IP Library Granted Patent US 9,811,707
Granted Patent B2
US 9,811,707 · App. 14/295,740 · Granted Nov 7, 2017

Fingerprint reader on a portion of a device for changing the configuration of the device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,811,707
App. No.
14/295,740
Granted
Nov 7, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one aspect, a device includes a first panel at least bearing a keyboard, a second panel at least bearing a display, and a fingerprint reader on at least a portion of at least one of the first and second panels. The portion is engageable by a user to transition the first panel away from the second panel.

Claims (31)

1. A device, comprising:

at least one processor;

storage accessible to the at least one processor and bearing instructions executable by the at least one processor;

a first panel at least bearing a keyboard accessible to the at least one processor;

a second panel at least bearing a display accessible to the at least one processor; and

a fingerprint reader that is accessible to the at least one processor and that is arranged on a recessed portion of at least one of the first and second panels, the recessed portion being engageable by a user to transition one of the first and second panels away from the other of the first and second panels;

wherein the fingerprint reader is arranged on the recessed portion of at least one of the first and second panels to receive input from a user while the user makes contact with the recessed portion to transition one of the first and second panels away from the other of the first and second panels;

wherein the fingerprint reader is provided by the device with power to receive input thereto at least while the device is in a configuration where the first panel and second panel establish planes parallel to each other and while the device is in a low-power state that is lower than a higher power state under which the device operates while the device is powered on; and

wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

determine that one of the first and second panels is being transitioned away from the other of the first and second panels; and

in response to the determination, actuate the fingerprint reader to receive input thereto.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the at least one processor to receive input from the fingerprint reader.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the at least one processor to, at least in part based on the input, identify a profile associated with a user.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the at least one processor to initiate an operating system and, based on identification of the profile of the user and without further user input, execute the operating system according to settings associated with the profile.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the at least one processor to, at least in part based on the input, identify a profile of the user and authenticate that the input from the fingerprint reader has been generated based on contact of the fingerprint reader with a finger of the user.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint reader is provided by the device with power to receive input thereto at least while a guest operating system of the device is not being executed at the device.

7. A method, comprising:

providing, on a device, a first panel at least bearing a keyboard;

providing, on the device, a second panel at least bearing a display; and

providing a fingerprint reader on at least a portion of at least one of the first and second panels, the portion being engageable by a user to transition the first panel away from the second panel;

wherein the fingerprint reader is provided by the device with power to receive input thereto at least while the device is in a configuration where the first panel and second panel establish planes parallel to each other and while the device is in a low power state that is lower than a higher power state under which the device operates while the device is powered on; and

wherein the device actuates the fingerprint reader to gather data pertaining to a fingerprint of a user in response to a determination by the device that the device is undergoing a change in physical orientation of the first panel relative to the second panel.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the device identifies, at least in part using the data, settings associated with the user and actuates the device in conformance with the settings.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the device, subsequent to undergoing the change in physical orientation, continues to actuate the fingerprint reader to gather data.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint reader is a first fingerprint reader, and wherein the device comprises a second fingerprint reader on a power button of the device.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the

instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

present, on the display, a user interface (UI), the UI comprising a selector element that is selectable to enable monitoring of input to the fingerprint reader while the device is in a low-power state.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the low-power state is an off state.

13. The method of claim 7 , wherein the fingerprint reader is a first fingerprint reader, and wherein the method comprises:

providing at least a second fingerprint reader on at least one element selectable to change the power state of the device, the at least one element being juxtaposed on at least one of the first and second panels.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2025
From: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
To: LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 069870/0670 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2019
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 049689/0939 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2014
From: OSBORNE, CHRISTOPHER MILES; RIPP, MICHAEL WILLIAM STUART
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 033027/0837 →