JP3710035B2 - Data input device and recording medium recording program for realizing the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data input device for an electronic device such as an information processing device, and more particularly to a new data input device that is compact and lightweight, excellent in portability, and has the convenience of being able to input by natural movements of hands and fingers, and The present invention relates to a recording medium on which a program for realizing the above is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a data input device that handles a large amount of data, such as an input device of an information processing device, the operability of the input work greatly contributes to the usability. Therefore, conventionally, various input devices such as a keyboard, a touch panel type input device, and a mouse have been devised.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Among the above input devices, there is a keyboard as the most widespread and widely used. The keyboard has the advantage of being able to input quickly when used, but has the disadvantage of requiring a large installation space. In particular, the size tends to be a hindrance for portable use.
[0004]
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-83512 describes a system in which a camera is installed to monitor a user's keystroke as if there is a keyboard in a situation where there is no physical keyboard. According to this known example, the movement of the fingertip of the user is detected and collated with fingering data when the physical keyboard is pressed, and the key pressed by the user is determined. The problem of installation space is solved. However, instead of securing the camera installation space and restricting the work posture that you must place your finger within the viewing angle range of the camera, this known example is used for input work while moving on a train etc. It is difficult to use and has a great disadvantage that it is not compatible with a portable information processing apparatus.
[0005]
On the other hand, an input device in the form of a touch panel has been introduced which has an effect of reducing the installation area by allocating a part of the liquid crystal display device, which is an output device, to an input application. This is applied to a pen input type information processing device, but has the disadvantage that the display screen becomes narrow, and it is convenient for menu selection because it is input with a single pen, It has the disadvantage that it is not suitable for input. Furthermore, there are a drawback that the input speed is likely to be slower than that of a keyboard, and a disadvantage that the touch at the time of input is not comfortable.
[0006]
In the future, it is easily assumed that the existing pen-type and keyboard-type input devices will become increasingly inconvenient for portable information devices that will be further miniaturized. Assuming a situation where a portable information device equipped with a headset display with a new appearance appears, for example, when a factory worker is working, the input operation of a pen-type or keyboard-type input device It is clear that sex is greatly impaired.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is to perform a headset while performing an input operation or a standing operation in an environment where it is difficult to install physical components such as a moving train. A new data input device that makes it easy to perform input operations while wearing a display, is compact, lightweight, highly portable, and has the convenience of being able to input with the natural movement of a finger, and the same It is providing the recording medium which recorded the program for implement | achieving.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides different palmprints and fingerprints for each hand and finger part, and combinations of different data (character and numeric data, authentication data, various control data, and pointing operation data). One or more image reading means capable of reading palm prints and fingerprints are attached to a hand or part of a finger, and another finger or part of the hand is brought into contact with the reading surface. Slide it, read its palm print, fingerprint, and slide amount, and convert it to the corresponding data (letter and numeric character code, authentication data, various control data, or pointing operation) and input .
[0009]
As a result, the external dimensions of the input device can be accommodated within the size of the image reading means, so that a small and lightweight data input device can be realized. Moreover, since it can be used in a form separated from the display device by being attached to a hand or a finger, it is easy to cope with standing work. In addition, the input operability is high because a natural human movement, an operation such as aligning and sliding a finger, and the like becomes an input operation as it is. Furthermore, by making it possible to have the fingerprint authentication function integrated as it is, the input function and authentication function can be configured with a simpler configuration than using a form that combines image reading means with an existing input device such as a keyboard. Can be realized simultaneously.
The main merits of the present invention can be summarized as follows: (1) ultra-compact and lightweight, (2) use in a standing position, and (3) easy linkage with security functions.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a system including a data input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, 1 is an input device, 2 is a fingerprint palm print reading unit (image reading means), 4 is an information processing device main body, 3 is a connection portion with the information processing device main body 4, and 5 is a headset type display device. . The fingerprint palmprint reading unit 2 can be an optical camera using a CCD or the like, or a fingerprint sensor chip that reads a fingerprint by a capacitance with a finger placed on the chip.
