Remote input method using fingerprint recognition sensor

• US 20070110287A1
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Sim, Dae-Hyun, Kim, Kook-Jun
• Granted Patent: US 8,577,100 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0338 Fingerprint track pad, i.e. fingerprint sensor used as pointing device tracking the fingertip image
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1335 Combining adjacent partial images (e.g. slices) to create a composite input or reference pattern; Tracking a sweeping finger movement

Abstract

Disclosed is a remote input method using a fingerprint recognition sensor. A main device activates a fingerprint input mode according to a user'"'"'s request, and displays a key input unit, menu images and an indicator corresponding to the fingerprint input mode. A remote input device having the fingerprint recognition sensor generates fingerprint data corresponding to the finger touching method in real time, and sends the generated fingerprint data to the main device through a short range wireless communication module. When receiving the fingerprint data, the main device analyzes the type of fingerprint included in the fingerprint data based on the previously stored fingerprint information. The main device also analyzes the user input pattern according to the type of fingerprint and the fingerprint data reception type. Consequently, the main device implements a preset function corresponding to the analyzed user input pattern. The user can control various functions available in the main device using the remote input unit.

Claims

1. A remote input method using a fingerprint recognition sensor, comprising the steps of:

setting a main device to a fingerprint input mode according to a user'"'"'s request and displaying a key input unit, menu images and an indicator corresponding to the current fingerprint input mode on a display unit of the main device;

generating fingerprint data corresponding to the user'"'"'s finger touching method from a remote input device having the fingerprint recognition sensor and transmitting the generated fingerprint data to the main device through a short range wireless communication module of the remote input device;

analyzing the received fingerprint data in the main device to determine the type of fingerprint based on previously stored fingerprint information; and

analyzing a user input pattern based on the determined fingerprint type and the received fingerprint data, and performing a preset function corresponding to the user input pattern.

2. The remote input method according to claim 1, wherein the user input pattern includes an input pattern for moving the location of the indicator and input patterns for implementing various shortcut functions.

3. The remote input method according to claim 2, wherein the input pattern for moving the location of the indicator is continuous reception of the fingerprint data over a predetermined period of time.

4. The remote input method according to claim 2, wherein the input patterns for implementing various shortcut functions are determined according to the different types of fingerprints on each finger and a number of finger contacts on the fingerprint recognition sensor.

5. The remote input method according to claim 3, further comprising detecting location coordinates included in the continuously received fingerprint data by the main device if the analyzed input pattern is for moving the indicator, moving the indicator to a location corresponding to the detected location coordinates, and displaying the indicator at the new location.

6. The remote input method according to claim 4, further comprising implementing a preset shortcut function corresponding to the type of fingerprint and the fingerprint data reception type in the main device, if the analyzed input pattern is for implementing a shortcut function.

7. A remote input system using a fingerprint recognition sensor comprising:

a remote input device having the fingerprint recognition sensor which generates fingerprint data corresponding to a user'"'"'s finger touching method, and sending the fingerprint data generated by the fingerprint recognition sensor in real time through short range wireless communication; and

a main device setting a fingerprint input mode according to the user'"'"'s request, displaying a key input unit, menu images and an indicator corresponding to the fingerprint input mode on a display unit, receiving the fingerprint data from the remote input device, analyzing the type of fingerprint included in the fingerprint data based on previously stored fingerprint information, analyzing a user input pattern according to the type of fingerprint and the fingerprint data reception type, and implementing a preset function corresponding to the analyzed user input pattern.

8. The remote input system according to claim 7, wherein the user input pattern includes an input pattern for moving the indicator and input patterns for implementing various shortcut functions.

9. The remote input system according to claim 8, wherein the input pattern for moving the indicator is consecutive generations of the fingerprint data with continuous touch of a specific finger.

10. The remote input system according to claim 9, wherein the input patterns for implementing various shortcut functions are determined according to the different types of fingerprints on each finger and a number of finger contacts on the fingerprint recognition sensor.

11. The remote input system according to claim 10, wherein said remote input device is formed in a thimble shape and said fingerprint recognition sensor is mounted on the outer surface of the thimble-shaped remote input device.

12. The remote input system according to claim 11, wherein said main device detects location coordinates included in the consecutively received fingerprint data if the analyzed input pattern is for moving the indicator, moves the indicator to a location corresponding to the detected location coordinates, and displays the indicator at the new location.

13. The remote input system according to claim 12, wherein the main device implements a preset shortcut function corresponding to the type of fingerprint and the fingerprint data reception type if the analyzed input pattern is for implementing a shortcut function.