JP2007179434A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader applicable to an individual authentication system, which can be suitably mounted on portable electronic equipment such as a cellular phone or a notebook computer, and attain high recognition rate or security performance. <P>SOLUTION: In the image reader 100A, individual light sources (white LED 31 and infrared LED 32) which emit lights (white light and infrared light) differed in wavelength corresponding to fingerprint image reading operation and vein image reading operation are selectively switched and lighted, and reflected light or transmitted light incident on a double gate-type photosensor two-dimensionally aligned on a single sensor array 10 is detected, whereby a fingerprint image and a vein image are acquired from a finger FG placed on a detecting surface DTC. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus that is suitable for application to a personal authentication system.

  In recent years, due to changes in social circumstances, personal authentication (or personal identification) technology for identifying individuals has been rapidly adopted in various fields such as immigration control, crime prevention, access to various networks, and information management. It is coming. As a method for identifying and authenticating an individual, in addition to the conventional method such as fingerprint verification, in recent years, technologies targeting biological information such as the iris of the eyeball, veins of hands and fingers, and the human phase have been studied. Some of them have already been put into practical use.

  For example, in an automated teller machine (ATM) of a financial institution, a crime such as illegal withdrawal of deposits using a theft card or counterfeit card is used in the identification method and identification method of the depositor only by the conventional magnetic card and PIN. In response to the recent social situation, a higher level of personal authentication is being carried out by using a technique such as reading a palm vein along with a shift to an IC card having a larger amount of information than a magnetic card.

  Such vein authentication technology generally irradiates the finger or palm with light in the near-infrared region, captures the transmitted light with an imaging unit such as a CCD, obtains a vein pattern image, and is registered in advance. This is compared with the individual pattern image. Here, the principle that the above-described vein pattern is imaged uses the property that hemoglobin of red blood cells flowing through the vein absorbs light in the near-infrared region, and the near-red light that has passed through the human body (finger or palm). By detecting the light in the outer region, light is absorbed at the vein portion and photographed darkly, and the other portion is photographed brightly. Such a technique for identifying an individual by reading an image of a palm or finger vein pattern is described in detail in, for example, Patent Document 1.

JP-A-2005-71118 (5th page, FIG. 1)

  The identification capabilities of various authentication technologies as described above have made remarkable progress along with recent advances in IT technology. However, neither authentication method is perfect, and new authentication technologies are also available. However, it becomes obsolete with the passage of time, and it cannot be said that there is no possibility that the personal identification ability will be lowered and become a crime target as in the case of the magnetic card described above.

  Therefore, there is a need for a personal authentication system that has higher security performance and a recognition rate that is closer to perfection (100%). From this point of view, for example, when considering a complex personal authentication system that combines multiple different authentication technologies, the recognition rate and security performance of the individual are further improved, and the occurrence of crimes such as impersonation is effective. Can be prevented. Specifically, for example, by using two authentication technologies of fingerprint authentication processing and vein authentication processing together, the individual identification ability can be significantly improved.

  However, when a plurality of authentication technologies are applied in this way, the fingerprint authentication system and the vein authentication system are devices based on separate principles, and thus an installation space for mounting individual devices is required. Each authentication process (fingerprint image reading operation and vein image reading operation) must be performed individually, and the procedure and control operation are complicated, and the time required for the personal authentication process is increased. It was.

  Also, when multiple authentication devices are installed in a device, some devices such as the above-mentioned ATM do not have a significant installation space. However, in recent years, electronic commerce, electronic money, etc., which are rapidly progressing, are used in a mobile environment. In portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and notebook personal computers (notebook personal computers), there is a problem that the installation space for mounting the personal authentication system must be minimized.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention can be suitably mounted on portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers, and can realize a high recognition rate and security performance. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus applicable to an authentication system.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus for reading unique information for identifying an individual, a light transmission type sensor array in which a plurality of read pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and detection set on one side of the sensor array A first light source that irradiates a specific part of a human body placed on a surface with light having a first wavelength through the sensor array, and a human body placed on the detection surface A second light source that irradiates light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and the first light source or the second light source is selectively turned on, And a reading control unit that performs control to acquire different types of unique information from a specific part of the human body using a sensor array.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the second light source has the second wavelength with respect to a specific part of the human body placed on the detection surface. Is disposed at a position where it is irradiated without passing through the sensor array.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to the first or second aspect, the first light source is disposed on the other surface side of the sensor array and has the first wavelength composed of planar light. It is a plane light source which radiates | emits.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the first light source and the second light source are disposed on the other surface side of the sensor array and are formed of planar light. A planar light source that selectively emits light having a wavelength of 1 or light having the second wavelength.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image reading device is disposed on the other surface side of the sensor array, and the sensor array is arranged from the detection surface side. A display panel for displaying arbitrary image information so as to be visually recognized through the display.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the display panel is a transmissive display panel, and the planar light source is disposed on the other surface side of the display panel. And

