Handheld computer system configured to authenticate a user and power-up in response to a single action by the user

• US 7,124,300 B1
• Filed: 01/24/2001
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Lemke, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Zand, Kambiz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fields, Courtney D.
• Application Number:
  US09/769,654
• Time in Patent Office: 2,092 Days
• Field of Search: 713/182, 713/185, 713/186, 713/184, 709/227, 340/726, 340/5.53, 340/5
• US Class Current: 713/186
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints

Abstract

A computer system configured to authenticate a user and to power-up in response to a single action by the user is described. In particular, the computer system includes a user verification device which interacts with the user. In an embodiment, the user verification device includes a biometric sensor which captures biometric data from the user. The biometric data can be of any type. The user verification device is configured to capture biometric data in response to an action by the user desiring access to the computer system. The user verification device can have a button-shape for receiving the finger, thumb, or any other part of the user.

Claims

1. A method of enabling a user to access a computer system and activating said computer system, comprising the steps of:

a) capturing biometric data from said user desiring access to said computer system having a user verification device in response to initial interaction by said user with said user verification device;

b) verifying identity of said user using said biometric data; and

c) if verification in said step b) is successful, powering-up said computer system to a normal operation mode and granting said user access to said computer system.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step a) comprises:

generating an interrupt to alert said computer system that said user desires access to said computer system.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step b) comprises:

comparing said biometric data with a reference template representing stored biometric data of an authorized user.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of:

automatically invoking an application program upon entering said normal operation mode.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

capturing new biometric data from said user using said user verification device during said normal operation mode according to a programmable schedule; and

verifying identity of said user using said new biometric data to continue access by said user.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said biometric data is one of a thumbprint, a fingerprint, a magnetic characteristic, a color characteristic, a temperature characteristic, a geometric characteristic, and a combination thereof of said user.

7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said user verification device comprises a biometric sensor.

8. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said user initiates said step a) by pressing said user verification device.

9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said user initiates said step a) by swiping said user verification device.

10. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said user initiates said step a) by touching said user verification device.

11. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said user verification device has a button-shape.

12. A computer system comprising:

a user verification device for capturing biometric data from a user, wherein said user initially interacts with said user verification device to gain access to said computer system;

a memory device for storing a reference template representing stored biometric data from an authorized user; and

a processor coupled to said user verification device and to said memory device, said processor operative to receive said biometric data and to compare said biometric data with said reference template, wherein if a match is determined, said computer system is powered-up from an inactive mode to a normal operation mode and said user is granted access to said computer system.

13. A computer system as recited in claim 12 wherein an application program stored in said memory device is automatically invoked upon entering said normal operation mode.

14. A computer system as recited in claim 12 wherein said user is prompted to interact with said user verification device during said normal operation mode according to a programmable schedule so that new biometric data can be captured by said user verification device and processed by said processor to continue access by said user.

15. A computer system as recited in claim 12 wherein said biometric data is one of a thumbprint, a fingerprint, a magnetic characteristic, a color characteristic, a temperature characteristic, a geometric characteristic, and a combination thereof of said user.

16. A computer system as recited in claim 12 wherein said user verification device comprises a biometric sensor.

17. A computer system as recited in claim 12 wherein said user interacts with said user verification device by pressing said user verification device.

18. A computer system as recited in claim 12 wherein said user interacts with said user verification device by swiping said user verification device.

19. A computer system as recited in claim 12 wherein said user interacts with said user verification device by touching said user verification device.

20. A computer system as recited in claim 12 wherein said user verification device has a button-shape.

21. A computer system as recited in claim 12 wherein said computer system comprises a personal digital assistant.