JP2011170767A - Fingerprint reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fingerprint reading device capable of appropriately acquiring an image of a user's fingerprint while raising a degree of freedom of a moving direction of the user's fingerprint. <P>SOLUTION: The fingerprint reading device includes: a casing 30; and a fingerprint reading part 14 including a line sensor which is provided in the casing 30, arranged so as to obliquely intersect a reference direction which is either of a direction (α-β direction) perpendicular to one side ab on the front side which a user faces or a direction (γ-δ direction) parallel to the one side ab on the front side of the casing 30, and sequentially reads the fingerprint for every one line to sequentially output fingerprint data for every one line when the user moves the finger to either of the reference direction or the direction perpendicular to the reference direction while facing the finger on the surface of the line sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fingerprint reader.

  Conventionally, a fingerprint reader is used to perform fingerprint authentication. As this type of fingerprint reading apparatus, for example, there is a fingerprint reading apparatus of Patent Document 1.

  In the fingerprint reading device of Patent Document 1, a line sensor in which pixels are arranged in a line is arranged. When the user's fingerprint moves on the surface of the line sensor in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the line sensor, the line sensor sequentially reads the fingerprint one line at a time in accordance with the movement. The fingerprint data is sequentially output. Thereby, an image of the user's fingerprint is obtained.

  Such a line sensor is usually arranged so as to extend in the horizontal direction when viewed from the user, and the fingerprint is read by the user moving his / her finger in the vertical direction.

JP 2009-80714 A

  However, if the line sensor is arranged so as to extend in the horizontal direction when viewed from the user, the fingerprint cannot be read when the user moves the finger in the horizontal direction.

  The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problem, and provides a fingerprint reader capable of appropriately acquiring a fingerprint image while increasing the degree of freedom of the user's fingerprint movement direction. With the goal.

  A fingerprint reading device according to an aspect of the present invention is provided in a housing and the housing, in the housing, in a direction perpendicular to one side of the front side facing the user, and on one side of the front side Is arranged in a direction oblique to a reference direction which is one of the directions parallel to the reference direction, and the user is placed in either of the reference direction and the direction perpendicular to the reference direction with his finger facing the surface. A fingerprint reading unit that includes a line sensor that sequentially reads fingerprints line by line and sequentially outputs fingerprint data for each line when moved.

  According to this configuration, a line is formed in a direction oblique to a reference direction that is one of a direction perpendicular to the front side facing the user and a direction parallel to the front side of the housing. A sensor is arranged, and when the user moves a finger in one of a reference direction and a direction orthogonal to the reference direction while a finger is opposed to the surface, the line sensor is sequentially line by line. The fingerprint data for each line is sequentially output.

  As a result, when a fingerprint reading unit is configured using an inexpensive line sensor, the fingerprint can be properly detected even if the direction of movement of the user's finger is either the reference direction or the direction orthogonal to the reference direction. Can be read.

  Therefore, it is possible to appropriately acquire the fingerprint image while increasing the degree of freedom in the direction of movement of the user's fingerprint.

  In the above configuration, a fingerprint data storage unit that stores data indicating each fingerprint block, which is obtained by dividing a legitimate user's fingerprint into a plurality of blocks, and the fingerprint data for each line output by the line sensor sequentially. A two-dimensional image is generated by combining, and it is determined whether or not the generated image matches data indicating each fingerprint block stored in the fingerprint data storage unit, and each fingerprint block is It is preferable to further include a direction determination unit that determines the moving direction of the user's fingerprint based on the order of matching with the generated image.

  According to this configuration, the two-dimensional image generated by sequentially synthesizing the fingerprint data for each line output by the line sensor matches the data representing each fingerprint block stored in advance in the fingerprint data storage unit. The moving direction of the user's fingerprint is determined based on the order.

  Thus, when the fingerprint reading unit is configured using an inexpensive line sensor, it can be determined whether the moving direction of the user's fingerprint in the fingerprint reading unit is the reference direction or the direction orthogonal to the reference direction.

  In the above configuration, the line sensor is arranged from the upper right to the lower left, and the fingerprint data storage unit stores the legitimate user's fingerprints in the upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left when viewed from the back. Each fingerprint block divided into blocks is stored, and when the generated image and the data indicating each fingerprint block match, the direction determination unit determines that the position in the matched image is the line sensor. Whether the right position corresponds to the right side or the left position corresponding to the left side, and the matching order is the lower right block at the right position, the upper right block at the right position, and the lower left block at the left position. If the order is the upper left block in the left position, the movement direction is determined to be downward, and the matching order is determined in the left position. If the order is the upper left block, the lower left block at the left position and the upper right block at the right position, the lower right block at the right position, the movement direction is determined to be upward, and the matching order is If the upper left block at the right position, the upper right block at the right position, the lower left block at the left position, and the lower right block at the left position are in this order, the movement direction is determined to be the left direction, and the match When the order is the lower right block at the left position, the lower left block at the left position, the upper right block at the right position, and the upper left block at the right position, it is determined that the moving direction is the right direction. (Claim 3).

  According to this configuration, the order in which the two-dimensional image generated by sequentially synthesizing the fingerprint data for each line output by the line sensor matches the data representing the fingerprint block stored in advance is the right position. In the order of the lower right block, the upper right block at the right position, the lower left block at the left position, and the upper left block at the left position, the movement direction is determined to be downward, and the matching order is If the order is the upper left block at the position, the lower left block at the left position, the upper right block at the right position, and the lower right block at the right position, the movement direction is determined to be upward, and the matching order is The upper left block at the right position, the upper right block at the right position and the lower left block at the left position, In the order of the lower right block, the moving direction is determined to be the left direction, and the matching order is the lower right block at the left position, the lower left block at the left position, and the upper right block at the right position, When the order is the upper left block in the right position, it is determined that the moving direction is the right direction.

  Accordingly, the image forming apparatus uses only one inexpensive line sensor, and the direction of movement of the user's fingerprint in the fingerprint reading unit is any one of the downward direction, the upward direction, the right direction, and the left direction. Can be determined.

  In the above configuration, the line sensor is arranged from the upper left to the lower right, and the fingerprint data storage unit stores the legitimate user's fingerprint in the upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left when viewed from the back. Each fingerprint block divided into four blocks is stored, and when the generated image and the data indicating each fingerprint block match, the direction determination unit determines that the position in the matched image is the line Detect whether the sensor is in the right position corresponding to the right side or the left position corresponding to the left side, and the matching order is the lower left block in the left position, the upper left block in the left position, and the lower right block in the right position. If the block is in the order of the upper right block in the right position, the movement direction is determined to be the lower direction, and the matching order is determined in the right position. When the order is the upper right block, the upper left block at the left position, the lower right block at the right position, and the lower left block at the left position, the movement direction is determined to be upward, and the matching order is If the lower left block at the right position, the upper left block at the left position, the lower right block at the right position, and the upper right block at the left position are in this order, the movement direction is determined to be the left direction, and the match If the order is the upper right block at the left position, the upper left block at the left position, the lower right block at the right position, and the lower left block at the right position, it is determined that the moving direction is the right direction. (Claim 4).

  Thereby, the order in which the two-dimensional image generated by sequentially synthesizing the fingerprint data for each line output by the line sensor matches the data representing the fingerprint block stored in advance is the lower left position in the left position. If the order is the block, the upper left block at the left position, the lower right block at the right position, and the upper right block at the right position, the movement direction is determined to be downward, and the matching order is the upper right position at the right position. Block, the upper left block at the left position, the lower right block at the right position, and the lower left block at the left position, the movement direction is determined to be upward, and the matching order is the right position. Lower left block, upper left block at left position and lower right block at right position, left position If the order is the upper block, the movement direction is determined to be the left direction, and the matching order is the upper right block at the left position, the upper left block at the left position, the lower right block at the right position, and the right side. When the order is the lower left block in the position, it is determined that the moving direction is the right direction.

  Accordingly, the image forming apparatus uses only one inexpensive line sensor, and the direction of movement of the user's fingerprint in the fingerprint reading unit is any one of the downward direction, the upward direction, the right direction, and the left direction. Can be determined.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the image of the said fingerprint can be acquired appropriately, raising the freedom degree of the user's fingerprint moving direction.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional module of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is the front view which showed an example of the structure of the user interface part. It is the figure which showed an example of the structure of the fingerprint reading part. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the basic function of the fingerprint reading part shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a fingerprint block. On the surface of the fingerprint reading unit shown in FIG. 5, the user places his / her finger in the front direction (α direction), the depth direction (β direction), the right direction (δ direction), and the left direction (γ direction). It is a figure for demonstrating the reading process of the fingerprint block by a fingerprint reading part when it is moved to the direction of. It is the figure which showed an example of the structure of the table for a movement direction judgment. It is the figure which showed an example of the structure of the table for function judgment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic operation of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect by performing the process shown by FIG. 11 in an image forming apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect by performing the process shown by FIG. 11 in an image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure, The description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus incorporating a fingerprint reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 200 and an apparatus body 3. The apparatus main body 3 includes a housing 30. The casing 30 is a casing of the fingerprint reading device DE according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is also a casing of the image forming apparatus 1.

  A user interface unit I having the display unit 5 and the operation unit 18 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 30. The user interface unit I is provided with a fingerprint reading unit 14 that acquires an image of a user's fingerprint in a state of being exposed on the surface of the user interface unit I.

  On the display unit 5 of the user interface unit I, an image that can be visually recognized by the user to use the image forming apparatus 1 such as characters and operation buttons is displayed. Such an image is displayed along the vertical direction (α-β direction) in which the image is viewed in the correct direction when viewed from the user.

  Here, the vertical direction (α-β direction) is a direction perpendicular to the side ab on the front side of the housing 30 that faces the user, and is referred to as a reference direction in the following description. In the present specification, the direction perpendicular to the side ab is called the reference direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the direction parallel to the side ab may be the reference direction.

  In FIG. 1, the α direction means the downward direction, that is, the front direction when viewed from the user facing the image forming apparatus 1. The β direction means the upward direction, that is, the depth direction when viewed from the user facing the image forming apparatus 1.

  Further, the γ direction means the left direction, that is, the left direction when viewed from the user facing the image forming apparatus 1. The δ direction means the right direction, that is, the right direction when viewed from the user facing the image forming apparatus 1.

  Hereinafter, the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 200 includes a document feeding unit 210, a scanner unit 220, a CIS 231, a user interface unit I, and a reversing mechanism described later.

  The document feeder 210 includes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), and includes a document tray 211, a pickup roller 212, a platen 213, a paper discharge roller 214, and a paper discharge tray 215. A document to be read is placed on the document tray 211. Documents placed on the document tray 211 are picked up one by one by the pickup roller 212 and sequentially conveyed to the platen 213 through the gap. Documents that have passed through the platen 213 are sequentially discharged to the discharge tray 215 by the discharge rollers 214.

  Of the positions facing the peripheral surface of the platen 213, a timing sensor (not shown) for detecting paper is installed at a predetermined position before the reading position P in the document transport direction. The document transport timing to the reading position P is achieved based on the output signal. The timing sensor is configured by, for example, a photo interrupter.

  The scanner unit 220 optically reads an image of a document and generates image data. The scanner unit 220 includes a glass 221, a light source 222, a first mirror 223, a second mirror 224, a third mirror 225, a first carriage 226, a second carriage 227, an imaging lens 228, and a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) 229. .

  In the scanner unit 220, a white fluorescent lamp such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube is used as the light source 222, and the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, the third mirror 225, the first carriage 226, the second carriage 227, and the imaging. A lens 228 guides light from the document to the CCD 229. Since the scanner unit 220 is configured using a white fluorescent lamp such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube as the light source 222, the scanner unit 220 is superior in color reproducibility to a CIS 231 described later in which a three-color LED or the like is used as the light source.

  On the glass 221, a document is manually placed by the user when reading the document without using the document feeder 210. The light source 222 and the first mirror 223 are supported by the first carriage 226, and the second mirror 224 and the third mirror 225 are supported by the second carriage 227.

  As a document reading method of the image reading unit 200, the scanner unit 220 reads a document placed on the glass 221 and the document is read by the document feeding unit 210 (ADF). There is an ADF reading mode for reading.

  In the flatbed reading mode, the light source 222 irradiates a document placed on the glass 221, and reflected light for one line in the main scanning direction is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225. Then, the light enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229.

  The CCD 229 is a one-dimensional image sensor and simultaneously processes image data of a document for one line. The first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are configured to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction (sub-scanning direction, arrow Y direction). When reading for one line is completed, the first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are moved in the sub-scanning direction. The first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 move, and the next line is read.

  In the ADF reading mode, the document feeder 210 takes in the documents placed on the document tray 211 one by one by the pickup roller 212. At this time, the first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are disposed at a predetermined reading position P located below the reading window 230.

  When the document is transported by the document feeder 210, when the document passes over the reading window 230 provided in the transport path from the platen 213 to the paper discharge tray 215, the light source 222 irradiates the document, and the main scanning one line. The reflected light is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225 and enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229. Subsequently, the document is conveyed by the document feeder 210 and the next line is read.

  Further, the document feeder 210 has a document reversing mechanism including a switching guide 216, a reversing roller 217, and a reversing conveyance path 218. This document reversing mechanism reverses the front and back of the original whose surface has been read by the first ADF reading and transports it again to the reading window 230, whereby the CCD 229 reads the back side again.

  This document reversing mechanism operates only when reading both sides, and does not operate when reading one side. After reading the back side during single-sided reading and double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the upper side, and the document that has passed through the platen 213 is discharged to the discharge tray 215 by the discharge roller 214.

  After the front side reading at the time of double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the lower side, and the document that has passed through the platen 213 is transported to the reverse transport path 218 by the reverse roller 217. Thereafter, the switching guide 216 is switched upward, and the reverse roller 217 rotates in the reverse direction to re-feed the document to the platen 213. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using the document reversing mechanism is referred to as a double-sided reversal reading mode.

  Furthermore, in the ADF reading mode, the image reading unit 200 according to the present embodiment causes the CCD 229 (scanner unit 220) to read the surface of the document while the document is being transported, as described above. ), The back side of the document can be read by the CIS 231. In this case, the surface of the document conveyed from the document tray 211 by the document feeder 210 is read by the CCD 229 when passing through the reading window 230, and the back surface is read when passing through the location where the CIS 231 is arranged. In CIS231, RGB three-color LEDs or the like are used as light sources.

  By using the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 in this way, it is possible to read both the front and back sides of a document by a single document transport operation (one pass) from the document tray 211 to the discharge tray 215 by the document feeding unit 210. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 in this way is referred to as a double-sided simultaneous reading mode.

  The double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode are provided as reading modes when performing double-sided reading of a document using the ADF reading mode. The double-sided reverse reading mode is used when you want to match the image quality of both-side printed images, while the double-sided simultaneous reading mode gives priority to shortening the reading time even if there is a difference in the image quality of both-side printed images Used in cases. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is initially set to the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, and when an image forming instruction is input without performing any mode setting operation in the reading mode, the double-sided simultaneous reading mode is set. A document image reading operation is performed in the reading mode.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 3 and a stack tray 6 disposed on the left side of the apparatus main body 3. The apparatus main body 3 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 462 that feeds recording paper from the paper feed cassette 461 one by one and transports it to the image forming unit 40, and a recording paper transported from the paper feed cassette 461. And an image forming unit 40 for forming an image. The apparatus body 3 also includes a paper feed tray 471 and a feed roller 472 that feeds the originals placed on the paper feed tray 471 one by one toward the image forming unit 40.

