Activity sensing interface between a computer and an input peripheral
First Claim
1. An activity sensing interface apparatus interposed between a computer and an input peripheral, the computer including security software normally operational to secure the computer when no user input to the computer at the input peripheral occurs for a period of time, said apparatus comprising:
- sensing means for sensing presence or absence of a user in the immediate vicinity of the computer and for providing proximity signals pertaining to the presence or absence of the user; and
control means for receiving said proximity signals and monitoring input to the computer from the input peripheral and responsive thereto generating a signal at the computer when user proximity together with user input inactivity at the input peripheral for a selected period of time are detected, said signal operating to cause delay in normal enablement of the computer'"'"'s security software.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interface apparatus and method between a computer and an input peripheral are disclosed for activity sensing in the vicinity of the computer and signal activation indicative thereof to the computer so that the computer will not activate its normal security procedures, such as a password protected screen saver mode for example, during times of input peripheral inactivity so long as user presence is sensed. When a user leaves the vicinity of the computer, normal operation of a computer'"'"'s resident security will control computer function. The apparatus when embodied in hardware includes a detector or sensor that detects the presence of the user, a controller receiving output signals from the detector and monitoring input peripheral activity, and host computer/input peripheral routing circuitry.
142 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An activity sensing interface apparatus interposed between a computer and an input peripheral, the computer including security software normally operational to secure the computer when no user input to the computer at the input peripheral occurs for a period of time, said apparatus comprising:
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sensing means for sensing presence or absence of a user in the immediate vicinity of the computer and for providing proximity signals pertaining to the presence or absence of the user; and
control means for receiving said proximity signals and monitoring input to the computer from the input peripheral and responsive thereto generating a signal at the computer when user proximity together with user input inactivity at the input peripheral for a selected period of time are detected, said signal operating to cause delay in normal enablement of the computer'"'"'s security software. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for selective prevention of enablement of a computer'"'"'s security software routine normally operational when no user input to the computer occurs for a period of time, said computer associated with a user responsive input peripheral, said apparatus comprising:
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detecting means for detecting user presence in a selected vicinity near the computer;
control means associated with said detecting means; and
routing means connected with said control means and with the computer and the input peripheral, said control means for receiving output from said detecting means indicative of presence or absence of a user of the computer, for monitoring input activity at the input peripheral via said routing means, and, responsive thereto, for generating a substitute signal to the computer indicative of user input when nonoccurrence of user input to the computer at the input peripheral is indicated for a selected time period but presence of the user of the computer in said vicinity is indicated thereby preventing enablement of the security software routine, said routing means operational to avoid conflict between normal user input at the input peripheral and signal input from said control means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for selective prevention of enablement of a computer'"'"'s security software routine normally operational when no user input to the computer occurs for a period of time, said method comprising the steps of:
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sensing presence of a user in a selected vicinity of the computer;
monitoring signal input to the computer from an input peripheral over a selected time period;
generating a signal to the computer when a lack of signal input to the computer from the input peripheral is sensed during said time period but presence of the user in said selected vicinity of the computer is sensed during said time period, thereby preventing enablement of the security software routine; and
accommodating normal operation of the security software routine when both a lack of signal input to the computer from the input peripheral and absence of the user in said selected vicinity of the computer are sensed. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for selective prevention of enablement of a computer'"'"'s resident security software routine normally operational when no user input to the computer occurs for a period of time, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a data/clock pathway between the computer and an input peripheral;
sensing presence of a user in a selected vicinity of the computer;
monitoring signal input to the computer from the input peripheral;
disconnecting the data/clock pathway and interposing a signal pathway when user presence in the selected vicinity is sensed but a lack of signal input to the computer from the input peripheral is sensed over a selected time period;
generating a signal on the signal pathway to the computer to prevent enablement of the security software routine; and
reconnecting the data/clock pathway. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for selective prevention of enablement of a computer'"'"'s resident security software routine normally operational when no user input to the computer occurs for a period of time, said computer associated with a user responsive input peripheral, said apparatus comprising:
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a data/clock pathway between the computer and the input peripheral;
sensing means for sensing presence of a user in a selected vicinity of the computer;
monitoring means for monitoring signal input to the computer from the input peripheral;
switching means for disconnecting the data/clock pathway and interposing a signal pathway when user presence in the selected vicinity is sensed by said sensing means but a lack of signal input to the computer from the input peripheral is sensed at said monitoring means over a selected time period and reconnecting the data/clock pathway thereafter; and
signal originating means for causing generation of a signal on the signal pathway to the computer to prevent enablement of the security software routine. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification