JP2003085540A - User interface, authenticating device, device, and portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user interface, an authenticating device, a device, and a portable information terminal capable of enhancing usability for an authenticated person at low cost. SOLUTION: An identification information acquiring part is provided on a part of the user interface such as a key board 30, and is so structured that when a user touches the user interface, and takes a home position to the user interface, that is a position the user unconsciously or inevitably takes, identification information of the user is acquired. In addition, the identification information acquiring part can acquire a blood vessel arrangement pattern and a vein arrangement pattern of the user as the identification information, and the identification information can be acquired even in a non-contact state with the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention performs personal authentication.
The present invention relates to a user interface, an authentication device, a device, and a portable information terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a device which uses a fingerprint, a voiceprint, a blood vessel distribution of an iris or an eardrum as a personal authentication means. For security applications, for example, press your finger against the authentication device installed near the door of the entrance and exit, detect the fingerprint with this authentication device, and open the door only when it is authenticated that it matches the pre-registered fingerprint. Lock it. Similarly, when a voiceprint or iris is used, the door is unlocked when the detected voiceprint or iris pattern is registered in advance by speaking to the authentication device or by facing the eyes. It is supposed to be done. Such fingerprints, voice prints, irises, etc. are on the order of one in tens of thousands of people having the same pattern, and thus have an excellent aspect as means for performing personal authentication. It is being used in a wide range of fields including such security applications.

[0003]

However, in the case of performing personal authentication using the conventional authentication device, the person to be authenticated receives his / her finger against the detection unit of the authentication device or his / her eyes. There is a problem that they have to face each other, utter a voice, or perform a special operation for receiving authentication, and there is room for improvement in convenience. In addition, fingerprints and iris patterns are extremely fine, and it is necessary to perform pattern detection with high resolution in order to improve authentication accuracy. For this reason, the pattern detection unit in the authentication device is expensive, which also hinders cost reduction of the system.

By the way, in recent years, for example, it has been considered to detect a vein pattern on the back of the hand of a person to be authenticated and perform authentication using this (MacGregor P, Welford R, “Veinchec”).
k Lends A Hand For High Security ”, E0968 Sensor Re
view, vol.12, No.3,1992, page.19-23, EN). Since the vein pattern is coarser than the fingerprint or iris pattern, the authentication device can detect the pattern at a significantly lower resolution. However, even when using the vein pattern on the back of the hand as described above, the person to be authenticated must perform a special operation of facing the back of the hand to the detection unit of the authentication device in order to be authenticated. This is not the case, and it cannot be an effective solution to the above problem.
The present invention has been made based on such a technical problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a user interface, an authentication device, a device, and a portable information terminal that can improve convenience for a person to be authenticated at low cost. To aim.

[0005]

With the above-mentioned object, the user interface of the present invention can be identified when the user takes a natural position when using the user interface, that is, when the user takes a home position with respect to the user interface. The information acquisition unit acquires the identification information of the user, and the identification information output unit outputs the identification information. Here, examples of the user interface include a keyboard in a personal computer, a mouse, a joystick, a steering wheel in an automobile, a shift lever, and the like. Further, as an example of a position that the user naturally takes when using the user interface, that is, a home position with respect to the user interface, put a finger at a basic position when inputting a character on the keyboard, and operate a mouse. In this case, covering the grip part of the mouse with the palm of the hand, gripping the steering wheel or shift lever when driving the car, and the like. As described above, in the present invention, since the user identification information is acquired when the user takes the home position with respect to the user interface, the user does not need to perform any special operation. In addition to this, as a user interface, a mouse pad whose wrist faces when operating the mouse, a door knob to be touched when opening and closing the door,
In the present invention, a back surface of a portable information terminal such as a handle to be touched when holding a bag or a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone can be included in the present invention.

In the user interface of the present invention, the identification information acquisition unit reads the blood vessel arrangement pattern by infrared rays or the like, not only when the user is in contact with the user but also when the user is not in contact with the user. Can be obtained. That is, even if a part of the user's body is not in contact with the identification information acquisition unit, the identification information is acquired if the user is close to the identification information acquisition unit. There is no need to let it happen. The identification information acquisition unit can detect the blood vessel arrangement pattern of the user and acquire the blood vessel arrangement pattern as identification information. To detect blood vessel patterns,
A method of generating a magnetic field and detecting the flow of blood passing through the magnetic field, a detection method using an ultrasonic beam, or the like can be used. Further, the infrared light emitting unit emits infrared light, and the reflected light is detected by the reflected light detecting unit, whereby the arrangement pattern of the veins of the user can be detected as the identification information. Here, since the oxygen content differs between arteries and veins, the absorption rate of infrared rays differs, and thus the arrangement pattern of veins can be detected. As the identification information output by the identification information output unit, the detected blood vessel arrangement pattern and vein arrangement pattern can be output as they are or only a part of them can be output for external authentication processing. It is also possible to perform authentication based on the detected blood vessel arrangement pattern and vein arrangement pattern, and output whether or not the authentication is possible.

Further, the present invention provides an authentication device including an identification information acquisition unit, an authentication unit and an authentication result output unit. The authentication device according to the present invention is provided on an operation target of a person to be authenticated, for example, a user interface such as a keyboard or a mouse. The identification information acquisition unit is provided at a position where the authenticated person's wrist or palm opposes when the authenticated person operates the operation target, that is, a position in consideration of the operation of the authenticated person. I am trying. More specifically, the identification information acquisition unit acquires the identification information of the authenticated person when the authenticated person operates the operation target, the authentication unit performs authentication based on this identification information, and then outputs the authentication result. The department outputs the authentication result of the authentication unit. As a result, the person to be authenticated can receive the authentication unconsciously without being required to perform a special operation for receiving the authentication. Also,
The identification information acquisition unit can irradiate the person to be authenticated with infrared rays and acquire the arrangement pattern of veins of the person to be authenticated as identification information based on the reflected light. Further, in the authentication device of the present invention, the registration information storage unit that stores the registration information of the pre-registered person to be authenticated, the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit, and the registration information stored in the registration information storage unit. Further comprises an information collating unit for collating
The verification result of the information verification unit can be output as the authentication result.

Further, the present invention provides a device characterized in that a vein arrangement pattern of a user is acquired as identification information, and specific processing is performed for each user based on an authentication result made based on this identification information. . Here, the device broadly includes, for example, an input device such as a personal computer, a moving body such as an automobile, a bicycle, a motorcycle, or a door. In the device of the present invention, the identification information acquisition unit is provided in the operation unit that receives a user operation. As is well known, as an operating means in an input device such as a personal computer, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, etc., and as an operating means in a moving body such as an automobile, a handle, a shift lever, etc. Also, the specific processing performed by the processing means is
Various types are possible depending on the type of device. For example, when the device is a personal computer, it is possible to perform not only access restriction but also change of input setting, screen setting, etc. for each user as a specific process.

Further, the portable information terminal of the present invention has an operating section for receiving an input from the outside, and is characterized in that an infrared emitting section is provided on the back surface of the operating section.
More specifically, the infrared light emitting section emits infrared rays toward a predetermined part of the body of the person to be authenticated holding the portable information terminal, for example, the hand of the person to be authenticated, and the reflected light detection section is emitted from the infrared light emitting section. The infrared reflected light from the person to be authenticated is detected. Next, the image acquisition unit acquires an image based on the difference in infrared absorption rate of the person to be authenticated based on the reflected light detected by the reflected light detection unit, and the information output unit acquires information based on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit. It outputs it. In the portable information terminal of the present invention, since the infrared light emitting unit is provided on the back surface of the operation unit, it is possible to acquire the image information of the person to be authenticated without requesting the person to be authenticated for a special operation. You can This is because the person to be authenticated normally performs the operation while holding the portable information terminal in his or her palm, and the palm of the person to be authenticated usually contacts or comes close to the back surface of the operation unit.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below in detail based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an authentication system that authenticates a person to be authenticated (user) by a vein pattern (blood vessel arrangement pattern, vein arrangement pattern) and restricts access to a computer terminal is given as an example. First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reason why authentication by the vein pattern of the person to be authenticated is possible will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of a vein pattern on the inside of the arm of the human body (palm side). (A) of FIG. 1
As shown in (c), there are various vein patterns for each individual. Moreover, fingerprints are present only in a part of the human body, whereas vein patterns are present throughout the human body. Further, since the vein pattern hardly changes with time, it can be used for personal authentication, like the vein pattern on the back of the hand described in the prior art.

It should be noted that the vein patterns on the inside of the arm of the human body (palm side) are different for each individual,
The vein pattern in the palm of the human body and the vein pattern in the fingertips of the human body also vary from person to person. Therefore, not only the vein pattern on the inside of the arm of the human body (palm side), but also the vein pattern on the palm of the human body and the vein pattern on the fingertips of the human body can be used for personal authentication.

FIG. 2 shows the absorption spectrum of venous blood and the band of near infrared light used for vein detection. As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the wavelength is 750 to 950.
We propose to optically image vein patterns in the nanometer (nm) range. 750 to 950 nanometers (n
In the range of m), since there is no biological substance having a large absorption band other than hemoglobin, only the vein can be imaged. Here, an example of optically photographing the vein pattern inside the arm (palm side) of the human body in the wavelength range of 750 to 950 nanometers (nm) is shown in FIG.
become that way.

Next, a configuration relating to vein pattern detection in the authentication device (authentication device) 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the authentication device 10 includes a sensor 11 for detecting proximity or contact of a person to be authenticated (user) 20 to the authentication device 10, data of a vein pattern registered in advance (registered information of the person to be authenticated). A registration data storage unit (registration information storage unit) 12 in which is stored, a vein pattern detection unit (identification information acquisition unit, identification information acquisition unit, image information acquisition unit) 13 that detects the vein pattern of the person to be authenticated 20,
An authentication determination unit (authentication unit, information collation unit, authentication unit) 14 that analyzes the vein pattern detected by the vein pattern detection unit 13 and collates with the vein pattern stored in the registration data storage unit 12 to perform authentication determination. A result sending unit (identification information output unit, authentication result output unit, image information output unit) 15 for sending the authentication determination result of the authentication determination unit 14 is provided. In addition,
As the sensor 11, it is possible to use a conventionally used sensor such as a proximity switch using a change in electrostatic capacitance due to the proximity of a person, a proximity switch using light reflection or a photoelectric switch.

By the way, in the registration data storage unit 12, data of a predetermined vein pattern of the person to be authenticated 20 is registered in advance. This registration is performed by the person to be authenticated 20 having the vein pattern detecting unit 13 face-to-face with the vein pattern detecting unit 13 in advance at a predetermined position on his / her body, for example, a palm or wrist as in each application example described later. The registered data storage unit 1 by causing the registered data storage unit 1 to detect its own vein pattern and further perform a predetermined operation for registration.
It is performed by storing it in 2.

The vein pattern detection unit 13 detects a light emitting unit (infrared light emitting unit) 16 that emits infrared light and reflected light when the infrared light emitted from the light emitting unit 16 is reflected by the person to be authenticated 20. Dimensional CCD (Charge Coupled Dev
The reflected light detection unit 17 includes a line sensor using an ice: charge coupled device) or the like. Here, the light emitting unit 16
Is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It can be formed in a line by arranging. In addition, the reflected light detection unit 17, as shown in FIG.
A pair may be arranged on both sides of the light emitting unit 16. The vein pattern detection by the vein pattern detection unit 13 is not limited to the case where a predetermined body part of the person to be authenticated 20 is in contact with the vein pattern detection unit 13, that is, when the person to be authenticated 20 has a vein. This is possible even when the pattern detection unit 13 is not in contact. This is based on the fact that the vein pattern authentication can capture the vein pattern as an image without the need to detect fine irregularities unlike the fingerprint authentication. Therefore, when the reflected light detecting unit 17 detects the vein pattern, it is possible to detect the vein pattern at a resolution lower than the resolution used when detecting the fine irregularities of the fingerprint.

The authentication device 1 having the above structure
0 is provided for the operation target of the person to be authenticated 20. And
As will be described later, it is extremely important in the present invention to arrange the authentication device 10, more specifically the vein pattern detection unit 13, in the operation target of the person to be authenticated 20. Hereinafter, as an application example of the above configuration, when the operation target of the person to be authenticated 20 is a user interface (application examples 1 to 6), when the operation target is a doorknob (application example 7), the operation target is a mobile phone. A case of a telephone (application example 8) will be described.

(Application Example 1) FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of the vein pattern detection unit 13 in the keyboard (user interface, operation target, operation means) 30. Here, as is well known, the keyboard 30 constitutes a part of a personal computer (device). That is, the personal computer includes a main body, a monitor, and the like, and a keyboard 30 as an input device. In this application example, the authentication device 10 is provided on the keyboard 30. When the authentication device 10 is provided on the keyboard 30, as shown in FIG. 5A, the vein pattern near the wrist of the person to be authenticated 20 is detected. As shown in FIG.
The keyboard 30 has a plurality of keys 31 and an outer frame 32. The outer frame 32 is provided with the vein pattern detection unit 13. The vein pattern detection unit 13 does not need to be provided all around the outer frame 32, and may be provided at a position where the vein pattern of the person to be authenticated 20 can be effectively acquired. In other words, when the person to be authenticated 20 uses the ten fingers to input characters on the keyboard 30, the person usually puts his or her finger on a so-called home position. Here, the home position with respect to the keyboard 30 refers to a position of a basic hand or arm on which a finger is placed when performing “touch typing” without looking at the keyboard 30, specifically, QWERTY.
On an array keyboard, from the little finger of the left hand, "A",
The home position is a state in which “S”, “D”, “F”, and the index finger of the right hand are sequentially placed at “J”, “K”, “L”, and “;”. This home position is a position that the person to be authenticated 20 naturally takes when using the keyboard 30, and by associating the home position with the authentication, it is not necessary to force the person to be authenticated 20 to perform an operation only for authentication. . That is, by providing the vein pattern detection unit 13 at a position facing the vicinity of the wrist of the person to be authenticated 20 with the person to be authenticated 20 in the home position, the vein pattern of the person to be authenticated 20 can be effectively obtained. Can be obtained.

When the authenticated person 20 uses the keyboard 30 shown in FIG. 5B, when the finger of the authenticated person 20 is placed in the home position, the vein pattern detection unit 13 causes the authenticated person 20 to have his wrist. It will face the neighborhood. That is, the vein pattern detection unit 13 faces the area surrounded by the reference numeral (a) in FIG. In this state, when the light emitting unit 16 of the vein pattern detection unit 13 emits infrared light, the reflected light at the line-shaped portions indicated by the symbols (b) and (c) in FIG.
It is detected by the reflected light detector 17. As a result, the pattern of the position where the vein exists can be detected in the portions indicated by the symbols (b) and (c).

FIG. 6 shows a flow of detecting a vein pattern in the authentication device 10. This process
This is performed when the person to be authenticated 20 comes into contact with or comes close to the authentication device 10. First, the sensor 11 constantly (even at predetermined time intervals) monitors whether or not the person to be authenticated 20 comes into contact with or comes close to the authentication device 10. Here, it is assumed that the sensor 11 detects that the person to be authenticated 20 comes into contact with or approaches the authentication device 10 (step S
101). Then, in response to this, the light emitting unit 16 emits infrared rays of a predetermined output level near the wrist (or palm) of the person to be authenticated 20 (step S102). In addition,
To adjust the light emission timing and light emission level of the light emitting unit 16,
It is controlled by the authentication determination unit 14.

When the infrared ray emitted by the person to be authenticated 20 is reflected by a part of the person to be authenticated 20 in step S102, the reflected light detecting section 17 detects the reflected light. When the reflected light detection unit 17 detects the reflected light, the reflected light detection unit 17 captures the image of the vein pattern of the person to be authenticated 20 in the portions indicated by reference numerals (b) and (c) in FIG. 1 (step S103). When the image of the vein pattern of the person to be authenticated 20 is captured in step S103, this data is stored in the authentication determination unit 1
4 and proceeds to the subsequent step S104. The authentication determination unit 14 extracts the feature of the vein pattern from the obtained image of the vein pattern based on a predetermined logic.
That is, a process of optically analyzing the difference in reflected light (difference in infrared absorption rate) due to the difference in the subcutaneous tissue in the portion of the person to be authenticated 20 irradiated with infrared light is performed (step S104).

Subsequently, a vein pattern from which features are extracted,
The vein patterns stored in the registration data storage unit 12 are collated (step S105), and it is determined whether or not they match (step S106). If they match, it is determined that authentication has been made (step S107), and the process proceeds to step S108.

On the other hand, if the vein pattern from which the features are extracted does not match the vein pattern stored in the registration data storage unit 12, it is determined that authentication is not possible in step S109, and then the process proceeds to step S108. After that, the result sending unit 15 outputs the authentication determination result (verification result) of the authentication determination unit 14, that is, the result that the authentication is not possible, at an appropriate timing (step S108). This output is output as voice or characters, for example, on a personal computer main body or a monitor. Thereby, the person to be authenticated 20 can easily recognize that he / she has been determined to be unauthenticated.

If it is determined in step S107 that the authentication has been performed, then the result sending section 15
The authentication determination result of the authentication determination unit 14 is output at an appropriate timing (step S108). Note that step S108
The output in is, for example, the operation unit on the device side,
It may be performed when the person to be authenticated 20 operates the keyboard 30, the mouse, or the like. Here, as described above, since the keyboard 30 shown in FIG. 5 is a part of a personal computer, a notebook computer, or the like, in this case, the authentication determination result is appropriately timed to the device side, for example, the control unit of the personal computer. Is output with. Here, according to the authentication determination result, not only the person to be authenticated 20 can be allowed to access a personal computer or the like, but the personal computer or the like can be set according to the person to be authenticated 20. That is, the authentication determination result can be used to personalize the input setting and the like on the device side (eg, personal computer, notebook computer, PDA) to which the authentication determination result is transmitted. For example, if the authenticated person 20 to be authenticated inputs Japanese, the input setting on the personal computer side can be automatically set for Japanese input. In addition, for example, when the personal computer is shared by a family and it is determined that the person to be authenticated 20 is a child, the screen settings and input settings on the personal computer side are switched to those for the child. You may The specific processing according to the authenticated person 20 is as follows.
For example, it can be performed by the CPU on the device side.

If the sensor 11 does not detect the contact or proximity of the person to be authenticated 20 after a certain period of time after the authentication is established, the authentication judging unit 14 detects this and the result sending unit 15 judges. It is designed to erase the resulting data. This resets the authentication. For example, after the authentication is established, the user may leave the seat for a long time while the personal computer is activated, or may forget to turn off the power of the personal computer and go out. This is because it is not preferable in terms of security if it is determined that the authentication can be continued.

The flow for detecting the vein pattern in the authentication device 10 has been described above, but this flow is the same for the following application examples.

