JP2024066587A - Fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a system that enables both fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection with respect to a driver of a vehicle.SOLUTION: The present invention is a fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for a vehicle including a capacitance fingerprint sensor and a blood sensor. The system is provided in a portion that a user of a device attached to the vehicle touches, the device being used for actuation of the vehicle. When the user touches the portion, the system starts to perform, on the user, fingerprint authentication as to whether the user is a driver of the vehicle and determination on appropriateness for driving the vehicle by using an indicator such as blood concentration of alcohol.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a system that authenticates the fingerprint of a person who wishes to drive a vehicle and detects the blood concentration of a certain substance from the bloodstream of the person's finger. In particular, the present invention relates to a system that performs fingerprint authentication using a capacitive method and detects the blood concentration of a substance used to indicate conditions for avoiding driving a vehicle. Vehicles include various automobiles, various vehicles, ships, and aircraft.

In Japan, the revised Road Traffic Act Enforcement Regulations, which came into force on April 1, 2022, require safe driving managers to visually check whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol (so-called "alcohol check"). With this revision, alcohol checks have also become mandatory for drivers of private vehicles. With the effective date of October 1, 2022, in addition to visual checks, confirmation of alcohol intake using an alcohol detector will also be mandatory. The standard for alcohol detectors set by the National Public Safety Commission is "a device that has the function of detecting alcohol in the breath and indicating the presence or absence or concentration of alcohol through a warning sound, warning light, numerical value, etc." The performance of the alcohol detector is stated as "sufficient as long as it can confirm the presence or absence of alcohol intake through sound, color, numerical value, etc., and no special performance requirements are required," but it is required to be kept in working order and without any malfunctions.

In addition to breathalyzers that measure alcohol in the breath, there will likely be a need for smaller detection methods that allow drivers to check their own condition. The background to this is that sensors that detect blood concentration, such as smartwatches and blood oxygen saturation meters, have become widely available in recent years.

Apart from blood concentration, in the relationship between a car and its driver, there are cases where it is necessary to confirm whether a person is the owner of the car, and whether they are a person who has been pre-registered as the driver of the car, and there is also a need for a means of authenticating the driver of the car. Capacitive, optical, and ultrasonic sensors are in practical use as a means of authenticating users of objects, and capacitive fingerprint sensors are also known for being used in smartphones.

Patent Document 1 describes a system that controls engine start prohibition and permission based on the detection of the driver's drinking level and personal authentication of the driver. In this system, a camera that photographs the detection area for personal authentication and a light receiving element that detects the pulse wave signal of the detection area to detect the driver's drinking level are housed in a single housing, and when the detection area is brought close to the housing, personal authentication by the camera and detection of the drinking level by the light receiving element are performed.

US Patent No. 5,399,633 describes a biometric sensing device, such as an interactive biometric touch scanner, that includes a sensor that delivers ultrasound to a finger and a processor that authenticates the finger and thus the person bearing the finger based on image data of the finger's fingerprint and an indication of the response to the ultrasonic energy delivered to the finger by the sensor. The document also describes a capacitive type of fingerprint scanner and the measurement of blood flow, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and inference of pulse patterns from scanning veins or arteries in the biometric sensing device.

Patent document 3 describes a motherboard for a mobile device that combines a biometric thumb reader, a global positioning system (GPS), and an alcohol sensor configured on a mobile board. This document describes a system that can perform a breath test to measure the blood alcohol concentration of a person while performing any activity or task, and identifies, approves, tracks, monitors, and manages any work personnel, such as workers and security guards, in real time.

Patent document 4 describes a system and method for detecting the identity of a vehicle occupant. The system includes an optical sensor module mounted on the vehicle. The sensor module includes an occupant sensor that optically acquires an image of a part of the vehicle occupant (skin or subcutaneous tissue) to identify the vehicle occupant. This method includes activating the vehicle occupant identification system, acquiring an image of a person assumed to be a member of the vehicle occupant, comparing the acquired image with at least one stored image of the person previously assumed to be a member, and evaluating whether the acquired image matches the stored image to evaluate whether the vehicle occupant has been identified. In addition, a biometric system is described that is intended to be applied not only to occupant identification but also to work environments and economic transactions, and also describes the acquisition of biological data for safety and health management, such as alcohol concentration detection, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and body temperature, under the application of the biometric system.

Non-Patent Document 1 describes the correlation between earlobe blood flow, breath alcohol concentration, and alcohol detection by a MEMS blood flow sensor, with regard to alcohol drinking sensing using an integrated laser Doppler blood flow meter (MEMS blood flow sensor). It also describes that when a blood flow sensor is used, it is easy to carry out fingerprint authentication and other procedures at the same time as measurement.

Japanese Patent No. 4706733 US Patent Application Publication No. 2021/295005 Indian Patent Application No. 1794/MUM/2014 US Patent Application Publication No. 2003/204290

Wataru Iwasaki and six others, "Drinking Sensing Using a MEMS Blood Flow Sensor", [online], Proceedings of the 2010 Spring Meeting of the Japan Society for Precision Engineering, [searched on September 3, 2022], Internet <https://www. jstage. jst. go. jp/article/pscjspe/2010S/0/2010S_0_861/_pdf/-char/ja>

The inventors recognized that conventional systems using optical or ultrasonic fingerprint authentication with a camera require relatively large amounts of calculation and cost for use in automobiles, and that the size of the measuring device itself also poses problems for practical use. The inventors also recognized the need for alcohol detection that can easily provide an indicator that driving should be avoided, separate from breath alcohol detection. Furthermore, determining whether a person is fit to drive is not limited to two-wheeled and four-wheeled automobiles, but also to vehicles, ships, aircraft, railway vehicles, and not just other vehicles, but also industrial and transport machinery.

The above-mentioned problem is solved by a capacitive fingerprint sensor having a fingerprint detection range and detecting and acquiring fingerprint data of a user's finger in the fingerprint detection range;
a blood flow sensor having a blood flow detection range and detecting and acquiring data on the blood concentration of at least one predetermined component from the finger in the blood flow detection range;
A storage means for storing registered fingerprint data of a person who is registered in advance as a driver of a vehicle and data on a physical condition that is used as a criterion for determining whether or not the person is fit to drive the vehicle;
a processing unit that performs the following: comparing fingerprint data acquired by a fingerprint sensor with the registered fingerprint data to generate an authentication result; and comparing data acquired by a blood flow sensor with the physical condition data to determine whether the user is suitable to drive;
In a fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for a vehicle, which has a surface facing the pad of a user's finger and on which the fingerprint detection range and the blood flow detection range are provided, at least the fingerprint sensor and the blood flow sensor are attached to a part that the user touches with their finger to operate the vehicle, and the system begins operation when the user's finger comes into contact with the surface or presses the surface.

By configuring a system that uses various indices obtained from blood flow data to determine whether a person is fit to drive a vehicle and performs fingerprint authentication of the driver of the vehicle, by connecting or incorporating the system into an accessory device linked to the operation of the vehicle, it becomes particularly convenient to obtain such indices and perform fingerprint authentication.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between a measurement means provided in a fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system according to one embodiment and a user's finger. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the measuring means shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows different orientations of the measuring means shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is a diagram showing the relationship between the fingerprint detection range and the blood concentration detection range. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic connection relationship in data communication between main components of the fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system according to one embodiment.

Figure 1 shows an overview of the positional relationship between the measurement means and the user's finger in the fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system 1 for vehicles according to the present invention. Here, vehicles are various machines operated by a driver or operator, including various automobiles, ships, and aircraft. For convenience, the driver or operator will be referred to as the "user."

More specifically, the bottom right of Figure 1 shows the user's finger F approaching the measuring means as indicated by the white arrow, and the left side of Figure 1 shows an overview of the pad B of the user's finger F facing the surface used for a specified measurement.

The measurement means has a cover 2 that can encompass the entire area of the pad B of the user's finger F, which is necessary for fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection. On the inside of the cover 2, there is a surface used for the above-mentioned predetermined measurement. This surface is a flat or curved surface facing the pad B of the finger F, and on this surface there is a fingerprint detection range 32 and a blood concentration detection range 42. The size and position of the fingerprint detection range 32 and the blood concentration detection range 42 on this surface can be freely configured to the extent that fingerprint detection and blood concentration detection can be performed. In FIG. 1, the blood concentration detection range 42 is located inside the fingerprint detection range 32, but this is just one example, and as will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, the invention is not limited to this example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fingerprint detection range 32 facing the pad B of the finger F has a width W in the width direction of the finger and a length L in the length direction of the finger. Similarly, the blood concentration detection range 42 has a diameter φ.

A capacitive fingerprint sensor 3 is used for fingerprint detection. The fingerprint sensor 3 has a fingerprint detection range 32. The fingerprint sensor 3 shown in the figure has a rectangular outer shape with an opening in approximately the center, but other shapes are also possible. The position of the opening of the fingerprint sensor 3 is free within a range that ensures support for other integrally configured components, and is not limited to the center of the fingerprint sensor 3. The thinner the fingerprint sensor 3, the more advantageous it is for miniaturizing the measuring means. Also, in FIG. 1, the fingerprint sensor 3 is symbolized and shown outside the cover 2, but in reality it is located inside the cover 2 and has a fingerprint detection range 32.

The blood concentration is detected using a blood flow sensor 4. The blood concentration to be detected is, for example, the alcohol concentration in the blood, but the concentrations of other components or substances are also envisioned. Furthermore, it is envisioned that the data obtained by the blood flow sensor 4 can be used to obtain and use indicators of the state of the circulatory system and mental state, such as blood oxygen saturation. The blood flow sensor 4 has a blood concentration detection range 42. The blood flow sensor 4 may be an integrated device using MEMS technology. The blood flow sensor 4 is provided inside the cover 2 together with the fingerprint sensor 3.

Note that the user's finger F is not limited to a specific finger. As described later, it may be the finger that touches or presses an ignition switch (an example when the vehicle is an automobile) that is configured to also start up the system 1, the index finger, or the thumb.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of an example related to the measurement means shown in Figure 1. In the example of Figure 2, it is configured integrally with the ignition button 51 on the cover 2. In other words, the ignition switch of an automobile, which is an example of a vehicle, is configured integrally with the fingerprint sensor and blood flow sensor activation means 5 of this system. The activation means 5 has a surface on which the above-mentioned fingerprint detection range 32 and blood concentration detection range 42 exist. In Figure 2, the presence of the fingerprint sensor 3 is symbolized and shown outside the cover 2, but in reality it is located inside the cover 2 and has the fingerprint detection range 32.

The left side of FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram in which the orientation of the measuring means in FIG. 2 has been changed by approximately 90 degrees. This diagram shows an example in which the index finger F of the user's left hand is about to press or touch the activation means 5. When the finger F presses the activation means 5 or touches the activation means 5, fingerprint detection and blood concentration detection are started almost simultaneously, and fingerprint authentication and a blood concentration detection value are determined. This determination is at least whether or not the user is suitable to drive a vehicle (e.g., a car). If the way in which the finger F presses or touches the activation means 5 is insufficient to activate the system 1, a warning may be issued audibly or visually to prompt the user to correct the way the activation means 5 is pressed or touched. If necessary, it is also envisioned that a time lag may be set between fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection.

The system 1 further includes a storage means or memory (not shown). The storage means stores, for example as a database, fingerprint data of a person predetermined as the driver of the vehicle using the system and numerical data corresponding to the blood concentration of a specific component or substance. The fingerprint data is for fingerprint authentication, and the numerical data corresponding to the blood concentration of a specific component or substance is for determining at least the suitability of the user to drive a car. The numerical data corresponding to the blood concentration of a specific component or substance is not limited to the suitability of the user to drive a car, but may also be used to determine risks to human health or safety. The storage means may be provided in the cover 2 together with the fingerprint sensor 3 and blood flow sensor 4, or may be provided in or next to the processing unit 6, or may be capable of communicating with at least the processing unit 6 via wireless communication.

Next, when the vehicle is an automobile, the location of the activation means 5 (button 51) is not limited to the ignition switch, but may be, for example, a shift lever inside the automobile or the surface of the housing surrounding it, a smart key attached to the automobile, a display inside the automobile, or an instrument panel in front of the driver's seat. In other words, installing the activation means 5 on a device or member that the user will inevitably touch with their finger in connection with driving the vehicle is convenient for the user, and ensures reliable execution of fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection without the hassle of forgetting to measure or having to perform additional actions to measure.

