Method and apparatus for remotely detecting presence
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsSteve P. Hotelling, Scott A. Brenneman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for detecting a person's presence without requiring the person to provide auditory or tactile input. The invention may be incorporated into an electronic device, such as a desktop computer or notebook computer. The embodiment may employ a variety of radiation emissions to determine when a person enters the embodiment's field of detection and, in response to the person entering, activate the electronic device. This may prove particularly useful where, for example, the electronic device consumes significant power and/or may suffer deleterious effects if left active for too long.
Claims30
A method for detecting a presence, comprising:
- receiving a beam having an angle of reflection;
- in the event the angle of reflection exceeds a minimum angle, electronically determining that an object reflecting the beam is within a detection field;
- and
- in the event the object is within the detection field, activating a related device.
An apparatus for detecting a presence, comprising:
- an emitter operative to project a beam;
- a detector operative to receive the beam;
- and
- a logic operative to determine whether the beam is reflected from an object within a detection field associated with the emitter by determining if an angle of reflection of the beam exceeds a minimum angle.
A computer operative to detect a presence, comprising:
- an emitter comprising at least one light-emitting diode, the light-emitting diode operative to project a beam at an exit angle;
- a detector comprising at least one sensor, the sensor operative to receive the beam at an entry angle after the beam reflects off an object;
- a logic operative to determine an angle of reflection based on the exit angle and entry angle, the logic further operative to determine if the object is in motion, the logic further operative to determine the object is present if the object is in motion and if the object is within a detection field based on the angle of reflection exceeding a minimum angle.
A method for detecting a presence, comprising:
- receiving a beam having an angle of reflection;
- comparing the angle of reflection to a minimum angle of reflection;
- in the event the angle of reflection at least one of equals or exceeds the minimum angle of reflection, determining the object is within the detection field;
- and
- in the event the object is within the detection field, activating a related device.
A method for detecting a presence, comprising:
- receiving a beam having an angle of reflection;
- in the event the angle of reflection is less than a minimum angle, electronically determining that an object reflecting the beam is not within a detection field;
- and
- in the event the object is within the detection field, activating a related device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.