Patent Description:
In related art, in one example, Patent Literature <NUM> below discloses an input device having the ability to add easily a fingerprint detection and collation function to an information processing apparatus having a limited number of connection portions of peripheral equipment by allowing an IC card having the fingerprint detection and collation function to be loaded in the device body.

<CIT> discloses an image processing portion that compares a preregistered fingerprint with a fingerprint sensed by a fingerprint-sensor-equipped key, and determines whether the fingerprints match with each other or not. When the fingerprints match with each other, a finger direction determining portion determines a direction of a finger from a displacement of the fingerprint. A main controller changes a direction of displayed contents of a display portion according to the direction of the finger determined by the finger direction determining portion. Therefore, a user can change the direction of the displayed contents of the display means by a simple operation.

<CIT> discloses an electronic apparatus that includes a fingerprint sensor and an operation unit. The fingerprint sensor senses fingerprint images of a finger at different time instants. In a vector mode, the operation unit determines one or multiple moving directions of the finger according to the fingerprint images to generate a motion vector signal. The electronic apparatus executes a specific function according to the motion vector signal. The specific function is selected from a group consisting of a homepage key function, a function key function, and an unlocking function.

<CIT> describes a man-machine interface device for controlling access to electronic devices. The man-machine interface device comprises an electronic display unit including a transparent finger touch sensor region that is seated above the display apparatus, which is responsible for determining the presence and absence of a finger and for generating fingerprint images when a finger is detected. The man-machine interface device also includes a controller unit that is coupled to the display apparatus, the finger touch sensor region, and at least one electronic device. The method describes a process for authenticating individuals and verifying their security privileges to access sensitive data, based on a finger-touch selection of an icon presented on the display apparatus of the man-machine interface device.

<CIT> discloses fingerprint input guide information for guiding the user such that the user may perform a touch swipe on a fingerprint recognition sensor when receiving a request for execution of at least one function provided by a portable terminal. The portable terminal may acquire a fingerprint image according to a touch swipe of the user input in consideration of the fingerprint input guide information, and may execute the at least one function by authenticating the user using the acquired fingerprint image.

<CIT> aims to make the security difficult to be broken by requiring two sorts of secret keys, a password and fingerprints, and discloses a personal identification apparatus that judges the authenticity of the pass word inputted using the input keys of the apparatus and the fingerprint pictures read by the fingerprint identification apparatus, and recognizes the personal identification to be completed when both results are true.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device with a display and a fingerprint sensor displays a fingerprint enrollment interface and detects, on the fingerprint sensor, a plurality of finger gestures performed with a finger. The device collects fingerprint information from the plurality of finger gestures performed with the finger. After collecting the fingerprint information, the device determines whether the collected fingerprint information is sufficient to enroll a fingerprint of the finger. When the collected fingerprint information for the finger is sufficient to enroll the fingerprint of the finger, the device enrolls the fingerprint of the finger with the device. When the collected fingerprint information for the finger is not sufficient to enroll the fingerprint of the finger, the device displays a message in the fingerprint enrollment interface prompting a user to perform one or more additional finger gestures on the fingerprint sensor with the finger.

<CIT> provides an input device having a fingerprint detection function with operating portions for carrying out operations of a host device. The input device includes a device body connected to the host device, a fingerprint detecting portion provided in an upper surface of the device body and serving to detect the fingerprint of the user, and an opening portion for exposing the fingerprint detecting portion to the exterior.

Wearable devices such as smartwatches attached to the user's body are spreading nowadays. Given that pursuit of simplicity, portability, miniaturization, or the like of the wearable device is considered, operation portions such as buttons are assumed to become smaller and smaller, and so there is a concern that the usability is lowered as the operation portion becomes smaller.

Thus, a desired operation is necessary to be performed in response to the operation even with a compact apparatus.

The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

An information processing apparatus may include: a fingerprint information acquisition unit configured to acquire fingerprint information; a determination unit configured to determine an action of a finger on the basis of the fingerprint information; and a processing unit configured to perform specified processing predetermined depending on the action on the basis of the determined action.

Moreover, an information processing method may include: acquiring fingerprint information; determining an action of a finger on the basis of the fingerprint information; and performing specified processing predetermined depending on the action on the basis of the determined action.

Moreover, a program may cause a computer to function as: a means configured to acquire fingerprint information; a means configured to determine an action of a finger on the basis of the fingerprint information; and a means configured to perform specified processing predetermined depending on the action on the basis of the determined action.

According to the present disclosure as described above, it is possible to perform a desired operation in response to the operation even with a compact apparatus.

Moreover, the description will be given in the following order.

Wearable devices such as, for example, smartwatches have been used in recent years. <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating how to operate a smartwatch <NUM> according to the present embodiment as an example of wearable devices. The smartwatch <NUM> has a touch panel <NUM> and a fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The smartwatch <NUM> performs a desired operation or processing requested by the user by allowing the user to operate the touch panel <NUM> or a button (not shown). In addition, the user touches the fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, so the smartwatch <NUM> performs authentication and performs a desired operation or processing requested by the user.

Given that pursuit of simplicity, portability, miniaturization, or the like of the wearable device is considered, its operating portion is assumed to become smaller and smaller. In addition, given that important information such as biological information is accumulated in the wearable device is considered, higher security is necessary for the wearable device. Furthermore, there is also a desire for the wearable device to implement complicated entry operations, such as entry of text, or more complicated various functions.

Fingerprint authentication is widely used for security purposes. However, the personal authentication using a fingerprint of one finger has a security problem, for example, another person may cause an owner's finger to touch a device to succeed in authentication while the owner of the device is sleeping. In addition, from the viewpoint of operability, it is difficult to enter text or implement various functions on a small screen like a wearable device at present.

The present embodiment allows entry of text or implementation of various functions on a small screen like a wearable device to be achieved and respective functions or applications to be switched depending on the type of an operating finger, the direction of motion of the finger, how to move the finger (short press or long press, or light touch or force touch), or the like. In addition, from the viewpoint of authentication, high security can be achieved by combining fingerprint authentication and password entry by numerals or characters. This is described in detail below.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the smartwatch <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The smartwatch <NUM> includes a fingerprint sensor <NUM>, another sensor unit <NUM>, a touch panel <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, and a storage unit <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> detects fingerprint information related to a fingerprint from an image obtained by image capture. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may detect the fingerprint information from electrostatic capacitance. In a case of optical detection of fingerprint information from an image, the fingerprint information is image information representing the shape of the fingerprint. In addition, in a case of electrostatic detection in which the fingerprint information is detected from electrostatic capacitance, the fingerprint information is electrostatic capacitance corresponding to convex and concave parts of a fingerprint. In addition, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may detect a fingerprint using other techniques including thermal, electric field, piezoelectric, or the like. More specifically, in the optical detection, the fingerprint information is detected by placing a finger on a prism or glass surface and by capturing an image of the finger with a CCD camera or the like from the opposite side of the surface on which the finger is placed. The electrostatic detection is a way of obtaining fingerprint information based on a difference in charge amounts between mountains (parts where the skin forming a fingerprint pattern is raised) and valleys of a fingerprint when a finger is pressed against the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The thermal detection is a way of obtaining fingerprint information from detection of a temperature difference between a temperature (body temperature) of a mountain portion and a temperature of a valley (air temperature) of a fingerprint coming into contact with the surface of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The electric field detection is a way of using, as fingerprint information, a distribution pattern produced from a difference in intensity of electric field between a peak portion and a valley portion of a fingerprint, which is generated by a weak current flowing on the surface of a finger. The touch panel <NUM> includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch sensor. The smartwatch <NUM> may include a component such as a loudspeaker for outputting information by speech. The other sensor unit <NUM> is a sensor other than the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and includes, in one example, a position sensor (GPS) for detecting position information of the smartwatch <NUM>, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the finger, a pressure sensor for detecting the pressing force of the finger, or the like.

The control unit <NUM> is a component that performs various processing of the smartwatch <NUM>, and includes a fingerprint information acquisition unit <NUM>, a fingerprint information registration unit <NUM>, a fingerprint collation unit <NUM>, a fingerprint determination unit <NUM>, and a processing unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> has a registered fingerprint information recording unit <NUM> for recording the registered fingerprint information. In addition, the storage unit <NUM> has programs and data of various applications <NUM> corresponding to the smartwatch <NUM> stored therein. Moreover, the components of the control device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> can include circuits (hardware), or include a central processing unit such as CPU and a program (software) for making it function.

The fingerprint information acquisition unit <NUM> acquires fingerprint information detected by the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The fingerprint information registration unit <NUM> registers the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint information acquisition unit <NUM> in the registered fingerprint information recording unit <NUM>. The fingerprint information acquisition unit <NUM> acquires fingerprint information for each user. The fingerprint information for each user includes fingerprint information indicating the shape of a fingerprint of each finger of the right hand and the left hand, fingerprint information when each finger is tilted, or the like. The fingerprint information for each user is registered in the registered fingerprint information recording unit <NUM>. The fingerprint collation unit <NUM> collates the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint sensor <NUM> with the fingerprint information registered in the registered fingerprint information recording unit <NUM>, and performs authentication. The fingerprint collation unit <NUM> is also capable of performing authentication by comparing a password entered from the touch panel <NUM> with a password registered previously in the storage unit <NUM> in addition to the fingerprint information. In this case, it is possible to enhance the security by using both the fingerprint information and password authentication.

The fingerprint determination unit <NUM> determines, in a case where the authentication by the collation unit <NUM> is successful, the type of a finger or action of the finger (operation by finger) on the basis of the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint information acquisition unit <NUM> and the information registered in the registered fingerprint information recording unit <NUM>. The registered fingerprint information recording unit <NUM> records information corresponding to the type or action of the finger corresponding to the registered fingerprint information in association with the specified processing to be performed by the smartwatch <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM> refers to the processing associated with the registered fingerprint information recording unit <NUM> and performs the specified processing that is capable of being executed by the smartwatch <NUM>, such as activation of the application <NUM> and movement of focus, on the basis of a result obtained by determination of the fingerprint determination unit <NUM>. The touch panel <NUM> displays the process or result of the processing.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the smartwatch <NUM>. In step S10, the fingerprint information acquisition unit <NUM> first determines whether or not a finger is in contact with the fingerprint sensor <NUM> on the basis of the fingerprint information obtained from the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and in a case where the finger is in contact with the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, acquires the fingerprint information in the next step S12. In the next step S14, the fingerprint collation unit <NUM> determines whether or not the finger is the fingerprint information registered previously in the registered fingerprint information recording unit <NUM> on the basis of the acquired fingerprint information, and in a case where the fingerprint information is registered, the processing proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the fingerprint determination unit <NUM> performs determination of an operating finger (determination as to whether it is an index finger or a middle finger) or determination of action of a finger (determination of position, motion direction, inclination, etc.).

In the next step S18, the processing unit <NUM> activates the application <NUM> or executes the function depending on the type of the operating finger or the action of the finger, which is determined in step S16. More specifically, the processing of activation of the application <NUM>, movement of focus, or the like is performed depending on the type and action of the operating finger.

In the next step S20, the fingerprint information acquisition unit <NUM> determines whether or not there is a change from the finger determined in step S16, and in a case where there is a change, the processing proceeds to step S14 and the subsequent processing is performed again. On the other hand, in a case where there is no change, the processing of step S18 is continued.

Further, in a case where it is determined in step S10 that the finger is not in contact with the fingerprint sensor <NUM> or it is determined that the finger is not a preregistered finger in step S14, the processing is terminated.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrated to describe the arrangement of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the operation discrimination method. In each of <FIG>, "a side view of a state in which the finger is in contact with the fingerprint sensor", "a bottom view of a state where the finger is in contact with the fingerprint sensor", and "a view showing an operation discrimination method" are illustrated in order from the top.

<FIG> illustrates a case where a fingerprint sensor 102a having a size equivalent to a fingerprint <NUM> of a finger <NUM> is used as the fingerprint sensor and the operation discrimination is performed depending on the type or action of the finger <NUM> that is in contact with the fingerprint sensor 102a. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the operation discrimination is performed by tilting the finger <NUM>. In this case, in tilting the finger <NUM>, a part of the fingerprint <NUM> rises, and so only a part of the fingerprint <NUM> of the finger <NUM> is detected as shown in "the view showing an operation discrimination method". Then, the detection of only a part of the fingerprint <NUM> of the finger <NUM> allows the direction in which the finger <NUM> is tilted to be recognized. This makes it possible to perform specified processing such as activation of the application <NUM> or movement of focus depending on the direction in which the finger <NUM> is tilted. According to the example illustrated in <FIG>, the specified processing can be performed only by tilting the finger <NUM> with no motion of the finger <NUM>. In addition, it is also possible to use the fingerprint sensor 102a in combination with an existing sensor such as a pressure sensor by using the detection by the fingerprint sensor 102a as a trigger. There are advantages of this approach such as, in a case of using a fingerprint sensor of a type like an optical fingerprint sensor that can read a fingerprint pattern even when it is wet with water. In one example, even when it is operated in a state where the device is wet with water or when it is operated in underwater environments, it is possible to prevent a situation where a finger and water are not distinguished like in a typical touch panel and to prevent the occurrence of malfunction.

<FIG> illustrates a case where one fingerprint sensor 102b smaller than the fingerprint of the finger is used and the operation discrimination is performed depending on the finger that is grounded in the fingerprint sensor 102b or motion of the finger. In this case, when the finger <NUM> is moved, it is possible to discriminate in which direction the finger <NUM> is moved on the basis of the motion of the shape of the fingerprint <NUM> as shown in the "view showing the operation discrimination method". More specifically, it is determined in which direction the finger is moved by comparing the fingerprint information acquired at the current time with the fingerprint information acquired one cycle before on the basis of the fingerprint information acquired every control cycle. This moving direction may be determined by tracking the same feature point and calculating its moving direction, or by calculating the moving direction in which the correlation as the whole image becomes the maximum. In addition, minutiae points of fingerprints or sweat gland information may be used as the feature point. This makes it possible to perform the specified processing such as activation of the application <NUM> or movement of the focus depending on the direction in which the finger <NUM> is moved. According to the example illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to make the fingerprint sensor 102b as small as possible and to get to know the motion of the finger even when the fingerprint sensor 102b is small.

<FIG> illustrates a case where a plurality of fingerprint sensors 102b smaller than the fingerprint <NUM> of the finger <NUM> is used, a plurality of fingerprint sensors 102b is arranged at their respective necessary positions, and the operation discrimination is performed depending on the type and motion of the finger <NUM> that is in contact with the fingerprint sensor 102b. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the operation discrimination is performed depending on the positions or ratios in contact with the fingerprint sensors 102b. In this case, when the finger <NUM> is tilted, a part of the fingerprint <NUM> rises as shown in the "view showing the operation discrimination method", so only a part of the plurality of fingerprint sensors 102b detects the fingerprint <NUM>. The "view showing operation discrimination method" shows how fingerprint information is detected only by the fingerprint sensor 102b at the tip among the four fingerprint sensors 102b in a case where the finger <NUM> is tilted forward. In this way, the detection of the fingerprint by only a part of the plurality of fingerprint sensors 102b allows the direction in which the finger <NUM> is tilted to be recognized. This makes it possible to perform the specified processing such as activation of the application <NUM> or movement of the focus depending on the direction in which the finger <NUM> is tilted. In addition, according to the example illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to use the fingerprint sensors 102b by combining the plurality of fingerprint sensors 102b having different positions in accordance with the operation method.

Moreover, in the examples illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, it is possible to determine in which direction the finger is moved by the motion of the fingerprint <NUM>, which similar to the example of <FIG>.

As described above, according to the examples illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to detect the action (motion direction or inclination) of the finger <NUM> by detecting the fingerprint <NUM>. Accordingly, the smartwatch <NUM> is capable of performing the specified processing depending on the action of the finger <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a bracelet device <NUM> as a wearable device. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of fingerprint sensors 102c, 102d, and 102e functioning as the fingerprint sensor <NUM> is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the bracelet device <NUM>. The fingerprint sensors 102c, 102d, and 102e are arranged at different positions, and the operation discrimination is performed on the basis of the type and action of fingers that are in contact with the fingerprint sensors 102c, 102d, and 102e, and combination thereof. In this example, the operation discrimination is performed depending on which finger is in contact with the fingerprint sensors 102c, 102d, and 102e located at different positions and its position. In one example, if the fingerprint sensor 102c at the left end is in contact twice with the index finger and the fingerprint sensor 102d in the middle is in contact once with the middle finger, the bracelet device performs the specified processing. According to the example illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to arrange the fingerprint sensors depending on the shape of the device. In the case of a device attached to an arm as illustrated in <FIG>, fingerprint sensors are provided at different positions of the bracelet, thereby implementing the desired processing by touching different positions of the bracelet.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating how the fingerprint information registration unit <NUM> pre-registers each position of the finger <NUM> in the example of <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the fingerprint information is registered at the home position where the entire surface of the fingerprint <NUM> is in close contact with the sensor surface of the fingerprint sensor 102a. In addition, a part of the fingerprint <NUM> is registered for each of the case of tilting the finger <NUM> up, the case of tilting it to the right, the case of tilting it to the left, and the case of tilting it down. The registered fingerprint information is recorded in the registered fingerprint information recording unit <NUM>. In a case where the fingerprint sensor 102a detects fingerprint information using an image, the images as illustrated in <FIG> are registered as the fingerprint information. In addition, in a case where the fingerprint sensor 102a detects fingerprint information using electrostatic capacitance, the value of the electrostatic capacitance corresponding to the shape of the fingerprint illustrated in <FIG> is registered as the fingerprint information.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a method at the time of operating the UI. When the user first touches the home position of the touch panel <NUM>, the focus falls on the first character (e.g., "<NUM>") or the preceding focused character. In this state, the focused character is displayed at the center of the touch panel <NUM>. In this state, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the finger <NUM> is tilted up, down, left, and right with the finger <NUM> placed on the fingerprint sensor 102a, the focus is moved and the character in the tilted direction is displayed at the center of the touch panel <NUM>. Then, when the finger <NUM> is released from the state of the home position, the character is determined. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the entry of text only by tilting the finger <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating how to register a fingerprint of each finger. As illustrated in <FIG>, fingerprints <NUM> of thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger are respectively registered. <FIG> illustrates an example in which fingerprint information pieces of a plurality of fingers <NUM> are registered at once using the fingerprint sensor <NUM> with relatively large size. In the case of using the fingerprint sensor <NUM> with small size as illustrated in <FIG>, registration is performed for each finger <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the fingerprint information is registered for each of the case of home position and the case of tilting it up, down, left, and right. In a case where the fingerprint sensor <NUM> with large size as illustrated in <FIG> is used, there is possible to provide a configuration in which a device including the fingerprint sensor <NUM> is prepared separately from the wearable device and the fingerprint information acquired by the device is transmitted to the wearable device <NUM> for registration of it. When the fingerprint information for each finger is acquired as described above, the fingerprints <NUM> of the respective fingers are different, so different processing can be performed depending on the type of the finger <NUM> detected by the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

Then, the registration of fingerprint information of each finger allows processing and functions corresponding to each finger to be set. In one example, in the case of entry of text, processing and functions corresponding to the type of finger are set, such as entry of an upper-case full-width digit in a case of authenticating the thumb and entry of a lower-case half-width digit in a case of authenticating the index finger.

<FIG> is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the finger <NUM> and the surface (contact surface) of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> are in contact with each other. In addition, <FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrating a state in which a region A in <FIG> is enlarged, and specifically, <FIG> illustrates a case where the pressing force when the finger <NUM> pushes the fingerprint sensor <NUM> is relatively small and <FIG> illustrates a case where the pressing force is relatively large.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the case where the pressing force when the finger <NUM> pushes the fingerprint sensor <NUM> is relatively small, the tip of the convex portion of the fingerprint <NUM> is in contact with the surface of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. On the other hand, as illustrated in <FIG>, in a case where the pressing force when the finger <NUM> pushes the fingerprint sensor <NUM> is relatively large, the tip of the convex portion of the fingerprint <NUM> is in contact with the surface of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> while being squashed. Thus, it is possible to determine the pressing force of the finger on the basis of the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the specified processing such as activation of the application <NUM> or movement of the focus, depending on not only the type of finger, the motion of finger, the inclination of finger, and the position of finger, but also the pressing force when the finger pushes the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

As described above, when the type and action of the finger are determined on the basis of the fingerprint information, the processing unit <NUM> performs various processing in the smartwatch <NUM> on the basis of the determination. It is applicable to various processing, in addition to the entry of text described above, as the processing based on the fingerprint information. The processing unit <NUM> performs entry of text, activation of the application <NUM>, and transition (scroll) of the display screen as representative processing. In this event, the processing unit <NUM> acquires information related to the type of finger, the action of the finger, or the like from the fingerprint determination unit <NUM>, acquires specified processing to be performed depending on the type of finger, the action of the finger, or the like recorded in the registered fingerprint information recording unit <NUM>, and exchanges information with the application <NUM>. This allows the processing such as activation of the application <NUM>, processing relating to entry of text, transition of display screen, or the like to be performed on the basis of the information related to the type of finger, the action of the finger, or the like. Moreover, the processing performed by the processing unit <NUM> is not limited to these described above, and in one example, is also applicable to the processing as follows.

In addition, the following processing may be further performed on the basis of the fingerprint information. In a case where the wearable device is a pen type device, a fingerprint sensor is mounted on the pen itself and authentication is performed at the time of holding the pen. In this case, fingerprint authentication may be performed not only for tracing operation but also for flick operation such as flicking.

Further, in a case where a temperature sensor is provided as the other sensor <NUM>, there may be a case where an attempt is made to perform authentication from a finger of a nonhuman finger (artificial object, etc.) by combining fingerprint authentication and the temperature sensor (body temperature measurement) or the like. In this case, no body temperature is measured from the nonhuman finger, so the authentication can be avoided. In addition, in order to exclude nonhuman finger, determination of right hand, determination of left hand, and determination of an operating finger from fingerprints can be made, so GUI may be brought close to the fingers and the operation area may be automatically changed. Furthermore, the coordinate position that is in contact with each operating finger may be corrected, or the correction coefficient of the position that is in contact with each operating finger may be changed. In addition, it is also possible to lock a part of the screen on the screen or perform the fingerprint authentication in touching the screen depending on the authentication result.

Further, age registration may be performed in registering fingerprints so that an age authentication function is provided. In this case, the user operates the touch panel <NUM> to register user's own age at the time of registration of fingerprints. The registration of age information in association with fingerprint information allows the age information to be obtained from the fingerprint information at the time of fingerprint authentication, and only the website for children is displayed if the user is a child. In addition, if the user is an elderly person, a simple UI with large text display for elderly people is displayed.

Further, in a case where a position sensor (GPS) is provided as the other sensor <NUM>, the degree of security can be changed depending on the situation such as the place and time. In one example, it is assumed that the security is enhanced outside homes or offices but is weakened inside homes or offices. In one example, biometric authentication such as a fingerprint sensor does not necessarily have successful probability of <NUM>%, so authentication is performed in combination with a password. Then, in the authentication by the fingerprint collation unit <NUM>, it is necessary to enter a password outside homes or offices, but the password does not necessarily enter inside homes or offices. In addition, implementation of fingerprint authentication to a VR controller or the like allows who and how it is operated to be recognized, thereby utilizing it for game interaction, individual score, or the like.

Further, in a case where a sensor for detecting the color of a finger is provided as the other sensor, the finger color changes to red with increase in the pressing force by the finger, so it is also possible to obtain the pressing force (finger pressure) by using a change in the finger color and to perform the specified processing determined depending on the pressing force.

According to the present embodiment as described above, the action of the finger is determined on the basis of the fingerprint information, and the specified processing executable by the smartwatch <NUM> is performed on the basis of the determination result, so it is possible to minimize the operating space. This makes it possible to perform a desired operation depending on the operation even with a compact wearable device.

Claim 1:
An information processing apparatus comprising:
a fingerprint information acquisition unit (<NUM>) configured to acquire fingerprint information from a finger (<NUM>);
a determination unit configured to determine an action of the finger (<NUM>) on basis of the acquired fingerprint information; and
a processing unit (<NUM>) configured to perform processing on basis of the determined action of the finger (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the determination unit is configured to determine an inclination of the finger (<NUM>) by comparing the acquired fingerprint information with registered fingerprint information registered previously in dependence on directions in which the finger (<NUM>) is tilted; and
the determination unit is further configured to determine the action of the finger (<NUM>) on basis of the determined inclination of the finger (<NUM>).