JP2007156929A - Electronic apparatus, hinge mechanism in it, and lock control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent illicit leakage/use of personal information for securing safety. <P>SOLUTION: When a user puts his/her finger to a finger sensor 21, a control part 18 carries out characteristic information generating process and compares similarity between characteristic information of a currently read fingerprint and previously registered characteristic information of the user himself/herself for identity authentication. The control part 18 supplies a predetermined value of electric current to a drive coil 38 when identity is authenticated, so that a lock plate 37 is pulled toward the drive coil 38 to be pulled out from a groove part 34a, and consequently, a mechanical lock is released. For example, an electronic lock is released for allowing receipt of key press information by pressing of an operation key in an operation part 26, and a key input waiting condition is set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, a hinge mechanism in an electronic device, and a lock control method. For example, a foldable mobile phone is locked so that it cannot be tampered with, and a user is authenticated using a fingerprint sensor. The present invention relates to an electronic device that releases a lock, a hinge mechanism in the electronic device, and a lock control method.

In recent years, a large amount of personal information such as the name and address of a user, a telephone number, and an e-mail address is stored in a memory of an electronic device, and illegal leakage and unauthorized use have become a major problem. Furthermore, it is portable to various places due to downsizing, which is a serious security problem.
Electronic devices that have been reduced in size include mobile phones, simple mobile phones (PHS) terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, cordless phones, transceivers, game machines, There are many devices such as calculators and electronic dictionaries.
In particular, mobile terminals such as mobile phones have become widespread due to the high convenience of being able to communicate on the move or on the go, but at the same time, security problems are also serious.

Conventionally, a method of verifying the identity by using a personal identification number has been used. However, this personal identification number itself has also been stolen, and there is also a problem that the principal has forgotten his personal identification number and cannot be operated. It was.
For this reason, recently, a method for performing identity verification using a biometrics technique, for example, using a fingerprint sensor or the like has become widespread (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). This method using a fingerprint sensor is relatively inexpensive to install, has a high specific recognition rate (high recognition accuracy), and can ensure safety.
That is, a fingerprint sensor is provided on a portable terminal, and the user locks his / her electronic device so that the portable terminal can be operated only after the user touches the fingerprint sensor to authenticate the user.

In addition to providing an electronic lock function, for example, a foldable portable terminal having an upper case and a lower case that are connected to each other via a hinge part can be closed in one case. The locking part formed on the body is engaged with the edge of the hole formed in the other housing, and the lock mechanism is held and the lock release mechanism for manually releasing the locked state is provided and folded. Although a technique for protecting an operation key or the like disposed on the inner surface side is proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3), release of the locked state can be easily performed by anyone, not only the user. It is insufficient for ensuring safety.
JP 2000-165378 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-082914 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-060758

The first problem to be solved is that, for example, in the above-described conventional technique of performing personal authentication using a fingerprint sensor and releasing the electronic lock, the setting operation is complicated, the usability is poor, and the operability is inferior. Is a point.
In other words, every time an electronic lock is performed, some setting operation is required. For this reason, the security function is not utilized because the setting operation of the security function is forgotten, the operation error is complicated, and the operation is complicated. Unauthorized leakage or unauthorized use of information could not be prevented, and safety could not be ensured.

In addition, the second problem is that, for example, in a foldable portable terminal, the electronic lock may be performed in a state where the display unit and the operation unit are exposed, and it is still possible to ensure safety. It is difficult.
That is, in a foldable portable terminal that can be freely opened and closed, even if the electronic lock is performed in the open state, the display screen and the operation unit on which the operation keys are arranged remain exposed. For example, mischief by a malicious person cannot be completely prevented, and unauthorized leakage or unauthorized use of personal information cannot be reliably prevented. It is a point that cannot be secured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its first object to provide an electronic device, a hinge mechanism in an electronic device, and a lock control method that can reliably operate a security function with a simple operation. Yes.
In addition, for example, in a folding portable terminal, an electronic device capable of securing high safety by performing electronic locking while protecting the display unit and the operation unit, and a hinge mechanism and a lock control method in the electronic device are provided. The second purpose is to provide it.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the first housing and the second housing are coupled to each other via a hinge mechanism so as to be opened and closed, and the first housing and When the second housing is folded, the folding electronic device is provided with a lock mechanism that mechanically locks the folded state. The first housing and the second housing are When the folded state is mechanically locked by the lock mechanism, the function lock means that locks the electronic device by closing a predetermined electronic function in conjunction with the mechanical lock; And a lock release means for releasing both the lock mechanism and the lock state by the function lock means.

  The invention according to claim 2 relates to the electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking means includes a reading means for reading a predetermined biological feature of a user, and the living body read by the reading means. Based on the characteristics, the apparatus has a personal authentication means for authenticating the user.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the reading means includes a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint as the biometric feature of the user. Yes.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic device according to the first, second, or third aspect, wherein the locking mechanism is a restraining means that restrains the rotational displacement of the second casing relative to the first casing. It is characterized by having.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the hinge mechanism includes a cylindrical first rotating portion connected to the first casing, and the second rotating mechanism. The cylindrical second rotation part connected to the housing, the first rotation part and the shaft inserted through the second rotation part, the restraining means, It is characterized by having a restraining member attached to the first housing and restraining the turning of the second turning portion.

  The invention according to claim 6 relates to the electronic device according to claim 5, wherein a recess is formed in a predetermined portion of the second rotating portion, and the tip end portion of the stop member is the recess. Is inserted into the first housing via a spring member that urges the restraining member in a direction to displace the restraining member toward the recess, and the distal end of the restraining member is It has an insertion / extraction means for pulling out the stop member from the recess against the restoring force of the spring member in the locked state inserted in the recess and releasing the locked state by the lock mechanism. .

