Computer device for sensing user status and computer system for direct automatic networking

• US 20020147931A1
• Filed: 02/08/2001
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Twinhead International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Twinhead International Corporation
• Inventors: Liu, Chu-Kung
• Granted Patent: US 6,802,016 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A computer system having a sensing circuit for detecting a user status and switching a computer accordingly as well as an automatic networking capability. As a user walks into a sensing area, the computer starts up automatically so that some waiting time can be saved. Similarly, when the user walks away from the sensing area, the computer shut down automatically so that some power can be saved. The computer system includes a signal generator that sends out a transmission signal for determining if a user is within a detectable region. A signal receiver emits an appropriate status signal after picking up the transmission signal from the detection region. The status signal is processed by various devices including an analogue/digital converter, a delay unit, a logic circuit and a microprocessor before arriving at a power-triggering mechanism to switch on or off the computer accordingly.

Claims

1. A computer device having a sensing circuit for determining a user status and switching a computer accordingly, comprising:

a signal generator that sends out a transmission signal to a detection region close to the computer for determining whether a user is inside or outside the detection region;

a signal receiver for receiving the transmission signal from the detection region and sending out a user status signal according to the present or absence of the user;

an analog/digital converter for converting the status signal into a digital signal;

a delay unit connected to the analog/digital signal for receiving the digital signal and sending out a delay signal after a delay period;

a logic circuit connected to the delay unit and the analog/digital converter for receiving the digital signal and the delay signal and producing a logical signal after a logical computation;

a microprocessor connected to the logic circuit for receiving the logic signal and outputting a processing signal; and

a power-triggering mechanism connected to the microprocessor for starting the computer if the processing signal indicates the users is inside the detecting region and the computer is off, and for shutting down the computer if the processing signal indicates the user is outside the detecting region and the computer is still on.

2. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the transmission signal comprises an infrared signal.

3. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the transmission signal comprises an ultrasonic signal.

4. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the signal generator further comprises an oscillator circuit for generating an oscillatory signal, a first amplifier for receiving the oscillatory signal and generating a first amplified signal, a second amplifier circuit for receiving the first amplified signal and generating a second amplified signal, a resistor with one terminal connected to the second amplifier circuit and a light-emitting diode connected to the other terminal of the resistor for generating the transmission signal.

5. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the signal receiver further comprises:

a transistor sensor;

a buffer amplifier connected to the transistor sensor;

a third amplifier connected to the buffer amplifier;

a voltage regulator connected to the third amplifier;

a comparator connected to the third amplifier;

a Zener diode connected to the comparator; and

a pulse delay device connected to the comparator circuit.

6. A computer device having a sensing circuit for finding a user status and switching a computer accordingly, comprising:

an infrared generator;

a first amplifier connected to the infrared generator;

a light-emitting diode connected to the first amplifier, wherein the light-emitting diode sends out a transmission signal to a detection region close to the computer so that whether a user is inside or outside the detection region can be determined;

an infrared detector for receiving the transmission signal from the detection region and sending out a status signal according to the presence or the absence of the user;

a first resistor having one terminal connected to the infrared detector and the other terminal connected to an earth terminal;

a second amplifier connected to one terminal of the first resistor for receiving the status signal;

a waveform filter connected to the second amplifier;

a waveform integrator connected to the waveform filter;

a second resistor having one terminal connected to the waveform integrator;

a diode connected to the waveform integrator;

a capacitor having one terminal connected to the diode and the other terminal connected to an earth terminal;

a delay circuit connected to the diode;

a first bipolar transistor having a base terminal connected to the delay circuit, a collector terminal connected to the other terminal of the second resistor and an emitter terminal connected to an earth terminal;

a latching circuit connected to one terminal of the capacitor;

a third resistor having one terminal connected to the latching circuit and the other terminal connected to an earth terminal;

a second bipolar transistor having a base terminal connected to the latching circuit and an emitter terminal connected to an earth terminal;

