Proximity sensor for screen saver and password delay

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods of the present invention provide improved control over the activation and deactivation of a computer program. For example, the computer program may be a screen saver program and/or a password protection program. The computer program is prevented from being activated when the user has not recently provided input to a computer system via an input-output device, but the user is still in the vicinity of the computer system. When no person is detected in the vicinity, the present invention allows the computer program's activation to be controlled using standard known methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides enhanced screen saver activation and deactivation control without the need to modify existing computer hardware or software. Embodiments of modified computer hardware and software systems are also provided where it is desirable to integrate enhanced screen saver activation and deactivation control into a hardware or software system. Other aspects of the present invention deal with program activation control, user authentication, and methods for providing the most economical implementations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus comprising: 
 an interface module operatively coupleable to provide input to a computer;    a proximity sensor operatively coupled to said interface, said proximity sensor operative to detect the presence of a user; and    a control module, said control module controllably coupled to said proximity sensor and said interface module, said control module operative to cause information to be transmitted to said computer via said interface module based on an output signal provided by said proximity sensor to prevent the activation of a computer program.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said computer program is a screen saver program.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said computer program is a password protection program.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said computer program is an on-line connection program.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a timer, said timer being coupled to said control module, wherein said control module is operative to regulate when said information is transmitted based on data provided by said timer.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said regulation causes said information to be transmitted at regular intervals when said proximity sensor detects said user to be present.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a coupling interposed between said control module and a user input-output device, said coupling operative to carry a signal indicative of the presence of an input produced by said user input-output device;    whereby said regulation further inhibits said information from being transmitted at regular intervals when said proximity sensor detects said user to be present and said control module detects said signal.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said information comprises a mouse-data signal.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said information comprises a keyboard-data signal.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control module is further operative to cause said information to be transmitted substantially when said proximity sensor detects a transition from said user not being present to said user being present.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said output signal of said proximity sensor indicates a delta, and said control module is further operative to preprocess said output signal using a state machine to convert said delta into a user-present signal.  
     
     
         12 . A computer system comprising: 
 a central processing unit;    a memory;    a mass storage unit;    a display monitor;    an interface module operatively coupled to provide input to said central processing unit;    a proximity sensor operatively coupled to said interface module, said proximity sensor operative to detect the presence of a user;    a computer program, said computer program comprising an activation control program and an operational program; and    a control module, said control module controllably coupled to said proximity sensor and said interface module, said control module operative to cause information to be transmitted to said central processing unit via said interface module based on an output signal provided by said proximity sensor;    whereby said activation control program is operative to evaluate said information transmitted over said interface to make a decision as to when to place said operational program into a foreground state.    
     
     
         13 . The computer system according to  claim 12 , wherein said proximity sensor is a multidimensional proximity sensor and said operational program is operative to be placed into a background state when information received from said multidimensional proximity sensor identifies the user to be authorized to access said computer system.  
     
     
         14 . The computer system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a usage statistics monitoring program, said usage statistics monitoring program operative to log information relating to a user's presence in the vicinity of said computer system.  
     
     
         15 . The computer system according to  claim 12 , wherein said activation control program is a screen saver activation control program and said operational program is a screen saver display program.  
     
     
         16 . The computer system according to  claim 12 , wherein said activation control program is a password protection activation control program and said operational program is a password protected access control program.  
     
     
         17 . The computer system according to  claim 12 , wherein said activation control program is an on-line connection deactivation control program and said operational program is an on-line connection program.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus comprising: 
 an interface module interposeable between a user-input device and a computer-input port, said interface module including a first connector connectable to said user-input device and a second connector connectable to said computer input port;    a proximity sensor operatively coupled to said interface module, said proximity sensor operative to detect the presence of a user;    a control module, said control module controllably coupled to said proximity sensor and said interface module, said control module operative to cause information to be transmitted via said second connector based on information provided by said proximity sensor to prevent the activation of a computer program.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said computer program is a screen saver program.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said computer program is a password protection program.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said computer program is an on-line connection'program.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said user-input device is a computer-mouse device, said input port is a computer-mouse port, and said information comprises a data signal representative of a mouse movement.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said user-input device is a computer-keyboard device, said input port is a computer-keyboard port, and said information comprises a data signal representative of a keystroke.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said control module is further operative to pass a signal received from said first connector to said second connector and to monitor said signal to detect a user input.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein said control module further comprises a timer, and said control module is further operative to cause said information to be transmitted at regular intervals when said proximity sensor detects said user to be present.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein said control module is further operative to inhibit said information from being transmitted for a pre-specified amount of time after said user input has been detected.  
     