  A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to the electronic device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the recess is a groove, the restraining member is a lock plate made of a flat magnetic material, and the insertion / extraction means includes the lock When the leading end of the plate is inserted into the groove, a current flows to apply an attractive force to the lock plate against the restoring force of the spring member, thereby pulling out the lock plate from the groove, and the locking mechanism. It has the drive coil which cancels | releases the locked state by, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, comprising key input means that constitutes the electronic device and includes various key switches, wherein the function lock means is In the closed state, the operation of at least some of the key switches is invalidated.

  A ninth aspect of the invention relates to the electronic device according to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, wherein the fingerprint sensor is disposed on an outer surface of the first casing or the second casing. It is characterized by being.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic device according to the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein the function lock means receives the on / off information of the key switch from the key input means and is invalidated. Based on the key mask information determined by the key switch, it is determined whether or not the operated key switch is a mask key to be invalidated, and the operated key switch is set as the mask key. And determining means for invalidating the operation of the key switch.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge mechanism for connecting the first casing and the second casing constituting the electronic device so as to be openable and closable, and connected to the first casing. A cylindrical first rotating part, a cylindrical second rotating part connected to the second casing, the first rotating part and the second rotating part are inserted. And when the first casing and the second casing are folded by a lock mechanism provided in the electronic device, the folded state is mechanically locked, The lock mechanism has a restraining means for restraining the rotational displacement of the second housing with respect to the first housing, and the restraining means is attached to the first housing, and the second housing It is characterized by having a restraining member that restrains the turning of the turning portion.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge mechanism in the electronic device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the lock state by the lock mechanism is released by the lock releasing means provided in the electronic device. .

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention relates to the hinge mechanism in the electronic device according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, wherein a concave portion is formed at a predetermined portion of the second rotating portion, and the stop member is The front end is inserted into the recess, and the rear end is attached to the first casing via a spring member that urges the restraining member in a direction to be displaced toward the recess. In the device, with the distal end portion of the restraining member inserted in the recess, the restraining member is pulled out of the recess against the restoring force of the spring member, and the locked state by the lock mechanism is released. An insertion / extraction means is provided.

  The invention according to claim 14 relates to the hinge mechanism in the electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the recess is a groove, the restraining member is a lock plate made of a flat plate-like magnetic body, and the insertion / extraction means is In the locked state in which the front end of the lock plate is inserted into the groove, an electric current flows to apply an attractive force to the lock plate against the restoring force of the spring member, and pulls out the lock plate from the groove. It has a drive coil for releasing the lock state by the lock mechanism.

  A fifteenth aspect of the invention relates to a hinge mechanism in the electronic device according to any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, wherein the electronic device includes the first casing and the second casing. When the folded state is mechanically locked by the lock mechanism, function lock means is provided for locking the electronic device by closing a predetermined electronic function in conjunction with the mechanical lock. The lock release means releases the lock state by the lock mechanism and the function lock means.

  The invention according to claim 16 relates to the hinge mechanism in the electronic device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the unlocking means includes reading means for reading a predetermined biological feature of the user. The personal authentication means for authenticating the user based on the biometric feature read by the reading means.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the hinge mechanism of the electronic device according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the reading means includes a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint as the biological feature of the user. It is characterized by.

  In the eighteenth aspect of the invention, the first casing and the second casing are connected to each other via a hinge mechanism so as to be opened and closed, and the first casing and the second casing are folded. A folding control method including a mechanical lock step for mechanically locking the folded state, the first casing and the second casing are folded, and When the folded state is mechanically locked in the mechanical lock step, a function lock step for locking and locking a predetermined electronic function of the electronic device in conjunction with the mechanical lock; and the mechanical And a lock releasing step for releasing both the lock state and the lock state made in the function lock step.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lock control method for an electronic device according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention. In the unlocking step, the user authentication is performed based on a predetermined biometric feature of the read user. And a personal authentication step for performing the process.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, there is provided the lock control method for an electronic device according to the twentieth aspect, wherein the reading step uses a fingerprint sensor for reading the fingerprint as the biometric feature of the user. It is said.

  The invention according to claim 21 relates to the lock control method for an electronic device according to claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein in the mechanical lock step, the rotation of the second casing relative to the first casing is performed. It is characterized by using a restraining means for restraining the displacement.

  The invention described in claim 22 relates to a lock control method for an electronic device according to claim 21, wherein the hinge mechanism includes a cylindrical first rotating portion connected to the first casing, A cylindrical second rotating part connected to the second housing; a shaft inserted through the first rotating part and the second rotating part; The restraining means includes a restraining member that is attached to the first housing and restrains the rotation of the second rotating portion.

  A twenty-third aspect of the invention relates to the lock control method for an electronic device according to the twenty-second aspect, wherein a concave portion is formed in a predetermined portion of the second rotating portion, and the restraining member has a tip thereof. Is inserted into the recess, and its rear end is attached to the first housing via a spring member that urges the restraining member in a direction to be displaced toward the recess. In the locking step, the distal end portion of the restraining member is inserted into the recessed portion to be in a locked state, and in the unlocking step, the restraining member is removed from the recessed portion against the restoring force of the spring member by using insertion / extraction means. It is characterized by being pulled out and releasing the locked state made in the mechanical lock step.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lock control method for an electronic device according to the twenty-third aspect, wherein the recess is a groove, the restraining member is a lock plate made of a flat magnetic material, and the insertion / extraction means In the locked state in which the front end portion of the lock plate is inserted into the groove portion, an electric current flows to apply an attractive force to the lock plate against the restoring force of the spring member, thereby pulling out the lock plate from the groove portion. And a drive coil for releasing the locked state formed in the mechanical lock step.

  The invention according to claim 25 relates to the lock control method for an electronic device according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the electronic device is provided with key input means having various key switches, In the mechanism lock step, the operation of at least a part of the key switches is invalidated in the closed state.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lock control method for an electronic device according to any one of the twentieth to the twenty-fifth aspects, wherein the fingerprint sensor is provided in the first casing or the second casing. It is characterized by being arranged on the outer surface.