(Application Example 2) FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of the vein pattern detection unit 13 in the mouse (user interface, operation target, operation means) 40. Here, as is well known, the mouse 40 constitutes a part of a personal computer (device). That is, the personal computer is provided with a mouse 40 as an input device in addition to a main body, a monitor, etc.
An example in which the authentication device 10 is provided at 0 is shown. When the authentication device 10 is provided on the mouse 40, as shown in FIG. 7A, a vein pattern near the palm of the person to be authenticated 20 is detected. This is because when the person to be authenticated 20 operates the mouse 40, the person to be authenticated 20 normally operates so as to cover the grip portion 41 of the mouse 40 with the palm. That is, the position of the hand when performing this operation is the home position of the person to be authenticated 20 with respect to the mouse 40. Therefore, in Application Example 2, the vein pattern detection unit 13 is arranged in the grip portion 41 of the mouse 40. Even if the person to be authenticated 20 puts his / her palm on the grip portion 41 so that the palm is slightly rounded, and a depression can be made in the palm,
Authentication based on vein patterns is possible. In this case, for example, a predetermined conversion process is applied to the vein pattern of the person to be authenticated 20 stored in the registration data storage unit 12 to generate a vein pattern in a state in which a palm is depressed, and the vein pattern is actually photographed. It is only necessary to check with the vein pattern.

(Application Example 3) FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of the vein pattern detection unit 13 in the mouse pad (user interface, operation target, operation means) 50.
Here, as is well known, the mouse pad 50 is used together with the mouse 40 which is a part of a personal computer, and in the present embodiment, the mouse pad 5 is used.
0 is also treated as a part of the personal computer, that is, a part of the device. When the authentication device 10 is provided on the mouse pad 50, as shown in FIG. 8A, the vein pattern near the wrist of the person to be authenticated 20 is detected. As shown in FIG. 8B, the person to be authenticated 20 usually operates the mouse 40, which is included in the palm of the hand, with the wrist as an axis on the mouse pad 50, so that the vicinity of the wrist of the person to be authenticated 20 is the mouse pad 50. Will be in contact with or close to. That is, the position of the hand when this operation is performed is the home position of the authenticated person 20 with respect to the mouse pad 50. Therefore, in Application Example 3, the vein pattern detection unit 13 is arranged in a part of the mouse pad 50. When the authentication device 10 is provided in the mouse pad 50, the authentication determination result can be sent by connecting the vein pattern detection unit 13 provided in the mouse pad 50 to the main body of the personal computer, for example.

Application Example 4 FIG. 9 shows a steering wheel (user interface, operation target, operation means) 60 of an automobile.
3 shows the arrangement of the vein pattern detection unit 13 in FIG. When the steering wheel 60 of the automobile is used as the authentication device 10, as shown in FIG. 9A, a vein pattern near the palm of the person to be authenticated 20 is detected. here,
As is well known, a vehicle (device) is provided with a steering wheel 60 in the driver's seat as an operation means of the vehicle, and the steering wheel 60 constitutes a part of the vehicle. When the person to be authenticated 20 sits in the driver's seat, as shown in FIG. 9B, the right end portion 61 of the steering wheel 60 as seen from the person to be authenticated 20.
The person to be authenticated 20 normally grips a and the left end portion 61b. That is, the position of the hand when performing this operation is the home position of the person to be authenticated 20 with respect to the handle 60. Therefore, in Application Example 4, the vein pattern detection unit 13 is arranged at the right end portion 61a and the left end portion 61b of the handle 60.

The following are examples of applications of the authentication determination result by the authentication determination unit 14. For example, by sending the authentication determination result in the steering wheel 60 to the engine control system of the automobile, it is possible to reject the engine start by the person to be authenticated 20 who is not registered in the registration data storage unit 12 or sound the horn. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the theft of the automobile. In addition, for example, when the vein patterns of a plurality of persons to be authenticated 20 are registered in the registration data storage unit 12, the seats in the driver's seat according to the pre-registered body types of the persons to be authenticated 20 based on the authentication determination result. The arrangement and height of the may be changed. Furthermore, for example, the vein pattern of the child of the car owner may be registered in the registration data storage unit 12, and when the vein pattern of the child is authenticated, the horn of the car may automatically ring. .

(Application Example 5) FIG. 10 shows a shift lever (user interface, operation target, operation means) of an automobile.
7 shows an arrangement of the vein pattern detection unit 13 in 70. Authentication device 1 for shift lever 70 of automobile
When 0 is set, as shown in FIG. 10A, a vein pattern near the palm of the person to be authenticated 20 is detected. Here, as is well known, a vehicle (device) is provided with a shift lever 70 near the driver's seat as an operating means of the vehicle, and the shift lever 70 constitutes a part of the vehicle.
When operating the shift lever 70 as shown in FIG. 10, the authenticated person 20 inevitably places his / her palm so as to cover the upper surface 71 of the knob portion of the shift lever 70. That is, the position of the hand when performing this operation is the home position of the person to be authenticated 20 with respect to the shift lever 70. Therefore, in Application Example 5, the vein pattern detection unit 13 is arranged on the knob portion upper surface 71 of the shift lever 70.
The use of the authentication determination result in the authentication determination unit 14 may be the same as that in the application example 4 described above.