The lower right of FIG. 3 shows modified examples of the arrangement of the blood concentration detection range 42 of a blood flow sensor, taking blood alcohol concentration detection as an example. The arrangement of the outer edge of the blood concentration detection range 42 is shown when it is inside the fingerprint detection range 32 and when it is outside. In other words, the relationship in size between the blood concentration detection range 42 and the fingerprint detection range 32 is free as long as both blood concentration and fingerprint detection are possible. In one modified example, the arrangement of the blood concentration detection range 42 and the fingerprint detection range 32 may be determined assuming any location on the pad of any finger. In another modified example, the blood concentration detection range 42 may be arranged outside the fingerprint detection range 32.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of the configuration of a fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system 1 (system 1) for a vehicle according to the present invention. The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system 1 includes a fingerprint sensor 3, a blood flow sensor 4 (e.g., an alcohol sensor 41) for detecting a blood alcohol concentration, a starting means 5 (e.g., an ignition switch or button 51), a processing unit 6, the above-mentioned storage means (not shown), and a power source (not shown) required for the operation of the system 1, which are, for example, electrically connected and additionally or alternatively connected to enable data communication.

The power source for system 1 may be, for example, a power source within the vehicle, or, if system 1 is provided in a smart key for the vehicle, a power source (replaceable battery) within the smart key, and system 1 may be installed anywhere that ensures operation of system 1 and user convenience. The power source is not limited to batteries, and energy harvesting technology may also be adopted.

The fingerprint sensor 3 includes a sub-substrate 33 for processing detection data from the fingerprint sensor 3. The alcohol sensor 41 includes a sub-substrate 43 for processing detection data from the alcohol sensor 41.

The starting means 5 includes a user interface for starting the system 1 and a sub-substrate 53 for signal processing in response to the operation of the user interface. In this example, the button 51 pressed by the user serves as the user interface, but the button 51 does not have to be a button that is physically pressed. Instead of the button 51, a touch sensor type user interface may also be used.

The processing unit 6 is a computer built on a printed circuit board (PCB) in one example. The processing unit 6 processes signals corresponding to raw data transmitted through the sub-substrate 33 of the fingerprint sensor 3, the sub-substrate 43 of the alcohol sensor 41, and the sub-substrate 53 of the activation means 5, and outputs an output signal in a predetermined format. The processing unit 6 may be provided in a structure separate from the structure in which the sub-substrates 33, 43, and 53 are incorporated, or may be incorporated in the same structure as at least one of the sub-substrates 33, 43, and 53. Alternatively, the processing unit 6 may be integrated with at least one of the sub-substrates 33, 43, and 53. As with the power source of the system 1, the location of the processing unit 6 may be determined according to where the system 1 is to be installed, or wireless communication may be used to obtain freedom in the location of the processing unit 6. In other words, the processing unit 6 may be installed in a desired location without being restricted to inside or outside the vehicle.

The storage means may be provided in the cover 2 together with the fingerprint sensor 3 and blood flow sensor 4, or may be provided in or next to the processing unit 6. When provided in or next to the processing unit 6, there is a degree of freedom in installing the storage means according to the installation location of the processing unit 6. Also, similar to the processing unit 6, the recording means may be installed in a desired location using wireless communication, without being restricted to being inside or outside the vehicle.

The above-mentioned storage means may store fingerprint data for fingerprint authentication of a person who is permitted to drive a vehicle, blood concentration data for a person permitted to drive a vehicle (e.g., a set of multiple data including upper and lower limits), and a processing program for the data acquired by the fingerprint sensor 3 and blood flow sensor 4.

The above-described system 1 may be integrated into an open or closed network together with the vehicle. System 1 may also be implemented using cloud computing.

The detection targets of the blood flow sensor 4 are not limited to the alcohol sensor 41, but may include other detection targets linked to health indicators that may be combined with fingerprint authentication, or indicators related to permission or prohibition of driving a vehicle. For example, detection targets that are indicators of physical condition such as blood oxygen saturation and body temperature, indicators of the circulatory system such as heart rate and the presence or absence of arrhythmia, and indicators of stress level and mental state. By incorporating a system that performs such various indicators, fingerprint authentication, and driving suitability determination into devices and parts within the vehicle that are connected to the operation of the vehicle, it becomes particularly easy to obtain various biometric data about the user of the vehicle and make various determinations.

