System and method for utilizing fingerprints as user inputs

An information handling system includes a tablet computer, which in turn includes a touch sensor, a sensor detector, and a processor. The sensor detector is configured to communicate with the touch sensor, and to detect a first fingerprint on the touch sensor. The processor is configured to communicate with the sensor detector, to determine that the first fingerprint is within a first zone of the touch sensor, to match the first fingerprint to a stored fingerprint for the first zone of the touch sensor, to determine a first input function associated with the first fingerprint based on the first fingerprint matching the stored fingerprint for the first zone, and to execute the first input function.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to information handling systems, and more particularly relates to utilizing fingerprints as user inputs to an information handling system.

BACKGROUND

An information handling system, such as a tablet computer, can include a virtual keyboard for receiving input functions to be performed by the tablet computer. For example, a user can utilize a virtual keyboard presented on a display screen of the tablet computer to compose an electronic mail message, compose a word processing document, perform actions during a video game application, or the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachings and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings. However, other teachings may be utilized in this application, as well as in other applications and with several different types of architectures such as distributed computing architectures, client or server architectures, or middleware server architectures and associated components.

FIGS. 1 and 2show an information handling system in the form of a tablet computer100. The tablet computer includes a front panel102and a display screen104. The tablet computer100internally includes a processor130, a sensor detector132, a memory134, and an input/output interface136, In an embodiment, the memory134can be any type of non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, The input/output interface136can be any combination of a dock interface, a Bluetooth module, a wired or wireless Internet Protocol module, or the like. The processor130is in communication with the sensor detector132, the memory134, and the I/O interface136. The sensor detector132is also in communication with the I/O interface136.

As shown inFIG. 2, the tablet computer100also includes a back surface202, a first group of touch sensors210,212, and214, and a second group of touch sensors220,222, and224. Each of the touch sensors210-214and220-224can be any type optical sensor capable of scanning a fingertip place on the touch sensor, and thereby receiving or detecting a fingerprint. The sensor detector132is in communication with each of the touch sensors210-214and220-224. However, for simplicity the communication channels connecting the sensor detector132to the touch sensors210-214and220-224have not been shown. The sensor detector132can identify each of the touch sensors210-214and220-224as an individual zone of that touch sensor. For example, a fingerprint detected anywhere in touch sensor210can be identified by sensor detector132as being located in a zone of touch sensor210.

The tablet computer100can be placed in a training mode to set user fingerprints to input functions for the tablet computer, Once the training mode is initiated, the user can place one of his or her fingers on one of the touch sensors, such as touch sensor210, which in turn can scan the fingerprint and send the detected fingerprint to the sensor detector132. Upon receiving the fingerprint, the sensor detector132can determine what touch sensor, such as touch sensor210, the fingerprint was received from and then send the fingerprint along with a touch sensor identifier to the processor130. The processor130can then determine whether the detected fingerprint is already associated with the determined touch sensor and stored in the memory134. For example, the processor130can access memory134and determine whether the detected fingerprint is already associated with touch sensor210.

If the fingerprint is already associated with touch sensor210, the processor can determine the input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected on that touch sensor. In an embodiment, the input function can be an alphanumeric key input of a keyboard, a space key input, any other input key from a keyboard, an action in a video game application running on the tablet computer100, a sequence of actions, or the like. The processor130can then provide a message, on display screen104, to the user indicating that the fingerprint is already associated with touch sensor210, and to identify the current input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected in the touch sensor210. The processor130can also provide the user with a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display screen104to enable the user to change the input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected in touch sensor210. Upon the user either re-saving the current input function or saving anew input function for the fingerprint in touch sensor210, the processor130can provide a message to the user indicating that a new fingerprint can be received, and the substantially same process can be performed or the user can exit the training mode.

However, if the fingerprint is not already associated with or mapped to touch sensor210, the processor130can provide the GUI on the display screen104to enable the user to select an the input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected in touch sensor210. Upon the user selecting and saving an input function for the fingerprint in touch sensor210, the processor130can provide a message to the user indicating that a new fingerprint can be received, and the substantially same process can be performed or the user can exit the training mode. In an embodiment, the user can repeat this process until the user has stored a desired number of fingerprints for any combination of the touch sensors210-214and270-224.

In an embodiment, the training mode can be universal across every application executed in the tablet computer100, such that the same fingerprint detected in the same touch sensor can be the same input function for all applications executed in the tablet computer. In another embodiment, the training mode can be different for each application or can include an option to select particular applications to assign the detection of a fingerprint in a touch sensor to a particular input function to be performed, such that one fingerprint in the same touch sensor can be different input functions depending on the application executing in the tablet computer100. For example, the user can select that a particular fingerprint detected in touch sensor220is the alphanumeric character ‘a’ while the tablet computer100is executing a word processing application, a text messaging application, an electronic mail application, or the like. However, the same fingerprint detected in the touch sensor220is a jump input function while the tablet computer100is executing a video game application.

During normal operation, a user can hold the tablet computer100in such a way that the user's fingers wrap around the tablet computer and rest near the touch sensors210-214and220-224on the back surface202. The user can also hold the front surface102of the tablet computer100with his or her thumbs to securely hold the tablet computer. The user can then use his or her fingerprints on the touch sensors210-214and220-224to perform different actions in an application running on the tablet computer100. For example, the tablet computer100may be executing an electronic mail application and the user can utilize each of his or her fingerprints in the different touch sensors210-214and220-224to input different alphanumeric character while composing an electronic mail message.

A touch sensor, such as touch sensor212, can detect a fingerprint and can provide the fingerprint to the sensor detector132, which in turn can determine that the fingerprint was detected at touch sensor212. The sensor detector132can then provide the fingerprint and touch sensor identification, such as an identification of touch sensor212, to the processor130, and the processor can determine an input function to perform based on the fingerprint and the touch sensor identification. The processor132can access memory13.4to determine the input function to perform by correlating the fingerprint with the touch sensor212, For example, the processor130can determine that the detected fingerprint in touch sensor212is associated with the alphanumeric character ‘t’, and the processor can then perform the input function by outputting the letter ‘t’ in the electronic mail application. The processor130, sensor detector132, memory134, and touch sensors210-214and220-224can continue to communicate while the user is pressing his or her fingertips to the touch sensors to determine different input functions to execute as described above until the user exits the application, such as an email application, executing in the tablet computer100.

FIG. 3shows a rear view of another embodiment of the tablet computer100. As shown inFIG. 3, the rear surface202includes touch sensors302and304, and each of the touch sensors include one or more zones. For example, touch sensor302includes zones310,312, and314, and touch sensor304includes zones320,322, and324. The sensor detector132, shown inFIG. 1, is in communication with each of the touch sensors302and304. However, for simplicity the communication channels connecting the sensor detector132to the touch sensors302and304have not been shown.

The touch sensors302and304can be different touch sensors that each has continuous zones without any gaps in the touch sensor, In an embodiment, the size of each of the zones of a touch sensor can dynamically vary between uses of the tablet computer100. For example, zone312can always be in between zones310and314of touch sensor302, but the size of each of the zones can vary based different factors, such as the size of the user's hands, how the user holds his or her hands on the tablet computer100, or the like.

In an embodiment, the user can provide a multiple touch event350as an input on one of the touch sensors, such as touch sensor302. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the multiple touch event350can be two or more fingerprints detected at substantially the same time on the touch sensor302. The sensor detector132can receive the multiple touch event350from the touch sensor302and determine the location of the multiple touch event on the touch sensor. The sensor detector132can then assign or set different zones in the touch sensor302based on the location of the multiple touch event350. In an embodiment, the sensor detector132can set zone312to have a vertical orientation within touch sensor302and to include the location of the multiple touch event350. The sensor detector132can then assign or set zone310to include a region of the touch sensor302in between zone312and an edge of the touch sensor toward an edge of the back surface202, and can assign or set zone314to include the remaining region of the touch sensor302, such as in between zone312and an edge of the touch sensor toward the middle of the back surface. The sensor detector132can also receive a multiple touch event350on the touch sensor304and assign or set the zones for touch sensor304in substantially the same manner, such that zone322is centered around the location of the multiple touch event, and zones320and324are located on opposite sides of zone322within touch sensor304.

