JP2003141088A - Information processor, lock control method for information processor and lock control program for information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure high security so that only a designated person can operate an information processor, and to eliminate or minimize the operation for it. SOLUTION: This information processor includes a confronting person existence/absence detecting part for detecting whether a person confronts with the information processor or not, a confronting person information input part for obtaining the information capable of extracting biological features of the confronting person, a previously prepared biological feature amount of a regular user, a person authentication part for processing the information on the confronting person from the confronting person information input part and certifying that the confronting person is a regular user according to the obtained biological feature amount, and a device lock control part for putting the information processor in the lock state at least when the confronting person existence/ absence detecting part detects non-confronting, and although the confronting person existence/absence detecting part detects confronting, the person authentication part discriminates that the confronting person is not a regular user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a lock control method for the information processing apparatus, and a lock control program for the information processing apparatus, and more particularly, depending on whether or not a user faces the information processing apparatus. The present invention relates to an attempt to control the operation of an information processing device that processes documents and data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an information processing device such as a personal computer or the like, a user detecting means for detecting the presence of a user in the vicinity by using infrared rays or a picked-up image is provided and It has been proposed to provide a control unit for changing the operation to save power, protect a device, and improve security (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-124).
No. 188).

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional device, since it is merely determined whether or not the user is near the device by using infrared rays or a picked-up image, for example, the device is near the device. I don't know if the person logged in is the user. Therefore, it can be said that security is insufficient.

Further, the above publication also describes that the presence or absence of a user is determined by wirelessly transmitting personal information from a transmitter. However, if the transmitter is stolen, the information other than the person himself / herself is determined. Available to people.

In view of the above, in order to enhance security, the user must log out of the information processing apparatus every time he / she leaves the seat, and log in again when he / she returns to the seat. When the leaving time is short, such an operation causes a feeling of complexity for the user.

[0006] Therefore, the information processing device and the information having a high security that can guarantee that only a predetermined person can operate the information processing device can be eliminated or minimized. There is a demand for a lock control method for a processing device and a lock control program for an information processing device.

[0007]

An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a confronting person presence / absence detecting section for detecting whether or not a person in the information processing apparatus is confronting, and a confronting information processing apparatus. Opposing person information input section for obtaining information capable of extracting the biological characteristic of the person who is doing, the biological characteristic amount prepared in advance of the authorized user, and information about the confronting person from the confronting person information input section When it is detected that the individual authentication unit that authenticates that the confrontation person is a legitimate user based on the biological feature amount obtained by processing , And a device lock control unit that puts the information processing device into a locked state when the confrontation presence detecting unit detects a confrontation but the individual authentication unit determines that the confrontation is not an authorized user. It is characterized by

An information processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is a confronting person presence / absence detecting section for detecting whether or not a person in the information processing apparatus is confronting, and a living body of a person confronting the information processing apparatus. Confrontation information input unit that obtains information from which confrontation information can be extracted, biological features prepared in advance for a legitimate user, and information obtained from the confrontation information from the confrontation information input unit described above. Based on the biometric feature amount, an individual authentication unit that authenticates that the confrontation user is a legitimate user, and the information processing device is locked by the establishment of the lock condition, and the confrontation presence / absence detection unit is It is characterized by having a device lock control unit that detects a change from a non-confrontation state to a confrontation state, and releases the locked state when the individual authentication unit determines that the confrontation person is an authorized user. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising an information processing unit including a facing person information input section for obtaining information capable of extracting a biological characteristic of a person facing the information processing apparatus. And a confrontation presence / absence detection process for detecting whether or not a person in the information processing device is confronting, a biometric feature quantity prepared in advance by a legitimate user, and the confrontation. An individual authentication process that authenticates that the confrontation person is a legitimate user based on the biometric feature value obtained by processing the information about the confrontation person from the person information input unit, and at least the above-mentioned confrontation person presence detection process. When it is detected that it is no longer confronted by, and the confrontation is detected by the confrontation person presence detection process, and, when it is determined that the confrontation person is not a regular user by the individual authentication process,
And a device lock control process for bringing the information processing device into a locked state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: an information processing apparatus having a facing person information input section for obtaining information capable of extracting a biological characteristic of a person facing the information processing apparatus. And a confrontation presence / absence detection process for detecting whether or not a person in the information processing device is confronting, a biometric feature quantity prepared in advance by a legitimate user, and the confrontation. Based on the biometric feature value obtained by processing the information about the confrontation person from the person information input section, individual authentication processing for authenticating that the confrontation person is a legitimate user and the establishment of the lock condition While the processing device is locked, a change from the non-faced state to the faced state is detected by the face-to-face person presence detection process, and the face-to-face person is determined to be a regular user by the individual authentication process. Sometimes lock Characterized in that it has a device lock control process to release the state.

The lock control program for the information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention describes each process in the lock control method for the information processing apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention in a format that the information processing apparatus can execute. It is characterized by

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an information processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus lock control method, and an information processing apparatus lock control program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It will be described in detail with reference.

(A-1) Configuration of the First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a lock control program of the information processing apparatus of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment includes a control unit 2, a memory unit 3, an input unit 4, an output unit 5, a communication unit 6, a storage medium driver unit 7, an auxiliary storage unit 8 and It has a camera unit 9 and the like.

The control unit 2 is composed of, for example, a CPU or the like, and controls each unit. Memory part 3
Stores the execution program executed by the control unit 2, data, and the like. The input unit 4 corresponds to a keyboard, a mouse, etc. with which the user performs an input operation,
The output unit 5 corresponds to a display that provides the user with processing status, input contents, guidance messages, and the like. The communication unit 6 executes communication with an external device. The storage medium driver unit 7 is a driver such as a floppy disk (registered trademark) or a CD-ROM. The auxiliary storage unit 8 is configured by an HDD or the like, and stores an execution program, data, and the like.

The camera unit 9 corresponds to an electronic still camera or a video camera, and its imaging direction is a direction in which the face of the user in front of the information processing apparatus 1 can be imaged.

Lock control program P of information processing apparatus
Is provided by being stored in the storage medium 10, the storage medium driver unit 7 is loaded with the storage medium 10, and is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 8 by the installation process.

Lock control program P of information processing apparatus
Is functionally divided into a face area detection unit 11, a face dictionary unit 12, a face authentication unit 13, a face registration unit 14, a device lock control unit 15, and the like.

The face area detecting section 11 detects and cuts out a face area from the image picked up by the camera section 9. The fact that the face area cannot be detected from the image picked up by the camera unit 9 means that the user of the information processing apparatus 1 or the like is away from the seat. In the first embodiment, the face area detection unit 11 can be separated. seat,
It also has the function of detecting presence.

The information processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment
May be operated by the user sitting on a seat such as a chair or floor, or operated by the user standing up (for example, an information processing device provided in a convenience store), but in the following description, The time when the user is facing the position where the user can operate the information processing apparatus 1 will be described as being seated and that leaving the seat will be described as leaving the seat.

The face dictionary unit 12 is for registering face feature amounts of persons who can be users of the information processing apparatus 1. The feature amount of the face is stored in association with login information such as a user name and password that the user inputs when logging in to the information processing apparatus 1. If the login information corresponds to multiple users (if the login information is assigned to a group of multiple users)
In the login information, face feature amounts of all members (users) of the group are associated with the login information. For example, about 10 types of facial features per user are registered, so that it is possible to cope with changes in the distance between the information processing device 1 and the seated user, and even if the user is facing sideways. Has been done.

The face authentication unit 13 extracts the feature amount of the face area image detected by the face area detection unit 11, matches the stored contents of the face dictionary unit 12, and determines whether or not it is registered in the face dictionary unit 12. Is to determine. That is, the face authentication unit 13
Is the degree of similarity between the facial feature amount registered in the face dictionary unit 12 and the facial feature amount obtained from the face image obtained from the camera unit 9 (generally, the greater the degree, the greater the degree of similarity). Then, by comparing the calculated similarity with a threshold value, it is determined whether or not the face is the user's face related to the facial feature amount registered in the face dictionary unit 12.

The face registration section 14 extracts the feature quantity of the face area image detected by the face area detection section 11 and registers the feature quantity of the face in the face dictionary section 12. The face registration unit 14 functions only in the registration mode, for example.

