Sensor unit for controlling television set operation

• US 6,259,486 B1
• Filed: 10/20/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mahvi A. Pascal
• Original Assignee: Mahvi A. Pascal
• Inventors: Mahvi, A. Pascal
• Primary Examiner(s): HSIA, SHERRIE Y
• Application Number:
  US09/421,687
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.544, H04/N.563, 348/553, 348/730, 348/552, 348/61, 348/152, 348/706, 348/180, 348/82, 348/125, 348/819, 365/226, 365/227, 365/229, 340/310.06, 340/310.01, 340/517, 340/825.06
• US Class Current: 348/553
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42201 biosensors, e.g. heat sensor for presence detection, EEG sensors or any limb activity sensors worn by the user input arrangements for interaction with the human body based on nervous system activity detection G06F3/015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4436 Power management, e.g. shutting down unused components of the receiver power management in computer systems G06F1/3203; hibernate or awake process in computer systems G06F9/4418
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/63 Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers

Abstract

A viewer-presence sensor unit for controlling operation of a television set. The sensor unit first includes a detector for sensing presence of a living being near the television set and a timer for measuring the amount of time of non-presence of a living being. Second, the sensor unit incorporates a power interruption switch activated by the detector for terminating power to the television set upon reaching a measurement of a term of time of non-presence of a living being. Preferably, the term of time is a selectable period, and can range from less than an hour to 24 hours depending upon the needs and viewing habits of a user. Detectors can non-limitedly be chosen from motion sensor and heat sensors, and preferably have utility up to a reasonable viewing distance from the television set. In this manner television sets not in use are automatically turned off to thereby conserve resources otherwise expended as a result of non-viewed operating sets.

Claims

1. A viewer-presence sensor unit for controlling operation of a television set, the sensor unit comprising:

a) a detector for sensing presence of a living being within a viewable distance of the television set and a timer for measuring the amount of time of non-presence of a living being to thereby provide a timer measurement;

b) a power delivery circuit for delivering electricity to the television set and for receiving the timer measurement; and

c) a power interruption switch activated by the power delivery circuit for terminating power to the television set upon reaching a timer measurement equal to a pre-set term of time.

2. A viewer-presence sensor unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pre-set term of time is a selectable period.

3. A viewer-presence sensor unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the selectable period is between about 15 minutes and 60 minutes.

4. A viewer-presence sensor unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the selectable period is 24 hours.

5. A viewer-presence sensor unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detector is a motion sensor.

6. A viewer-presence sensor unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detector is a heat sensor.