[0011]
The input device 1 has a form in which the fingerprint palm print reading unit 2 is processed so as to be attached to a hand or a finger. An example in which an optical camera using a CCD or the like is used for the fingerprint palmprint reading unit 2 is shown in FIG. FIG. 2A illustrates the input device 1 in a form in which a lid like a fingertip of a glove is attached to the fingertip. This is made mainly of elastic materials such as rubber and cloth so that they can be worn stably on the fingers. The finger is attached by inserting the finger from the finger insertion opening 11. When the hand or finger region to be recognized is brought into contact with the reading contact unit 12, the fingerprint palmprint reading unit 2 reads and recognizes the image through the cavity 13. The hollow outer wall 14 is made of a material such as plastic that cannot be crushed by pressing with a hand or a finger. Further, the outer wall 14 of the cavity is provided with a daylighting hole 15, and light necessary for recognition of the reading contact portion 12 when the hand or finger is brought into contact with the reading contact portion 12 to close the cavity 13. It is daylighted from here.
[0012]
On the other hand, FIG. 2B shows the input device 1 realized by attaching the fingerprint palmprint reading unit 2 to a ring 16 having a shape used for a general jewelry ring. The reading contact portion 12, the cavity 13, the outer wall 14, and the daylighting hole 15 are provided in the same manner as in FIG. 2A, and the ring 16 is used by attaching it to the finger through the finger so that the jewelry ring is attached.
[0013]
Note that, regardless of the shape of the data input device of the present invention, in the following description of the embodiment of the present invention, the number of input devices to be mounted is not limited to one in one hand. One may be worn on both hands.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a specific system configuration diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, as with a standard information processing apparatus, an input device 40, an I / O control unit 41, a control device 42, a main memory 43, a frame memory 44, a display control unit 45, A display device 5, a hard disk device 46, a CMOS memory 47, and the like are provided. As the input device 40, besides the configuration of the data input device 1 of the present invention, a normal keyboard or the like can be alternatively connected (optionally replaceable).
[0015]
Other configurations unique to the present invention include a fingerprint palmprint image recognition unit 48, a fingerprint palmprint image storage unit 461, a finger region-character code correspondence registration program 462, a finger region-character code correspondence registration table 463, and a finger region-fingerprint palmprint correspondence. A program 464, a finger region-fingerprint palm print correspondence table 465, and a character code conversion program 466 are provided.
[0016]
Fingerprint / palmprint image storage unit 461, finger region / character code correspondence registration program 462, finger region / character code correspondence registration table 463, finger region / fingerprint palmprint correspondence program 464, finger region / fingerprint palmprint correspondence table 465, character code conversion program 466 Are stored in the hard disk device 46. When the hand region-character code corresponding registration program 462, the hand region-fingerprint palmprint corresponding program 464, and the like are activated, the control device 42 loads them into the main memory 43 and decodes them. Execute.
[0017]
Hereinafter, the operation sequence according to the present invention will be described by taking the case of inputting character data as an example.
First, a procedure for registering the correspondence between each area of the hand or finger and the character code is shown. The user first activates the finger area / character code correspondence registration program 462. On the display device 5, a finger region-character code correspondence registration screen including an illustration of a hand as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. The hand illustration is divided into regions for each finger joint, for example. The user connects a keyboard as the input device 40, selects a hand region by inputting a number given to the hand illustration in the hand region designation field 4621 using this, and selects a character to be associated with this. An operation for inputting to the character designation field 4622 and pressing the enter button 4623 is performed.
[0018]
By performing this operation on different parts of the hand or finger area, the correspondence between the hand or finger area and the character is determined. The determined correspondence can be added to the current setting content display field 4624 and listed. For example, in the current setting content display field 4624 in FIG. 4, the area “1” of the right hand finger is “A”, the area “2” is “B”, and the area “3” is “C”. The area {circle over (8)} of the middle finger of the left hand indicates that it is associated with the letter “H”. The association determined here is stored in the hard disk device 46 existing in the information processing apparatus main body 4 as the finger area / character code correspondence registration table 463 when the determination button 4623 is pressed. When all the associations are completed, the user ends the execution of the finger region / character code correspondence registration program 462.
[0019]
The user can restart the finger region / character code correspondence registration program 462 at any time, and the current setting content can be reproduced on the display device 5 at any time by starting the finger region / character code correspondence registration program 462. As a result, the user can reconfirm the current setting for the correspondence between the finger area and the character clearly and again by comparing the hand illustration with the current setting content display field 4624, and the correspondence relationship as necessary. Can be changed.
[0020]
Next, each region of the hand or finger is associated with the palm print or fingerprint image. The user wears the input device 1 according to the present invention on a finger and connects it to the information processing device main body 4. When the hand region-fingerprint palm print corresponding program 464 is activated, the hand illustration is displayed again on the display device 5. The user selects an area of the hand illustration, touches that part of the hand with the fingerprint palmprint reading unit 2 existing in the input device 1, and inputs a fingerprint palmprint image. The input image is converted into a finger region code assigned to each region of the hand by the finger region / fingerprint palm pattern correspondence program 464 through the fingerprint palm pattern image recognition unit 48 and stored as a finger region / fingerprint palm pattern correspondence table 465. The The finger area / fingerprint palm print correspondence table 465 is stored in the hard disk device 46 existing in the information processing apparatus main body 4.
[0021]
Next, a procedure executed when inputting a character code is shown.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an input operation example based on the setting in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state in which “H” is input by recognizing the area (8) in FIG. The user activates the character code conversion program 466 and the hand / finger region (region 8 in the setting example in FIG. 4) associated with the character code to be input to the fingerprint palmprint image reading unit 2. The fingerprint or palm print of that portion is recognized by the fingerprint palm print image recognition unit 48.
[0022]
The character code conversion program 466 searches the finger area / fingerprint palmprint correspondence table 465 and acquires the finger area code associated with the closest image. Then, the character code conversion program 466 searches the finger region-character code correspondence registration table 463 using the acquired finger region code as a search key, and the character requested by the user for input (“H” in the setting example of FIG. 4). ) Is obtained. The acquired character code is output as a character (“H” in the setting example of FIG. 4) to the display device 5 through the I / O control unit 41 present in the information processing apparatus body 4.
[0023]
In the above embodiment, when the finger region-fingerprint palmprint correspondence table 465 is searched and an image that does not fall within a predetermined similarity range is input, it is determined that the input is an unauthorized user, The character code conversion program 466 may allow the user to interrupt the input operation and perform user authentication such as a password input request.
[0024]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to character input has been described. However, an image of a hand or finger region may be associated with a number or various symbols and used for the input.
[0025]
In the above-described embodiment, a pointing operation function corresponding to a mouse click or the like may be provided. For example, when a user wears a total of two input devices 1, one for each hand, and (a) a certain time has passed while the finger / palmprint reading unit 2 of either input device 1 is kept in contact with the finger. Click operation, (b) Double click operation when a certain period of time has passed while the finger is simultaneously in contact with the fingerprint palm print reading unit 2 of both input devices 1, and (c) Fingerprint palm print reading of either input device 1 Move the mouse cursor when the part 2 is moved in contact with the palm on the opposite side. (D) Input the other hand while keeping the fingerprint palmprint reading part 2 of either input device 1 in contact with the finger. When the fingerprint palm print reading unit 2 of the apparatus 1 is moved while being brought into contact with the palm on the opposite side, a form in which the mouse is dragged and used in correspondence is conceivable.
[0026]
Here, in order to realize the movement operation of the mouse cursor in (c), the mouse click operation in (a), and the drag operation in (d), a movement amount detection unit 467 is added as a mechanism for detecting the movement amount. The movement amount detection unit 467 detects a continuous change in the image recognized from the fingerprint palm print reading unit 2 through the fingerprint palm print image recognition unit 48, calculates the movement amount based on the change, and reports it to the information processing apparatus body 4. To do. The information processing apparatus body 4 uses the movement amount data as the movement amount data of the pointing cursor on the screen.
[0027]
When the fingerprint / palmprint reading unit 2 and the fingerprint / palmprint image recognition unit 48 continuously detect a finger image having the same content at an interval of a predetermined time or longer, the fingerprint palmprint reading unit 2 of the input device 1 is certain It is determined that an operation that has been kept in contact for a period of time, that is, a click operation has been performed, and this is transmitted to the information processing apparatus body 4. On the information processing apparatus main body 4, this click operation information is used as a trigger for a certain operation. Furthermore, the drag operation (c) can also be realized by a combination of the above operations.