The device lock control unit 15 includes a face area detection unit 1
Depending on the detection result of 1 or the determination result of the face authentication unit 13,
The information processing apparatus 1 is put in a locked state or released from a locked state. In the locked state, for example, not only the input information from the input unit 4 is ignored, but also the output unit (display) 5 displays a display image dedicated to the locked state. Displaying the image just before locking may cause other people to recognize the displayed content and security is insufficient.Unlike the image immediately before locking, the display is only for the locked state, which is unrelated to the content of the image. Display the image.

The face dictionary unit 12 and / or the face registration unit 14
Is provided in, for example, an external device (for example, a server) connected via a LAN, and at the time of login operation, the communication unit 6 downloads the facial feature amount and stores it in the memory unit 3 or the auxiliary storage unit 8. You can

The lock control program P of the information processing device may also be downloaded from an external device (for example, a server) and stored (installed) in the auxiliary storage section 8.

(A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, in which the above-mentioned lock control program P is installed, in particular,
The operation related to the lock control of the information processing apparatus 1 (the lock control method of the first embodiment) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the lock control program P from the processing side (display of fixed data and the like is omitted). Further, the processing shown in FIG. 3 is performed by the control unit 2 in an idle time when an activated application program (other than the lock control program P; for example, a word processing program) is not executed, or by parallel processing with the application program. To be executed.

The control unit 2 is, for example, the information processing apparatus 1 concerned.
When is logged in, the processing shown in FIG. 3 is started.
Note that the control unit 2 starts, for example, an elapsed time after the operation signal from the input unit 4 disappears and then starts a predetermined time (for example, 3
Other start conditions may be applied, such as starting the process of FIG. 3 when the time exceeds 0 seconds.

When the processing shown in FIG. 3 is started, the control unit 2 first obtains the login information input by the user at the time of login (step 101), and the face feature amount corresponding to the login information (registered face feature amount). ) Is taken out from the face dictionary unit 12 and set in the working area of the memory unit 3 or the auxiliary storage unit 8 as a collation reference (step 102).

As described above, if the acquired login information corresponds to one individual, the face feature amount of the individual is set as a reference, and if the acquired login information corresponds to a group. , The facial feature amounts of all the members of the group are set as the matching reference.

After that, the control unit 2 clears a counter (soft timer) that defines the away-seat monitoring cycle (for example, 1 second) (step 103), and waits for the counter to count a predetermined time (step 104, 105).

When the counter measures a predetermined time, the control unit 2 detects the face area from the image picked up by the camera unit 9 (step 106). In other words, whether or not the face area has been detected, in other words, the user is present in the seat. Determine if you are absent (step 10)
7). If the camera unit 9 is an electronic still camera, image pickup is activated at this time. If the camera unit 9 is a video camera, one picked-up image is selected from a plurality of consecutive picked-up images.

When the user is present (it is not possible to determine at this point whether or not the user is a legitimate user), the control unit 2 extracts the face feature amount from the detected face area image and obtains it. The face feature amount thus obtained is matched with the registered feature amount set based on the login information, and it is determined whether or not the face has been recognized as a legitimate user's face (steps 108, 10).
9). More specifically, if there is at least one registered face feature amount whose similarity between the obtained face feature amount and the registered face feature amount is a threshold value or more, it is recognized as a face of a normal user, If there is no registered face feature amount whose similarity is equal to or greater than the threshold value,
Recognize that it is not the face of a legitimate user.

When the user is present and the face can be recognized as the legitimate user, after interrupting the screen saver processing routine that functions to save power (step 110), Step 10 above
Returning to step 3, wait for the next monitor timing for leaving the seat.

On the other hand, in the case where the user leaves the seat (the positive result in step 107), or when a person is present but the person performs face authentication as a non-regular user, (Negative result in step 109) The control unit 2 puts the information processing apparatus 1 into the locked state (step 11).
1). Even when the information processing device 1 is locked, only the process shown in FIG. 3 is continuously processed. In addition, the process of transitioning to the locked state involves saving various information in the state immediately before the transition, so that when the locked state is released, the state immediately before the transition to the locked state can be completely restored. Has been done.

After the information processing apparatus 1 is locked, the control section 2 detects the face area from the image picked up by the camera section 9 (step 112), and paraphrases whether or not it has been detected. Then, it is determined whether the user is present or absent (step 113). When the user is present (this means a change from leaving the seat to being present; whether or not the user is a regular user cannot be determined at this point), the control unit 2
The face feature amount is extracted from the detected face area image, and the obtained feature amount and the registered feature amount set based on the login information are matched, and the face can be recognized as a legitimate user. It is determined whether or not (steps 114 and 11).
5).

When the user remains absent (negative result at step 113) or when a person comes to be seated but the face is recognized as not a regular user (step 115) Then, the control unit 2 returns to step 112 described above and continuously monitors the seating of the authorized user. It should be noted that although the change to the absent seat is monitored at a predetermined cycle (for example, 1 second) by the counter, the change to the seated (attended) state can be released immediately after the seated. Preferably, it is continuously performed without setting a predetermined cycle.

When the seating of the authorized user is confirmed (Yes in step 115), the control unit 2 releases the locked state of the information processing apparatus 1 (step 116), and then returns to step 103 described above, Wait for the monitoring timing of leaving the seat.

(A-3) Effects of First Embodiment As described above, according to the first embodiment, face recognition is performed when the user leaves the seat and even when the user is present. When it is not possible to confirm with a legitimate user, the information processing device is locked, so it is possible to prevent leakage, falsification, destruction, etc. of information that the legitimate user does not want, and enhance security. You can

Further, according to the first embodiment, the unlocking state is judged not to be determined by merely sitting (present), but by the fact that it is determined that a regular user is seated by face authentication. Also from this aspect, it is possible to prevent leakage, falsification, and destruction of information that a legitimate user does not want, and to enhance security.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the user does not need to perform an operation of logging off or shutting down when leaving the seat, and does not need to perform an operation of logging in again when returning to the seat. .

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the authentication of the authorized user is performed by the matching of the face images, the authentication can be performed more accurately as compared with the authentication other than the individual feature such as the password. , Security is also high in this respect.

In addition, according to the first embodiment, the period of monitoring the transition to the locked state and the period of monitoring the transition from the locked state to the unlocked state are changed so that the latter is continuously monitored. When the user returns, the work can be immediately performed, and the load on the control unit 2 (CPU) when seated can be suppressed.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the group registration is accepted as the login information and all the members in the group can be authenticated, it is possible to effectively lock even the information processing devices of a plurality of users. Control can be performed.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the presence / absence of the user is also determined based on the presence / absence of the face image detection. Therefore, the presence / absence of the user is exclusively detected. The configuration can be dispensed with, and the configuration of the information processing device can be simplified accordingly.

(B) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of an information processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus lock control method, and an information processing apparatus lock control program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Briefly explained.

Also in the second embodiment, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment,
The functional configuration of the lock control program P is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the face authentication unit 13 differs from the first embodiment in that the threshold value is changed when the face authentication unit 13 shifts to the lock state and when the lock state is released.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the lock control program P of the second embodiment from the processing side (excluding the display of fixed data and the like), and is the same as FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment. , The corresponding steps are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Lock control program P of the second embodiment
The information processing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment in which the
Performs the operation relating to the lock control shown in FIG. 4 (the lock control method of the second embodiment).

The difference from the first embodiment is that step 1
09 face recognition performed when the user is present (face recognition)
Is smaller than the threshold value (threshold value 2) at the time of face recognition (face authentication) performed when the user is seated in step 115.

By reducing the threshold value (threshold value 1) at the time of face recognition (at the time of face authentication) performed when the user is present at step 109, a legitimate user can be in the locked state by erroneous face authentication while being present. We are trying to prevent migration. Also, by increasing the threshold value (threshold value 2) at the time of face recognition (at the time of face authentication) performed when the user is seated in step 115, it is possible to prevent the lock state from being accidentally released when a person other than the authorized user is seated. I am trying to do it.

The other effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

(C) Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus lock control method, and the information processing apparatus lock control program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Briefly explained.

Also in the third embodiment, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The functional configuration of the lock control program P is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. It should be noted that each registered face feature amount registered in the face dictionary unit 12 is stored in association with a score regarding the feature amount. The initial value of the score may be the same as the threshold value used for face recognition, even if the value obtained by performing the matching test at the time of registration is used.