  According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock control method for an electronic device according to the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth aspect, wherein in the mechanism lock step, on / off information of the key switch is received from the key input means, Based on the key mask information in which the key switch to be invalidated is determined, it is determined whether or not the operated key switch is a mask key to be invalidated, and the operated key switch is the mask. In the case of being a key, the method includes a determination step of invalidating the operation of the key switch.

According to the configuration of the present invention, when the first casing and the second casing are folded, the first casing and the second casing are automatically locked by the lock mechanism and the function lock means, for example, by the unlock means using the fingerprint sensor. Since it is released, the security function can be surely operated with a simple operation.
In addition, since the first casing and the second casing are locked in a folded state, for example, in a foldable portable terminal, the lock by the function locking means is performed with the display unit and the operation unit protected. To ensure high safety.

When the first casing and the second casing are folded, the first casing and the second casing are automatically locked by the locking mechanism and the function locking means, and are released by, for example, the unlocking means using a fingerprint sensor. The first purpose of ensuring that the security function is activated by operation has been realized.
In addition, since the first casing and the second casing are locked in a folded state, for example, in a foldable portable terminal, the lock by the function locking means is performed with the display unit and the operation unit protected. To achieve the second objective of ensuring high safety.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the mobile phone. 4 is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of the hinge lock portion of the mobile phone, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory views for explaining the operation of the hinge lock portion.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mobile phone 1 of this example is configured such that an upper unit 2 and a lower unit 3 are coupled to each other by a hinge portion 4 so that the upper unit 2 and the lower unit 3 can be folded.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the upper unit 2 is made of a synthetic resin molded product such as ABS resin, and the upper unit 6 that forms a foldable flat housing 5 is opened and closed. A hinge lock unit 7 for stopping the movement, a magnet 9 constituting an opening / closing detection unit 8 for detecting opening / closing of the housing 5, a receiving unit 11 for outputting a received voice, for example, a surrounding landscape or a person, etc. For example, a light emitting unit 13 that has an LED and emits light when receiving a call or a call, a sound output unit 14 that outputs a ring tone when receiving a call, and an inner side when folded ( A liquid crystal display device is provided on the inner surface side, and for example, a function setting screen and a display unit 15 on which a standby screen is displayed are mounted and schematically configured.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lower unit 3 includes a control unit 18 that controls each part of the mobile phone body, a processing program executed by the control unit 18, and the like. The storage unit 19 for storing various data, the optical fingerprint sensor 21 having, for example, an image sensor for receiving a finger and capturing a fingerprint, and the drive coil 38 for insertion / extraction of the hinge lock unit 7 are provided with predetermined An actuator driving unit 22 for supplying current to drive the hinge lock unit 7, a magnetic sensor 23 including a hall element constituting the open / close detection unit 8, a built-in antenna 24, and a radio wave via the built-in antenna 24 Wireless communication unit 25 used for performing communication and data communication according to a predetermined protocol, and various types for inputting numbers and characters, etc. An operation unit 26 composed of a work key, etc., the transmission section 27 consisting of a microphone for inputting a transmission voice, is a power supply unit 28 is mounted with a battery pack is schematically configured.

The hinge portion 4 is made of a synthetic resin molded product such as ABS resin, for example, and is connected to the cylindrical upper rotating portion 31 connected to the lower end portion of the upper housing 6 and the upper end portion of the lower housing 17. A cylindrical lower rotating part 32 and an upper rotating part 31 and a shaft 33 inserted through the lower rotating part 32 are provided.
The hinge lock portion 7 is a spring fixing plate attached to the upper housing 6 with its tip portion inserted into a groove portion 34 a formed in the operating shaft portion 34 joined to the lower rotating portion 32 constituting the hinge portion 4. 35, a current flows in a locked state in which a flat plate-like lock plate 37 made of a magnetic material such as nickel attached via a spring member 36 and a distal end portion of the lock plate 37 are inserted into the groove 34a, for example. As a result, an attractive force is applied to the lock plate 37 against the restoring force of the spring member 36, and the lock plate 37 is pulled out from the groove 34a to release the locked state, and the lock plate 37 is moved along the insertion / extraction direction. And a guide roller 39 for guiding, and the displacement of one casing relative to the other casing (rotation around the rotation axis) is restrained.
The spring member 36 is formed of a coiled compression spring that urges the lock plate 37 in a direction to separate the lock plate 37 from the spring fixing plate 35. In this example, the drive coil 38 is fixed to the inner surface of the spring fixing plate 35.

When the lock is released, a predetermined current is supplied to the drive coil 38 via the actuator drive unit 22 to apply an attractive force to the lock plate 37 against the restoring force of the spring member 36, thereby pulling the lock plate 37 out of the groove 34a. Lock is released.
At the time of locking, for example, when the housing 5 is closed and the front end surface of the lock plate 37 is opposed to the groove 34a, the supply of current to the drive coil 38 is stopped, and the lock plate 37 is spring-loaded. The member 36 is displaced toward the groove 34a, and the leading end of the lock plate 37 is inserted into the groove 34a to mechanically lock it.

After unlocking, when the housing 5 is opened and the supply of current to the drive coil 38 is stopped in a state where the position of the groove 34a and the position of the tip of the lock plate 37 are shifted, the lock plate 37 is displaced toward the groove 34 a by the spring member 36, and the distal end portion of the lock plate 37 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the operating shaft portion 34 where the groove 34 a is not formed, and the casing 5 is rotated (one side). (The displacement of the other housing relative to the other housing) and the distal end surface of the lock plate 37 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the operating shaft portion 34 and becomes rotatable, but when the housing 5 returns to the closed state, The leading end of the lock plate 37 is inserted into the groove 34a, and the mechanism is automatically locked.
In this example, when the open / close detection unit 8 detects an open state, supply of current to the drive coil 38 is stopped.

