Information processing apparatus

- MAXELL, LTD.

An information processing apparatus includes a touch panel which displays pieces of identification information including letters, figures, and symbols and detects a contact of the panel with a finger of a user or other object. When the touch panel detects the contact of the panel, a detection unit specifies identification information of one or more of the multiple pieces of identification information displayed on the touch panel, indicated by a position at which the contact in question occurred. The detection unit also detects an area of part of the panel where the contact occurred. A storage unit stores reference identification information and a reference area range. A control unit performs particular processing upon matching of the detected identification information with the stored reference identification information and the area of the contact detected by the detection unit falling within the stored reference area range.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CLAIMS OF PRIORITY

Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 8,654,093. The reissue applications are application Ser. Nos. 17/497,855 (the present application) and 16/260,879, all of which are continuation reissues of U.S. Pat. No. 8,654,093.

The present application is a reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 8,654,093 issued on Feb. 18, 2014 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/366,983 filed Feb. 6, 2012, and is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/260,879 filed Jan. 29, 2019, which is also a reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 8,654,093 issued on Feb. 18, 2014 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/366,983 filed Feb. 6, 2012, which in turn claims priority from Japanese patent application serial no. No. JP2011-025576, filed on Feb. 9, 2011, the content entire contents of each of which is are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to information processing apparatuses.

JP-A-05-100809 discloses art related to the technical field of the present invention. The publication describes “An information processing apparatus including a touch panel device at least comprising: a physical type of an object; display position information on a display; file information where a status of the object is set; a display information table 1 storing display data of the object that includes a name of a file in a normal state and a name of the file in a special state (reversed display); and touch panel information 2 including a touch position coordinate and touch pressure information. A physical operation decided by a corresponding relation between physical information indicated by the display information table 1 and physical information indicated by the touch panel information 2 is given to the object to display it.”

Recently, information processing apparatuses for portable usage have become multi-functioned and ease of use thereof is particularly required.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that offers improved convenience to users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the foregoing problem, an aspect of the present invention provides an information processing apparatus comprising: a touch panel which displays a plurality of pieces of identification information including letters, figures, and symbols, and for detecting a contact of the panel with a finger of a user or other objects; a detection unit, when the touch panel detects a contact of the panel with the object, which species identification information indicated by a position of the contact at which the contact in question occurred, of the multiple pieces of identification information displayed on the touch panel, and which detects an area of part where the contact occurred; a storage unit which stores reference identification information and a reference area range; a determination unit which determines whether the identification information detected by the detection unit matches the reference identification information stored in the storage unit and whether the area of the contact detected by the detection unit falls within the reference area range stored in the storage unit; and a control unit which performs particular processing when the determination unit determines that the identification information detected by the detection unit matches the reference identification information stored in the storage unit and the area of the contact detected by the detecting unit falls within the reference area range stored in the storing unit.

By employing such system, an information processing apparatus including a touch panel can be improved in usability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a user touching a touch panel 1 with a finger tip to make an input.

FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of a user touching the touch panel 1 with a finger pad to make an input.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an example of the internal configuration of a portable terminal 0 including the touch panel 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a lock cancellation process of the portable terminal 0.

FIG. 4A is an illustration showing a typical screen image displayed during when the portable terminal 0 is to be unlocked by dragging with a finger tip.

FIG. 4B is an illustration showing a typical screen image displayed during when the portable terminal 0 is to be unlocked by dragging with a finger pad.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrations showing schematically states of sensors 4 at various timing during lock cancellation.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are illustrations showing a method for distinguishing between a finger tip flicking and a finger pad tapping.

FIG. 7A is an illustration showing one state during an icon being moved; the state before the move has started.

FIG. 7B is an illustration showing one state during the icon being moved; the state when the icon is being moved.

FIG. 7C is an illustration showing one state during the icon being moved; the state after the move has finished.

FIG. 8 is an illustration showing schematically the sensors 4 when the icon is moved.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for password registration.

FIG. 10A is an illustration showing a typical screen image displayed during calibration to prompt the user to make a finger tip contact.

FIG. 10B is an illustration showing a typical screen image displayed during calibration to prompt the user to make a finger pad contact.

FIG. 11A is an illustration showing a screen that prompts the user to register a password.

FIG. 11B is an illustration showing a screen displayed during password registration to inform the user that a finger pad input has been made.

FIG. 11C is an illustration showing a screen displayed during password registration to inform the user that a finger tip input has been made.

FIG. 12A is a table showing data composed of a password and a corresponding input method.

FIG. 12B is a table showing data composed of one password and a plurality of corresponding input methods.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for password cancellation.

FIG. 14 is an illustration showing a screen that prompts the user to cancel a password.

 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[First Embodiment]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustrations showing methods by which a user makes a desired input in a portable terminal 0 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The portable terminal 0 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B includes a touch panel 1 having a touch sensor function. FIG. 1A is an image of a user making input by touching the touch panel 1 with his or her finger tip. The input using one's finger tip is characterized in that an area of contact (hereinafter referred also to as a “contact range”) between the finger of the user and the touch panel 1 is small. This operation by the user will hereinafter be referred to as a finger tip input. FIG. 1B schematically shows an image of a user making input by touching the touch panel 1 with his or her finger pad. The input using one's finger pad is characterized in that the contact range of the finger and the touch panel 1 is wider than that of the finger tip input. This operation by the user will hereinafter be referred to as a finger pad input.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a typical internal arrangement of the portable terminal 0. Reference numeral 1 denotes a touch panel that includes a group of sensors or a sensor 4, a liquid crystal panel, and a glass panel. When the user's finger contacts with the touch panel, capacitance of the sensor 4 changes and the sensor 4 outputs a signal according to the change. The liquid crystal panel displays numerals, letters, and the like. The glass panel is for protecting the sensor 4, etc. Reference numeral 2 denotes a contact range detection unit that detects the position and the contact range of a contact based on the signal output from the sensor 4. Reference numeral 3 denotes a control unit for controlling elements of the touch panel 1. The control unit 3 includes an arithmetic section, a counter, a determination unit which determines condition in accordance with input information into the control unit 3, and a storage unit which stores various types of data. Reference numeral 4 denotes, as mentioned, a group of sensors or a sensor whose capacitance varies upon contact with the user's finger. Portions shaded with diagonal lines represent sensors 4 that are responding to the contact with the finger. The blank portions represent sensors 4 that are not contacting with the finger and not responding. Reference numeral 5 denotes a button switch which the user pushes for various operations such as standby release or returning, advancing.

The way of calibration and the usage method for cancelling the lock or unlocking the portable terminal 0 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 showing a flow chart, FIGS. 4A and 4B showing lock cancellation display screens, and FIGS. 5A and 5B showing states of the sensor 4 at various timing during lock cancellation.

Among types of operation performed by the user on the portable terminal 0 are tapping, dragging, flicking, and pinching. Tapping is an operation which the user touches one point of the screen with a finger for a moment on the touch panel 1. Dragging is an operation which the user moves his or her finger over the screen of the touch panel 1 while the finger is in contact therewith. Flicking is an operation which the user quickly slides his or her finger on the screen of the touch panel 1 while touching it. Pinching is an operation which the user touches two points of the screen of the touch panel 1 with two fingers and changes the distance between the two points.

A series of operations from start-up of the portable terminal 0, calibration, and to turn-off of the portable terminal 0 will be next described. The term calibration used herein refers to an operation of setting a threshold value that is used for determining a contact range.

The power of the portable terminal turns on by pressing the button switch for a certain time. Then, the control unit 3 starts a program, adjusts the sensors, initializes the threshold value, and performs initial settings for screen display and other factors (S1000). After the initial setting procedure, the control unit 3 performs control to display lock cancel screen on the touch panel 1 (S1001). As can be seen in FIG. 4A, a lock cancel icon is present in the lock cancel screen which can be dragged in a y direction and a −y direction with a finger tip. The control unit 3 holds until the user drags the lock cancel icon with a finger tip (S1002).

FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing states of the sensor 4 at various timing during when the user drags the icon with a finger tip in the y direction for unlocking. In FIG. 5A, portions shaded with diagonal lines denote sensors 4 that are responding to the contact with a user's finger and portions shaded with horizontal lines denote sensors 4 that have responded in previous. The blank portions denote sensors 4 that have not been contacted and have not responded. The icon is first touched at time t0, and is dragged at time t1, and the dragging ends at time t2 to thus cancel the lock. The control unit 3 calculates the average value ‘2’ of the number of columns of sensors 4 that responded to the contact with the finger and adds a correction value ‘1’ to the average, thereby defining a threshold value ‘3’. The threshold value is stored in the control unit 3.

FIG. 4B shows another method for unlocking the terminal using the finger pad input. As can been seen in FIG. 4B, a lock cancel icon is displayed in the lock cancel screen that can be dragged in a y direction and a −y direction with a finger pad. FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing states of the sensor 4 at various timing during when the user drags the icon for cancelling the lock with a finger pad in the y direction for unlocking. The icon is first touched at time t0, then dragged at time t1, and the dragging ends at time t2 to thus cancel the lock. The control unit 3 calculates the average value ‘4’ of the number of columns of sensors 4 that responded to the contact with the finger and subtracts a correction value ‘1’ therefrom, thereby defining a threshold value ‘3’. The threshold value is stored in the control unit 3.

The threshold value used for determining the contact range is defined as above by using the average value of the number of columns of sensors 4 that responded to the contact with the finger during unlocking (S1003). In other words, the threshold value for determining the contact range can be obtained (i.e., calibration can be made), simultaneously with unlocking operation.

The control unit 3 unlocks the portable terminal 0 (S1004) and waits until the user makes various inputs by way of the touch panel 1 (S1005). Receiving an input with a contact range equal to or narrower than the threshold value (specifically, “3” or less) (S1006), the control unit 3 determines that a finger tip input is made (S1007). Receiving an input with a contact range wider than the threshold value (specifically, “4” or more) (S1006), the control unit 3 determines that a finger pad input is made (S1008). After that, various operations are performed following the order of the input.

When no input is made for a predetermined period, several minutes for example, the control unit 3 stores the time and date of calibration, the threshold value, and other setting values, and then locks the portable terminal 0 (S1009). The control unit 3 displays the lock cancel screen (S1001) when a lock cancel switch assigned to the button switch 5 is pushed (S1010). When the button switch 5 is pressed for a certain time while the power of the portable terminal 0 is on, the power turns off.

As described heretofore, regardless of difference with individuals in contact ranges of finger tip input, the calibration allows accuracy of contact range determination to be improved. The first embodiment of the present invention uses the average of the number of columns of the sensors 4 that responded to the contact with the finger as the threshold value. However, this is not the only possible way for setting the threshold. For example, the threshold value may be corrected by adding an appropriate value to, or subtracting any value from, the average of the number of columns of the sensors 4 that responded to a contact with a finger. The threshold value does not need to be an integer and instead a capacitance value may be used. Further, the threshold value used for determining the contact range may be discarded upon locking, and calibration can be performed to update threshold value every time the terminal is unlocked. Instead of performing calibration upon unlocking, calibration may be performed only at the first time the portable terminal 0 is turned on. It may also be performed by selecting a function for calibration from a setting menu or the like. Furthermore, the first embodiment of the present invention performed calibration on the basis of the contact range of either the finger tip input or the finger pad input. Alternatively, the contact ranges of both the finger tip input and the finger pad input may be obtained to set a plurality of threshold values.

A method for distinguishing the finger tip input and the finger pad input will be described in more details below. FIGS. 6A and 6B show a method for distinguishing flicking by finger tip input and tapping by finger pad input. FIG. 6A shows conditions of sensors 4 responding to a finger tip flicking in a −x direction. FIG. 6B shows conditions of sensors 4 responding to a finger pad tapping. At time t00 which is the time a contact starts, the number of sensors responding to the contact is same in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The control unit 3 stores the time t00 at which the contact is started. If the number of sensors responding to the contact range would not change at the subsequent time t01 and time t02, the control unit 3 determines the contact as a finger tip flicking. If the number of sensors responding increases as time elapses as the time t01 and the time t02, the control unit 3 determines the contact as a finger pad tapping. In brief, the control unit 3 distinguishes the finger tip flicking and the finger pad tapping by comparing the number of sensors that responded at the time t00 to the number of sensors responding at the time t02. Since the determination is not done at the instance of a user touching the touch panel 1, a finger pad input will not be misdetected as a finger tip input even when the initial contact range is narrow.

A way of moving an icon utilizing the difference between contact ranges of the finger tip input and the finger pad input will be described in detail below. FIGS. 7A to 7C show states of an icon 7 moved rightwardly (in a y direction) by the user using finger tip input and finger pad input. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the sensors 4 that responded during the icon movement and the manner of finger movement. Reference numerals 80 and 82 represent fingers making finger pad input with a wide contact range and reference numeral 81 represents a finger making finger tip input with a narrow contact range. First, a user touches the icon 7 desired to be moved with the finger pad input 80. When the contact range is equivalent to or larger than the threshold value, the control unit 3 determines that the input is the finger pad input 80 and sets the icon 7 as a moving object (FIG. 7A). The user then shifts from the finger pad input 80 to the finger tip input 81 while keeping his or her finger in contact with the panel. As the contact range becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, the control unit 3 renders the icon 7 as the moving object movable (FIG. 7B). The user drags the icon 7 to a desired position and then shifts from the finger tip input 81 to the finger pad input 82. As the contact range becomes equivalent to or larger than the threshold value, the control unit 3 determines that the input is the finger pad input 82 and validates the position of the icon 7 (FIG. 7C).

As described above, the first embodiment allows the user to make more intuitive input. The contact range described herein may be the number of sensors responded or the maximum number of the columns of sensors responded. When an application for finger pad input with a wide contact area is not set or applied to the terminal, the process of determining contact area can be omitted and contact operation may be performed uniformly.

[Second Embodiment]

A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a portable terminal 0 using a password. The second embodiment is characterized in that it stores not only a numeric password but also a difference in the contact range with the aim of enhancing security. A description is made for an example of the enhanced security function that incorporates a four-digit password and a difference in the contact range with reference to; FIG. 9 showing a flow chart of password registration, FIGS. 10A and 10B showing typical screen images displayed during calibration, FIGS. 11A to 11C showing screen images for prompting a user to register a password, and FIGS. 12A and 12B showing data consisting of a password and a set of corresponding input method. The portable terminal 0 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the portable terminal 0 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

The process for password registration will be first described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 9. After initial settings such as counter reset is done, an image as shown in FIG. 10A is displayed to prompt the user to make a finger tip contact (S2000). A control unit 3 records the contact range of the finger tip input (S2001). Next, an image as shown in FIG. 10B is displayed to prompt the user to make a finger pad contact. The control unit 3 records the contact range of the finger pad input (S2002). Contact ranges are detected at the timing when a button switch 5 is pushed following the contact with finger tip or finger pad. When the contact range of the finger pad input is larger than that of the finger tip input, the control unit 3 authorizes the input as a correct input (S2003: Yes). The contact range of the finger tip input is determined as a threshold value and the value is stored (S2004). When the contact range of the finger pad input is smaller than that of the finger tip input (S2003: No), the control unit 3 prompts the user to make a finger tip input again (S2001). Completing the determination of a threshold value, the control unit 3 next checks the counter value. When the counter is 4 or less (S2005: No), the control unit 3 displays a message to inform the user that a password can be input by either the finger tip input or the finger pad input (FIG. 11A). Registration of the numbers is then authorized.

The user selects and touches any numbers among numbers 0 to 9 displayed on a touch panel 1 by either the finger tip input or the finger pad input. The selected numbers are registered as input numerals (S2006). Then, the control unit 3 compares the contact range with the threshold value. When the contact range is equal to or smaller than the threshold value (S2007: Yes), the control unit 3 stores the input numeral in association with the finger tip input (S2008). A message as shown in FIG. 11C is displayed to inform the user that the numeral has been registered by finger tip input. When the contact range is larger than the threshold value (S2007: No), the control unit 3 stores the input numeral in association with the finger pad input (S2009).

The control unit 3 displays a message as shown in FIG. 11B to inform the user that the numeral has been registered by finger pad input. The control unit 3 then increments the counter and proceeds to the next password input (S2010). When the counter is greater than 4 (S2005: Yes), a numeric string of four input numerals is registered as the password as shown in FIG. 12A. In addition, the input method of either the finger tip input or the finger pad input corresponding to the numeral is stored for each input numeral. The password registration thus terminates (S2011).

A method for cancelling or unlocking the password will be next described below with reference to FIG. 13 showing a flow chart of a password cancel process and FIG. 14 showing a password cancel screen.

As can be seen in FIG. 14, the control unit 3 displays a password cancel screen including a ten-key pad with a plurality of numerals in order to prompt the user to input a numeral. At the same time, the control unit 3 performs initial settings such as counter reset (S3000). The control unit 3 waits until a user inputs a numeral (S3001). Upon the user touching the touch panel 1, the control unit 3 specifies the number according to a position of the contact. The contact range of the contact is compared with a threshold value to thereby determine whether the input is a finger tip input or a finger pad input (S3002). The control unit 3 stores the numeral input and the input method used (S3003). When the number of the input and the password registered earlier matches, (S3004: Yes) and the input methods thereof matches as well (S3005: Yes), the control unit 3 increments the counter (S3006). When the counter is not greater than 4 (S3007: No), the control unit 3 proceeds to the step for inputting the next password number. When the counter is greater than 4 (S3007: Yes), the password is authenticated (S3008) and the lock is canceled. Meanwhile, in cases where the number of input and a password do not match (S3004: No), or in cases where the number of input and a password match but their input methods do not match (S3005: No), the control unit 3 displays a message to inform the password or the input method is wrong (S3009). The password cancellation thus terminates.

It is to be noted that a plurality of input methods may be registered for one password. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 12B, three types of input methods are registered for one password and a specific operation is assigned for each of them: input method 1 is for displaying a normal standby screen, input method 2 is for displaying a mail creating screen, and input method 3 is for starting an application. A user can start a desired operation easily by way of unlocking the password, thus contributing to improved convenience. Not to mention, a plurality of input methods may be registered for a plurality of passwords as well.

Using the above system, a user can complicate cancellation of a lock by making a simple input to enhance security. The portable terminal 0 can thus handle user's highly confidential information, which makes the terminal more useful.

Security can be enhanced by only storing, in addition to the password registered, the input method for each of the password numbers. An increase in storage capacity can be sufficiently suppressed.

From the view of a user, the user only needs to remember the input method for each password number to unlock the portable terminal 0. Burdens on the user for memorization can thus be alleviated. It is also advantageous in that when a user has to tell others the way to unlock the portable terminal 0, the user only needs to tell the password numbers and the input method for each of the password numbers.

Although the second embodiment employed a password composed of numerals only, the present invention is not limited to this. The password may be composed of alphabets, symbols, figures, patterns, colors, or other elements, or combinations thereof. In addition, the number of digits of a password is not limited to four and the number may instead be one, two, or a greater numeral.

The process for password registration (FIG. 9) may be started when a predetermined condition is satisfied, such as when the user calls up a particular function from a setting menu.

