JP2004280360A - Fingerprint sensor device and fingerprint authenticating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the error of the position of a fingerprint image in authenticating the fingerprint image with respect to a preliminarily registered fingerprint image. <P>SOLUTION: A fingerprint sensor device 1 is constituted of: a case body 11; a fingerprint sensor 13 arranged at a sensor window 12 being the opening part of the case body 11; a guide protrusion 14 abutted to the finger when a user places the finger on the fingerprint sensor 13; and a processor 15 for processing the detection result of the fingerprint sensor 13 and preparing the fingerprint image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fingerprint sensor device that reads a user's fingerprint when a user is authenticated using a fingerprint, and a fingerprint authentication device that performs user authentication using the fingerprint sensor device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, many personal authentication systems using physical characteristics of a user have been developed in order to realize reliable personal authentication of the user. Among them, the method using a fingerprint is one of the most frequently used methods because of its reliability and the ability to reduce the size of the system. In personal authentication using fingerprints, a fingerprint of a user is read by a fingerprint sensor, and when the read fingerprint is determined to be the same as a fingerprint registered in advance, the user is authenticated as a regular user (identity). Do.
[0003]
As described above, in the personal identification system using a fingerprint, a fingerprint sensor that collects a fingerprint of a user to be authenticated is important. A conventional general fingerprint sensor device has a sensor window 102 in a housing 101 as shown in FIG. 6 and exposes a fingerprint sensor 103 through the sensor window 102. As shown in FIG. It is possible to read the fingerprint of the finger by touching the finger 103 (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 2, Non-Patent Document 3, and Non-Patent Document 4). The applicant has not found any prior art documents related to the present invention other than the prior art documents specified by the prior art document information described in this specification by the time of filing.
[0004]
[Non-patent document 1]
"Fingerprint authentication system" SecureFinger (R) "", [online], NEC Corporation, [searched on March 3, 2003], Internet <http://www.sw.nec.co.jp/pid/ prismusb.html>
[Non-patent document 2]
"DIGITUS (R) FIC-200", [online], Silex Technology Co., Ltd., [retrieved March 3, 2003], Internet <http: // www. jci. co. jp / japan / products / fingerprint / fic200. html>
[Non-Patent Document 3]
"DIGITUS (R) MUSB200-COMBO", [online], Silex Technology Co., Ltd., [Search March 3, 2003], Internet <http: // www. jci. co. jp / japan / products / fingerprint / musb200combo. html>
[Non-patent document 4]
“Fingerprint authentication“ ID Mouse ””, [online], Kanematsu Communications Co., Ltd., [retrieved March 3, 2003], Internet <http://www.kcs.ne.jp/syouhin/idmouse/ID-Mouse_DM /Index.html>
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the personal authentication using a fingerprint, personal authentication is performed by comparing and comparing a fingerprint image read by the fingerprint sensor device 100 with a fingerprint image similarly read by the fingerprint sensor device 100 and registered in advance. For this reason, it is desirable that the position of the finger on the fingerprint sensor 103 be the same as much as possible at the time of registration and at the time of authentication. However, in the fingerprint sensor device 100 shown in FIG. 6, since there is no mark as the user places the finger on the fingerprint sensor 103, it is difficult for the user to always place the finger on the fingerprint sensor 103 at the same position. However, there is a problem that a position shift occurs between the fingerprint image at the time of registration and the fingerprint image at the time of authentication.
[0006]
Therefore, in the conventional fingerprint authentication device, the error of the position with respect to the fingerprint image registered in advance is corrected by software processing (image processing) in the image processing and collation process after the fingerprint reading. As the size increases, the amount of calculation and processing required for error correction increases, and the time required for the authentication process increases. Further, when the error in the reading position increases, the area of the fingerprint image that can be used for collation with the fingerprint image registered in advance decreases, and there is a problem that the authentication accuracy decreases. The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to reduce as much as possible an error in the position of a fingerprint image at the time of authentication with respect to a previously registered fingerprint image.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The fingerprint sensor device according to the present invention is provided with a guide projection or a depression around the fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint, the guide projection or the depression contacting the finger when the user puts the finger on the fingerprint sensor.
Further, the fingerprint sensor device of the present invention is provided with a guide scale around the fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint, the guide scale being visible when a user puts a finger on the fingerprint sensor.
Further, the fingerprint sensor device of the present invention has a guide protrusion or a dent that comes into contact with a finger when the user places the finger on the fingerprint sensor, around the fingerprint sensor that reads the fingerprint, and that the user puts the finger on the fingerprint sensor. It is provided with a guide graduation that can be visually checked when the ladder is placed.
Further, one configuration example of the fingerprint sensor device of the present invention includes a processing device that processes a detection result of the fingerprint sensor to generate a fingerprint image.
Further, a fingerprint authentication device of the present invention includes a fingerprint sensor device and a determination device for determining whether a fingerprint image read by the fingerprint sensor device is the same as a previously registered fingerprint image.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fingerprint authentication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The fingerprint authentication device reads a user's fingerprint and outputs fingerprint image data, and determines whether the fingerprint image data read by the fingerprint sensor device 1 and the pre-registered fingerprint image data are the same. A determination device 2 for performing user authentication.
[0009]
The fingerprint sensor device 1 includes a housing 11, a fingerprint sensor 13 disposed in a sensor window 12 which is an opening of the housing 11, and a guide projection 14 that contacts a finger when the user places the finger on the fingerprint sensor 13. And a processing device 15 that processes the detection result of the fingerprint sensor 13 to generate fingerprint image data.
[0010]
The guide protrusion 14 is a hemispherical protrusion provided in the sensor window 12 around the fingerprint sensor and having a size and a height such that the position can be recognized by touching with a finger. When the user registers his / her fingerprint in the fingerprint authentication device, the user places his / her finger on the fingerprint sensor 13 as shown in FIG. The fingerprint sensor 13 detects and outputs, for example, a capacitance formed between the finger and the skin, and replaces the uneven pattern of the skin of the finger with a distribution of electric signals and outputs the electric signal. The electronic signal is processed to generate fingerprint image data. The determination device 2 registers the fingerprint image data output from the processing device 15 in an internal storage device.
[0011]
When registering such a fingerprint, the user can roughly know the positional relationship between the finger and the fingerprint sensor 13 by touching the guide protrusions 14 arranged around the fingerprint sensor. Therefore, the user memorizes the position of the guide protrusion 14 with respect to the finger felt at the time of registration, and when performing fingerprint authentication later, places the finger on the fingerprint sensor 13 so that the guide protrusion 14 comes to the same position as the position learned at the time of registration. , It is possible to easily place the finger at the same position as at the time of registration.
[0012]
The processing device 15 generates fingerprint image data from the output of the fingerprint sensor 13 in the same manner as at the time of registration, and the determination device 2 compares the fingerprint image data output from the processing device 15 with the fingerprint image data registered in the storage device. If the fingerprint images match, it is determined that the user is an authorized user registered in advance.
[0013]
In this manner, in the present embodiment, a fingerprint image with a small displacement from the registered fingerprint image can be read at the time of authentication, so that the position error of the fingerprint image, which has been a problem in the conventional fingerprint sensor, can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to shorten the authentication time and improve the authentication rate.
[0014]
In the present embodiment, the guide projection 14 is provided at a position corresponding to the fingertip of the sensor window 12. However, the position is not limited to this as long as the user touches the fingerprint sensor 13 when placing the finger on the fingerprint sensor 13. Instead, the guide projection 14 can be provided at an arbitrary position of the sensor window 12. Further, in the present embodiment, one hemispherical guide protrusion 14 is arranged, but the shape and number of the guide protrusions 14 may be arbitrarily determined as long as the position can be confirmed by a user with a finger. . Further, the projections can be hollow (concave shape).
[0015]
[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fingerprint authentication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The fingerprint authentication device of the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a guide scale 16 is provided around the sensor window 12 of the fingerprint sensor device 1a instead of the guide protrusion 14.
[0016]
The guide scale 16 is a scale provided on the upper surface of the housing 11 and having a size that allows the user to visually recognize when the user places his or her finger on the fingerprint sensor 13. When registering the user's fingerprint in the fingerprint authentication device, the user places the finger on the fingerprint sensor 13 as shown in FIG. The determination device 2 registers the fingerprint image data output from the processing device 15 in an internal storage device, as in the first embodiment.
[0017]
At the time of registration of the fingerprint, the user can visually confirm the positional relationship between the finger placed on the sensor 13 and the guide graduation 16 around the finger, so that the user can roughly know the positional relationship between the finger and the fingerprint sensor 13. Becomes possible. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when the finger is placed on the sensor 13, for example, the fingertip comes to the position A in FIG. 5 or the base of the nail comes to the position B in FIG. , The position of the finger on the fingerprint sensor 13 can be known.
[0018]
Therefore, the user remembers the positional relationship between the finger and the guide scale 16 confirmed during registration, and when performing fingerprint authentication later, the positional relationship between the finger and the guide scale 16 becomes the same as the positional relationship learned during registration. By placing the finger on the fingerprint sensor 13 as described above, it is possible to easily place the finger at the same position as at the time of registration.
[0019]
In this manner, in the present embodiment, a fingerprint image with a small displacement from the registered fingerprint image can be read at the time of authentication, so that the position error of the fingerprint image, which has been a problem in the conventional fingerprint sensor, can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to shorten the authentication time and improve the authentication rate.
[0020]
The guide scale 16 may be printed on the housing 11 as long as it is visible, or the housing 11 may be formed into a shape having the guide scale 16. Further, in the present embodiment, the guide scales 16 are arranged on both sides of the finger (the left-right direction in FIG. 5), but they may be arranged in other places. For example, if guide graduations are arranged in the front-back direction of the finger (the vertical direction in FIG. 5), it is possible to reduce the rotation error of the finger position on the fingerprint sensor 13. The size, number, interval, and the like of the guide marks 16 can be arbitrarily changed so that the user can easily recognize them.
[0021]
In the first embodiment, the guide protrusion 14 is provided on the fingerprint authentication device 1 and in the second embodiment, the guide scale 16 is provided on the fingerprint authentication device 1a. It may be provided in a fingerprint sensor device. In the first and second embodiments, the determination device 2 is provided separately from the fingerprint authentication devices 1 and 1a. However, the determination device 2 may be mounted in the housing of the fingerprint authentication device.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, by providing a guide protrusion, a guide scale, or both a guide protrusion and a guide scale around a fingerprint sensor, a fingerprint is registered when a user places his / her finger on the fingerprint sensor during personal authentication. Since it is easy to place a finger on the same position on the sensor as at the time, it is possible to read a fingerprint image with a small displacement from a fingerprint image registered in advance. As a result, the amount of calculation required to correct the position error of the fingerprint image can be reduced, so that the time required for the authentication process can be shortened as compared with the conventional case, and it can be used for comparison with the fingerprint image registered in advance. Since the area of the fingerprint image that can be obtained becomes large, the authentication accuracy can be improved as compared with the related art.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a fingerprint authentication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a user places a finger on a fingerprint sensor in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a fingerprint authentication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state when a user places a finger on a fingerprint sensor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state when a user places a finger on a fingerprint sensor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional fingerprint authentication device.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state when a user places a finger on a fingerprint sensor in a conventional fingerprint authentication device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 1a: Fingerprint sensor device, 2: Judgment device, 11: Housing, 12: Sensor window, 13: Fingerprint sensor, 14: Guide protrusion, 15: Processing device, 16: Guide scale.

Claims (5)

A fingerprint sensor device comprising: a guide protrusion or a depression provided around a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint, the guide protrusion or the depression contacting the finger when the user places the finger on the fingerprint sensor. A fingerprint sensor device, comprising: a guide scale provided around a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint, the guide scale being visible when a user places a finger on the fingerprint sensor. Around a fingerprint sensor that reads a fingerprint, a guide protrusion or a depression that comes into contact with a finger when the user places the finger on the fingerprint sensor, and a guide scale that is visible when the user places the finger on the fingerprint sensor. A fingerprint sensor device, comprising: 4. The fingerprint sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising a processing device that processes a detection result of the fingerprint sensor to generate a fingerprint image. A fingerprint sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A fingerprint authentication device comprising: a determination device for determining whether a fingerprint image read by the fingerprint sensor device and a previously registered fingerprint image are the same.

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