Method for automatically initiating a computer security and/or screen saver mode

• US 6,401,209 B1
• Filed: 03/09/1998
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mei California, Inc. (Micron Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Klein, Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Iqbal, Nadeem
• Application Number:
  US09/037,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20020056046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,548 Days
• Field of Search: 713/200, 713/201, 713/202, 380/4, 380/23, 380/25, 382/118, 382/119, 340/825.34, 235/382.5, 235/382, 235/380
• US Class Current: 726/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3218 of display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A method for automatically switching a computer to a password protected screen saver mode when a computer user leaves the proximity of the computer. A proximity sensor determines whether or not an individual is located proximate the computer. The proximity sensor interfaces with either the computer a bus bridge, a keyboard controller, a keyboard, or some another component of the computer to cause the computer to start executing a screen saver program responsive to an output signal from the proximity sensor. A variety of proximity sensors may be used, including ultrasound, infrared, or electromagnetic proximity sensors. A proximity sensor may also detect the presence of a computer user by detecting the weight of the user at a location proximate the computer.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the operating mode of a computer, comprising:

detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer, wherein the detecting includes;

broadcasting a first signal in an area proximate the computer;

detecting a reflected signal from the person proximate the computer;

receiving a relatively low frequency signal indicative of a frequency difference between the first signal and the reflected signal;

converting the relatively low frequency signal to a converted signal indicative of an amplitude of the low frequency signal; and

comparing the converted signal with a predetermined threshold to determine whether the person is located proximate the computer; and

allowing the computer to execute a screen saver program responsive to detecting that no persons are located proximate the computer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting whether there is movement of an object proximate the computer.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting ultrasound energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting ultrasound energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting infrared light in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting infrared light reflected from the person proximate the computer.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting electromagnetic energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting the weight of the person at a predetermined location proximate the computer.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of allowing the computer to execute a screen saver program comprises preventing the computer from executing an application program in an unprotected manner unless a password is correctly entered while the computer is executing the screen saver program.

8. A method of controlling the operating mode of a computer, comprising:

detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer, wherein the detecting includes;

broadcasting a first signal in an area proximate the computer;

detecting a reflected signal from the person proximate the computer;

receiving a relatively low frequency signal indicative of a frequency difference between the first signal and the reflected signal;

converting the relatively low frequency signal to a converted signal indicative of an amplitude of the low frequency signal; and

comparing the converted signal with a predetermined threshold to determine whether the person is located proximate the computer; and

allowing the computer to operate in a screen saver mode responsive to detecting that no persons are located proximate the computer.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting whether there is movement of an object proximate the computer.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting ultrasound energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting ultrasound energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting infrared light in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting infrared light reflected from the person proximate the computer.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting electromagnetic energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting the weight of the person at a predetermined location proximate the computer.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of allowing the computer to operate in the screen saver mode comprises preventing the computer from executing an application program in an unprotected manner unless a password is correctly entered while the computer is operating in the screen saver mode.

15. A method of controlling the operating mode of a computer, comprising:

detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer, wherein the detecting includes;

broadcasting a first signal in an area proximate the computer;

detecting a reflected signal from the person proximate the computer;

receiving a relatively low frequency signal indicative of a frequency difference between the first signal and the reflected signal;

converting the relatively low frequency signal to a converted signal indicative of an amplitude of the low frequency signal; and

comparing the converted signal with a predetermined threshold to determine whether the person is located proximate the computer; and

preventing the computer from executing a screen saver program responsive to detecting that the person is located proximate the computer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting whether there is movement of an object proximate the computer.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting ultrasound energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting ultrasound energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting infrared light in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting infrared light reflected from the person proximate the computer.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting electromagnetic energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting the weight of the person at a predetermined location proximate the computer.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein preventing the computer from executing a screen saver program comprises simulating activation of a key on a keyboard.

22. A method of controlling the operating mode of a computer, comprising:

detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer, wherein the detecting includes;

broadcasting a first signal in an area proximate the computer;

detecting a reflected signal from the person proximate the computer;

receiving a relatively low frequency signal indicative of a frequency difference between the first signal and the reflected signal;

converting the relatively low frequency signal to a converted signal indicative of an amplitude of the low frequency signal; and

comparing the converted signal with a predetermined threshold to determine whether the person is located proximate the computer;

allowing the computer to operate in a screen saver mode responsive to detecting that no persons are located proximate the computer; and

preventing the computer from entering a screen saver mode responsive to detecting that the person is located proximate the computer.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises detecting whether there is movement of an object proximate the computer.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting ultrasound energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting ultrasound energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:

broadcasting electromagnetic energy in an area proximate the computer; and

detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein allowing the computer to operate in a screen saver mode comprises preventing the computer from executing an application programming in an unprotected manner unless a password is correctly entered while the computer is executing a screen saver program.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein preventing the computer from entering a screen saver mode comprises simulating activation of a key on a keyboard.