JP2007237770A - Operation control device and operation control method by biometric authentication - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation control device by biometric authentication capable of performing flexible operation control using the biometric authentication. <P>SOLUTION: This operation control device is provided with a registration means for registering biological feature information, an acquisition means for acquiring biological feature information from an authentication object person, an authentication means for collating the registered biological feature information registered in the registration means with the acquired biological feature information acquired by the acquisition means to authenticate the authentication object person based on the collation result, and a control means for receiving the operation control based on a decision of an authentication success by the authentication means and receiving the operation control with limitations based on a decision of an authentication failure by the authentication means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation control apparatus and an operation control method using biometric authentication, for example, a technique for preventing theft of a vehicle or the like by operation control.

  As is well known, various anti-theft systems have been developed in recent years while theft damage of automobiles has increased.

For example, a theft prevention technique using biometric authentication is known (see Patent Document 1). Biometric authentication is a technique for authenticating a person to be authenticated by reading the face image of the person to be authenticated with a camera, generating biometric feature information from the face image data, comparing it with biometric feature information registered in advance. If the authentication is successful, the engine is allowed to start. Conversely, if the authentication fails, the engine is not allowed to start. That is, only the registered person can start the engine. Thereby, theft of the vehicle or the like can be prevented.
JP 2003-95067 A

  With the above-described conventional antitheft measures, only the registrant of biometric feature information can start the engine. Therefore, when a vehicle owner temporarily deposits a car at a dealer, gas station, hotel, etc., a third party who has not registered biometric information in advance tries to start the engine of the car. Then, biometric authentication fails and the engine cannot be started.

  Also, in order to allow a third party to start the engine, every time a car is deposited, the third party biometric feature information is registered, and then the third party biometric feature information registration is deleted. The work is cumbersome and impractical.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to provide an operation control apparatus and an operation control method based on biometric authentication capable of flexible operation control using biometric authentication.

  The operation control apparatus and operation control method based on biometric authentication according to the present invention are configured as follows.

  (1) An operation control apparatus using biometric authentication according to the present invention includes a registration unit that registers biometric feature information, an acquisition unit that acquires biometric feature information from a person to be authenticated, and registered biometric feature information registered in the registration unit. The acquired biometric feature information acquired by the acquiring unit is collated, an authentication unit that authenticates the person to be authenticated based on the collation result, operation control is received based on the authentication success determination by the authenticating unit, and the authentication unit Control means for accepting operation control with restrictions based on the determination of authentication failure.

  (2) In the operation control method using biometric authentication according to the present invention, biometric feature information is acquired from a person to be authenticated, and the registered biometric feature information registered in the registration destination is compared with the acquired acquired biometric feature information. Based on the result, the person to be authenticated is authenticated, operation control is accepted based on the determination of authentication success, and operation control is received with restrictions based on the determination of authentication failure.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the operation control apparatus and the operation control method by biometric authentication which can perform flexible operation control using biometric authentication can be provided.

  Hereinafter, first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle to which an operation control device according to first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention is applied. This operation control device includes a video camera 1, an authentication control device 2, a vehicle control device 3, a password input device 4, and a maintenance key cylinder device 5. In the first embodiment, the password input device 4 and the maintenance key cylinder device 5 are not essential components and may be optional. In the second embodiment, the maintenance key cylinder device 5 is not an essential component and may be an option. In the third embodiment, the password input device 4 is not an essential component and may be an option.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the authentication control apparatus 2. The authentication control device 2 includes a CPU 21, a video capture 22, a display unit 23, a first data communication unit 24, an input unit 25, a second data communication unit 26, a control unit 27, and a storage unit 28. The input unit 25 is a touch panel installed on the display unit 23, for example.

  Here, a limited function of the vehicle for permitting a third party to drive in a state where the function of the vehicle is limited will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the limited function setting process. As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle owner inputs a limited function setting via the input unit 25. In response to this, a limited function setting screen is displayed on the display unit 3 (ST101). The vehicle owner inputs details of limited items via the input unit 5 for each item on the limited function setting screen (ST102). The details of the input limitation items are recorded in the setting data table in the storage unit 8 (ST103).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting data table. For example, the following four types of limited functions are set in combination.

(1) Limitation of vehicle engine gear switching (setting gear is variable, for example, only low gear and back gear can be used)
(2) Limit the speed of the vehicle engine (the set speed is variable, for example, maximum 1500 rpm)
(3) Limit the speed of the vehicle (set speed is variable, for example up to 10 km / h)
(4) Limit vehicle travel time (set time is variable, for example up to 5 minutes)
The setting of each limited function may be set in advance at the time of vehicle sales, or may be set by the vehicle owner at an arbitrary timing. Only the vehicle owner (registrant) can change the setting of this limited function. That is, the setting of the limited function can be changed only when the setting changer is recognized as the vehicle owner by biometric authentication. These four limited functions may be set (applied) in combination, or some limited functions may be set (applied) in combination. For example, it is possible to set such that only the operation time is limited and other functions are not limited. Then, a limited function effective for theft prevention may be further added.

  By applying the limited function described above to third party operation, for example, a third party can limit engine speed (eg up to 1500 rpm) with limited gear (eg only low gear and back gear). Thus, the vehicle can be controlled (operated) only at a limited vehicle traveling time (for example, up to 5 minutes) at a limited vehicle speed (for example, up to 10 km / h). Only with this limited vehicle control, the degree of vehicle maintenance at a dealer or a gas station can be performed without any trouble. On the other hand, the third party controls the vehicle at a speed exceeding the limited engine speed, at a speed exceeding the limited vehicle speed, and at a driving time exceeding the limited vehicle driving time, except for the limited gear. (Driving) becomes impossible, escape at the time of theft can be made extremely difficult, and an antitheft effect can be obtained.

  Next, a process (first embodiment) in which the driving function is switched to a normal state (no function setting) or a limited function setting state (with function limitation) by biometric authentication when the driver gets into the vehicle is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  The video camera 1 captures a face image of the driver who has reached the seat (ST201). The driver's face image information photographed by the video camera 1 is digitized by the video capture 22. For example, the CPU 21 generates biometric feature information based on the digitized face image information. In the storage unit 28, biometric feature information generated in advance from registrant face image information capable of normal operation is registered. The CPU 21 collates the biometric feature information acquired by the above photographing with the biometric feature information registered in the storage unit 28, and determines whether or not the driver can be authenticated based on the collation result (ST202). For example, the CPU 21 collates the biometric feature information acquired by the above photographing with the biometric feature information registered in the storage unit 8, and determines that the authentication is successful when the similarity between the two exceeds the reference similarity. When the degree of similarity is less than or equal to the authentication failure

  Based on the successful authentication (YES at ST203), the control unit 27 instructs the vehicle control device 3 through the second data communication unit 26 in the normal state (no function limitation) (ST206). In this case, in response to the engine start operation from the driver, the vehicle control device 3 starts the engine without function limitation (ST207). In this case, the display unit 23 displays that the authentication is successful and the function is not limited.

  Based on the authentication failure (ST203, NO), the control unit 27 determines that the operation is performed by a third party other than the registrant, reads the setting of the limited function registered in the setting data table of the storage unit 28 (ST204), Via the second data communication unit 26, the vehicle control device 3 is instructed to set a limited function (with function limitation) read from the setting data table (ST205). In this case, in response to the engine start operation from the driver, the vehicle control device 3 starts the engine with function limitation (with the limitation function read from the setting data table) (ST208). In this case, the display unit 23 displays that the authentication has failed and that the function is limited.

  Here, any third party can drive the vehicle in a limited function state. However, since the function is limited, vehicle theft can be prevented.