In the embodiment of the present invention, calibration is performed by a user touching a single point. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the calibration performed during unlocking as described for the first embodiment may be applied. The user may also start calibration by calling up a particular function from the setting menu. Incidentally, during the password cancellation, the message informing the fact that the difference in contact ranges are detected may be not shown (hidden), and when only the numbers are correct, a message may be displayed to inform that the difference in the contact range is also registered. Numerals and input methods may also be hidden and not shown during password input. While a threshold value is used for distinguishing the finger tip input and the finger pad input in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The determination of an input method may be conducted in a manner such that records both contact ranges of the finger tip input and the finger pad input, and when a input is made, compares the input contact range with the data, whereby selecting the closer one as the method of the particular input.

The operation of distinguishing the difference in the contact range may be omitted in particular situations of input. For example, the system may be adapted so that the classification based on a difference in contact ranges is not performed when the button switch is pressed or when more than two points are touched for multi-touch input.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a touch panel which displaies a plurality of pieces of identification information and detecting a contact of the panel with an object of interest;
a detection unit, when the touch panel detects a contact with the object, which specifies identification information indicated by a position at which the contact in question occurred, of the multiple pieces of identification information displayed on the panel, and which detects an area of part where the contact occurred;
a storage unit which stores reference identification information and a reference area range;
a determination unit which determines whether the identification information detected by the detection unit matches the reference identification information stored in the storage unit and whether the area of the contact detected by the detection unit falls within the reference area range stored in the storage unit; and
a control unit which performs particular processing on condition the determination unit determines that the identification information detected by the detection unit matches the reference identification information stored in the storage unit and the area of the contact detected by the detection unit falls within the reference area range stored in the storage unit.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the storage unit stores, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the identification information and the area of the contact detected by the detection unit as the reference identification information and the reference area range, respectively.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the storage unit stores first identification information and a first area range and second identification information and a second area range as the reference identification information and the reference area ranges; and
the determination unit determines, on condition the identification information detected by the detection unit matches the first identification information stored in the storage unit and the area of the contact detected by the detection unit falls within the first area range stored in the storage unit, whether the identification information detected by the detection unit matches the second identification information stored in the storage unit and the area of the contact detected by the detecting unit falls within the second area range stored in the storing unit.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the storage unit stores a threshold value; and
the reference area range stored in the storage unit is defined based on the threshold value.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

the area of the contact detected by the detection unit is registered as the threshold value when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

6. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a touch panel which displaies a plurality of pieces of identification information and detecting a contact of the panel with an object of interest;
a detection unit for, when the touch panel detects a contact of the panel with the object, which specifies identification information indicated by a position at which the contact in question occurred, of the multiple pieces of identification information displayed on the touch panel, and which detects an area of part where the contact occurred;
a storage unit whish stores a series of identification information and a series of area ranges, the series of area ranges each corresponding to the respective identification information; and
a control unit which performs particular processing on condition that a set of identification information detected by the detection unit matches the series of identification information stored in the storage unit and a series of contact areas detected by the detection unit each falls within the corresponding one of the series of area ranges stored in the storage unit.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

the storage unit stores a first set of area ranges and a second set of area ranges as corresponding area ranges of the stored series of identification information; and
first processing is performed on condition that a set of identification information detected by the detecting unit matches the series of identification information stored in the storage unit and the areas of the contact detected by the detecting unit each falls within a corresponding one of the first set of area ranges stored in the storage unit, and second processing is performed on condition that a set of identification information detected by the detecting unit matches the series of identification information stored in the storing unit and the areas of the contact detected by the detecting unit each falls within a corresponding one of the second set of area ranges stored in the storage unit.

8. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a touch panel which displays a plurality of objects for inputting identification information and detects a contact of the touch panel with a finger of a user;
a storage unit which stores (1) first information including first reference identification information and a first reference area range, and (2) second information, different from the first information, including second reference identification information and a second reference area range;
a detection unit which detects input information necessary to identify the user when the touch panel detects a contact with the finger of the user, wherein detecting the input information includes detecting (1) identification information inputted by an object indicated by a position at which the contact in question occurred, of the plurality of objects for inputting identification information displayed on the touch panel, and (2) an area of the contact of the finger;
a control unit which controls the information processing apparatus to operate at least in an identification mode and a registering mode; and
a determination unit which determines in the identification mode that (1) the first information matches the input information when the identification information detected by the detection unit matches the first reference identification information and when the area of the contact detected by the detection unit falls within the first reference area range, and (2) the second information matches the input information when the identification information detected by the detection unit matches the second reference identification information and when the area of the contact detected by the detection unit falls within the second reference area range,
wherein the control unit performs particular processing on condition that the determination unit determines that the first information or the second information matches the input information in the identification mode,
wherein the registering mode includes a first registering mode for inputting first input information corresponding to a first portion of the finger and a second registering mode for inputting second input information corresponding to a second portion of the finger,
wherein the first reference identification information and the second reference identification information are generated and stored in the storage unit based on both the first input information and the second input information, the first portion corresponding to a pad of the finger,
wherein the determination unit determines in the identification mode that the first information or the second information matches the input information based on the first portion and/or the second portion of the finger,
wherein the control unit is configured to associate a first password with the first information, and a second password with the second information, and
wherein the storage unit is configured to store the first password associated with the first information and the second password associated with the second information.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first reference identification information and the first reference area range stored in the storage unit, and the second reference identification information and the second reference area range stored in the storage unit, are based on the identification information and the area of the contact detected by the detection unit.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:

the storage unit stores a threshold value; and
the first reference area range and the second reference area range stored in the storage unit are defined based on the threshold value.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the area of the contact detected by the detection unit is registered as the threshold value when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first and second passwords are numeral passwords.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:

the first information includes one numeral password as the first reference identification information and the first reference area range includes a plurality of input methods with the finger for each user; and
the second information includes one numeral password as the second reference identification information and the second reference area range includes a plurality of input methods with the finger for each user.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of input methods correspond to displaying a normal standby screen, a mail creating screen and starting application.

15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the particular processing includes unlocking the information processing apparatus.

16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the particular processing includes displaying a mail creating screen.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
5844547 December 1, 1998 Minakuchi et al.
6181328 January 30, 2001 Shieh et al.
6360004 March 19, 2002 Akizuki
6509847 January 21, 2003 Anderson
6546122 April 8, 2003 Russo
6795569 September 21, 2004 Setlak
6937226 August 30, 2005 Sakurai et al.
6950539 September 27, 2005 Bjorn et al.
6954862 October 11, 2005 Serpa
6970584 November 29, 2005 O'Gorman et al.
7190348 March 13, 2007 Kennedy et al.
7289824 October 30, 2007 Jerbi et al.
7345675 March 18, 2008 Minakuchi et al.
7444163 October 28, 2008 Ban et al.
7593000 September 22, 2009 Chin
7605804 October 20, 2009 Wilson
7697729 April 13, 2010 Howell et al.
7725511 May 25, 2010 Kadi
7738916 June 15, 2010 Fukuda
7777732 August 17, 2010 Herz et al.
7877707 January 25, 2011 Westerman et al.
7982721 July 19, 2011 Hio
8023700 September 20, 2011 Riionheimo
8051468 November 1, 2011 Davis et al.
8059872 November 15, 2011 Tazoe
8127254 February 28, 2012 Lindberg et al.
8224392 July 17, 2012 Kim et al.
8402533 March 19, 2013 LeBeau et al.
8443199 May 14, 2013 Kim et al.
8498406 July 30, 2013 Ghassabian
8528073 September 3, 2013 Tawara
8605959 December 10, 2013 Kangas et al.
8633909 January 21, 2014 Miyazawa et al.
8649575 February 11, 2014 Nagar et al.
8654093 February 18, 2014 Yamada
8683582 March 25, 2014 Rogers
8745490 June 3, 2014 Kim
8782775 July 15, 2014 Fadell et al.
8836645 September 16, 2014 Hoover
8860689 October 14, 2014 Zimchoni
8878791 November 4, 2014 Grover et al.
8904479 December 2, 2014 Johansson et al.
9027117 May 5, 2015 Wilairat
9032337 May 12, 2015 Oh et al.
9223948 December 29, 2015 Griffin et al.
9244562 January 26, 2016 Rosenberg et al.
9304602 April 5, 2016 Ghassabian
9626099 April 18, 2017 Michaelis et al.
20020163506 November 7, 2002 Matusis
20020181747 December 5, 2002 Topping
20030139192 July 24, 2003 Chmaytelli et al.
20030152253 August 14, 2003 Wong
20040085300 May 6, 2004 Matusis
20040252867 December 16, 2004 Lan et al.
20050162407 July 28, 2005 Sakurai et al.
20050169503 August 4, 2005 Howell et al.
20050253814 November 17, 2005 Ghassabian
20060026535 February 2, 2006 Hotelling et al.
20060066589 March 30, 2006 Ozawa et al.
20060075256 April 6, 2006 Hagiwara et al.
20060284853 December 21, 2006 Shapiro
20070014442 January 18, 2007 Yu
20070097096 May 3, 2007 Rosenberg
20070152976 July 5, 2007 Townsend et al.
20070250786 October 25, 2007 Jeon et al.
20080049987 February 28, 2008 Champagne et al.
20080069412 March 20, 2008 Champagne et al.
20080158170 July 3, 2008 Herz et al.
20080267465 October 30, 2008 Matsuo et al.
20090046065 February 19, 2009 Liu et al.
20090083847 March 26, 2009 Fadell et al.
20090095540 April 16, 2009 Zachut et al.
20090160800 June 25, 2009 Liu et al.
20090165145 June 25, 2009 Haapsaari et al.
20090169070 July 2, 2009 Fadell
20090313693 December 17, 2009 Rogers
20100020020 January 28, 2010 Chen
20100020035 January 28, 2010 Ryu et al.
20100026642 February 4, 2010 Kim et al.
20100044121 February 25, 2010 Simon et al.
20100045608 February 25, 2010 Lessing
20100060571 March 11, 2010 Chen et al.
20100066701 March 18, 2010 Ningrat
