Patent Application
20150161837
The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing user control of a device using a fingerprint sensor.
The following is a tabulation of prior art that presently appears relevant:
Mobile devices such as cell phones are used for many purposes. In addition to placing phone calls, devices may be used to browse the web, check email, send text messages, take photographs, etc. It may be desirable to authenticate a user before allowing the use of some of the functions of the phone. In some devices such authentication may be accomplished by means of a fingerprint sensor. A fingerprint sensor may be based on an optical sensor or a capacitive sensor technology. Many companies are making different types of fingerprint sensor devices suitable for use on a portable device.
Emergency calls may be made from cell phones by dialing 911 in the US, even if a cell phone is not authorized to function otherwise. Emergency bracelets or dongles are also available. Simple, fast methods of calling for emergency assistance are limited by the potential for false or accidental triggering.
User interfaces of mobile devices often provide numerous commands or user interface modes for a user to choose from. For instance, many cell phones include a camera mode. Such modes often include lists of commands or actions. There are standard modes such as a home page mode in which applications may be started or information can be displayed, etc. Machine code running on the device may be activated to send location information, acquire data from a sensor, display information, take a picture, etc.
Applications may allow recording of sound or video. The start of a recording may be accomplished by a user selecting an item from a menu, or pushing a button, or touching an area on a touch screen.
Fingerprint sensors are sometimes provided on mobile devices to authenticate authorized users of the device. Methods of authenticating users are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,420,546 which is incorporated herein by reference.
Accelerometers may be used to select mode, for example, an accelerometer attached to a portable device detects a movement of the portable device. In response, a machine executable code is executed within the portable device to perform one or more predetermined user configurable operations as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,688,306, incorporated herein by reference.
As such, a need exists for ways for a user to select modes of a portable device or trigger actions easily and quickly.
One embodiment of this invention uses a fingerprint sensor attached to a portable device to trigger modes of operation as well as authenticating a user. When a user of a portable device uses a particular finger, potentially at a particular orientation, it generates a software trigger which can configure the portable device go one of several possible operating modes. For example, the user may configure the device to configure itself with a camera application if it is unlocked with the thumb of the right hand 402 of that person. The user may configure the device to come up in a different mode if it is unlocked with the index finger of that person. Another embodiment of the invention transmits an emergency signal when a fingerprint sensor is triggered by a specific finger, at a specified angle, to avoid accidental triggering of emergency response. The emergency includes the location of the device and ambient audio.
Other features and advantages of the present invention are described in greater detail below.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention addresses the need for improved user interface control of a device.
In a first embodiment, a portable device as shown in
In a second embodiment, a portable device has a fingerprint sensor 102 and a processing system capable of detecting a fingerprint on a sensor. It also has a touch screen display 104 and graphical user interface which allows the user configure a response to a variety of inputs to the processing system. When the sensor detects the presence of touch and captures a fingerprint, it notifies a processor which executes machine-executable code to perform one or more of the user defined predetermined actions in response to the detection, depending at least one of which of several authorized fingerprints is detected. Machine-executable code then performs said predetermined actions based on which fingerprint was detected.
In a third embodiment, a portable device has a fingerprint sensor 102 and a processing system capable of detecting a fingerprint on a sensor. It has a display 104 which may incorporate said fingerprint sensor, and a graphical user interface which allows the user configure a response to a variety of inputs to the processing system. When the sensor detects the presence of touch and captures a fingerprint, it notifies a processor which executes machine-executable code to perform one or more of the user defined predetermined actions in response to the detection, depending on the orientation of a fingerprint detection. Machine-executable code then performs said predetermined actions based on at least the orientation of the fingerprint that was detected.
In a fourth embodiment a portable device which comprises a processor 508; a display 506; a memory coupled to the processor 514, the memory having instructions stored therein; and a fingerprint sensor 502, wherein the processor is configured to validate fingerprints of one or more users, and wherein the processor executes instructions from the memory to perform one or more predetermined actions in response to the detection of the fingerprint, including detecting at least one of which fingerprint was validated, and the orientation of a fingerprint, and performing a predetermined operation which depends at least one of which fingerprint was validated, and the orientation of a fingerprint.
In a fifth embodiment a portable device which comprises a processor 508; a display 506; a memory coupled to the processor 514, the memory having instructions stored therein; a global positioning system module 518; and a fingerprint sensor 502, wherein the processor is configured to validate fingerprints of one or more fingers of one or more users. It also has a user interface which allows the user configure a response to a variety of inputs to the processing system. The processor executes instructions from the memory to perform one or more predetermined actions in response to the detection of the fingerprint, including detecting at least one of which fingerprint was validated, and the orientation of a fingerprint, and performing the user determined operation which depends at least one of which fingerprint was validated, and the orientation of a fingerprint, and the location of the device.
