Controlling processor-based systems using a digital camera

• US 7,231,083 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1999
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Menon, Ranjit R., Cooper, Frederick J., Gopal, Girish, Bender, Blake R., Urutia, Teresa L., Hopper, Keith E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Phuoc
• Application Number:
  US09/430,282
• Time in Patent Office: 2,783 Days
• Field of Search: 382/162, 382/165, 382/107, 382/286, 382/103, 345/867, 348/14.1, 348/154, 348/155, 700/17, 713/320
• US Class Current: 382/162
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A processor-based system may be controlled using a digital camera. The digital camera can provide luminance and motion information which may be analyzed to determine whether to alter one or more of the power consumption state, the operation of system utilities, or the operation of a screen saver.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a processor-based system comprising:

receiving video information;

analyzing said information to develop information about the luminance level of said video information; and

controlling the power consumption state of said system based at least in part on said luminance information.

2. The method of claim 1 further including controlling the operation of a screen saver based on said luminance information.

3. The method of claim 1 further including controlling the operation of system utilities based on said luminance information.

4. The method of claim 1 including determining whether the video information indicates motion.

5. An article comprising a medium for storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to:

analyze video information to develop luminance information; and

control the power consumption state of said system based at least in part on said luminance information.

6. The article of claim 5 further storing instructions that cause a processor-based system to determine whether the video information indicates motion.