The tablet computer100can then be placed in a training mode or normal operation mode. In training mode, the user can place one of his or her fingers on one of the touch sensors, such as touch sensor304, which in turn can scan the fingerprint and send the detected fingerprint to the sensor detector132. Upon receiving the fingerprint, the sensor detector132can determine what zone of a touch sensor, such as zone320of touch sensor304, the fingerprint was received from and then send the fingerprint along with a touch sensor zone identifier to the processor130. The processor130can then determine whether the detected fingerprint is already associated with the determined touch sensor zone and stored in the memory134. For example, the processor130can access memory134and determine whether the detected fingerprint is already associated with zone320of touch sensor304.

If the fingerprint is already associated with touch sensor210, the processor can determine the input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected on that touch sensor. The processor130can then provide a message, on display screen104, to the user indicating that the fingerprint is already associated with zone320of touch sensor304, and to identify the current input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected in zone320of touch sensor304. The processor130can also provide the user with the GUI on the display screen104to enable the user to change the input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected in zone320of touch sensor304. Upon the user either re-saving the current input function or saving anew input function for the fingerprint in zone320of touch sensor304, the processor130can provide a message to the user indicating that a new fingerprint can be received, and the substantially same process can be performed or the user can exit the training mode.

However, if the fingerprint is not already associated with or mapped to zone320of touch sensor304, the processor130can provide the GUI on the display screen104to enable the user to select an the input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected in zone320of touch sensor304. Upon the user selecting and saving an input function for the fingerprint in zone320of touch sensor304, the processor130can provide a message to the user indicating that a new fingerprint can be received, and the substantially same process can be performed or the user can exit the training mode. In an embodiment, the user can repeat this process until the user has stored a desired number of fingerprints for any combination of the zones310-314of touch sensor302and zones320-324of touch sensor304.

During normal operation, a user can hold the tablet computer100in such a way that the user's fingers wrap around the tablet computer and rest near the touch sensors302and304on the back surface202. The user can also hold the front surface102of the tablet computer100with his or her thumbs to securely hold the tablet computer. The user can then perform a multiple touch event350on both touch sensors302and304to cause the sensor detector132to assign or set the zones within the touch sensors. The assigned zones can continue to be mapped to the input functions selected during the training mode no matter where the current boundaries for the zones are assigned. For example, if the multiple touch event350results in the sensor detector132shifting zone312left or right on the touch sensor302, the processor130will continue to map the same input functions to the zone, because the sensor detector can provide the zone and touch sensor identification to the processor.

A touch sensor, such as touch sensor302, can detect a fingerprint and can provide the fingerprint to the sensor detector132, which in turn can determine that the fingerprint was detected at zone314of touch sensor302. The sensor detector132can then provide the fingerprint along with the touch sensor identification, such as an identification of zone314of touch sensor302, to the processor130, and the processor can determine an input function to perform based on the fingerprint and the touch sensor identification. The processor132can access memory134to determine the input function to perform by correlating the fingerprint with zone314of touch sensor302. For example, the processor130can determine that the detected fingerprint in zone314of touch sensor302is associated with a jump action in a video game application executing in tablet computer100, and the processor can then perform the input function.

FIGS. 4 and 5show respective front and rear views of the tablet computer100and a dock400. As shown inFIG. 4, the dock400includes a cradle402, and handles402and404. The cradle401includes a bottom rail405and a top rail502(shown inFIG. 5). The handle402includes a loop406and control inputs408. The handle404includes a loop406, a control input408, and touch sensors410and412. The tablet computer includes a front panel102and a display screen104. The tablet computer100internally includes a processor130, a sensor detector132, a memory134, and an input/output interface136. The dock400internally includes an I/O interface440to communicate with the I/O interface136of the tablet computer100. The input/output interfaces136and440can be any combination of a dock interface, a Bluetooth module, a wired or wireless Internet Protocol module, or the like. As shown inFIG. 5, the handle402includes touch sensors510,512, and514, the handle504includes touch sensors520,522, and524, and the tablet computer100includes aback surface202in physical communication with top rail502of the cradle401. The I/O interface440, shown inFIG. 4, is in communication with each of the control inputs408, and with each of the touch sensors410,412,510-514, and520-524. However, for simplicity the communication channels connecting the I/O interface440with each of the control inputs408, and with each of the touch sensors410,412,510-514, and520-524have not been shown.

The tablet computer100and dock400can be placed in a training mode to set user fingerprints on the touch sensors410,412,510-514, and520-524of the dock to input functions for the tablet computer. Once the training mode is initiated, the user can place one of his or her fingers or thumbs on one of the touch sensors, such as touch sensor410, which in turn can scan the fingerprint and send the detected fingerprint to the sensor detector132via the I/O interfaces440and136. As used herein, a fingerprint can be both the unique print on the tip of one of the fingers on either hand or can the print on the tip of one of the thumbs on either of the individual's hands. Upon receiving the fingerprint, the sensor detector132can determine what touch sensor, such as touch sensor410, the fingerprint was received from and then send the fingerprint along with a touch sensor identifier to the processor130. The processor130can then determine whether the detected fingerprint is already associated with the determined touch sensor and stored in the memory134. For example, the processor130can access memory134and determine whether the detected fingerprint is already associated with touch sensor410.

If the fingerprint is already associated with touch sensor410, the processor can determine the input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected on that touch sensor. The processor130can then provide a message, on display screen104, to the user indicating that the fingerprint is already associated with touch sensor410, and to identify the current input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected in the touch sensor410. The processor130can also provide the user with the GUI on the display screen104to enable the user to change the input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected in touch sensor410. Upon the user either re-saving the current input function or saving a new input function for the fingerprint in touch sensor410, the processor130can provide a message to the user indicating that a new fingerprint can be received, and the substantially same process can be performed or the user can exit the training mode.

However, if the fingerprint is not already associated with or mapped to touch sensor410, the processor130can provide the GUI on the display screen104to enable the user to select an the input function to be performed when the fingerprint is detected in touch sensor410. Upon the user selecting and saving an input function for the fingerprint in touch sensor410, the processor130can provide a message to the user indicating that a new fingerprint can be received. In an embodiment, the user can repeat this process until the user has stored a desired number of fingerprints for any combination of the touch sensors410,412,510-514, and520-524.

In an embodiment, the training mode for the touch sensors410,412,510-514, and520-524of dock400can be universal across every application executed in the tablet computer100, such that the same fingerprint detected in the same touch sensor can be the same input function for all applications executed in the tablet computer. In another embodiment, the training mode can be different for each application or can include an option to select particular applications to assign the detection of a fingerprint in a touch sensor to a particular input function to be performed, such that one fingerprint in the same touch sensor can be different input functions depending on the application executing in the tablet computer100.

During normal operation, a user can hold the handles402and404of dock400in such a way that the user's fingers wrap around the tablet computer and rest near the touch sensors510-514and520-524on the back surface202, and one of his or her thumbs to be near touch sensors410and412. For example, the user can rest the loops406of the handles402and404on the user's hands to allow him or her to move his or her fingers without risk of dropping the dock400and tablet computer100. The user can then use his or her fingerprints on the touch sensors410,412,510-514, and520-524to perform different actions in an application running on the tablet computer100. For example, touch sensor524can receive a fingerprint and can provide the fingerprint to sensor detector132via the I/O interfaces440and135. The sensor detector132and processor130can then operate as described above to perform an input function associated with the detected fingerprint in touch sensor524.

As shown inFIG. 5, touch sensor510-514and520-524are separate touch sensors. However, in an embodiment, touch sensors510-514can be individual zones of a single touch sensor, and touch sensors520-524can be individual zones of another touch sensor substantially similar to the touch sensors described above with respect toFIG. 3. In this embodiment, the sensor detector132can utilize a multiple touch event to assigned or set the different zones of the touch sensors on the handles402and404as described above.

FIG. 6shows a flow diagram of a method600for executing a training mode to associate fingerprints to an input function. The flow begins at block602, during which an information handling system, such as a tablet computer, enters a training mode. In an embodiment, the training mode can be selected via a soft button on the tablet computer, by voice prompt, or the like. Additionally, the training mode can be entered into while the tablet computer is both connected to and not connected to a dock. At block604, a fingerprint is detected at a touch sensor. In an embodiment, the touch sensor can be located on a rear panel of the tablet computer, on a rear panel of the dock connected to the tablet computer, on a front panel of the dock, or the like. The flow continues at block606, and a particular zone of the touch sensor, which the fingerprint is detected, is determined. For example, the touch sensor can have three separate zones, and the fingerprint can be located in the third zone.

