GB2345178A

GB2345178A - A computer system with a user-proximity operated display

Info

Publication number: GB2345178A
Application number: GB9828121A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexis Chatila; Fabien Seheux
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-21
Filing date: 1998-12-21
Publication date: 2000-06-28
Also published as: GB9828121D0

Abstract

A security system for a computer (11) comprises a proximity detector (P) on a component of the computer system, which scans a region (W) in front of display means (12) normally occupied by a user of the inputting means (14). The proximity detector monitors for a change in characteristics of the region (W), typically a change arising from the departure of a user previously occupying the region, and upon detecting a change in characteristics of the region causes the computer system to undertake a security action such as causing the display to cease displaying information entered by way of the inputting means. Control means link the proximity detector to the computer system so that in the event of the status of the working region (W) changing from a first state to a second state the computer system causes operation of the display means to change from a first working state to a second reserved state. The transition of the display means back to a working state can only occur in response to an additional input to the computer system.

Description

SECURITY METHOD AND DEVICE This invention relates to a security method and device. In particular it is concerned with the provision of increased security for a computer system. In what follows a computer system including: a display means such as a video display unit; and an information inputting means such as a key board wherein information entered into the system by the inputting means is displayed to a greater or lesser extent and in a form corresponding to the either directly or in some translated is hereafter referred to as'a computer system of the type described'. The inputting means is usually positioned relative to the display means so that a user of the inputting means is able to view on the display unit the effect of their inputting action.

A computer system often requires consideration of security from two aspects.

Firstly the security of the system itself as one or more physical objects.

Secondly the security of information stored, or at least entered into, the system.

This dual aspect is particularly, but not exclusively important in relation to a portable computer comprising a single physical entity which includes a housing incorporating inputting means, display means and a processor the whole necessarily being adapted for portability. Such a system particularly lends itself for use in a location where the display means is readily viewed by an unauthorised individual.

The present invention is particularly concerned with the second aspect involving security of information though it could additionally be made use of in relation to the first aspect According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for the maintenance of security for a computer system of the type described comprising the steps of: locating a proximity detector unit on, or by way of, or in relation to a component of the computer system; scanning by way of the proximity detector a region normally occupied by a user of the inputting means; monitoring by way of the proximity detector for a change in characteristics of the region normally occupied by a user (typically a change arising from the departure of a user previously occupying the region); and in the event the detection of a change in characteristics of the region; causing the computer system to undertake a security action such as by causing the display means to cease displaying information entered by way of the inputting means.

Typically once the step of causing the computer system to undertake a security action has occurred the computer system requires some predetermined action to be undertaken before a normal working relationship is re-established between the inputting means and the viewing means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided: a computer systems of the type described wherein the inputting means is disposed in a working disposition relative to the display means so as to establish a working region for a user of the inputting means in combination with the display means; a proximity detector located to scan the working region and to sense when the status of the working region changes from a first state to a second (for example from being occupied by a user to being vacated by the user) and control means linking the proximity detector to the computer system so that in the event the status is of the working region is detected to change from the first state to the second the computer system causes operation of the display means to change from a first working state to a second reserved state; transition of the display means from the second back to the second reserved state (typically in the event the working region is sensed by the proximity detector as changing from its second state to its first state first being can only occur in response to an addition input to the computer system.

According to a first preferred version of the second aspect of the present invention the proximity device comprises an electromagnetic wave emitter for transmitting an incident electromagnetic wave into the working region and a receiver for detecting the presence, or absence, of a reflected wave from the working region.

In a second preferred version of the second aspect of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the proximity detector is located within an envelope defined by some part of the computer system. Typically the computer system is a portable computer and the proximity detector. is located in the display means thereof.

The term electromagnetic radiation should be interpreted broadly as covering any part of the electromagnetic spectrum which is safe to use and including radiation falling in the range of visible light but also radiation outside visible light range such as in and beyond infra red and even ultra violet radiation. In the present context it can also be taken to include ultra sonic radiation.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a portable computer with a user in a first position; Figure 2 shows the components of Figure 1 but with the user in a second position; Figure 3 is a block diagram of component parts of a proximity detector incorporated in the portable computer of Figures 1 and 2.

Figures 1 and 2 show a portable computer 11 with display means 12 in the form of a liquid crystal display attached by a hinge 13 to an inputting means 14 embodied in a conventional keyboard located above the main processor system of the computer 11 housed in body 15.

The body 15 includes a peripheral frame 16 in which there is an aperture 17 behind which is located a proximity device P described hereafter in relation to Figure 3. The proximity device P is linked by a control means to operating circuitry of the computer within the body 15.

Figure 1 shows the proximity device P serving to monitor working region W (Figure 1) in which user 18 of the computer 11 is necessarily located so as to be able to operate the inputting means 14 and view the results of the operations on the display means 12. With the user 18 in the working region W as shown in Figure 1 the proximity device P continuously serves to monitor the working region W to confirm that the user 18 has not moved to any significant extent. In this case the proximity device makes use of a position monitoring transmission frequency in the infra-red band Other radiation frequencies may also be used in dependence on a given application.

Figure 2 shows a situation where user 18 has moved out of the working region W. In this view the working region is shown with the proximity device operating at its fullest extent. This change in the status of the working region W is detected by the proximity device P and this change is passed by the control means to cause operation of a predetermined program by the computer 11 resulting in the information currently on display on the screen to be replaced by a screen saving or some other display which replaces the information formerly on the screen generated by user 18 when user 18 is absent from the working region W.. If necessary the pre-determined program can incapacitate further usage of the computer 11, to a greater or lesser extent.

In the event the user 18 returns to working region W the proximity device P detects the arrival of the user. To enable the user to restore his former material to the screen or operate the computer the user enters, typically by way of the inputting means 14 some security identifier authorising further usage. Alternatively a simple notification of the most recent events monitored by the proximity device P are displayed on the display means 12.

Figure 3 shows proximity device P with an electromagnetic ('em ;) wave emitter 30, an em wave receiver 31 coupled to, and regulated by way of, an interface controller 32. The device P is connected by link 33 to the processing system of the computer. The emitter 30 is caused by controller 32 to periodically transmit an incident wave into working region W (Figures 1 and 2). In the event the incident wave strikes an occupant of the region W then the device P serves to enable the computer 11 to be operated in a normal way as shown in Figure 1. Other security inputs may be required to initiate an acceptable working status with an occupant of the working region W. In the event a status change is detected by means of the device P (as would arise in passing from the relative position of Figure 1 to Figure 2) an output reflecting the change in status passes from the device P by way of link 33 to the processing system of the computer to cause a security change in the information displayed on the display means. Typically the previous display of information could be replaced by a screen saver display conveying no inherently significant information.

The exemplary embodiment refers to the use of a proximity device in relation to a portable computer. The invention is equally applicable to desk top and work station computing systems.

The exemplary embodiment refers to the use of radiation to monitor the working region on the basis of establishing whether or not the region has been subject to change. That is so say a qualitative check. However if required the monitoring can be carried out so that the monitoring process can be used to establish whereabouts in the working region a change is occurring. Thus the motion of the hand of a user relative to the proximity device in the working region (such as towards or away or from side to side) or the distance of the hand of the user relative to the device can be used to provide a quantitative n input to the computer system. Such inputs could be used to input information for security or other purposes into the computer system in addition to inputs supplied by way of, for example, a keyboard or mouse.

The software applications used in conjunction with the status changes identified by the proximity device can provide for any one or more security actions from a wide range of possible actions to be exercised by, or on behalf of, a user of the computer.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A method for the maintenance of security for a computer system of the type described comprising the steps of: locating a proximity detector unit in relation to a component of the computer system; scanning by way of the proximity detector a region normally occupied by a user of the inputting means; monitoring by way of the proximity detector for a change in characteristics of the region normally occupied by a user (typically a change arising from the departure of a user previously occupying the region); and in the event the detection of a change in characteristics of the region; causing the computer system to undertake a security action such as by causing the display means to cease displaying information entered by way of inputting means.

2 A method for the maintenance of security as claimed in Claim 1 wherein once the step of causing the computer system to undertake a security action has occurred the computer system requires some predetermined action to be undertaken before a normal working relationship cab be re-established between the inputting means and the viewing means.

2 A computer systems of the type described wherein the inputting means is disposed in a working disposition relative to the display means so as to establish a working region for a user of the inputting means in combination with the display means; a proximity detector located to scan the working region and to sense when the status of the working region changes from a first state to a second (for example from being occupied by a user to being vacated by the user) and control means linking the proximity detector to the computer system so that in the event the status is of the working region is detected to change: from the first state to the second the computer system causes operation of the display means to change from a first working state to a second reserved state; transition of the display means from the second back to the second reserved state (typically in the event the working region is sensed by the proximity detector as changing from its second state to its first state first) can only occur in response to an addition input to the computer system.

4 A computer system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the proximity detector comprises at least one electromagnetic wave emitter for transmitting an incident electromagnetic wave into the working region and at least one receiver for detecting the presence of a reflected wave from the working region.

5 A computer system as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the proximity detector is located within an envelope defined by some part of the computer system.

6 A computer system as claimed in Claim 3,4 or 5 comprising a portable computer wherein the proximity detector is located in a display means of the portable computer.

7 A computer systems as claimed in any of preceding claims 3 to 6 wherein the proximity detector comprises a plurality of emitters and/or receivers to enable the location of a user or of a part thereof within the working region to be established and entered as a positional or other signal to provide for a pre-determined action to be undertaken by way of the processor unit of the computer system in the event the pre-determined positional or other signal does not meet pre-determined requirements.

8 A computer system as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the proximity detector can be varied in position relative to the working area by being demountably attached to system to provide for its being moved from a given location to another location.

9 A computer system as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the proximity detector can be pivoted relative to the system to vary the orientation of the proximity detector or the component.

10 A computer system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.