WO2018158929A1 - Biometric authentication device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a biometric authentication device provided with: a casing; a light source unit which is disposed on an upper surface of the casing and provided with a light source; an authentication unit which is formed on the upper surface of the casing, located on a lower position than the light source, and made of a material which transmits light from the light source; an image pickup unit disposed in the casing; and a guide lamp which is located on an upper position than a surface of the authentication unit and which emits visible light. In the device, a longitudinal direction of the casing and an optical axis of the light source intersect each other, and the image pickup unit picks up, through the authentication unit, an image of a biological feature of a user irradiated with irradiation light from the light source.

Description

Biometric authentication device and system

The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for authenticating an individual using human biological information.

In order to confirm the identity of a person, a technology using human biological information has been put into practical use. For example, as a personal authentication of a bank terminal, a vein authentication technique is known in which authentication is performed using a finger or palm vein pattern.

Patent Document 1 is an example in which such vein authentication technology is applied to a railway station or an event venue gate and used to manage visitors.

JP 2007-310429 A

Patent Document 1 shows an application example of a vein authentication technique to a gate. However, in Patent Document 1, authentication is performed by inserting a hand into a slit-shaped interface. In order to improve user convenience, for example, a format that allows authentication by simply holding a card (such as a hand in the case of biometric authentication) over the top of the device housing, as currently used at automatic ticket gates on railways. Is desirable. However, there are issues to be examined in order to put the gate using vein authentication technology into practical use in an environment that is frequently used by an unspecified number of people.

That is, for example, when a user enters at a short time interval, such as a railway station or an event venue, it is desirable that authentication be completed in a short time. For that purpose, in order to avoid authentication errors as much as possible, it is necessary to acquire clear biological information (for example, a vein image). For this reason, it is desirable that the relative positional relationship between a living body part (for example, a hand or a finger) used for authentication, a light source for acquiring an image, and an imaging unit is kept as constant as possible.

However, an unspecified number of users have different proficiency levels for using the authentication device for each person. A user with a low level of proficiency has little knowledge of the correct living body presentation position and presentation posture, and thus the living body is presented at an incorrect position and posture, and authentication accuracy may be reduced. Also, in order to pass through the gate in a short time, it is not realistic to force the user to perform a complicated operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a biometric gate device and system that enable accurate biometric authentication while reducing the burden on the user.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an aspect of the present invention provides a housing, a light source unit that is installed on the top surface of the housing and includes a light source, and is formed on the top surface of the housing, and is positioned below the light source. A biometric authentication apparatus comprising: an authentication unit made of a material that transmits light; an imaging unit disposed inside the housing; and a guide lamp that is positioned above the surface of the authentication unit and emits visible light It is. In this apparatus, the longitudinal direction of the casing and the optical axis of the light source intersect, and the characteristics of the user's living body irradiated with the irradiation light from the light source are imaged by the imaging unit via the authentication unit.

In an example of a more specific configuration, the light source is a light source array in which a plurality of point light sources are two-dimensionally arranged, and a surface formed by the light source array intersects the longitudinal direction of the housing at an angle of less than 90 degrees, The optical axes of the majority of the light sources among the plurality of point light sources intersect with the longitudinal direction of the housing at an angle of less than 90 degrees.

In another specific configuration example, the authentication unit is disposed on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the housing, the light source unit is disposed on the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and the authentication unit and the light source unit are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the housing. It is the arrangement which does not overlap in.

In a more specific example of another configuration, the direction connecting the authentication unit and the light source is inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction.

In another more specific configuration example, a marker is arranged on the upper surface of the casing between the authentication unit and the light source unit.

Another aspect of the present invention is a housing, a light source unit that is installed on the top surface of the housing and includes a light source, and an authentication unit that is formed on the top surface of the recording body and is made of a material that transmits light from the light source. A biometric authentication device comprising: an imaging unit disposed inside a housing; and a guide lamp disposed at a height between the light source and the surface of the authentication unit. In this apparatus, the line connecting the projection point S of the geometric center of gravity of the light source onto the floor and the projection point O of the geometric center of gravity of the authentication unit onto the floor is other than 90 degrees in the longitudinal direction of the casing. Intersect at an angle. The floor surface is a virtual surface on which the housing is installed, and is usually a surface perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

In an example of a more specific configuration of the present invention, the light source is a light source array in which a plurality of point light sources are two-dimensionally arranged, and the geometric center of gravity of the light source is the geometric center of gravity of the surface formed by the light source array. is there.

In an example of a more specific configuration of the present invention, the optical axis of the light emitted from the majority of the plurality of point light sources intersects with the longitudinal direction of the housing at an angle of less than 90 degrees.

Another aspect of the present invention is a biometric authentication system including a biometric authentication device, a registration device, and a storage device. In this system, the biometric authentication device is installed on the top surface of the housing, and includes a light source unit including a light source, an authentication unit formed on the top surface of the housing and positioned below the light source, and positioned below the light source. And a guide lamp located above the authentication unit and an imaging unit disposed below the authentication unit. Furthermore, this biometric authentication device captures the characteristics of the user's biometrics that are irradiated with light emitted from the light source through the authentication unit, with the longitudinal direction of the housing and the optical axis of the light source intersecting at an angle of less than 90 degrees. To capture images. Further, the registration device of this system acquires the characteristics of the user's biological body and registers them in the storage device as reference data. The storage device of this system stores reference data. As a whole, this biometric authentication system has a function of authenticating a user using the biometric features of the user and reference data captured by the biometric authentication device.

