Impulsive communication activated computer control device and method

• US 20060143326A1
• Filed: 12/27/2004
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emmanuel Thibaudeau
• Original Assignee: Emmanuel Thibaudeau
• Inventors: Hauck, Lane T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,059,835 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes

Abstract

An impulsive communication activated device for connection to a computer input port for controlling a computer, is disclosed. The disclosed device includes an output connector for communicating with the computer input port, and includes a sensor for detecting an impulsive communication such as a hand clap or other predetermined input, to generate an impulsive signal. The disclosed device includes a comparator for responding to both a reference signal and to the impulsive signal, and to determine if the impulsive signal differs substantially from the reference signal to generate a start signal. The disclosed device includes a logic circuit responsive to the start signal for generating a predetermined computer command signal to control the computer.

Claims

1. An impulse activated device for connection to a computer input port for controlling a computer, comprising:

an output connector for communicating with the input port;

a circuit for storing a reference signal;

a sensor for detecting an impulsive communication and generating an impulsive signal;

a comparator responsive to the reference signal and to the impulsive signal and determining if the impulsive signal differs substantially from the reference signal to generate a start signal; and

a logic circuit responsive to the start signal for generating a predetermined computer command signal to control the computer via the output connector.

2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the output connector conveys power from the input port.

3. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a microphone.

4. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a light detector.

5. A device as recited in claim 1, further including a housing having the output connector mounted at one end thereof, and having the sensor mounted thereon.

6. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the logic circuit detects a unique state signal from the computer when it is in a unique state; and

the logic circuit subsequently responsive to another impulsive communication signal for generating another predetermined computer command signal related to the unique state to control the computer via the output connector.

7. An impulse activated device for connection to a computer input port for controlling a computer, comprising:

an output connector for communicating with the input port;

a sensor for generating a start signal, the sensor being responsive to an impulsive communication;

a memory for storing a predetermined series of human interface device signals; and

a microprocessor responsive to the start signal for retrieving and sending the series of predetermined human interface device signals to control the computer via the output connector.

8. A device as recited in claim 7, wherein the output connector conveys power from the input port.

9. A device as recited in claim 7, wherein the sensor is a microphone.

10. A device as recited in claim 7, wherein the sensor is a light detector.

11. A device as recited in claim 7, wherein the sensor is a manually operable switch.

12. A device as recited in claim 7, further including a housing having the output connector mounted at one end thereof, and having the sensor mounted thereon.

13. A device as recited in claim 7, wherein:

the logic circuit detects a unique state signal from the computer when it is in a unique state; and

the microprocessor subsequently responsive to another impulsive communication signal for generating another series of predetermined human interface device computer command signals related to the unique state to control the computer via the output connector.

14. A method for controlling a computer via an impulse activated device having an output connector connected to a computer input port, comprising:

storing a reference signal;

detecting an impulse communication and generating an impulsive signal;

comparing the reference signal to the impulsive signal and determining if the impulsive signal differs substantially from the reference signal to generate a first start signal; and

responding to the start signal for generating a predetermined computer command signal to control the computer via the output connector to cause the computer to execute a predetermined operation.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, further including:

detecting a second impulse communication and generating a second impulsive signal;

comparing the reference signal to the second impulsive signal and determining if the second impulsive signal differs substantially from the reference signal to generate a second start signal; and

responding to the second start signal for generating a second predetermined computer command signal to control the computer via the output connector to cause the computer to execute another predetermined operation.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the first-mentioned impulsive communication clears an active window on the computer and the second impulsive communication restores the active window on the computer.

17. A method as recited in claim 14, further including receiving power from the input port of the computer via the output connector.

18. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein detecting an impulsive communication includes using a microphone.

19. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein detecting an impulsive communication includes using a photo detector.

20. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein detecting an impulsive communication includes using a manually operable switch.

21. A method as recited in claim 14, further including:

detecting a signal from the computer indicating its unique state;

subsequently generating a second predetermined computer control command via the output connector upon detection of another impulsive communication, the second predetermined computer control command being related to the unique state.

23. A method as recited in claim 20, further including:

generating a second start signal responsive to a second impulsive communication; and

responding to the second start signal via the microprocessor for retrieving and sending a second series of predetermined human interface device signals to control the computer via the output connector.

24. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the first mentioned impulsive communication clears an active window on the computer and the second impulsive communication restores the active window on the computer.

25. A method as recited in claim 20, further including receiving power from the input port of the computer via the output connector.

26. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein detecting an impulsive communication includes using a microphone.

27. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein detecting an impulsive communication includes using a photo detector.

28. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein detecting an impulsive communication includes using a manually operable switch.

29. A method as recited in claim 20, further including:

detecting a signal from the computer indicating its unique state;

subsequently generating a second predetermined computer control command via the output connector upon detection of another impulsive communication, the second predetermined computer control command being related to the unique state.

30. A method as recited in claim 20, further including sending enumeration data to the host computer, and subsequently sending a report descriptor signal to the computer.

22. A method for controlling a computer via an impulse activated device having an output connector connected to a computer input port, comprising:

generating a start signal in response to an impulsive communication;

storing a predetermined series of human interface device signals; and

retrieving and sending the series of predetermined human interface device signals in response to the start signal via a microprocessor to control the computer via the output connector.