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the light having the first wavelength emitted from the first light source is visible light, and the first The light source 1 is turned on and the unique information read from a specific part of the human body is a fingerprint pattern, and the light having the second wavelength emitted from the second light source is infrared light, The unique information read from a specific part of the human body by turning on the second light source is a vein pattern.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the light transmission type sensor array is a double gate type thin film transistor as the read pixel on a transparent insulating substrate. A plurality of photosensors having a structure are two-dimensionally arranged.

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus applicable to a personal authentication system, a light transmission type sensor array in which a detection surface on which a specific part of a human body is placed is set on one side, and a plurality of light sources having different wavelengths (first And a second light source), and when the different specific information (for example, fingerprint pattern and vein pattern) is read from the specific part, a plurality of light sources are selectively turned on. Here, the first light source is arranged such that at least light emitted from the first light source (light having the first wavelength) passes through the sensor array and is irradiated to the specific part placed on the detection surface. And the light source structure are set.

  Thereby, the wavelength of the light irradiated with respect to the specific site | part (finger) mounted in the detection surface can be switched, and the specific information (for example, fingerprint pattern and vein) different from the said specific site | part with a single sensor array can be switched. Pattern) can be read. Therefore, it is possible to quickly and satisfactorily read a plurality of different unique information with a simple procedure and control operation in which a specific part of the human body is placed on the detection surface, and the image reading operation is performed by switching the light source. It is possible to construct a personal authentication system with improved rate and security performance.

  In addition, since a photosensor having a double-gate thin film transistor structure can be two-dimensionally arranged on a substrate as a sensor array for reading unique information, and a planar light source can be applied as a light source, the image reading apparatus can be reduced in size and thickness. Since the installation space can be greatly reduced, it can be satisfactorily mounted on a portable electronic device or the like.

Hereinafter, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the element structure of a photosensor (double gate type photosensor) applicable to the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an array of double gate type photosensors. It is a timing chart which shows an example of image reading operation of a sensor array.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading apparatus 100 </ b> A according to the first embodiment schematically includes a sensor array 10, a frame member 20, a white light emitting diode (white LED; first light source) 31, an infrared light emitting diode ( The sensor device includes an infrared light LED (second light source) 32 and an image reading operation control unit (reading control unit) (not shown). Each configuration will be specifically described below.

(Sensor array 10)
The sensor array 10 is a light transmission type sensor array in which a plurality of photosensors are two-dimensionally arranged on a transparent insulating substrate such as a glass substrate, for example. ) Is set as a detection surface on which a specific part (for example, a finger) of the human body for reading unique information for specifying an individual is placed.

Specifically, the sensor array 10 can be suitably applied by arranging a plurality of so-called double gate type photosensors on a transparent insulating substrate. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the double gate type photosensor is roughly a semiconductor such as amorphous silicon in which electron-hole pairs are generated by the incidence of excitation light (here, white light or infrared light). A layer (channel region) 11 is formed on both ends of the semiconductor layer 11 via impurity layers (ohmic contact layers) 17 and 18 each made of n ⁺ silicon, and is selected from chromium, chromium alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc. A drain electrode 12 (drain terminal D) and a source electrode 13 (source terminal S) which are made of a conductive material which is opaque to visible light, and a block insulating film (stopper film) above the semiconductor layer 11 (above the drawing) ) 14 and the upper gate insulating film 15, and is composed of a transparent electrode layer such as a tin oxide film or an ITO film (indium-tin oxide film), which is visible light. A transparent top gate electrode TGx (top gate terminal TG) and a lower gate insulating film 16 are formed below the semiconductor layer 11 (downward in the drawing) and are made of chromium, chromium alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy or the like. A photosensor having a double-gate thin film transistor structure made of a selected conductive material and having a bottom gate electrode BGx (bottom gate terminal BG) that is opaque to visible light (has a light shielding property) ( (Hereinafter referred to as “double gate type photosensor”).

  Such a double gate type photosensor PS is formed as a thin film on a transparent insulating substrate SUB such as a glass substrate by applying a semiconductor manufacturing technique. In addition, a protective insulating film (passivation film) 19 is formed on the entire surface of the insulating substrate SUB including the double-gate photosensor (viewing side; upper surface of the drawing), and is formed on the upper surface of the protective insulating film 19. By setting the detection surface DTC described above, it is configured to suppress electrical, physical and chemical damage to the double gate type photosensor caused by placing and contacting a specific part of the human body. .

  In the double-gate photosensor PS shown in FIG. 2, the top gate insulating film 15, the block insulating film 14, the insulating film constituting the bottom gate insulating film 16, and the protective insulating film provided on the top gate electrode TGx. 19 is made of a material having a high light transmittance for the light that excites the semiconductor layer 11, for example, silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or the like. Thereby, light emitted from the light source (white LED 31) provided on the other surface side (lower surface side of the drawing) of the insulating substrate SUB can be transmitted upward in the drawing, and provided on the upper surface of the protective insulating film 19. Light reflected by a specific part of the human body placed on the detection surface DTC or light transmitted through the specific part can be incident on the double-gate photosensor PS (specifically, the semiconductor layer 11).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the drive control method of the sensor array 10 in which a plurality of such double-gate photosensors PS are arranged includes a reset period Trst, a charge in a predetermined processing operation period (one processing cycle). This is realized by setting the accumulation period Ta, the precharge period Tprch, and the read period Tread. First, in the reset period Trst, the reset pulse φTi (for example, the top gate terminal TG (top gate electrode TGx) of the double gate type photosensor PS). , Applying a top gate voltage (= high level of reset pulse voltage) Vtg = + 15 V, and executing a reset operation (initialization operation) for releasing carriers (here, holes) accumulated in the semiconductor layer 11 To do.

  Next, in the charge accumulation period Ta, by applying a low level bias voltage φTi (for example, the top gate voltage Vtg = −15 V) to the top gate terminal TG, the reset operation is terminated, and the charge accumulation operation (carrier accumulation operation) ). Here, in the charge accumulation period Ta, the light is emitted from a light source (white LED 31 or infrared LED 32) disposed below the insulating substrate SUB, passes through each layer of the sensor array 10, and is placed on the detection surface DTC. The reflected light near the surface of the specific part or the specific part on the detection surface DTC is irradiated through the light transmission part 22 of the frame member 20 described later, and is scattered inside and transmitted in the direction of the detection surface DTC. Light passes through the top gate electrode TGx made of a transparent electrode layer and enters the semiconductor layer 11.

Thereby, electron-hole pairs are generated in the semiconductor layer 11 (carrier generation region) in accordance with the amount of light incident on the semiconductor layer 11 during the charge accumulation period Ta, and in the vicinity of the interface between the semiconductor layer 11 and the block insulating film 14. Carriers (holes) are accumulated in (around the channel region).
Further, in the precharge period Tprch set in parallel with the charge accumulation period Ta, a precharge pulse (for example, precharge voltage Vpg = + 5 V) is applied to the drain terminal D, and the drain electrode 12 holds the charge. Execute precharge operation.

  Next, in the read period Tread after the precharge period Tprch has elapsed, a read pulse φBi (for example, a high level of bottom gate voltage (= read pulse voltage) Vbg = + 10 V) is applied to the bottom gate terminal BG. During the charge accumulation period Ta, a read operation for reading the drain voltage VD (data voltage Vrd; voltage signal) corresponding to the carriers accumulated in the channel region is executed.

  Here, the change tendency of the drain voltage VD (data voltage Vrd) during the application period (reading period Tread) of the reading pulse φBi is such that the voltage is steep when there are many carriers accumulated in the charge accumulation period Ta (bright state). On the other hand, when the number of accumulated carriers is small (dark state), it tends to decrease gradually. For example, the data voltage Vrd after the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of the read period Tread is detected. By doing so, the amount of light incident on the double-gate photosensor PS can be detected.

  Then, with such a series of light quantity detection operations as one processing cycle, for example, by repeating the same operation for each row for a plurality of double-gate photosensors PS arranged two-dimensionally in the sensor array 10, the human body The image pattern (for example, fingerprint image or vein image) of the specific part can be read as light / dark information. Such an image reading operation is controlled by an image reading operation control unit (not shown).

(Frame member 20)
The frame member 20 receives or emits light from a light source (infrared light LED 32), which will be described later, and the opening 21 through which the detection surface DTC of the sensor array 10 is exposed when the sensor array 10 described above is housed or fixed. The light transmission part 22 which permeate | transmits is provided. Here, for example, a pair (one each) of the light transmission portions 22 is provided at positions facing each other with the opening 21 interposed therebetween. Moreover, the light transmission part 22 may be a through hole penetrating from one surface side (FIG. 1 (b) upper surface side) of the frame member 20 to the other surface side (FIG. 1 (b) lower surface side). A transparent member embedded in the hole may be used.

(White LED 31, infrared LED 32)
The white LED 31 and the infrared light LED 32 are disposed on the other surface side (the lower surface side in FIG. 1B) of the sensor array 10 and the frame member 20, and are respectively connected to the sensor array 10 or the light transmitting portion 22 of the opening 21. Thus, white light (light having a first wavelength, visible light) or infrared light (light having a second wavelength) is irradiated to a specific part placed on the detection surface DTC. The wavelength of the emitted light is set. These light sources (white LED 31 and infrared LED 32) are either one (white LED 31 or white LED 31 or infrared light LED 32) according to specific information (for example, a fingerprint pattern or a vein pattern) read from a specific part by an image reading control unit (not shown). The infrared light LED 32) is selectively controlled to light up in accordance with the drive control operation (charge accumulation period Ta) of the double-gate photosensor PS (sensor array 10) described above.

(Image reading control unit)
The image reading control unit (not shown) controls at least the reading operation of the image pattern of the specific portion by the sensor array 10 and the lighting operation of the white LED 31 or the infrared LED 32 corresponding to the reading operation.

  When the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a personal authentication system, in addition to the configuration of the present embodiment, an image pattern (for example, a fingerprint image or a vein) of a specific part acquired by the image reading control unit. Image) is compared (verified) with a pre-registered specific individual image pattern (registration information) to determine whether the person having the specific part is the same person as the registered person (authentication) An authentication processing unit (including a storage unit for storing registration information).

Next, an image reading operation in the image reading apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described. Here, a case where a fingerprint image and a vein image of a finger placed on the detection surface DTC are read as an image pattern of a specific part of the human body will be described.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an image reading operation (fingerprint image reading operation and vein image reading operation) of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. For the convenience of illustration, a part of hatching representing a cross section of the image reading apparatus is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the control operation in the image reading apparatus as described above is first performed on the human body on the detection surface side of the sensor array 10 and one surface side (upper surface side of the drawing) of the frame member 20. The finger FG is placed in close contact with the specific part. In the present embodiment, in this state, either the white LED 31 or the infrared light LED 32 arranged on the other surface side (the lower surface side of the drawing) of the sensor array 10 and the frame member 20 is selectively turned on to perform the above-described operation. By executing the drive control operation of the sensor array 10 (double gate type photosensor PS), either the fingerprint image or the vein image of the finger can be read.

  That is, in the fingerprint image reading operation, the charge storage operation is included in the series of drive control operations of the sensor array 10 (double-gate photosensor PS) including the reset operation, the charge storage operation, the precharge operation, and the read operation described above. In the (charge accumulation period Ta), as shown in FIG. 4A, the white LED 31 is turned on by the image reading control unit to emit white light, and is detected (transmitted) through each layer of the sensor array 10. The finger FG placed on the surface DTC is irradiated.

Here, the white light irradiated on the finger FG is the surface of the finger FG (boundary surface with the detection surface DTC) or the surface layer of the finger FG in the convex region that is in close contact with the detection surface DTC in the uneven pattern of the fingerprint. Most of the light is reflected by the portion, and the reflected light is incident on the sensor array 10 again, and is incident on the double-gate photosensor PS (semiconductor layer 11) disposed at a position corresponding to the convex region. On the other hand, in the concave / convex pattern of the fingerprint where the gap (air layer) is formed with the detection surface DTC, the white light enters the surface layer of the finger FG from the detection surface through the gap. The light is diffused in the surface layer portion and hardly enters the double-gate photosensor PS (semiconductor layer 11) disposed at a position corresponding to the concave region.
Thereby, based on the data voltage Vrd output from each double-gate photosensor PS two-dimensionally arranged on the sensor array 10, it is possible to acquire light / dark information (fingerprint image) corresponding to the concave / convex pattern of the fingerprint.

