JPH11149345A - Information procesing mouse - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing mouse whose space is saved with simple constitution by integrally incorporating a certification means in the information processing mouse. SOLUTION: An information processing mouse main body which is connected to the terminal of an information processor 14 and selects/moves input/output information displayed on a display part and a fingerprint pattern input part 8 which is integrally incorporated in the information processing mouse main body are provided for the information processing mouse. The fingerprint pattern input part 8 forms a one-dimensional electric signal pattern formed in accordance with the change of an electric characteristic by the contact/depression of a fingerprint part. An individual is certified in an individual certification part 9 incorporated in the information processor 14 from the output signal pattern of the fingerprint pattern input part 8 and it is compared with a certification pattern which is previously registered. A certification means 10 realizing the operation of the information processor 14 when the pattern is judged to be similar to individual certification is provided for the information processing mouse.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mouse for information processing, and more particularly to a mouse for information processing having an authentication unit for performing personal authentication from an output signal corresponding to a fingerprint of an operation finger.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Information processing systems, such as a local area network or an internetwork, such as information exchange and storage of information by a personal computer, have become widespread and commonplace. On the other hand, information processing systems have become more sophisticated in addition to the increased amount of information. With the spread and generalization of information processing systems, the management of information that must be kept confidential externally has become a problem. I have.

[0003] As a measure for ensuring the above security,
The specification of the operator of the information processing system, that is, the personal authentication method of the operation / user is adopted. Here, personal authentication is performed by connecting an authentication input device such as an optical system device or a tablet device for recognizing a shape to a personal computer.

[0004]

However, the measures for connecting the optical system device and the tuplet device for recognizing the shape to a personal computer to secure the security have the following disadvantages in practical use. In other words, separately connecting the authentication input device to the personal computer impairs the size and weight of the personal computer such as a notebook personal computer and impairs portability.

When a personal computer connected to an authentication input device for performing authentication on a desk (work table) is used, while performing other work on the desk,
The authentication input device has a problem that the work area is reduced accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and has a simple structure and space-saving mouse by integrating authentication input means into an information processing mouse. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing mouse main body which is connected to a terminal of an information processing apparatus and selects and moves input / output information displayed on a display unit; A mouse for information processing comprising a fingerprint pattern input unit integrated into the body of the processing mouse,
The fingerprint pattern input unit forms a one-dimensional electric signal pattern formed in response to a change in electric characteristics due to contact / press of the fingerprint unit, and is built in the information processing apparatus from an output signal pattern of the fingerprint pattern input unit. Personal authentication performed by the personal authentication unit that has been performed, and has an authentication unit that enables operation of the information processing apparatus when it is determined that the personal authentication is the same as the personal authentication by comparing with a previously registered authentication pattern. Mouse for information processing.

According to the present invention, since the fingerprint pattern input unit for personal authentication, which generates one-dimensional surface shape information by pressing a fingerprint, is integrally provided on the information processing mouse body, Compactness is maintained.
That is, when operating the information processing apparatus, the possibility of reducing the work area, unlike the conventional optical system authentication unit, is eliminated. In addition, since the operation of the information processing mouse is appropriately selected and controlled by the personal authentication unit, the security of information can be easily and reliably protected.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of a mouse for information processing. FIG. 1 is a transparent top view and FIG. 2 is a sectional view. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a mouse lower case for mounting and supporting a mouse electric circuit board 2 and mounting a tracking ball 3 supported by a tracking ball holder 3a; Mouse case, 5a, 5b,
5c is a column for integrating the two mouse cases 1 and 4, 6a,
6b is a key for selecting and moving input / output information displayed on the display unit of the information processing device. The configuration itself is the same as that of a conventional information processing mouse, and is configured to select and move normal input / output information.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a support which is provided inside the mouse upper case 4 and separates the mouse lower case 1 from the mouse and supports a fingerprint pattern input unit (fingerprint authentication module) 8. Here, the fingerprint pattern input unit 8 forms a one-dimensional electric signal pattern formed in response to a change in electric characteristics due to contact / press of the fingerprint unit.
Here, the fingerprint pattern input unit 8 and the output signal pattern of the fingerprint pattern input unit 8 are transmitted via a cable connected to the information processing device, and a personal authentication unit 9 for personal authentication built in the information processing device. In addition, when the personal authentication is determined to be the same as the personal authentication by comparing the authentication pattern with a previously registered authentication pattern, the authentication pattern is sent to the authentication means 10 which enables the operation. 1 and 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a key.
A cable for electrically connecting 6a, 6b to the mouse electric circuit board 2, and 12 is a cover that can be opened and closed to protect the solid state authentication unit 8.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the fingerprint pattern input unit 8, the personal authentication unit 9 and the authentication unit 10. The fingerprint pattern input unit 8, the personal authentication unit 9 and the authentication unit 10 use the personal authentication unit. Make up. Here, the fingerprint pattern input unit 8 includes a common electrode 8b, a dielectric layer 8c, a linear electrode array 8d, and a thin insulator layer 8e on one main surface of a substrate 8a as shown in a sectional view in FIG. Are stacked and arranged. In addition, a personal authentication unit (memory) 9 storing an individual's fingerprint information pattern for comparison with an output signal from the fingerprint pattern input unit 8 compares the output information pattern with the stored fingerprint information pattern. The authentication means 10 is built in the information processing device as described above. In the case of the configuration of the fingerprint pattern input section 8, the thin insulator layer 8e
When the finger 12 is pressed along the surface, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the common electrode 8b and the linear electrode array 8d changes according to the fingerprint (irregularity) surface of the finger 12, so that the length of the finger 12 By sequentially reading the capacitance across the direction, a fingerprint pattern of the finger is obtained. Then, when the obtained fingerprint pattern matches the fingerprint pattern stored (registered) in the personal authentication unit (memory) 9 built in the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus 13 can be driven. ing. The fingerprint pattern input unit 8 is driven by applying a voltage from a battery built in the information processing device 13 or an external power supply.

That is, the information processing mouse including the fingerprint pattern input unit 8 is connected to the information processing
Connected to the 232C connector with a connection cable. Here, since the information processing mouse has a so-called mouse function, a cable is also connected to PS / 2 at the same time. on the other hand,
The power is obtained from PS / 2 and connected to the fingerprint pattern input unit 8.
The data input from the fingerprint pattern input unit 8 is sent via a cable to the personal authentication unit 9 and to the information processing device (personal computer) 13 having the authentication means 10 (with an analysis program) therein. The authentication and determination of correctness is performed by the unit 9 and the authentication means 10, and whether or not the personal computer 13 can be driven is automatically selected.

When the fingerprint pattern input unit 8 is incorporated into the mouse body for information processing, a place where the finger can be brought into contact with the fingerprint pattern input unit 8 without being obstructed when the finger is put on the mouse body for information processing. Installed in Also, in order to protect the fingerprint pattern input section 8, the cover 11 is not used except when in use.
It is desirable to have a structure to cover with. In this assembly, after the fingerprint pattern input 8 is incorporated, the information processing apparatus 13 is connected to the information processing apparatus 13 by the cable.

According to the information processing mouse having the above structure, even if a person other than the authorized registrant attempts to operate the information processing apparatus (personal computer) 13, the input / output information on the display surface of the information processing mouse is displayed. Stops automatically when moving. That is, a person other than the regular registrant cannot operate the information processing mouse, so that the information processing apparatus can more appropriately manage and use the information.

In the above description, the fingerprint pattern input unit 8 has been described as using a change in capacitance, but may be configured to use a change in resistance or a one-dimensional inductance distribution. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 (a) in cross-section and FIG.
One-dimensional linear electrode array 8d on one main surface of 8a, for example, 1
The linear electrode array 8d is arranged at a pitch of about mm, and each of the linear electrode arrays 8d is connected to an electrode extraction pad 8f.
It is also possible to adopt a method utilizing the fact that the resistance value between the linear electrode arrays 8d changes according to the amount of protrusions of the twelve fingerprints.

Since the linear electrode array 8d is in direct contact with a finger, for example, a Cu thin film, an Au thin film, a Ni plated thin film,
It is preferable to form a Pt thin film, a Pd thin film, or the like with conductivity that is not affected by sweat or the like.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the configuration of the fingerprint pattern input section 8. In this example of the configuration, a one-dimensional linear electrode array 8d, for example, 1 mm, is formed on one main surface of a substrate 8a. A pressure-sensitive sheet that is arranged at a pitch of about
8 g may be provided. In the case of this configuration, when the contact finger 12 is pressed against the surface of the pressure-sensitive sheet 8g, a portion corresponding to the convex portion of the fingerprint receives a stronger pressure than a portion corresponding to the concave portion. Occurs in 8g.
Then, the change in the resistance value is compared with the adjacent linear electrode array 8d.
Thus, a fingerprint pattern can be obtained by sequentially detecting the finger 12 in the longitudinal direction.

The mouse for information processing provided with the finger shape authentication system configured as described above does not impair the compactness, lightness, and portability of a personal computer or the like equipped with the finger shape authentication system. In addition, when performing other work using a computer or the like to which an input device or the like for performing authentication on a desk is connected, the work area is not occupied by the input device for performing authentication. Also,
Since the computer and the like equipped with the finger shape authentication system are separated from the authentication input device, maintenance and replacement of the input device can be easily performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0021]

As described above, according to the mouse for information processing according to the present invention, the size and weight of a personal computer or the like employing a system equipped with a finger shape authentication system and the portability are not impaired. Security of input / output information can be easily secured. In addition, since the fingerprint pattern input unit contributing to ensuring the security is integrated into the mouse for information processing, the work area is occupied even when performing other work on the desk on which the information processing device is set. Since the area is reduced and the information processing apparatus equipped with the finger shape authentication system is separated from the fingerprint pattern input unit, maintenance and replacement of the fingerprint pattern input unit can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view showing the configuration of an information processing mouse according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an information processing mouse according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing connections of a fingerprint pattern input unit, a personal authentication unit, and an authentication unit.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary sectional view showing a configuration example of a fingerprint pattern input unit provided in the information processing mouse according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of another fingerprint pattern input unit provided in the information processing mouse according to the embodiment, wherein FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view and FIG.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of another fingerprint pattern input unit included in the information processing mouse according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mouse lower case 2 ... Mouse electric circuit board 3 ... Tracking ball 4 ... Mouse upper case 5a-5c ... Prop 6a, 6b ... Key 7 ... Supporter 8 ... Fingerprint pattern input part 8a ... Substrate 8b ... Common electrode 8c ... Dielectric layer 8d ... Linear electrode array 8e ... Thin insulator layer 8f ... Electrode extraction pad 8g ... Pressure-sensitive sheet 9 ... Personal authentication unit 10 ... Authentication Means 11 Cable 12 Cover 13 Finger 14 Information processing device

Claims (1)

[Claims] An information processing mouse body connected to a terminal of an information processing apparatus for selecting and moving input / output information displayed on a display unit, and integrated with the information processing mouse body. An information processing mouse comprising: a solid-state authentication unit, wherein the solid-state authentication unit is a fingerprint pattern that forms a one-dimensional electric signal pattern that is formed in response to a change in electric characteristics due to contact / pressing of the fingerprint unit. It has an input unit, performs personal authentication from an output signal pattern of the fingerprint pattern input unit in a personal authentication unit built in the information processing device, and compares the personal authentication with a previously registered authentication pattern, which is the same as the personal authentication. An information processing mouse, comprising: means for enabling operation of the information processing device when it is determined that the information processing device is operated.