Proximity sensor for screen saver and password delay
First Claim
1. Apparatus comprising:
- an interface module operatively coupleable to provide input to a computer;
a proximity sensor operatively coupled to said interface, said proximity sensor operative to detect the presence of a user; and
a control module, said control module controllably coupled to said proximity sensor and said interface module, said control module operative to cause information to be transmitted to said computer via said interface module based on an output signal provided by said proximity sensor to prevent the activation of a computer program.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods of the present invention provide improved control over the activation and deactivation of a computer program. For example, the computer program may be a screen saver program and/or a password protection program. The computer program is prevented from being activated when the user has not recently provided input to a computer system via an input-output device, but the user is still in the vicinity of the computer system. When no person is detected in the vicinity, the present invention allows the computer program'"'"'s activation to be controlled using standard known methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides enhanced screen saver activation and deactivation control without the need to modify existing computer hardware or software. Embodiments of modified computer hardware and software systems are also provided where it is desirable to integrate enhanced screen saver activation and deactivation control into a hardware or software system. Other aspects of the present invention deal with program activation control, user authentication, and methods for providing the most economical implementations.
109 Citations
67 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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an interface module operatively coupleable to provide input to a computer;
a proximity sensor operatively coupled to said interface, said proximity sensor operative to detect the presence of a user; and
a control module, said control module controllably coupled to said proximity sensor and said interface module, said control module operative to cause information to be transmitted to said computer via said interface module based on an output signal provided by said proximity sensor to prevent the activation of a computer program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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12. A computer system comprising:
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a central processing unit;
a memory;
a mass storage unit;
a display monitor;
an interface module operatively coupled to provide input to said central processing unit;
a proximity sensor operatively coupled to said interface module, said proximity sensor operative to detect the presence of a user;
a computer program, said computer program comprising an activation control program and an operational program; and
a control module, said control module controllably coupled to said proximity sensor and said interface module, said control module operative to cause information to be transmitted to said central processing unit via said interface module based on an output signal provided by said proximity sensor;
whereby said activation control program is operative to evaluate said information transmitted over said interface to make a decision as to when to place said operational program into a foreground state.
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18. Apparatus comprising:
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an interface module interposeable between a user-input device and a computer-input port, said interface module including a first connector connectable to said user-input device and a second connector connectable to said computer input port;
a proximity sensor operatively coupled to said interface module, said proximity sensor operative to detect the presence of a user;
a control module, said control module controllably coupled to said proximity sensor and said interface module, said control module operative to cause information to be transmitted via said second connector based on information provided by said proximity sensor to prevent the activation of a computer program.
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27. A method comprising the steps of:
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detecting the physical presence of a user via a proximity sensor; and
transmitting a signal indicative of the presence of said user to prevent a computer program from being activated.
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36. Apparatus comprising:
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means for detecting the physical presence of a user; and
means for transmitting a signal indicative of the presence of said user to prevent a computer program from being activated.
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48. A method of activating a computer program, the method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a first input signal supplied by a user input-output device;
monitoring a second input signal supplied by a proximity sensor, said second input signal indicative the physical presence of a user;
allowing said computer program to be placed in a foreground state after a prespecified time duration has passed since both said first input signal and said second input signal have been inactive.
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54. A method of deactivating a computer program comprising the steps of:
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detecting the physical presence of a user via a first proximity sensor;
identifying said user using at least one other proximity sensor;
generating a control signal indicating to deactivate said computer program when said user has been identified as an authorized user.
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61. A software system comprising:
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a background-processing module coupled to receive inputs from a user input-output device and a proximity sensor interface system;
a foreground-processing module controllably coupled to said background processing module, said foreground-processing module being activated in response to a control signal generated by said background-processing module;
whereby said background-processing module is operative to maintain a timer indicative of the amount of time which has elapsed since a user has applied an input via said user input-output device, accept an input from said proximity sensor interface system, and cause said foreground-processing module to be activated after both said timer indicates no user input has been received via said user input-output device for a prescribed amount of time and said proximity sensor interface system indicates no user is present. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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Specification