In this example, the spring fixing plate 35, the compression spring 36, the lock plate 37, the drive coil 38 for insertion / extraction, and the guide roller 39 that constitute the hinge lock portion 7 are arranged on the upper housing 6 side.
The open / close detection unit 8 is arranged in the lower housing 17 with the sensor 9 facing the operation surface side of the operation unit 26 and the magnet 9 disposed at the tip of the upper housing 6 (the reception unit 11 side). An open state or a closed state of the housing 5 is detected as a mutual positional relationship between the upper unit 2 and the lower unit 3.

  The electronic camera unit 12 is provided on an outer surface when the upper housing is folded, and a camera lens made up of, for example, a standard lens disposed in the vicinity of the photographing window portion through which light coming from the subject enters. A / D conversion of an image pickup device such as a CCD image pickup device that photoelectrically converts an image formed through a camera lens and outputs an image signal as an electric signal, and an image signal sent from the image pickup device And an image processing unit for performing image processing such as gamma conversion and color space conversion on the digitized signal.

The display unit 15 is disposed on the inner surface when the upper casing is folded, and has, for example, a transmissive liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel, a backlight device that provides illumination light to the liquid crystal panel, and a drive circuit that drives the liquid crystal panel.
The liquid crystal panel is a transmissive liquid crystal display panel having a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) structure, for example, and a TFT substrate on which a large number of TFTs and transparent pixel electrodes are formed, and a gap of several [μm] from the TFT substrate. A counter substrate fixed oppositely and having a colored layer (color filter) formed thereon, a liquid crystal layer sealed in the gap, a TFT substrate, and a pair of deflecting plates disposed outside the counter substrate ing.

The control unit 18 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, executes various processing programs stored in the storage unit 19, and configures each component using various registers and flags secured in the storage unit 19. Control, and execute communication control processing, fingerprint registration processing, lock control processing, operation control processing, and the like.
Here, the fingerprint registration process includes a registration guidance display control process, a feature information generation process, a feature information registration process, and a registration completion display control process. The lock control process includes a fingerprint authentication process, a mechanical lock control process, and an electronic lock control process. Here, the fingerprint authentication process includes a feature information generation process and a fingerprint collation process. The operation control process includes a key scan process and an operation key specifying process.

In the registration guidance display control process of the fingerprint registration process, the control unit 18 prompts the user himself / herself to register the fingerprint on the display unit 15 and starts displaying an operation guidance message as necessary.
In addition, the control unit 18 performs a feature information generation process based on the fingerprint detection information (grayscale image) captured by the fingerprint sensor 21, for example, a binarization / thinning process to form a fingerprint pattern. Extract lines, find the positions of fingerprint feature points (maneuvers) including the end points and branch points of ridges, and count the number of intersecting ridges that cross the line segments between these feature points. And feature information including relation information obtained in this manner.
In the feature information registration process, the control unit 18 stores the feature information generated in the feature information generation process in the storage unit 19.
In the registration completion display control process, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 15 to display a message indicating the completion of fingerprint registration after the feature information registration process.

Further, in the feature information generation process of the fingerprint authentication process, the control unit 18 takes in the fingerprint of the operator including the user himself / herself by the fingerprint sensor 21 and performs the same process as the feature information generation process of the fingerprint registration process. Do.
Further, in the fingerprint collation process, the control unit 18 uses the fingerprint authentication process feature information generation process to include the fingerprint feature information of the operator including the user himself / herself, and the fingerprint registration process to preliminarily register the feature information of the user himself / herself. The similarities between the two are compared, and it is determined whether or not they are the same finger, and the personal authentication is performed.

  In the mechanical lock control process, the control unit 18 is in a mechanical lock in which the lock plate 37 is inserted into the groove 34a of the operating shaft part 34 of the hinge part 4, and is applied to the fingerprint sensor 21 in the fingerprint authentication process. When it is determined that the fingerprint of the captured finger is that of the user, the actuator drive unit 22 is controlled to supply a predetermined current to the drive coil 38 to resist the restoring force of the spring member 36. Then, the lock plate 37 is pulled toward the drive coil 38 and pulled out from the groove 34a of the operating shaft portion 34 of the hinge portion 4 to freely rotate the housing 5 and release the mechanical lock. Until the open state is detected, the current supply to the drive coil 38 is continued.

  On the other hand, in this mechanical lock control process, the control unit 18 controls the actuator drive unit 22 except for the period until the open state is detected after the user is identified in the fingerprint authentication process, and the current to the drive coil 38 is controlled. Stop supplying. In this state, when the lock plate 37 is displaced toward the groove portion 34a by the spring member 36, the tip end portion of the lock plate 37 is inserted into the groove portion 34a, and mechanical locking is performed.

Further, the control unit 18 takes in the fingerprint sensor 21 during the mechanical lock in which the lock plate 37 is inserted into the groove 34a of the operating shaft part 34 of the hinge part 4 in the electronic lock process and in the fingerprint authentication process. When the fingerprint of the finger that has been authenticated is the user's own, for example, the electronic lock is released so that the key press information by pressing the operation key of the operation unit 26 can be received, and the key input waiting state is entered. .
On the other hand, in this electronic lock process, the control unit 18 masks all the operation keys of the operation unit 26, for example, except for the period until the open state is detected after the user is identified in the fingerprint authentication process. The electronic lock state is assumed as invalid handling.
In this example, even if the battery pack capacity is exhausted in the power supply unit 28, the mechanical lock state and the electronic lock state are not changed unless the personal authentication is performed using the fingerprint sensor 21 after the charging and the lock is released. Maintained.

The storage unit 19 includes a semiconductor memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and various processes such as a communication control processing program executed by the control unit 18, a fingerprint registration processing program, a lock control processing program, an operation control processing program, a browser, and a mailer. A program storage area for storing programs and the like, and an information storage area for storing various information such as setting information of each function, user's own fingerprint information, communication history information, telephone directory information, character message information, etc. In the storage unit 19, various registers and flags used by the control unit 18 when executing the program are secured.
The wireless communication unit 25 includes an RF circuit, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a baseband processing circuit, and the like. The wireless communication unit 25 modulates voice and data and transmits the radio wave via the built-in antenna 24 as well as the radio wave via the built-in antenna 24. It is received and demodulated into voice and data, and used to make a call or data communication according to a predetermined protocol.

The operation unit 26 is a browser mode selection key for starting a browser and browsing a home page, a determination key used for determining an operation, a menu key for displaying an operation menu, and an input for switching a character input mode. Mode switch key, phone book key for registering and searching the phone book, call start key used for making a voice call, clear key to return the operation to the previous state, and various types of power on / off A group of function keys including a power key used for canceling the operation, a cursor key for moving the cursor on the display screen displayed on the display unit 15 in the up / down / left / right directions, and for inputting numbers or the like, for example. A numeric keypad group.
The power supply unit 28 in this example is made of a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, and a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped battery pack is detachable in a battery storage unit provided on the back side of the lower housing 17. A battery cover that is attached and protects the battery pack and prevents the battery pack from falling off is attached to the lower housing 17 and schematically configured.

Next, the operation of the mobile phone 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the fingerprint registration process will be described. The control unit 18 accepts a fingerprint registration operation performed by the user at the time of purchase, for example, and performs fingerprint registration processing. Among the fingerprint registration processes, the registration guidance display control process prompts the user himself / herself to register the fingerprint on the display unit 15 and displays an operation guidance message if necessary, before starting to use the cellular phone 1 after purchase.
Next, the control unit 18 forms a fingerprint pattern by, for example, binarization / thinning processing based on fingerprint detection information (grayscale image) captured by the fingerprint sensor 21 in the feature information generation processing. Extract the ridges, find the positions of fingerprint feature points (maneuvers) including the end points and branch points of the ridges, and count the information of these feature points and the number of intersecting ridges that cross the line segment between feature points And feature information including relation information obtained in this manner.
Next, the control unit 18 causes the storage unit 19 to store the feature information generated by the feature information generation process in the feature information registration process. Next, in the registration completion display control process, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 15 to display a message indicating the completion of fingerprint registration after the feature information registration process.

Next, the lock control process will be described.
In a non-locking state in which neither mechanical locking nor electronic locking is performed and unlocking operation (operation in which fingerprint reading is performed by placing the finger on the fingerprint sensor 21 with the housing 5 closed) is not performed. 18 cancels the mask setting of all the operation keys of the operation unit 26 and controls the actuator drive unit 22 to stop the supply of current to the drive coil 38.
As a result, when the housing 5 is in the open state, the lock plate 37 is moved to the operating shaft portion 34 by the spring member 36 in a state where the position of the groove 34 a is shifted from the position of the distal end portion of the lock plate 37. The distal end portion of the lock plate 37 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the operating shaft portion 34 where the groove portion 34a is not formed, and the housing 5 rotates (rotation of one housing relative to the other housing). (Displacement), the front end surface of the lock plate 37 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the operating shaft portion 34, and is rotatable.

When the user closes the housing 5 of the cellular phone 1 from the opened state, the lock plate 37 is displaced toward the groove 34a by the spring member 36 as shown in FIG. 6, and the lock plate 37 is moved to the groove 34a. The tip of is inserted and mechanically locked.
When the open / close detection unit 8 detects the closed state, the control unit 18 sets, for example, all the operation keys of the operation unit 26 as a mask by electronic lock processing, that is, sets the electronic lock state as invalid. .
Thus, the mechanical lock and the electronic lock are simultaneously performed by the operation of closing the housing 5. Even when the casing 5 is forcibly opened during the mechanical lock, the electronic lock is used to prevent unauthorized use.

When the user places a finger on the fingerprint sensor 21 in order to release the mechanical lock and the electronic lock in order to open and operate the housing 5, the control unit 18 performs a feature information generation process to perform the fingerprint sensor 21. Thus, the fingerprint of the operator including the user himself is captured, and the same process as the feature information generation process executed in the fingerprint registration process is performed.
That is, based on the fingerprint detection information captured by the fingerprint sensor 21, the control unit 18 extracts ridges constituting the fingerprint pattern by binarization / thinning processing, for example, Find the feature information including the information of these feature points and the relation information obtained by counting the number of intersecting ridges across the line segment between the feature points. Generate.

Next, in the fingerprint collation process, the control unit 18 performs the characteristic information generation process of the fingerprint authentication process, the characteristic information of the fingerprint of the operator including the user himself / herself, and the characteristics of the user himself / herself previously registered in the fingerprint registration process. The degree of similarity with the information is compared to determine whether or not the fingers are the same, and identity authentication is performed.
Next, when the control unit 18 authenticates the fingerprint of the finger taken into the fingerprint sensor 21 by the fingerprint authentication process in the mechanical lock control process, it is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As described above, the actuator driving unit 22 is controlled so that a predetermined current is supplied to the driving coil 38, and the lock plate 37 is pulled toward the driving coil 38 against the restoring force of the spring member 36. Is pulled out from the groove portion 34a of the operating shaft portion 34 to release the mechanical lock by freely rotating the housing 5, and the current to the drive coil 38 is detected until the open state is detected by the open / close detection portion 8. Continue supplying.

At the same time, the control unit 18 presses the operation key of the operation unit 26, for example, when the fingerprint of the finger captured by the fingerprint sensor 21 is authenticated by the fingerprint authentication process in the electronic lock process. The electronic lock is released so that the key press information can be received, and a key input waiting state is set.
In this fingerprint authentication process, when the fingerprint of the finger taken into the fingerprint sensor 21 is not authenticated by the user, the control unit 18 keeps the supply of current to the drive coil 38 stopped. In addition, all the operation keys of the operation unit 26 are set as a mask, and the mechanical lock and the electronic lock are continued.