[0028]
Also, by combining two fingerprint palm print reading units, it is possible to input in a shift input mode using a keyboard and various control data. Further, as a modification, an input mode switching button (reference numeral 17 in FIG. 2) is provided on the outer wall 14 in FIG. 1 for inputting a shift mode, a symbol, control data, etc., and by reading a fingerprint or a palm print. When inputting data, the input mode switching button 17 may be pressed as necessary.
[0029]
In the above embodiment, the fingerprint palmprint image recognition unit 48, the fingerprint palmprint image storage unit 461, the finger region-character code correspondence registration program 462, the finger region-character code correspondence registration table 463, and the finger region-fingerprint palmprint correspondence program 464. The finger area-fingerprint palmprint correspondence table 465 and the character code conversion program 466 are used in the hard disk device 46, and these are stored in an external recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk. May be read and used, or data transmitted from the outside by data communication may be stored in some storage medium. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, an input operation that facilitates an input operation when used while standing or wearing a headset display, is small and light, is highly portable, and can be input with natural finger movements. It becomes possible to provide a new input device having operability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a system including a data input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an input device (image reading means) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a specific system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a finger area-character code correspondence registration screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an input operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input device, 2 ... Fingerprint palm print reading part (image reading means), 3 ... Connection part with information processing apparatus main body, 4 ... Information processing apparatus main body, 5 ... Display apparatus, 11 ... Finger insertion port, 12 ... For reading Contact part, 13 ... cavity, 14 ... outer wall, 15 ... daylight hole, 16 ... ring, 17 ... input mode switching button, 4 ... information processing apparatus body, 40 ... input apparatus, 41 ... I / O control part, 42 ... control Device: 43 ... Main memory 44 ... Frame memory 45 ... Display control unit 5 ... Display device 46 ... Hard disk device 47 ... CMOS memory 48 ... Fingerprint palmprint image recognition unit 461 ... Fingerprint palmprint image storage unit 462 ... finger region-character code correspondence registration program, 463 ... finger region-character code correspondence registration table, 464 ... finger region-fingerprint palm print correspondence program, 465 ... hand region-fingerprint palm print correspondence table, 466 ... Character code conversion program, 467 ... movement amount detection unit, 4621 ... finger region designation field, 4622 ... character designation field, 4623 ... decision button, 4624 ... current setting content display field

Claims (4)

Character data / palmprint fingerprint associating means for registering a palmprint or finger fingerprint or a combination thereof for each partial region of the hand or finger having different palmprint or fingerprint information from the input character data, and the hand or finger to be attached, and one or more image reading means capable of reading a fingerprint of a partial region of the palm print or finger of the hand of the partial regions, the image of the hand of the partial areas read by the reading means palm print or finger the character data corresponding based on fingerprint or a combination information of the partial regions, the data input device characterized by comprising an input means for inputting characters extracted by the character data palm prints fingerprint associating means. First registration means for registering each hand or finger partial area having different palm prints or fingerprint information and input control data in association with each other, and each hand or finger area and the corresponding fingerprint or palm print corresponding to each area And a second registration means for registering, and one that can be attached to a part of the hand or finger and can read a palmprint or fingerprint image of each area by touching or sliding each area of the hand or finger With reference to the image reading means, the first registration means, and the second registration means, the palm print or fingerprint image read by the one or more image reading means or a combination thereof is converted into input control data. A data input device comprising conversion means for performing a click input operation or a movement operation in a pointing device . The first registration means for registering the hand or finger partial areas having different palm prints or fingerprint information and the input control data in association with each other and the hand or finger areas and the fingerprint or palm print corresponding to the areas are associated with each other. And a second registration means for registering and one piece that can be attached to a part of the hand or finger and can read a palmprint or fingerprint image of each area by touching or sliding each area of the hand or finger With reference to the above image reading means, the first registration means and the second registration means, the palmprint or fingerprint image read by the one or more image reading means, or a combination thereof, and its continuous change A data input device comprising conversion means for converting into input control data to obtain a cursor movement amount in a pointing device. 4. A computer-readable recording medium in which a procedure for realizing each unit of the data input device according to claim 1 is recorded as a program code.

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