Fingerprint Scanner Control Button Mode Switching to Prevent Input Errors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable devices with multi-function control buttons that integrate fingerprint recognition and control input detection functions often experience unintended errors due to simultaneous activation of these functions, leading to incorrect execution of control inputs during fingerprint recognition.

Innovation Solution

A portable device with a controller that selectively activates the fingerprint recognition function and deactivates the control input detection function when the fingerprint recognition is in use, and vice versa, allowing for separate execution of these functions using a single control button.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a control button integrates both fingerprint recognition function and control input detection function, then the device achieves multi-functionality and reduced button quantity, but unintended errors occur when both functions are simultaneously activated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-functionality of control buttonVSAvoidexecution accuracy of control input

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches the state of the control button between fingerprint recognition mode and control input detection mode. When fingerprint recognition is activated, the control input detection function is automatically deactivated, and vice versa. This dynamic state management prevents simultaneous activation of both functions, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control button alternates between different functional states in a periodic manner based on user interaction. The system detects the user's intent and switches between fingerprint recognition and control input detection functions in sequence, ensuring that only one function is active at any given time, thereby preventing execution errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If the control input detection function remains active during fingerprint recognition, then the control button can respond to user inputs, but incorrect execution of control inputs occurs due to function conflict

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness of control buttonVSAvoidcorrectness of function execution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control button's functional state is dynamically adjusted based on the active mode. During fingerprint recognition, the control input detection function is deactivated to prevent incorrect execution, while during fingerprint recognition termination, the control input detection function is reactivated to restore responsiveness. This dynamic switching ensures both ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If separate buttons are installed for fingerprint recognition and control input detection, then function execution accuracy is maintained, but device portability and button quantity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction execution accuracyVSAvoidnumber of control buttons

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single control button is designed to perform multiple functions: fingerprint recognition and control input detection. Through intelligent software control and dynamic state switching, the button can activate different functions based on user interaction context, maintaining execution accuracy while reducing the total number of physical buttons and simplifying device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the fingerprint recognition function and control input detection function into a single control button. By combining these functions and implementing intelligent switching mechanisms, the system achieves space efficiency and simplified device design while preventing function conflicts through selective activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9477873B2Portable device including a fingerprint scanner and method of controlling therefor

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A portable device including a display unit, a control button and a controller. The display unit displays an execution screen of an application of the portable device. The control button receives a control input including at least one of a fingerprint input corresponding to a security authentication for the application and a push input corresponding to a cancel function. The controller displays a security authentication screen of the application, for which the fingerprint input is needed, receives a first control input including a first fingerprint input and a first push input when the security authentication screen of the application is displayed, and recognizes the first fingerprint input of the first control input by activating a fingerprint recognition function when the first fingerprint input is detected for more than a first threshold time and the first push input of the first control input is not detected.