US6327623B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer system with environmental detection
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1998-05-11
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Granted: 2001-12-04
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Expires: 2018-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A computer uses an environmental manager ( 20 ) to detect and respond to changing environmental conditions, in order to enhance and simplify a users interaction with the computer. Environment changes are detected by a plurality of informants ( 22 ), each of which has a specified function. Informants communicate through a CIM ( 26 ). The CIM ( 26 ) establishes communication channels with each informant regarding which information will be provided by the informant and which information that informant needs from other informants. Informants ( 22 ) may receive environmental information from a number of sources, including physical location detectors, hardware configurations, software configurations, and network connections. As environmental conditions change, the informants and applications may respond to the changes. A particular capability to respond is the autolaunch capability which detects user behavior and uses this knowledge to automatically load a program responsive to changing environmental conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 LaVaughn Watts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04817; G06F3/0484; G06F3/0486; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A computer comprising: location circuitry for detecting changes in an environment associated with the computer, said changes including: a change in the user of said computer; a change in physical and electrical connections made to said computer; a change in the peripherals in said computer; a change in the location of said computer; a change in the operational status of said computer; and a change in the set of programs being run in the computer; processing circuitry coupled to said location circuitry, said processing circuitry for executing: one or more software informants for receiving information on environmental factors associated with said changes from the location circuitry; and one or more applications in communication with said software informants, the operation of said applications being responsive to said information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A computer comprising: location circuitry for detecting changes in an environment associated with the computer, said changes including: a change in the user of said computer; a change in physical and electrical connections made to said computer; a change in the peripherals in said computer; a change in the location of said computer; a change in the operational status of said computer; and a change in the set of programs being run in the computer; processing circuitry coupled to said location circuitry, said processing circuitry for executing: one or more software informants for receiving information on environmental factors associated with said changes from the location circuitry; and one or more applications in communication with said software informants, the operation of said applications being responsive to said information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer of claim 1 wherein said detection circuitry comprises circuitry for determining the presence of a network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer of claim 2 wherein said determining circuitry comprises circuitry for determining the presence of a wired network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer of claim 3 wherein said processing circuitry communicates with the wired network to determine a location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer of claim 3 wherein said processing circuitry communicates with the wired network to determine a location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer of claim 2 wherein said determining circuitry comprises circuitry for determining the presence of a wireless network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer of claim 1 wherein said location circuitry comprises a global positioning system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer of claim 1 wherein said location circuitry comprises circuitry for receiving a signal indicative of a physical location.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of executing programs in a computer comprising the steps of: detecting changes in an environment associated with the computer, said changes including: a change in the user of said computer; a change in physical and electrical connections made to said computer; a change in the peripherals in said computer; a change in the location of said computer; a change in the operational status of said computer; and a change in the set of programs being run in the computer; distributing information associated with environmental factors resulting from said changes to one or more software applications; and executing said one or more software applications responsive to the information associated with environmental factors resulting from said changes.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of executing programs in a computer comprising the steps of: detecting changes in an environment associated with the computer, said changes including: a change in the user of said computer; a change in physical and electrical connections made to said computer; a change in the peripherals in said computer; a change in the location of said computer; a change in the operational status of said computer; and a change in the set of programs being run in the computer; distributing information associated with environmental factors resulting from said changes to one or more software applications; and executing said one or more software applications responsive to the information associated with environmental factors resulting from said changes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said step of detecting the physical location of the computer comprises the step of detecting the physical location of the computer by reference to a global positioning system circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said step of detecting the physical location of the computer comprises the step of detecting the physical location of the computer by receiving a signal from a sensor placed in the physical location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said step of detecting the physical location of the computer comprises the step of detecting the physical location of the computer by communicating with a network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said detecting step comprises the step of determining a physical location for the computer by reference to a scheduling database.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said detecting step comprises the step of determining a physical location for the computer by referencing another active computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
A portable electronic device, comprising: detection circuitry within said device for detecting changes in environmental factors; processing circuitry within said device and coupled to said detection circuitry, said processing circuitry for executing: one or more software informants for receiving information on said environmental factors from said detection circuitry; and one or more application in communication with said software informants, the operation of said applications being responsive to said information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
A portable electronic device, comprising: detection circuitry within said device for detecting changes in environmental factors; processing circuitry within said device and coupled to said detection circuitry, said processing circuitry for executing: one or more software informants for receiving information on said environmental factors from said detection circuitry; and one or more application in communication with said software informants, the operation of said applications being responsive to said information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein an environmental factor is a change in the location of the device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein an environmental factor is a change in scheduling information associated with said device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 15 , wherein an environmental factor is a change in information associated with time/date circuitry within said device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer comprising: input/output circuitry; processing circuitry coupled to said input/output circuitry for determining a physical location for and a change in the operational status of the computer, said processing circuitry being capable of executing: one or more software informants for generating information on the physical location for and said change in the operational status of the computer; and one or more applications in communication with said software informants for executing a program responsive to said information.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer comprising: input/output circuitry; processing circuitry coupled to said input/output circuitry for determining a physical location for and a change in the operational status of the computer, said processing circuitry being capable of executing: one or more software informants for generating information on the physical location for and said change in the operational status of the computer; and one or more applications in communication with said software informants for executing a program responsive to said information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer of claim 19 wherein said processing circuitry executes at least one software informant for determining a physical location for the computer by reference to a data base used for scheduling appointments and tasks.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer of claim 19 wherein said processing circuitry executes at least one informant for determining a physical location for the computer by reference to another active computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5555376A
Cited
US5910799A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-03 | 2005-06-04 | 2005-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-03 | 2009-06-04 | 2009-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-03 | 2013-06-04 | 2013-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |