Biometric Button Input for Faster Authorization and Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user input techniques for electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple key presses or keystrokes, wasting user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing faster and more efficient methods and interfaces for managing user inputs, including disambiguating between different types of instructions, enabling biometric authorization, and providing device orientation-specific information during enrollment, thereby reducing cognitive burden and conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional user input methods (multiple key presses or keystrokes) are used for authorization and navigation, then device security and functionality are maintained, but user time and device energy are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input efficiencyVSAvoidtime for user inputs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines authorization and navigation functions into a single user input action. When a user provides biometric authorization (e.g., fingerprint), the system simultaneously grants access and navigates to the requested screen or function, eliminating the need for separate keystrokes or button presses for each operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a universal input mechanism where a single authorized input (biometric authentication) can trigger multiple subsequent actions including screen transitions, application launches, and navigation to specific functions, making one input serve multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If traditional user input methods (multiple key presses or keystrokes) are used for authorization and navigation, then device security and functionality are maintained, but device energy is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input efficiencyVSAvoiddevice energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines authorization and navigation functions into a single user input action. When a user provides biometric authorization (e.g., fingerprint), the system simultaneously grants access and navigates to the requested screen or function, eliminating the need for separate keystrokes or button presses for each operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically performs navigation and screen transitions following biometric authorization without requiring additional user inputs. The device serves itself by interpreting the authorized state and autonomously executing the intended navigation actions, reducing energy-consuming input processing cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If separate inputs are required for authorization and navigation, then precise control over device operations is maintained, but cognitive burden on user increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecognitive burdenVSAvoidinput sequence complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines authorization and navigation functions into a single user input action. When a user provides biometric authorization (e.g., fingerprint), the system simultaneously grants access and navigates to the requested screen or function, eliminating the need for separate keystrokes or button presses for each operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4189532B1User input interfaces
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 APPLE INC
  • EP4189532B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4189532B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4189532B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to managing user inputs. In some examples, devices receive user inputs via a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor. In some examples, devices receive user inputs via a button. In some examples, devices receive user inputs via touch sensors. In some examples, the biometric sensor and/or the touch sensor is integrated into the button.