The control unit 18 controls the actuator driving unit 22 to supply current to the driving coil 38 except for the period from the determination of the user in the fingerprint authentication processing to the detection of the open state in the mechanical lock control processing. Stop. In this state, when the lock plate 37 is displaced toward the groove portion 34a by the spring member 36, the tip end portion of the lock plate 37 is inserted into the groove portion 34a, and mechanical locking is performed.
Further, the control unit 18 masks all the operation keys of the operation unit 26 except for the period from the determination of the user in the electronic lock process to the detection of the open state after the fingerprint authentication process, that is, The electronic lock state is assumed as invalid handling.

According to the configuration of this example, when the casing is closed, it is automatically and mechanically locked at the same time, and is released by the fingerprint sensor provided on the outside of the casing. The security function can be used, personal information can be prevented from being leaked or used illegally, and safety can be ensured.
In other words, it can be easily locked electronically and mechanically at the same time by simply closing the case, preventing human errors such as forgetting to set the security function and operating errors, and improving operability ( By improving usability, it is possible to prevent non-use due to complicated operations.
In addition, the fingerprint sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the housing, and when it is closed, a finger is applied to the fingerprint sensor, and unless the user is authenticated, neither the electronic lock nor the mechanical lock is released. Can not be touched, and the screen of the display unit cannot be browsed, so that illegal leakage and unauthorized use of information can be surely prevented.
In addition, since fingerprints are used as a method for personal authentication, high-accuracy authentication can be performed at a relatively low cost.
Further, even when the housing 5 is forcibly opened during the mechanical lock, the electronic lock is used to prevent unauthorized use.

In addition, since the housing is electronically and mechanically locked when the casing is closed, for example, electronic locking is not performed in a state where the display unit and the operation unit are exposed. Can be secured.
In addition, since the hinge lock part stops and locks the rotation of the hinge part, it is not necessary to form locking and locking projections on the outer surface and inner surface of the housing, which impairs aesthetics. In addition, the degree of freedom in design can be improved.
For example, compared to the conventional method of locking each housing with a locking part and a locked part and mechanically locking it in the closed state, it requires less changes in the outer shape, thus reducing development costs. can do.
Moreover, since the protrusion part is not formed in the outer surface of a housing | casing, it can contribute to size reduction of an apparatus.

This example differs greatly from the first embodiment described above in that, after the unlocking operation, the current to the drive coil is automatically applied when the casing is not opened and remains open for a predetermined time. It is the point which comprised so that supply of this may be stopped.
Since the configuration other than this is substantially the same as the configuration of the first embodiment described above, the description thereof will be simplified.

  The control unit of the cellular phone in this example automatically stops supplying current to the drive coil 38 when the housing 5 is not opened and remains open for a predetermined time after the unlocking operation. Let

According to the configuration of this example, substantially the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.
In addition, unnecessary consumption of power can be prevented.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and there are design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.
For example, in the embodiment described above, for example, the case where the fingerprint registration process and the lock control process are performed by the control unit executing the corresponding control program has been described. A part or all may be performed using dedicated hardware, and a part may be processed by executing a corresponding program. For example, an independent fingerprint authentication unit equipped with a fingerprint sensor and a microprocessor may be arranged, or fingerprint authentication processing and lock control processing may be executed by an independent unit.

In addition to the optical sensor, as a fingerprint sensor, even if a capacitive sensor (semiconductor sensor) that detects the capacitance between the finger and the unevenness of the finger is used, the unevenness of the finger is detected by pressing the finger. A pressure sensor may be used.
Further, as long as the fingerprint sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the closed housing, the fingerprint sensor is not limited to the lower portion of the peripheral side surface of the lower housing. For example, as shown in FIG. The fingerprint sensor 21A may be arranged on the side of the peripheral side surface of the body 17A, or the fingerprint sensor 21A may be arranged on the outer surface of the upper housing 6B of the mobile phone 1B as shown in FIG.

Further, the fingerprint sensor may be used for other purposes such as inputting fingerprint information instead of a password or login ID at the time of login, in addition to being used for releasing the electronic lock.
Further, the number of fingerprint sensors is not limited to one, and a plurality of fingerprint sensors may be provided. For example, a fingerprint sensor is arranged so as to make a pair at the tip of the upper housing and the lower housing, and the fingerprint of both fingers is read while being sandwiched between the thumb and forefinger, and authentication is performed. You may do it.

Further, the biometric information is not limited to the fingerprint, but may be a voice print, palm print, instep vein, or the like.
Also, the user may input facial information by using an electronic camera and make a determination based on this information, or may perform authentication by combining this with fingerprint verification. In this case, control may be performed so that the contact of the finger with the fingerprint sensor is regarded as a shutter operation. As a result, the accuracy of the personal authentication can be further improved, and for example, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally unlocking the finger by touching the fingerprint sensor without being particularly aware of the user. be able to.

Also, the folding type mobile phone that can only be opened and closed has been described, but with the biaxial hinge mechanism, the upper housing and the lower housing can be opened and closed with respect to each other, and the rotary shaft can be opened and closed. The present invention can also be applied to a mobile phone in which one casing is coupled to each other so as to be rotatable with respect to the other casing around the orthogonal rotation axis. The orthogonal rotation shaft portions may be perpendicular to the main surface of the upper housing or may be parallel to the main surface of the upper housing.
In this case, the mechanical lock may be performed in the closed state and in a positional relationship where the operation unit is hidden, or the mechanical lock may be performed in the positional relationship where the display unit faces the operation unit. good.

  Further, instead of the lock plate and the groove or notch, the rotation may be locked by, for example, a pin-like member, a rod-like member, and an insertion hole. Further, the upper rotating part (lower rotating part) is engaged and rotated by a motor arranged in the lower casing (upper casing), the casing is opened and closed electrically, and the casing is closed and the motor is stopped. It may be stopped and mechanically locked.