Application Example 6 In the case where the authentication device 10 is provided on the shift lever 70 of an automobile, an example in which the vein pattern detection unit 13 is arranged on the knob portion upper surface 71 of the shift lever 70 is shown in the application example 4, but FIG. It may be arranged as shown in FIG. That is, the shift lever 70 of the automobile
When the authentication device 10 is provided in FIG. 11, the vein pattern near the wrist of the person to be authenticated 20 can be detected as shown in FIG. As described above, when the authenticated person 20 operates the shift lever 70, the authenticated person 20 inevitably places his / her palm so as to cover the upper surface 71 of the knob portion of the shift lever 70. When the position is set, as shown in FIG. 11B, the wrist of the person to be authenticated 20 diagonally faces the shaft portion 72 of the shift lever 70. Therefore, in Application Example 6, FIG.
As shown in, the vein pattern detection unit 13 is arranged on a part of the shaft portion 72 of the shift lever 70. Here, the light emitting unit 16 constituting the vein pattern detection unit 13 irradiates the wrist of the person to be authenticated 20 with infrared light when the person to be authenticated 20 takes the home position with respect to the shift lever 70. The infrared rays are radiated obliquely to the shaft portion 72 at a predetermined angle. The use of the authentication determination result in the authentication determination unit 14 may be the same as that in the application example 4 described above.

(Application 7) FIG. 12 shows the arrangement of the vein pattern detection unit 13 in the door knob (user interface, operation target, operation means) 80. Here, as is well known, the door knob 80 is a door (device).
81 are constituent elements. Authentication device 1 on the doorknob 80
When 0 is set, a vein pattern near the palm of the person to be authenticated 20 is detected as shown in FIG. When the authenticated person 20 opens and closes the door, the authenticated person 20 inevitably covers the door knob 80 with the palm. That is,
The position of the hand when performing this operation is the home position of the authenticated person 20 with respect to the door knob 80. Therefore,
In Application Example 7, the vein pattern detection unit 13 is arranged in a part of the door knob 80. The authentication determination result by the authentication determination unit 14 can be used, for example, for security, and if the door is unlocked only when the authentication determination result is authentic, intrusion into the building other than the registered person can be prevented. Can be stopped. Further, when the authentication determination result indicates that the authentication is not possible, the door may not be unlocked and an alarm may sound, for example.

Application Example 8 FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of the vein pattern detection unit 13 in the mobile phone (user interface, operation target, portable information terminal) 90. When the mobile phone 90 is provided with the authentication device 10, as shown in FIG. 13A, a vein pattern near the palm of the person to be authenticated 20 is detected. When the person to be authenticated 20 operates the mobile phone 90, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, the mobile phone 90 is held on the back surface 92 of the operation unit 91 (operation means). That is, the position of the hand when performing this operation is the home position of the person to be authenticated 20 with respect to the mobile phone 90. Therefore, in Application Example 8, the vein pattern detection unit 13 is arranged on a part of the back surface 92 of the mobile phone 90. Here, if the mobile phone 90 is provided with the fingerprint authentication detection unit, it is conceivable to provide the detection unit on a surface (side surface of the mobile phone 90) orthogonal to the operation unit 91 of the mobile phone 90. However, there are various ways of holding the mobile phone 90 depending on the person. When the person to be authenticated 20 operates the mobile phone 90, the finger of the person to be authenticated 20 does not always come into contact with the side surface of the mobile phone 90. The person 20 needs to perform an operation only for authentication. On the other hand, by disposing the vein pattern detection unit 13 in consideration of the home position of the person to be authenticated 20 as in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to force the person to be authenticated 20 to perform an operation only for authentication. .

The following is an example of the use of the authentication determination result by the authentication determination unit 14. For example, if the mobile phone 90 can be used only when the result of the authentication determination by the authentication determination unit 14 indicates that the mobile phone 90 can be authenticated, it is possible to prevent misuse by another person when the mobile phone 90 is lost. Also, for example, a mobile phone 90
Even if the vein patterns of a plurality of persons to be authenticated 20 are registered in the registration data storage unit 12, a restriction is set so that only a specific person can perform processing such as electronic payment. You may do it. Above, application example 8
As an example, the arrangement of the vein pattern detection unit 13 in the case where the authentication device 10 is provided in the mobile phone 90 is shown, but the same applies to the home phone, that is, when the person to be authenticated 20 holds the receiver. The vein pattern detection unit 13 can be provided at a position where the palm of the person 20 faces. Also, when the authentication device 10 is provided in the electronic notebook or PDA, when the person to be authenticated 20 operates them, the palm of the person to be authenticated 20 may come into contact with or approach the back of the operation surface of the electronic notebook or PDA. Take a good home position. Therefore, even when the authentication device 10 is provided in the electronic notebook or PDA, it is effective to provide the vein pattern detection unit 13 for detecting the palm vein pattern on the back surface of the operation surface of the device.

In the authentication device 10 and various user interfaces to which the authentication device 10 is applied as described above, the vein pattern detection unit 13 detects the vein pattern near the palm or the wrist of the person to be authenticated 20. It is configured to perform authentication. This allows
It is possible to perform personal authentication similar to the case of using a fingerprint or an iris. Moreover, since the vein pattern is much coarser than the pattern of fingerprints, iris, etc., the pattern resolution required to perform the matching process in the authentication determination unit 14 can be low, and the infrared light emitting unit 16 and the reflected light detection can be performed. Since the vein pattern detection unit 13 including the unit 17 has a simpler structure than the fingerprint detection unit in the related art, the authentication device 1
The cost can be reduced to 0. Moreover, the arrangement of the vein pattern detection unit 13 is set based on the position that the person to be authenticated 20 naturally takes when using the user interface provided with the authentication device 10, or in other words, the home position with respect to the user interface. There is. As a result, the person to be authenticated 20 can unknowingly receive the vein pattern without performing a special operation only for receiving the authentication. Therefore, the authenticated person 2
The convenience for 0 is greatly improved.

In the above embodiment, an example of detecting a vein pattern near the palm or a vein pattern near the wrist has been shown, but the vein pattern is not limited to these, and the person to be authenticated 20 for the user interface.
Depending on the home position of, the vein pattern of the fingertip may be detected. At first glance, the idea of detecting a fingertip vein pattern seems to be similar to fingerprint authentication, but when detecting a fingertip vein pattern, the pattern resolution required for the verification process by the authentication determination unit 14 is required. Since the cost is low and the structure is simpler than that of the fingerprint detection unit in the related art, the cost of the authentication device 10 can be reduced. Moreover, even if the fingertip is not necessarily in close contact with the authentication device 10, it is possible to detect the vein pattern of the fingertip as long as the fingertip is close to the authentication device 10. Therefore, higher authentication accuracy than fingerprint authentication can be expected. .

In the above embodiment, the vein pattern detecting unit 13 is composed of the line-shaped light emitting unit 16 and the reflected light detecting units 17 on both sides thereof, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, they may be arranged in a dot matrix, or other configurations are possible. Also,
In the above embodiment, the keyboard 30 as the operation target,
Although the mouse 40 and the like are mentioned, the operation target in the present invention is not limited to these, and a bag or a drawer of a desk may be the operation target. For example, the vein pattern detection unit 13 may be provided on the handle of the bag to detect the vein pattern near the palm. Alternatively, the vein pattern detection unit 13 may be provided in the handle of the drawer of the desk to detect the vein pattern of the fingertip. Then, the authentication determination unit 1
By using the authentication determination result in 4 for opening / closing and unlocking the bag or drawer, it can be used for security and other purposes.

In the above embodiment, infrared rays are used as the vein pattern detecting means, but the invention is not limited to this, and other means can be used as appropriate. For example, a plurality of capacitance detecting elements may be arranged in a dot matrix in a part of the user interface or the operation target, and the blood vessel distribution can be detected from the capacitance change due to blood flow. In addition, an ultrasonic beam irradiation means is provided in a part of the user interface or the operation target, and the ultrasonic beam emitted from the ultrasonic beam irradiation means to the inside of the arm of the person to be authenticated 20 is changed by the blood cells that are the moving reflectors. The configuration may be such that the reflected wave reflected is detected by the detection means.
In this case, the frequency of the reflected wave (reception frequency) shifts according to the moving speed of the blood cells due to the Doppler effect, as compared with the transmission frequency of the ultrasonic beam in the ultrasonic beam irradiating means. The distribution pattern of blood vessels can be obtained from the flow velocity distribution.

Further, in place of the light emitting lamp 16a of the light emitting section 16 shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of magnetic heads are provided as magnetic field generating means, and the magnetic heads generate a magnetic field along the direction in which the light emitting section 16 is continuous. It is also possible to provide a detection means for detecting an electrical change such as a voltage or a current generated in the vicinity thereof. That is, when a magnetic field is applied by the magnetic field generating means, an induced electromotive force is generated when blood containing many charged particles passes in a direction orthogonal to the magnetic field.
Here, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field is B, the blood vessel diameter is d, the blood flow velocity is v, and the induced electromotive force e is e = Bdv. Here, if the magnetic flux density B and the blood vessel diameter d are kept constant and the induced electromotive force e is detected, the blood flow velocity v can be measured. The presence of blood vessels can be specified from the blood flow velocity distribution that can be detected in this way, and the blood vessel distribution pattern can be obtained. Based on the measured flow rate v, the flow rate Q of blood is calculated by Q = π × (d / 2) ² × v. Here, there are a DC method and an AC method as an excitation method for generating a magnetic field, but the induced electromotive force e is weak, and the DC method has problems such as noise and drift of an amplifier. It is preferable to use an alternating current method using a square wave.

