Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for automatically selecting and executing files associated with a user. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A typical digital photo frame is capable of storing many different files such as photos and songs. However, what is displayed on the digital photo frame may be of interest to only a few users. For example, one user may be interested in viewing scenic photos while another user may be interested in listening to songs or viewing photos of family members. Some digital photo frames allow users to select the desired files. However, finding and selecting the desired files is complicated and inconvenient. 
         [0005]    Therefore, an apparatus and method for automatically selecting and executing files associated with a user is desired to overcome the above-described shortcomings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus for automatically selecting and executing files associated with a user; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for automatically selecting and executing files associated with a user, the method including blocks S 01 , S 02 , and S 03 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a detailed flow chart of block S 01  of the method in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a detailed flow chart of block S 02  of the method in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a detailed flow chart of block S 03  of the method in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of an apparatus for automatically selecting and executing files associated with a user, includes a media player  10 , a smell sensor  20 , a light emitting diode (LED)  30 , and a power supply  40 . 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the apparatus is a digital photo frame. The smell sensor  20  is configured for perceiving a unique pre-determined scent of a user approaching the digital photo frame and sending a signal corresponding to the scent to the media player  10 . The media player  10  is configured to execute files associated with the scent. The LED  30  is connected to the smell sensor  20 . When the smell sensor  20  perceives the pre-determined scent of the user, the LED  30  turns on to indicate that a recognized user has approached the apparatus. The power supply  40  supplies a working voltage to the apparatus. In other embodiments, other sensors capable of perceiving distinguishable features of users may be adopted. 
         [0013]    The media player  10  includes a voltage meter  11 , an analyzing module  12 , a storage module  13  capable of storing files, a processing unit  14 , and a display  15 . The voltage meter  11  is configured to measure the voltage of the smell sensor  20  and transmit the voltage to the analyzing module  12 . An input of the voltage meter  11  is connected to the smell sensor  20 . An output of the voltage meter  11  is connected to the analyzing module  12 . The processing unit  14  is connected between the analyzing module  12  and the storage module  13 . The analyzing module  12  is configured for analyzing the voltage of the smell sensor  20  and finding files corresponding to the voltage. The processing unit  14  selects the files associated with the voltage. The display  15  executes the files selected by the processing unit  14 . 
         [0014]    The table below is an example showing the relationships between recognized users and files pre-selected by the user: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Resistance 
                 Voltage of 
                 Matching files 
               
               
                   
                 Scent 
                 Variation of the 
                 the Smell 
                 played by the 
               
               
                   
                 Source 
                 Smell Sensor 
                 Sensor 
                 Media Player 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 User 1 
                 R1 
                 U1 
                 Files 1 
               
               
                   
                 User 2 
                 R2 
                 U2 
                 Files 2 
               
               
                   
                 User 3 
                 R3 
                 U3 
                 Files 3 
               
               
                   
                 User n 
                 Rn 
                 Un 
                 Files n 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0015]    As illustrated in the table above, the scent of each user causes a unique resistance variation of the smell sensor  20 , for example, resistance variation RI for user 1. Accordingly, the voltage of the smell sensor  20  changes due to the resistance variation. The analyzing module  12  compares the voltage of the smell sensor  20  with stored voltage values, for example U1 for user 1, and selects the corresponding files, for example files 1 for user 1. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a flowchart illustrates a method utilizing the above described apparatus for automatically selecting and executing files associated with a user. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the blocks described below may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of blocks may be altered. 
         [0017]    In block S 01 , the apparatus records the scent of each user of the apparatus and the files selected by each user.  FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating the blocks associated with block S 01 . The smell sensor  20  perceives a scent of a user and the voltage meter  11  measures the voltage of the smell sensor  20 . Block S 01  is repeated for each subsequent user, for example, user 2 and user 3. 
         [0018]    In block S 02 , the selected files are matched to the corresponding voltage.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the blocks associated with block S 02 . A list of the files stored in the storage module  1   3  is displayed and may be selected by the user. The files are linked to the voltage of the smell sensor  20 . For example, the first user selects picture and music files which are then grouped as files 1. A subsequent user, user 2, may also select picture and music files which are then grouped as files 2. 
         [0019]    In block S 03 , the apparatus automatically selects and executes matching files when the user is in the vicinity of the apparatus.  FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating the blocks associated with block S 03 . The smell sensor  20  perceives a scent of the specific user approaching the apparatus. The resistance of the smell sensor  20  changes according to the scent. The voltage meter  11  measures the current voltage of the smell sensor  20 . The apparatus executes the files of the corresponding group if the measured voltage is substantially equal to the stored voltage values. 
         [0020]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Technology Category: 3