JP3843576B2 - Data input device and information equipment protection method using the same - Google Patents

Description

【００２５】
で示される。Ｓの値がある閾値以下の場合に、マウスを握った人物が予め記憶回路に記録されている正当な人物と同一であるとし、閾値以上の場合は正当な人物ではないと判断する。
以上の計算および判定をするために、プログラムが内蔵できるマイクロプロセッサを使うことが設計の上で最も適切な方法である。
【００２６】
通知手段３６は判定結果を確実にパソコン本体のプログラムあるいはハードウェア装置に通知する。図２（ａ）に示したように判定回路がマウス側に置かれている構成において、マウスとパソコン本体との接続間でデータの盗用および盗用したデータによる不正使用などが生じ得ると考えられる状況があれば、マウス本体１を図２（ｂ）に示すような構成にしてもよい。図２（ｂ）におけるマウスは、判定手段３２および記憶手段３４が取り除かれており、センサ２０１、２０２からの検出信号は検出手段３０に入力した後そのまま通知手段３６により、パソコン本体側に通知される。そして、図示を省略したがパソコン本体側に判定手段３２と記憶手段３４とを持たせるようにしている。
【００２７】
また、マウス１本体において、通知すべきデータの暗号化、パソコン本体での平文化をもとにした通知手段３６が有効である。暗号化方式はマウスおよびパソコン本体のＩＣチップに埋め込まれた共通鍵による共通鍵方式が比較的簡単で有効である。また、公開鍵暗号方式を用いて、マウスに公開鍵と秘密鍵のペアの設定をすることで、マウスにＩＤ機能を持たせることもできる。いずれにせよ、これら暗号方式により、マウスとパソコン本体あるいは内部ソフトウエアの間での判定結果のやり取りを外部からの不正な使用や詐称から保護することができる。また通知手段３６は、マウス本体のハードウェア装置としての機能であるマウスの移動量信号、あるいはボタンの押し下げ信号のパソコン本体への送出動作に働きかけて、判定結果が正当な利用者でない場合はこれら信号の送出動作を停止するようにしてもよい。
【００２８】
次に本発明の第２の実施の形態による情報機器保護方法およびそれを用いたマウスを図７乃至図１１を用いて説明する。まず、本実施の形態によるマウスの概略の構成を図７を用いて説明する。図７は脈拍センサーセル単体を示したものである。このセンサの上に指７を置くと、直流電源Ｖｓおよび電流調整のための抵抗器Ｒ１によって電流を流す発光ダイオード１５により指７に光が照射され、照射した光のうち指先端部の血液の脈動により吸収された量を受光素子１６により検出するようになっている。発光ダイオード１５の発光波長は、８００ｎｍから９００ｎｍの範囲であると、効率よく脈拍信号が得られる。
【００２９】
受光素子１６はフォトダイオード、フォトトランジスタ、ＣｄＳおよびアモルファスシリコンフォトダイオードなどを用いることができるが、いずれの受光素子を用いたとしても、発光ダイオード１５の発光波長に波長感度領域が入る受光素子を選択することが必要である。受光素子１６としてフォトダイオードを用いた場合、逆バイアス電圧を印加するための抵抗器Ｒ２、直流成分を遮断するためのカップリングコンデンサＣ１および入力抵抗Ｒ３を図のように接続し増幅器Ａ１の入力に導く。また、カップリングコンデンサＣ１および入力抵抗Ｒ３は、ＣＲ型のハイパスフィルタを構成しており、Ｔ１＝Ｃ１×Ｒ３で決まる時定数Ｔ１は２秒から１０秒に設定することが望ましい。この時定数Ｔ１を大きくすると直流レベルが安定するまで時間がかかり、短くすると脈拍信号の波形が変わってしまう。
【００３０】
図７に示す回路により、増幅器Ａ１の出力端Ｐで図８に示すような脈拍信号が得られる。この信号振幅は指の接触状態によりその振幅Ａｅが変化し、その周期Ｔｅから脈拍数を算出できる。このセンサにおいては前例のセンサが生体情報として握ったときの指の位置を検出するのに加えて、握る圧力および心拍数を生体情報として得ることができる。これらは、個人により異なる要素であり、個人識別の確度を前例のものに比べて格段に向上させることができる。
【００３１】
図９および図１０はいずれも脈拍を検出するセンサの例である。図９におけるセンサでは、図３に示したセンサの例と同様であり、複数のフォトダイオード１７が基板４上にライン状に配置されている。フォトダイオードアレイの代わりに、直接シリコン基板やガラス基板にフォトダイオードをライン状に形成したセンサも用いることができる。また半導体プロセスで製作されたラインＣＣＤセンサを用いることもできる。また、発光ダイオード１８はフォトダイオード１７の近傍に複数配置されている。フォトダイオード１７と発光ダイオード１８の数は必ずしも同じでなくてもよい。要するに発光ダイオード１８は、接触する指に光を照射できる位置に配置されていればよい。図１０は、面実装タイプのフォトダイオード１９と発光ダイオード２０で構成したセンサを示す。図９の例と同じく基板４上に上面に受光面のある面実装タイプのフォトダイオード１９と上面に発光面がある発光ダイオード２０がライン状に実装されている。
【００３２】
