Fingerprint detecting mouse

• US 6,337,919 B1
• Filed: 04/28/1999
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Dunton, Randy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): AHMED, SAMIR ANWAR
• Application Number:
  US09/301,172
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115, 382/124, 382/125, 235/380, 235/492, 704/246, 704/273, 902/3, 902/4, 902/25, 340/825.3, 340/825.34, 345/163, 345/164, 283/68, 356/71, 705/1, 705/26, 705/42
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0336 Mouse integrated fingerprint sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor

Abstract

A mouse may include an internal fingerprint identification unit. The fingerprint identification unit may be arranged to capture the user'"'"'s fingerprint when the user'"'"'s finger is positioned over a mouse button which is substantially radiation transmissive. Radiation directed at the user'"'"'s finger through the mouse button may be captured for image analysis and ultimately for fingerprint identification. Thus, the mouse may be used to identify users who wish to access a computer system.

Claims

1. A mouse comprising:

a substantially radiation transmissive mouse button;

a fingerprint sensor to capture an image of a fingerprint when the user'"'"'s finger is positioned over the mouse button;

said fingerprint sensor comprising

a light source to direct light through said mouse button, an optical, system for receiving light reflected from the user'"'"'s finger over the mouse button and a sensor, wherein said light source, optical system and sensor are mounted to move with said mouse button.

2. The mouse of claim 1 wherein said mouse button is substantially light transmissive and said sensor is adapted to capture an image of the user'"'"'s fingerprint.

3. The mouse of claim 1 including a source of radiation which is directed at the mouse button.

4. The mouse of claim 3 wherein said sensor is arranged to detect light from said radiation source when the user'"'"'s finger is positioned over the mouse button.

5. A method comprising:

providing a mouse having a substantially radiation transmissive mouse button;

capturing information about the user'"'"'s fingerprint when the user'"'"'s finger is situated over said mouse button by directing a light beam through said mouse button, so that said light may be reflected by the user'"'"'s finger and detected within said mouse, and providing a sensor that produces an image of the user'"'"'s fingerprint and transmits that image from the mouse to a host computer; and

mounting said sensor to move with said mouse button.

6. The method of claim 5 including controlling access to a computer system based on said fingerprint information.

7. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to said processor; and

a mouse coupled to said processor, said mouse to capture information about an image of the user'"'"'s fingerprint when the user'"'"'s finger is positioned over the mouse, said mouse including a substantially radiation transmissive mouse button, a source of illumination which is directed at the mouse button, and an image sensor arranged to detect light from said source when the user'"'"'s finger is positioned over the mouse button, wherein said sensor is mounted to move with said mouse button.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said processor is adapted to compare information about said fingerprint to a database containing fingerprint information.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said processor is adapted to analyze said fingerprint image information.

10. The system of claim 7 further including a light source adapted to direct light through said mouse button, an optical system for receiving light reflected from the user'"'"'s finger over the mouse button and a sensor, all of said elements adapted to move with said mouse button.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein said mouse is adapted to control access to said computer system.