In a specific example of the present invention, a configuration suitable for a user to perform non-contact authentication on an apparatus is shown.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a biometric authentication apparatus and system that enables accurate biometric authentication while reducing the burden on the user.

1 is a block diagram of a biometric authentication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows a part of biometrics authentication apparatus of the Example of this invention. The side view which shows the principle which irradiates irradiation light from a light source to a finger | toe and image | photographs a finger vein. The side view which shows the condition where irradiation light passes between fingers. The side view which shows an example of the point light source arrangement | positioning in which the irradiated light which passed through the finger | toe is hard to be received directly by an imaging part. The flowchart of the authentication process using the finger vein image image | photographed by controlling a light source. The block diagram of the biometrics authentication system of the Example of this invention. The perspective view which shows the condition which irradiates irradiation light from the side of the finger of a hand, and image | photographs a finger vein image. The top view which shows an example of the finger vein image containing the brightness | luminance saturated area | region image | photographed in FIG. The perspective view which shows the condition where a user utilizes the biometrics apparatus of the Example of this invention. The top view which shows the condition where a user utilizes the biometrics apparatus of the Example of this invention. The top view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the structure of the biometrics apparatus of the Example of this invention. The perspective view of the biometrics apparatus which provided the gate of the Example of this invention (at the time of closure). The perspective view of the biometrics apparatus which provided the gate of the Example of this invention (at the time of releasing). The top view which shows the example of the authentication part of the biometrics apparatus of the Example of this invention. The top view which shows the other example of the authentication part of the biometrics apparatus of the Example of this invention. The perspective view which shows the example of the light source unit of the biometrics apparatus of the Example of this invention. The side view which shows the example of an internal structure of the registration apparatus of the Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is a three-side view illustrating an example of a biometric authentication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a two-side view illustrating an example of a biometric authentication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The side view which shows an example in the case of arrange | positioning a light source array outside the angle of view of an imaging part. The perspective view which shows the other example of the biometrics apparatus of the Example of this invention. The perspective view which shows the biometrics apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. The 6th page figure which shows the biometrics authentication apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the authentication part vicinity of the biometrics apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the authentication part vicinity which shows the condition at the time of registration of the biometrics apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modification of the second embodiment. The perspective view which shows the other modification of Example 2. FIG. The perspective view which shows the other modification of Example 2. FIG.

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments below. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the specific configuration can be changed without departing from the spirit or the spirit of the present invention.

In the structure of the invention described below, the same portions or portions having similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings, and redundant description may be omitted.

In this specification and the like, notations such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are attached to identify the constituent elements, and do not necessarily limit the number or order. In addition, a number for identifying a component is used for each context, and a number used in one context does not necessarily indicate the same configuration in another context. Further, it does not preclude that a component identified by a certain number also functions as a component identified by another number.

The position, size, shape, range, etc. of each component shown in the drawings and the like may not represent the actual position, size, shape, range, etc. in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. For this reason, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, range, and the like disclosed in the drawings and the like.

In this specification, a component expressed in the singular shall include the plural unless specifically indicated otherwise.

<1. Basic configuration of authentication device>
In describing the embodiment, first, a basic configuration example in which a clear finger vein image is captured and authenticated will be described. In this specification, for convenience, the entire configuration for performing biometric authentication processing is referred to as a “biometric authentication system”, and a configuration for accessing the biometric for performing biometric authentication processing (for example, a configuration including an imaging unit) is “ This is referred to as a “biometric authentication device”. The biometric authentication device is usually composed of a single or a plurality of casings installed at one base and an internal configuration thereof. The biometric authentication device alone may constitute a biometric authentication system. In addition, the biometric authentication apparatus may constitute only a part of the biometric authentication system.

For example, when a biometric authentication device is used for an entrance / exit management gate, a biometric authentication device that executes processing up to personal authentication in a housing installed at the gate can be used. Alternatively, the authentication process itself is connected to the chassis installed at the gate through a network and is executed by a device that performs authentication processing such as a server installed at a remote location. It is good also as a biometrics authentication apparatus which has only the blood-vessel image acquisition function which transmits information to a server. As described above, in this specification, an apparatus that has only a blood vessel image acquisition function alone and does not have an authentication function is also referred to as a biometric authentication apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the biometric authentication system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an image acquisition device (image acquisition unit) that captures a finger vein image in the biometric authentication system of the present embodiment.

In the biometric authentication system 1100 of the present embodiment, the image acquisition device 2 can be presented so that the hand 1 can be presented above the authentication unit (or hand presentation unit) 3 of the image acquisition device (image acquisition unit) 2 when a blood vessel image of a finger is captured. An authentication unit 3 is provided on the surface of the housing. The distance sensor 4 disposed inside the housing below the authentication unit 3 converts the received light into an electrical signal for distance measurement, and reflects the distance between the hand 1 and the distance sensor 4 via the data input unit 50. The data is taken into the computer 5. The CPU 7 calculates the position of the hand 1, the posture of the hand 1, the position of the finger, the posture of the finger, and the like from the data captured in the computer 5 and stored in the memory 6.