The authentication device 1 of the above embodiment
In 0, either the vein pattern near the wrist or the vein pattern near the palm is detected, but it is of course possible to use a combination thereof.
For example, in the shift lever 70 of the automobile shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the upper surface 71 of the knob portion is provided with the vein pattern detection unit 13 for detecting the vein pattern near the palm.
The shaft portion 72 of the shift lever 70 may be provided with the vein pattern detection unit 13 that detects the vein pattern near the wrist. Other than this, within the scope of the present invention, the configurations described in the above embodiments may be selected or changed, other configurations may be changed, the configurations described in the above embodiments may be rearranged, and some of them may be omitted. Etc. are possible.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to simplify the system and improve convenience for the person to be authenticated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a vein pattern.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an absorption spectrum of venous blood and a band of near-infrared light used for vein detection.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an authentication device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vein pattern detection unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a vein pattern detection unit when an authentication device is provided on a keyboard.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of detecting a vein pattern in the authentication device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a vein pattern detection unit when a mouse is provided with an authentication device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a vein pattern detection unit when an authentication device is provided on a mouse pad.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a vein pattern detection unit when an authentication device is provided on a steering wheel of an automobile.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where an authentication device is provided on a shift lever of an automobile and a vein pattern detection unit is arranged at a position where a vein pattern on a palm part is detected.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which a vein pattern detection unit is arranged at a position where a vein pattern on the wrist is detected.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a vein pattern detection unit when an authentication device is provided on a door knob.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a vein pattern detection unit when a mobile phone is provided with an authentication device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Authentication device (authentication device), 11 ... Sensor, 12
... registration data storage unit (registration information storage unit), 13 ... vein pattern detection unit (identification information acquisition unit, identification information acquisition unit, image information acquisition unit), 14 ... authentication determination unit (authentication unit, information collation unit, authentication unit) ), 15 ... Result sending section (identification information output section, authentication result output section, image information output section), 16 ... Light emitting section (infrared light emitting section), 17 ... Reflected light detecting section, 20 ... Authenticated person (user), 30 ... Keyboard (user interface, operation target, operation means), 40 ... Mouse (user interface, operation object, operation means), 50 ... Mouse pad (user interface, operation object, operation means), 60 ... Handle (user interface, Operation object, operation means), 70 ... Shift lever (user interface, operation object, operation means), 80 ... Door knob (user interface) Esu, the operation target, the operation means), 9
0 ... Mobile phone (user interface, operation target, portable information terminal), 91 ... Operation unit (operation means), 92 ... Rear surface

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A user interface touched by a user, the user interface being provided in a part of the user interface, the identification information of the user being provided when the user takes a natural position when using the user interface. A user interface, comprising: an identification information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information; and an identification information output unit that outputs the identification information. 2. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the identification information acquisition unit acquires the identification information in a state where the identification information is not in contact with the user. 3. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the identification information acquisition unit detects a blood vessel arrangement pattern of the user and acquires the blood vessel arrangement pattern as the identification information. 4. The identification information acquisition unit includes an infrared light emitting unit that emits infrared light, and a reflected light detection unit that detects reflected light of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light emitting unit. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein an arrangement pattern is acquired as the identification information. 5. An authentication device provided to an operation target of a person to be authenticated, comprising: an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the person to be authenticated when the person to be authenticated operates the operation target. An authentication result output unit that outputs an authentication result in the authentication unit, wherein the identification information acquisition unit operates the operation target by the person to be authenticated. In this case, the authentication device is provided at a position where the wrist or palm of the person to be authenticated faces each other. 6. The identification information acquisition unit irradiates the person to be authenticated with infrared rays, and acquires the arrangement pattern of veins of the person to be authenticated as the identification information based on the reflected light. The authentication device according to item 5. 7. The authentication device includes a registration information storage unit storing registration information of the person to be authenticated, which is registered in advance, the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit, and the registration information storage unit. 6. An information collating unit for collating the stored registration information, the authentication result output unit outputs the collation result of the information collating unit as the authentication result.
The authentication device described in. 8. An operating means for receiving an operation of a user, the infrared ray irradiating to a predetermined part of the body of the user provided in the operating means, and the arrangement pattern of the veins of the user as identification information based on the reflected light. It is characterized by further comprising: identification information acquisition means for acquiring; authentication means for performing authentication based on the identification information; and processing means for performing specific processing for each user based on an authentication result in the authentication means. device. 9. A portable information terminal having an operation unit for receiving an input from the outside, the device being provided on the back surface of the operation unit and directed toward a predetermined body part of a person to be authenticated who holds the portable information terminal. An infrared light emitting unit that emits infrared light, a reflected light detection unit that detects reflected light from the predetermined body part of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light emitting unit, and based on the reflected light detected by the reflected light detection unit, Portable information, comprising: an image acquisition unit that acquires an image based on a difference in infrared absorption rate of the person to be authenticated; and an information output unit that outputs information based on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit. Terminal.