US6148094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pointing device with biometric sensor
Assignee: Dalton Patrick Enterprises Inc
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Filing: 1997-09-30
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Granted: 2000-11-14
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Expires: 2017-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A pointing device incorporates a biometric sensor at a location such that when operating the pointing device in a normal manner, a user's hand rests naturally in a position to place a finger of the user's hand in proximity to and readable by the biometric sensor. In one embodiment, a computer trackball pointing device includes a fingerprint sensor which is equally well suitable for use by either a right-handed or a left-handed user. Along with positional information from a position sensor and user selection information from at least one user-depressable button, the pointing device also conveys to an attached computer system information associated with the user's identity detected by the fingerprint sensor. Such a pointing device is well suited to both transparent verification as well as continuous verification, for if a user removes his or her hand from the natural position when using the device, the user's fingerprint will no longer be detectable by the fingerprint sensor, and the computer system to which the pointing device is attached can be alerted as to the need to re-authenticate any additional attempts at using the pointing device.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Kinsella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03549; G06F21/00; G06F21/70; G06F21/82; G06F21/83; G06F3/038; G06F3/0383; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/12; G06V40/13; G06V40/40; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0336
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A pointing device comprising: an interface for operably communicating with a computer system; a base; a trackball mounted upon the base; an upper section having a left and a right side, said upper section moveably connected to the base such that the trackball is positionable adjacent said left or said right side, said upper section including at least one button formed substantially on a top surface of the upper section; and a fingerprint sensor mounted within the upper section and disposed at a location such that when operating said pointing device in a normal manner, a user's hand rest naturally in a position to place a finger of the user's hand in proximity to and readable by said fingerprint sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A pointing device comprising: an interface for operably communicating with a computer system; a base; a trackball mounted upon the base; an upper section having a left and a right side, said upper section moveably connected to the base such that the trackball is positionable adjacent said left or said right side, said upper section including at least one button formed substantially on a top surface of the upper section; and a fingerprint sensor mounted within the upper section and disposed at a location such that when operating said pointing device in a normal manner, a user's hand rest naturally in a position to place a finger of the user's hand in proximity to and readable by said fingerprint sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A pointing device as in claim 1 wherein: the base is substantially circular in shape when viewed from above, thus having a generally circular perimeter; and the trackball is mounted off-center on the base at a location intersecting the generally circular perimeter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A pointing device as in claim 1, wherein the upper section is rotatably-connected to the base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
137 words
A pointing device as in claim 3 wherein: when the upper section is rotated such that the trackball is located adjacent the left side, a right-handed user's hand, when operating the device in a normal manner, rests naturally in a position to place a finger of the user's right hand in proximity to and readable by the fingerprint sensor and the user's right thumb in a position to comfortably move the trackball; and when the upper section is rotated such that the trackball is located adjacent the right side, a left-handed user's hand, when operating the device in a normal manner, rests naturally in a position to place a finger of the user's left hand in proximity to and readable by the fingerprint sensor and the user's left thumb in a position to comfortably move the trackball.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pointing device as in claim 1 wherein: the interface includes a cable passing through a rear surface of the upper section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A pointing device as in claim 1 wherein: the interface includes a wireless interface having a transducer disposed at a rear surface of the upper section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A pointing device as in claim 1 wherein the upper section comprises: a plurality of button positions formed substantially on a rearward portion of the top surface of the upper section; and wherein the fingerprint sensor is located beneath a particular one of the button positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pointing device as recited in claim 7 wherein: the fingerprint sensor includes a capacitive imaging array located at the particular button position contactable by the user's finger so that the user's fingerprint may be imaged by the capacitive imaging array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A pointing device as recited in claim 8 wherein: the fingerprint sensor is incorporated into an operable button located at the particular button position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pointing device as in claim 7 wherein an operable button of the pointing device is located at the particular button position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pointing device as in claim 7 wherein no operable button of the pointing device is located at the particular button position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pointing device as in claim 7 wherein an inoperable button of the pointing device is located at the particular button position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pointing device as recited in claim 7 wherein: the fingerprint sensor includes an optical imaging array; and the particular button position includes a transparent material through which the user's fingerprint may be imaged by the imaging array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The pointing device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a verification system for operably communicating with the computer system, the verification system comprising a user storage, an authorization profile storage, and an audit log storage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The pointing device of claim 1, further comprising a substance detection sensor in operative relation with the fingerprint sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pointing device of claim 15, wherein the substance detection sensor detects narcotics, blood alcohol content, or any combination thereof of the user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The pointing device of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional biometric sensors in operative relation with the user and coupled to said interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
147 words
A pointing device comprising: an interface for operably communicating with a computer system; a base; a trackball mounted off-center on the base; an upper section having a left and a right side, said upper section moveably connected to the base such that the trackball is positionable adjacent said left or said right side, said upper section including at least one button formed substantially on a top surface of the upper section; a fingerprint sensor mounted within the upper section and disposed at a location such that when operating said pointing device in a normal manner a user's hand rests naturally in a position to place a finger of the user's hand in proximity to and readable by said fingerprint sensor; and a verification system for operably communicating with the computer system, the verification system comprising a user storage, an authorization profile storage, and an audit log storage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
147 words
A pointing device comprising: an interface for operably communicating with a computer system; a base; a trackball mounted off-center on the base; an upper section having a left and a right side, said upper section moveably connected to the base such that the trackball is positionable adjacent said left or said right side, said upper section including at least one button formed substantially on a top surface of the upper section; a fingerprint sensor mounted within the upper section and disposed at a location such that when operating said pointing device in a normal manner a user's hand rests naturally in a position to place a finger of the user's hand in proximity to and readable by said fingerprint sensor; and a verification system for operably communicating with the computer system, the verification system comprising a user storage, an authorization profile storage, and an audit log storage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A pointing device as in claim 18, wherein the upper section is rotatably-connected to the base.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
137 words
A pointing device as in claim 19 wherein: when the upper section is rotated such that the trackball is located adjacent the left side, a right-handed user's hand, when operating the device in a normal manner, rests naturally in a position to place a finger of the user's right hand in proximity to and readable by the fingerprint sensor and the user's right thumb in a position to comfortably move the trackball; and when the upper section is rotated such that the trackball is located adjacent the right side, a left-handed user's hand, when operating the device in a normal manner, rests naturally in a position to place a finger of the user's left hand in proximity to and readable by the fingerprint sensor and the user's left thumb in a position to comfortably move the trackball.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
A pointing device as in claim 19 wherein the upper section comprises: a plurality of button positions formed substantially on a rearward portion of the top surface of the upper section; and wherein the fingerprint sensor is located beneath a particular one of the button positions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pointing device as in claim 21 wherein: an operable button of the pointing device is located at the particular button position; and the interface includes a cable passing through a rear surface of the upper section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pointing device as recited in claim 21 wherein: the fingerprint sensor includes an optical imaging array; and the particular button position includes a transparent material through which the user's fingerprint may be imaged by the imaging array.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pointing device as recited in claim 21 wherein: the fingerprint sensor includes a capacitive imaging array located at the particular button position contactable by the user's finger so that the user's fingerprint may be imaged by the capacitive imaging array.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A pointing device as recited in claim 24 wherein: the fingerprint sensor is incorporated into an operable button located at the particular button position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The pointing device of claim 18, further comprising one or more additional biometric sensors in operative relation with the user and coupled to said interface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The pointing device of claim 18, further comprising a substance detection sensor in operative relation with the fingerprint sensor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pointing device of claim 27, wherein the substance detection sensor detects narcotics, blood alcohol content, or any combination thereof of the user.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-14 | 2004-05-15 | 2004-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-14 | 2008-05-15 | 2008-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-14 | 2012-05-15 | 2012-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |