Method and apparatus for real time monitoring of user presence to prolong a portable computer battery operation time
First Claim
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1. A power control device for a computer, comprising:
- means for determining whether a user is interacting with the computer;
a user detection system separate from the means for determining whether a user is interacting with the computer, the user detection system configured to determine whether the user is proximate to the computer, wherein the user detection system is inactive when the means for determining whether a user is interacting with the computer determines that the user is interacting with the computer; and
a power control module configured to reduce power consumption of the computer after the user detection system determines that the user is not proximate to the computer.
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Abstract
A computer is power managed by detecting the presence of a user. A camera is associated with the computer and the output from the camera is analyzed to determine if the user is present. If the user is present, then the computer is maintained in its non-power manage state. When the user leaves, however, the user'"'"'s presence is no longer detected by the camera,and the power managed state can be quickly entered.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A power control device for a computer, comprising:
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means for determining whether a user is interacting with the computer;
a user detection system separate from the means for determining whether a user is interacting with the computer, the user detection system configured to determine whether the user is proximate to the computer, wherein the user detection system is inactive when the means for determining whether a user is interacting with the computer determines that the user is interacting with the computer; and
a power control module configured to reduce power consumption of the computer after the user detection system determines that the user is not proximate to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of managing power consumption in a computer, comprising:
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monitoring whether a user is interacting with the computer;
obtaining image data for an area proximate to the computer only after determining that a user is no longer interacting with the computer;
processing the image data to determine whether a user is proximate to the computer; and
managing power consumption based on said processing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising a machine-readable storage medium having executable instructions for reducing power of a communication device, the instructions enabling the machine to:
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monitor whether a user is interacting with a computer;
obtain image data only after determining that the user is not interacting with the computer;
process image data to determine whether the user it proximate to said computer; and
manage power consumption based on said processing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification