JP7121524B2 - start switch device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a start switch device.

As a conventional technology, there are a start switch for commanding the start and stop of the drive source, a start means for starting the drive source, a fingerprint sensor for reading fingerprints, a fingerprint sensor, and an operation of the start means based on the input from the start switch. and a control means for executing a controlled starting process is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

When a start switch is pushed and a start command is issued, the control means of the start control device reads the fingerprint read by the fingerprint sensor and the registered fingerprint registered in advance before executing the start by the start means. Fingerprint collation is performed by means of the above, and if a matching determination is made, the user is authenticated as a valid user, and activation by the activation means is permitted.

JP 2008-174095 A

In the conventional starting control device, when the user instructs to start or stop the drive source, both are performed by pushing the start switch, so the operation load is the same for starting and stopping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a start switch device capable of suppressing the operation load at the time of starting.

One aspect of the present invention includes a switch unit that receives a push operation performed on an operation surface, a biometric information sensor that reads the biometric information of a user who touches a reading surface exposed on the operation surface, the read biometric information of the user and a registrant. and a control unit that compares the template with the template and starts a driving device of a vehicle when the user is authenticated as a registrant.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the operation load at the time of starting.

FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a start switch device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is an example of a block diagram of the start switch device. FIGS. 2(a) to 2(d) are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of the mask time set by the start switch device according to the embodiment, and FIGS. 2(e) and 2(f) are , and a schematic diagram showing an example of a modification of the mask time. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the start switch device according to the embodiment.

(Summary of embodiment)
A start switch device according to an embodiment includes a switch unit that receives a push operation performed on an operation surface, a biometric information sensor that reads the biometric information of a user who touches a reading surface exposed on the operation surface, and the read biometric information of the user. and a control unit that compares the template with the registrant's template and, if the user is authenticated as the registrant, starts the driving device of the vehicle.

With this start switch device, it is only necessary to touch the biometric information sensor when starting the driving device, so the operation load at the time of starting can be reduced compared to the case of performing a push operation.

[Embodiment]
(Overview of start switch device 1)
FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a start switch device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is an example of a block diagram of the start switch device. FIGS. 2(a) to 2(d) are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of the mask time set by the start switch device according to the embodiment, and FIGS. 2(e) and 2(f) are , and a schematic diagram showing an example of a modification of the mask time. In FIGS. 2(a) to 2(f), the horizontal axis is time. In FIG. 2(a), the vertical axis indicates ON and OFF of the brake of the vehicle. 2(b) and 2(e), the vertical axis indicates touch ON (touch) and touch OFF (non-touch) performed on the biometric information sensor 2. FIG. 2(c) and 2(f), the vertical axis indicates ON and OFF of the switch section 14. FIG. FIG. 2(d) shows the power supply transition of the vehicle, and the vertical axis is ALLOFF indicating the start of the drive device, the stop of the drive device 90, and the cutoff of the power supply.

Note that in each drawing according to the embodiments described below, the ratio between figures may differ from the actual ratio. In FIG. 1(b), arrows indicate the flow of main signals and information. Furthermore, "A to B" indicating a numerical range shall be used to mean from A to B inclusive.

The start switch device 1 is a push switch for instructing the start and stop of the driving device 90 of the vehicle. For example, when the user carries a portable device (electronic key) registered in the vehicle and approaches the vehicle, ID authentication is performed by the portable device and the vehicle. If the authentication is successful, the user can unlock the vehicle door and get into the vehicle. At this time, the start switch device ₁ is supplied with electric power and enters a standby state in order to authenticate the biometric information S1 of the user following ID authentication.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the start switch device 1 includes a switch portion 14 that receives a push operation performed on the operation surface 12, and a reading surface 20 exposed on the operation surface 12 that is touched. A biometric information sensor 2 for reading the biometric information of the user who has entered is compared with the read biometric information of the user and the template 160 of the registrant, and when the user is authenticated as the registrant, the driving device 90 of the vehicle is started. and a control unit 16 .

In the start switch device 1, when the user touches the reading surface 20 and the user is authenticated as a registrant, the driving device 90 of the vehicle is started. That is, the user can start the driving device 90 of the vehicle only by touching the start switch device 1 .

Specifically, when the drive device 90 is an internal combustion engine (engine), the engine is started by a push operation performed in a state where the operation conditions of the shift device and the brake device are satisfied. If the drive device 90 is a motor, a push operation performed in a state where the above operation conditions are satisfied prepares for starting to supply current to the motor. Furthermore, when the driving device 90 is a hybrid of an engine and a motor, a push operation performed in a state where the above operating conditions are satisfied causes start or preparation for starting corresponding to the driving device 90 that has priority at the time of starting. The information regarding this operation condition is provided as vehicle information _S4 from the vehicle side, as an example.

The start switch device 1 includes, for example, a cylindrical main body 10 and an operation button 11 inserted into an opening 100 of the main body 10 . The operation button 11 has an operation surface 12 on which a rectangular reading surface 20 is exposed.

The start switch device 1 is arranged, for example, on a steering wheel of a vehicle, a panel near the steering wheel, a floor console located between the driver's seat and the front passenger's seat, and the like.

(Configuration of biological information sensor 2)
The biometric information sensor ₂ is configured, for example, to read biometric information S1 of an operating finger in contact with the operating surface 12 . This biometric information S1 is, for example, information _about the fingerprint pattern of the operating finger.

_The biometric information S1 is not limited to the fingerprint pattern of the operating finger, and may be the vein pattern of the operating finger. For the biometric information sensor 2, for example, when reading a fingerprint pattern, an optical sensor, capacitance sensor, electric field strength measurement sensor, pressure-sensitive sensor, or heat-sensitive sensor configured to read the fingerprint pattern is used.

For example, when reading the vein pattern of the operating finger, the biological information sensor 2 is configured to read the vein pattern based on the reflection of the emitted near-infrared rays.

For example, when reading both a fingerprint pattern and a vein pattern, the biological information sensor 2 uses a sensor configured to extract the fingerprint pattern and the vein pattern by performing image processing on an image captured by irradiating visible light. be done.

The biometric information sensor 2 of the present embodiment is, for example, a capacitive sensor that reads a fingerprint pattern. The biological information sensor ₂ outputs the biological information S1 based on the read capacitance to the control unit 16, for example.

(Structure of Switch Unit 14)
The switch section 14 is configured to be turned ON based on, for example, a push operation performed on the operation button 11 . _The switch unit 14 outputs a push signal S2 when a push operation is received (when turned ON). _When the control unit 16 acquires the push signal S2, the control unit 16 stops the driving device 90 of the vehicle and outputs an instruction signal _S3 indicating to cut off the power supply. The operation button 11 is configured to return to its original position after being pushed.

(Configuration of control unit 16)
The control unit 16 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to a stored program, a semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). It is a microcomputer that This ROM stores, for example, a program for operating the control unit 16, a template 160, a similarity threshold value 161, and a mask time 162. FIG. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like. The control unit 16 also has means for generating a clock signal therein, and performs operations and measures time based on this clock signal.

For example, when the similarity between the feature points of the read biometric information S1 and the template ₁₆₀ is equal to or greater than the similarity threshold 161, the control unit 16 determines that the user is a registrant. Specifically, for example, the control unit 16 compares the stored template ₁₆₀ with an extracted image obtained by performing extraction processing on the biometric information S1 and extracting feature points to determine whether the user is a registrant or not. Determine if you are a registrant.

Examples of minutiae include, but are not limited to, the center point, branch points, endpoints, and deltas of the fingerprint pattern. A center point is a point that is the center of the fingerprint pattern. A bifurcation point is a point at which a ridge of a fingerprint diverges. An end point is a point at which a ridge is cut. A delta is a point where ridges converge from three directions.

Note that the control unit 16 calculates the degree of similarity based on the positions of the feature points, the distances between the feature points, and the like. The control unit 16 then generates an extracted image, which is an image of the extracted feature points, and generates a template 160 based on the extracted image of the registrant.

The similarity threshold 161 is, for example, 80%. That is, for example, when the number of feature points used for authentication is 80, the control unit 16 determines that the user is a registrant if 64 or more feature points match.

When the degree of similarity between the extracted image of the read biometric information S1 and the template ₁₆₀ is equal to or greater than the similarity threshold value 161 and authentication is established, the control unit 16 outputs an instruction signal _S3 for starting the driving device 90 of the vehicle. to output

As described above, the start switch device 1 allows a registered user to start the drive device 90 of the vehicle by touching the reading surface 20 . However, if the user mistakenly presses the operation button 11 at the time of touch to turn on the switch section 14, there is a problem that ALLOFF including stopping of the driving device 90 is instructed.

Therefore, the control unit 16 of the present embodiment is configured to set a mask time 162 for invalidating the push operation on the switch unit 14 when the reading surface 20 is touched and the user is authenticated as a registrant. ing.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(d), when the brake 91, which is one of the conditions for starting the driving device 90, is ON, that is, when the brake 91 is operated, When the biometric information sensor ₂ detects touch ON at time _t1 and authentication of the biometric information S1 is established _, the mask time 162 is set from time _t1 to time t3. This mask time 162 is, for example, 1 to 2 seconds.

During this mask time 162, the control unit 16 does not switch the power supply state to ALLOFF even if the switch unit 14 is turned ON at time t2, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. ₂ (c).

As a modification, when the reading surface 20 is touched and the user is authenticated as the registrant, the control unit 16 disables the push operation to the switch unit 14 until the reading surface 20 is touched. may be configured.

Specifically, the control unit 16 disables the push operation while the user continues to touch the reading surface 20 . For example, as shown in FIGS. 2(e) and 2(f), the control unit 16 detects the push detected by the switch unit ₁₄ from the time t1 when the touch _on the reading surface 20 is ON to the time t4 when the touch is OFF. A mask time 162 is set to invalidate the operation.

An example of the operation of the start switch device 1 of this embodiment will be described below according to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that authentication between the user's portable device and the vehicle has been established.

(motion)
The control unit 16 of the start switch device 1 monitors whether touch ON is detected based on the biometric information S1 output from the biometric information sensor 2 . If "Yes" is established in step 1, that is, if the touch ON is detected and the biometric information S1 is authenticated (step ₁ : yes), the control unit 16 sets the mask time 162 (step 2).

The control unit 16 measures time, and if "Yes" in step 3 is established, that is, if the mask time 162 has passed (step 3: Yes), the mask time 162 is canceled (step 4).

(Effect of Embodiment)
The start switch device 1 according to this embodiment can suppress the operation load at the time of starting. Specifically, since the start switch device 1 only needs to touch the biological information sensor 2 when starting the driving device 90, the operation load at the time of starting is reduced compared to the case of performing a push operation. can be suppressed.

Since the start switch device 1 sets the mask time 162 by using the fact that the biometric information sensor 2 detects the touch ON as a trigger, the user unintentionally touches the biometric information sensor 2 compared to the case where this configuration is not adopted. Even if the switch unit 14 is turned on by pressing the operation button 11 later, the detection of the switch unit 14 is invalidated and the power state does not change to ALLOFF, thereby suppressing unintended malfunction.

Although some embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples, and do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, etc. can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, not all the combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as the invention described in the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Start switch apparatus, 2... Biological information sensor, 10... Main body, 11... Operation button, 12... Operation surface, 14... Switch part, 16... Control part, 20... Reading surface, 90... Driving device, 91... Brake, 100... Aperture, 160... Template, 161... Similarity threshold, 162... Mask time

Claims (3)

a switch unit that receives a push operation performed on the operation surface;
a biometric information sensor that reads biometric information of a user who touches the reading surface exposed on the operation surface;
a control unit that compares the read biometric information of the user with a template of the registrant, and starts a driving device of the vehicle when the user is authenticated as the registrant;
with
When the switch unit receives a push operation, the switch unit stops the driving device of the vehicle and cuts off the power supply.
Start switch device. When the user is authenticated as a registrant by touching the reading surface, the control unit sets a mask time for invalidating the push operation on the switch unit.
The start switch device according to claim 1 . When the reading surface is touched and the user is authenticated as a registrant, the control unit disables the push operation to the switch unit until the reading surface is touched.
The start switch device according to claim 1 or 2 .

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