Abstract:
A method for an electronic device to restrict functionality according to working mode is provided. The method establishes a fingerprint database, wherein the fingerprint database stores at least one fingerprint of each authorized user for unlocking the electronic device, a finger type corresponding to each fingerprint stored in the fingerprint database, and a preset finger area corresponding to each finger type stored in the fingerprint database. A fingerprint of a user is obtained through a sensor. The fingerprint is matched against database for authorized status and size of fingerprint currently obtained is also analyzed and compared to a preset size of the type corresponding to the obtained fingerprint. The electronic device is unlocked for an authorized user and controlled to enter into an unrestricted working mode for an adult or into a restricted working mode for a child, according to the comparison.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DISCLOSURES 
       [0001]    This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201610423703.4 filed on Jun. 16, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure generally relates to mode-based computer functionality, and particularly to an electronic device and a working mode thereof based on fingerprint identification. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablet/personal computers are widely used. The number and types of various application (e.g., shopping, social networking, games, etc.) are always increasing. Application software can enrich functions of the electronic device. Children may have easy access to the electronic devices and the application software thereon. However, some application software are not suitable for children. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device including a working mode selecting system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a working mode selecting method using the working mode selecting system of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. 
         [0008]    Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. 
         [0009]    The term “comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series, and the like. 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device  1  including a working mode selecting system  10 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The electronic device  1  further includes a sensor  11  and a screen  12 . The sensor  11  is configured to obtain fingerprints from the touch of a user. In this exemplary embodiment, the electronic device  1  can be a computer, a mobile phone, or other electronic devices. The working mode selecting system  10  can identify the user (e.g. an adult or a child) based on the fingerprints of the user, and select a corresponding working mode of the electronic device  1  for the user. In this exemplary embodiment, the electronic device  1  includes a first working mode and a second working mode. The first working mode is defined as a working mode in which one or more functions of the electronic device  1  are blocked and cannot be used by the user. The one or more functions can be, but are not limited to, making a long distance call, browsing X-rated websites, downloading games, and sending messages. The second working mode is defined as a working mode in which all functions of the electronic device  1  are available and can be used by the user. In this exemplary embodiment, when the working mode selecting system  10  identifies the user as an adult (e.g., age 18 or above), the working mode selecting system  10  selects the second working mode for the user. When the working mode selecting system  10  identifies the user as a child (e.g., age below 18), the working mode selecting system  10  selects the first working mode for the user. The electronic device  1  further includes a screen-locked mode and a screen-unlocked mode. 
         [0011]    The electronic device  1  further includes a storage device  16  providing one or more memory functions, and at least one processor  14 . In at least one embodiment, the working mode selecting system  10  may include computerized instructions in the form of one or more programs, which are stored in the storage device  16  and executed by the at least one processor  14  to perform operations of the electronic device  1 . 
         [0012]    The storage device  16  stores one or more programs, such as programs of the operating system, other applications of the electronic device  1 , and the fingerprints of the users. In some embodiments, the storage device may include a memory of the electronic device  1  and/or an external storage card, such as a memory stick, a smart media card, a compact flash card, or any other type of memory card.  FIG. 1  illustrates only one example of the electronic device  1 , other examples may include more or fewer components than as illustrated, or have a different configuration of the various components. 
         [0013]    In at least one embodiment, the working mode selecting system  10  may include one or more modules, for example, a setting module  101 , a storing module  102 , an obtaining module  103 , a searching module  104 , a comparing module  105 , and a controlling module  106 . In general, the word “module”, as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as in an EPROM. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or other storage device. Some non-limiting examples of non-transitory computer-readable medium include CDs, DVDs, BLU-RAY, flash memory, and hard disk drives. 
         [0014]    The setting module  101  can be configured to receive a setting of the first working mode from a first user. In this exemplary embodiment, the setting includes a list of the blocked functions in the first working mode, the blocked functions can be, but are not limited to, making a long distance call, browsing X-rated websites, downloading games, and sending messages. In other embodiment, the setting of the first working mode can be a default setting of the electronic device  1 , and the first working mode need not be set. At this time, the setting module  101  can be omitted. 
         [0015]    The storing module  102  can be configured to establish a fingerprint database  161 . In this exemplary embodiment, the fingerprint database  161  stores at least one fingerprint of each authorized user (including all of the users who are allowed to use the electronic device  1 ) for unlocking the electronic device  1 . The fingerprint database  161  further stores a finger type corresponding to each fingerprint stored in the fingerprint database  161 . The storing module  102  (the fingerprint database  161 ) also can store the fingerprints of some or all of the fingers of each authorized user. For example, the storing module  102  can store the fingerprint of an often used finger only, such as the index finger. The finger types can be divided as two to five types. The five finger types can be thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger. The four types can be thumb, index finger, middle finger, and other two fingers. The three types can be thumb, index finger, and other three fingers. The two types can be thumb and other four fingers. 
         [0016]    The fingerprint database  161  also stores a preset fingerprint area corresponding to each finger type stored in the fingerprint database  161 . The preset fingerprint area can be a fingerprint area of the finger of the common adult corresponding to the finger type, or a product of multiplying the fingerprint area of the finger of the common adult by a preset coefficient. The preset fingerprint area can be a default value or a value received from the user by the setting module  101 . In other embodiments, the obtaining module  102  can obtain a fingerprint of an adult user and calculate the area of the obtained fingerprint as the preset fingerprint area. 
         [0017]    Through the sensor  11 , the obtaining module  103  can be configured to obtain a fingerprint of the user and calculate a fingerprint area of the obtained fingerprint. 
         [0018]    The searching module  104  can be configured to search whether the obtained fingerprint is stored in the fingerprint database  161  or not. If the obtained fingerprint is in the fingerprint database  161 , the searching module  104  determines that the user is allowed to use the electronic device  1 . If the obtained fingerprint is not in the fingerprint database  161 , the searching module  104  determines that the user is an unauthorized user. When the searching module  104  determines that the user is allowed to use the electronic device  1 , the searching module  104  is further configured to search for the finger type corresponding to the obtained fingerprint and the preset fingerprint area corresponding to the finger type of the obtained fingerprint stored in the fingerprint database  161 . 
         [0019]    The comparing module  105  can be configured to compare the fingerprint area of the obtained fingerprint and the preset fingerprint area. If the fingerprint area of the obtained fingerprint is greater than or equal to the preset fingerprint area, the comparing module  105  determines that the user is an adult. If the fingerprint area of the obtained fingerprint is smaller than the preset fingerprint area, the comparing module  105  determines that the user is a child. 
         [0020]    The controlling module  106  can be configured to control the electronic device  1  to enter into the screen-unlocked mode when the searching module  104  determines that the user is allowed to use the electronic device  1 . The electronic device  1  is controlled to maintain the screen-locked mode when the searching module  104  determines that the user is unauthorized. The controlling module  106  can be also configured to control the electronic device  1  to enter into the first working mode when the comparing module  105  determines that the user is a child and control the electronic device  1  to enter into the second working mode when the comparing module  105  determines that the user is an adult. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a working mode selecting method using the working mode selecting system of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The example method  600  is provided by way of example, as there are a variety of ways to carry out the method. The method  600  described below can be carried out using the configurations illustrated in  FIG. 1 , for example, and various elements of these figures are referenced in explaining example method  600 . Each block shown in  FIG. 2  represents one or more processes, methods, or subroutines, carried out in the exemplary method  600 . Furthermore, the illustrated order of blocks is by example only and the order of the blocks can change according to the present disclosure. Additional blocks may be added or fewer blocks may be utilized, without departing from this disclosure. The exemplary method  600  can begin at block  300 . 
         [0022]    At block  300 , the setting module  101  receives a setting of the first working mode from the user. In this exemplary embodiment, the setting includes a list of the blocked functions in the first working mode, the blocked functions can be, but are not limited to, making a long distance call, browsing X-rated websites, downloading games, and sending messages. In other embodiments, the setting of the first working mode can be a default setting of the electronic device  1 , and the first working mode does not need to be set by the user. At this time, the block  300  can be omitted. 
         [0023]    At block  301 , the storing module  102  establishes a fingerprint database  161 . In this exemplary embodiment, the fingerprint database  161  stores at least one fingerprint of each authorized user (including all of the users who are allowed to use the electronic device  1 ) for unlocking the electronic device  1 . The fingerprint database  161  further stores a finger type corresponding to each fingerprint stored in the fingerprint database  161 . The storing module  102  (the fingerprint database  161 ) also can store the fingerprints of some or all of the fingers of each authorized user. For example, the storing module  102  can store the fingerprint of an often used finger only, such as the index finger. The finger types can be divided as two to five types. The five finger types can be thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger. The four types can be thumb, index finger, middle finger and other two fingers. The three types can be thumb, index finger, and other three fingers. The two types can be thumb, and other four fingers. 
         [0024]    The fingerprint database  161  also stores a preset fingerprint area corresponding to each finger type stored in the fingerprint database  161 . The preset fingerprint area can be a fingerprint area of the finger of the common adult corresponding to the finger type, or a product of multiplying the fingerprint area of the finger of the common adult by a preset coefficient. The preset fingerprint area can be a default value or a value received from the user by the setting module  101 . In other embodiments, the obtaining module  102  can obtain the fingerprint of an adult user and calculate the area of the obtained fingerprint as the preset fingerprint area. 
         [0025]    At block  302 , through the sensor  11 , the obtaining module  103  obtains a fingerprint of the user and calculates the fingerprint area of the obtained fingerprint. 
         [0026]    At block  303 , the searching module  104  searches whether the obtained fingerprint is stored in the fingerprint database  161  or not. If the obtained fingerprint is in the fingerprint database  161 , the searching module  104  determines that the user is allowed to use the electronic device  1  and the procedure goes to block  305 . If the obtained fingerprint is not in the fingerprint database  161 , the searching module  104  determines that the user is an unauthorized user and the procedure goes to block  304 . 
         [0027]    At block  304 , the controlling module  106  controls the electronic device  1  to maintain the screen-locked mode. 
         [0028]    At block  305 , the controlling module  106  controls the electronic device  1  to enter into the screen-unlocked mode, and the procedure goes to block  306 . 
         [0029]    At block  306 , the searching module  104  determines that the user is allowed to use the electronic device  1 , and further searches for the finger type corresponding to the obtained fingerprint and the preset fingerprint area corresponding to the finger type of the obtained fingerprint stored in the fingerprint database  161 . 
         [0030]    At block  307 , the comparing module  105  compares the fingerprint area of the obtained fingerprint and the preset fingerprint area. If the fingerprint area of the obtained fingerprint is greater than or equal to the preset fingerprint area, the comparing module  105  determines that the user is an adult and the procedure goes to block  309 . If the fingerprint area of the obtained fingerprint is smaller than the preset fingerprint area, the comparing module  105  determines that the user is a child and the procedure goes to block  308 . 
         [0031]    At block  308 , the controlling module  106  controls the electronic device  1  to enter into the first working mode. 
         [0032]    At block  309 , the controlling module  106  controls the electronic device  1  to enter into the second working mode. 
         [0033]    Therefore, the working mode selecting system  10  and method can identify the user based on the fingerprint of the user. When the working mode selecting system  10  determines the user is a child, the electronic device  1  is controlled to enter into the first working mode with some functions of the electronic device  1  blocked. Therefore, the children can be protected from some unsuitable functions of the electronic device  1 . 
         [0034]    The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Many details are often found in the art such as the other features. Therefore, many such details are neither shown nor described. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure up to, and including the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiments described above may be modified within the scope of the claims.