  Next, a process (second embodiment) in which the driving function is switched to a normal state (no function setting) or a limited function setting state (with function limitation) by biometric authentication and password verification will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  According to the first embodiment, even if it is extremely difficult to escape during theft, a third party can drive the vehicle unconditionally. In the second embodiment, a third party is not allowed to drive the vehicle unconditionally for security enhancement. For example, when biometric authentication fails, another authentication (for example, authentication by password verification) is performed, and if this authentication also fails, the driver is determined to be a theft. In this case, the control unit 27 instructs the vehicle control device 3 to prohibit engine start. In addition, an alarm or the like emits a warning sound around.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the video camera 1 captures a face image of the driver who has arrived at the seat (ST301). The driver's face image information photographed by the video camera 1 is digitized by the video capture 22. For example, the CPU 21 generates biometric feature information based on the digitized face image information. In the storage unit 28, biometric feature information generated in advance from registrant face image information capable of normal operation is registered. The CPU 21 collates the biometric feature information acquired by the photographing with the biometric feature information registered in the storage unit 28, and determines whether or not the driver can be authenticated based on the collation result (ST302). For example, the CPU 21 collates the biometric feature information acquired by the above photographing with the biometric feature information registered in the storage unit 8, and determines that the authentication is successful when the similarity between the two exceeds the reference similarity. When the degree of similarity is less than or equal to the authentication failure

  Based on the successful authentication (ST303, YES), the control unit 27 instructs the vehicle control device 3 through the second data communication unit 26 in the normal state (no function restriction) (ST308). In this case, in response to the engine start operation from the driver, the vehicle control device 3 starts the engine with no function limitation (ST311). In this case, the display unit 23 displays that the authentication is successful and the function is not limited.

  Based on the authentication failure (ST303, NO), the control unit 27 determines that the operation is performed by a third party other than the registrant, and further requests a password input. Thereby, for example, an authentication failure and password input screen is displayed on the display unit 23 (ST304). When the password is input via the password input device 4 (ST305), the CPU 21 obtains the input password via the input unit 25, and collates the input password with the registered password registered in the storage unit 28 in advance. The driver is authenticated based on the verification result. The memory | storage part 28 has memorize | stored the registration password set at the time of vehicle sales, or the registration password which the vehicle owner set at arbitrary timings. That is, the CPU 21 determines that the authentication is successful based on the match between the input password and the registration password, and determines that the authentication fails based on the mismatch between the input password and the registration password.

  Based on the successful authentication by the password input (YES in ST306), the control unit 27 determines that the operation is permitted by an authorized third party other than the registrant and sets the limited function registered in the setting data table of the storage unit 28. (ST309), and instructs the vehicle control device 3 to set the limited function (with function limitation) read from the setting data table via the second data communication unit 26 (ST310). In this case, in response to the engine start operation from the driver, vehicle control device 3 starts the engine with function limitation (with the limitation function read from the setting data table) (ST312). In this case, the display unit 23 displays that the biometric authentication has failed, the password verification has succeeded, and that there is a function limitation.

  Based on the authentication failure due to the password input (NO in ST306), the control unit 27 determines that the operation is not permitted by a third party other than the registrant, and an alarm or the like emits a warning sound to the surroundings (ST307). In this case, the vehicle does not accept any control (driving operation).

  Next, a process (third embodiment) in which the driving function is switched to a normal state (no function setting) or a limited function setting state (function limited) by biometric authentication and maintenance key operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. .

  According to the first embodiment, even if it is extremely difficult to escape during theft, a third party can drive the vehicle unconditionally. In the third embodiment, a third party is not allowed to drive the vehicle unconditionally for security enhancement. For example, when biometric authentication fails, another authentication (for example, authentication by maintenance key operation) is performed, and if this authentication also fails, it is determined that the driver is a theft. In this case, the control unit 27 instructs the vehicle control device 3 to prohibit engine start. In addition, an alarm or the like emits a warning sound around.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the video camera 1 captures a face image of the driver who has arrived at the seat (ST401). The driver's face image information photographed by the video camera 1 is digitized by the video capture 22. For example, the CPU 21 generates biometric feature information based on the digitized face image information. In the storage unit 28, biometric feature information generated in advance from registrant face image information capable of normal operation is registered. The CPU 21 collates the biometric feature information acquired by the above photographing with the biometric feature information registered in the storage unit 28, and determines whether or not the driver can be authenticated based on the collation result (ST402). For example, the CPU 21 collates the biometric feature information acquired by the above photographing with the biometric feature information registered in the storage unit 8, and determines that the authentication is successful when the similarity between the two exceeds the reference similarity. When the degree of similarity is less than or equal to, it is determined that authentication has failed.

  Based on the successful authentication (YES at ST403), the control unit 27 instructs the vehicle control device 3 through the second data communication unit 26 in a normal state (no function restriction) (ST408). In this case, in response to the engine start operation from the driver, vehicle control device 3 starts the engine without function limitation (ST411). In this case, the display unit 23 displays that the authentication is successful and the function is not limited.

  Based on the authentication failure (ST403, NO), the control unit 27 determines that the operation is performed by a third party other than the registrant, and further requests a maintenance key operation. Thereby, for example, authentication failure and a maintenance key operation request are guided and displayed on the display unit 23 (ST404). When the maintenance key is inserted into the maintenance key cylinder device 5 (ST405) and the key operation using the regular maintenance key is completed, the control unit 27 determines that the authentication is successful due to the maintenance key operation (ST406, YES). It is determined that the operation is permitted by a third party other than the registrant, the setting of the limited function registered in the setting data table of the storage unit 28 is read (ST409), and the vehicle is transmitted via the second data communication unit 26. The control device 3 is instructed to set a limited function (with function limitation) read from the setting data table (ST410). In this case, in response to the engine start operation from the driver, the vehicle control device 3 starts the engine with function limitation (with the limitation function read from the setting data table) (ST412). In this case, the display unit 23 displays that the biometric authentication has failed, the maintenance key operation has succeeded, and that there is a function limitation.

  When the key operation with the regular maintenance key is not completed, the control unit 27 determines that the authentication has failed due to the maintenance key operation (ST406, NO), that is, determines that the operation is not permitted by a third party other than the registrant, An alarm or the like emits a warning sound around (ST407). In this case, the vehicle does not accept any control (driving operation).

  As described above, only a person who knows the correct password and a person who has a dedicated maintenance key can operate in a function-limited state, not an unspecified third party. For example, when a vehicle owner deposits a vehicle at a gas station, the specific third party is temporarily in a limited function state by providing a password to a specific third party or lending a maintenance key. It becomes possible to drive the vehicle.

  Also, the password can be set in two types: a password for limiting the function and a password without limiting the function, and the vehicle owner uses these two types properly. Thereby, it becomes possible to permit a third party to perform a driving operation in a function-limited state, or to permit a driving operation in a normal state (no function limitation). Similarly, when two types of maintenance keys are prepared, it is possible to permit a third party to perform a driving operation in a function-limited state or to permit a driving operation in a normal state (no function limitation). It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, when authentication by password input is adopted, it is also necessary to install a function that allows the vehicle owner to change the password at any time. In order to realize this, it is only necessary to incorporate a function that allows only the person who is determined to be the vehicle owner by biometric authentication to change the password.

  As described above, while realizing a high antitheft effect by biometric authentication, it is possible to realize a temporary driving of an automobile by an unregistered person with limited functions. By limiting the functions, for example, there is no hindrance to vehicle maintenance, but it is possible to make vehicle theft and escape very difficult.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the vehicle to which the operation control apparatus which concerns on 1st, 2nd and 3rd embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an authentication control apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting data table. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a limited function setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process (1st Embodiment) which a driving | operation function switches to a normal state (function setting absence) or a limitation function setting state (function limitation presence) by biometrics authentication. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process (2nd Embodiment) which a driving | operation function switches to a normal state (function setting absence) or a limited function setting state (function limitation exists) by biometric authentication and password collation. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing (third embodiment) in which a driving function is switched to a normal state (no function setting) or a limited function setting state (with function limitation) by biometric authentication and maintenance key operation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video camera, 2 ... Authentication control apparatus, 3 ... Vehicle control apparatus, 4 ... Password input device, 5 ... Maintenance key cylinder apparatus, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... Video capture, 23 ... Display part, 24 ... 1st Data communication unit 25 ... Input unit 26 ... Second data communication unit 27 ... Control unit 28 ... Storage unit