a fourth resistor having one terminal connected to a collector terminal of the second bipolar transistor and the other terminal connected to a high voltage;

a fifth resistor having one terminal connected to one terminal of the fourth resistor;

a first analog/digital converter connected to the other terminal of the fifth resistor;

a sixth resistor having one terminal connected to the other terminal of the second resistor and the other terminal connected to an earth terminal;

a seventh resistor having one terminal connected to the other terminal of the second resistor;

a timer having a first terminal connected to the other terminal of the seventh resistor and a second terminal connected to the latching circuit;

an eighth resistor having one terminal connected to a third terminal of the timer and the other terminal connected to a high voltage;

a second analog/digital converter connected to the timer;

a microprocessor connected to the first analog/digital converter and the second analog/digital converter for sending out a processing signal; and

a power-triggering mechanism connected to the microprocessor for starting the computer if the processing signal indicates the users is inside the detecting region and the computer is off, and for shutting the computer if the processing signal indicates the user is outside the detecting region and the computer is still on.

7. The computer device of claim 6, wherein the device further comprises:

at least one function-triggering key on the computer device for generating a triggering signal;

a latching circuit connected to the function-triggering key for receiving the triggering signal and generating a latching signal;

a embedded controller connected to the latching circuit and the microprocessor for receiving the latching signal and the processing signal and generating a scan signal;

a switching controller connected to the latching circuit and the power-triggering mechanism for deciding whether to receive the latching signal and transmit the latching signal to the power-triggering mechanism;

a storage device for holding data;

a monitoring device for writing data into the storage device when the embedded controller generates a scan signal; and

a driving unit connected to the embedded controller for receiving the scan signal and driving one among a plurality of application programs;

wherein the specified function corresponding to a particular functional key is provided when the functional key is pressed.

8. The computer device of claim 7, wherein the function-triggering key comprises a direct dial immediate networking function and a direct dial immediate e-mail retrieving function.

9. A computer device having a sensing circuit for finding a user status and switching a computer accordingly, an automatic networking capability and a capacity for selecting the type of functional operation immediately after system start-up, comprising:

a signal generator that sends out a transmission signal to a detection region close to the computer for determining whether a user is inside or outside the detection region;

a signal receiver for receiving the transmission signal from the detection region and sending out a user status signal according to the present or absence of the user;

an analog/digital converter for receiving the status signal and converting the status signal into a digital signal;

a delay unit connected to the analog/digital signal for receiving the digital signal and sending out a delay signal after a delay period;

a logic circuit connected to the delay unit and the analog/digital converter for receiving the digital signal and the delay signal and producing a logical signal after a logical computation;

a microprocessor connected to the logic circuit for receiving the logic signal and outputting a processing signal;

a power-triggering mechanism connected to the microprocessor for starting the computer if the processing signal indicates the users is inside the detecting region and the computer is off, and for shutting down the computer if the processing signal indicates the user is outside the detecting region and the computer is still on;

at least one function-triggering key on the computer device for generating a triggering signal;

a latching circuit connected to the function-triggering key for receiving the triggering signal and generating a latching signal;

a embedded controller connected to the latching circuit and the microprocessor for receiving the latching signal and the processing signal and generating a scan signal;

a switching controller connected to the latching circuit and the power-triggering mechanism for deciding whether to receive the latching signal and transmitting the latching signal to the power-triggering mechanism;

a storage device for holding data;

a monitoring device for writing data into the storage device when the embedded controller generates a scan signal; and

a driving unit connected to the embedded controller for receiving the scan signal and driving one among a plurality of application programs;

wherein the specified function corresponding to a particular functional key is provided when the functional key is pressed.

10. The computer device of claim 9, wherein the transmission signal comprises an infrared signal.

11. The computer device of claim 9, wherein the transmission signal comprises an ultrasonic signal.

12. The computer device of claim 9, wherein the signal generator further comprises an oscillator circuit for generating an oscillatory signal, a first amplifier for receiving the oscillatory signal and generating a first amplified signal, a second amplifier circuit for receiving the first amplified signal and generating a second amplified signal, a resistor with one terminal connected to the second amplifier circuit and a light-emitting diode connected to the other terminal of the resistor for generating the transmission signal.