  The image forming unit 40 includes a charge removing device 421 that removes residual charges from the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, a charging device 422 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 after charge removal, and image data acquired by the scanner unit 220. Based on the electrostatic latent image, an exposure device 423 that outputs a laser beam to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 43. Above, developing devices 44K, 44Y, 44M, and 44C that form toner images of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and various colors formed on the photosensitive drum 43. A transfer drum 49 on which the toner image is transferred and superimposed, a transfer device 41 for transferring the toner image on the transfer drum 49 to the paper, and the paper on which the toner image is transferred to the toner by heating The and a fixing device 45 for fixing on the paper.

  Note that toner is supplied to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors from a toner cartridge (not shown). Further, conveyance rollers 463 and 464 that convey the recording paper that has passed through the image forming unit 40 to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48 are provided.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming unit 40 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. In this state, the conveyance roller 463 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L and conveyed again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 40, and an image is formed on the other surface by the image forming unit 40. After the formation, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48.

  Further, in front of the apparatus main body 3, a display unit 5 configured with a touch panel and a user interface unit I in which an operation unit 18 having various operation buttons is incorporated are exposed in front of the apparatus main body 3. Is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional module of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes various components such as a fingerprint reading device DE. The fingerprint reading device DE includes a controller 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a fingerprint reading unit 14, and a finger movement direction determining unit (direction determining unit) 15. Configured.

  In addition to the fingerprint reader DE, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a user interface unit I, an image processing unit 11 that processes image data, a fingerprint collation unit 16, a FAX communication unit 17 for performing facsimile communication through a public line, A function determining unit 19, an image forming unit 40, and an image reading unit 200 are provided.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3, the controller 10, the finger movement direction determination unit 15, the fingerprint collation unit 16, and the function determination unit 19 are configured using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). .

  In addition to controlling the fingerprint reading device DE, the controller 10 comprehensively controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. The ROM 12 and the RAM 13 store various data for operating the fingerprint reading device DE and the image forming apparatus 1. In particular, the RAM 13 includes various tables to be described later, and the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines the movement direction of the user's fingerprint based on information about a fingerprint block (described later) acquired by the fingerprint reading unit 14. Therefore, a plurality of data representing fingerprint blocks are stored in advance.

  The fingerprint reading unit 14 is composed of a line sensor which will be described later. When the user moves the finger while facing the surface, the fingerprint reading unit 14 sequentially reads the fingerprint line by line and sequentially reads the image data for each line. Output.

  The finger movement direction determination unit 15 generates a two-dimensional image representing a fingerprint block, which will be described later, by sequentially synthesizing the fingerprint data for each line output by the fingerprint reading unit 4, and the generated image and It is determined whether or not it matches the data representing the fingerprint block stored in the RAM 13.

  The finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines the order in which the data representing the fingerprint block obtained by combining the fingerprint data output from the fingerprint reading unit 4 matches the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance, and determines the order. Get the data to represent. The finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines the movement direction of the user's finger (that is, fingerprint) in the fingerprint reading unit 14 based on the acquired data representing the order.

  The fingerprint collation unit 16 determines whether or not the entire image of the user's fingerprint acquired by the fingerprint reading unit 14 matches the entire image of the user's fingerprint stored in advance in the RAM 13. Verify whether is valid. The function determining unit 19 determines a function corresponding to the fingerprint moving direction of the user determined by the finger moving direction determining unit 15.

  FIG. 4 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the user interface unit I. In FIG. 4, an initial screen is displayed on the display unit 5.

  The user interface unit I includes operation buttons 18 </ b> A to 18 </ b> H as the operation unit 18. The operation buttons 18A to 18D constitute a function selection button group 180 in a collective state. Each of the operation buttons 18A to 18D is an operation button operated by the user in order to cause the image forming apparatus 1 to execute any one function of copy, printer, scanner, and FAX.

  The operation buttons 18H constitute a number key group in a state where a plurality of the operation buttons 18H are collected. This number key group is for inputting, for example, the number of copies when the image forming apparatus 1 operates the copy function, and the destination telephone number when operating the facsimile function.

  The operation button 18E constitutes a reset button, and is a button for setting the display and various settings of the display unit 5 to an initial state or a standard operation state.

  The operation button 18F constitutes a stop / clear button, and is a button for stopping the copy operation and the scanner operation and canceling the input operation. The operation button 18G constitutes a start button, and is a button for starting a copy operation, a scanner operation, and the like.

  The user interface unit I is provided with the fingerprint reading unit 14 exposed on the surface of the user interface unit I as described above.

  Since the fingerprint reading unit 14 needs to be able to determine the direction by the finger movement direction determination unit 15, for example, the fingerprint reading unit 14 has the following configuration. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the fingerprint reading unit. As shown in FIG. 5, the fingerprint reading unit 14 has both a vertical direction, that is, the reference direction (α-β direction) described above, and a horizontal direction, that is, a direction orthogonal to the reference direction (γ-δ direction). A line sensor 140 that obliquely crosses the line sensor 140 is provided.

  In FIG. 5, the line sensor 140 is arranged from the upper right to the lower left as viewed from the user. However, the line sensor 140 is not limited to this example, and may be arranged from the upper left to the lower right as viewed from the user. Good.

  Hereinafter, basic functions of the fingerprint reading unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the basic functions of the fingerprint reading unit 14 shown in FIG. In the fingerprint reading unit 14, the line sensor 140 has a reading surface 140B facing the fingerprint surface of the user's finger F on the surface 140A. The line sensor 140 forms an oblique angle of 45 degrees with respect to both the vertical direction, that is, the reference direction (α-β direction) and the horizontal direction, that is, the direction orthogonal to the reference direction (γ-δ direction). It is arranged like that.

  In such a line sensor 140, the user keeps his / her finger F upward, that is, in the depth direction (direction β) of the apparatus body 3 as shown in FIG. When the device body 3 is moved in the depth direction (direction β), the fingerprint of the finger F is read in the direction from the upper part U to the lower part D.

  Further, while the user faces his / her finger F upward as shown in the drawing, that is, in the depth direction (direction β) of the apparatus main body 3, downward, that is, in front of the apparatus main body 3. When moved in the direction (α direction), the fingerprint of the finger F is read in the direction from the lower part D to the upper part U.

  Further, the user keeps his / her finger F upward in the direction of the tip of the finger F, that is, in the depth direction (direction β) of the apparatus body 3, and in the right direction (δ direction) of the apparatus body 3. Is moved in the direction from the right part R to the left part L.

  Furthermore, the user keeps his / her finger F upward in the direction of the tip of the finger F, that is, in the depth direction (direction β) of the apparatus body 3, and the left direction (γ direction) of the apparatus body 3. Is moved in the direction from the left portion L to the right portion R.

  On the surface of the fingerprint reading unit 14 having such a configuration, the user moves his / her finger forward (α direction), depth direction (β direction), right direction (δ direction), and left direction (γ direction). When moved in each direction, the fingerprint reader 14 reads the fingerprint block as follows.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the fingerprint block. FIG. 8 shows that on the surface of the fingerprint reading unit 14 arranged in a direction oblique to the reference direction (α-β direction), the user's finger is moved forward (α direction), depth direction (β direction), It is a figure for demonstrating the reading process of a fingerprint block when it moves to each direction of the right direction (delta direction) and the left direction (gamma direction).

  Here, FIG. 8A shows an example in which the fingerprint reading unit 14 is arranged from the upper right to the lower left, and FIG. 8B shows the fingerprint reading unit 14 from the upper left to the lower right. An example of arrangement is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the fingerprint on the fingerprint surface FA of the user's finger F can be divided into a plurality of blocks. For example, the fingerprint is a fingerprint block A on the upper left side (upper right side when viewed from the back) as viewed from the front side of the finger F (fingerprint surface FA side), and the upper right side (back side) of the finger F from the front (fingerprint surface FA side). The fingerprint block B on the upper left side when viewed from the front side, the fingerprint block C on the lower left side when viewed from the front side of the finger F (fingerprint side FA side), and the front side fingerprint block C and the front side of the finger F (fingerprint side FA side) Is divided into four blocks, a fingerprint block D on the lower right side as viewed from the bottom (lower left side as viewed from the back).

  The right side seen from the table means the right side of the user's own fingerprint when the user looks at the fingerprint surface FA of the finger F, and the left side seen from the table means the fingerprint of the user's own finger F. It means the left side of its own fingerprint when viewing the face FA.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the fingerprint reading unit 14, the line sensor 140 has two reading positions r <b> 1 (left side position) and reading position r <b> 2 (right side position) that are equally spaced.

  In FIG. 8, the arrangement of the fingerprint blocks A to D is an arrangement as seen from the back surface of the user's finger F where the fingerprint blocks A to D exist. That is, the arrangement of the fingerprint blocks A to D is an arrangement in which the finger is viewed from the nail side in a state where the fingerprint surface FA is facing the line sensor 140.

  In the fingerprint reading unit 14 shown in FIG. 8A, when the user moves his / her finger in a downward direction as viewed from the user, that is, in the front direction (α direction), the line sensor 140 performs the movement. Accordingly, the fingerprint block C is read at the reading position r2, the fingerprint block D is read at the reading position r1, the fingerprint block A is read at the reading position r2, and finally the fingerprint block B is read at the reading position r1.

  As a result, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines that the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block C at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block at the reading position r1. D and the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block B at the reading position r1 are determined.

  Then, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines that the matching order is the fingerprint block C at the reading position r2, the fingerprint block D at the reading position r1, the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2, and the fingerprint block B at the reading position r1. Is obtained as data representing the direction of movement of the user's fingerprint (downward direction, that is, the forward direction).

  When the user moves his / her finger upward in the fingerprint reading unit 14 as viewed from the user, that is, in the depth direction (β direction), the line sensor 140 moves the fingerprint block B along with the movement. Is read at the reading position r1, then the fingerprint block D is read at the reading position r1, the fingerprint block A is read at the reading position r2, and finally the fingerprint block C is read at the reading position r2.

  As a result, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines that the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block B at the reading position r1 and the fingerprint block at the reading position r1. Data indicating D and the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block C at the reading position r2 are obtained as data indicating the moving direction (upward direction, that is, the depth direction) of the user's fingerprint.

  Furthermore, when the user moves his / her finger in the right direction (δ direction) as viewed from the user, the line sensor 140 reads the fingerprint block C at the reading position r1 along with the movement, The fingerprint block D is read at the reading position r1, the fingerprint block A is read at the reading position r2, and finally the fingerprint block B is read at the reading position r2.

