Title of Invention

METHOD OF SELECTING A MENU ITEM IN A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL PERIPHERAL DEVICE (MFP) USING A FINGER PRINT

Abstract

This invention envisages a method and system for selection of different menu option in a Multifunction Printer with help of fingerprint and selected menu item is voiced by MFP. The said method for selection of menu option using finger print in MFP the said method comprising the steps of: transforming the fingerprint information of a contacting finger into an electric output signal by a fingerprint sensor ;registering the said fingerprint to MFP by the user; storing the fingerprints in a nonvolatile memory of the MFP; assigning each fingerprint to the menu item; selecting the menu item corresponding to that fingerprint whenever a finger is put on the fingerprint capturing panel; and pronouncing the particular menu item selected.

Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a menu selection in any user interface more specifically in Multifunctional Printer. More particularly the present invention relates to a method for selection of menu option using finger print in MFP. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART According to this invention, a fingerprint sensor for transforming the fingerprint information of a contacting finger into an electric output signal incorporates a sensing element or a contact device which is made of a piezoelectric material. The contact device has at least two surfaces. One of these surfaces is a contact surface for exercising a contact pressure thereon by means of the contact finger under investigation. Due to the contact pressure, the density of the electric charges on the surfaces will be changed according to the fingerprint pattern of the contact finger. The fingerprint sensor further comprises an electric device for determining the distribution of charges of at least one of the mentioned surfaces. It provides the electric output signal in accordance with the distribution of the electric charges. In this fingerprint sensor, the information of the fingerprint is directly transformed from a mechanical information (impression on the contact device) into an electric information (output signal of the electric device.) The contact device is preferably made of a flexible piezoelectric polymer. It can also be made of a piezoelectric ceramic. If a polymer is used, preferably the well-known piezoelectric polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or a related material can be applied. If a ceramic is used, a lead zirconate titanate ceramic can be applied, for instance containing barium titanate or triglycine sulfate. The piezoelectric material may be structured, that comprises of an array of a matrix of pixels, in order to avoid crosstalk between adjacent valleys of the fingerprint. The segmentation may be isotropic or not. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for selection of menu items using fingerprint for a MFP. This invention envisages a method for selection of different menu option in a Multifunction Printer with help of fingerprint and selected menu item is voiced by MFP. For this user is required to register to MFP with fingerprints. Each finger will be assigned a menu item; whenever a finger is put on the fingerprint capturing panel, a menu item corresponding to that finger will be selected and that selected menu item will be pronounced by MFP. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method for selection of menu option using finger print in MFP the said method comprising the steps of: (a) transforming the fingerprint information of a contacting finger into an electric output signal by a fingerprint sensor; (b) registering the said fingerprint to MFP by the user; (c) storing the fingerprints in a nonvolatile memory of the MFP; (d) assigning each fingerprint to the menu item; (e) selecting the menu item corresponding to that fingerprint whenever a finger is put on the fingerprint capturing panel; and (f) pronouncing the particular menu item selected. Accordingly, the present invention further relates to a system for selection of menu option using finger print wherein the said system comprising: (a) means for transforming the fingerprint information of a contacting finger into an electric output signal by a fingerprint sensor; (b) means for registering the said fingerprint to MFP by the user; (c) means for storing the fingerprints in a nonvolatile memory of the MFP; (d) means for assigning each fingerprint to the menu item; (e) means for selecting the menu item corresponding to that fingerprint whenever a finger is put on the fingerprint capturing panel; and (f) means for pronouncing the particular menu item selected. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows the block diagram of the Menu Structure. Figure 2 shows the block diagram of the User Database. Figure 3 shows the flow chart of the Registration Process. Figure 4 shows the flow chart of the Menu Selection Process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood however that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The following description and drawings are not to be construed as limiting the invention and numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. However in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail. Figure 1 describes the menu structure of the MFP. After authenticating itself, user can select these menu items. Level 1 of menu structure is Login; so first user is required to Login the MFP means authenticate itself. Next level there are different menu items. Next Level will comprise of submenu items of each upper layer menu items. For example there are ml submenu items (MI11 to Ml 1m1) of menu item MM. Figure 2 describes user database. User database consists of list of array of fingerprint. Corresponding to each user there will be an array of fingerprints. First member of an array will be the user's authenticating finger's finger print FP1 (Authenticating finger is the finger which will be used by user for authenticating itself). All fingerprints of the array will be used by user to select a menu item once user is authenticated. Figure 3 describes the registration process of a user. First MFP is put in registration mode. Now user is required to put one finger which will be used by him for authentication purpose. Fingerprint is captured and it is searched in the first member of all arrays in User database means FP1 of all existing users. If captured fingerprint matches with any existing one it means user is already in data base and MFP comes out of registration mode. If captured finger print does not match with any existing one, then a new array for this new user will be added to User database and