次に、図１１は指の接触、センサおよび検出回路の構成を示している。センサ２１は図９あるいは図１０で示したセンサであり、発光ダイオードの発光によりマウス本体を握った指７に光を照射する。指の先端部分の血流により、照射した光の反射量および吸収量が変化し、この変化をセンサ２１にライン状に設けた受光素子２５により検出する。センサ２１からの脈拍信号を検出するため、検出回路２２には図７で示した検出回路部分２３がセンサ２１の受光素子の数だけ設けられている。
【００３３】
検出回路２２からの信号はアナログマルチプレクサ回路２４に導かれ、時系列データに変換される。このとき、アナログマルチプレクサ回路２４が入力信号を走査する周波数Ｆｒは、脈拍信号を十分に再生できるように、１０Ｈｚから１００Ｈｚの範囲で設定する。この周波数が低いと、検出する脈拍信号の波形を十分にとり込めないことがあり、周波数が高いと振幅検出に関わるデータ量が増大しコストがかかってしまう。アナログマルチプレクサ回路２４の信号は、ＣＰＵバス５０に直結したＡ／Ｄコンバータ４６に入力される。Ａ／Ｄコンバータ４６の変換周波数Ｆｓはセンサ２１の受光素子の数をＮとすると、Ｆｓ＝Ｆｒ・Ｎとなると共に、アナログマルチプレクサ回路２４の各スイッチング素子のスイッチングタイミングに同期するさせる。この走査により、Ａ／Ｄコンバータ４６のディジタル出力には、センサ２１の各受光素子からの信号を一秒間にＦｒ回取り込むことになる。
【００３４】
このようにして、ディジタル信号として取り込まれた脈拍信号は、マウスの本体に組み込まれた、ＣＰＵ４０、ＲＡＭ４２、ＲＯＭ４４および通信用インターフェイス４８が接続されたＣＰＵバス５０を通じてＲＡＭ４２に一時的に収納される。ＲＯＭ４４に組み込まれたプログラムによって動作するＣＰＵ４０により、脈拍信号の振幅Ａｅをセンサ２１の各受光素子について求めた値、Ａｅｉ（ｉ＝１，Ｎ）を得る。これと同時に、脈拍信号の周期ＴｅもＣＰＵ４０による波形解析処理により求める。Ｔｅの波形解析処理としてはピーク点の間隔を測定しある回数平均化する方法が比較的簡単な方法である。
【００３５】
また、ＦＦＴ（高速フーリエ変換）による周波数解析の手法を用いることもできる。周期Ｔｅを求めるために用いる脈拍信号はＡｅｉが最大となる受光素子から得られた信号から求めるのが最も正確である。脈拍信号に含まれる雑音が影響して正確にこれら脈拍信号の解析ができない場合がある。そのため、脈拍信号に含まれる雑音を除去する処理を行うことが正確な解析のために必要である。脈拍信号に含まれる雑音成分でもっとも大きいものが、照明による電源周波数成分を有する雑音である。そのため、一般に使われる電源周波数である５０Ｈｚあるいは６０Ｈｚの信号成分を除去する処理を行うこともある。この処理はＦＩＲフィルタを使うことが簡単で有効である。
【００３６】
以上の処理によって求められた各受光素子の振幅Ａｅｉは、記憶手段であるＲＡＭ４２あるいはＲＯＭ４４に予め記憶されている、正当な利用者がマウスを握ったときに得られる振幅の値Ａｐｉ（ｉ＝１，Ｎ）と比較される。この比較方法は前述と同じよう二乗誤差Ｓｐを用いる。二乗誤差Ｓｐは、
【００３７】
【数２】

【００３８】
として表され、Ｓｐの値がある閾値以下の場合に、マウスを握った人物が予め記憶回路に記録されている正当な人物と同一であるとし、閾値以上の場合は正当な人物ではないと判断する。
【００３９】
また、正当な利用者の安静時の心拍周期Ｔｐを記憶回路に記憶しておき、センサおよび検出回路で得られた脈拍周期Ｔｅを比較する。脈拍周期Ｔｅが正当な利用者の安静時の脈拍周期Ｔｐと大きく異なるときは、正当な利用者でないと判定する。正当な利用者であるとする判定範囲は、周期が短く心拍が早い方向には１０％、周期が長く心拍が遅い方向に５％とすることが望ましい。一般に心拍は、その時の心理状態等により変化しやすく、正当な利用者と判断するには適さないものであるが、補助的な手段としては有効である。
【００４０】
心拍数は、安静時より早くはなり易いが遅くすることは難しい。不正な利用者が正当な利用者となりすまして、上記の許容範囲の中に心拍数を調整するのは難しい行為である。特に、心拍数を少ない状態に持っていくことは難しい。また、心拍数が大きく変化する場合も利用者が何らかの異常な精神状態とみて、不正な利用者と判断を下すこともある。いずれにしても心拍数やその変化が許容範囲に収まらなかった場合は、正当な利用者であるとする判定を利用者が安静状態になる時間である５分程度の間、保留する。その後再度マウスを握ったときに振幅の比較と心拍周期より判定を行う。
【００４１】
次に、本発明の第３の実施の形態による情報機器保護方法およびそれを用いたマウスを図１２を用いて説明する。まず、本実施の形態によるマウスは、心拍周期による判定のみを行う点に特徴を有している。これは、脈拍検出用のセンサ２６、２７を、マウスが右手で操作されることを前提として、多くの人が親指を接触する部分と手のひらが当たる部分に設け、脈拍信号のみを検出するものである。したがってこのマウスの例においては脈拍信号のみの判定によるものではあるが、構成が簡単であることが特徴である。この場合、脈拍検出用のセンサの数は１つでもよい。また、さらに多くの心拍検出用のセンサをマウスに設ける場合には、図１２に示した場所以外にも設置することができ、確実に利用者の脈拍信号の検出ができる。
【００４２】
この例では、脈拍のデータを採取できることから、利用者がマウスに触れているかどうかのチェックおよび脈拍から判断した利用者の精神状態によるサービス、プログラムあるいはファイルへのアクセス拒否あるいは制限に利用できる。心拍数が多い心身的状態にある利用者は、情報機器の扱いを停止あるいは制限してデータ等の安全性を向上させることができる。
【００４３】
【発明の効果】
以上の通り、本発明によれば、パーソナルコンピュータ等のマウスを利用する種々の情報機器において、それらの情報機器の正当な利用者のみが当該情報機器を利用できるようになる。また、脈拍が速く冷静な判断ができない状態にある利用者へのアクセス拒否や制限ができ、情報機器の利用上の安全性を向上させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態によるマウスの概略の構成を示す図である。
【図２】本発明の第１の実施の形態によるマウスの信号処理部のブロック図である。
【図３】本発明の第１の実施の形態によるマウスのセンサの内部構造を示す図である。
【図４】本発明の第１の実施の形態によるマウスのセンサの内部構造の他の例を示す図である。
【図５】本発明の第１の実施の形態によるマウスにおける、指の接触、センサおよび検出回路の構成を示す図である。
【図６】本発明の第１の実施の形態によるマウスのレベル補正回路１１の入力と出力の関係を示す図である。
【図７】本発明の第２の実施の形態によるマウスにおける脈拍センサーセル単体を示す図である。
【図８】本発明の第２の実施の形態によるマウスにおける脈拍センサーで検出される脈拍信号を示す図である。
【図９】本発明の第２の実施の形態によるマウスにおける脈拍センサーを示す図である。
【図１０】本発明の第２の実施の形態によるマウスにおける脈拍センサーの他の例を示す図である。
【図１１】本発明の第２の実施の形態によるマウスにおける、指の接触、センサおよび検出回路の構成を示す図である。
【図１２】本発明の第３の実施の形態によるマウスの概略の構成を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１ マウス本体
３ フォトダイオード
４ 基板
５ 面実装タイプのフォトダイオード
６ マウス側面の窓
７ マウス本体を握った指
８ フォトダイオードアレイ
９ 増幅回路
１０ アナログマルチプレクサ回路
１１ レベル補正回路
１２ Ａ／Ｄコンバータ
１３ 基準用フォトダイオード
１４ 単一の増幅器
１５ 発光ダイオード
１６ 受光素子
１７ フォトダイオード
１８ 発光ダイオード
１９ フォトダイオー
２０ 発光ダイオード
２１ センサ
２２ 検出回路
２３ 検出回路部分
２４ アナログマルチプレクサ回路
２５ 受光素子
２６、２７ 脈拍検出用のセンサ
３０ 検出手段
３２ 判定手段
３４ 記憶手段
３６ 通知手段
４０ ＣＰＵ
４２ ＲＡＭ
４４ ＲＯＭ
４６ Ａ／Ｄコンバータ
４８ 通信用インターフェイス
５０ ＣＰＵバス
２０１、２０２ センサ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention protects information equipment for preventing unauthorized use by a person other than a legitimate user in various information equipment such as a personal computer or for preventing inadvertent use by a legitimate user. The present invention also relates to a method, and more particularly, to a data input device using an information device protection method, and more particularly to a mouse as a pointing device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to prevent unauthorized use by a person other than a legitimate user for various information devices such as a personal computer, a method using an ID code and a password of a legitimate user is generally widely used. In order to protect an information device from unauthorized use by using an ID code and a password, it is important that the legitimate user is responsible for protection management so that his / her ID code and password are not stolen. Therefore, the protection of information devices using ID codes and passwords is actually left to the user's morals.
[0003]
As a protection method that does not use an ID code and a password, there is a measure for preventing unauthorized use using physical characteristics such as a fingerprint. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-311266 discloses a system in which a mouse as a pointing device that points to a predetermined position on a display screen is provided with a detection unit such as a fingerprint as a user verification method for verification. In the above publication, it is described that by providing the mouse with detection means, the user can be checked without being particularly conscious. In the above-mentioned publication, it is described in the embodiment that a fingerprint is used as a collation. However, when a fingerprint is used, the detector part is complicated and the collation may not be possible due to the dirt or blurring of the finger.
[0004]
In particular, when a detector is attached to a mouse, the detector is easily soiled because the mouse is operated on a table, and it is difficult to ensure reading accuracy. Further, it is conceivable that data is stolen or misrepresented in the communication path between the mouse and the computer main body. Providing the mouse with physical feature detection means in this way is a natural identity verification means for the user, but when using a fingerprint, the identity verification is not always possible.
[0005]
As a method for detecting a pulse that is a physical feature of a human body, a method for optically detecting a blood flow is used for exercise management and for safe driving of an automobile. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 58-165721 discloses an example in which a heart rate meter is incorporated into a wristwatch to enable measurement of the heart rate during exercise, and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-22914 discloses an example in which a car handle is used. An example of attaching a heart rate sensor is disclosed. As a method for reading these pulses, there are shown a structure composed of a light source for irradiating light on a finger and a light receiving element, or a method for reading a pulse from a potential difference between two electrodes.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it is widely used as a pointing device instead of the above-mentioned wristwatch or handle if it is intended to verify legitimate users in order to protect various information devices such as personal computers from unauthorized use. It is more realistic to provide the mouse with means for protecting the information device. However, as described above, when the detector is attached to the mouse, since the mouse is operated on the table, there is a problem that the detector is easily soiled and it is difficult to ensure reading accuracy. Another problem is that data can be stolen or misrepresented in the communication path between the mouse and the computer main body.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to prevent unauthorized use by a person other than a legitimate user of various information equipment such as a personal computer or to prevent inadvertent use by a legitimate user. It is to provide a protection method and a mouse using the same.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above purpose is to input data to information equipment When the user contacts In a data input device (for example, a mouse) Having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged on at least one of both side surfaces of the main body, User's Finger contact position Biological information As This is achieved by a data input device comprising a sensor for detection and a notification means for notifying information equipment of biological information obtained by the sensor. The data input device of the present invention further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the user's information device can be used based on the biometric information obtained by the sensor, and the notification unit displays the determination result obtained by the determination unit. The information device is notified.
[0009]
The sensor has a plurality of light emitting elements arranged adjacent to the light receiving element, and detects a pulse signal of the user from light emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the light receiving element through the user's finger. Features. Furthermore, the finger contact pressure is detected from the amplitude of the pulse signal detected by the sensor. In the data input device of the present invention, the notification means uses an encryption means when exchanging data with the information device. The notifying means notifies the information device of the determination result using the encrypting means.
[0010]
In addition, in the information device protection method for detecting whether or not a user's information device can be used based on the biological information, the user can detect the user's biological information when the user uses the information device. The information device protection method is characterized in that the detection result from the sensor of the data input device according to the present invention as described above is acquired as the biological information of the user. And in the information equipment protection method of this invention, the position of the finger | toe which touches the side part of the data input device of the above-mentioned this invention grasped by the user is acquired as a user's biometric information.
[0011]
Moreover, the contact pressure which the finger | toe which touches the side part of the data input device of the above-mentioned this invention gives to the data input device side surface is acquired as a user's biometric information. In the information device protection method of the present invention, a heart rate obtained from a user's pulse signal is acquired as biological information. Further, the information device protection method of the present invention is characterized in that access to the information device is denied or restricted according to the user's heart rate or its change. Furthermore, the operation of the data input device is stopped according to the heart rate of the user or the change thereof.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An information device protection method according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a mouse as a data input device using the same will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a schematic configuration of a mouse according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0013]
In FIG. 1, when a mouse is grasped with the right hand, the sensor 201 and the sensor 202 attached to the side surface of the mouse body 1 outputs an electrical signal for obtaining biological information by the contact of the right hand thumb with the mouse side surface. generate. The sensor 202 generates an electrical signal for obtaining biological information by the contact of the ring finger and the little finger. As shown in FIG. 2A, these electrical signals are converted into biological information by the detection means 30 inside the mouse body 1. The biometric information includes, for example, the finger pressing pressure and the contact position that can be measured by the position of the finger when the sensor touches the finger, the pulse signal generated by the blood flow of the finger, and how the pulse signal is output.
