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Sonar Software Detects Laptop User Presence
Steve Tarzia writes "A research group at Northwestern University and University of Michigan has released open-source display power-management software that uses a new user presence detection technique. The goal is to shut off the display immediately when the user leaves the computer rather than using slow and error-prone mouse/keyboard activity timeouts. Surprisingly, the mic and speakers of many laptop computers are sensitive to ultrasonic frequencies. Those frequencies can be used to silently probe the laptop's physical environment. This software is based on research published at the UbiComp2009 conference. A Windows binary and source code for Windows and Linux are available for download."
"We can't use that laptop here, this is bat country!"
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is usually crucified.
I, too, often find myself looking at a screen for extended periods of time without touching the mouse or keyboard, while I, ah... read the articles. Nothing ruins a good article more than having the screen saver start up right as you are about to finish.
- None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
I find it doesn't. My PC at work has to be configured to require a password be entered on exiting the screensaver, and my password has to be quite complex. If I'm working on something that's not the PC (yeah, we still use paper for things) for longer than the minute, I've got to enter my password to carry on, which is irritating.
It's less irritating when it kicks in when I'm reading or watching a video or something, but I'd still prefer it not to, and I really don't see the privacy angle on this. It's no idea where I am, just that there's something in front of it.
But, generally, I don't have much of a problem with my computer knowing all sorts of stuff about me, it's what it tells to who that I concern myself with.
Something like this has been available for KDE for ages, only it uses Bluetooth.
You tell it to listen for your phone - when you leave your desk (presumably with the phone in your pocket/holster/etc.) the screen lock kicks in.
The solution to this, and ALL life's problems is to uninstall pulse audio.
And dimmer switches, cordless drill battery charges, and even a really annoying slice of whatever frequency god damn bats chatter at. In short, my super power is above average HF hearing. Hooray for me...
Now, I like this idea, it's neat, I just really hope it operates well over 18khz so my head does not explode all Scanners style when I walk into a room full of laptops.
/+5 Hat of Greed equipped.
Oooh, I'm drooling! Let's see:
$APP detects two people within viewing distance of your monitor. [click here] to upgrade to the appropriate license.
/+5 Hat of Greed unequipped.
/+5 Hat of Stealth equipped.
Oooh, I'm drooling for different reasons. Let's see:
$APP detects additional person approaching monitor. Autominimize firefox://ridiculous.pornsite.com; automaximize firefox://romanticweekendgetawayswiththewife.toshowherhowmuchyouloveher.com.
Whew, that was a close one.
"Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
So all I need to log on to your computer is a lifesize photo of you, or alternately, your severed head?