Input device with fingerprint recognition

• US 7,298,242 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2002
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Fujita, Yasushi, Matsumoto, Shigeo, Endo, Katsumi, Kadonaga, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): AU, SCOTT D
• Application Number:
  US10/467,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,112 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.83, 340/5.82, 713/186
• US Class Current: 340/5.83
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0336 Mouse integrated fingerprint sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1329 Protecting the fingerprint sensor against damage caused by the finger

Abstract

An input device having a fingerprint detection function is provided with operating portions for carrying out operations of a host device. The input device includes a device body connected to the host device, a fingerprint detecting portion provided in an upper surface of the device body and serving to detect the fingerprint of the user, and an opening portion for exposing the fingerprint detecting portion to the exterior.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising:

a device body having an operating unit operatively connected to a host device for carrying out operations of the host device;

a loading portion in the device body;

an opening portion in the device body;

a fingerprint detecting IC card assembled in the device body through the loading portion and operable to be exposed to the exterior of the device body through the opening portion, the fingerprint detecting portion serving to detect a fingerprint of a user when exposed; and

a shutter member movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the shutter member is in the first position the fingerprint detecting IC card is exposed to the exterior of the device body through the opening portion, and when the shutter member is in the second position the shutter member overlays the opening portion so that the fingerprint detecting IC card is substantially shielded from the exterior of the device body.

2. The input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a side surface of the opening portion has a projecting curve.

3. The input device as set forth in claim 1

wherein the shutter member includes an electrically conductive plate-shaped body.

4. The input device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a holding member pivotably supported within the device body;

an actuating member assembled to the device body adjacent one end of the holding member, and being operable from an exterior of the device body;

a projecting portion formed at the other end of the holding member and adapted to engage the shutter member when the shutter member is in the first position; and

a biasing member disposed in the device body for biasing the shutter member toward the second position;

wherein the projecting portion engages the shutter member when the shutter member is in the first position to keep the shutter member from moving, and the actuating member is operable to release the projecting portion from the shutter member whereby the biasing member biases the shutter member toward the second position to close the opening portion.

5. The input device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a biasing member disposed in the device body,

the biasing member biasing the shutter member toward the second position as the shutter member is moved from the second position toward the first position, and biasing the shutter member toward the first position as the shutter member is moved from the first position toward the second position.

6. The input device as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the fingerprint detecting portion measures differences in electrostatic capacity corresponding to fingerprint patterns to thereby detect a fingerprint.

7. The input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input device is a mouse device.

8. The input device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the loading portion comprises:

an insertion hole in the device body sized that is shaped for inserting the IC card in an assembled position in the device body, the insertion hole facing toward the operating unit on the device body.

9. The input device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the loading portion comprises:

an insertion hole in the device body sized that is shaped for inserting the IC card in an assembled position in the device body, the insertion hole facing away from the operating unit on the device body.