[0014]
This biological information has sufficient information for discriminating the person holding the mouse, and legitimate use of information equipment (for example, a personal computer, hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) stored in the storage means 34 in advance. The determination means 32 compares the biological information of the person with the detected biological information. As a result of the comparison, if it is determined that the biometric information stored in the storage unit 34 and the detected biometric information match, the notification unit 36 is used to reliably prevent unauthorized data entry by a third party. The judgment result is notified to the program of the personal computer or the hardware device.
[0015]
3 and 4 show the internal structure of the sensors 201 and 202. FIG. Sensors 201 and 202 shown in FIG. 3 have a structure in which a plurality of photodiodes 3 are arranged in a line on a substrate 4. As a material of the substrate 4, a printed wiring board made of glass epoxy can be used. If a ceramic substrate is used as the material of the substrate 4, the wiring density on the substrate is increased, and the mounting density of the photodiodes 3 can be increased.
[0016]
FIG. 4 shows the sensors 201 and 202 constituted by the surface mount type photodiode 5. Similar to the example of FIG. 3, a surface mount type photodiode 5 having a light receiving surface on the upper surface is mounted on the substrate 4 in a line shape. In the sensors 201 and 202, the total length of the photodiodes 5 arranged in a line is preferably 30 mm to 50 mm in consideration of the length of sufficient finger contact. If the total length of the sensors 201 and 202 is short, there is a possibility that the finger does not sufficiently contact the sensor portion, which is not desirable. On the other hand, if the total length is too long, the number of photodiodes 5 increases and costs increase.
[0017]
The interval between the photodiodes 3 and 5 in the array is preferably in the range of about 0.1 mm to 3 mm. If the interval is increased, biological information necessary for determination may not be obtained. In addition, if the interval is shortened, the number of photodiodes 3 and 5 increases and the cost increases. In place of the photodiodes 3 and 5, a photoelectric conversion element such as CdS (cadmium sulfide element), a phototransistor, or an amorphous silicon photodiode can be used. Further, a sensor that directly forms photodiodes in a line shape on a silicon substrate or glass substrate using a semiconductor process can also be used. If a line CCD sensor manufactured by a semiconductor process is used, a detection circuit as a processing means can be simplified.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, these sensors are housed inside the housing of the mouse body 1, and the light receiving surface thereof is transparent or is processed with plastic or the like that transmits the wavelength region of the detection light. The light receiving surface is arranged so as to be directed outward from the windows 601 and 602 on both sides of the mouse. Various types of biological information are detected by utilizing the fact that external light that is transmitted through the windows 601 and 602 on the side of the mouse and enters the photodiodes is blocked by contact with a finger.
[0019]
A signal line of each photodiode is connected to a detection circuit as detection means, and a time-series signal is obtained here and used as biological information. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the finger contact, sensor, and detection circuit. The light receiving surface of the photodiode array 8 that is a sensor is shielded from light by the finger 7 holding the mouse body. The detection circuit includes an amplifier circuit 9 having a single amplifier 14 corresponding to the number of diodes of the photodiode array 8 in order to amplify a signal from the photodiode array 8 partially shielded by the finger 7. . Further, an analog multiplexer circuit 10, a level correction circuit 11, and an A / D converter 12 are provided for converting the output signal into a time series signal.
[0020]
The analog multiplexer circuit 10 switches the output from the photodiode 301 at one end of the photodiode array 8 to the photodiode 302 at the other end one by one. Thus, the signals of all the photodiodes in the photodiode array 8 can be converted into time series signals. The operation of the analog multiplexer circuit 10 is performed by sequentially turning on each gate voltage of the analog switch by an internal FET (electrolytic effect transistor). The output signal of the analog multiplexer circuit 10 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 12 through the level correction circuit 11.
[0021]
The output signal of the analog multiplexer circuit 10 is input to the A / D converter 12 through the level correction circuit 11. The level correction circuit 11 receives a signal from a reference photodiode 13 that is attached to a position where the finger 7 does not block the incidence of light in the vicinity of the photodiode array 8 while holding the mouse. Add corrections. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the input and output of the level correction circuit 11. FIG. 6A shows an input signal input to the level correction circuit 11. The horizontal axis represents the position of each photodiode in the photodiode array 8, and the horizontal axis represents the photocurrent level of each photodiode. The level indicated by the arrow Ref in the figure indicates the photocurrent level of the reference photodiode 13. FIG. 6B shows the output voltage from the level correction circuit 11.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 6B, the level correction circuit 11 amplifies or attenuates the entire level so that the photocurrent level of the reference photodiode 13 always becomes the voltage Vr shown in the drawing. The voltage Vr is set to the same voltage as the full scale voltage of the A / D converter 12. Alternatively, it is set in the range of 90% to 95% with respect to the full scale voltage. By setting this range, even if there is a photodiode whose photocurrent level is higher than the photocurrent level of the reference photodiode 13, a voltage higher than the full scale voltage is applied to the input of the A / D converter 12. This makes it difficult to prevent conversion by the A / D converter 12. By the operations of the series of reference photodiodes 13 and the level correction circuit 11 described above, the overall fluctuation of the signal level from each photodiode, which varies depending on the position where the mouse is placed and the illumination, is corrected. The output of the A / D converter 12 is passed to the determination circuit as digitized biological information.