     
         27 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 detecting the physical presence of a user via a proximity sensor; and    transmitting a signal indicative of the presence of said user to prevent a computer program from being activated.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said computer program is a screen saver program.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said computer program is a password protection program.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said computer program is an on-line connection program.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said step of transmitting inhibits said signal from being transmitted when an input from a user input-output device has been recently detected.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said signal comprises a mouse-data signal.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said signal comprises a keyboard data signal.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising the step of: 
 causing said screen saver to deactivate when said proximity sensor detects a transition from said user not being present to said user being present.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said step of causing is conditionally executed, said step of causing only being executed when said user is identified as being authorized to deactivate said screen saver.  
     
     
         36 . Apparatus comprising: 
 means for detecting the physical presence of a user; and    means for transmitting a signal indicative of the presence of said user to prevent a computer program from being activated.    
     
     
         37 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein said computer program is a screen saver program.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein said computer program is a password protection program.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein said computer program is an on-line connection program.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein said apparatus is built into a stand-alone enclosure.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , further comprising: 
 a first connector coupleable to a peripheral device; and    a second connector coupleable to a computer system;    wherein said signal is generated by said apparatus to emulate a user input from said peripheral device, and said signal is interpreted by said computer system to control the activation of said computer program.    
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , further comprising: 
 a computer system; and    a physical enclosure;    wherein said apparatus is built into a physical enclosure, and at least a portion of said computer system is built into said physical enclosure.    
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said physical enclosure comprises a CPU box.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said physical enclosure comprises a computer monitor.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said physical enclosure comprises a peripheral device.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said peripheral device comprises a computer mouse.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said peripheral device comprises a keyboard.  
     
     
         48 . A method of activating a computer program, the method comprising the steps of: 
 monitoring a first input signal supplied by a user input-output device;    monitoring a second input signal supplied by a proximity sensor, said second input signal indicative the physical presence of a user;    allowing said computer program to be placed in a foreground state after a prespecified time duration has passed since both said first input signal and said second input signal have been inactive.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said computer program is a screen saver program.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said computer program is a password protection program.  
     
     
         51 . The method  claim 48 , wherein said computer program is an on-line connection program.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said step of allowing comprises setting a state variable indicating said computer program is ready to be placed in said foreground state.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising the step of: 
 placing said computer program into said foreground state based on input provided by said step of allowing.    
     
     
         54 . A method of deactivating a computer program comprising the steps of: 
 detecting the physical presence of a user via a first proximity sensor;    identifying said user using at least one other proximity sensor;    generating a control signal indicating to deactivate said computer program when said user has been identified as an authorized user.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said computer program is a screen saver program.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said computer program is a password protection program.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said computer program is an on-line connection program.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said at least one other proximity sensor comprises a radio frequency receiver.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said at least one other proximity sensor comprises an image pixel sensor.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said step of identifying further comprises the steps of: 
 transmitting an encrypted authentication challenge; and    receiving an encrypted reply.    
     
     
         61 . A software system comprising: 
 a background-processing module coupled to receive inputs from a user input-output device and a proximity sensor interface system;    a foreground-processing module controllably coupled to said background processing module, said foreground-processing module being activated in response to a control signal generated by said background-processing module;    whereby said background-processing module is operative to maintain a timer indicative of the amount of time which has elapsed since a user has applied an input via said user input-output device, accept an input from said proximity sensor interface system, and cause said foreground-processing module to be activated after both said timer indicates no user input has been received via said user input-output device for a prescribed amount of time and said proximity sensor interface system indicates no user is present.    
     
     
         62 . The software system according to  claim 61  whereby said background-processing module is an activation control program and said foreground-processing module is a screen saver display program.  
     
     
         63 . The software system according to  claim 61  whereby said background-processing module is an activation control program and said foreground-processing module is a password protected access control program.  
     
     
         64 . The software system according to  claim 61  whereby said background-processing module is an activation control program and said foreground-processing module is an on-line connection program.  
     
     
         65 . The software system according to  claim 61  further comprising: 
 a recordable medium;  
 whereby said software system is recorded onto said recordable medium, and said recordable medium is readable by a computer system.  
 
     
     
         66 . The software system according to  claim 61  whereby said software system is included with a computer operating system, and said software system comprises said computer operating system.  
     
     
         67 . The software system according to  claim 66 , further comprising: 
 a kernel program controllably coupled to execute on a central processing unit, said kernel program responding to one or more interrupt signals, said kernel program controlling the activation of at least one application program;    whereby said kernel program is operative to regulate the execution of said background processing module and said foreground-processing module.