Annoyed by the display getting dim when you're reading or watching something? Installed an app for that but always forget to activate it? By using a combination of heuristic sensors, such as FACE DETECTION, Should I Sleep checks if you are actually at the computer before it sleeps. Yes, the computer "sees and hears" you.

NOTE: To quickly see it in action, first disable the screen saver, quit any other sleep prevention app (such as Caffeine), open System Preferences > Energy Saver, set the display sleep to 1 minute and wait (don't touch the computer). On Mountain Lion a message will popup with the detection progress.

HOW IT WORKS

When the display is about to dim, Should I Sleep will start its sensors. Camera, microphone all other software processing will stay on for only about 3 seconds. After that, sleep will be allowed or prevented. No need to touch any button.

FACE DETECTION

Face Detection is the most effective sensor and works by capturing video from the camera and looking for eyes, nose and mouth (all three are needed to make a face). If one or more faces are detected, sleep is prevented.

CAMERA MOTION

Sleep is prevented if a moving target is captured by the camera (such as waving, walking or even slightly moving your head). A perfect combination for the default Face Detection as it works even when you are not directly facing the camera.

DOWNLOAD MONITOR

Prevent sleep if there is network traffic. It works with all apps, on operations such as downloads and uploads, enjoying online videos and music and also receiving emails. And it even lets you keep downloads with the display dimmed!

PROCESSOR USAGE

Prevent sleep if any app is performing CPU intensive tasks, such as audio and video conversions, encodings, renderings, scientific calculations, image processing, etc.

EXTERNAL DISPLAY

Prevent sleep if an external display is plugged-in. A must-have for those who give presentations, speeches, demonstrations and/or trainings.

SOUND ACTIVITY

Prevent sleep If ambient sound is detected. Useful when you're talking near the computer such as in workshops and meetings where the camera may not be in a favorable position.

PREVENT BY TIME

We have also added a Prevent by Time (caffeine) mode. You just choose a predefined time period for the computer and/or the display to be awake. Time periods and menu items are customizable.

DO I NEED IT?

Having the display dimmed when we're focused on the computer is certainly annoying. Staying alert to "press any key" and prevent (or worse, fix) that, is disturbing and counterproductive. And that may happen during many activities, such as:

- Carefully reading a web page, book or documentation
- Listening to online music or watching online videos
- Downloading or uploading files
- Receiving an email with a big attachment
- Following the progress of a software operation
- Doing a presentation, training or demonstration
- Converting, rendering audio, video and images
- On a conversation, taking notes between intervals

FEATURE SUMMARY

- Sleep prevention with unique heuristic sensors
- Timer mode for display and screensaver prevention
- Face detection - the most effective sensor - included
- Additional sensors available as affordable in-app purchases
- Try before you buy for additional sensors
- Blazing fast, 3-second, hardware-accelerated detection
- Mountain Lion's notification center integration
- Sensor sensitivity and accuracy fine-tuning
- Modular development approach (more sensors on the way)

IN-APP PURCHASES

Should I Sleep includes the Face Detection sensor and customizable Prevent by Time (caffeine) mode. Additional sensors can be purchased for an affordable price from within the application menu.

SUPPORT

Please, write to shouldisleep@me.com instead of submitting bugs or questions in an App Store review. We don't have access to reviewers email addresses and are not allowed to respond in that area. But we do answer each and every email!