[0023]
The determination circuit, which is the determination means 32 shown in FIG. 2A, uses the same sensor and detection when a legitimate user stored in the storage circuit holds a mouse and a time-series digital signal that is biological information. The time-series digital signal obtained by the circuit is compared to determine whether the signal is obtained by a legitimate user. An example of the determination method is shown below. The determination is made based on the value of the square error S between the detected time-series digital signal Xi and the time-series digital signal Pi when held by a legitimate user. If the number of sensor arrays is N, the square error S is
[0024]
[Expression 1]

[0025]
Indicated by When the value of S is less than or equal to a certain threshold value, it is determined that the person holding the mouse is the same as a legitimate person recorded in advance in the storage circuit.
In order to perform the above calculation and determination, it is the most appropriate method in design to use a microprocessor that can contain a program.
[0026]
The notification means 36 reliably notifies the determination result to the program of the personal computer or the hardware device. In the configuration in which the determination circuit is placed on the mouse side as shown in FIG. 2A, it is considered that data theft and illegal use by the stolen data may occur between the connection of the mouse and the personal computer body. If there is, the mouse body 1 may be configured as shown in FIG. In the mouse in FIG. 2B, the determination means 32 and the storage means 34 are removed, and the detection signals from the sensors 201 and 202 are input to the detection means 30 and then notified to the personal computer main body by the notification means 36 as they are. The Although not shown, the determination unit 32 and the storage unit 34 are provided on the personal computer body side.
[0027]
In addition, the notification means 36 based on the encryption of data to be notified in the main body of the mouse 1 and the common culture in the main body of the personal computer is effective. As the encryption method, a common key method using a common key embedded in an IC chip of a mouse and a personal computer body is relatively simple and effective. In addition, the mouse can be provided with an ID function by setting a public key / private key pair to the mouse using a public key cryptosystem. In any case, these encryption methods can protect the exchange of determination results between the mouse and the personal computer body or the internal software from unauthorized use or misrepresentation from the outside. The notifying means 36 works on the operation of sending a mouse movement amount signal or a button depressing signal to the PC main body, which is a function as a hardware device of the mouse main body, and when the determination result is not a valid user, The signal transmission operation may be stopped.
[0028]
Next, an information equipment protecting method according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a mouse using the same will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a schematic configuration of the mouse according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows a single pulse sensor cell. When the finger 7 is placed on this sensor, the finger 7 is irradiated with light by the light-emitting diode 15 that conducts current by the DC power supply Vs and the resistor R1 for current adjustment, and the blood of the finger tip portion of the irradiated light is irradiated. The light absorption element 16 detects the amount absorbed by the pulsation. When the light emission wavelength of the light emitting diode 15 is in the range of 800 nm to 900 nm, a pulse signal can be obtained efficiently.
[0029]
As the light receiving element 16, a photodiode, a phototransistor, CdS, an amorphous silicon photodiode, or the like can be used. Regardless of which light receiving element is used, the light receiving element in which the wavelength sensitivity region is included in the light emission wavelength of the light emitting diode 15 is selected. It is necessary to. When a photodiode is used as the light receiving element 16, a resistor R2 for applying a reverse bias voltage, a coupling capacitor C1 for cutting off a direct current component, and an input resistor R3 are connected as shown in the figure to the input of the amplifier A1. Lead. Further, the coupling capacitor C1 and the input resistor R3 constitute a CR-type high-pass filter, and the time constant T1 determined by T1 = C1 × R3 is preferably set from 2 seconds to 10 seconds. If this time constant T1 is increased, it takes time until the DC level is stabilized, and if it is shortened, the waveform of the pulse signal changes.
[0030]
With the circuit shown in FIG. 7, a pulse signal as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained at the output terminal P of the amplifier A1. The amplitude of the signal Ae varies depending on the contact state of the finger, and the pulse rate can be calculated from the period Te. In this sensor, in addition to detecting the position of the finger when the sensor of the previous example is grasped as biological information, the grasping pressure and heart rate can be obtained as biological information. These are different elements depending on the individual, and the accuracy of personal identification can be significantly improved compared to the previous example.
[0031]
9 and 10 are both examples of sensors for detecting a pulse. The sensor in FIG. 9 is the same as the example of the sensor shown in FIG. 3, and a plurality of photodiodes 17 are arranged in a line on the substrate 4. Instead of the photodiode array, a sensor in which photodiodes are directly formed in a line on a silicon substrate or a glass substrate can also be used. A line CCD sensor manufactured by a semiconductor process can also be used. A plurality of light emitting diodes 18 are arranged in the vicinity of the photodiode 17. The number of the photodiodes 17 and the light emitting diodes 18 is not necessarily the same. In short, the light-emitting diode 18 only needs to be disposed at a position where light can be irradiated to the finger that comes into contact with the light-emitting diode 18. FIG. 10 shows a sensor composed of a surface mount type photodiode 19 and a light emitting diode 20. Similar to the example of FIG. 9, a surface mount type photodiode 19 having a light receiving surface on the upper surface and a light emitting diode 20 having a light emitting surface on the upper surface are mounted on the substrate 4 in a line shape.