20100070931 March 18, 2010 Nichols
20100079380 April 1, 2010 Nurmi
20100097176 April 22, 2010 Sakurai et al.
20100110228 May 6, 2010 Ozawa et al.
20100138914 June 3, 2010 Davis et al.
20100180336 July 15, 2010 Jones et al.
20100225443 September 9, 2010 Bayram et al.
20100231356 September 16, 2010 Kim
20100265185 October 21, 2010 Oksanen
20100279738 November 4, 2010 Kim et al.
20100303311 December 2, 2010 Shin et al.
20100325721 December 23, 2010 Bandyopadhyay et al.
20110012856 January 20, 2011 Maxwell et al.
20110074677 March 31, 2011 Ording et al.
20110162420 July 7, 2011 Lee
20110175804 July 21, 2011 Grover
20110300829 December 8, 2011 Nurmi et al.
20110310024 December 22, 2011 Sakatsume
20110310049 December 22, 2011 Homma et al.
20110321157 December 29, 2011 Davis et al.
20120023573 January 26, 2012 Shu
20120032979 February 9, 2012 Blow et al.
20120044156 February 23, 2012 Michaelis et al.
20120056846 March 8, 2012 Zaliva
20120075098 March 29, 2012 Kuncl
20120084734 April 5, 2012 Wilairat
20120098639 April 26, 2012 Ijas et al.
20120192100 July 26, 2012 Wang et al.
20120196573 August 2, 2012 Sugiyama et al.
20120200515 August 9, 2012 Yamada
20120229406 September 13, 2012 Wu
20120274662 November 1, 2012 Kim et al.
20120284297 November 8, 2012 Aguera-Arcas et al.
20120285297 November 15, 2012 Rozmus et al.
20120299856 November 29, 2012 Hasui
20120299860 November 29, 2012 Wang et al.
20120319977 December 20, 2012 Kuge
20160034177 February 4, 2016 Westerman et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
1226691 November 2005 CN
1755604 April 2006 CN
1912819 February 2007 CN
101930341 December 2010 CN
2393066 March 2004 GB
5-100809 April 1993 JP
5-100809 April 1993 JP
H05100809 April 1993 JP
H11-272423 October 1999 JP
2001-242952 September 2001 JP
2003-529130 September 2003 JP
2005-202527 July 2005 JP
2005-202527 July 2005 JP
2006-127486 May 2006 JP
2006-172180 June 2006 JP
2008-243149 October 2008 JP
2011-014044 January 2011 JP
100847140 July 2008 KR
100884045 February 2009 KR
10-2010-0003572 January 2010 KR
20100003572 January 2010 KR
201101130 January 2011 TW
2001/069520 September 2001 WO
2005/008568 January 2005 WO
2010/070756 June 2010 WO
2010/073243 July 2010 WO
2010/104015 September 2010 WO
2011/094936 August 2011 WO
Other references
  • Manabe et al, “Proposal of New imput Systems,” NTT Technology Reports, Technical Journal, vol. 9, No. 4, Mar. 2008, pp. 37-42.
  • Monrose Fabian et al., “Keystroke dynamics as a biometric for authentication,” Elsevier Science, Future Generation Computer Systems vol. 16, 2000, pp. 351-359.
  • Tan, Desney S. et al, “Spy-Resistant Keyboard: More Secure Password Entry on Public Touch Screen Displays,” Microsoft Research, Jan. 2005, 10 pages.
  • APC Biopod Quick Installation Guide, Part No. 990-1705, APC, www.apc.com, 2 pages, 2003.
  • Diefenderfer, Graig T., “Fingerprint Recognition,” Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Jun. 2006, 153 pages.
  • Blasko, Gabor et al., “A Wristwatch-Computer Based Password-Vault,” IBM Research Report, Computer Science, Mar. 2005, 19 pages.
  • Chan, K.C., et al., “Fast Fingerprint Verification Using Subregions of Fingerprint Images,” IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, vol. 14, No. 1, Jan. 2004, pp. 95-101.
  • Yau, Wei-Yun et al., “Nonlinear phase portrait modeing of fingerpriint orientation,” 8th International Conference on Control, Automation, Robotics and Vision China, Dec. 2004, pp. 1262-1267.
  • Akreekul, Vutipong, et al., “The New Focal Point Localization Algorithm for Fingerpring Recognition,” IEEE Computer Society, The 18th International Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR'06), 2006, 4 pages.
  • Wang, Feng, et al., “Empirical Evaluation for Finger Input Properties in Mutli-touch Iinteraction,” CHI, Tabletop Gestures, Apr. 2009, pp. 1062-1072.
  • Merriam-webster dictionary definition of coincident from Feb. 20, 2010.
  • Non-Final Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 16/260,879, dated Jan. 22, 2020.
  • Final Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 16/260,879, dated Aug. 5, 2020.
  • Notice of Allowance issued in U.S. Appl. No. 16/260,879, dated Nov. 23, 2020.
  • Notice of Allowance issued in U.S. Appl. No. 16/260,879, dated Jul. 8, 2021.
  • Numabe et al., “Finger Identification for Touch Panel Operation Using Tapping Fluctuation,” The 13th IEEE International Symposium on Consumer Electronics, pp. 899-902 (2009).
