WO2007015624A1

WO2007015624A1 - Mouse having iris recognition function

Info

Publication number: WO2007015624A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/003031
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyong Yong Choi; Eui Sik Kim
Original assignee: Qritek Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-08-02
Filing date: 2006-08-01
Publication date: 2007-02-08
Also published as: KR200404650Y1

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to a mouse for a PC having an iris recognition function and, more particularly, to a mouse, which captures an iris image using a camera included in the mouse, and analyzes, encrypts, and registers the pattern of the captured iris image using an iris recognition engine included in the mouse, and which performs iris recognition depending on the consistency between the iris code that is extracted from the iris image input in response to an identification request, and a previously registered iris code. The mouse transmits or receives certain information to or from the PC depending on the results of iris recognition, thus maximizing security for the operation of PC and data management. Further, the present invention is implemented so that the mouse does not transmit an iris image to the PC and does not use a database.

Description

MOUSE HAVING IRIS RECOGNITION FUNCTION

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a mouse for a personal computer having an iris recognition function and, more particularly, to a mouse, which includes a camera for photographing an iris, visible light and infrared light sources used to stably acquire the image of the living iris, a concave mirror used to easily acquire a clear image of the iris, and an iris recognition engine, in which an iris recognition algorithm is installed to generate and recognize an iris code. Background Art

[2] As well known to those skilled in the art, systems for recognizing a person's fingerprint or iris through a conventional contact type or non-contact type card system to determine whether the person is an authentic user, and for controlling entrance into a restricted place, access to specific information, etc., have been popularized as systems for preventing crimes or authenticating identity. Of the above systems, the iris recognition system is advantageous in that it has a higher recognition rate than that of the fingerprint recognition system, and enables accurate recognition. The iris recognition system is a system constructed to extract the feature patterns of irises from an image of an iris photographed by a camera, configuring the extracted feature patterns in the form of data, comparing the data with previously registered iris data, and then authenticating the user.

[3] Recently, the range of use of the iris recognition system has extended to various fields, such as decision-making through a Personal Computer (PC), fund payment, information access, property management, electronic commerce, or home automation. Further, it is difficult to predict the extent to which the range of use of the iris recognition system will expand in the future. For security in the use of computers, a secret number, a password or an authentication system has been introduced. However, this method is problematic in that it is difficult to separately remember various secret numbers or passwords, it is more complicated to recover forgotten secret numbers or passwords when users forget secret numbers or passwords than to create new secret numbers or passwords, and it is possible that secret numbers or passwords may be appropriated through theft or hacking, thus causing information and financial loss. Therefore, a method of using together both an iris code, generated using a mouse having an iris recognition function, and a table of random numbers for security is being adopted. This method has several advantages in that it can strengthen PC security, can be easily and conveniently used owing to the use of biological information, and can prevent misuse and misappropriation of information caused by stealing.

[4] The technology of the present invention can be divided into an iris registration procedure and an iris recognition procedure. The iris registration procedure is performed by adjusting a concave mirror provided on the front of a camera attached to a mouse so that a user can clearly look at his or her iris reflected in the concave mirror while looking into the concave mirror. In this case, the clearness of an iris image focused on a camera sensor is measured in real time while visible light and infrared light are radiated, so that a suitable iris image is acquired. The iris image is analyzed and configured in the form of data by an iris recognition engine, and thus an iris code is generated, registered and stored. The iris recognition procedure is performed by adjusting the concave mirror provided on the front of the camera attached to the mouse so that the user can clearly look at his or her iris reflected in the concave mirror while looking into the concave mirror. In this case, the clearness of an iris image focused on the camera sensor is measured in real time while infrared light is radiated, so that a suitable iris image is acquired. The iris image is analyzed and configured in the form of data by the iris recognition engine, and thus an iris code is generated. The iris code is compared to a prestored iris code, thus the user is authenticated.

[5] That is, the present invention is characterized in that an iris recognition function is provided in the mouse, so that iris recognition is completed in the mouse, and information exchange between the mouse and a PC is performed depending on the results of iris recognition.

[6] As the prior art similar to the present invention, there is a technology disclosed in

Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-0082128 and entitled a "mouse device for PC having an iris recognition function". The above patent discloses a scheme in which a mouse having a camera therein photographs an iris image and transmits the photographed iris image to a PC through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, and the PC performs both iris analysis and iris recognition. That is, the iris recognition function is not performed in the mouse. This scheme is similar in processing flow to technologies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,377,699 and Korean Patent Registration No. 373850, but there is the difference in that a camera is mounted in the mouse. Further, as a prior art that is similar to the present invention, technology for photographing a user's iris using a Web camera (Product name: Panasonic BM-ETlOO), installed outside the PC, and for analyzing, registering, storing and recognizing the iris in the PC, also exists. According to the technologies disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-0082128 and the above prior art, since iris recognition is processed in PC, the iris recognition function cannot be implemented if there is no PC in which the user's iris code is registered and stored, so that the inconvenience of causing the user to carry the PC is caused. That is, the prior arts that are open to the public or are well-known do not disclose an iris recognition function implemented using only a mouse.