  In the vein image reading operation, the charge storage operation is included in the series of drive control operations of the sensor array 10 (double-gate photosensor PS) including the reset operation, the charge storage operation, the precharge operation, and the read operation described above. In (charge accumulation period Ta), as shown in FIG. 4B, the infrared light LED 32 is turned on by the image reading control unit to emit infrared light, and the light transmission unit 22 formed in the frame member 20. The finger FG placed on the detection surface DTC is irradiated through (through).

Here, the infrared light applied to the finger FG is incident on the inside of the finger FG (deeper than the surface layer in the fingerprint image reading operation) and scattered, and among the light emitted to the detection surface DTC side, In the region where the venous blood vessel BLV exists inside the finger FG, most of the infrared light is absorbed by the blood vessel BLV, and the double gate type photosensor PS (semiconductor layer 11) disposed at a position corresponding to the blood vessel BLV is used. Almost no incident. On the other hand, in the region where the venous blood vessel BLV does not exist, the infrared light is incident on the sensor array 10 via the detection surface DTC and is incident on the double-gate photosensor PS (semiconductor layer 11).
As a result, based on the data voltage Vrd output from each double-gate photosensor PS two-dimensionally arranged in the sensor array 10, light / dark information (vein image) corresponding to the shape of the vein arrangement can be acquired. .

  As described above, in the image reading apparatus 100A according to the present embodiment, the fingerprint image reading operation and the vein image reading operation described above correspond to the fingerprint image reading operation and the vein image reading operation using the only sensor array 10. A single finger (specific part) placed on the detection surface DTC by selectively switching and turning on individual light sources (white LED 31 and infrared light LED 32) that emit light of different wavelengths. A fingerprint image and a vein image can be satisfactorily read from the FG.

  Then, the fingerprint image and vein image read from a single finger are compared (matched) with a fingerprint image and vein image (registration information) of a specific individual registered in advance, and a person having the specific part is registered. By executing both the fingerprint authentication process and the vein authentication process for determining (authentication) whether or not the person is the same person as compared to the case of using only the fingerprint authentication or the vein authentication only, A personal authentication system with improved recognition rate and security performance can be constructed.

  In addition, the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a single sensor array, a frame member, and an image reading control unit, and only the light source has different configurations (white LED and LED) corresponding to the fingerprint image reading operation and the vein image reading operation. Infrared light LED), and by applying a light transmission type sensor array composed of a double gate type photosensor, a light source can be arranged on the lower surface side of the sensor array. The configuration can be satisfactorily mounted on a portable electronic device or the like without requiring much installation space.

  In the present embodiment, the light source of each of the white LED 31 and the infrared light LED 32 is arranged on the lower surface side of the frame member 20 and at a position corresponding to the light transmission part 22. As shown in 1 (c), at least the infrared LED 32 may be arranged or embedded in the light transmission part 22. According to this, the infrared light emitted from the infrared LED 32 is irradiated only to the finger FG that extends from the detection surface DTC of the sensor array 10 and is placed on the frame member 20. Thus, since the light is not emitted to the surroundings, the amount of light incident on the finger FG can be increased to obtain a clearer vein image.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a planar light source applied to the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an image reading operation (fingerprint image reading operation and vein image reading operation) of the image reading apparatus according to this embodiment. Here, the description of the configuration and operation equivalent to those of the above-described first embodiment will be simplified. In FIG. 7, for convenience of illustration, a part of hatching representing a cross section of the image reading apparatus is omitted.

