IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,452,829
Granted Patent B2
US 10,452,829 · App. 16/259,384 · Granted Oct 22, 2019

Key with integral biometric input device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,452,829
App. No.
16/259,384
Filed
Jan 28, 2019
Granted
Oct 22, 2019
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2645
USPC
455/550.1
Abstract

A key integrates with a biometric input device. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a fingerprint scanner may be integral with a spacebar.

Claims (23)

1. A method comprising:

receiving input from a multi-functional input device of a computing device;

determining whether to process the input as biometric data, based on the computing device being locked, or to process the input as actuation of the multi-functional input device, based on the computing device being unlocked; and

as a result of determining to process the input as actuation of the multi-functional input device, processing the input as a movement event.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the movement event comprises a depression event.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the multi-functional input device comprises a fingerprint sensor.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the biometric data comprises fingerprint data.

5. A computing device comprising:

a multi-functional input device;

a processor configured to:

receive input from the multi-functional input device;

determine whether to process the input as biometric data, based on the computing device being locked, or to process the input as actuation of the multi-functional input device, based on the computing device being unlocked; and

process the input according to the determining, wherein, upon determining to process the input as actuation of the multi-functional input device, the processor is configured to process the input as a movement event.

6. The computing device of claim 5 wherein the movement event comprises a depression event.

7. The computing device of claim 5 wherein the multi-functional input device comprises a fingerprint sensor.

8. The computing device of claim 5 wherein the biometric data comprises fingerprint data.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by a processor in a computing device having a multi-functional input device, cause the processor to:

receive input from the multi-functional input device;

determine whether to process the input as biometric data, based on the computing device being locked, or to process the input as actuation of the multi-functional input device, based on the computing device being unlocked; and

process the input according to the determining, wherein, upon determining to process the input as actuation of the multi-functional input device, the instructions cause the processor to process the input as a movement event.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 wherein the movement event comprises a depression event.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 wherein the multi-functional input device comprises a fingerprint sensor.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 wherein the biometric data comprises fingerprint data.