Screen saver computer program prohibition based on storage device activity

• US 6,246,397 B1
• Filed: 07/30/1997
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vossler, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THU V
• Application Number:
  US08/903,487
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 345/204, 345/211, 345/212, 345/507, 345/508, 713/300, 713/310, 713/320, 713/322, 713/323, 713/324, 713/330, 713/340
• US Class Current: 345/204
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/167 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a CRT details suitable for both CRT and flat panel G09G5/006, specific for a flat panel G09G3/2096
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/04 Display protection

Abstract

The prohibition of screen saver computer program activation based on storage device activity is disclosed. The screen saver program is activated by the operating system of the computer after a period of inactivity of at least one storage device (such as a hard disk drive) has been detected. In an alternative embodiment, the screen saver program is activated by the operating system of computer after both a period of inactivity of at least one storage device and at least one input device (such as a keyboard) have been detected.

Claims

1. A method of operating a computer, the computer having a display, an input device, a storage device, and an executable screen saver program for protecting the display or obscuring the displayed image, the method comprising:

detecting inactivity of the input device of the computer for a first predetermined period of time;

determining whether there is inactivity of the storage device of the computer for a second predetermined period of time;

when the determining element is true, executing the screen saver program; and

when the determining element is false, repeating the detecting and determining elements.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein executing the screen saver program includes storing a first screen of information and displaying a second predetermined screen of information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting inactivity of the input device of the computer for a first predetermined period of time includes monitoring elapsed time since a predetermined activity, wherein the predetermined activity is activity of a device selected from the group consisting of a keyboard, a mouse input device, a touch pad, a wheel, a joystick, a point stick, or a trackball.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether there is inactivity of the storage device of the computer for a second predetermined period of time includes monitoring elapsed time since a disk drive access, disk read operation or disk write operation.

5. A computerized system, comprising:

processor means for executing an operating system;

display means coupled to the processor means for video display of information to a user, the display means having at least one synchronization line;

input means coupled to the processor means for receiving a user-controlled input;

storage means coupled to the processor means for storage of information accessible to the processor means;

programing means operated by the processor means, the programing means for

detecting inactivity of the input means for a first predetermined period of time;

determining whether there is inactivity of the storage means for a second predetermined period of time;

when the determining element is true, changing the video display of information; and

when the determining element is false, repeating the detecting and determining elements.

6. A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor, a memory, a display, an input device, and a storage device, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to perform the method of:

detecting inactivity of the input device of the computer for a first predetermined period of time;

determining whether there is inactivity of the storage device of the computer for a second predetermined period of time;

when the determining element is true, storing a first screen of information and displaying a second predetermined screen of information; and

when the determining element is false, repeating the detecting and determining elements.

7. The computer readable memory of claim 6, wherein detecting inactivity of the input device of the computer for a first predetermined period of time includes monitoring elapsed time since a predetermined activity, wherein the predetermined activity is activity of a device selected from the group consisting of a keyboard, a mouse input device, a touch pad, a wheel, a joystick, a point stick, or a trackball.

8. The computer readable memory of claim 6, wherein determining whether there is inactivity of the storage device of the computer for a second predetermined period of time includes monitoring elapsed time since a disk drive access, disk read operation or disk write operation.