Intelligent Matcher Based on Situational or Spatial Orientation

• US 20140219520A1
• Filed: 02/01/2013
• Published: 08/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Myers, Scott A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,218,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/28 Determining representative reference patterns, e.g. by averaging or distorting; Generating dictionaries
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/772 Determining representative reference patterns, e.g. averaging or distorting patterns; Generating dictionaries
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1365 Matching; Classification

Abstract

Predicting likely fingerprint information (most likely finger, orientation, or otherwise), responsive to situational information or spatial orientation, for matching with a function button. The device determines first, second, and further likely choices. Responsive to display orientation and an accelerometer, the device determines whether the function button is on the right or left. Responsive to recent movement, the device determines the user'"'"'s most likely hand movements. Responsive to a lifetime average, situational information, or accessories coupled to the device, the device determines the user'"'"'s most likely finger choice. Responsive to most likely choice, the device can de-crypt match information while collecting fingerprints.

Claims

1. A method of matching fingerprint information, including steps of

in response to a fingerprint matching device coupled to a processor, detecting an attempt to match fingerprint information;

in response to an inertial response device, detecting, for said fingerprint matching device, at least one of;

an orientation, a location;

in response to said an orientation or location, determining a most likely set of fingerprint information for matching; and

in response to an attempt to match said fingerprint information, authorizing access to said processor.

2. A method as in claim 1, including steps of

in response to said an orientation or location, determining whether said device is operating in a portrait mode or in a landscape mode.

3. A method as in claim 2, including steps of

in response to wherein whether said device is operating in a portrait mode or in a landscape mode, determining a location of a function button.

4. A method as in claim 1,

said most likely set of fingerprint information includes one or more of:

a particular finger;

a particular orientation of a finger;

a combination or conjunction thereof.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein

said steps of detecting an attempt to match fingerprint information include steps of

detecting a contact between a user and a function button.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein

said function button includes one or more of:

a hard button positioned as part of the device;

a soft button positioned using hardware or software elements on the face of the device.

7. A method of matching fingerprint information, including steps of

in response to a fingerprint matching device coupled to a processor, detecting an attempt to match fingerprint information;

in response to an inertial response device, detecting, for said fingerprint matching device, a recent movement of said device;

in response to said recent movement, determining a most likely set of fingerprint information for matching; and

in response to an attempt to match said fingerprint information, authorizing access to said processor.

8. A method as in claim 7, wherein

said inertial response device includes an accelerometer.

9. A method as in claim 7, wherein

said steps of detecting a recent movement include steps of

determine an amount of time during which the device has been inactive.

10. A method of matching fingerprint information, including steps of

in response to a fingerprint matching device coupled to a processor, detecting an attempt to match fingerprint information;

detecting, by said processor, a recognizable situation with respect to said device;

in response to said recognizable situation, determining a most likely set of fingerprint information for matching; and

in response to an attempt to match said fingerprint information, authorizing access to said processor.

11. A method of matching fingerprint information, wherein

said recognizable situation include a lifetime average of at least one of:

a choice of finger, a choice of finger orientation,

is used by the user to touch a function button.

12. A method of matching fingerprint information as in claim 11, wherein

said steps of detecting said recognizable situation are responsive to a machine learning technique.

13. A method of matching fingerprint information as in claim 11, wherein

said steps of detecting said recognizable situation are responsive to an input from said user.

14. A method of matching fingerprint information as in claim 11, wherein

said steps of detecting said recognizable situation are responsive to at least one of:

an inertial response sensor;

a position;

a time sensor;

an indicator of a particular time, place, or manner in which the device is being used.

15. A method of matching fingerprint information as in claim 11, wherein

said steps of detecting said recognizable situation include

determining whether a the same of at least one of said choice of finger, or choice of finger orientation,

are used by said user in at least a selected fraction of events.

16. Apparatus including

a fingerprint matching device coupled to a processor;

an inertial response device coupled to said fingerprint matching device, said inertial response device having an output including at least one of;

an orientation, a location; and

wherein

said processor has access to instructions directing said processor to determine a most likely set of fingerprint information for matching in response to said an orientation or location; and

said processor has access to instructions directing said processor to attempt to match said fingerprint information.

17. Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein

said processor has access to instructions directing said processor to determine, in response to said an orientation or location, determining whether said device is operating in a portrait mode or in a landscape mode.

18. Apparatus as in claim 17, wherein

said processor has access to instructions directing said processor to determine, in response to wherein whether said device is operating in a portrait mode or in a landscape mode, a location of a function button.

19. Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein

said most likely set of fingerprint information includes one or more of:

a particular finger;

a particular orientation of a finger;

a combination or conjunction thereof.

20. Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein

said steps of detecting an attempt to match fingerprint information include steps of

detecting a contact between a user and a function button.

21. Apparatus as in claim 20, wherein

said function button includes one or more of:

a hard button positioned as part of the device;

a soft button positioned using hardware or software elements on the face of the device.