing device 302-1 can be utilized to monitor the second computing device 302-2 and utilize the second peripheral device 314-2 to provide visual notifications through the ports of the second computing device 302-2. [0034] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a system 400 for providing port notifications. In some examples, the system 400 can include the same or similar elements as system 300. For example, the system 400 can include a computing device that is a designated manager device 440 that can monitor and/or instruct a plurality of computing devices 402-1, 402-2, 402-3, 402-4, 402-5, 402-6. In some examples, the plurality of computing devices 402-1 , 402-2, 402-3, 402-4, 402-5, 402- 6 can be server computing devices that can be utilized to provide services to remote computing devices. In some examples, the plurality of computing devices 402-1, 402-2, 402-3, 402-4, 402-5, 402-6 can be displayless computing devices since they are not utilized to provide computing services for local users.

[0035] In some examples, the plurality of computing devices 402-1 , 402-2, 402-3, 402-4, 402-5, 402-6 can include corresponding plurality of connect agents 442-1 , 442-2, 442-3, 442-4, 442-5, 442-6. As used herein, a connect agent can allow for remote management that can be performed by the manager device 440. For example, the plurality of connect agents 442-1 , 442-2, 442-3, 442-4, 442-5, 442-6 can be utilized to control functions or alter settings of the corresponding plurality of computing devices 402-1 , 402-2, 402-3, 402-4, 402-5, 402-6 through a communication path 444. In this way, the manager device 440 can send signals through the communication path 444 and utilize the plurality of connect agents 442- 1, 442-2, 442-3, 442-4, 442-5, 442-6 to alter settings and/or perform particular functions.

[0036] In some examples, the computing device 402-4 can include an integrated light source 444 that can be utilized to display visual signals based on a state of the computing device 402-4. In some examples, the integrated light source 444 can be a similar type of light source associated with peripheral devices as described herein. For example, the integrated light source 444 can be a light emitting diode that is directly connected to a computing resource associated with the computing device 402-4. In this way, the integrated light source 444 may not be removable from the computing device 402-4. In some examples, the computing device 402-4 can be integrated with a plurality of computing devices 402-1, 402-2, 402-3, 402-5, 402-6 that utilize corresponding peripheral devices 414-1, 414-2, 414- 3, 414-5, 414-6 that include light sources that can be utilized with the integrated light source 444.

[0037] As described herein, the system 400 can be utilized to provide visual notifications utilizing the peripheral devices 414-1, 414-2, 414-3, 414-5, 414-6 and integrated light source 444. As described herein, the plurality of computing devices 402-1 , 402-2, 402-3, 402-4, 402-5, 402-6 may not include a corresponding display device and may difficult to identify at a physical location when a portion of the plurality of computing devices 402-1, 402-2, 402-3, 402-4, 402-5, 402-6 are experiencing a particular event. In this way, a particular computing device of the plurality of computing devices 402-1, 402-2, 402-3, 402-4, 402-5, 402-6 can be more easily identified based on the visual notification provided by the integrated light source 444 and/or peripheral devices 414-1, 414-2, 414-3, 414-5, 414-6.

[0038] In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further, as used herein, “a” refers to one such thing or more than one such thing.

[0039] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral 102 may refer to element 102 in Figure 1 and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral 302 in Figure 3. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated to provide additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense. [0040] It can be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to", “coupled to”, or "coupled with" another element, it can be directly on, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is “directly coupled to” or “directly coupled with” another element it is understood that are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, other elements) etc.

[0041] The above specification, examples, and data provide a description of the system and method of the disclosure. Since many examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and method of the disclosure, this specification merely sets forth some of the many possible example configurations and implementations.