User interface, touch-controlled device and method for authenticating a user of a touch-controlled device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00011. Field of Invention

0002A user interface, a touch-controlled device and a method for authenticating a user of a touch-controlled device.

00032. Description of the Related Art

0004Touch screens are becoming more popular for use both as displays and as user input devices, especially on portable devices such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, GPS's, video games, personal laptops etc. One problem associated with using a touch screen would be an unintentional activation that is caused by an unintentional touch.

0005Therefore, such devices often include a self locked system to lock the screen after a certain period of idleness. Devices with touch screens may be unlocked by unlocking procedures typified by pressing a predefined set of buttons or by entering a code.

0006Upon unlocking, a user authenticating system may also be incorporated to protect the personal information saved in the portable device. Users thus need to enter the code or the password before using the device.

0007In general, a password may contain four to ten numerals. However, these unlock procedures have drawbacks.

0008For example, users have to lift their finger and touch the panel multiple times, which may cause instability while users hold the device, especially when the user uses only one hand to both hold the devices and enter the password.

0009There is another problem in connection with entering the passwords. Conventionally, a predefined password panel shows on a predefined location of the screen to present a keyboard. A user has to move the finger to the predefined location to input the password. Even more, the user must initiate the authentication at one area and input the password in another area.

0010Therefore, it is desirable to develop an improved interface for a device with a touch screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0011The present invention provides a user interface, a touch-controlled device, and a method for authenticating a user of a touch-controlled device having a touch screen. Upon touching by the user, a core figure with a center and a surrounding area will show on the touch screen, so that the user can input the code by moving a finger or stylus on the touch screen. To initiate the method, a user can touch any point on the touch screen, but preferably a predetermined distance from a nearest edge of the screen. A core figure will show on the touch screen to start the authentication process. The core figure may include a surrounding area and a center, which could be the same location touched by the user. Then, the user moves the finger or stylus within the surrounding area, while continuously in contact with the touch screen, to input an input code for authentication.

0012The input code can be a predetermined motion or a predetermined symbol to which the user moves his finger.

0013In the situation that a password code is required, several symbols arranged at a circumference of the core figure also show on the touch screen, so that the user can move the finger toward the symbols to input the input code without lifting the finger or stylus.

0014If the user prefers a more complicated code, several successive configurations, which could be a series of concentric circles, can be displayed.

0015The method for authenticating a user of a touch-controlled device having a touch screen can also include that the touch screen receives a preliminary input via the touch screen. Upon receiving the preliminary input, the touch screen presents a core figure that has a center and a surrounding area. Then, the touch screen records an input code comprises a first indicating input. The screen may then call up a password check subroutine saved in the device to compare the input code with a saved data. If the input code matches the saved data, the device unlocks the screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0016Further aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates the core ring of the authenticating procedure;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates one embodiment of the input code inputted in the authenticating process with the interface shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates one embodiment of the second codes inputted in the authenticating process with a core ring and a successive ring;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates the embodiment with further successive rings;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates an embodiment with an inward movement;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates an embodiment of the unlock process;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a flow chart of password check subroutine;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8-9</figref> illustrate the above discussed procedure in flow chart form when the core ring is active;

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates the above discussed procedure in a flow chart form when the successive ring is active; and

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates a touch-controlled device which is capable of processing the authenticating procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

0027The touch screen can be any electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within a display area. The touch screen can be of the resistive type, capacitive type, optical imaging type or infrared type etc.

0028In the following embodiments, the touch screen is considered to be a capacitive style touch screen. However the technology is not restricted to this type of touch screen and any appropriate type of touch screen may be used. Some other types of touch screens are described further herein.

0029Indeed, the device and method of the present invention may be implemented on existing hardware solely by appropriate modification or replacement of the software of the device. In practice, the invention will typically be embodied in consumer electronics devices in which the software necessary to perform the present method and to create the present device will be pre-loaded in the CPU of the device.

0030After a certain period of idleness, the touch screen would be locked by the application preloaded in the computer to avoid the unintentional actuation. When the device stays at the locked mode, the touch screen can still sense the touch by a user to actuate an authenticating process.

0031The screen provides an interface on the touch screen which allows the user to input codes without moving the user's finger or a stylus out of contact with the touch screen. In general, the interface is preferably displayed as several concentric figures and multiple symbols arranged on each circles. The interface is not restricted to any portion of the touch screen. A touch of any part of the touch screen will start the procedure.

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates the first step of the authenticating procedure.

0033When the user's finger or a stylus (i.e., a touching member) touches anywhere on the locked screen, a core figure shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> appears on the screen to initiate the authenticating procedure. Although a ring is shown, any appropriate figure can be used such as a circle, an oval, a parallelogram or a polygon such as a hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, etc.

0034As can be seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the core ring <b>101</b> may include, but is not limited to, a center <b>102</b>, a surrounding area <b>103</b> and several symbols <b>104</b>. In this embodiment, the center of the core ring marks the location touched by the user's finger or stylus; that is, the location of the core ring <b>101</b> on the touch screen varies depending upon where the user touches the screen. The center <b>102</b> is generated at the point where the user first touches the touch screen.

0035However, the relationship of the center <b>102</b> and the touch point could be defined differently. The symbols <b>104</b> could alternatively be alphanumeric or purely numeric symbols such as Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, Roman letters, Greek letters, Cyrillic, Arabic, Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.

0036Region <b>103</b> is preferably displayed in a color different from center <b>102</b> and the display outside of region <b>103</b>, so that the user may more readily discern where the detecting area is and more confidently move his finger within this area.

0037At the periphery of the area <b>103</b> are several alphanumeric symbols, which may be numbers, e.g. 1, 2, 3 . . . , and 9, for the user to select.

0038After the core <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 101</figref> (in this case a ring) is presented on the touch screen, the user can move, without lifting, his/her finger outwardly to input the first indicating input <b>201</b> of the input code “out”, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. A preloaded password check subroutine in the touch-controlled device then checks whether this indicating input is correct. If the input code matches the saved data, the subroutine may decide to present the next step. Otherwise, the subroutine will stop the authorization.

0039The user can then generate a next input by moving his finger along the periphery of area <b>103</b> in either direction, i.e. clockwise or counterclockwise, toward the first number to be selected. Then, the user rests his finger on a symbol arranged on the circumference of the first successive ring. Alternatively, the user can skip the peripheral motion input and simply move his finger from the center <b>102</b> to the first symbol <b>104</b> in a straight line.

0040Preferably only one set of symbols is shown in the screen at any given time, so as not to complicate the interface or confuse the user.

0041If the input code to this point has been correct, there can be at least two options for the next step. If the user's finger or stylus first touches the periphery of area <b>103</b> between symbols <b>104</b>, the device then will record the next movement as either clockwise or counterclockwise. If the user's finger moves straight toward a selected symbol <b>104</b>, the screen will then record the selected number.

0042In the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the user's finger first touches the periphery of area <b>103</b> at a location <b>201</b> between numbers “1” and “2”, and then moves, along the periphery, clockwise toward the number “3”. By doing so, the user inputs one moving direction “clockwise” and then inputs a selected symbol “3” to complete the input code “clockwise+3”.

0043After the user selects the number “3”, the touch-controlled device will call the preloaded password check subroutine again to compare the input code with the saved data. If the result matches with the saved data, the authenticating process then goes to the next step. If the result does not match, the authenticating process will stop and the screen will return to the locked mode.

0044Selection by a user of the first number or symbol, as well as selection of successive numbers or symbols, can be recognized by the touch-controlled device in any one or more of several ways. For example, if the user's finger comes to rest on a number or symbol <b>104</b> and does not move for a predetermined interval, which could be a small fraction of a second or longer, then this can be interpreted as a selection of the number or symbol <b>104</b>. Alternatively, selection of a number or symbol <b>104</b> can be decided based upon a change in the direction of movement of the user's finger. In the latter case, there is preferably a threshold degree of directional change needed to trigger selection recognition, to avoid a false recognition when the direction of movement of the user's finger changes to only a small degree.

0045<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates a first successive <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 301</figref> (in this case a ring) which presents a second set of numbers or symbols for the authenticating process.

0046In the display shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the center <b>102</b> and area <b>103</b> of the previous core ring <b>101</b> remain, but the peripheral ring bearing numbers <b>104</b> is no longer displayed. Instead, an outer ring <b>301</b> bearing the second set of numbers <b>302</b> is now displayed.

0047Ring <b>301</b> is preferably not displayed simultaneously with the previous ring bearing numbers <b>104</b>. Ring <b>301</b> appears to be concentric and radially outward of the ring bearing numbers <b>104</b>; however, in comparing <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref> it can be seen that the same effect can be achieved by reducing the radial extent of area <b>103</b> and displaying new ring <b>301</b> is essentially the same location as the previous ring bearing numbers <b>104</b> had been displayed.

0048Once the display of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is presented, the inputs duplicate those for the first set of numbers <b>104</b>. That is, a first input may be a detection of the radially outward movement of the user's finger. Alternatively, confirmation of this input may be used as a trigger for displaying ring <b>301</b> on the screen.

0049The user moves his finger, preferably without lifting, toward the second ring of symbols <b>302</b> to input the second input code.

0050In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the user's finger or stylus moves straight to the number “2” and stops. With this movement, the user inputs the selected symbol “2”. Once the user's finger stops on a selected number for a certain period, the preloaded password check subroutine then again compares the input code with the saved data and decides whether to process a next step of authenticating or to stop the procedure.

0051<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates the display of a third figure (ring) <b>401</b> and a third series of symbols <b>402</b>, following successful selection of a symbol from ring <b>301</b>. It will be noted that in the display of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> the ring <b>301</b> remains displayed but the symbols <b>302</b> of that ring are no longer displayed. The user then proceeds as described above to input the third input code “out+counterclockwise+9”.

0052<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates not only a further step of the present embodiment but also an alternative embodiment of the previous step of the authenticating process. In this figure, after a symbol <b>402</b> has been correctly selected by the user, symbols <b>402</b> are extinguished but ring <b>401</b> remains displayed. Then an inner ring, here designated <b>301</b>, is displayed.

0053Radially inward movement of the user's finger is detected as a next input to the authentication routine, although, as before, this input may be included or omitted depending upon how robust the authentication routine is desired to be.

0054If this inward motion is utilized as an input, then it can likewise be used to trigger display of ring <b>301</b> and symbols <b>302</b>, which in that case are not earlier displayed. The user then can start to input the fourth symbol by moving his finger along ring <b>301</b> counterclockwise to number “6” to input “counterclockwise+6”.

0055If the password check subroutine detects that this is the end of the authenticating process, the screen will then be unlocked to a view that was presented on the screen before entering the locked mode.

0056Alternatively, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates another embodiment of the last step. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the core ring, numbers and other rings disappear. Instead of returning to the previous view, a preview <b>601</b> of four windows shows on the screen along with four application indicators <b>602</b>-<b>605</b>.

0057The user thus can move the finger or stylus in parallel with one of the application indicators to select a certain window. The screen then will show such window to complete the unlock procedure.

0058During the authenticating process, if the input code does not match with the saved data, the authenticating process will stop and return to the locked mode.

0059In a preferred embodiment of the method and device according to the invention, the authentication routine is configured such that if the user's finger breaks contact with the touch screen at any time before completing the authentication, the routine returns the touch-controlled device to the locked mode.

0060It is also possible that the indicating input is combined with the moving direction and selected symbol. In this embodiment, the subroutine will determine the whole input code at the same time and the ring will present before entering the next stage. That is, multiple rings can also be displayed simultaneously. The preloaded password check subroutine can thus only compare the final input code, such as “out+clockwise+3+out+2+out+counterclockwise+9”, at the end of one stage.

0061<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a flow chart of what the password check subroutine performs each time it is called by the touch-controlled device. After it has been called, the password check subroutine will first check if the input code is correct. If the input code is correct, the password-check subroutine will check if it is the last input code of the password. If it is the end of the password, such as the third input code, the touch-controlled device will process the unlock procedure. If the input code is not the end of the password, the password-check subroutine will wait to receive the next input code. During the checking procedure, if the input code is not correct, the touch-controlled device will be lucked again and stop the authorization. Before returning to the locked mode, the subroutine can also provide a notification to user to inform the incorrect code is inputted. Then, the user has to lift the finger to retouch the touch screen to start the authentication process.

0062<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8-10</figref> illustrate the above discussed procedure in flow chart form.

0063<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref> show the flow of displaying the core ring and inputting the input code.

0064When the user touches anywhere on the locked screen, as step <b>803</b>, the screen displays the core <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 101</figref>. At step <b>804</b>, the touch-controlled device records the input which is moving the finger to the ring <b>201</b>. Then, at step <b>805</b>, the touch-controlled device calls the password check subroutine to check if the password saved in the device is “out”. After, or while, the password check subroutine checks the input code, the touch-controlled device records the next input code as either step <b>806</b> or step <b>807</b>. Afterward, as the step <b>901</b>, the touch-controlled device calls the password check subroutine to check the input code. If this is not the end of the password, the touch-controlled device keeps going through the check point A. Before the step <b>808</b>, the touch-controlled device records the movement that user selects a number. Then the touch-controlled device proceeds step <b>809</b> to check this part of input code.

0065In one situation, after step <b>803</b>, the touch-controlled device may only record the number that user's finger touches to proceed to step <b>808</b> and step <b>809</b>.

0066If the first input is correct and the input code is not the end of the password, the touch-controlled device goes through check point C.

0067After check point C, the following procedure is presented in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>.

