US 10783228

US patent 10783228, titled "Information processing device, application software start-up system, and application software start-up method," was filed on August 8, 2019, and issued on September 22, 2020. The current assignee is Maxell Ltd. The inventors are Masayuki Hirabayashi, Yasunobu Hashimoto, and Kazuhiko Yoshizawa.

Abstract:
The patent aims to provide a portable terminal and an application software start-up system that limit the application software started depending on the user's state, thereby improving ease of use. This is achieved through an application software start-up method for an information processing device that includes performing identity authentication based on static biological information, determining the user's state by comparing dynamic biological information acquired from the user's body with previously measured dynamic biological information, and limiting the application software that can be started based on a pre-set permission level for each application and the determined user state.

Plain-language overview of independent claims:

The provided patent text includes descriptive sections for the claimed invention, but does not explicitly delineate numbered independent claims in a format typical for direct claim analysis. However, based on the "Solutions to Problems" and summary statements within the "First Embodiment" and "Second Embodiment" sections, the core independent concepts can be inferred as follows:

• Claim 1 (Inferred - Application Software Start-up Method): This claim describes a method for starting application software on an information processing device. It involves first authenticating the user using "static biometric information" (e.g., fingerprint). Next, the system determines the user's "state" (e.g., normal, sleep, stress) by comparing "dynamic biometric information" (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature) continuously acquired from the user with pre-registered dynamic biometric information. Finally, it limits which application software can be started based on this determined user state and a "permission level" assigned to each application. Additionally, the information processing device can be forcibly locked based on the determined user state.

• Claim 2 (Inferred - Information Processing Device): This claim describes an information processing device itself. It includes a "static biometric information acquisition unit" (e.g., fingerprint sensor) for user authentication. It also has a "dynamic biometric information acquisition unit" (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, temperature sensors) to collect dynamic biometric data from the user's body. A "state determination unit" compares this dynamic data with pre-registered information to determine the user's state. A "lock control unit" unlocks the device upon successful static biometric authentication and can forcibly lock the device based on the user's determined state. An "application start unit" manages the launching of applications, limiting them according to the user's state and pre-defined permission levels for each application.

• Claim 3 (Inferred - Application Software Start-up System with Multiple Devices): This claim describes an application software start-up system comprising at least a first information processing device and a second information processing device. The first device (e.g., a smartphone) performs user authentication based on static biometric information and includes an application start unit and a communication unit. The second device (e.g., a wristwatch-type device) acquires dynamic biometric information from the user, determines the user's state, and transmits this state to the first information processing device. The first device then limits application software based on the received user state and the pre-set permission levels for the applications.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of the CAFC 2026 dockets did not return specific litigation cases directly naming US10783228. However, Google Patents indicates that a PTAB case IPR2025-01313 was filed (Not Instituted - Merits) related to this patent, and a US case was filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (case 5:25-cv-00052). It also notes "First worldwide family litigation filed." This indicates ongoing legal activity, though specific CAFC dockets for 2026 were not identified in the search results.