Based on the calculated positions and postures of the hand 1 and fingers, the light source control unit 51 controls the light source array 9 disposed inside the opening (or infrared irradiation unit) 8, and a plurality of points constituting the light source array 9. A light source for irradiation from the light source 10 is selected, and the irradiation light is applied to the finger. The light source array 9 is configured by, for example, two-dimensionally arranging point light sources 10 formed of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit infrared rays.

An imaging unit (for example, an infrared camera) 11 disposed below the authentication unit 3 receives light that has passed through the optical filter 12. The optical filter 12 is used, for example, to remove a wavelength unnecessary for acquiring a finger vein pattern. Although one point light source 10 may be selected as the light source for irradiation, in the present embodiment, in view of the large hand movement range and photographing range, a plurality of continuous point light sources 10 are selected as one set. It is desirable. As the light source, a known infrared diode or the like can be used.

The light is converted into an electrical signal by the imaging unit 11 and is taken into the computer 5 as an image via the image input unit 52. The captured image is once stored in the memory 6. Then, according to the program stored in the memory 6, the CPU 7 compares one or more images stored in the memory 6 with one or more images stored in advance in the storage device 14 and performs authentication.

The irradiation light from the point light source 10 is applied to a plurality of fingers, so that blood vessels of the plurality of fingers can be photographed simultaneously. The position and posture of the hand 1 may be calculated by detecting the position and posture of the hand using the image of the hand photographed by the imaging unit 11, or the image of the hand 1 and the hand 1 photographed by the imaging unit 11. Both of the distance data between the sensors 4 may be used.

The authentication result can be notified to the user by voice using the speaker 15, and similarly, the authentication result can be displayed on the display unit 16 to notify the user. A visible light source 17 is provided around the authentication unit 3 to detect the hand 1 that is presented during standby, and the visible light source is illuminated with different colors of light for authentication processing, authentication success, and authentication failure. The user can be notified of the status of the authentication process. In addition, it is possible to perform authentication (1: 1 authentication) by inputting a personal identification number or ID to the keyboard 18, specifying a registrant, and presenting a hand.

The authentication unit 3 or the opening 8 can be provided with a transparent member (infrared irradiation unit cover) such as acrylic or glass. A film that cuts visible light and allows only near-infrared light to pass through can be attached to the authentication unit 3 or the opening 8 so that the user cannot see the inside of the apparatus.

The light source array 9 is disposed on the side of the authentication unit 3. Since the light source array 9 is arranged on the side of the authentication unit 3, particularly on the front side with respect to the user presenting the hand 1, when the user performs authentication while moving, the moving direction An open space can be formed in the direction, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

In the light source array 9, a plurality of point light sources 10 are arranged in a grid pattern. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the surface constituted by the light source array 9 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the opening surface of the authentication unit 3. However, these are not necessarily in a perpendicular relationship, and may be arranged at an acute angle with the opening surface.

<2. Control of light source>
A control method of the light source array 9 for capturing a clear finger vein image will be described with reference to FIG. As for the method for photographing the blood vessel of the finger, for example, the irradiation light (near infrared light) from the light source array 9 is applied to the finger on the back side of the hand, and the imaging unit 11 receives the light transmitted through the finger to capture the blood vessel image. be able to.

The reason why it is preferable to control the light source array 9 in photographing the finger vein with the image acquisition device 2 will be described. When photographing a blood vessel image, when all the point light sources 10 constituting the light source array 9 are turned on, a large amount of light enters the authentication unit 3 in a state where no hand is presented. Further, when the hand 1 is presented with all the point light sources 10 turned on, in the blood vessel image photographed by the light reflected by the finger or the part other than the finger, the brightness of the hand region is saturated and the white area is blown out. There is a possibility. If the exposure time is shortened or the light amount of each point light source 10 is reduced in order to suppress whiteout, the amount of light transmitted through the finger decreases, and the point light source 10 that does not transmit the finger into the authentication unit 3. Due to the presence of the irradiation light from, the photographed blood vessel image becomes unclear.

Further, in the present device configuration, not only the finger but also the entire hand 1 including the palm or the like can be presented to the authentication unit 3, so that the authentication unit 3 has a wider shape than the device assumed to present only the finger. Is desirable. However, since the probability that light unnecessary for photographing enters through the authentication unit 3 is high, there is a high risk that the photographing of transmitted light with a small amount of light transmitted through the finger is hindered.

Therefore, in order to capture a clear blood vessel image, it is desirable that the light emitted from the light source array 9 is ideally applied only to the finger and the amount of light transmitted through the finger is increased. However, even if the light source array 9 is controlled so that light is applied only to the fingers, when the plurality of fingers are irradiated with light simultaneously in order to photograph the plurality of fingers, the irradiation light passes between the fingers. It is difficult to prevent.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which light from the light source array 9 disposed at a position where the distance from the authentication unit 3 is short hits the hand 1. As described above, the light source 10 arranged at a position close to the authentication unit 3 has a high probability of passing between the fingers, and when the light emitted from the point light source is directly received by the imaging unit 11, it is overexposed. (Saturation of brightness) occurs, and it is difficult to capture clear blood vessels.

FIG. 5 is an example in which the arrangement of the light sources is improved. Even when the irradiation light enters the authentication unit 3 without hitting the finger as shown in FIG. 5, the optical axis of each light source 10 and the authentication unit 3 so that the probability that the irradiation light is directly received by the imaging unit 11 becomes low. It is desirable that the acute angle formed by the opening surface of the light source is disposed so that the light source closer to the authentication unit, in other words, the light source disposed on the lower side with respect to the installation surface is smaller. . With this configuration, the possibility of luminance saturation is reduced, and clearer angiography can be performed.

<3. Authentication processing flow>
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of authentication processing using a finger vein image photographed by controlling the amount of irradiation light from the light source array 9. First, the user presents a hand on the upper part of the authentication unit 3 at 101, and detects the hand at 102. A hand is detected from the distance data acquired by the distance sensor 4, and it is determined at 103 whether or not a hand has been detected. If no hand is detected, the process returns to 102 hand detection.

When a hand is detected, 104 hand position and posture detection processing is performed. In other words, position information and posture information based on the three-dimensional shape of the hand are detected and acquired. In accordance with the hand position and hand posture detected at 104, the light source array 9 is controlled at 105, and only the point light source 10 selected for photographing the finger blood vessels is selected and turned on as an irradiation light source.

After the point light source 10 is turned on, the imaging unit 11 images the finger vein at 106. Next, at 107, a plurality of finger regions in the finger vein image are detected, and at 108, normalization processing such as finger rotation correction of each finger region and distortion correction due to finger posture variation is performed. After normalization of the finger vein images, blood vessel features are extracted from each finger vein image at 109.

The blood vessel feature extracted at 110 is collated with data (reference data) indicating the blood vessel feature already registered in the storage device 14 to calculate a collation score. When the collation score is greater than a predetermined threshold TH1 at 111, 112 authentication is performed. After success, the gate is opened to allow users to enter. If the collation score is equal to or lower than TH1, the post-authentication process is performed at 113, and the authentication flow is terminated at 114.

<4. Example of authentication system and registration device via network>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a system example in which the biometric authentication system 1100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured by a network. The biometric authentication system 1100 is functionally equivalent to the configuration described with reference to FIGS. However, in the example of FIG. 1, data (reference data) indicating the blood vessel characteristics to be collated is stored in the storage device 14. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 7, the reference data is stored in the data server 710 connected via the network 700.

A plurality of biometric authentication devices 720 can be connected to the network 700, and each biometric authentication device 720 in FIG. 7 acquires reference data from the data server 710 during authentication and performs authentication processing. Alternatively, each biometric authentication device 720 may transmit the acquired blood vessel image to the data server 710 during authentication, the data server 710 may perform authentication processing, and return only the result to the biometric authentication device 720. As a configuration of the biometric authentication device 720 for this purpose, for example, the storage device 14 for storing reference data is omitted from the configurations of FIGS. 1 and 2 and an interface for connecting to the network 700 is added.

The registration device 730 is a device for acquiring image data indicating blood vessel characteristics for registration of reference data. The image data acquired by the registration device 730 is sent to the data server 710 and stored. The configuration of the registration device 730 is basically the same as that of the biometric authentication device 720 of FIG. 7, but the configuration of acquiring image data indicating blood vessel characteristics, that is, the image acquisition device 2 shown in FIGS. A necessary input / output interface may be provided, and a configuration for authentication (verification) is not necessary.

Since the blood vessel characteristics of a plurality of fingers can be simultaneously acquired in the image acquisition device 2 in FIG. 2, if this is used in the registration device 730, the blood vessel characteristics of a plurality of fingers can be associated with the registrant ID and registered. . In order to perform highly accurate authentication, it is desirable that blood vessel features of a plurality of fingers can be registered using a blood vessel image at the moment when blood vessels of all fingers are clearly captured. At the same time, if all of the finger blood vessels cannot be clearly photographed, a registration processing period is provided, and the blood vessel characteristics in the image at the moment when the blood vessels are clearly photographed for each finger in the images photographed within the period are registered. be able to. During this registration processing period, guidance information on the posture of the hand to be presented by the registrant can be displayed on the display unit 16, and voice guidance can be performed by the speaker 15.

If the posture variation of the hand or finger is large, the illumination condition by the irradiation light of the light source array 9 also changes. Therefore, even if only the blood vessel feature photographed with one hand presentation posture is registered, it may not be possible to cope with any posture variation. Conceivable. Therefore, it is possible to authenticate with various hand presentation postures by registering blood vessel features photographed with a plurality of hand and finger postures.

To prevent registration of counterfeit artifacts, the user recognizes the hand gestures presented during registration and rejects counterfeit artifacts (artifacts) such as rigid bodies by causing the registrant to perform the specified gesture.

<5. Examination of positional relationship between hand and light source during blood vessel imaging>
FIG. 8 shows how a blood vessel image of a finger is photographed by irradiating light from the side of the hand.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a blood vessel image of a finger imaged in the state of FIG.

When the hand is presented on the imaging surface of the imaging unit 11 as shown in FIG. 8, the irradiation light from the point light source 10 hits the side surface of the finger, and the imaging unit 11 receives the reflected light. For this reason, in the blood vessel image 19 imaged by the imaging unit 11, a luminance saturation region 21 is generated on one half of the finger of the hand 1 as shown in FIG. In addition, since light is blocked by the side surface of the finger, a shadow may be formed on a part of the adjacent finger, and a blood vessel image may not be acquired.

In order to avoid such a problem, it is desirable to irradiate the irradiation light so that the irradiation light from the point light source 10 does not strike the side surface of the finger as much as possible. That is, by irradiating irradiation light from the longitudinal direction of the finger, it is possible to avoid a problem that the irradiation light hits the side surface of the finger.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which the biometric authentication device 720 is configured as a walk-through type finger vein authentication device for use as a gate. In the walk-through type finger vein authentication device, it is desirable that the authentication unit 3 is disposed at a position where the user can easily hold his / her hand in the traveling direction so that authentication can be performed without stopping.

The example in FIG. 10 assumes a biometric authentication system connected in the network shown in FIG. Although not shown in FIG. 10 because of the internal configuration, a plurality of point light sources 10 are two-dimensionally arranged inside the opening 8 to form a light source array 9 as in the configuration of FIG. The configuration in which the light source array 9 is stored and placed on the top surface of the casing 1003 of the biometric authentication device 720 is referred to as a light source unit 1000 (or a light irradiation unit) for convenience. The upper surface is a surface on the side opposite to the ground surface of the housing 1003.

Although not shown because of the internal configuration, the imaging unit 11, the optical filter 12, and the distance sensor 4 are arranged below the authentication unit 3, as in the configuration of FIG. The incident light is received. In addition, the necessary memory 6, CPU 7, interface 13, image input unit 52, data input unit 50, light source control unit 51, and the like are disposed inside the housing 1003. The interface 13 has a function of communicating with the data server 710 via the network 700. Moreover, you may add the memory | storage device 14, the speaker 15, the display part 16, and the keyboard 18 as needed.

Through the opening 8 of the light source unit 1000, the hand 1 is irradiated with irradiation light from the point light source 10 inside. The irradiation light irradiated on the hand 1 is imaged by the imaging unit 11 inside the housing 1003 of the biometric authentication device 720 through the authentication unit 3. A finger vein pattern is acquired from the image acquired by the imaging unit 11. The acquired pattern is verified with reference data stored in the data server 710 via the network 700, and authentication is performed. The configuration of the biometric authentication device 720 has a different external shape, but the function of each component is the same as that described with reference to FIGS.

Now, the user 1001 is about to authenticate with the biometric authentication device 720 while moving in the direction of the arrow indicating the traveling direction 1002. When the user 1001 tries to authenticate with the biometric information of the hand 1 in such a situation, the user 1001 usually comes out in front of the user 1 in order to authenticate earlier. Therefore, in order to irradiate irradiation light from the longitudinal direction of the finger of the hand, the light source unit 1000 should be disposed at a position where the hand 1 is to be disposed, that is, in front of the authentication unit 3.

However, the housing 1003 and the light source unit 1000 of the biometric authentication device 720 must be positioned beside the movement path of the user 1001 so that the movement of the user 1001 is not hindered. Accordingly, the casing 1003 and the light source unit 1000 of the biometric authentication device 720 are positioned in front and side (that is, obliquely forward) of the user 1001 during the authentication operation, and irradiation is performed from the longitudinal direction of the finger of the user 1001. A configuration for irradiating light is required. FIG. 10 shows an example of a biometric authentication device 720 that satisfies the above conditions. Irradiation light from the light source array 9 is emitted from the direction of the fingernail of the hand 1 of the user 1001.

<6. Example of arrangement of biometric authentication device and hand during authentication>
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the top surface of the housing of the biometric authentication device shown in FIG. 10 and shows a preferred arrangement example of the biometric authentication device 720 and the hand 1 at the time of authentication. The longitudinal direction 1101 of the finger of the hand 1 intersects the user's traveling direction 1002 with an angle of less than 90 degrees. That is, a vector D indicating the user's direction of travel 1002 and a vector F indicating the longitudinal direction of the finger from the base of the user's finger toward the nail intersect at an acute angle θ. Further, the vector L of the irradiation light emitted from the light source array 9 is opposite to the vector F. As an example of the acute angle θ, it can be configured to be, for example, 5 degrees to 20 degrees. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, etc., the irradiation light may be irradiated at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane. In this case, the vector L has a horizontal component (in a plane parallel to the floor surface). Of the component).

The longitudinal direction 1101 of the finger actually relates to how the user's hand is placed. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 11, the biometric authentication device 720 is designed to guide the user to place his / her hand at a predetermined position.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, it is conceivable to configure the authentication unit 3 in a trapezoidal shape that covers a shape with an open hand. In the example of FIG. 11, the corners of the trapezoid are rounded in design. The trapezoidal side of the authentication unit 3 is configured such that the end side (front side) of the housing 1003 is short and the opposite side (back side) is long. As shown in FIG. 11, the two parallel sides of the trapezoid of the authentication unit 3 are configured to intersect the user's traveling direction 1002 at an acute angle. This is because, when the two parallel sides of the trapezoid intersect with the user's traveling direction 1002 at right angles, the longitudinal direction of the finger according to the direction parallel to the traveling direction 1002 can be applied to the user's wrist. Because it puts a burden.