In the case of the third embodiment, a function capable of dynamically changing the registered face feature quantity used for face recognition is provided.
It is added to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows an operation relating to lock control executed by the information processing apparatus 1 of the third embodiment in which the lock control program P of the third embodiment is installed (the lock control method of the third embodiment). 3) is a flowchart showing a part of the processing of FIG.

FIG. 5A shows a part of the processing corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4 described above. That is, steps 108 and 109, or steps 114 and 1
In the case of this third embodiment, when a positive result is obtained in step 109 or 115, step 120 is executed, and then step 110 is executed.
And 116 are executed.

In step 120, the similarity (for example, a value between 0 and 10) when the face recognition is successful is determined by the memory unit 3.
Alternatively, it is confirmed whether or not the score is equal to or higher than the lowest score that is set in the working area of the auxiliary storage unit 8 and is associated with a plurality (for example, 10) of registered face feature amounts for the user, If the score is equal to or higher than the lowest score, the face feature amount extracted from the face image this time is set in the working area as a new face feature amount instead of the registered face feature amount of the lowest score together with the similarity. (Similarity is set as a score).

When the log-off command or the shutdown command is issued to the information processing apparatus 1, it is set in the working area of the memory unit 3 or the auxiliary storage unit 8 as shown in FIG. 5B. The contents of the area of the face dictionary unit 12 are updated according to the registered face feature amount (step 121). When the face dictionary unit 12 is provided in the external device, the communication unit 6 transfers the face dictionary unit 12 to the external device to update the face dictionary unit 12.

In general, a face changes due to aging and physical condition of the day, and if the registered face feature amount of the face dictionary unit 12 is fixed, an erroneous result may be obtained by face recognition. However, by dynamically changing the registered face feature amount as in the third embodiment, it is possible to easily cope with a secular change of the face and the like. Moreover, the user
It is not necessary to perform the intended update operation of the registered facial feature amount, and a device with good usability can be realized.

The other effects of the third embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

(D) Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the information processing apparatus, the lock control method for the information processing apparatus, and the lock control program for the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Briefly explained.

Also in the fourth embodiment, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The functional configuration of the lock control program P is almost the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the case of the fourth embodiment, a function that allows the user to intentionally shift the locked state of the information processing apparatus 1 is added to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows an operation relating to lock control executed by the information processing apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment in which the lock control program P of the fourth embodiment is installed (the lock control method of the fourth embodiment). ) Is a flowchart showing a part of the processing, and the same steps in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the case of the fourth embodiment, the control section 2
When it is determined that the counter for monitoring the leaving seat has not finished counting the predetermined time of the leaving seat monitoring cycle (step 104).
Then, it is determined whether or not the user has performed an operation intended to shift to the locked state (step 130). For example, the simultaneous operation of the Enter key and the Crtl key can be applied as an operation intended to shift to the locked state.

If such an operation is not performed, the counter is counted up (step 1
05), the process returns to step 104, and when an operation is performed, the process proceeds to step 111, and the information processing device 1 is locked.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, in addition to the automatic shift to the locked state, the shift to the locked state based on the operation by the user is also possible, so that the user can be released. It is possible to intentionally shift to the locked state before seating, and it is possible to prevent information leakage, falsification, destruction, etc. that a legitimate user does not want even in the short time after leaving the seat until the automatic lock is applied. , Security can be increased.

The other effects of the fourth embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

(E) Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment of the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus lock control method, and the information processing apparatus lock control program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Briefly explained.

Also in the fifth embodiment, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment,
The functional configuration of the lock control program P is almost the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the case of the fifth embodiment, not only the registered face feature quantity registered in advance in the face dictionary section 12 but also the face image picked up in the initial processing period are extracted as the registered face feature quantity to be collated at the time of face recognition. The function that can apply the facial features
Is added to the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows an operation relating to lock control executed by the information processing apparatus 1 of the fifth embodiment in which the lock control program P of the fifth embodiment is installed (the lock control method of the fifth embodiment). ) Is a flowchart showing a part of the processing, and the same steps in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the case of the fifth embodiment, the control section 2
When the acquisition of the login information input by the user at the time of login (step 101) and the extraction of the facial feature amount (registered facial feature amount) corresponding to the login information from the face dictionary unit 12 (step 102) are completed, The camera unit 1 is caused to execute the shooting of the face of the user, the face area is cut out from the captured image, the feature amount is extracted, and the obtained face feature amount is additionally set as the registered face feature amount of the matching reference ( Step 14
0).

The registered face feature amount additionally set in this way is also appropriately referred to in the face recognition processing in step 108 or step 114.

Further, when the information processing apparatus 1 is instructed to log off or to be instructed to shut down, the face is calculated according to the registered face feature amount set in the working area of the memory unit 3 or the auxiliary storage unit 8. The contents of the area of the dictionary unit 12 are updated (see FIG. 5 (B)). This face dictionary section 12
At the time of updating, the facial feature amount obtained from the image captured in the above-mentioned initial period is also replaced with the lowest score and stored.

In the fifth embodiment, the face feature amount from the image picked up in the initial period such as login is also referred to in face recognition, so that the accuracy in face recognition processing (steps 108 and 114) is improved. be able to.

The other effects of the fifth embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

(F) Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment of the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus lock control method, and the information processing apparatus lock control program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Briefly explained.

Also in the sixth embodiment, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The functional configuration of the lock control program P is almost the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment, as conditions for releasing the locked state, in addition to seating detection and face recognition of a regular user, the user also inputs predetermined information. .

FIG. 8 shows an operation relating to lock control executed by the information processing apparatus 1 of the sixth embodiment in which the lock control program P of the sixth embodiment is installed (the lock control method of the sixth embodiment). ) Is a flowchart showing a part of the processing, and the same steps in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the case of the sixth embodiment, the control section 2
In step 111, when the information processing apparatus 1 is locked, as in the first embodiment, seating monitoring (steps 112 and 113) and whether the seated user has the same face as a regular user or not. Face recognition (steps 114, 1)
15) is appropriately performed, and when seating is confirmed and the seated user is authenticated as a legitimate user by face recognition, the user is requested to input predetermined information, and it is determined whether the input information is correct or not. (Steps 150, 151).

Here, the predetermined information may be login information such as a user name and password, or a part of the login information. Further, the information may be unrelated to the login information. In this case, it is necessary to store the information in association with the registered face feature amount.

When the predetermined information is input, the control unit 2
Releases the locked state of the information processing apparatus 1 (step 116), and when information other than the predetermined information is input, or when no information is input, step 11
Return to 2 and wait for the seat of a regular user.

In the sixth embodiment, even if a seated person other than a regular user is mistakenly recognized as a regular user in step 115, the locked state is not released and the security is further enhanced. You can

The other effects of the sixth embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

(G) Seventh Embodiment Next, a seventh embodiment of an information processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus lock control method, and an information processing apparatus lock control program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Briefly explained.

Also in the seventh embodiment, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment.
However, the functional configuration of the lock control program P of the seventh embodiment is different from that of the above-described embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the lock control program P of the seventh embodiment. In FIG. 9, the lock control program P of the seventh embodiment is
Although the face area detection unit 11, the face recognition unit 13, and the device lock control unit 15 similar to those in the above-described embodiment are included, the face dictionary unit 1
2 and the face registration unit 14 are not provided.

That is, in the seventh embodiment, the face dictionary unit 1
It is intended to perform the away seating monitoring and the seating monitoring without using the stored contents of 2.

FIG. 10 shows an operation relating to lock control executed by the information processing apparatus 1 of the seventh embodiment in which the lock control program P of the seventh embodiment is installed (lock control method of the seventh embodiment). ) Is a flowchart showing a part of the processing, and the same steps in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the case of this seventh embodiment, the control section 2
When the login information input by the user at the time of login is obtained (step 101), the camera unit 1 captures an image of the user's face.
(Step 170), the face area is cut out from the captured image and the feature amount is extracted (step 17).
1) Then, the obtained facial feature amount is set in the working area as a registered face feature amount of the matching reference (step 172).
Then, the process proceeds to the counter clearing process (step 103) similar to that of the above-described embodiment.

The registered face feature amount set in step 172 is collated as a collation reference in the face recognition processing in step 108 or step 114 (see FIG. 3, for example). Since the face dictionary unit is not provided in the seventh embodiment, in the face recognition processing in step 108 or step 114, only the registered face feature amount set in step 172 becomes the matching reference.

