Mobile communication terminal

• US 20040132490A1
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Trauberg, Markus, Schmidt, Andreas, Jerbi, Belhassen, Laumen, Josef, Van Niekerk, Sabine
• Granted Patent: US 7,289,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1306 non-optical, e.g. ultrasonic or capacitive sensing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A mobile communication terminal is molded having an operating surface including a display and a keyboard. A biometric sensor is arranged on the operating surface, for scanning and identifying a fingerprint. The inventive communication terminal can be controlled especially according to the orientation of the fingerprint, which is detected via the sensor.

Claims

9. (new):

A mobile communication terminal, comprising;

an operating surface; and

a biometric sensor for identifying a fingerprint arranged on the operating surface, wherein the biometric sensor registers an orientation of a finger and enters a specific control instruction into the mobile communication terminal, depending on the registered orientation of the finger, for controlling the mobile communication terminal.

10. (new):

A mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a display in which the biometric sensor is integrated.

11. (new):

A mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 9, wherein the biometric sensor has an extended surface which permits a finger to be placed in different positions.

12. (new):

A mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 11, wherein the biometric sensor registers the different positions.

13. (new):

A mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 9, wherein the biometric sensor registers a time interval between successive scanning operations of at least one finger.

14. (new):

A mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 9, wherein the biometric sensor is used as an input device for operating the mobile communication terminal.

15. (new):

A mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control instruction entered through the biometric sensor is used for one of controlling a menu structure shown on the operating surface and entering characters.

16. (new):

A mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 9, wherein the biometric sensor is used to detect a plurality of fingerprints and their respective orientations.