Body heat sensing control apparatus and method

摘要

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a body heat sensing control apparatus and method for automating features of an electronic device based on detection of a user's body heat. For example, in one embodiment, a data processing system is disclosed having a heat sensing mechanism for detecting the body heat of a user. In addition, the data processing system includes a data storage component for storing computer executable instructions and a processing unit for executing the computer executable instructions for enabling a user to configure one or more functions associated with the data processing system that are triggered in response to detecting the presence or absence of the user within the proximity of the data processing system using the heat sensing mechanism.

主权项

1. A computer implemented method for automating features of a data processing system based on detection of a user's body heat, the method comprising:
providing a physically separate freestanding external heat sensor; placing the physically separate freestanding external heat sensor into digital communication with the data processing system; accepting input to the data processing system from a user, said input enabling an automatic toggling of a power mode of the data processing system during a specified time period said input further disabling the automatic toggling of the power mode of the data processing system before or after the specified time period; during the specified time period, monitoring for the presence of a user using the physically separate freestanding sensor in communication with the data processing system; maintaining a log file that includes a time and date that the presence of the user is detected via the heat sensor; and responsive to detecting the presence of the user during the specified time period, automatically toggling a power mode of the data processing system.