Electronic Device Operation Using Remote User Biometrics
An electronic device having at least one operational setting, such as a power setting, with at least a first state and a second state. The electronic device may also include an access controller that can receive state data and authorization data from an external source such as a remote control. The access controller may enable a state of the operational setting upon receipt of proper authorization data received from or related to the output from at least one biometric sensor associated with the remote control.
1 . An electronic device comprising:
a component configured to switch between a first state and a second state; and
an access controller configured to receive state data and authorization data, the authorization data at least partially derived from a biometric characteristic;
wherein:
the state data comprises an instruction corresponding to one of the first state and the second state; and
the access controller executes the instruction upon receiving the authorization data.
2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the biometric characteristic comprises a fingerprint.
3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the authorization data includes biometric information of a user.
4 . The electronic device of claim 3 , further comprising an authentication controller configured to measure a similarity between the received biometric information and a template biometric information.
5 . The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the authentication controller is configured to instruct the access controller that the similarity exceeds a selected threshold.
6 . The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the selected threshold may be modified by a user.
7 . The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the authentication controller comprises a server in communication with the electronic device.
8 . The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the authentication controller comprises a second electronic device in communication with the electronic device.
9 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the authorization data comprises an authorization code.
10 . The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the authorization code is the same for all authorized users.
11 . A remote for controlling an operational setting of an electronic device, the remote comprising:
a sensor configured to detect a biometric characteristic of a user;
a communication controller in communication with the electronic device;
a processor coupled to the sensor and coupled to the communication controller, the processor configured to receive a measurement a similarity between the detected biometric characteristic and a template biometric characteristic and to instruct the communication controller to send a signal including authorization data to the electronic device when the similarity exceeds a selected threshold.
12 . The remote of claim 11 , wherein the biometric characteristic comprises a fingerprint.
13 . The remote of claim 11 , wherein the authorization data includes biometric information of a user.
14 . The remote of claim 11 , wherein the selected threshold may be modified by a user.
15 . The remote of claim 11 , wherein the processor is in communication with an authentication controller configured to measure the similarity.
16 . The remote of claim 15 , wherein the authentication controller comprises a server in communication with the processor.
17 . The remote of claim 15 , wherein the authentication controller comprises a second electronic device in communication with the processor.
18 . The remote of claim 11 , wherein the authorization data includes an authorization code.
19 . The remote of claim 19 , wherein the authorization code is the same for all authorized users.
20 . A method of operating a limited access feature of an electronic device, the method comprising:
receiving a signal at least partially corresponding to a biometric characteristic;
determining whether the signal includes authorization data;
upon the determination that the signal includes authorization data, measuring a similarity between the authorization data and template authorization data;
upon the determination that the similarity exceeds a selected threshold, sending an instruction to the electronic device to enable the limited access feature.