  In the first embodiment described above, the configuration in which the white LED is applied as the light source (white light source) used for the fingerprint image reading operation has been described. However, in the second embodiment, white planar light is used as the sensor array 10. It has the structure which radiates | emits substantially the whole region from the lower surface side. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a planar light source (planar backlight) 33 that emits white planar light is in close contact with substantially the entire lower surface side of the sensor array 10, or through an optical film or the like. Are arranged so as to face each other. In addition, the infrared LED 32 is disposed on the lower surface side of the frame member 20 and at a position corresponding to the light transmission part 22, as in the first embodiment described above.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the planar light source 33 is a white LED 33 </ b> L (the first LED) so as to face one side end face (right measurement end face in the drawing) of a light guide plate 33 </ b> P made of a transparent acrylic flat plate or the like. A configuration in which a white LED 31 shown in the embodiment is disposed) can be applied. As the planar light source 33, an EL light emitting panel in which light emitting elements such as organic electroluminescence (EL) elements are two-dimensionally arranged may be applied instead of the configuration shown in FIG.

  Such a fingerprint image reading operation in the image reading apparatus 100B is a flat light source as shown in FIG. 7A in the charge storage operation (charge storage period Ta) of the sensor array 10 (double gate type photosensor PS). This is executed by irradiating the finger FG placed on the detection surface DTC through the layers of the sensor array 10 with the white planar light emitted from the sensor array 10. When such a planar light source 33 is applied, it is possible to irradiate the finger FG with relatively uniform white light and suppress irradiation unevenness, so that a clear fingerprint image can be acquired.

  In the vein image reading operation, as in the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 7A, the vein image is placed on the lower surface side of the frame member 20 or embedded in the light transmitting portion 22. The infrared light emitted from the infrared LED 32 is incident on the finger FG placed on the detection surface DTC via the light transmitting portion 22.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an image reading operation (fingerprint image reading operation and image display operation) of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. Here, the description of the configuration and operation equivalent to those of the above-described first or second embodiment will be simplified. In FIG. 9, for convenience of illustration, a part of hatching representing a cross section of the image reading apparatus is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the image reading apparatus 100 </ b> C according to the present embodiment is a known transmissive type between the sensor array 10 and the planar light source (planar backlight) 33 described in the second embodiment. The liquid crystal display panel 40 is interposed. Although not shown in the figure, an image display control unit that controls an operation of displaying desired image information on the liquid crystal display panel 40 is provided.

  In the fingerprint image reading operation in the image reading apparatus 100C, white planar light emitted from the planar light source 33 is detected via the liquid crystal display panel 40 and the sensor array 10 as shown in FIG. This is executed by irradiating the finger FG placed on the surface DTC. The vein image reading operation is performed in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment described above.

  9B, desired image information is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 40 and white planar light is emitted from the planar light source 33 in a state where the finger FG is not placed on the detection surface DTC. As a result, the user of the image reading apparatus 100C can receive arbitrary information (for example, guidance information for placing the finger FG on the detection surface DTC, information on the result of personal authentication processing, the operation state of the image reading apparatus, etc.) ) Can be displayed and visually recognized.

  In the present embodiment, the planar light source 33 is provided as a white light source, and the liquid crystal display panel 40 is further provided as an image display unit, and these are stacked on the lower surface side of the sensor array 10. The invention is not limited to this. For example, an EL display panel in which light-emitting elements such as organic EL elements are two-dimensionally arranged may be applied. According to this, during the fingerprint image reading operation, the EL display panel emits white light and is used as a white light source. On the other hand, during the image display operation, desired image information is displayed on the EL display panel to display an image. Since it can be used as a means, the configuration of the image reading apparatus can be made thinner and simplified.

<Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a planar light source applied to the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an image reading operation (fingerprint image reading operation and vein image reading operation) of the image reading apparatus according to this embodiment. Here, the description of the configuration and operation equivalent to those of the first to third embodiments described above will be simplified. In FIG. 12, for convenience of illustration, a part of hatching representing a cross section of the image reading apparatus is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, an image reading apparatus 100D according to this embodiment includes a sensor array 10, a frame member 20, and a planar light source 34, and the frame member 20 is the first to third embodiments described above. The planar light source 34 is configured to selectively radiate white or infrared planar light via the sensor array 10.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the planar light source 34 is a white LED 34 </ b> W (the white LED 31 shown in the first embodiment) so as to face one side end surface (right measurement end surface in the drawing) of the light guide plate 34 </ b> P. And an infrared LED 34R (corresponding to the infrared LED 32 shown in the first embodiment) arranged in parallel can be applied. As the planar light source 34, a color EL light emitting panel in which light emitting elements such as organic electroluminescence (EL) elements are two-dimensionally arranged may be applied instead of the configuration shown in FIG. The color of the light emitted from the planar light source 34 is selectively switched, for example, by an image reading control unit and controlled to be lit.