  • Eleccion, “Automatic Fingerprint Identification,” IEEE Spectrum (1973).
  • Holz et al., “The Generalized Perceived Input Point Model and How to Double Touch Accuracy By Extracting Fingerprints,” Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (2010).
  • Wang et al., “Detecting and Leveraging Finger Orientation for Interaction With Direct-Touch Surfaces,” Proceedings of the 22nd Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (2009).
  • Saevanee et al., “User Authentication Using Combination of Behavioral Biometrics Over the Touchpad Acting Like Touch Screen of Mobile Device,” International Conference on Computer and Electrical Engineering (2008).
  • Harrison et al., “TapSense: Enhancing Finger Interaction on Touch Surfaces,” Proceedings of the 24th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (2011).
  • Entire Prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/366,983, filed Feb. 6, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,654,093, issued Feb. 18, 2014 to Yamada entitled “Information Processing Apparatus”.
  • Entire Prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/154,993, filed Jan. 14, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,982,086, issued Mar. 17, 2015 to Yamada entitled “Information Processing Apparatus”.
  • Chinese Office Action issued in corresponding Chinese Patent Application No. 2014062700460410, dated Jul. 2, 2014.
  • Sugiura & Koseki, A User Interface Usign Fingerprint Recognition—Holding Commands and Data Objects on Fingers, C&C Media Research Labs., NEC Corp. (1998).
  • Kaoru Uchida, Fingerprint-based User-friendly Interface and Pocket-PID for Mobile Authentication, IEEE 205 (2000).
  • Jansen et. al., Picture Password: A Visual Login Technique for Mobile Devices, National Institute of Standards and Technology Interagency Report (2003).
  • Jansen et al., Fingerprint Identification and Mobile Handheld Devices: An Overview and Implementation, National institute of Standards and Technology Interagency Report 7290, (Mar. 2006).
  • Benko et. al., Precise Selection Techniques for Multi-Touch Screens, CHI 2006, Apr. 22-28, 2006.
  • Ricci et. al., SecurePhone: A Mobile Phone with Biometric Authentication and E-Sigriature Support for Dealing Securet Transactions on the Fly, Proceedings of SPIE vol. 6250, Defense and Security Symposium (2006).
  • Forlines et. al., Direct-Touch vs. Mouse Input for Tabletop Displays, Proceedings of CHI 2007, Apr. 28-May 3, 2007.
  • Cheng et. al., SmartSiren: Virus Detection and Alert for Smartphones, MobiSys '07 (Jun. 11-14, 2007).
  • Fujitsu F906i comes with AuthenTec/TruNav: iPhone Competitor, Smart in Technology, (Aug. 2008).
  • Jansen & Scarfone, Guidelines on Cell Phone and PDA Security, National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-124 (Oct. 2008).
  • Roudaut et. al., MicroRolls: Expanding Touch-Screen Input Vocabulary by Distinguishing Rolls v. Slides of the Thumb, CHI 2009 (Apr. 4-9, 2009).
  • Yatani & Truong, SemFeel: A User Interface with Semantic Feedback for Mobile Touchscreen Devices, Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, UIST '09, (Oct. 4, 2009).
  • Maltoni, Davide, et al., Handbook of Fingerprint Recognition (2nd ed.) Springer-Verlag London, Ltd. (2009), pp. 67, 74, 191, 244-45.
  • Benko et. al., Enhancing Input On and Above the Interactive Surface with Muscle Sensing,ITS '09 (Nov. 23-25, 2009).
  • Ahsamullah et. al., Investigation of Fingertip Blobs on Optical Multi-Touch Screen, Dept. of Computer and Information Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Petronas (2010).
  • Park & Han, One-Handed Thumb Interaction of Mobile Devices From the Input Accuracy Perspective, 40 Inti. J. Industrial Ergonomics 746 (2010).
  • Respondents' Initial Invalidity Contentions (Initial Version), dated Dec. 7, 2022.
  • Respondents' Supplemental Invalidity Contentions, dated Jan. 17, 2023.
Patent History
Patent number: RE49669
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 8, 2021
Date of Patent: Sep 26, 2023
Assignee: MAXELL, LTD. (Kyoto)
Inventor: Masaaki Yamada (Yokohama)
Primary Examiner: Robert L Nasser
Application Number: 17/497,855
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Touch Panel (345/173)
International Classification: G06F 3/041 (20060101); G09G 5/10 (20060101); G06F 1/16 (20060101); G06F 3/04842 (20220101); G06F 3/0488 (20220101); G06F 21/31 (20130101);