JP2006301785A - Information processor and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of performing start of a program or scroll operation using a fingerprint sensor, and a program therefor. <P>SOLUTION: When an execution instruction from the fingerprint sensor 21 is detected, a menu launcher is popped up. When a movement instruction is detected by the fingerprint sensor 21 after popping up the menu launcher, an object is moved within the menu launcher. When the execution instruction from the fingerprint sensor 21 is detected while popping up the menu launcher, processing corresponding to a selected object is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a fingerprint sensor, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus and a program that enable display, selection, and scrolling of programs and menus using the fingerprint sensor.

Conventionally, a technology including both functions of a touchpad and a fingerprint authentication function has been disclosed in a fingerprint authentication device (see Patent Document 1). This fingerprint authentication apparatus includes both an optical fingerprint sensor and a pressure sensor, thereby realizing both functions of a touch pad and a fingerprint authentication function.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-161610

  However, with the above-described technology, a special fingerprint authentication device including a pressure sensor must be used instead of a general fingerprint authentication device including a fingerprint sensor. For this reason, there are problems such as an increase in production cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and program capable of starting a program and scrolling using a fingerprint sensor.

  To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a fingerprint sensor for detecting a fingerprint, fingerprint information storage means for storing fingerprint information for specifying the fingerprint, and detection by the fingerprint sensor An information processing apparatus comprising: an authentication unit that authenticates the detected object by comparing the image signal of the detected object and fingerprint information stored in the fingerprint information storage unit, the fingerprint sensor When a predetermined execution instruction operation from is detected, a corresponding menu screen is displayed. After the menu screen is displayed, when a predetermined movement instruction operation is detected by the fingerprint sensor, the selection target in the menu screen is moved, When a predetermined execution instruction operation from the fingerprint sensor is detected while the menu screen is displayed, processing corresponding to the selected target is executed. The information processing apparatus is provided.

  For this reason, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus and a program that can start a program or perform a scroll operation using a fingerprint sensor.

  The input means is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, a pointing device, a touch panel display, or the like.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the information processing apparatus and program which can perform starting and a scroll operation | movement of a program using a fingerprint sensor can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the case where it implement | achieves as a notebook type computer is assumed.

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing a notebook computer that is an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the computer 10 includes a computer main body and a display unit. The display unit incorporates a display device made up of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the display screen 121 of the LCD is located substantially at the center of the display unit.

  The display unit is attached to the computer main body so as to be rotatable between a release position and a closed position. The computer main body has a thin box-shaped housing, and a keyboard 16 is disposed on the top surface thereof, a pointing device 20 on the palm rest 14, two left and right buttons 20 a and 20 b, a fingerprint sensor 21, and the like. Further, an LED portion 51 for confirming whether the computer 10 is turned on / off or the like is provided at a hinge portion that is a joint portion between the computer main body and the display unit.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the computer 10.

  The computer 10 includes a CPU 201, a host bridge 202, a main memory 203, a graphics controller 204, a communication device 205, a PCI-ISA bridge 206, an I / O controller 207, a hard disk drive (HDD) 208, a CD / DVD drive 209, and a BIOS-ROM 210. , An embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 211, a fingerprint sensor 221, a power controller 214, and the like are provided.

  The CPU 201 is a processor provided to control the operation of the computer 10 and executes an operating system (OS) and application programs / utility programs loaded from the hard disk drive (HDD) 208 to the main memory 203. The CPU 201 also executes a basic input / output system (BIOS) stored in the BIOS-ROM 210. The fingerprint sensor 21 includes an overcurrent detection circuit that detects overcurrent. The fingerprint authentication process by the fingerprint sensor 21 is performed by a dedicated application or the like.

  The host bridge 202 is a bridge device that bidirectionally connects the local bus of the CPU 201 and the PCI bus 1. The graphics controller 204 controls an LCD display screen 121 used as a display monitor of the computer 10. The communication device 205 is one of PCI devices, and is used for connection to a computer network such as the Internet. An I / O controller 207 is also a PCI device, and includes an IDE controller for controlling a hard disk drive (HDD) 208 and a CD / DVD drive 209.

  The PCI-ISA bridge 206 is a bridge device that connects the PCI bus 1 and the ISA bus 2 bidirectionally. Various system devices such as a system timer, a DMA controller, and an interrupt controller are also incorporated therein. BIOS is stored in the BIOS-ROM 210. This BIOS is a program for controlling hardware components in this system.

  The embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 211 is a one-chip microcomputer in which an embedded controller for power management and a keyboard controller for controlling the keyboard 16 are integrated. The embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 211 has a function of powering on / off the computer 10 in accordance with the operation of the power button 114 by the user in cooperation with the power controller 214.

  Next, the operation of a program to which information processing according to the present invention is applied will be described.

  In the said invention, the fingerprint sensor 21 is utilized for uses other than performing a fingerprint authentication process. That is, the associated menu pop-up (display) by the fingerprint sensor, program activation, scrolling in the pop-up menu or activated program, scrolling in the active window when the menu is not pop-up, and the like.

  An execution command which is an execution instruction operation by the fingerprint sensor 21 may be, for example, a case where almost the same fingerprint image detected by the fingerprint sensor 21 is tapped by the fingerprint sensor 21 once or more. Note that “tap” refers to an operation of touching and releasing a predetermined place with a finger or the like. The scroll command that is a movement instruction operation may be, for example, when a continuous fingerprint image is detected (a state in which the fingerprint image moves). In the present embodiment, a case where a dedicated menu launcher is popped up by an execution instruction will be described. The menu launcher starts and stays resident after the OS starts up. When the execution command described above is received while the menu launcher is resident (activated), a menu launcher screen (see FIG. 6) is displayed. Since the menu launcher is resident (started) on the OS, for example, an icon indicating that the menu launcher is resident may be displayed on a task bar or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing performed when the menu launcher is activated and when the setting is changed.

First, the computer 10 is turned on and the OS is started. When an event is detected in step S1, it is hooked (for fingerprint authentication operation event, keyboard event, other event from mouse, etc. depending on the setting). (Process) After that, when an event due to the hooked object occurs, the menu launcher is activated by the CPU 201 and read into the main memory 203. In step S1, as shown in FIG. 7 (described later), the setting of the user operation device that can be set by the user is confirmed. If the settings other than the fingerprint sensor, such as the mouse and the KB, are set, they are set. Hook device events.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing after the event launch of the menu launcher described above. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a menu launcher during pop-up.

  When the CPU 201 detects an event (execution command or movement command) with the fingerprint sensor 21, it determines in step S10 whether the menu launcher is popping up. If it is determined in step S10 that the menu launcher is popping up, the CPU 201 determines an event detected by the fingerprint sensor 21 in step S11. If it is determined in step S11 that the event is an UP operation (if it is determined that the detected fingerprint image moves from bottom to top in the movement command), UP processing is performed in step S12, and the upward direction Scroll through the menu launcher. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the menu launcher has been scrolled to the top. A screen enlargement icon 30b that is an item of the selected menu is enlarged and displayed as a large icon 30a.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the event is a DOWN operation (if it is determined that the detected fingerprint image moves from top to bottom in the movement command), a DOWN process is performed in step S13. Scroll down in the menu launcher. If it is determined in step S11 that the event is an ITEM selection operation (if it is determined that the event is an execution instruction), in step S14, the selected menu is executed, and in step S16, the menu is selected. Close the launcher. Further, when it is determined in step S11 that the event is a CANCEL operation (when it is determined that the event is an execution command in a state where the CANCEL icon 30g is selected), a CANCEL process is performed in step S15. In S16, the menu launcher is closed. The menu in the menu launcher includes, for example, a mute 30c, mail software 30d, browser software 30e, setup 30f, and the like.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that the menu launcher is not being popped up, the CPU 201 determines in step S11 whether or not the operation is a pop-up operation. If it is determined in step S11 that the operation is a pop-up operation, a menu launcher pop-up process is performed. If it is determined in step S11 that the operation is not a pop-up operation, it is determined that the scroll command is a movement command, and the active window of the program being started is scrolled.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above, for example, in step S12, when a keyboard event is also hooked, in addition to the upward operation of the finger of the fingerprint sensor 21, the pressing operation of the [↑] key is also performed by the launcher. It is also possible to determine that the operation is an upward operation and to perform the upward operation processing.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a screen for performing various menu launcher settings.

  In the operation setting area 35, it is possible to select whether or not to use an operation with a mouse wheel or a keyboard. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the keyboard operation is set to be used together, the fingerprint sensor 21 is used to scroll while the menu launcher is popped up, and the execution command is executed using the keyboard ENTER key or the like. You can also

  In the fingerprint sensor setting area 36, a pop-up method for popping up a menu launcher and an execution method for using an execution command can be set. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the fingerprint sensor 21 is single-tapped (one tap operation), the menu launcher is popped up. When the menu launcher is popped up, the execution command is used. In addition to a single tap, a double tap can be arbitrarily set. Furthermore, the scrolling speed by the fingerprint sensor 21 can also be set. If “automatically start at logon” is set, as described above, the menu launcher is automatically started when the OS is started and is resident in the OS, but if not set, from the OS menu. The menu launcher can be manually activated and made resident, such as by selecting.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a case where fingerprint authentication processing is performed by the fingerprint sensor 21 in a state where the menu launcher is popped up.

  For example, when the user needs to perform authentication processing for Internet shopping or the like while the computer 10 is being used, the CPU 201 detects an activation request for fingerprint authentication processing in step S20 and sets an operation mode such as a menu launcher. Cancel (if the menu launcher is popping up, keep it displayed and not accept processing from the fingerprint sensor 21. Alternatively, the menu launcher may be terminated).

  In step S <b> 21, the CPU 201 performs a predetermined fingerprint authentication process using the fingerprint sensor 21. Then, after completing the fingerprint authentication process, the CPU 201 resumes the operation mode in step S22. If the menu launcher has popped up in the previous operation mode, pop it up again to return to the original operation mode. As described above, when the fingerprint authentication process is performed, the fingerprint sensor 21 scans the fingerprint image for the fingerprint authentication process, and when the fingerprint authentication process is not performed, the pop-up process of the menu launcher, the menu launcher If the scroll process or menu launcher is not popped up, the active window is scrolled.

  As described above, scroll processing, menu launcher pop-up or activation of a predetermined program, scroll processing and execution processing in the menu launcher, etc. are performed without adding a dedicated button or the like using a conventional fingerprint sensor. be able to.

  Next, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a notebook computer which is an information processing apparatus according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be given above.

  In the first modification, the left and right buttons 12 and the fingerprint sensor 21 are arranged without arranging the pointing device on the palm rest 14, and the pointing device 25 is arranged in the keyboard 16.

  Even if the computer having the above-described configuration is used, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a notebook computer which is an information processing apparatus according to the second modification of the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be given above.

  In the second modification, a touch pad 27, two left and right buttons, and a fingerprint sensor 21 are arranged on the palm rest 14.

  Even if the computer having the above-described configuration is used, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