In a sixth embodiment a cell phone which comprises a processor 508; a display 506; a camera 504; a memory coupled to the processor 514, the memory having instructions stored therein; and a fingerprint sensor, wherein the processor is configured to validate fingerprints of one or more fingers of one or more users. It also has a user interface which allows the user configure a response to a variety of inputs to the processing system. The processor executes instructions from the memory to perform one or more predetermined actions in response to the detection of the fingerprint, including detecting at least one of which fingerprint was validated, and the orientation of a fingerprint, and performing the user determined operation which depends at least one of which fingerprint was validated, and the orientation of a fingerprint.
In a seventh embodiment a cell phone which comprises a processor; a display; a camera 202; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having instructions stored therein; incorporates a fingerprint sensor function, wherein the processor is configured to validate fingerprints of one or more fingers of one or more users. It also has a user interface which allows the user configure a response to a variety of inputs to the processing system. The processor executes instructions from the memory to perform one or more predetermined actions in response to the detection of the fingerprint. When the processor determines that the device is in a locked state, and it authenticates a fingerprint, and it determines that the phone was unlocked using an index finger of person A 302, it unlocks with the home page of person A. If the devices was unlocked with the thumb of person A at a 90 degree angle 402 (in a natural position to take a photograph), the phone goes into a camera application. If unlocked with the ring finger of person A, it goes into an emergency mode where it captures the ambient sound with a microphone 510, and sends location information to a recipient. If unlocked with the index finger of person B, it unlocks the phone to the account of person B, and shows their home page.
In an eighth embodiment a cell phone which comprises a processor; a display; a camera 202; a microphone 108; a speaker 110; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having instructions stored therein; and a fingerprint sensor, wherein the processor is configured to validate fingerprints of one or more fingers of one or more users. It also has a user interface which allows the user configure a response to a variety of inputs to the processing system. For example, when the user starts a configuration utility, he is presented with a selection of different applications that can be started by a finger impression. After the selection is made, the user is asked if a specific orientation is to be required. The user is then asked to present the desired finger, in the desired orientation on the fingerprint sensor. When asked, the user may accept the paired fingerprint impression, and the action to be taken. The processor executes instructions from the memory to perform one or more of the user defined predetermined actions in response to the detection of the fingerprint. When the processor determines that the device is in a locked state, and it authenticates a fingerprint, and it determines that the phone was unlocked using an index finger of person A 302, it unlocks with the home page of person A. If the devices was unlocked with the right hand little finger of person A, the phone starts a requested application.
In an example of the use of an embodiment of the present invention, referring to
In a ninth embodiment of the invention, a portable device has a fingerprint sensor and at least two modes of operation. If the fingerprint sensor detects a first fingerprint, it goes into a mode of operation where an emergency signal is sent by means of a radio transmitter. In a second mode of operation, the device does not send out an emergency signal, but provides another function to the user of the device, for example, it allows the user to place a telephone call to a selected party.
In a tenth embodiment of the invention a system comprises a fingerprint sensor and a user interface. When the fingerprint sensor detects a first fingerprint pattern, an emergency signal is sent. For example, a preselected phone number may be dialed to a medical answering service or security service. When the fingerprint sensor detects a second fingerprint pattern a user interface is activated. For example, in this mode where a user interface is activated, the device may allow a selection of phone calls to be made from a list. When the fingerprint sensor detects an unknown fingerprint pattern, the user interface is limited, for example only 911 calls may be allowed.
In an eleventh embodiment, as depicted in
After an event occurs where a fingerprint is detected by the fingerprint sensor and processed by the processor, the machine code of the device executes the following procedure:
Further fingerprint presentations and oriented, and actions sequenced, adding to the configuration and action sequences as discussed above, three or more finger presses resulting in additional actions by the device. The use of the term fingerprint includes thumbprints. The fingerprint sensor may or may not distinguish fingerprints from other patterns. Other biometric sensors may be substituted for authentication, the further events from the fingerprint may be reduced to recognition of which finger is being used. Once initial actions such as taking a picture have been triggered, further use of the camera may use other triggering modes such as a button or the touch screen. The fingerprint sensor may a function of the touch screen display.
In a twelfth embodiment of the invention a system comprises a fingerprint sensor and a user interface. When the fingerprint sensor detects a first fingerprint pattern, the system goes into a normal mode. For example, in this mode a user interface is activated, the device may allow phone calls to be made and photographs to be taken. When the fingerprint sensor detects a second fingerprint pattern, the system goes into a higher security mode. Optionally, the system may require a third fingerprint impression to enter the high security mode. For example, in this mode a user interface is activated, the device may allow access to banking functions. When the fingerprint sensor detects an unknown fingerprint pattern, the user interface is limited, for example only 911 calls may be allowed.
In a thirteenth embodiment, a device as shown in
The foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. Merely by way of example the invention may used to configure a cell phone to activate a camera mode if unlocked with a thumb 402, and to come up in a home page mode if unlocked with an index finger 302. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