13. The computer device of claim 9, wherein the signal receiver further comprises:

a transistor sensor;

a buffer amplifier connected to the bipolar transistor;

a third amplifier connected to the buffer amplifier;

a voltage regulator connected to the third amplifier;

a comparator connected to the third amplifier;

a Zener diode connected to the comparator; and

a pulse delay device connected to the comparator circuit.

14. The computer device of claim 9, wherein the function-triggering key comprises a direct dial immediate networking function and a direct dial immediate e-mail retrieving function.

16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the computer device further comprises:

a signal generator that sends out a transmission signal to a detection region close to the computer for determining whether a user is inside or outside the detection region;

a signal receiver for receiving the transmission signal from the detection region and sending out a user status signal according to the present or absence of the user;

an analog/digital converter for converting the status signal into a digital signal;

a delay unit connected to the analog/digital signal for receiving the digital signal and sending out a delay signal after a delay period;

a logic circuit connected to the delay unit and the analog/digital converter for receiving the digital signal and the delay signal and producing a logical signal after a logical computation;

a microprocessor connected to the logic circuit for receiving the logic signal and outputting a processing signal;

a power-triggering mechanism connected to the microprocessor for starting the computer if the processing signal indicates the user is inside the detecting region and the computer is off, and for shutting down the computer if the processing signal indicates the user is outside the detecting region and the computer is still on;

at least one function-triggering key on the computer device for generating a triggering signal;

a latching circuit connected to the function-triggering key for receiving the triggering signal and generating a latching signal;

a embedded controller connected to the latching circuit and the microprocessor for receiving the latching signal and the processing signal and generating a scan signal;

a switching controller connected to the latching circuit and the power-triggering mechanism for deciding whether to receive the latching signal and transmitting the latching signal to the power-triggering mechanism;

a storage device for holding data;

a monitoring device for writing data into the storage device when the embedded controller generates a scan signal; and

a driving unit connected to the embedded controller for receiving the scan signal and driving one among a plurality of application programs,

wherein the specified function corresponding to a particular functional key is provided when the functional key is pressed.

17. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a display device connected to the graphic controller.

18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the display device comprises a liquid crystal display.

19. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the peripheral support devices comprise a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM, a hard drive, a battery and a USB hub.

20. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a Blue tooth connected to the USB hub.

21. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a PS/2 port connected to the input/output controller.

22. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a serial port connected to the input/output controller.

23. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a parallel port connected to the input/output controller.

24. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises an LED card connected to the input/output controller.

25. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a voice controller connected to the PCI bus.

26. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a voice receiver connected to the voice controller for receiving a voice signal and a sound producer connected to the voice controller for outputting voice signal.

27. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a cable connected to the PCI bus.

28. The computer system of claim 27, wherein the system further comprises a wireless communication module connected to the cable.

29. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the network controller further comprises a local area network and modem connector connected to a local area network and modem mini-PCI slot.

30. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the main memory comprises SDRAM.

15. A computer system having a sensing circuit for finding a user status and switching a computer accordingly, an automatic networking capability and a capacity for selecting the type of functional operation immediately after system start-up, comprising:

a central processing unit for controlling all data transactions;

a graphic controller for processing image and displaying text and image data;

a main memory unit for recording and holding data;

a North Bridge connected to the central processing unit, the graphic controller and the main memory unit for integrating their functions;

a system bus connected to the North Bridge for transmitting data to or from other devices;

a plurality of peripheral support devices for performing auxiliary user functions;

an input/output controller for receiving user input/output data;

a South Bridge connected to the system bus, the peripheral support devices and the input/output controller for integrating the functions of the peripheral support devices and the input/output controller;

a basic input/output system connected to the input/output controller; and

a computer device having a sense circuit for finding user status and automatic networking capability connected to the basic input/output system for sending out a triggering program.