Finger-Specific Touchscreen Input via Biometric Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input devices, such as touchscreens and trackpads, lack the ability to differentiate between individual fingers for specific command inputs, leading to inefficiencies and accessibility issues, particularly for users who cannot easily interact with traditional screen-based interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A finger-specific input device that utilizes fingerprint analysis, visual analysis, and/or finger attachments (like electronic gloves or RFIDs) to identify and differentiate each finger, allowing for the assignment of specific commands to particular fingers or finger combinations, enabling more intuitive and efficient interaction with computing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional touchscreen or trackpad input methods are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to differentiate between individual fingers for specific commands is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinger-specific command input capabilityVSAvoidinput device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the input recognition process into distinct components: fingerprint detection, visual analysis, and finger attachment identification. Each component handles a specific aspect of finger identification, allowing the system to differentiate between individual fingers while maintaining modular architecture that manages complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The input device is designed to support multiple identification methods (fingerprint sensors, visual analysis cameras, RFID readers) that can work independently or in combination. This multi-functional approach enables finger-specific recognition without requiring a single complex identification system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If finger-specific identification methods (fingerprint analysis, visual analysis, finger attachments) are implemented, then finger differentiation capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinger identification accuracyVSAvoididentification system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects and combines identification methods based on availability and context. The controller can use fingerprint data, visual analysis, or finger attachment information independently or in combination, adapting the identification approach to the specific situation rather than requiring all methods simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple identification sources (fingerprint sensors, cameras, RFID readers) and synthesizes this information to determine finger identity. This mediator approach allows the system to integrate complex identification data without requiring direct complex interaction between all identification components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If screen-based input methods are used, then the interface is simple, but accessibility for visually impaired users is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for visually impaired usersVSAvoidinput system requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service feedback by automatically identifying the user's finger and executing the corresponding command without requiring visual confirmation or selection. The controller receives finger identification data, determines the appropriate command based on pre-configured finger assignments, and executes the command autonomously, making the interface accessible to visually impaired users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9075462B2Finger-specific input on touchscreen devices

Publication Date: 2015.07.07 SAP SE

AI summary

This specification describes apparatus, computer-implemented methods, and systems for interacting with computing systems using finger-specific input. In one general embodiment, a finger-specific input device can identify and differentiate each finger of a user. For example, the finger-specific input device may be able to detect features of each individual finger, such as fingerprints or detectable finger attachments, and to determine a set of fingers using the input device by camera or other visual cue, among others. A user can use multiple fingers to interact with a computing system and generate commands based on the use of a particular finger, a particular combination of fingers, and particular gestures of specific finger or combination of finger movements. In some implementations, specific commands are assigned to corresponding fingers and/or finger-specific multi-touch gestures in a program environment. In some implementations, users can define specific commands for specific fingers and/or finger-specific multi-touch gestures.