  As a result, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines that the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 match the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block C at the reading position r1 and the fingerprint block at the reading position r1. Data indicating D and the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block B at the reading position r2 are obtained as data indicating the moving direction (right direction) of the user's fingerprint.

  Further, when the user moves his / her finger in the left direction (γ direction) when viewed from the user, the line sensor 140 reads the fingerprint block B at the reading position r2 along with the movement, The fingerprint block D is read at the reading position r1, the fingerprint block A is read at the reading position r2, and finally the fingerprint block C is read at the reading position r1.

  As a result, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines that the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block B at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block at the reading position r1. Data indicating D and the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block C at the reading position r1 are obtained as data indicating the moving direction (left direction) of the user's fingerprint.

  When the line sensor 140 is arranged from the upper left to the lower right as shown in FIG. 8B, the line sensor 140 reads the user's fingerprint as follows. Also in this case, the line sensor 140 has two reading positions (left side position) r1 and reading positions (right side position) r2 which are divided at equal intervals.

  When the line sensor 140 is arranged from the upper left to the lower right, when the user moves his / her finger downward from the user, that is, the front direction (α direction), the line sensor 140 In accordance with the movement, the fingerprint block D is read at the reading position r1, then the fingerprint block B is read at the reading position r1, the fingerprint block C is read at the reading position r2, and finally the fingerprint block A is read. Read at position r2.

  As a result, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines that the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block D at the reading position r1 and the fingerprint block at the reading position r1. B and data representing the fingerprint block C at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2 are obtained as data representing the direction of movement of the user's fingerprint (downward, that is, the front side).

  Further, when the user moves his / her finger upward as viewed from the user, that is, in the depth direction (β direction), the line sensor 140 reads the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2 along with the movement. Next, the fingerprint block B is read at the reading position r1, the fingerprint block C is read at the reading position r2, and finally the fingerprint block D is read at the reading position r1.

  As a result, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines that the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block at the reading position r1. B and data representing the fingerprint block C at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block D at the reading position r1 are obtained as data representing the moving direction (upward direction, that is, the depth direction) of the user's fingerprint.

  When the user moves his / her finger in the right direction (δ direction) as viewed from the user, the line sensor 140 reads the fingerprint block A at the reading position r1 along with the movement, The fingerprint block B is read at the reading position r1, the fingerprint block C is read at the reading position r2, and finally the fingerprint block D is read at the reading position r2.

  As a result, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines that the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block A at the reading position r1 and the fingerprint block at the reading position r1. B and data representing the fingerprint block C at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block D at the reading position r2 are obtained as data representing the movement direction (right direction) of the user's fingerprint.

  When the user moves his / her finger in the left direction (γ direction) as viewed from the user, the line sensor 140 reads the fingerprint block D at the reading position r2 along with the movement, The fingerprint block B is read at the reading position r1, the fingerprint block C is read at the reading position r2, and finally the fingerprint block A is read at the reading position r1.

  As a result, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines that the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block D at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block at the reading position r1. B and data representing the fingerprint block C at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block A at the reading position r1 are obtained as data representing the movement direction (left direction) of the user's fingerprint.

  As described above, in the fingerprint reading unit 14, the line sensor 140 obliquely intersecting the reference direction (α-β direction) has a fingerprint moving direction of downward (front side), upward direction (depth direction), right side. The fingerprint blocks are sequentially read in a predetermined order at the reading positions r1 and r2 in any of the direction and the left direction.

  For this reason, the fingerprint reading unit 14 obtains an image of the entire fingerprint regardless of whether the fingerprint is moved in the downward direction (frontward direction), the upward direction (depth direction), the right direction, or the left direction. It is done. Thereby, since the freedom degree of the moving direction of a fingerprint increases, the convenience for a user improves.

  The finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines the movement direction of the user's fingerprint on the surface of the fingerprint reading unit 14 based on the order of reading the fingerprint blocks at the reading positions r1 and r2 of the line sensor 140. In order to make such a determination possible, the RAM 13 is provided with a moving direction determination table.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the movement direction determination table. The moving direction determination table 131 shown in FIG. 9 is provided to determine the moving direction of the user's fingerprint according to the order in which the fingerprint blocks are read at the reading positions r1 and r2.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the moving direction determination table 131, the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block C at the reading position r2. Data 131A representing the fingerprint block D at the reading position r1, the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2, and the fingerprint block B at the reading position r1 is stored.

  In the moving direction determination table 131, the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block B at the reading position r1 and the fingerprint block at the reading position r1. D and data 131B representing the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block C at the reading position r2 are stored.

  Further, in the moving direction determination table 131, the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block C at the reading position r1 and the fingerprint block at the reading position r1. D and data 131C representing the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2 and the fingerprint block B at the reading position r2 are stored.

  Further, the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance is the fingerprint block B at the reading position r2, the fingerprint block D at the reading position r1, and the fingerprint block A at the reading position r2. Data 131D representing the fingerprint block C at the reading position r1 is stored.

  The movement direction determination table 131 stores data 131E representing the α direction (downward direction, that is, the forward direction) corresponding to the data 131A. Further, data 131F representing the β direction (upward direction, that is, the depth direction) is stored corresponding to the data 131B.