1 is an external view showing a notebook computer that is an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which showed the system configuration | structure of the computer. The flowchart which showed starting of a menu launcher. The flowchart which shows the process at the time of receiving a command from a fingerprint sensor after a menu launcher resides (starts up). The flowchart explaining the case where the fingerprint authentication process by the fingerprint sensor 21 is performed in a state where the menu launcher is popped up. The schematic diagram which popped up and showed the menu launcher screen. The schematic diagram which showed the screen which performs various settings of a menu launcher. The perspective view which showed the notebook computer which is the information processing apparatus which concerns on the modification 1 of embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which showed the notebook computer which is the information processing apparatus which concerns on the modification 2 of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer, 12 ... Button, 14 ... Palm rest, 16 ... Keyboard, 20 ... Pointing device, 21 ... Fingerprint sensor, 25 ... Pointing device, 27 ... Touchpad, 30b ... Screen expansion icon, 30a ... Icon, 30c ... Mute, 30d ... Mail software, 30e ... Browser software, 30f ... Setup, 35 ... Operation setting area, 36 ... Fingerprint sensor setting area, 51 ... LED unit, 114 ... Power button, 121 ... Display screen, 201 ... CPU, 202 ... Host bridge 203, main memory, 204, graphics controller, 205. PCI ... communication device 205 ... communication device 206 ... ISA bridge 207 ... O controller 208 ... hard disk drive 209 ... DVD drive 210 ... BIOS-ROM 211 ... keyboard controller IC 214 ... power controller 221 ... fingerprint Sensor.

Claims (8)

A fingerprint sensor for detecting a fingerprint; fingerprint information storage means for storing fingerprint information for specifying the fingerprint; and an image signal of an object detected by the fingerprint sensor and the fingerprint information storage means. An information processing apparatus comprising authentication means for verifying the object to be detected by collating with fingerprint information,
When a predetermined execution instruction operation from the fingerprint sensor is detected, a menu screen corresponding to the operation is displayed. After the menu screen is displayed, a predetermined movement instruction operation is detected by the fingerprint sensor. An information processing apparatus that performs processing corresponding to a selected object when a predetermined execution instruction operation from the fingerprint sensor is detected in a state where the selection object is moved and the menu screen is displayed . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
When performing authentication processing based on fingerprint information detected by the fingerprint sensor by the fingerprint authentication unit, detection of a predetermined execution instruction operation and movement instruction operation by the fingerprint sensor is stopped. . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The information processing apparatus characterized in that the predetermined execution instruction operation is a state in which a tap operation is performed once or more, or a state in which the object to be detected does not move for a certain period of time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
An information processing apparatus that scrolls an activated active window when a predetermined movement instruction operation is detected by the fingerprint sensor in a state where the menu screen is not displayed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the predetermined movement instruction operation is a state in which the detected object is detected as a continuous image signal. A fingerprint sensor for detecting a fingerprint; fingerprint information storage means for storing fingerprint information for specifying the fingerprint; and an image signal of an object detected by the fingerprint sensor and the fingerprint information storage means. An information processing apparatus comprising an authentication unit for verifying the detected object by collating with fingerprint information, and an input unit,
When a predetermined execution instruction operation from the fingerprint sensor is detected, a corresponding menu screen is displayed. When a predetermined movement instruction operation from the input unit is detected after the menu screen is displayed, a selection target in the menu screen is displayed. When the predetermined execution instruction operation from the input means is detected while the menu screen is displayed, the information processing apparatus executes processing corresponding to the selected target. A fingerprint sensor for detecting a fingerprint; fingerprint information storage means for storing fingerprint information for specifying the fingerprint; and an image signal of an object detected by the fingerprint sensor and the fingerprint information storage means. There is a program used in an information processing apparatus provided with an authentication unit that authenticates the detected object by collating with fingerprint information that is present,
A display procedure for displaying a corresponding menu screen upon detecting a predetermined execution instruction operation from the fingerprint sensor;
A movement procedure for moving a selection object in the menu screen when a predetermined movement instruction operation is detected by the fingerprint sensor after the menu screen is displayed by the display procedure;
A program for causing a computer to execute a processing procedure for executing processing corresponding to a selected target when a predetermined execution instruction operation from the fingerprint sensor is detected in a state where the menu screen according to the display procedure is displayed . The program according to claim 7,
A program for stopping detection of a predetermined execution instruction operation and a movement instruction operation by the fingerprint sensor when the authentication processing is performed based on fingerprint information detected by the fingerprint sensor by the fingerprint authentication means.

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