Method for automatically initiating a computer security and/or screen saver mode
First Claim
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.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the operating mode of a computer, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
broadcasting ultrasound energy in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting ultrasound energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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4. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:
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broadcasting infrared light in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting infrared light reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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5. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:
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broadcasting electromagnetic energy in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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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.
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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.
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8. A method of controlling the operating mode of a computer, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
broadcasting ultrasound energy in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting ultrasound energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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11. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:
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broadcasting infrared light in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting infrared light reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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12. The method of claim 8 wherein the act of detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:
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broadcasting electromagnetic energy in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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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.
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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.
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15. A method of controlling the operating mode of a computer, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
broadcasting ultrasound energy in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting ultrasound energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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18. The method of claim 15 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:
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broadcasting infrared light in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting infrared light reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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19. The method of claim 15 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:
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broadcasting electromagnetic energy in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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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.
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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.
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22. A method of controlling the operating mode of a computer, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
broadcasting ultrasound energy in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting ultrasound energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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25. The method of claim 22 wherein detecting whether a person is located proximate the computer comprises:
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broadcasting electromagnetic energy in an area proximate the computer; and
detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the person proximate the computer.
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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.
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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.
Specification