Computer activity monitoring system
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for monitoring a user'"'"'s activity rate on a computer, said computer having a processor, input means, and memory having an initialized activity status indicator, said computer being configured by instructional means resident in said memory to perform said method comprising the steps of:
- measuring the activity of said input means over a time period to determine an activity rate;
comparing said activity rate to at least one limit selected from the group consisting of a work limit and a rest limit, if said activity rate is greater than said work limit, then adjusting said activity status indicator according to a first function, if said activity is less than said rest limit, then adjusting said activity status indicator according to a second function; and
signaling a warning if said activity status indicator reaches a predetermined alarm level.
1 Assignment
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer activity monitoring system is disclosed for monitoring a user'"'"'s input on a computer having a processor, memory, and input unit. The system functions by first initializing an activity status indicator in the memory. Next, the activity of the operator'"'"'s input device is measured over a time period to determine an activity rate. The activity rate is then compared to at least one limit selected from the group consisting of a work limit and a rest limit. If the activity rate is greater than the work limit, then the activity status indicator is adjusted according to a first function. If the activity is less than the rest limit, then the activity status indicator is adjusted according to a second function. A warning is indicated if the activity status indicator reaches a predetermined alarm level. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing this method and a computer readable medium, such a floppy disk, hard drive, CD ROM, or tape, having instructions for performing this method.
65 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method for monitoring a user'"'"'s activity rate on a computer, said computer having a processor, input means, and memory having an initialized activity status indicator, said computer being configured by instructional means resident in said memory to perform said method comprising the steps of:
-
measuring the activity of said input means over a time period to determine an activity rate; comparing said activity rate to at least one limit selected from the group consisting of a work limit and a rest limit, if said activity rate is greater than said work limit, then adjusting said activity status indicator according to a first function, if said activity is less than said rest limit, then adjusting said activity status indicator according to a second function; and signaling a warning if said activity status indicator reaches a predetermined alarm level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A device for monitoring a user'"'"'s input activity, said device comprising:
-
means for initializing an activity status indicator; means for measuring the activity of a user'"'"'s input means over a time period to determine an activity rate; means for comparing said activity rate to at least one limit selected from the group consisting of a work limit and a rest limit, if said activity rate is greater than said work limit, then adjusting said activity status indicator according to a first function, if said activity is less than said rest number, then adjusting said activity status indicator according to a second predetermined function; and means for signaling a warning if said activity status indicator reaches a predetermined alarm level. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A warning module for use with a system that monitors a user'"'"'s input activity, said system comprising
means for initializing an activity status indicator; -
means for measuring the activity of a user'"'"'s input device over a time period to determine an activity rate; means for comparing said activity rate to at least one limit selected from the group consisting of a work limit and a rest limit, if said activity rate is greater than said work limit, then adjusting said activity status indicator according to a first function, if said activity is less than said rest number, then adjusting said activity status indicator according to a second predetermined function; and means for signaling a warning if said activity status indicator reaches a predetermined alarm level; said warning module comprising; means for generating pictures, text, or sounds in response to said means for signaling.
-
-
15. A computer-readable medium for configuring a computer having a processor, memory, and input means to monitor a user'"'"'s input activity on said input means, said medium comprising instructional means for:
-
initializing an activity status indicator; measuring a user'"'"'s activity on said input means over a predetermined duration to determine activity rate; comparing said activity rate to at least one limit selected from the group consisting of a work limit and a rest limit, if said activity rate is greater than said work limit, then adjusting said activity status indicator according to a first function, if said activity is less than said rest limit, then adjusting said activity status indicator according to a second function; and signaling a warning if said activity status indicator reaches a predetermined alarm level. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification