JP6545542B2 - Operator authentication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operator authentication apparatus.

  As a prior art, means for comparing the fingerprint information obtained from the user identification information storage medium with the fingerprint of the user actually detected, and unlocking the door of the automobile when they match. A user comprising means for comparing the vein pattern information obtained from the user identification information storage medium with the actually detected vein pattern of the user and permitting engine start when they match. An authentication system is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The user authentication system is further provided to surround a fingerprint sensor provided on the doorknob for acquiring fingerprint information and an engine start button disposed on the instrument panel for acquiring vein pattern information. And a vein pattern sensor.

JP 2003-182528 A

  However, the conventional user authentication system operates the doorknob so that the fingerprint can be authenticated and the vein pattern can be authenticated despite individual differences in the operation of the doorknob and the engine start button. Since the engine start button has to be operated, there is a problem that the operation load on the user is large.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an operator authentication apparatus capable of suppressing the operation load involved in the authentication of the operator.

  One aspect of the present invention is a convex disposed around the start switch and protruding beyond the start switch such that the operator's palm approaches or contacts the surface when the start switch for starting the vehicle engine is operated. , A reading unit arranged on the convex member for reading biological information obtained from a palm approaching or contacting the surface of the convex member, a storage unit for storing authentication information for authenticating the biological information, and reading And a comparison unit that compares the biometric information read by the unit with the authentication information stored in the storage unit and outputs the result as comparison information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the operation load involved in the authentication of the operator.

Fig.1 (a) is a perspective view which shows an example of the operator authentication apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, FIG.1 (b) is an example of the block diagram of an operator authentication apparatus. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the positions of the palm and the biometric sensor when using the start switch of the operator authentication device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. It is the schematic explaining the modification of the shape of the surface of a convex-shaped member. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the arrangement of the operator authentication device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 (a) is a schematic view showing an example of the operator authentication apparatus according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 4 (b) is an example of the operator authentication apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. FIG.

(Summary of the embodiment)
The operator authentication device according to the embodiment is arranged around the start switch so that the palm of the operator approaches or contacts the surface when the start switch for starting the engine of the vehicle is operated and from the start switch Memory for storing biometric information for authenticating biometric information, which is disposed on the convex member and reads biological information obtained from a palm that is disposed on the convex member and approaches or contacts the surface of the convex member And a comparison unit that compares the unit, the biometric information read by the reading unit, and the authentication information stored in the storage unit, and outputs the result as comparison information.

  In this operator authentication apparatus, when operating the start switch, the convex member is inevitably disposed at a position where the palm approaches or contacts, and the palm approaches or contacts the convex member to read the biological information. Compared with the case where the method of operation of the operation target is limited in order to read the biometric information, the operation load involved in the authentication of the operator can be suppressed.

First Embodiment
(Overall Configuration of Operator Authentication Device 1)
Fig.1 (a) is a perspective view which shows an example of the operator authentication apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, FIG.1 (b) is an example of the block diagram of an operator authentication apparatus. In the drawings according to the embodiments described below, the ratio between figures may be different from the actual ratio. Further, in FIG. 1B, the flow of main information is indicated by arrows.

  The operator authentication device 1 is disposed in a vehicle, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 (a). The operator authentication device 1 is a device for identifying an operator who operates the start switch 2. For example, when the vehicle control unit comprehensively controls an electronic device or the like mounted on the vehicle, the vehicle authentication unit 1 provides a service suitable for the operator by the operator authentication device 1 specifying the operator. It becomes possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), when the start switch 2 for starting the engine of the vehicle is operated, the operator authentication device 1 causes the palm 90 of the operator to approach or contact the surface 31. Obtained from the palm 90 disposed on the periphery of the start switch 2 and disposed on the convex member 3 protruding from the start switch 2 and disposed on the convex member 3 so as to approach or contact the surface 31 of the convex member 3. The biometric sensor 4 as a reading unit for reading the biometric information 40 to be stored, the storage unit 5 for storing the authentication information 50 for authenticating the biometric information 40, the biometric information 40 read by the biometric sensor 4 and the storage unit 5 And a control unit 6 as a comparison unit that compares the authentication information 50 and outputs the result as operator information 60. In addition, approach shall show approach of the extent which the biometric sensor 4 can read biometric information 40. FIG.

  For example, after the door is unlocked by the authentication based on the wireless communication by the electronic key or the like, the operator authentication device 1 is supplied with the driving voltage from the battery of the vehicle. The operator authentication device 1 may be configured not to unlock the door by authentication based on wireless communication, but to supply the drive voltage when the door is unlocked by the physical key or when the door is opened. .

(Configuration of convex member 3)
FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the positions of the palm and the biometric sensor when using the start switch of the operator authentication device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. It is the schematic explaining the modification of the shape of the surface of a convex-shaped member.

  The convex member 3 is disposed on the instrument panel 80 together with the start switch 2. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the convex member 3 inevitably operates the start switch 2 so that the start switch 2 can be operated in a state where the palm 90 of the operator's hand 9 approaches or contacts the surface 31. Are located around the

  The start switch 2 of the present embodiment is disposed on the left side as viewed from the operator sitting on the driver's seat. Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, the instrument panel 80 on which the start switch 2 is disposed rises up to face the operator, and is slightly inclined to the front of the vehicle. Accordingly, the convex member 3 is disposed below the start switch 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 2 (a).

  The convex member 3 has, for example, a cylindrical shape. The convex member 3 has the biosensor 4 below the surface 31 thereof.

  The shape of the surface 31 of the convex member 3 is flat. Here, as a modified example of the convex member 3, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the surface 31 has a shape of the hand so as to conform to the shape of the hand, that is, so that the palm 90 and the surface 31 easily adhere to each other. It may be a rounded shape according to. As shown in FIG. 2B, a gap may be generated between the palm 90 and the surface 31.

  Further, the convex member 3 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and the start switch 2 may be lower than the opposite side of the start switch 2 so that the start switch 2 can be easily operated. It may be configured to fit the shape.

(Configuration of living body sensor 4)
The biometric sensor 4 is a sensor that can read at least one of a palm print pattern as biometric information and a vein pattern, which can be read from the palm 90 approaching or in contact with the convex member 3.

  As this biometric sensor 4, for example, when reading a palmprint pattern, a sensor configured to read a palmprint pattern such as an optical type, a capacitance type, an electric field strength measurement type, a pressure-sensitive type, or a thermal type is used.

  Further, as the biological sensor 4, for example, when reading a vein pattern, a sensor configured to read the vein pattern based on the reflection of the irradiated near-infrared light is used.

  Furthermore, when reading both the palm print pattern and the vein pattern, for example, a sensor configured to extract the palm print pattern and the vein pattern by using an image processed by irradiating visible light is used. .

  The biosensor 4 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a capacitive sensor that reads a palm print pattern.

  The biological sensor 4 is disposed near the surface 31 of the convex member 3. The biometric sensor 4 outputs the read palmprint pattern as the biometric information 40 to the control unit 6.

(Configuration of storage unit 5)
The storage unit 5 is a semiconductor memory as an example. The storage unit 5 stores authentication information 50.

  The authentication information 50 includes at least one of the palm print pattern and the vein pattern according to the biological information read by the biological sensor 4. Since the biometric sensor 4 reads the palm print pattern, the authentication information 50 of the present embodiment includes information on the palm print pattern.

  Further, the authentication information 50 includes biometric information of at least one of the biometric information of the operator registered through the registration process and the biometric information of the operator authorized to start the engine. In the present embodiment, since the operator uses the electronic key that performs authentication by wireless communication, as an example, it is assumed that the biometric information of the operator who has registered the authentication information 50 is included.

  The palmprint pattern information included in the authentication information 50 is, for example, palmprint pattern information processed so as to be adapted to comparison of palmprint patterns by pattern matching.

  Further, the authentication information 50 includes setting information which is information of settings made by the operator for the vehicle. The setting information includes, for example, settings relating to seat position adjustment, settings relating to steering position adjustment, settings relating to the Internet such as an e-mail address, and the like. The setting information is stored in the storage unit 5 as the authentication information 50 together with the palmprint pattern of the operator who made the setting.

  The setting information may be, for example, information such as the setting relating to the position adjustment of the seat described above, or the like, such as a registration number where detailed setting information is stored on the vehicle control unit side and the setting information can be read out. It may be.

  For example, the authentication information 50 may be output from the vehicle control unit and stored in the storage unit 5 or may be generated by the operator authentication device 1. The setting information is output, for example, from the vehicle control unit when the operator authentication device 1 creates the authentication information 50. The control unit 6 stores the setting information in the storage unit 5 as the authentication information 50 in association with the palmprint pattern at the time of obtaining the setting information.

(Configuration of control unit 6)
The control unit 6 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) that performs computation, processing, etc. on acquired data according to a stored program, a random access memory (RAM) as a semiconductor memory, a read only memory (ROM), and the like. Is a microcomputer that In the ROM, for example, a program for operating the control unit 6 is stored. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like.

  The control unit 6 compares the biological information 40 acquired from the biological sensor 4 with the authentication information 50 acquired from the storage unit 5. As an example, the control unit 6 determines whether there is a palmprint pattern of the authentication information 50 that matches the palmprint pattern based on the biological information 40 by pattern matching.

  When a palmprint pattern matching the palmprint pattern based on the biometric information 40 is present in the authentication information 50, the control unit 6 reads the setting information associated with the matching palmprint pattern. The control unit 6 generates and outputs the operator information 60 based on, for example, the information of the authenticated operator and the read setting information. The output destination may be, for example, an electronic device to which the operator authentication device 1 is connected, or a vehicle control unit that controls an electronic device mounted on a vehicle. In the present embodiment, the output destination is a vehicle control unit, and the vehicle control unit can adjust the seat angle and the like based on the setting information.

  The operation of the operator authentication device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below. The case where the operator carries the electronic key and gets on the vehicle will be described.

(Operation)
The operator authentication device 1 is supplied with a drive voltage after the vehicle control unit completes the authentication of the electronic key. By the supply of the drive voltage, the biological sensor 4 monitors the presence or absence of palm detection.

  When the palm is detected, the biometric sensor 4 acquires a palm print pattern and outputs it as the biometric information 40 to the control unit 6.

  When acquiring the biological information 40 from the biological sensor 4, the control unit 6 further acquires the authentication information 50 from the storage unit 5 and checks whether a palmprint pattern based on the biological information 40 is present in the authentication information 50.

  When there is a coincident palmprint pattern, the control unit 6 generates operator information 60 based on the operator information and setting information associated with the coincident palmprint pattern as a comparison result, and outputs the operator information 60 to the vehicle control unit .

  Further, when there is no coincident palmprint pattern, the control unit 6 generates, as a comparison result, the operator information 60 in which there is no coincident pattern, and outputs it to the vehicle control unit.

(Effect of the first embodiment)
In the operator authentication device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the start switch 2 is operated, the convex member 3 is inevitably disposed at a position where the palm 90 approaches or contacts, and the palm 90 is disposed on the convex member 3 Since the palm print pattern is read by approaching or touching, the operation load involved in the authentication of the operator can be suppressed as compared with the case where the operation method of the operation target is limited in order to read the palm print pattern.

  The operator authentication device 1 is disposed close to the start switch 2 so that the hand 9 is closed and the operation of the start switch 2 by the fingertip is not permitted, and the operator authentication device 1 is closed with the convex member 3 in the state where the hand 9 is closed. In order to prevent access or contact, the hand is necessarily opened and the palm 90 is opposed to the biological sensor 4, so it is easy to obtain a palmprint pattern with high accuracy.

  Since the operator authentication device 1 can acquire a vein pattern, it can perform authentication of the operator with higher accuracy than the palmprint pattern. In addition, when the operator authentication device 1 is configured to be able to authenticate the operator by the combination of the palmprint pattern and the vein pattern, authentication with higher accuracy can be performed. Furthermore, when the operator authentication device 1 is configured to perform authentication of the operator who is permitted to start the engine, high security can be realized by performing the authentication with high accuracy.

  Since the operator authentication device 1 has setting information for each operator, the operation of the start switch 2 adjusts the angle of the seat and the angle of the steering, etc., and manually adjusts these. Operation load of the person is reduced.

  As a modification, the operator authentication device 1 may be configured as an operator authentication system including the start switch 2. In addition, the operator authentication device 1 may be configured as an operator authentication system further including a sheet or the like set by the setting information.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a parking brake, which is operated before the vehicle travels, is disposed in addition to the start switch.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the arrangement of the operator authentication device according to the second embodiment. In the embodiment described below, portions having the same functions and configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the operator authentication device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the convex member 3 includes the start switch 2 for starting the engine of the vehicle and the parking brake of the vehicle disposed around the start switch 2. The start switch 2 and the parking brake switch 7 are disposed around the start switch 2 and the parking brake switch 7 so that the palm 90 of the operator approaches or contacts the surface 31 when the parking brake switch 7 to be operated is operated. It is more prominent than that.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the start switch 2 and the parking brake switch 7 can be operated in a state where the palm 90 is placed on the convex member 3, and within the arrangement range 35 in which the lateral width H of the convex member 3 is extended. , At least partially included.

  The parking brake switch 7 has, for example, a smaller area than the start switch 2. Therefore, it is preferable that, for example, the center 70 of the parking brake switch 7 shown in FIG.

  When the operator authentication device 1 operates the parking brake switch 7, the convex member 3 is disposed at a position which inevitably approaches or contacts, so that the operation is switched without stopping the engine. Even when the parking brake switch 7 is operated, the operator can be authenticated.

  As a modification, the operator authentication device 1 may be configured as an operator authentication system including the start switch 2 and the parking brake switch 7. In addition, the operator authentication device 1 may be configured as an operator authentication system further including a sheet or the like set by the setting information.

Third Embodiment
The third embodiment is different from the above-mentioned embodiment in the arrangement of the convex members 3.

  FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing an example of the operator authentication apparatus according to the third embodiment. The operator authentication device 1 is disposed together with the start switch 2 on a floor console 81 extending between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 4 (a).

  An armrest 82 is disposed on the floor console 81. When the operator places the arm 91 on the armrest 82, the operator operates the start switch 2 with the palm 90 of the hand 9 brought close to or in contact with the surface 31 of the convex member 3.

  The arm 91 is held by the arm rest 82 so that the palm 90 approaches or contacts the convex member 3. Therefore, the approach or contact between the palm 90 and the surface 31 is stabilized, and a palm print pattern with high accuracy compared to the case without the arm rest. And can read vein patterns.

Fourth Embodiment
The fourth embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that the convex member 3 is a rotary shift switch that switches a combination of gears of a vehicle transmission.

  FIG. 4B is a schematic view showing an example of the operator authentication device according to the fourth embodiment. As this operator authentication apparatus 1 is shown to FIG. 4B, the convex-shaped member 3 becomes the rotary shifter 3a as a rotary shift switch.

  The rotary shifter 3a is configured to be rotatable. The operator can switch the gear of the transmission by rotating the rotary shifter 3a to align the mark 32 printed on the surface 31 with the pointer 3b.

  In operating the rotary shifter 3a, since the palm 90 approaches or contacts the surface 31 when operating the rotary shifter 3a, the operator authentication apparatus 1 can perform the authentication of the operator more reliably than the convex member. .

  As a modification, the operator authentication device 1 may be configured as an operator authentication system including the start switch 2. In addition, the operator authentication device 1 may be configured as an operator authentication system further including a sheet or the like set by the setting information.

  As still another modification, the operator authentication device 1 may be configured such that the convex member 3 is the rotary shifter 3 a and the parking brake switch 7 is disposed around the start switch 2. Furthermore, as a modification, the operator authentication device 1 may be configured as an operator authentication system in which the convex member 3 is the rotary switch 3a and the start switch 2 and the parking brake switch 7 are included.

  As mentioned above, although some embodiment and modification of this invention were described, these embodiment and modification are only an example, and do not limit the invention which concerns on a claim. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, all combinations of the features described in the embodiments and the modifications are not necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operator authentication apparatus 2 ... Start switch, 3 ... Convex member, 3a ... Rotary shifter, 3b ... Pointer, 4 ... Biosensor, 5 ... Storage part, 6 ... Control part, 7 ... Parking brake switch, 9 ... Hand, 31: surface, 32: mark, 35: arrangement range, 40: biological information, 50: authentication information, 60: operator information, 70: center, 80: instrument panel, 81: floor console, 82: arm rest, 90 ... palm, 91 ... arm

Claims (5)

Wherein with the palm of the operator when the start switch for starting the engine of the vehicle is operated are arranged to pinch the other of the operating unit around the start switch so that it can be operated in a state that come in contact to the surface A convex member protruding beyond the start switch,
Said arranged in convex member, the convex the reading reads the biometric information obtained from a tangent touching the said palm on the surface portion of the member,
A storage unit storing authentication information for authenticating the biological information;
A comparison unit that compares the biometric information read by the reading unit with the authentication information stored in the storage unit and outputs the result as comparison information;
Operator authentication device equipped with Can be operated with the palm of the operator has come in contact to the surface when the parking brake switch for operating a start switch to start the engine of the vehicle, and the parking brake of the vehicle arranged around the start switch is operated And a convex member which is disposed so as not to pinch another operation part around the start switch and the parking brake switch, and which protrudes from the start switch and the parking brake switch;
Said arranged in convex member, the convex the reading reads the biometric information obtained from a tangent touching the said palm on the surface portion of the member,
A storage unit storing authentication information for authenticating the biological information;
A comparison unit that compares the biometric information read by the reading unit with the authentication information stored in the storage unit and outputs the result as comparison information;
Operator authentication device equipped with The convex member is a rotary shift switch that switches a combination of gears of a transmission of the vehicle.
The operator authentication device according to claim 1. The storage unit stores the authentication information and the setting information of the vehicle in association with each other.
When the biometric information read by the reading unit matches the authentication information, the comparison unit reads the setting information associated with the matching authentication information from the storage unit and outputs the setting information included in the comparison information. Do,
The operator authentication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The biological information read by the reading unit is at least one of a palm print pattern and a vein pattern of the palm.
The operator authentication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images