Method and system for preventing the activation of a computer screen saver

• US 7,089,508 B1
• Filed: 09/25/2002
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wright, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Sy D
• Application Number:
  US10/254,116
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/310, 713/320, 713/323, 715/867
• US Class Current: 715/867
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45512 Command shells

Abstract

A method and system are provided for preventing the activation of a screen saver for locking user access to a computer while a user is near the computer. A controller capable of generating signals corresponding to an input device is connected to a user interface of a computer. The controller is connected to computer input devices (such as a keyboard or a mouse) and serves as a pass-through to the user interface for the input devices. The controller also includes a motion sensor for detecting a user'"'"'s activity within a predetermined perimeter of the computer. The controller then determines if the user activity is non-computer activity by determining if input signals are being received from one of the computer input devices. If input signals are not being received from the computer input devices, the controller generates a pseudo user input corresponding to a command from a computer input device to prevent the screen saver from activating.

Claims

1. A method for preventing the activation of a screen saver for locking user access to a computer, the method comprising:

detecting user activity within a predetermined perimeter of the computer;

determining whether the user activity is non-computer user activity; and

if it is determined that the user activity is non-computer user activity, then

setting a period for generating a pseudo user input; and

generating the pseudo user input upon occurrence of the period to prevent the activation of the screen saver, wherein the period for generating the pseudo user input is slightly less than a predetermined period for activating the screen saver, thereby minimizing the generation of pseudo user inputs on the computer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether the user activity is non-computer activity comprises determining whether an input signal is being received from an input device in communication with the computer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating a pseudo user input further comprises sending a signal to the computer corresponding to a command from an input device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of sending a signal to the computer corresponding to a command from an input device comprises sending a signal corresponding to a command from a mouse.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of sending a signal to the computer corresponding to a command from an input device comprises sending a signal corresponding to a command from a keyboard.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of sending a signal to the computer corresponding to a command from an input device comprises sending a signal corresponding to a command from a touchpad.

7. A system for preventing the activation of a screen saver, the system comprising:

a computer; and

a controller, in communication with the computer,

for detecting user activity within a predetermined perimeter of the computer;

for determining that the user activity is non-computer user activity;

for setting a period for generating a pseudo user input; and

for generating the pseudo user input upon occurrence of the period to prevent the activation of the screen saver, wherein the period for generating the pseudo user input is slightly less than a predetermined period for activating the screen saver, thereby minimizing the generation of pseudo user inputs on the computer.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the computer comprises:

a processor;

a user interface for sending input signals to the processor; and

a video interface for sending video signals to the processor.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the user interface.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the pseudo user input is generated by an input signal sent from the controller to the processor over the user interface, wherein the input signal corresponds to a command from an input device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the input device is a mouse.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the input device is a keyboard.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the command includes inputting a keystroke from a non character-generating key on the keyboard.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the command includes moving the mouse pointer at least one pixel in a predetermined direction.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the motion sensor is embedded in the input device.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the motion sensor is embedded in a video display in communication with the video interface.

17. An apparatus for preventing the activation of a screen saver on a computer, the apparatus comprising:

a motion sensor for detecting user activity within a predetermined perimeter of the computer;

a processor for determining non-computer user activity;

a timer for setting a period for generating a pseudo user input; and

an input generator for generating the pseudo user input upon occurrence of the period to prevent the activation of the screen saver, wherein the period for generating the pseudo user input is slightly less than a predetermined period for activating the screen saver, thereby minimizing the generation of pseudo user inputs on the computer.