In addition, a lock plate, a drive coil, or the like of the hinge lock portion may be disposed in the lower housing, and the operation shaft portion in which the groove portion is formed may be joined to the rotating portion connected to the upper housing. The actuator driving unit may be disposed in the upper housing (lower housing) in which a lock plate or the like is disposed, or may be disposed in the other lower housing (upper housing).
Further, the lock plate may be provided with a rectangular insertion hole at the lower end portion of the upper housing, and displaced through the insertion hole so as to be inserted into and removed from the groove portion. You may make it arrange | position outside the housing | casing.

In this case, for example, a recess is formed at the lower end of the upper housing and used as a storage for storing a lock plate or a spring member, and one end of the spring member is fixed to the back of the storage. A drive coil may be arranged on the inner side of the upper housing corresponding to the portion, a pair of guide rolls may be attached to the wall surface of the central portion of the storage portion, and the spring fixing plate may be discarded.
Further, the front end of the lock plate may be subjected to a smooth surface processing treatment in order to reduce the frictional force with the outer peripheral surface of the operating shaft portion. Further, for example, a Teflon (registered trademark) layer or the like may be formed.

Further, for example, a plurality of groove portions may be formed in the operating shaft portion so that the operation shaft portion can be locked at a predetermined angle in the open state.
Further, the lock plate is not limited to nickel, and ferrite or the like may be used, or a permanent magnet may be used. The permanent magnet may be, for example, a ferrite magnet, a samarium / cobalt magnet, a neodymium / iron / boron magnet, or the like.
Further, as the permanent magnet, a bonded magnet formed from plastic and permanent magnet powder may be used, and the permanent magnet is made of, for example, ferrite magnet powder and rubber (for example, urethane rubber or silicon rubber), and generates a magnetic field. In addition, a bonded magnet having elasticity may be used.
Further, for example, a resin plate-like member integrated by vapor deposition of nickel or the like may be used.

Further, as a spring member, a lock plate may be attached using a tension spring, and when a current is passed through the drive coil, a repulsive force may be applied and the lock plate inserted into the groove portion to be locked.
In addition, a current of a predetermined value may be supplied to the drive coil 38 even after the open state is detected after the user is identified in the fingerprint authentication process. Also, electronic locking may be performed even when the housing is in an open state.
Further, a plurality of guide rollers or a plurality of pairs may be provided. In the open / close detection unit, a reed switch or a mechanical switch may be used instead of the magnetic sensor.

Further, as an electronic lock target, in addition to the input means including the operation unit, for example, the display screen may be made invisible or the audio output may be made impossible.
Also, the case where all the operation keys are treated as invalid when the electronic lock is turned on has been described, but some operation keys may be masked or changed depending on the situation. Alternatively, when a plurality of users including the user himself / herself are used, it may be changed by an operator.

  In this case, for example, the control unit detects a pressed operation key, and invalidates the operation when the pressed operation key is an operation key that has been previously masked (treated as invalid). It is also good. A key scan circuit provided for performing a scanning process and specifying a pressed operation key when the pressing of any one of the operation keys of the operation unit is detected, and a scanning process result Based on the above, a pressed operation key may be specified, and a determination circuit for determining whether or not the pressed operation key is a previously set operation key may be provided separately.

  Portable electronic devices include foldable mobile phones, simple mobile phone (PHS) terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, cordless phones, transceivers, game machines, calculators, electronic dictionaries Etc. In addition to the portable type, the present invention can be applied to general electronic devices such as an electronic device having a hinge mechanism.

1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile phone. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the mobile phone. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the hinge lock | rock part of the same mobile phone. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the hinge lock part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the hinge lock part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the mobile telephone which is a modification of 1st Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the mobile telephone which is another modification of 1st Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1,1A, 1B Mobile phone (electronic equipment)
2 Upper unit 3 Lower unit 4 Hinge (hinge mechanism)
5 Housing 6 Upper housing (first housing)
7 Hinge lock (lock mechanism)
17 Lower housing (second housing)
18 Control unit (function lock means, lock release means, identity authentication means)
21 Fingerprint sensor (reading means)
26 Operation part (key input means)
31 Upper rotation part (first rotation part)
32 Lower rotating part (second rotating part)
33 Shaft 34a Groove (concave)
37 Lock plate (stopping means, stopping member)
38 Drive coil (insertion / extraction means)

Claims (27)

