US Patent 8019131 Authentication apparatus and method, and electronic device using the same

An authentication apparatus is for authenticating a fingerprint to power up an electronic device. The authentication apparatus includes a fingerprint sensor, and a power manager. The fingerprint sensor includes a memory for storing predetermined fingerprints, a sampling module for sampling the fingerprint, and an authenticating module for comparing the fingerprint with the predetermined fingerprints to generate an electronic device power-up command. The power manager is for powering up the electronic device according to the electronic device power-up command. An electronic device using the authentication apparatus and an authentication method are also disclosed.