Next, embodiments according to another aspect of the present invention will be listed.
(1) a capacitive fingerprint sensor having a fingerprint detection range that detects and acquires fingerprint data of a user's finger within the fingerprint detection range;
a blood flow sensor having a blood flow detection range, the blood flow sensor detecting and acquiring data on the blood concentration of at least one predetermined component from the finger in the blood flow detection range;
A storage means for storing registered fingerprint data of a person who is registered in advance as a driver of a vehicle and data on a physical condition that is used as a criterion for determining whether or not the person is fit to drive the vehicle;
a processing unit that performs the following: comparing fingerprint data acquired by a fingerprint sensor with the registered fingerprint data to generate an authentication result; and comparing data acquired by a blood flow sensor with the physical condition data to determine whether the user is suitable for driving;
a surface facing the pad of a user's finger, the surface being provided with the fingerprint detection range and the blood flow detection range;
A fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for a vehicle, characterized in that at least the fingerprint sensor and the blood flow sensor are attached to a part that a user touches with their finger to operate the vehicle, and the system starts operating when the finger touches the surface or presses the surface.
(2) The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to (1), wherein the vehicle is an automobile and the part touched by the user's finger is the ignition switch of the automobile.
(3) The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to (1), wherein the vehicle is an automobile and the part touched by the user's finger is a smart key for the automobile.
(4) The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to (1), wherein the vehicle is an automobile and the part touched by the user's finger is the automobile's shift switch, steering wheel, or instrument panel in front of the driver's seat.
(5) A fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for a vehicle according to any one of (1) to (4), in which, if the acquired fingerprint data does not authenticate the user as a pre-registered driver, the processing unit sends a signal to a control means provided in the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from operating.
(6) A fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for a vehicle of any of (1) to (5), wherein when the processing unit compares the data created by the blood flow sensor with the physical condition data and determines that the person is unsuitable for operating the vehicle, it sends a signal to a control means provided in the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from operating.
(7) A fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for a vehicle according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the specified component is blood alcohol concentration.
(8) A fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to (7), wherein the specified components further include at least one of blood oxygen saturation or pulse rate.
(9) A fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the blood flow sensor is an integrated device using MEMS technology.
(10) A vehicle equipped with a fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for any of the vehicles described in (1) to (9).

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, embodiments other than those disclosed herein may be possible within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The vehicle fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system of the present invention can be used in various automobiles, vehicles, ships, aircraft, railway vehicles, industrial machinery, and transportation machinery.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system 2 Cover F Finger B Finger pad 3 Fingerprint sensor 32 Fingerprint detection range W Width of fingerprint detection range L Length of fingerprint detection range 33 Sub-substrate 4 Blood flow sensor 41 Alcohol sensor 42 Blood concentration detection range φ Diameter 43 Sub-substrate 5 Activation means 51 Button 53 Sub-substrate 6 Processing section

Claims (10)

a capacitive fingerprint sensor having a fingerprint detection range for detecting and acquiring fingerprint data of a user's finger within the fingerprint detection range;
a blood flow sensor having a blood flow detection range, the blood flow sensor detecting and acquiring data on the blood concentration of at least one predetermined component from the finger in the blood flow detection range;
A storage means for storing registered fingerprint data of a person who is registered in advance as a driver of a vehicle and data on a physical condition that is used as a criterion for determining whether or not the person is fit to drive the vehicle;
a processing unit that performs the following: comparing fingerprint data acquired by a fingerprint sensor with the registered fingerprint data to generate an authentication result; and comparing data acquired by a blood flow sensor with the physical condition data to determine whether the user is suitable for driving;
a surface facing the pad of a user's finger, the surface being provided with the fingerprint detection range and the blood flow detection range;
A fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for a vehicle, characterized in that at least the fingerprint sensor and the blood flow sensor are attached to a part that a user touches with their finger to operate the vehicle, and the system starts operating when the finger touches the surface or presses the surface. The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an automobile, and the part touched by the user's finger is the ignition switch of the automobile. The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an automobile, and the part touched by the user's finger is the automobile's smart key. The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an automobile, and the part touched by the user's finger is the automobile's shift switch, steering wheel, or instrument panel in front of the driver's seat. The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing unit transmits a signal to a control means provided in the vehicle to disable the vehicle if the user is not authenticated as a pre-registered driver based on the acquired fingerprint data. The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing unit transmits a signal to a control means provided in the vehicle to disable the vehicle when the processing unit determines that the person is not suitable for driving the vehicle based on a comparison of the data created by the blood flow sensor with the data on the physical condition. The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined component is a blood alcohol concentration. The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined components further include at least one of blood oxygen saturation or pulse rate. The fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the blood flow sensor is an integrated device using MEMS technology. A vehicle equipped with the fingerprint authentication and blood concentration detection system for vehicles described in claim 1.