[0032]
Next, FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the finger contact, sensor, and detection circuit. The sensor 21 is the sensor shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, and irradiates light on the finger 7 holding the mouse body by light emission of the light emitting diode. The amount of reflection and absorption of the irradiated light changes due to blood flow at the tip of the finger, and this change is detected by the light receiving element 25 provided in a line on the sensor 21. In order to detect the pulse signal from the sensor 21, the detection circuit 22 is provided with the detection circuit portions 23 shown in FIG.
[0033]
The signal from the detection circuit 22 is guided to the analog multiplexer circuit 24 and converted into time series data. At this time, the frequency Fr at which the analog multiplexer circuit 24 scans the input signal is set in the range of 10 Hz to 100 Hz so that the pulse signal can be sufficiently reproduced. If this frequency is low, the waveform of the pulse signal to be detected may not be sufficiently captured. If the frequency is high, the amount of data related to amplitude detection increases and costs increase. A signal from the analog multiplexer circuit 24 is input to an A / D converter 46 directly connected to the CPU bus 50. The conversion frequency Fs of the A / D converter 46 is Fs = Fr · N, where N is the number of light receiving elements of the sensor 21, and is synchronized with the switching timing of each switching element of the analog multiplexer circuit 24. By this scanning, the signal from each light receiving element of the sensor 21 is taken into the digital output of the A / D converter 46 Fr times per second.
[0034]
Thus, the pulse signal captured as a digital signal is temporarily stored in the RAM 42 through the CPU bus 50 connected to the CPU 40, the RAM 42, the ROM 44, and the communication interface 48 incorporated in the body of the mouse. The CPU 40 that operates according to a program incorporated in the ROM 44 obtains the value Aei (i = 1, N) obtained by obtaining the amplitude Ae of the pulse signal for each light receiving element of the sensor 21. At the same time, the pulse signal cycle Te is also obtained by the waveform analysis processing by the CPU 40. As the Te waveform analysis process, a method of measuring the interval between peak points and averaging the number of times is a relatively simple method.
[0035]
A frequency analysis technique using FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) can also be used. The pulse signal used for obtaining the period Te is most accurately obtained from a signal obtained from a light receiving element having a maximum Aei. In some cases, the pulse signals cannot be analyzed accurately due to the influence of noise included in the pulse signals. Therefore, it is necessary for accurate analysis to perform a process for removing noise included in the pulse signal. The largest noise component included in the pulse signal is noise having a power frequency component due to illumination. For this reason, processing for removing signal components of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, which are generally used power supply frequencies, may be performed. For this process, it is easy and effective to use an FIR filter.
[0036]
The amplitude Aei of each light receiving element obtained by the above processing is stored in advance in the RAM 42 or ROM 44 as storage means, and is the amplitude value Api (i = 1) obtained when a legitimate user holds the mouse. , N). This comparison method uses the square error Sp as described above. The square error Sp is
[0037]
[Expression 2]

[0038]
When the value of Sp is equal to or smaller than a certain threshold value, the person holding the mouse is assumed to be the same as a legitimate person recorded in the storage circuit in advance. To do.
[0039]
Further, the heartbeat period Tp of the legitimate user at rest is stored in the storage circuit, and the pulse periods Te obtained by the sensor and the detection circuit are compared. When the pulse period Te is significantly different from the pulse period Tp when the legitimate user is at rest, it is determined that the legitimate user is not legitimate. It is desirable that the determination range that the user is a legitimate user is 10% in a direction where the cycle is short and the heartbeat is fast, and 5% in a direction where the cycle is long and the heartbeat is slow. In general, the heartbeat is easy to change depending on the psychological state at that time, and is not suitable for judging as a legitimate user, but is effective as an auxiliary means.
[0040]
Heart rate tends to be faster than it is at rest, but it is difficult to slow it down. It is difficult to adjust the heart rate within the above-mentioned allowable range by impersonating an unauthorized user as a legitimate user. In particular, it is difficult to bring your heart rate low. In addition, even when the heart rate changes greatly, the user may consider the user to be in an abnormal mental state and determine that the user is an unauthorized user. In any case, if the heart rate or the change thereof is not within the allowable range, the determination that the user is a legitimate user is put on hold for about 5 minutes, which is the time when the user is in a resting state. After that, when the mouse is gripped again, the comparison is made based on the comparison of the amplitude and the cardiac cycle.
