EP0905646A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Pointing and fingerprint identifier mechanism for a computer system
Assignee: Compaq Computer Corp
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Filing: 1998-09-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2018-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A computer system controller in the form of a pointing and fingerprint identifier mechanism provides both a pointing mode and a fingerprint identification mode. In the pointing mode, the mechanism serves as a pointing device for cursor movement control. In the fingerprint identification mode, the mechanism serves as a fingerprint identification device to prevent unauthorized use. These modes are generated and controlled by device code executed by control logic within the mechanism. The device code thus integrates pointing functions and fingerprint identification functions in a single device. The need for a distinct fingerprint scanner separate from a pointing device in a computer system is thereby eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephan A. Mato, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03547; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/12; G06V40/13; G06V40/1324; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0338; G06F2203/041; G06F2203/04109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A computer system pointing and fingerprint identifier mechanism, the mechanism
having a pointing mode and a fingerprint identification mode, the device comprising: a fingerprint sensor for acquiring a digital fingerprint image from a user's
finger contacting said fingerprint sensor; and sensor control logic coupled to said fingerprint sensor for retrieving the
digital fingerprint image from said fingerprint sensor, converting the fingerprint image to
pointing data if said pointing and fingerprint identifier mechanism is in the pointing mode,
and comparing the digital fingerprint image with stored fingerprint data if said pointing and
fingerprint identifier mechanism is in the fingerprint identification mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said sensor control logic provides the digital
fingerprint image to a network server to be compared with fingerprint data stored by the
network server if said pointing and fingerprint identifier mechanism is in the fingerprint
identification mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mechanism of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said fingerprint sensor is an optical
sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The mechanism of claim 3, said optical fingerprint sensor comprising: an external lens for contacting a user's finger; one or more internal lenses for focusing a fingerprint image of the user's
finger; one or more light sources for illuminating the user's finger; and an optical sensor for forming the fingerprint image of the user's finger on
said optical sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mechanism of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said optical sensor comprises a
charge-coupled-device (CCD).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mechanism of claim 4, wherein said light sources are light emitting diodes
(LEDs).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mechanism of claim 4, wherein said sensor control logic controls the
illumination of said light sources.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mechanism of claim 4, wherein said external lens comprises a curved surface
for placement of the user's finger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mechanism of claim 4, wherein said external lens comprises a flat surface for
placement of the user's finger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mechanism of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said fingerprint sensor is a
capacitive sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism of claim 10, wherein said capacitive fingerprint sensor comprises
a capacitive plate for acquiring a fingerprint image responsive to contact by the user's
finger.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mechanism of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein said sensor control logic is an
embedded microcontroller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mechanism of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein said sensor control logic
comprises said program storage device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer system having integrated pointing and fingerprint identification
capabilities, comprising: a processor; a pointing and fingerprint identifier mechanism coupled to said processor
and having a pointing mode and a fingerprint identification mode, said mechanism serving
as a pointing device in a pointing mode and serving as a fingerprint identifier in a
fingerprint identification mode, comprising: a program storage device, storing: a code for generating the pointing mode of said pointing and
fingerprint identifier mechanism; and a code for generating the fingerprint identification mode of
said pointing and fingerprint identifier mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer system of claim 14, said program storage device further storing: a code for transitioning between the pointing mode and the fingerprinting
identification mode of said pointing and fingerprint identifier mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 14 or claim 15, including a pointing and fingerprint
identifier mechanism according to any of claims 1 to 13.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of any of claims 14 to 16, wherein said processor is coupled
to a network server storing fingerprint data and a fingerprint identification algorithm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 17, wherein said processor sends a fingerprint image
of a user to said network server.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein said network server
executes code for initiating the fingerprint identification algorithm.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of integrating pointing and fingerprint identification for a single device
of a computer system, the device having a fingerprint identification mode and a pointing
mode, comprising the steps of: placing said device in a fingerprint identification mode; controlling the fingerprint identification mode of said device; placing said device in a pointing mode; and controlling the pointing mode of said device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said step of controlling the fingerprint
identification mode comprises the step of comparing a digital fingerprint image of a user
acquired by a sensor of said device with stored fingerprint data corresponding to a user
name.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said step of controlling the fingerprint
identification mode comprises the step of comparing a password entered by a user with a
stored password corresponding to a user name.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
45 words
The method of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein said step of controlling the pointing
mode of said device comprises the step of sampling a fingerprint image of a user acquired
by a sensor of said device to detect movement of the user's finger.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said step of placing said device in a fingerprint
identification mode comprises the step of detecting if the computer system is in a low
power mode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said step of placing said device in a fingerprint
identification mode comprises the step of detecting if the device has been idle for a
predetermined period of time.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of controlling operation of a computer with a fingerprint mechanism
while preventing unauthorized use of the computer, comprising the steps of: detecting presence of a user's finger on the fingerprint mechanism; verifying the finger placed on the fingerprint mechanism is from an
authorized user; and controlling the computer with the fingerprint mechanism.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said verifying step comprises the step of entering
a fingerprint identification mode of the fingerprint mechanism.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 26 or claim 27, wherein said controlling step comprises the
step of entering a pointing mode of the fingerprint mechanism.
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US5578817A
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EP0752638A2
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CA2197409A1
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WO1997029477A1
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