  Further, data 131G representing the δ direction (right direction) is stored corresponding to the data 131C. Further, data 131H representing the γ direction (left direction) is stored corresponding to the data 131D.

  As described above, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 uses the data representing the order in which the fingerprint block read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 matches the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance as the data representing the movement direction of the user's fingerprint. Therefore, the presence / absence of data that matches the acquired data is searched from the data 131A to 131D.

  Then, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 searches the data 131E to 131H for the finger movement direction corresponding to the data searched from the data 131A to 131D, and is represented by the data searched from the data 131E to 131H. Is determined to be the direction of fingerprint movement.

  In this way, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines the fingerprint movement direction based on the order in which the fingerprint blocks read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 coincide with the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance. When the fingerprint reading unit 14 is configured using a simple line sensor 140, the direction of movement of the user's fingerprint in the fingerprint reading unit 14 is the reference direction (α-β direction) or a direction orthogonal to the reference direction (γ -Direction).

  In the image forming apparatus 1, after the finger movement direction determination unit 15 determines the fingerprint movement direction, the function determination unit 19 determines a function corresponding to the movement direction determined by the finger movement direction determination unit 15. The In order to make this possible, the RAM 13 is provided with a function determination table.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the function determination table. The function determination table 132 shown in FIG. 10 stores data representing functions corresponding to the direction of fingerprint movement for each user. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the function determination table 132 includes data indicating the movement direction of the fingerprint of the user and a function corresponding to the movement direction corresponding to the user with the user ID “aaa”. A combination of data to represent is stored.

  That is, in the function determination table 132, data 132E representing a copy is stored as data representing a function corresponding to the data 132A representing the downward direction, that is, the forward direction (α direction). Further, data 132F representing a print is stored as data representing a function corresponding to the data 132B representing the upward direction, that is, the depth direction (β direction).

  Further, data 132G representing a scan is stored as data representing a function corresponding to the data 132C representing the δ direction (right direction). Further, data 132H representing FAX is stored as data representing a function corresponding to data 132D representing the γ direction (left direction).

  The user can newly register data representing the moving direction of the fingerprint and data representing the function in the function determination table 132 described above.

  For example, the user inputs his / her user ID by operating the operation unit 18. Next, the user inputs data representing the moving direction of the fingerprint and data representing the function by operating the operation unit 18.

  Then, the controller 10 causes the function determination table 132 to store the input combination of the data representing the moving direction of the fingerprint and the data representing the function in association with the input user ID.

  In addition, the user can appropriately change any of the data representing the moving direction of the fingerprint and the data representing the function, which are already stored in the function determination table 132.

  For example, the user inputs his / her user ID by operating the operation unit 18. Then, the controller 10 reads out all the combinations of data representing the moving direction of fingerprints and data representing functions registered corresponding to the input user ID, and displays them on the display unit 5.

  Next, the user selects a desired combination from among the combinations of the data indicating the moving direction of the fingerprint and the data indicating the function displayed on the display unit 5 by the operation of the operation unit 18, and in the selected combination Then, an operation of rewriting one of the data representing the moving direction of the fingerprint and the data representing the function is performed.

  Then, in the data representing the moving direction of the fingerprint and the data representing the function of the selected combination, the controller 10 replaces either the data representing the moving direction of the fingerprint or the data representing the function with data rewritten by the user. change.

  By providing the movement direction determination table 131 having the above configuration, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 can determine the movement direction of the user's fingerprint on the surface of the fingerprint reading unit 14. Further, by providing the function determination table 132, the function determination unit 19 can determine a function corresponding to the fingerprint movement direction determined by the finger movement direction determination unit 15.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the basic operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the user moves his / her finger on the surface of the fingerprint reading unit 14, the following processing is performed according to the movement of the user's finger.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 10 reads the data representing the fingerprint block by reading the fingerprint of the user by the fingerprint reading unit 14 in units of fingerprint blocks when the fingerprint is divided into a plurality of blocks ( Step S1).

  Next, the controller 10 causes the finger movement direction determination unit 15 to determine whether or not the data representing the fingerprint block read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 matches the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance (step S2). ).

  When the data representing the fingerprint block read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 matches the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance (YES in step S3), the controller 10 reads the data in step S1 by the finger movement direction determination unit 15. It is determined whether the data representing the fingerprint block read is read at the left position r1 or read at the right position r2 in the fingerprint reading unit 14 (step S4).

  The controller 10 repeats the processes in steps S1 to S4 until all the fingerprint blocks are collated (step S5). As a result, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 obtains data representing the order in which the fingerprint block read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 matches the data stored in the RAM 13 in advance (described above).

  On the other hand, when it is determined from the determination result by the finger moving direction determination unit 15 that the data representing the fingerprint block read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 does not match the preset data (NO in step S3), the controller 10 performs predetermined error processing.

  As described above, when it is determined from the determination result by the finger movement direction determination unit 15 that the data representing the fingerprint block read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 matches the preset data, the next fingerprint block verification is performed. On the other hand, if it is found that the data representing the fingerprint block read by the fingerprint reading unit 14 does not match the preset data, predetermined error processing is performed.

  Therefore, the finger movement direction determination unit 15 functions as a fingerprint collation unit that determines whether the user's fingerprint is valid.