At block608, a determination is made whether the fingerprint matches a stored fingerprint for the particular zone. In an embodiment, fingerprints that were previously received/detected during a training mode can be associated with the different zones of the touch sensor and can be stored in a memory of the tablet computer. In an embodiment, the same fingerprint can be associated with a different input function depending on which zone of the touch sensor the fingerprint is detected. In an embodiment, a processor can compare the detected fingerprint to each of the fingerprints, if any, that are stored in the memory and that are associated with the particular zone in which the fingerprint was detected. If the fingerprint matches a stored fingerprint for the particular zone, the flow continues as described above at block604. However, if the fingerprint does not match a stored fingerprint for the particular zone, a prompt is provided to the user of the tablet computer requesting that the user select an input function for the fingerprint when detected in the particular zone. In an embodiment the input function can be an alphanumerical character of a keyboard, an action in a video game application, a sequence of actions in the videogame application, or the like. At block610, the fingerprint is stored, in a memory, as being associated with the selected input function when the fingerprint is detected in the particular zone of the touch sensor.

FIG. 7shows a flow diagram of a method700for performing an input function in response to a detected fingerprint. In an embodiment, the method700can be used in conjunction with the method600described above, For example, method600can be executed prior to method700been executed, at any point white method700is being executed, or the like.

At block702, a multiple touch event is detected. In an embodiment, the multiple touch event can be registered on a touch sensor and detected by a sensor detector of the of a tablet computer. The multiple touch event can detected when more than one fingerprint is received at the touch sensor. In an embodiment, the touch sensor can be located on the rear panel of a tablet computer, a rear panel of a dock connected to the tablet computer, a front panel of the dock, or the like. At block704, the touch sensor can be divided into multiple zones the based on the location of the multiple touch event. In an embodiment, the touch sensor can be divided into three separate zones, and the center zone can be located in a vertical orientation along the touch sensor where the multiple touch event was detected. An additional zone can be identified/defined on each side of the center zone. In this embodiment, the multiple touch event and location thereof can set a resting place for the user's hands on the touch sensor so that the touch sensor can be optimized for the user and the center zone of the touch sensor is located at the resting location of the user's hands. Thus, depending on the size of the user's hands, the center zone of the touch sensor can be adjusted closer to or further away from an edge of the tablet computer.

At block706, a fingerprint is detected on the touch sensor. The flow then proceeds to block708, and a zone that the fingerprint is detected in is determined. An input function for the fingerprint is determined based on the zone of the touch sensor at block710. In an embodiment, the same fingerprint can be associated with a different input function depending on which zone of the touch sensor the fingerprint is detected. In an embodiment, a processor can compare the detected fingerprint to each of the fingerprints, if any, that are stored in a memory and that are associated with the zone in which the fingerprint was detected. At block712, the determined input function is performed.

FIG. 8shows an information handling system800according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. The information handling system800may include a processor802such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the information handling system800can include a main memory804and a static memory806that can communicate with each other via a bus808. As shown, the information handling system800may further include a video display unit810, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tithe (CRT). Additionally, the information handling system800may include an input device812, such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device814, such as a mouse. The information handling system800can also include a disk drive unit816, a signal generation device818, such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device820to provide communications over a network826. Information handling system also includes the sensor detector132.

The information handling system800can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system800may operate as a standalone device or may be connected such as using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.

The disk drive unit816may include a computer-readable medium822in which one or more sets of instructions824such as software can be embedded. Further, the instructions824may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions824may reside completely, Or at least partially, within the main memory804, the static memory806, and/or within the processor802during execution by the information handling system800. The main memory804and the processor802also may include computer-readable media. The network interface device820can provide connectivity to a network826, e.g., a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or other network.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions824or receives and executes instructions824responsive to a propagated signal; so that a device connected to a network826can communicate voice, video or data over the network826. Further, the instructions824may be transmitted or received over the network826via the network interface device820.