[7] As described above, the prior arts process iris recognition using a PC, whereas the present invention directly processes iris recognition using a mouse. Accordingly, the present invention is advantageous in that it guarantees security and mobility, and the management thereof is very convenient. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mouse, which includes a camera for photographing an iris, visible light and infrared light sources used to stably acquire the image of the living iris, a concave mirror used to easily acquire a clear image of the iris, and an iris recognition engine, in which an iris recognition algorithm is installed to generate and recognize an iris code. Technical Solution

[9] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a mouse, comprising a camera installed in the mouse, communicating with a Personal Computer (PC) in a wired or wireless manner, and operated to photograph an iris image; and an iris recognition engine for registering and recognizing the iris image in the mouse, wherein the mouse transmits or receives required information to or from the PC depending on results of iris recognition.

[10] The process of the present invention can be divided into an iris registration procedure and an iris recognition procedure. The iris registration procedure is performed by moving a concave mirror, provided on the front of a camera attached to the mouse, forwards, backwards, left, right, upwards or downwards so that a user can clearly look at his or her iris reflected in the concave mirror while looking into the concave mirror. In this case, visible light is radiated to identify the living iris while inducing variation in the iris. Simultaneously, the clearness of an iris image captured by an image sensor is measured in real time while infrared light is radiated to acquire a clear iris image, thus a suitable iris image is acquired. The acquired iris image is analyzed and configured in the form of data by the iris recognition engine, and thus an iris code is generated, registered and stored. The iris recognition procedure is performed by adjusting the concave mirror provided on the front of the camera attached to the mouse so that the user can clearly look at his or her iris reflected in the concave mirror while looking into the concave mirror. In this case, the clearness of an iris image capture by the image sensor is measured in real time while infrared light is radiated to acquire a clear iris image, thus a suitable iris image is acquired. If there is no motion in the iris pattern, visible light may be radiated simultaneously with the radiation of the infrared light. The iris image acquired in this way is analyzed and configured in the form of data by the iris recognition engine, and thus an iris code is generated. The iris code is compared to a prestored iris code, thus the user is authenticated. [11] Accordingly, the present invention is characterized in that an iris recognition function is provided in the mouse, so that iris recognition is processed in the mouse, and information exchange according to the results of iris recognition is performed between the mouse and a PC, thus enabling the user to use an iris recognition security function anytime and anywhere while only requiring the user to have the mouse in which his or her iris code is registered and stored.

Advantageous Effects

[12] As described above, the present invention provides a mouse having an iris recognition function, in which an iris photographing camera and an iris recognition engine are mounted in a single mouse, thus enabling an iris recognition function to be implemented in the mouse itself.

[13] Recently, the range of use of the iris recognition system has extended to various fields, such as decision-making through a Personal Computer (PC), fund payment, information access, property management, electronic commerce, or home automation. Further, it is difficult to predict the extent to which the range of use of the iris recognition system will expand in the future. For security in the use of computers, a secret number, a password or an authentication system has been introduced in the prior art, but it is difficult to separately remember various secret numbers or passwords, and it is also complicated to recover forgotten secret numbers or passwords when users forget secret numbers or passwords. Further, it is possible that secret numbers or passwords may be appropriated through theft or hacking, thus causing information and financial loss. Therefore, both an iris code, generated by the mouse having an iris recognition function according to the present invention, and a table of random numbers for security can be used together. This method is advantageous in that it strengthens PC security, allows users to easily and conveniently use the method owing to the use of biological information, and completely prevents misuse and misappropriation of information caused by stealing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[15] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic construction of a mouse according to the present invention; and

[16] FlG. 2 is a diagram showing the construction of a camera according to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[17] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[18] A mouse having an iris recognition function according to the present invention includes a camera and an iris recognition engine 40.

[19] The camera includes a concave mirror 10 for assisting location of the iris of a user at the exact focal distance of a camera, an infrared light pass (visible light cutoff) filter 70 placed in an optical path passing through a hole 50 formed at the center of the concave mirror 10, a lens 60 for photographing the image of the iris, and an imaging device 80. A lighting system includes a visible light source 20 for inducing variation in the pattern of iris, and an infrared light source 30 used to acquire a stable iris image. The iris recognition engine 40 is implemented using an embedded system in which an iris recognition algorithm is installed. In this case, the locations of respective components can vary according to the shape of a mouse or the characteristics of the user.

[20] When it is intended to register an iris through the mouse having an iris recognition function, the user places his or her eyes at the focal distance of the concave mirror 10 (= focal distance of the camera), attached to the mouse, by moving the concave mirror 10 forwards, backwards, left, right, upwards or downwards so that the user can clearly see his or her iris while looking into the concave mirror 10. Simultaneously, the visible light source 20 and the infrared light source 30 radiate visible light and infrared light, respectively. At this time, the iris recognition engine 40 measures the clearness of an iris image, input to the imaging device 80 in real time, thus acquiring a suitable iris image. The iris recognition engine 40 configures the iris image, acquired in this way, in the form of data to generate an iris code, and then registers and stores the generated iris code.

[21] When it is intended to recognize an iris through the mouse having an iris recognition function, the user places his or her eyes at the focal distance of the concave mirror 10 (= focal distance of the camera), attached to the mouse, by moving the concave mirror 10 forwards, backwards, left, right, upwards or downwards so that the user can clearly see his or her iris while looking into the concave mirror 10. Simultaneously, the infrared light source 30 radiates infrared light. At this time, the iris recognition engine 40 measures the clearness of an iris image, input to the imaging device 80 in real time, thus acquiring a suitable iris image. The iris recognition engine 40 configures the iris image, acquired in this way, in the form of data to generate an iris code, compares the iris code with a prestored iris code, and then calculates the results of iris recognition. The camera for photographing an iris image is described in detail. The concave mirror 10 is placed on the front of a cylinder supporting the lens 60, and the hole 50 is formed at the center of the concave mirror 10, thus an optical path is formed. The infrared light pass (visible light cutoff) filter 70 is placed in the optical path, and the imaging device 80 is placed in the back portion of the optical path. The camera of the present invention is advantageous in that it can easily acquire a clear iris image in spite of a short focus, thus improving competitiveness from the standpoint of production and cost as well as improving the user's convenience.

[22] The mouse having an iris recognition function communicates with a PC using preset encrypted code or signals depending on the results of iris recognition, thus enabling an iris to be used by a security device for permitting or restricting the performance of functions processed in the PC.

[23] The present invention having the above construction is advantageous in that it additionally performs an iris recognition function while maintaining a conventional mouse function, regardless of whether communication with the PC is conducted in a wired or wireless manner. Industrial Applicability

[24] As described above, the present invention provides a mouse having an iris recognition function, in which an iris photographing camera and an iris recognition engine are mounted in a single mouse, thus enabling an iris recognition function to be implemented in the mouse itself.

[25] Recently, the range of use of the iris recognition system has extended to various fields, such as decision-making through a Personal Computer (PC), fund payment, information access, property management, electronic commerce, or home automation. Further, it is difficult to predict the extent to which the range of use of the iris recognition system will expand in the future. For security in the use of computers, a secret number, a password or an authentication system has been introduced in the prior art, but it is difficult to separately remember various secret numbers or passwords, and it is also complicated to recover forgotten secret numbers or passwords when users forget secret numbers or passwords. Further, it is possible that secret numbers or passwords may be appropriated through theft or hacking, thus causing information and financial loss. Therefore, both an iris code, generated by the mouse having an iris recognition function according to the present invention, and a table of random numbers for security can be used together. This method is advantageous in that it strengthens PC security, allows users to easily and conveniently use the method owing to the use of biological information, and completely prevents misuse and misappropriation of information caused by stealing.

[26] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[ 1 ] A mouse, comprising : a camera installed in the mouse, communicating with a Personal Computer (PC) in a wired or wireless manner, and operated to photograph an iris image; and an iris recognition engine for registering and recognizing the iris image in the mouse, wherein the mouse transmits or receives required information to or from the PC depending on results of iris recognition. [2] The mouse according to claim 1, wherein the camera uses a visible light source to induce variation in an iris pattern and an infrared light source to stably acquire an iris image. [3] The mouse according to claim 2, wherein the camera comprises: a concave mirror attached to a front of the camera to acquire a clear iris image from the user, and provided with a hole formed at a center of the concave mirror, thus forming an optical path; and an infrared light pass (visible light cutoff) filter placed in the optical path. [4] The mouse according to claim 1, wherein the iris recognition engine is an embedded system having a function of analyzing the iris image, acquired by the camera, to generate the iris code, and registering, storing and recognizing the iris code.