[0041]
Next, an information equipment protection method according to a third embodiment of the present invention and a mouse using the same will be described with reference to FIG. First, the mouse according to the present embodiment is characterized in that only the determination based on the cardiac cycle is performed. This is because the sensors 26 and 27 for pulse detection are provided on the part where many people touch the thumb and the part where the palm touches, assuming that the mouse is operated with the right hand, and detects only the pulse signal. is there. Therefore, although this mouse example is based on the determination of only the pulse signal, it is characterized by a simple configuration. In this case, the number of sensors for pulse detection may be one. Further, in the case where a larger number of heartbeat detection sensors are provided in the mouse, it can be installed in places other than those shown in FIG. 12, and the user's pulse signal can be reliably detected.
[0042]
In this example, since the pulse data can be collected, it can be used to check whether the user is touching the mouse and to reject or limit access to services, programs or files based on the mental state of the user determined from the pulse. A user in a psychosomatic state with a high heart rate can improve the safety of data and the like by stopping or limiting the handling of information equipment.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in various information devices using a mouse such as a personal computer, only an authorized user of the information device can use the information device. In addition, it is possible to refuse or restrict access to a user who has a fast pulse and cannot make a calm judgment, and the safety in using information equipment can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mouse according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a signal processing unit of a mouse according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a mouse sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the internal structure of the mouse sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of finger contact, a sensor, and a detection circuit in the mouse according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between an input and an output of a mouse level correction circuit 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a single pulse sensor cell in a mouse according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a pulse signal detected by a pulse sensor in a mouse according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a view showing a pulse sensor in a mouse according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a pulse sensor in a mouse according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of finger contact, a sensor, and a detection circuit in a mouse according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mouse according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Mouse body
3 Photodiode
4 Substrate
5 Surface mount type photodiode
6 Windows on the side of the mouse
7 Finger holding the mouse
8 Photodiode array
9 Amplification circuit
10 Analog multiplexer circuit
11 Level correction circuit
12 A / D converter
13 Reference photodiode
14 Single amplifier
15 Light emitting diode
16 Light receiving element
17 Photodiode
18 Light-emitting diode
19 Photodio
20 Light emitting diode
21 Sensor
22 Detection circuit
23 Detection circuit
24 Analog multiplexer circuit
25 Light receiving element
26, 27 Pulse detection sensor
30 detection means
32 judgment means
34 Memory means
36 Notification means
40 CPU
42 RAM
44 ROM
46 A / D converter
48 Communication interface
50 CPU bus
201, 202 sensor

Claims (13)

In the data input device that the user contacts when inputting data to the information equipment,
A plurality of light receiving elements arranged on at least one of both side surfaces of the main body, and a sensor for detecting a contact position of the user's finger as biological information;
Data input device characterized by having a notifying means for notifying the biometric information obtained by said sensor to said information device. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein
Based on the biological information obtained by the sensor, further comprising a determination means for determining whether the user can use the information device;
The data input device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the information device of a determination result obtained by the determination unit. The data input device according to claim 1 or 2,
The sensor includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged adjacent to the light receiving element, and outputs a pulse signal of the user from light emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the light receiving element through the user's finger. A data input device for detecting. The data input device according to claim 3, wherein
A data input device for detecting a contact pressure of the finger from an amplitude of the pulse signal detected by the sensor. The data input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The data input device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit uses an encryption unit when data is exchanged with the information device. The data input device according to claim 5, wherein
The data input device, wherein the notification unit notifies the information device of the determination result using the encryption unit. In the information device protection method for detecting the user's biological information when the user uses the information device, and determining whether the user can use the information device based on the biological information,
7. A method for protecting information equipment, comprising: obtaining a detection result from the sensor of the data input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in contact with a hand of the user as the biological information of the user. . In the information equipment protection method of Claim 7,
The information device protection method according to claim 1, wherein the position of a finger in contact with the side surface portion of the data input device according to claim 1 is acquired as the biological information of the user. In the information equipment protection method according to claim 7 or 8,
The contact pressure applied to the side surface of the data input device by a finger in contact with the side surface portion of the data input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in contact with the user is acquired as the biological information of the user. Information device protection method. In the information equipment protection method in any one of Claims 7 thru | or 9,
A method for protecting information equipment, comprising: obtaining a heart rate obtained from a pulse signal of the user as the biological information. In the information equipment protection method in any one of Claims 7 thru | or 10,
An information device protection method, wherein access to the information device is denied or access is restricted according to the heart rate of the user or a change thereof. In the information equipment protection method according to any one of claims 7 to 11,
An information equipment protection method, wherein the operation of the data input device is stopped according to the heart rate of the user or a change thereof. In the data input device that is held by the user's hand when inputting data to the information equipment,
A plurality of light receiving elements arranged on at least one of both side surfaces of the main body, and a sensor for detecting the position of the user's finger as biological information;
A data input device comprising: a notification unit configured to notify the information device of the biological information obtained by the sensor.

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