In the seventh embodiment, since it is not necessary to have a face registration unit and a face dictionary unit, it is possible to save the trouble of face registration in advance. Further, there is no need to manage the updating of the face registration unit. Further, since the face of the day is used as the reference for comparison, there is an advantage that it can cope with aging.

(H) Other Embodiments In the above description of each embodiment, various modified embodiments have been mentioned, but further modified embodiments exemplified below can be mentioned.

In each of the above embodiments, the login information is based on the operating system login information (user name, password, etc.). However, for example, biometrics such as iris, fingerprint, retina, face authentication, etc. The present invention can also be applied to an information processing device that logs in with authentication by. Also, for example, without logging in,
The present invention can also be applied to an information processing device of a format that can start various applications.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the presence / absence of a user is determined by the presence / absence of detection of a face image. The away-seat detection configuration may be applied.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the information processing apparatus automatically activates the lock control program P under a predetermined condition. However, whether or not the lock control program P is activated at the time of login or the like. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to select.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments,
Face recognition is used to check whether the seated person is a legitimate user (face recognition)
However, other individual authentication methods such as iris recognition and voiceprint recognition may be applied. For example, voiceprint recognition is also effective in an information processing device for voice input. I for user authentication
Although it is possible to use a D tag, a magnetic card, or the like, the individual authentication method is preferable in consideration of use by a person who has obtained an illegal acquisition (for example, theft).

In each of the above-described embodiments, the face authentication is used for the transition to the lock state and the release from the lock state, but the face authentication may be used for only one of them. For example, face authentication may be used to release the lock state by a key operation to shift to the lock state, and conversely, face authentication may be used to shift to the lock state (in a normal user, It is also possible to release the lock state by a key operation.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the cycle of the away-seat monitoring is shown as a fixed time, but it may be variably set by the user or the like. However, it is preferable to set the maximum time so that an unauthorized user can not commit fraud while the authorized user is away from the desk.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the seating monitoring (change from leaving seat to seating) is continuously repeated, but seating monitoring is also performed at a predetermined cycle (fixed or variable setting is possible). You may do it.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the one in which the entire information processing apparatus 1 is locked is shown, but whether or not to be locked is set for each application program, and it is activated immediately before locking. If even one application program has a lock target, the application program may be locked or the entire information processing apparatus 1 may be locked.

In the above-described first embodiment, the screen saver function is executed when the regular user is present, but the screen saver function is also performed when the regular user is away. May be executed. Further, the screen saver function and the lock control function may be selected by the user.

Further, in the fifth embodiment, the face feature amount obtained by capturing an image at the time of login is referred to in face recognition. The face feature amount obtained from the captured image may be referred to in face recognition.

The information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applicable may be a general-purpose information processing apparatus or an information processing apparatus specialized in processing content. Examples of information processing apparatus specialized in processing content include an electronic medical chart information processing apparatus that can be operated only by a doctor and a chief nurse, a financial information processing apparatus that can be operated only by a system administrator, and only an embassy staff. Examples include information processing devices for embassies that can be operated by, and information processing devices for officers that can be operated only by company officers.

[0109]

