Method and system for calibrating touch screen sensitivities according to particular physical characteristics associated with a user

• US 6,181,328 B1
• Filed: 03/02/1998
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: McBrearty, Gerald Francis, Shieh, Johnny Meng-Han, Maddalozzo, John Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mengisteab, Tewolde
• Application Number:
  US09/032,956
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 345/178, 345/173, 345/177, 345/145, 382/189, 382/190
• US Class Current: 345/178
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0418 for error correction or compensation, e.g. based on parallax, calibration or alignment

Abstract

A method and system in a data-processing system having a touch-sensitive display unit wherein touch-sensitive icons displayed within the touch-sensitive display unit may be calibrated according to physical characteristics associated with a particular user. Touch-sensitive icons are displayed within a touch-sensitive display unit, such that upon activation by a user, the touch-sensitive icons initiate data-processing operations. Thereafter, a user is prompted to enter a particular sequence of data utilizing the touch-sensitive icons. Physical characteristics associated with the user are then analyzed while the user is entering the particular sequence of data utilizing the touch-sensitive icons. Finally, in response to analyzing the physical characteristics, the touch-sensitive icons are configured such that the sensitivity of the touch-sensitive display may be raised or lowered according to the physical characteristics associated with the user. The touch-sensitive icons may be composed of touch-sensitive keys. The physical characteristics associated with a particular icon can include fingerprint heat or sound wave signatures. The touch sensitive-sensitive display unit itself may be composed of a touch screen display unit having a touch screen keyboard.

Claims

1. A method in a data-processing system having a touch-sensitive display unit wherein touch-sensitive icons displayed within said touch-sensitive display unit may be calibrated according to physical characteristics associated with a particular user, comprising the steps of:

displaying touch-sensitive icons within a touch-sensitive display unit, such that upon activation by a user, said touch-sensitive icons initiate data-processing operations;

prompting a user to enter a particular sequence of data utilizing said touch-sensitive icons;

analyzing physical characteristics associated with said user while said user is entering said particular sequence of data utilizing said touch-sensitive icons, said physical characteristics comprising a fingerprint heat signature and/or a fingerprint sound wave signature; and

in response to analyzing said physical characteristics, configuring said touch-sensitive icons such that the sensitivity of said touch-sensitive display may be raised or lowered according to said physical characteristics associated with said user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of displaying touch-sensitive icons within a touch-sensitive display unit, such that upon activation by a user, said touch-sensitive icons initiate data-processing operations, further comprises the step of:

displaying touch-sensitive icons within a touch-sensitive display unit, such that upon activation by a user, said touch-sensitive icons initiate data-processing operations, wherein said touch-sensitive icons comprise touch-sensitive keys.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of displaying touch-sensitive icons within a touch-sensitive display unit, such that upon activation by a user, said touch-sensitive icons initiate data-processing operations, further comprises the step of:

displaying touch-sensitive icons within a touch-sensitive display unit, such that upon activation by a user, said touch-sensitive icons initiate data-processing operations, wherein said touch-sensitive display unit comprises a touch screen display unit having a touch screen keyboard.

4. A system for calibrating a touch-sensitive display unit of a data-processing system according to physical characteristics associated with a particular user, such that said touch-sensitive display unit includes touch-sensitive keys, said system comprising:

means for displaying touch-sensitive icons within a touch-sensitive display unit, such that upon activation by a user, said touch-sensitive icons initiate data-processing operations;

means for prompting a user to enter a particular sequence of data utilizing said touch-sensitive icons;

means for analyzing physical characteristics associated with said user while said user is entering said particular sequence of data utilizing said touch-sensitive icons, said physical characteristics comprising a fingerprint heat signature and/or a fingerprint sound wave signature; and

means for configuring said touch-sensitive icons such that the sensitivity of said touch-sensitive display may be raised or lowered according to said physical characteristics associated with said user, in response to analyzing said physical characteristics.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said touch-sensitive icons comprise touch-sensitive keys.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein said touch sensitive—

sensitive display unit comprises a touch screen display unit having a touch screen keyboard.

7. A program product residing in computer memory in a computer for calibrating a touch-sensitive display unit according to physical characteristics associated with a particular user, such that said touch-sensitive display unit includes touch-sensitive keys, said system comprising:

instruction means residing in a computer memory for displaying touch-sensitive icons within a touch-sensitive display unit, such that upon activation by a user, said touch-sensitive icons initiate data-processing operations;

instruction means residing in a computer memory for prompting a user to enter a particular sequence of data utilizing said touch-sensitive icons;

instruction means residing in a computer memory for analyzing physical characteristics associated with said user while said user is entering said particular sequence of data utilizing said touch-sensitive icons, said physical characteristics comprising a fingerprint heat signature and/or a fingerprint sound wave signature; and

instruction means residing in a computer memory for configuring said touch-sensitive icons such that the sensitivity of said touch-sensitive display may be raised or lowered according to said physical characteristics associated with said user, in response to analyzing said physical characteristics.

8. The program product of claim 7 wherein said touch-sensitive icons comprise touch-sensitive keys.

9. The program product of claim 8 wherein said touch sensitive—

sensitive display unit comprises a touch screen display unit having a touch screen keyboard.

10. The program product of claim 9 wherein each of said instruction means further comprises signal bearing media.

11. The program product of claim 10 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises transmission media.

12. The program product of claim 10 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises recordable media.