Detection system, fingerprint sensor, and method of finger touch authentication thereof

• US 10,762,182 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2017
• Issued: 09/01/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corporation (Novatek Microelectronics Corp Limited)
• Original Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corporation (Novatek Microelectronics Corp Limited)
• Inventors: Hsu, Sheng-Ruei, Chen, Chi-Ting
• Primary Examiner(s): Abyaneh, Ali S
• Application Number:
  US15/436,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20180239884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,289 Days
• Field of Search: 726 23, 726 18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• 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 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/28 Recognition of hand or arm movements, e.g. recognition of deaf sign language static hand signs G06V40/113

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method of finger touch authentication through a fingerprint sensor. The method includes obtaining a plurality of touch operations through the fingerprint sensor, detecting a pattern of the plurality of touch operations; comparing the pattern with a registered pattern to generate a comparison result, and authenticating the plurality of touch operations on the basis of the comparison result, wherein the pattern indicates at least one feature, and the fingerprint sensor is capable of authenticating a fingerprint of a user after or before the finger touch authentication.

Claims

1. A method of finger touch authentication for an electronic device comprising a fingerprint sensor comprising a fingerprint sensing array and a processing device coupled to the fingerprint sensing array of the fingerprint sensor and a memory device for storing a program code for instructing the processing device to perform finger touch authentication and for storing registered data of a user, the registered data comprising a registered pattern and a registered fingerprint, the method comprising configuring the processing device according to the program code stored in the memory device to perform the following steps:

obtaining a fingerprint of the user sensed by the fingerprint sensing array of the fingerprint sensor;

obtaining a plurality of touch operations sensed by the fingerprint sensing array of the fingerprint sensor when the fingerprint is sensed by the fingerprint sensing array;

obtaining a pattern of the plurality of touch operations;

comparing the fingerprint with the registered fingerprint stored in the memory device to generate a first comparison result;

comparing the pattern with the registered pattern stored in the memory device to generate a second comparison result;

determining whether to authenticate the user according to both the first comparison result and the second comparison result; and

unlocking an operating system of an electronic device or approving an application service when the user is authenticated;

wherein the pattern indicates at least one feature, and the at least one feature comprises a number of the plurality of touch operations and at least one of a plurality of touch locations and a plurality of durations corresponding to the plurality of touch operations;

wherein the step of determining whether to authenticate the user according to both the first comparison result and the second comparison result comprises;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations matches with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint matches with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined to be authenticated;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations does not match with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint does not match with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined not to be authenticated;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations does not match with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint matches with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined not to be authenticated; and

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations matches with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint does not match with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined not to be authenticated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one feature further comprises a plurality of slide directions corresponding to a plurality of slide operations and a number of slide direction change between two of the plurality of slide operations.

3. A detection system capable of user authentication comprising:

a fingerprint sensor comprising a fingerprint sensing array for detecting a plurality of touch operations;

a processing device coupled to the sensing array of the fingerprint sensor; and

a memory device coupled to the processing device, for storing a program code to instruct the processing device to execute a process of finger touch authentication and for storing registered data of a user, the registered data comprising a registered pattern and a registered fingerprint, wherein the process comprises;

obtaining a fingerprint of the user sensed by the fingerprint sensing array of the fingerprint sensor;

obtaining a plurality of touch operations sensed by the fingerprint sensing array of the fingerprint sensor when the fingerprint is sensed by the fingerprint sensing array;

obtaining a pattern of the plurality of touch operations;

comparing the finger print with the registered fingerprint stored in the memory device to generate a first comparison result;

comparing the pattern with the registered pattern stored in the memory device to generate a second comparison result;

determining whether to authenticate the user according to both the first comparison result and the second comparison result; and

unlocking an operating system of an electronic device or approving an application service when the user is authenticated;

wherein the pattern indicates at least one feature, and the at least one feature comprises a number of the plurality of touch operations and at least one of a plurality of touch locations and a plurality of durations corresponding to the plurality of touch operations;

wherein the step of determining whether to authenticate the user according to both the first comparison result and the second comparison result comprises;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations matches with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint matches with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined to be authenticated;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations does not match with the registered pattern, or the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint does not match with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined not to be authenticated;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations does not match with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint matches with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined not to be authenticated; and

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations matches with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint does not match with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined not to be authenticated.