In the fingerprint image reading operation in the image reading apparatus 100D, the white planar light emitted from the planar light source 34 by causing the white LED 34W to emit light is transmitted through the sensor array 10 as shown in FIG. This is executed by irradiating the finger FG placed on the detection surface DTC.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 12B, the vein image reading operation is performed by detecting infrared plane light emitted from the planar light source 34 by causing the infrared LED 34R to emit light through the sensor array 10. This is executed by irradiating the finger FG placed on the DTC.

  When such a planar light source 34 is applied, since white light or infrared light irradiated on the finger FG is irradiated via the sensor array 10, the above-described first to third embodiments are described. Thus, it is not necessary to provide the light transmission part 22 in the frame member 20 and the irradiation unevenness can be suppressed by irradiating the finger FG with relatively uniform white light or infrared light from the planar light source 34. A clear fingerprint image or vein image can be acquired.

  In the present embodiment, the case of switching control to selectively emit white light or infrared light from a single planar light source 34 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, As in the third embodiment, a configuration in which a transmissive liquid crystal display panel 40 is interposed as an image display unit between the sensor array 10 and the flat light source 34 is used. Lighting control may be performed so that light is emitted, or a color EL display panel may be applied as the planar light source 34. According to this, in the fingerprint image reading operation, the color EL display panel emits white light and used as a white light source, and in the vein image reading operation, the color EL display panel emits red light and used as an infrared light source. On the other hand, during the image display operation, desired image information can be displayed on the color EL display panel and used as image display means, so that the configuration of the image reading apparatus can be made smaller and thinner and simplified. Can do.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the element structure of the photo sensor (double gate type photo sensor) applicable to the image reading apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows an example of the image reading operation | movement of the sensor array which arranges a double gate type photo sensor. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the image reading operation | movement (fingerprint image reading operation | movement and vein image reading operation | movement) of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic which shows one structural example of the planar light source applied to the image reading apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the image reading operation | movement (fingerprint image reading operation | movement and vein image reading operation | movement) of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows 3rd Embodiment of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the image reading operation | movement (fingerprint image reading operation | movement and image display operation | movement) of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows 4th Embodiment of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic which shows one structural example of the planar light source applied to the image reading apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the image reading operation | movement (fingerprint image reading operation | movement and vein image reading operation | movement) of the image reading apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100A to 100D Image reading device 10 Sensor array 20 Frame member 21 Opening portion 22 Light transmission portion 31, 33L, 34W White LED
32, 34R infrared LED
33, 34 Flat light source 40 Liquid crystal display panel

Claims (8)

In an image reading apparatus that reads unique information for identifying an individual,
A light transmissive sensor array in which a plurality of read pixels are two-dimensionally arranged;
A first light source that irradiates a specific part of a human body placed on a detection surface set on one surface side of the sensor array with light having a first wavelength transmitted through the sensor array;
A second light source that emits light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength to a specific part of the human body placed on the detection surface;
A reading control unit that selectively turns on the first light source or the second light source, and performs control to acquire different types of the unique information from a specific part of the human body by the sensor array;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The second light source is disposed at a position that irradiates a specific part of the human body placed on the detection surface with light having the second wavelength without passing through the sensor array. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the first light source is a planar light source that is disposed on the other surface side of the sensor array and emits light having the first wavelength composed of planar light. 4. Reader. The first light source and the second light source are disposed on the other surface side of the sensor array, and selectively emit light having the first wavelength or light having the second wavelength, which is planar light. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is a planar light source. The image reading device includes a display panel that is disposed on the other surface side of the sensor array and displays arbitrary image information so that the image surface can be visually recognized through the sensor array from the detection surface side. Item 5. The image reading apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display panel is a transmissive display panel, and the planar light source is disposed on the other surface side of the display panel. The light having the first wavelength emitted from the first light source is visible light, and the unique information that is read from a specific part of the human body by turning on the first light source is a fingerprint pattern. ,
The light having the second wavelength emitted from the second light source is infrared light, and the specific information read from the specific part of the human body by turning on the second light source is a vein pattern. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is provided. The light transmission type sensor array has a configuration in which a plurality of photosensors having a double gate type thin film transistor structure as the reading pixels are two-dimensionally arranged on a transparent insulating substrate. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1.

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