When the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other via a hinge mechanism so as to be freely opened and closed, the folded state is obtained when the first housing and the second housing are folded. A foldable electronic device having a lock mechanism for mechanically locking
When the first casing and the second casing are folded and the folded state is mechanically locked by the lock mechanism, a predetermined state of the electronic device is interlocked with the mechanical lock. An electronic apparatus comprising: a function lock unit that closes and locks an electronic function; and a lock release unit that releases a lock state by the lock mechanism and the function lock unit.   The unlocking means includes reading means for reading a predetermined biometric feature of the user, and identity authentication means for authenticating the user based on the biometric feature read by the reading means. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is provided.   The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the reading unit includes a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint as the biometric feature of the user.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the lock mechanism includes a restraining unit that restrains the rotational displacement of the second housing with respect to the first housing.   The hinge mechanism includes a cylindrical first rotating part connected to the first casing, a cylindrical second rotating part connected to the second casing, and the first And the shaft inserted through the second rotating portion, and the restraining means is attached to the first housing and is rotated by the second rotating portion. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a restraining member that restrains movement.   A concave portion is formed in a predetermined part of the second rotating portion, and the restraining member has a distal end portion inserted into the concave portion, and a rear end portion of the restraining member being displaced toward the concave portion. The spring member is attached to the first housing via a spring member that biases the spring member against the restoring force of the spring member in a locked state in which the distal end portion of the restraining member is inserted into the recess. 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising insertion / extraction means for pulling out the restraining member from the recess and releasing the locked state by the locking mechanism.   The concave portion is a groove portion, the restraining member is a lock plate made of a flat plate-like magnetic body, and the insertion / extraction means is configured such that a current flows in a locked state in which a tip portion of the lock plate is inserted into the groove portion. The driving coil for releasing the lock state by the lock mechanism by applying an attractive force to the lock plate against the restoring force of the spring member and pulling out the lock plate from the groove. 6. The electronic device according to 6.   2. The key input means which comprises the said electronic device and has various key switches, The said function lock means invalidates operation of at least one part of said key switch in the said closed state. The electronic device according to any one of 1 to 7.   The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the fingerprint sensor is arranged on an outer surface of the first casing or the second casing.   The function lock means receives on / off information of the key switch from the key input means, and the operated key switch is invalidated based on key mask information in which a key switch to be invalidated is determined. And determining means for invalidating operation of the key switch when the operated key switch is the mask key. The electronic device according to claim 8 or 9. A hinge mechanism for opening and closing a first casing and a second casing constituting an electronic device,
A cylindrical first rotating part connected to the first casing; a cylindrical second rotating part connected to the second casing; the first rotating part; A shaft inserted through the second rotating part,
When the first casing and the second casing are folded by the locking mechanism provided in the electronic device, the folded state is mechanically locked, and the locking mechanism is And a restraining means for restraining the rotational displacement of the second housing relative to the housing, the restraining means being attached to the first housing and restraining the rotation of the second rotating portion. A hinge mechanism in an electronic device, comprising a restraining member.   The hinge mechanism in the electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the lock state by the lock mechanism is released by a lock release unit provided in the electronic device.   A concave portion is formed in a predetermined part of the second rotating portion, and the restraining member has a distal end portion inserted into the concave portion, and a rear end portion of the restraining member being displaced toward the concave portion. The electronic device is attached to the first housing via a spring member that urges the spring member in a locked state in which a distal end portion of the stop member is inserted into the recess. 13. The hinge in an electronic device according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising an insertion / extraction means for pulling out the stop member from the recess against a restoring force and releasing a locked state by the lock mechanism. mechanism.   The concave portion is a groove portion, the restraining member is a lock plate made of a flat plate-like magnetic body, and the insertion / extraction means is configured such that a current flows in a locked state in which a distal end portion of the lock plate is inserted into the groove portion. The driving coil for releasing the lock state by the lock mechanism by applying an attractive force to the lock plate against the restoring force of the spring member and pulling out the lock plate from the groove. 14. A hinge mechanism in the electronic device according to 13.   In the electronic device, when the first housing and the second housing are folded and the folded state is mechanically locked by the lock mechanism, in conjunction with the mechanical lock, The function lock means for blocking and locking a predetermined electronic function of the electronic device is provided, and the lock state by the lock mechanism and the function lock means is released by the lock release means. The hinge mechanism in the electronic device of any one of 11 thru | or 14.   The unlocking means includes reading means for reading a predetermined biometric feature of the user, and identity authentication means for authenticating the user based on the biometric feature read by the reading means. The hinge mechanism for an electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the hinge mechanism is provided.   17. The hinge mechanism for an electronic apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the reading unit includes a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint as the biometric feature of the user. When the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other via a hinge mechanism so that the first housing and the second housing can be opened and closed, the folded state is mechanically changed when the first housing and the second housing are folded. A lock control method in a foldable electronic device including a mechanical lock step for locking to
When the first housing and the second housing are folded and the folded state is mechanically locked in the mechanical lock step, the electronic device is coupled with the mechanical lock. A lock in an electronic device comprising: a function lock step for closing and locking a predetermined electronic function; and a lock release step for releasing both the mechanical lock step and the lock state performed in the function lock step. Control method.   19. The lock in the electronic device according to claim 18, wherein the unlocking step includes a personal authentication step for performing personal authentication of the user based on a predetermined biometric feature of the read user. Control method.   20. The lock control method for an electronic device according to claim 19, wherein in the reading step, a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint as the biometric feature of the user is used.   21. The lock control method for an electronic device according to claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein the mechanical lock step uses a restraining means for restraining the rotational displacement of the second housing relative to the first housing. .   The hinge mechanism includes a cylindrical first rotating part connected to the first casing, a cylindrical second rotating part connected to the second casing, and the first And the shaft inserted through the second rotating portion, and the restraining means is attached to the first housing and is rotated by the second rotating portion. The lock control method for an electronic device according to claim 21, further comprising a restraining member for restraining movement. A concave portion is formed in a predetermined part of the second rotating portion, and the restraining member has a distal end portion inserted into the concave portion, and a rear end portion of the restraining member being displaced toward the concave portion. Is attached to the first housing via a spring member biasing the
In the mechanical locking step, the distal end portion of the restraining member is inserted into the recess to be in a locked state, and in the unlocking step, an insertion / extraction means is used to resist the restoring force of the spring member from the recess. 23. The lock control method for an electronic device according to claim 22, wherein the locking member is pulled out to release the locked state formed in the mechanical lock step.   The concave portion is a groove portion, the restraining member is a lock plate made of a flat plate-like magnetic body, and the insertion / extraction means is configured such that a current flows in a locked state in which a tip portion of the lock plate is inserted into the groove portion. It has a drive coil that applies an attractive force to the lock plate against the restoring force of the spring member, pulls out the lock plate from the groove, and releases the locked state made in the mechanical lock step. 24. The lock control method for an electronic device according to claim 23.   The electronic device includes key input means having various key switches, and the mechanism lock step invalidates at least some of the key switches in the closed state. 25. A lock control method for an electronic device according to any one of 18 to 24.   26. The lock control method for an electronic device according to claim 20, wherein the fingerprint sensor is disposed on an outer surface of the first casing or the second casing. In the mechanism lock step, on / off information of the key switch is received from the key input means, and the operated key switch is invalidated based on key mask information in which a key switch to be invalidated is determined. And determining whether to invalidate the operation of the key switch when the operated key switch is the mask key. 27. A lock control method for an electronic device according to claim 25 or 26.

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