In the example of FIG. 11, the arrangement of the light source unit 1000 is shifted with respect to the traveling direction 1002, for example, the light source unit 1000 is disposed in a direction that forms an acute angle θ with respect to the traveling direction 1002. With this configuration, when the hand 1 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the finger faces the direction of the light source unit 1000, the direction can be easily adjusted in the movable range of the wrist, and the burden of bending the wrist is suppressed. be able to. Further, by removing the light source unit 1000 from the traveling direction 1002, it is possible to make it difficult to touch the hand 1 or a part of the body when the user passes.

Further, a marker (or fingertip guiding unit) 1103 indicating the longitudinal direction of the finger may be installed between the light source unit 1000 and the authentication unit 3. When the marker 1103 is installed, the user can be guided to place the hand 1 at a predetermined position.

The user's direction of travel 1002 also actually depends on how the user walks. In addition, the way of walking and the course of the user are restricted by the arrangement of the biometric authentication device 703. In the example of FIG. 11, the casing 1003 of the biometric authentication device 702 restricts the user's traveling direction 1002, and the long side (longest side) or the longitudinal direction of the casing 1003 is the user's traveling direction 1002. Is assumed to be substantially parallel to If the traveling direction 1002 of the user is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 1003, the traveling direction 1002 may be considered to be parallel to the side surface constituting the long side of the housing 1003. In this case, two parallel sides of the trapezoid of the authentication unit 3 intersect with the side surface of the housing 1003 at an acute angle. Although not shown in FIG. 11, the imaging unit 11 is disposed below the authentication unit 3.

Although not limited to this configuration, in the example of FIG. 11, as an example of the configuration, the arrangement of the light source unit 1000 and the authentication unit 3 does not overlap when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction 1002 of the user. The authentication unit 3 is arranged on the front side in the traveling direction of the user, and the light source unit 1000 is arranged on the back side in the traveling direction of the user.

As for the irradiation light vector L, when there are a plurality of point light sources 10 in the light source array 9 as shown in FIG. 8, the irradiation light of all the point light sources may be aligned with the vector L or a part of the point light sources. Only the irradiation light may be aligned with the vector L. However, in order to capture a good image, it is desirable to align the irradiation light of the majority of point light sources (or the projection onto the floor surface) with the vector L.

When the point light source 10 is composed of an LED or the like, it is easy to arrange the light from the LED so as to be emitted vertically to the substrate to which the LED is attached. Therefore, when the irradiation light of the majority of the point light sources is aligned with the vector L, it is desirable that the orientation 1102 of the plane formed by the light source array 9 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 1101 of the finger. Moreover, the board | substrate which attaches LED becomes parallel to the plane which the light source array 9 normally comprised by the point light source 10 forms.

Although not intended to be limited, in the present embodiment, the plane formed by the light source array 9 is parallel to the surface of the opening 8, so the direction of projection of the vector perpendicular to the surface of the opening 8 onto the floor surface is It may be considered as the finger longitudinal direction 1101. In this embodiment, since the two parallel sides of the trapezoid of the authentication unit 3 are parallel to the surface of the opening 8 (or its projection onto the floor surface), the direction perpendicular to the two parallel sides of the trapezoid of the authentication unit 3 May be considered to be the longitudinal direction 1101 of the finger.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the design rule of the geometric arrangement of each element of the biometric authentication device 720 considering the above. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the housing 1003 of the biometric authentication device 720 can actually be provided with corners at the corners, or can be configured with a plurality of surfaces and curved surfaces on the side surfaces and the top surface. If a plurality of surfaces and curved surfaces are approximated to a plane by a known method, the shape is basically a rectangular parallelepiped.

FIG. 12 shows a projection 1200 onto the floor surface when the casing 1003 of the biometric authentication device 720 is approximated to a rectangular parallelepiped. Here, the floor surface is a virtual surface on which the housing 1003 is installed. The floor is usually a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity. The upper surface of the housing is a surface parallel to the floor surface on the side opposite to the floor surface. Here, of the four side surfaces of the housing 1003, the front side surface of the user's moving direction 1002 is the front side surface, the opposite side is the rear side surface, and the left or right side is viewed from the front side surface. Assuming that the passage side faces the passage, the front side projection 1201, rear side projection 1202, and passage side projection 1203 (in this example, the left side is the passage side), which are projections thereof, are as shown in FIG. The side surface of the passage is normally a side surface constituting the long side of the casing (the longest side in the projection onto the floor of the casing).

Here, the coordinates are set with the axis parallel to the front side projection 1201 as the X axis and the axis parallel to the passage side projection 1203 as the Y axis, and the intersection of the front side projection 1201 and the passage side projection 1203 is the origin (0 , 0). The projection of the geometric center of gravity of the authentication unit 3 of the biometric authentication device 720 onto the floor surface is O, and the coordinates are (XO, YO). Also, let S be the projection of the geometric center of gravity of the light source onto the floor, and let its coordinates be (XS, YS). In this case, in this design rule, XS> XO> 0 and YS> YO> 0.

Although the authentication unit 3 may be a flat surface, it may be configured by a curved surface. When the authentication unit 3 is a curved surface, the geometric center of gravity may be obtained by approximating the plane by a known method. When the light source is a light source array in which the point light sources 10 are two-dimensionally arranged as shown in FIG. 8, the geometric centroid of the light source may be the geometric centroid of the surface formed by the light source array. The point light source 10 of the light source array 9 may be arranged in a planar shape, but it may be arranged in a curved shape. In the case of a curved arrangement, the geometric center of gravity is approximated to a plane by a known method. Find it. Further, for example, in the example of FIGS. 10 and 11, the arrangement of the light sources of the light source array 9 is a plane perpendicular to the floor surface, but may be a plane or curved surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to the floor surface.

Also, when the marker 1103 is installed, the projection of the geometric center of gravity onto the floor surface is M, and its coordinates are (XM, YM). In this case, although not limited, as an example of the design rule, XS> XM> XO> 0 and YS> YM> YO> 0 can be set.

When there is a projection O of the geometric center of gravity of the authentication unit 3, a projection S of the geometric center of gravity of the light source of the light source array 9, and a marker M, the projection M of the geometric center of gravity of the marker 1103 is aligned as much as possible. Although it is desirable to line up, it is not necessary to arrange | position exactly on a straight line. For example, it can be arranged in a straight belt-like region having a width of about 3 cm.

In this design rule, the user's traveling direction 1002 may be considered equivalent to the longitudinal direction 1205 of the casing 1003 in relation to the casing 1003 of the biometric authentication device 720. Further, the longitudinal direction 1205 of the casing 1003 may be considered as the direction of the passage side projection 1203 when the casing 1003 is approximated to a rectangular parallelepiped.

11 and 12, the user passes the left side of the biometric authentication device 720 in the figure, but the user may pass the right side of the biometric authentication device 720. In this case, of course, the configuration of the biometric authentication device 720 may be an arrangement in which the left and right are reversed.

<7. Application example of biometric authentication device to gate device>
FIG. 13 is an example in which the biometric authentication device 720 of FIG. 10 is provided with a gate device 1301 for physically permitting or denying the user's entry. The user is guided to a space (passage) sandwiched between the housing 1003 and the wall surface 1302 of the biometric authentication device 720 and performs authentication with the biometric authentication device 720. If the authentication is successful, the bar 1303 of the gate device 1301 is released, and the user can pass through the gate. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the gate is closed by the bar 1303. A plurality of biometric authentication devices 720 can be arranged in parallel. In that case, the wall surface 1302 can be configured by a side surface of a case of another adjacent biometric authentication device.

FIG. 14 shows a state where the authentication of the device of FIG. 13 is successful and the bar of the gate device 1301 is opened. In this state, the user can enter the gate. Note that the gate device 1301 may not be provided with the bar 1303 but may be provided with a device that generates a warning by sound or light when authentication fails or a device that captures an image. Further, the bar 1303 may have another form such as a door-type type such as an automatic door.

<8. Configuration Example of Authentication Unit of Biometric Authentication Device>
FIG. 15 is a plan view showing details of the authentication unit 3 of the biometric authentication device 720 of FIG. (A) shows the details of the authentication unit 3, and (B) shows a state where the hand 1 is placed on the authentication unit 3. In the example of FIG. 15, the authentication unit 3 has a trapezoidal shape in which corners are curved so as to cover the entire hand 1. Of the two parallel sides, the short side 1501 is at the front and the long side 1502 is at the back. Configured to be located. A marker 1103 may be arranged on the back side of the authentication unit 3 to indicate the longitudinal direction of the finger of the hand 1. An LED or the like may be disposed on the marker 1103 or the edge (or hand posture and position guiding unit) 1503 of the authentication unit 3 to emit light with a color or pattern according to the processing status. For example, it is configured such that blue is on standby, green is authentication success, and red is flashing authentication rejection or error.

The surface of the authentication unit 3 may be positioned slightly below the edge 1503. Further, the edge 1503 may be formed in a convex shape from the upper surface of the authentication unit 3 or the housing 1003. If there is a height difference between the authentication unit 3 and the edge 1503, the light emission state of the LED or the like is easy to see from the formed step surface, and the visibility is good.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing another example of the authentication unit 3 of the biometric authentication device 720. (A) shows the details of the authentication unit 3, and (B) shows a state where the hand 1 is placed on the authentication unit 3. In the example of FIG. 16, the authentication unit 3 has a shape approximating the shape of the hand 1, and the back side has a shape imitating a finger of a hand. A marker 1103 may be arranged on the back side of the authentication unit 3 to indicate the position where the hand 1 is placed. Others are the same as the example of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing details of the vicinity of the opening 8 of the light source unit 1000 of the biometric authentication device 720 of FIG. As described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cover such as acrylic or glass can be used for the opening 8 to cut visible light so that the user cannot see the inside of the apparatus. 17A shows a state where the cover of the opening 8 of the light source unit 1000 is removed, and FIG. 17B shows a state where the cover of the opening 8 is attached.

As shown in FIG. 17A, the point light sources 10 are two-dimensionally arranged inside the apparatus. In FIG. 17A, a part of the point light source 10 is omitted, and the LED substrate 1701 behind it is visible.

A portion (base) where the light source unit 1000 rises from the upper surface of the biometric authentication device 702 is provided with a notch, and a space 1702 is formed. The presence of this space 1702 allows the user to dive through the space 1702 with the hand 1 held up after authentication. Moreover, the speaker 15 can also be provided in the notch part of the light source unit 1000, and the speaker 15 can be arrange | positioned in a conspicuous position.