captured finger print is stored as the first finger print (FP1) in newly created array. Now user can put other fingers one by one on finger print sensor. Each captured finger print will be searched in the existing finger prints of newly created array corresponding to this user; if it matches with any one then that finger print is discarded otherwise it will be added in the array. MFP will automatically come out of registration mode after storing required number of fingerprints. Required number of fingerprints will be equal to maximum number of sub menu items under any menu item. Format of fingerprint will depend on the finger print sensor and depending on that different fingerprint matching methods can be used. Figure 4 describes the menu selection process including the authentication process. Normally MFP remains in user mode. Whenever a user put a finger on finger print sensor; fingerprint is captured and it is searched with all FP1 in User database. If captured finger print matches with any existing FP1; this implies that user is an authenticated user otherwise MFP will return to its initial condition. If user is an authenticated user then now it can select different menu items. The array, which has the matched FP1, only will now be searched for menu selection process. After authentication user can select any menu item which is at Leved (L=1). When user put a finger on finger print sensor; fingerprint is captured and searched within current user's array. If it matches with any fingerprint other than FP1 & FP2 then a menu item corresponding to that will be selected. Now user can select any sub menu item under the selected menu item. These submenu item will be addressed as Level2 (L=2) items. If captured fingerprint matches with FP1 then it will go to upper level i.e. coming out of the selected menu item. If user is at LeveM of menu then it will go back to LeveM again. If captured finger print matches with FP2 then user will be logged out means for using MFP user will have to authenticate itself. So the FP2 will be used as the logout fingerprint and FP1 as login finger print. Whenever a menu item is selected, a voice pronouncing the selected menu item will be spoken out by MFP. For this recorded voice corresponding to each menu item will be stored in MFP. The proposed invention will be understood on reading the description of the invention in connection with the given drawings. MFP mention in this invention is required to have a finger print capturing sensor which will give some digitalized data corresponding to a finger print. A data base will be created for every user in MFP. This database will be containing finger prints of that particular user. Number of finger prints of the user's fingers stored in database depends on the maximum number of the menu items at any level. Structure of user database and menu is given in figure 1 and 2 respectively. Referring to drawing 3 and 4; first a user is required to get registered. One particular finger of user will be used for authentication, it depends on user which finger he or she want to use. Depending on the maximum number of menu items in any particular layer, user is required to give that many fingers' print to MFP. Registration process is described with help of flow chart in figure 2. So after registration user can use MFP by first identifying itself to MFP. Finger used for authentication is also used for going to higher level in menu structure. A particular finger will be used for logout from MFP. By putting a finger user can enter in menu item corresponding to that finger. Whenever a particular menu item is selected; that is pronounced by MFP so that user can know what menu item it has selected. Whole operation is described through a flow chart in figure 16. A user can get the print out of a configuration details having information what finger is required to be put on fingerprint capturing to select a particular menu. Structure of menu items is given in Figure I.This figure describes the menu structure of the MFP. After authenticating itself, user can select these menu items. Level 1 of menu structure is Login; so first user is required to Login the MFP means authenticate it self. Next level there is different menu items. Next Level will comprise of submenu items of each upper layer menu items. For example there are ml submenu items (MI11 to Ml 1m1) of menu item MM. Structure of user database is given in Figure 2. This figure describes user database. User database consists of list of array of fingerprint. Corresponding to each user there will be an array of fingerprints. First member of an array will be the user's authenticating finger's fingerprint FP1 (Authenticating finger is the finger which will be used by user for authenticating itself). All fingerprints of the array will be used by user to select a menu item once user is authenticated. Figure 3 shows the flow diagram of registration process. This figure describes the registration process of a user. First MFP is put in registration mode. Now user is required to put one finger which will be used by him for authentication purpose. Fingerprint is captured and it is searched in the first member of all arrays in User database means FP1 of all existing users. If captured fingerprint matches with any existing one it means user is already in database and MFP comes out of registration mode. If captured finger print does not match with any existing one, then a new array for this new user will be added to User database and captured finger print is stored as the first finger print (FP1) in newly created array. Now user can put other fingers one by one on finger print sensor. Each captured finger print will be searched in the existing finger prints of newly created array corresponding to this user; if it matches with any one then that finger print is discarded otherwise it will be added in the array. MFP will automatically come out of registration mode after storing required number of fingerprints. Required number of fingerprints will be equal to maximum number of sub menu items under any menu item. Figure 4 shows the flow diagram of menu selection process. This figure describes the menu selection process including the authentication process. Normally MFP remains in user mode. Whenever a user put a finger on finger print sensor; fingerprint is captured and it is searched with all FP1 in User database. If captured finger print matches with any existing FP1; this implies that user is an authenticated user otherwise MFP will return to its initial condition. If user is an authenticated user then now it can select different menu items. The array, which has the matched FP1, only will now be searched for menu selection process. After authentication user can select any menu item which is at LeveM (L=1). When user put a finger on finger print sensor; fingerprint is captured and searched within current user's array. If it matches with any fingerprint other than FP1 & FP2 then a menu item corresponding to that will be selected. Now user can select any sub menu item under the selected menu item. These submenu items will be addressed as Level2 (L=2) items. If captured fingerprint matches with FP1 then it will go to upper level i.e. coming out of the selected menu item. If user is at LeveM of menu then it will go back to LeveM again. If captured finger print matches with FP2 then user will be logged out means for using MFP user will have to authenticate itself. So the FP2 will be used as the logout fingerprint and FP1 as login fingerprint. The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS MFP Multi functional Peripheral FP Fingerprint WE CLAIM 1. A method for selection of menu option using finger print in MFP the said method comprising the steps of: (a) transforming the fingerprint information of a contacting finger into an electric output signal by a fingerprint sensor; (b) registering the said fingerprint to MFP by the user; (c) storing the fingerprints in a nonvolatile memory of the MFP; (d) assigning each fingerprint to the menu item; (e) selecting the menu item corresponding to that fingerprint whenever a finger is put on the fingerprint capturing panel; and (f) pronouncing the particular menu item selected. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fingerprint sensor is made of a piezoelectric material. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while registering, the user is required to put a finger for authentication first. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while registering, if captured finger print matches with any existing, MFP comes out of registration mode. 5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while registering, if captured finger print does not match with any existing one, then a new array for this new user will be added in the memory as authentication fingerprint. 6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while registering, user can register other fingers one by one after authentication fingerprint is captured and registered. 7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while registering, captured finger print will be searched in the existing finger prints of newly created array corresponding to the user for repetition. 8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while registering, if captured fingerprint matches with any other finger print then that finger print is discarded otherwise it will be added in the array. 9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while registering, MFP will automatically come out of registration mode after storing required number of fingerprints. 10. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein selecting, the menu item corresponding to that fingerprint whenever a finger is put on the fingerprint capturing panel is done only if the corresponding fingerprint is already registered in the MFP. 11. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a data base will be created for every user in a nonvolatile memory in MFP to store the finger prints of that particular user. 12. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while registering, number of finger prints of the user's fingers stored in database depends on the maximum number of the menu items at any level. 13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while selecting, user first identify itself to MFP using a fingerprint matched authentication. 14. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while selecting, the finger used for authentication is also used for going to higher level in menu structure. 15. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a particular fingerprint is used for logout from MFP. 16. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein Level 1 of menu structure is Login. 17. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein sub level of the MFP include different menu items and submenu items of each upper layer menu items. 18. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein fingerprints are stored in the database in an array. 19. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein corresponding to each user an array of fingerprints is stored. 20. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein first member of an array will be the user's authenticating fingerprint. 21. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while selecting, user is allowed to select different menu items only if the user is an authenticated user. 22. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein while selecting, if the user is successfully authenticated, the array, which is storing the matched authentication fingerprint only will be searched for menu selection. 23. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein pronouncing the particular menu item selection is done to intimate the user about the menu item selected. 24. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein recorded voice corresponding to each menu item is stored in MFP. 25. A system for selection of menu option using finger print wherein the said system comprising: (a) means for transforming the fingerprint information of a contacting finger into an electric output signal by a fingerprint sensor; (b) means for registering the said fingerprint to MFP by the user; (c) means for storing the fingerprints in a nonvolatile memory of the MFP; (d) means for assigning each fingerprint to the menu item; (e) means for selecting the menu item corresponding to that fingerprint whenever a finger is put on the fingerprint capturing panel; and (f) means for pronouncing the particular menu item selected. 26. A method for selection of menu option using fingerprint in MFP substantially as herein described particularly with reference to the drawings. 27. A system for selection of menu option using fingerprint substantially as herein described particularly with reference to the drawings.

Documents:

157-CHE-2005 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 16-08-2012.pdf

157-CHE-2005 AMENDED CLAIMS 16-08-2012.pdf

157-CHE-2005 FORM-1 16-08-2012.pdf

157-CHE-2005 FORM-5 16-08-2012.pdf

157-CHE-2005 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 16-08-2012.pdf

157-CHE-2005 FORM 13 19-06-2006.pdf

157-CHE-2005 POWER OF ATTORNEY 16-08-2012.pdf

157-che-2005 abstract.pdf

157-che-2005 claims.pdf

157-che-2005 correspondence others.pdf

157-che-2005 description (complete).pdf

157-che-2005 drawings.pdf

157-che-2005 form 1.pdf

157-che-2005 form 18 11-12-2007.pdf

157-che-2005 power of attorney.pdf