USB connected human presence sensors

Question

Hi,

I have an older Surface tablet and it does not seem to have a human presence sensor because I don't see any settings related to presence sensing.

I want to add this capability to the computer for a project that I am working on. I have done a bunch of searching and can't seem to find any external USB connected human presence sensors available. Does anyone know if this type of device even exists?

Thanks in advance! I'd rather buy something off the shelf than try to cobble something together and then write software to put the PC to sleep when a human is not present and wake it up when someone is present.

***Moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Devices and drivers***

Customer has not specified a Surface model

Answer 1

Hello SailingNut,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

Yes, if you do not see the relevant option in the Settings, it usually means that the device does not have the corresponding function:

Managing Presence Sensing settings in Windows 11 - Microsoft Support ****

In Windows 11, similar sensors are called "status sensors." But what the sensor can do is automatically turn off the screen when you leave and quickly wake up the device when you approach.

To check if your computer has this feature, you simply need to follow the instructions linked above and check if you can find the appropriate option in your Surface, if not, it means your Surface does not have the appropriate sensor.

So I understand your desire to do this with an external USB device. I believe that there may be other developers who have developed similar external accessories, but due to the rules of the community, we are not allowed to recommend such third-party external devices to our customers.

However, perhaps I can share with you a similar feature called Dynamic lock:

Sign-in options in Windows - Microsoft Support

 

The feature works by connecting your phone via Bluetooth, and when you leave the device, take the phone with you, then your Surface will automatically lock the screen within a minute after it doesn't sense that the phone is around.

Enabling this feature is simple:

1. Pair your phone with the Surface via Bluetooth.
2. After pairing, click on Start menu -- Settings -- Accounts -- Sign-in options -- Dynamic Lock and check "Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you‘re away"
3. After completing the search, you will see a situation similar to the following screenshot, which means that the dynamic lock function has been enabled:

This should be the solution closest to your needs, and you don't need to buy any external equipment at all. I think this is far more secure than using these external USB devices.

Best Regards,

Mitchell | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Mitchell,

Thank you for the information.

My application for this device is not security related. I just want to be able to turn off the screen when I am not present and turn it on when I am.

I am using the surface as a status monitor foy my main system. I had previously been using an Android tablet and it suffered very bad burn-in on the LCD because of the fairly static content on the screen. I'm looking to prevent that by only having the screen on when I'm present.

Tim

Answer 3

Hi SailingNut,

Do you think the “Dynamic Lock” function can meet your needs?

If you haven't tried it before, I recommend you to try it with your cell phone, you may have a good experience.

Best Regards,

Mitchell | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 4

Unfortunately, Dynamic Lock will not work for me. I tested it and, in most cases, when I walk away from the computer, I don't go far enough to break the Bluetooth connection.

Since you can't suggest hardware, can you suggest any forum where I might be able to find out about a hardware device that would work for me?

Thank you!

Answer 5

Hi tim,

If you have some interest in the presence sensing **** function, perhaps you can ask your question here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/search/?terms=Wake%20on%20approach&category=QnA&skip=10****

But if you do have a need for an external device, perhaps I should suggest you take your chances with Amazon or Ebay. This involves third-party-sourced equipment, and I'm sorry that we don't know much about such equipment.

Best Regards,

Mitchell | Microsoft Community Support Specialist