JPH0488586A - Fingerprint input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a face, with which a finger to input a fingerprint pattern gets contact, from being made dirty or damaged by composing a covering means to be slidable in the inserting direction of the finger and to cover the contact face when the finger does not get contact with the contact face. CONSTITUTION:A slidable cover 23 is arranged on one face 21a of a prism 21 and a flange part 23b covers the face 21a. Therefore, the face 21a is not revealed and hardly made dirty or damaged. When the flange part 23a is pushed by the tip of a finger 22 to input the fingerprint pattern in the case of reading the fingerprint pattern, a cleaner 26 provided on the lower face of the flange part 23b slides in the inserting direction of the finger 22 on the face 21a and cleans the face 21a together with the slidable cover 23. Thus, the contact face is prevented from being made dirty or damaged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a fingerprint input device for use in fingerprint verification and identification.

[Conventional technology] FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a conventional fingerprint input device.

As shown in the figure, the conventional fingerprint input device includes a prism 41, a light source 42, and an imaging device 43 in order to read a fingerprint pattern.

The prism 41 is irradiated with light from a light source 42,
When a finger 44 for inputting a fingerprint pattern is brought into contact with one surface 41a of the prism 41, light reflected by the unevenness of the fingerprint pattern is captured by the imaging device 43 and converted into an electrical signal.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a finger insertion section in a conventional fingerprint input device.

As shown in the figure, an insertion section 51 for inserting a finger 44
A finger guide 52 for guiding the finger 44 to one surface 41a of the prism 41 is formed in the. Therefore, the finger guide 52 allows the finger 44 to come into contact with a predetermined part, and it is possible to prevent the finger 44 from touching the wrong part.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, in the conventional fingerprint input device, the surface 41a that is in contact with the finger 44 on which the fingerprint pattern is to be input is always exposed, and therefore the surface 41a is prone to dirt and scratches. These stains and scratches become noise when reflected light from the unevenness of the fingerprint pattern is taken in by the imaging device 43 and converted into an electrical signal, resulting in a problem in that the accuracy of reading the fingerprint pattern is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fingerprint input device that can prevent dirt or scratches from forming on a surface that is in contact with a finger that is to input a fingerprint pattern, and can improve the accuracy of reading a fingerprint pattern. It is in.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a light source, a light guiding means having a contact surface in a predetermined position that can be contacted with a finger on which a fingerprint pattern is to be input, and a an imaging means arranged to receive light reflected by a fingerprint pattern of a finger when the finger is in contact with a contact surface illuminated by the light;
and a covering means capable of covering the contact surface, the covering means being configured to be slidable in the finger insertion direction and to cover the contact surface when the finger is not in contact with the contact surface. ing.

1 Effect] When reading a fingerprint pattern, the covering means pressed by the tip of the finger slides in the direction of insertion of the finger, exposing the contact surface, and the light from the light source illuminated on the contact surface covers the unevenness of the fingerprint pattern. The light is reflected by the image pickup device, where it is converted into an electrical signal and the fingerprint pattern of the finger is read.

When the fingerprint pattern is not being read, the contact surface with which the finger comes into contact is covered by the covering means, and therefore, dirt and scratches can be prevented from forming on the contact surface, and the accuracy of reading the fingerprint pattern can be improved.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1(A) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the fingerprint input device of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram when no finger is inserted. FIG. 1(B) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the fingerprint input device of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram when a finger is inserted.

In FIG. 1(A) and FIG. 1(B), the prism 11
The finger 12 for which the fingerprint pattern is to be input is placed at 1 of the prism 11.
The sliding cover 13 is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with one surface 11a, and a sliding cover 13 is arranged on this surface 11a.

FIG. 2(A) shows a cross-sectional view in the finger insertion direction in FIG. 1(A). FIG. 2(B) shows a cross-sectional view in the finger insertion direction in FIG. 1(B).

In FIGS. 2(^) and 2(B), the sliding cover 13 is formed into a substantially L-shape in cross section in the insertion direction of the finger 12 by a flange portion 13a and a flange portion 13b. The flange portion 13a stands upright with respect to the surface 11a and is formed to abut the tip of the finger 12.

A light source 14 and an imaging device 15 are arranged below the prism 11.

The prism 11 is an embodiment of the light guiding means of the present invention. The imaging device 15 is an embodiment of the imaging means of the present invention.

The sliding cover 13 is one embodiment of the covering means of the present invention.

In the above configuration, when the fingerprint pattern is not read, the sliding cover 13 is placed on the surface 11a as shown in FIGS. 1(A) and 2(A), and the flange portion 1 is
3b covers the surface 11a, so that the surface 11a is not exposed, making it difficult for dirt and scratches to form on the surface 11a.

When reading a fingerprint pattern, when the flange portion 13a is pressed by the tip of the finger 12 as shown in FIG. 1(B) and FIG. 2(B), the sliding cover 13 is
The surface 11a is exposed by sliding the finger 12 on the surface 1a in the insertion direction.

The surface 11a is illuminated with light from a light source 14, and when the finger 12 on which the fingerprint pattern is to be input is brought into contact with the surface 11a, the light reflected by the unevenness of the fingerprint pattern is reflected by the imaging device 15.
is taken in and converted into an electrical signal.

Therefore, the fingerprint pattern of the finger 120 can come into contact with one surface 11a of the prism 11, and when the finger 12 is brought into contact with the surface 11a illuminated with light from the light source 14, light reflected by the unevenness of the fingerprint pattern is transmitted to the imaging device. 15 and converted into an electrical signal to read the fingerprint pattern of the finger 12.

When the fingerprint pattern is not read, the sliding cover 13 is placed on the surface lh and the flange portion 13b is placed on the surface 11.
Since the surface 11a is covered, the surface 11a is not exposed, making it difficult for dirt and scratches to adhere to the surface 11a, thereby improving the accuracy of reading the fingerprint pattern.

FIG. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view in the finger insertion direction when no finger is inserted in the second embodiment of the fingerprint input device of the present invention. FIG. 3(B) is a sectional view taken in the finger insertion direction when a finger is inserted in the second embodiment of the fingerprint input device of the present invention.

This embodiment is basically the same as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), except that a cleaner 26 is provided on the lower surface of the flange portion 23b of the sliding cover 23. This is different from the embodiments in FIG. 2FA) and FIG. 2(B).

When the fingerprint pattern is not read, the sliding cover 23 is placed on one surface 21a of the prism 21, and the flange portion 23b covers the surface 21a, as shown in FIG. 3(A), so that the surface 21a is exposed. Therefore, dirt and scratches are less likely to adhere to the surface 21a.

When reading a fingerprint pattern, as shown in FIG. 3(B), when the flange portion 23a is pressed by the tip of the finger 22 whose fingerprint pattern is to be input, the sliding cover 2
3, the cleaner 26 provided on the lower surface of the flange portion 23b slides on the surface 21a in the direction of insertion of the finger 22, thereby cleaning the surface 21.
Clean a.

The surface 21a is illuminated with light from a light source 24, and when the finger 22 on which the fingerprint pattern is to be input is brought into contact with the surface 21a, the light reflected by the unevenness of the fingerprint pattern is reflected by the imaging device 25.
The fingerprint pattern of the finger 22 is read by converting it into an electrical signal.

The cleaning of the surface 21a by the cleaner 26 can be performed in the same way when the reading of the fingerprint pattern is finished and the sliding cover 23 returns to the position covering the surface 21a.

Therefore, the surface 21a may be brought into contact with the finger 22 many times and is likely to get dirty or scratched, and the user of the fingerprint input device may feel a sense of resistance or uncleanness when touching the surface 21a with the finger 22. Therefore, the surface 21a must be cleaned frequently. However, in the second embodiment described above, since the surface 21a is cleaned every time a fingerprint pattern is read, the surface 21a is more difficult to get dirty or scratched than in the first embodiment, and the accuracy of reading the fingerprint pattern is improved. can do.

FIG. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view in the finger insertion direction when no finger is inserted in the third embodiment of the fingerprint input device of the present invention. FIG. 4(B) shows the third fingerprint input device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the finger insertion direction when the finger is being inserted in the embodiment.

This embodiment is basically the same as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), but further includes a switch 37 and a verification processing device 38 for verifying fingerprint patterns. , the sliding cover 33 has a flange portion 33g, a flange portion 33b, and one surface 31 of the prism 31.
It is formed from a flange portion 33c standing upright on the opposite side of the flange portion 33a with respect to a.

The verification processing device 38 is connected to the light source 34, the imaging device 35, and the switch 3, respectively.

The flange portion 33c is provided at a position where it can come into contact with a portion 37a of the switch 37 and press the portion 37a in the insertion direction of the finger 32 for which a fingerprint pattern is to be input.

When the fingerprint pattern is not read, as shown in FIG. 4(A), the flange portion 33c is not in contact with the portion 37a and is not pressing the portion 37a, so the switch 3T is in the off state, and the light source 34 and the imaging device 35 and verification processing device 38 are both in the off state.

The sliding cover 33 is disposed on the surface 31a and the flange portion 33b covers the surface 31a, so that the surface 31a is not exposed and dirt and scratches are less likely to be attached to the surface 31a.

When reading a fingerprint pattern, when the flange portion 33a is pressed by the tip of the finger 32 as shown in FIG. 4(B), the sliding cover 33 slides on the surface 31a in the insertion direction of the finger 32 and 31a is exposed.

At the same time, the flange portion 33c moves in the insertion direction of the finger 32 and comes into contact with the portion 37a and presses the portion 37a, whereby the switch 37 is turned on. When the switch 37 is turned on, a signal is sent from the switch 37 to turn on the power to the light source 34, the imaging device 35, and the verification processing device 38, and the light source 34, the imaging device 35, and the verification processing device 38 are all turned on.

As a result, the surface 31a is irradiated with light from the light source 34, and the reflected light due to the unevenness of the fingerprint pattern of the finger 32 brought into contact with the surface 31a is taken into the imaging device 35.

The imaging device 35 converts this reflected light into an electrical signal to read the fingerprint pattern, and sends this electrical signal to the verification processing device 38 .

The verification processing device 38 performs processing for verifying fingerprint patterns.

The power sources of the light source 34, imaging device 35, and verification processing device 38 that are turned on are set so that they are automatically turned off after reading the fingerprint pattern or processing for verifying the fingerprint pattern is completed. 34
, the imaging device 35, the switch 37, and the verification processing device 38 may be configured, and the sliding cover 33, the light source 34, Imaging device 35
, switch 37 and verification processing device 38 may be configured.

Therefore, when the user of the fingerprint input device uses the device, he or she operates the power switch or the like to turn on the light source 34 and the imaging device 35.
This operation may be a burden on the user when turning on the light source 34, the imaging device 35, and the collation processing device when the sliding cover 33 is pressed by the finger 32 according to this embodiment. Since each of the 38 devices is automatically turned on, operation is convenient for the user of the device. Furthermore, when the fingerprint pattern is not to be read, the sliding cover 33 is placed on the surface 31a and the flange portion 33b covers the surface 31a, so the surface 31a is not exposed and the surface 31a is difficult to get dirt or scratches, so the fingerprint pattern can be read. Accuracy can be improved.

In this embodiment, a mechanical switch is used as the switch, but other switching means such as a photointerrupter may also be used.

In the three embodiments described above, when the fingerprint pattern is not read, the flange part covers one surface of the prism with which the finger to which the fingerprint pattern is to be input is brought into contact. It is also possible to always energize the sliding cover 13 from the opposite direction. Furthermore, although a case has been described in which a fingerprint pattern is read by touching one surface of the prism with a finger, a surface such as glass may be used as the surface with which the finger is brought into contact.

Further, in the three embodiments described above, a fingerprint pattern input device has been described, but it is also possible to input not only a fingerprint pattern but also a physical characteristic such as a palm print.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention includes a light source, a light guide means having a contact surface in a predetermined position that can be contacted with a finger on which a fingerprint pattern is to be input, and a light guide device that is irradiated with light from the light source. an imaging means arranged to receive light reflected by the fingerprint pattern of the finger when the finger is in contact with the contact surface;
and a covering means capable of covering the contact surface, the covering means being configured to be slidable in the finger insertion direction and to cover the contact surface when the finger is not in contact with the contact surface. This prevents dirt and scratches from forming on the contact surface and improves the accuracy of fingerprint pattern reading.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] FIG. 1(A) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the fingerprint input device of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram when no finger is inserted.
Figure (B) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the fingerprint input device of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram when a finger is inserted.
) is a sectional view in the direction of finger insertion in FIG. 1(A), FIG. 2(B) is a sectional view in the direction of finger insertion in FIG. 1(B), and FIG. 3(A) is a sectional view of the fingerprint of the present invention. FIG. 3(B) is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the fingerprint input device of the present invention in the finger insertion direction when the finger is not inserted. FIG. 4(^) is a cross-sectional view in the finger insertion direction when no finger is inserted in the third embodiment of the fingerprint input device of the present invention. FIG. (B) is a sectional view in the finger insertion direction when a finger is inserted in the third embodiment of the fingerprint input device of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a conventional fingerprint input device, and FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a finger insertion section in a conventional fingerprint input device. 11... Prism, lla... surface, 1
2...Finger, 13...Sliding cover, 13a, 13b...Flange portion, 14.
...Light source, 15 ... Imaging device, 21
...prism, 21a... surface, 22.
...Finger, 23...Sliding cover%
23a s 23b...Flange part, 24...
... light source, 25 ... imaging device, 26.
...Cleaner, 31 ... Prism, 31
a...face, 32...finger, 33...
...Sliding cover, 33a N 33b...
・Flange part, 34...Light source, 35...
・Imaging device, 37...Switch, 37a・
... Part, 38 ... Verification processing device. Figure 2 Figure 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] a light source, a light guiding means having at a predetermined position a contact surface that can be contacted by a finger to which a fingerprint pattern is to be input, and when the finger is in contact with the contact surface illuminated by light from the light source; an imaging means arranged to receive light reflected by the fingerprint pattern of the finger; and a covering means capable of covering the contact surface, the covering means being arranged in the direction of insertion of the finger. A fingerprint input device, wherein the fingerprint input device is slidable and configured to cover the contact surface when the finger is not in contact with the contact surface.