As described above, the information processing apparatus of the present invention,
According to the lock control method of the information processing device and the lock control program of the information processing device, the security is high so as to ensure that only a predetermined person can operate the information processing device, and the operation required therefor. Can be eliminated or minimized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a lock control program of an information processing device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information processing apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information processing apparatus of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the information processing apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of part of the information processing apparatus of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the information processing apparatus of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the information processing apparatus of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lock control program of an information processing device according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the information processing apparatus of the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 2 ... Control part, 3 ... Memory part, 4 ... Input part, 5 ... Output part, 6 ... Communication part, 7 ... Storage medium driver part, 8 ... Auxiliary storage part, 9 ... Camera part, 10 … Storage media,
11 ... Face area detection unit, 12 ... Face dictionary unit, 13 ... Face authentication unit, 14 ... Face registration unit, 15 ... Device lock control unit, P ... Lock control program of information processing device.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A confronting person presence / absence detecting unit for detecting whether or not a person in the information processing apparatus is confronting, and information for extracting biometric characteristics of a person confronting the information processing apparatus. The confrontation person information input unit, the biometric characteristic amount prepared in advance for the authorized user, and the confrontation person characteristic amount obtained by processing the information regarding the confrontation person from the confrontation person information input unit. The individual authentication unit that authenticates that the person is a legitimate user, and at least when it is detected that the confrontation presence detection unit no longer confronts each other, and the confrontation presence detection unit detects the confrontation. An information processing device, comprising: a device lock control unit that locks the information processing device when the individual authentication unit determines that the confronting person is not an authorized user. 2. A confronting person presence / absence detecting unit for detecting whether or not a person present in the information processing apparatus is confronting, and information capable of extracting biological characteristics of the person confronting the information processing apparatus. The confrontation person information input unit, the biometric characteristic amount prepared in advance for the authorized user, and the confrontation person characteristic amount obtained by processing the information regarding the confrontation person from the confrontation person information input unit. The individual authentication unit that authenticates that the person is a legitimate user and the information processing device is locked by the establishment of the lock condition, and from the state where the confrontation presence detecting unit is not confronted to the confrontation. An information processing device, comprising: a device lock control unit that detects a change and releases the locked state when the individual authentication unit determines that the confronting person is an authorized user. 3. The dictionary stores the biometric feature quantity prepared in advance for the authorized user, which is used when the individual authentication unit authenticates that the confrontation person is the authorized user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is. 4. The biometric feature quantity prepared in advance of the authorized user, which is used when the individual authentication unit authenticates that the confrontation person is the authorized user, is the login of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information processing apparatus is a biometric feature value obtained by processing the information from the opponent information input unit. 5. The confronting person information input section outputs face image information of the confronting person, and the biometric feature value used when the individual authenticating section verifies that the confronting person is an authorized user. Is a facial feature amount.
4. The information processing device according to any one of 4. 6. The confronting person presence / absence detecting unit detects the presence or absence of the confronting person based on whether or not the confronting person information input unit outputs information about the confronting person. 5. The information processing device according to any one of 5. 7. A lock control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: a facing person information input section for obtaining information capable of extracting a biological characteristic of a person facing the information processing apparatus. , A confrontation presence / absence detection processing for detecting whether or not a person is confronting, a biological feature value prepared in advance for a legitimate user, and processing information regarding the confrontation person from the confrontation person information input section. Based on the biometric amount obtained by, the individual authentication process for authenticating that the confrontation person is a regular user, and at least when it is detected that the confrontation person is no longer confronted by the confrontation person presence detection process, And a device lock control process for putting the information processing device in a locked state when a confrontation is detected by the confrontation presence / absence detection process, and when the confrontation is determined not to be an authorized user by the individual authentication process. Have A lock control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: 8. A lock control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising a facing person information input section for obtaining information capable of extracting a biological characteristic of a person facing the information processing apparatus, the method comprising: , A confrontation presence / absence detection processing for detecting whether or not a person is confronting, a biological feature value prepared in advance for a legitimate user, and processing information regarding the confrontation person from the confrontation person information input section. Based on the obtained biometric feature amount, the individual authentication process for authenticating that the confrontation person is a legitimate user and the establishment of the lock condition bring the information processing device into the locked state and the confrontation person A device lock control process for unlocking the locked state when a change from the non-confronting state to the confronting state is detected by the presence / absence detection process, and the confronting person is determined to be an authorized user by the individual authentication process. Have A lock control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: 9. The biometric feature quantity prepared in advance of a regular user, which is used when the individual authentication process authenticates that the confrontation user is a regular user, is stored in a dictionary. 9. The lock control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: 10. The biometric feature value prepared in advance of the authorized user, which is used when the individual authentication process authenticates that the confrontation person is the authorized user, is the login of the information processing apparatus. The lock control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the lock control method is a biometric feature value obtained by processing information from the confrontation information input unit. 11. The confronting person information input section outputs face image information of the confronting person, and the biometric feature value used by the individual authentication process when authenticating the confronting person as a legitimate user. The lock control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein is a facial feature amount. 12. The confronting person presence / absence detecting process detects the confronting person's presence / absence according to whether or not the confronting person information input unit outputs information about the confronting person.
2. A lock control method for an information processing device according to any one of 1. 13. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein each process in the lock control method for an information processing apparatus is described in a format executable by the information processing apparatus. Lock control program.