  After performing the processing of steps S1 to S4 for all the fingerprint blocks (YES in step S5), the controller 10 causes the finger movement direction determination unit 15 to obtain the reading position r1 obtained by the processing of steps S1 to S4. Then, based on the data representing the order in which the fingerprint blocks were read at r2, the direction of fingerprint movement is determined (step S6).

  Then, the controller 10 determines the function corresponding to the movement direction determined in step S6 by the function determination unit 19 (step S7), and executes the determined function (step S8).

  The image forming apparatus 1 performs the processes shown in steps S1 to S8 described above, thereby producing the following effects.

  12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the effect of the processing shown in FIG. 11 performed in the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, when the user moves his / her finger downward, that is, toward the front (α direction) on the surface of the fingerprint reading unit 14, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a copy function. The execution of is started. At this time, the display on the display unit 5 is switched from the initial screen to the copy screen.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the user moves his / her finger upward, that is, in the depth direction (β direction) on the surface of the fingerprint reading unit 14, the image forming apparatus 1 performs printing. Function execution begins. At this time, the display on the display unit 5 is switched from the initial screen to the print screen.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13A, when the user moves his / her finger in the right direction (δ direction) on the surface of the fingerprint reading unit 14, the scan function is executed in the image forming apparatus 1. Be started. At this time, the display on the display unit 5 is switched from the initial screen to the scan screen.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the user moves his / her finger in the left direction (γ direction) on the surface of the fingerprint reading unit 14, the FAX function is executed in the image forming apparatus 1. Be started. At this time, the display on the display unit 5 is switched from the initial screen to the FAX screen.

  As described above, when the user causes his / her finger to cause the fingerprint reading unit 14 to read his / her fingerprint, on the surface of the fingerprint reading unit 14, the user moves downward (α direction), upward (β direction), right Depending on whether the movement is in the direction (δ direction) or the left direction (γ direction), execution of different functions can be started. Thereby, security can be improved while improving user operability.

DE fingerprint reader 13 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Fingerprint reading part 15 Finger moving direction judgment part 30 Case 131 Moving direction judgment table 140 Line sensor 140B Reading surface AD Fingerprint block (alpha) -beta Reference direction

Claims (4)

A housing,
It is provided in the case and is oblique with respect to a reference direction which is either a direction perpendicular to one side of the front side of the case facing the user or a direction parallel to one side of the front side. When the user moves the finger in one of the reference direction and the direction orthogonal to the reference direction with the finger facing the surface, the fingerprint is sequentially read line by line. A fingerprint reading unit including a line sensor that sequentially outputs fingerprint data for each line;
A fingerprint reading apparatus comprising: A fingerprint data storage unit for storing data indicating each fingerprint block, which is a legitimate user fingerprint divided into a plurality of blocks;
The two-dimensional image is generated by sequentially synthesizing the fingerprint data for each line output by the line sensor, and the generated image and data indicating each fingerprint block stored in the fingerprint data storage unit are A direction determination unit that determines whether the fingerprint blocks match, and based on the order in which each fingerprint block matches the generated image, a direction determination unit that determines a moving direction of the fingerprint of the user;
The fingerprint reader according to claim 1, further comprising: The line sensor is
It is arranged from the upper right to the lower left,
In the fingerprint data storage unit,
Each fingerprint block obtained by dividing the legitimate user's fingerprint into four blocks, upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left when viewed from the back, is stored,
The direction determination unit
If the generated image matches the data indicating each fingerprint block, whether the position in the matched image is a right position corresponding to the right side or a left position corresponding to the left side in the line sensor. Detect
When the matching order is the order of the lower right block at the right position, the upper right block at the right position, the lower left block at the left position, and the upper left block at the left position, the movement direction is downward. Judgment
When the matching order is the order of the upper left block at the left position, the lower left block at the left position, the upper right block at the right position, and the lower right block at the right position, the movement direction is the upward direction. Judgment
When the matching order is the order of the upper left block at the right position, the upper right block at the right position, the lower left block at the left position, and the lower right block at the left position, the movement direction is the left direction. Judgment
When the matching order is the order of the lower right block at the left position, the lower left block at the left position, the upper right block at the right position, and the upper left block at the right position, the moving direction is the right direction. The fingerprint reader according to claim 2, wherein the determination is performed. The line sensor is
It is arranged from the upper left to the lower right,
In the fingerprint data storage unit,
Each fingerprint block obtained by dividing the legitimate user's fingerprint into four blocks, upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left when viewed from the back, is stored,
The direction determination unit
If the generated image matches the data indicating each fingerprint block, whether the position in the matched image is a right position corresponding to the right side or a left position corresponding to the left side in the line sensor. Detect
When the matching order is the order of the lower left block at the left position, the upper left block at the left position, the lower right block at the right position, and the upper right block at the right position, the moving direction is downward. Judgment
When the matching order is the order of the upper right block at the right position, the upper left block at the left position, the lower right block at the right position, and the lower left block at the left position, the moving direction is the upward direction. Judgment
When the matching order is the order of the lower left block at the right position, the upper left block at the left position, the lower right block at the right position, and the upper right block at the left position, the moving direction is the left direction. Judgment
When the matching order is the order of the upper right block at the left position, the upper left block at the left position, the lower right block at the right position, and the lower left block at the right position, the moving direction is the right direction. The fingerprint reader according to claim 2, wherein the fingerprint reader is determined.

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