0068At step <b>1001</b>, the touch-controlled device records the movement of moving out from the existing figure (ring) <b>201</b>. After step <b>1002</b>, if the password is correct, the touch-controlled device proceeds to step <b>1003</b> so that the next existing ring stays but the alphanumerics of the previous ring <b>104</b> disappear. Also, in step <b>1003</b>, the touch-controlled device displays the next ring <b>301</b> and the numbers of the next ring <b>302</b>. Then, as step <b>104</b>, if the touch-controlled device detects that user's finger or stylus touches the ring, the procedure goes back to point D of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> to the touch ring state. If the touch-controlled device detects that user's finger or stylus touches the number, the procedure goes back to point A of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> to the touch number state.

0069After node C, along pathway <b>1005</b>, if the touch-controlled device detects the movement is sliding in and, in step <b>1006</b>, the password check subroutine confirms the input code, the touch-controlled device proceeds to step <b>1007</b>. In step <b>1007</b>, the existing numbers disappear but the ring stays. Also, the number of one layer inwardly reappears.

0070During the procedure of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8-10</figref>, if the password check subroutine decides it is the end of the password, the touch-controlled device will process the unlock procedure. If the input code is not correct, the touch-controlled device will be locked again and stop the authorization.

0071Also, the above discussed authenticating procedure can also be simplified to an embodiment that does not require any code. In this embodiment, the core ring may not show any symbols. Instead, the user needs only to move the finger in a certain distance with a predetermined direction of motion, such as outwardly, clockwise or counterclockwise; or successfully execute a plurality of such movements in succession, once again, preferably without breaking contact with the touch surface of the touch screen.

0072In the above embodiments, the surrounding area is everywhere between the previous ring and the ring presenting the symbols. However, the surrounding area for detecting the inward or outward movement can be anywhere that the password check subroutine can distinguish on the basis of prescribed user movements.

0073Also, any method that allows the user to easily input the input code, such as enlarging the certain area with a preview window to better distinguish the different aspects of the displays, can be incorporated into the present invention.

0074The symbols in the present invention could be from for example any alphabet, category or any combination of these.

0075The above discussed steps can also be used as a process to set up the input code saved in the computer.

0076In the capacitive or resistive types of touch screens, the user may actuate the touch screen by the finger or other passive object, such as a stylus. For example, in the resistive touch screen, the passive object pressed down on a point on the outer surface of the screen, so that the metallic layers within the screen become connected at the point. The touch-controlled device thus can register a touch event to start the authorization.

0077In the capacitive touch screen, while the human body, or any passive object which also an electrical conduction, touching the surface of the screen, the touch-controlled device measures a change in capacitance caused by the distortion of the screen's electrostatic field. The touch event thus is created and sent to the processor of the touch-controlled device to start the authorization.

0078In the other types of touch screen, users may not even need to touch the screen. Take the optical imaging touch screen for example. The user's finger may be detected by the sensor or camera and thus the user only needs to place his finger in the detecting area to start the authentication. Another example of non-contact screens would be those employing very short range capacitive proximity sensing or active IR detection. In such alternatives, the user's finger or other input device, although not in physical contact with the screen nevertheless preferably remains continuously within the sensing range of the touch-controlled device during the entire authentication process, with a non-detection of the user's finger causing the routine to revert to a locked screen state.

0079Further, a touch sensitive pad may also be used as a touch screen here. For example, a touch sensitive pad embedded on the surface of a laptop which is used to control the volume of the speakers can also be locked and authenticated via the similar process. When the user touches the sensitive pad, the LEDs embedded behind the first ring are turned on so the core ring is highlighted. Then, the user moves the finger clockwise for a certain distance to unlock the sensitive pad. After the authentication process, the user can start to tune the volume through the sensitive pad. At least in this embodiment, the core ring is a figure that is printed on the screen. When the user actuates the sensitive pad, the touch-controlled device only need to turn on certain LEDs to display the core ring.

0080<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates a touch-controlled device which is capable of processing the authenticating procedure. The touch-controlled device <b>1101</b> includes a touch screen <b>1102</b>, a processor <b>1103</b>, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium <b>1104</b>. The touch-controlled device <b>1101</b> is capable of displaying a core <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 101</figref> which includes a center and a surrounding area on the touch screen <b>1102</b>.

0081Upon the touch screen <b>1102</b> being touched, a signal is sent to the processor <b>1103</b>. Upon receiving the signal, the processor calls the storage medium <b>1104</b> and processes the response from the storage medium to display the core figure on the touch screen. If the touch screen <b>1102</b> receives a first input, another signal is then sent to the processor <b>1103</b> to check with a saved data <b>1106</b> saved in the storage medium <b>1104</b> via a password check subroutine <b>1105</b>. The processor <b>1103</b> then is capable of displaying the corresponding response on the touch screen <b>1102</b>. The above description of preferred embodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.