4. The detection system of claim 3, wherein the at least one feature further comprises a plurality of slide directions corresponding to a plurality of slide operations and a number of slide direction change between two of the plurality of slide operations.

5. A fingerprint sensor capable of user authentication comprising:

a fingerprint sensing array configured to sense a plurality of touch operations and a fingerprint;

a processing device coupled to the fingerprint sensing array; and

a memory device coupled to the processing device, for storing a program code to instruct the processing device to execute a process of finger touch authentication and for storing registered data of a user, the registered data comprising a registered pattern and a registered fingerprint, wherein the process comprises;

obtaining a fingerprint of the user sensed by the fingerprint sensing array of the fingerprint sensor;

obtaining a plurality of touch operations sensed by the fingerprint sensing array of the fingerprint sensor when the fingerprint is sensed by the fingerprint sensing array;

obtaining a pattern of the plurality of touch operations;

comparing the fingerprint with the registered fingerprint stored in the memory device to generate a first comparison result;

comparing the pattern with the registered pattern stored in the memory device to generate a second comparison result;

determining whether to authenticate the user according to both the first comparison result and the second comparison result; and

unlocking an operating system of an electronic device or approving an application service when the user is authenticated;

wherein the pattern indicates at least one feature, and the at least one feature comprises a number of the plurality of touch operations and at least one of a plurality of touch locations and a plurality of durations corresponding to the plurality of touch operations;

wherein the step of determining whether to authenticate the user according to both the first comparison result and the second comparison result comprises;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations matches with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint matches with the registered fingerprint, the user is authenticated;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations does not match with the registered pattern, or the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint does not match with the registered fingerprint, the user is not authenticate;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations does not match with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint matches with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined not to be authenticated; and

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations matches with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint does not match with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined not to be authenticated.

6. The fingerprint sensor of claim 5, wherein the at least one feature further comprises a plurality of slide directions corresponding to a plurality of slide operations and a number of slide direction change between two of the plurality of slide operations.

7. A detection device for use in a detection system capable of user authentication, the detection system comprises a fingerprint sensor comprising a fingerprint sensing array and a memory device for storing a program code for instructing the processing device to perform finger touch authentication and for storing registered data of a user, the registered data comprising a registered pattern and a registered fingerprint, the detection device comprising:

a processing device coupled to the fingerprint sensing array of the fingerprint sensor, and configured to execute a process of finger touch authentication according to a program code stored in the memory device, wherein the process comprises;

obtaining a fingerprint of the user sensed by the fingerprint sensing array of the fingerprint sensor;

obtaining a plurality of touch operations sensed by the fingerprint sensing array of the fingerprint sensor when the fingerprint is sensed by the fingerprint sensing array;

obtaining a pattern of the plurality of touch operations;

comparing the fingerprint with the registered fingerprint stored in the memory device to generate a first comparison result;

comparing the pattern with the registered pattern stored in the memory device to generate a second comparison result;

determining whether to authenticate the user according to both the first comparison result and the second comparison result; and

unlocking an operating system of an electronic device or approving an application service when the user is authenticated;

wherein the pattern indicates at least one feature, and the at least one feature comprises a number of the plurality of touch operations and at least one of a plurality of touch locations and a plurality of durations corresponding to the plurality of touch operations;

wherein the step of determining whether to authenticate the user according to both the first comparison result and the second comparison result comprises;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations matches with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint matches with the registered fingerprint, the user is authenticated;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations does not match with the registered pattern, or the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint does not match with the registered fingerprint, the user is not authenticate;

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations does not match with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint matches with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined not to be authenticated; and

when the second comparison result indicates that the pattern of the plurality of touch operations matches with the registered pattern, and the first comparison result indicates that the fingerprint does not match with the registered fingerprint, the user is determined not to be authenticated.

8. The detection device of claim 7, wherein the at least one feature further comprises a plurality of slide directions corresponding to a plurality of slide operations and a number of slide direction change between two of the plurality of slide operations.