Claims (10)

Registration means for registering biometric feature information;
An acquisition means for acquiring biometric feature information from the person to be authenticated;
An authentication unit for verifying the registered biometric feature information registered in the registration unit and the acquired biometric feature information acquired by the acquiring unit, and authenticating the person to be authenticated based on a verification result;
Control means for accepting operation control based on determination of authentication success by the authentication means, and control means for accepting operation control with restrictions based on determination of authentication failure by the authentication means;
An operation control apparatus using biometric authentication, comprising: Registration means for registering biometric feature information and password;
An acquisition means for acquiring biometric feature information from the person to be authenticated;
A first authentication unit that collates the registered biometric feature information registered in the registration unit and the acquired biometric feature information acquired by the acquisition unit, and authenticates the person to be authenticated based on a verification result;
A password input acceptance means for accepting a password input;
Second authentication means for authenticating a password input person based on a match between the registration password registered in the registration means and the input password accepted by the password input acceptance means;
Accepting operation control based on the authentication success determination by the first authentication means, accepting operation control with restrictions based on the authentication failure by the first authentication means and the authentication success determination by the second authentication means, Control means for not accepting operation control based on determination of authentication failure by the first authentication means and authentication failure by the second authentication means;
An operation control apparatus using biometric authentication, comprising: Registration means for registering biometric feature information;
An acquisition means for acquiring biometric feature information from the person to be authenticated;
An authentication unit for verifying the registered biometric feature information registered in the registration unit and the acquired biometric feature information acquired by the acquiring unit, and authenticating the person to be authenticated based on a verification result;
A key operation receiving means for receiving key operations;
Operation control is received based on the authentication success determination by the authentication means, operation control is received with restrictions based on the determination of authentication failure by the authentication means and successful key operation reception by the key operation reception means, and authentication by the authentication means Control means for not accepting operation control based on determination of failure and failure of acceptance of key operation by the key operation acceptance means;
An operation control apparatus using biometric authentication, comprising:   The said control means restrict | limits the switching of the gear of a vehicle engine based on the determination result, The operation control apparatus by biometric authentication of Claim 1, 2, or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The operation control device by biometric authentication according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the control means limits the rotational speed of the vehicle engine based on the determination result.   The operation control device by biometric authentication according to claim 1, wherein the control unit limits the speed of the vehicle based on a determination result.   The operation control apparatus using biometric authentication according to claim 1, wherein the control unit limits a travel time of the vehicle based on a determination result. Obtain biometric feature information from the person to be authenticated,
The registered biometric feature information registered in the registration destination is compared with the acquired acquired biometric feature information, and the authentication target person is authenticated based on the verification result,
Accept operation control based on authentication success decision, accept operation control with restriction based on authentication failure decision,
An operation control method based on biometric authentication. Obtain biometric feature information from the person to be authenticated,
The registered biometric feature information registered in the registration destination is compared with the acquired acquired biometric feature information, and the authentication target person is authenticated based on the verification result,
Accepting motion control based on authentication success based on biometric feature verification,
Accept password input based on authentication failure due to biometric feature verification,
Based on the match between the registered password registered at the registration destination and the accepted input password, the password input person is authenticated,
Accepting limited operation control based on authentication failure due to biometric feature information verification and password authentication success
Do not accept operation control based on the determination of authentication failure by biometric feature information verification and password authentication failure,
An operation control method based on biometric authentication. Obtain biometric feature information from the person to be authenticated,
The registered biometric feature information registered in the registration destination is compared with the acquired acquired biometric feature information, and the authentication target person is authenticated based on the verification result,
Accepting motion control based on authentication success based on biometric feature verification,
Accept key operations based on authentication failure due to biometric feature information verification,
Operation control is accepted with restrictions based on the determination of authentication failure and successful key operation acceptance by biometric feature information verification, and operation control is not accepted based on the determination of authentication failure and key operation acceptance failure by biometric feature information verification ,
An operation control method based on biometric authentication.

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