A heat radiating hole 1703 may be provided on the top of the light source unit 1000. The heat radiation hole 1703 at the top of the light source unit 1000 allows heat to be exhausted from a position where hot air does not hit the user.

FIG. 18 is an internal transparent side view showing the internal configuration of the registration device 730 as viewed from the side of the passage. As described above, since the biometric authentication device 720 and the registration device 730 can have a common configuration except for the presence or absence of an authentication function, the configuration in FIG. 18 can be applied to the biometric authentication device 720 as well. it can.

The light source unit 1000 is installed on the upper surface of the registration device 730 so that light can be irradiated to the hand placed on the authentication unit 3. The light transmitted through the hand is picked up by the image pickup unit 11 to obtain a finger vein pattern. The distance sensor 4 is optically used to detect the position of the hand. The inside of the housing 1003 is reinforced by a frame 1801 as necessary, and includes a power supply 1802 and input / output terminals 1803. A circuit unit 1804 including a computer 5, a memory 6, a CPU 7, and the like is provided.

Air can move inside the housing 1003 and the light source unit 1000, and heat exhaust 1805 inside the housing 1003 is discharged from the heat radiation hole 1703 through the light source unit 1000. .

FIG. 19 is a three-side view of the biometric authentication device 720 of FIG. As described with reference to FIG. 12, the front side surface (Front) from the viewpoint of the user to be authenticated, the left side surface is the left side surface (Left), which is the passage side surface, and the upper part of the housing 1003 is the upper surface (Upper). It is. As described with reference to FIG. 17, a space 1702 is formed on the side surface side of the light source unit 1000 on the passage side.

FIG. 20 is a two-side view of the biometric authentication device 720 of FIG. The facing surface of the passage side surface (Left) is the right side surface (Right), and the facing surface of the front side surface (Front) is the rear side surface (Back).

FIG. 21 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the light source array 9 and the imaging unit 11 of the biometric authentication device 720 of FIG. The arrangement positions of the point light sources 10 constituting the light source array 9 are not arranged in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the surface of the authentication unit 3 as shown in FIG. 2, but are inclined so that the optical axis 2101 faces downward. Also good. However, in any case, within the angle of view 2102 of the imaging unit 11 (in other words, the shooting range of the imaging unit 11) or within the angle of view of the distance sensor 4 (not shown in FIG. 21) (in other words, distance) It is desirable not to be reflected in the detection range of the sensor 4.

That is, as shown in FIG. 21, it is desirable to arrange the light source array 9 so that it is outside the angle of view of the camera or the like constituting the imaging unit 11. If the light source array 9 is reflected in the angle of view 2102 of the imaging unit 11, the light source portion becomes bright when the light source array 9 is turned on, resulting in luminance saturation, which may reduce the clarity of the entire blood vessel image. This is an image acquisition device in which a plurality of light sources are arranged in a grid in a direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the housing 1003 so that the light sources are easily reflected in the field angle range of the imaging unit 11 and the distance sensor 4. This is an event specific to two light sources. By preventing the light source array 9 from being reflected, a clear blood vessel image can be taken. Similarly, if the light source array 9 is reflected within the angle of view of the distance sensor 4, the distance measurement may include noise and may reduce the accuracy of hand and finger position detection and posture detection. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent reflection of the point light source 10 and to prevent deterioration in accuracy of hand and finger position detection and posture detection.

FIG. 22 shows another configuration example of the light source unit 1000. Unlike the examples of FIGS. 17 and 19, the space 1702 is not formed on the side surface side of the light source unit 1000 on the passage side. Even in such a form, the authentication operation can be performed without any trouble by adjusting the position of the light source unit 1000.

10 and 11 of the first embodiment, the authentication unit 3 can be provided with a transparent member such as acrylic or glass. Since the biometric authentication information is optically read, when the user 1001 performs authentication, even if the hand 1 is in contact with the authentication unit 3 or the hand 1 is separated from the authentication unit 3 to a predetermined distance, Either can be authenticated.

However, the user 1001 may not like to contact the authentication unit 3 touched by another person. Also, from the viewpoint of device maintenance, keeping the authentication unit 3 clean is important for hygiene and clear biometric information acquisition. For this reason, an apparatus configuration that can perform authentication while avoiding the user 1001 from contacting the member of the authentication unit 3 as much as possible may be preferable. In the second embodiment, an example suitable for performing biometric authentication without contact will be described.

FIG. 23 shows another example when the biometric authentication device 720 is configured as a walk-through type finger vein authentication device for use in a gate. In this example, it is easy to hold the hand so that the user does not touch the authentication unit 3. Description of parts common to the example of FIG. 10 will be omitted, and different parts will be described in detail. In the example of FIG. 23, the configuration and shape around the authentication unit 3 are mainly different.

The authentication unit 3 is provided with a transparent member for detection light (mainly near infrared light) such as acrylic or glass. The surface of the authentication unit 3 is arranged with a predetermined level difference (level difference) from the upper surface 2301 of the housing 1003. In the case of FIG. 23, the planar shape of the authentication unit has an inverted U shape when viewed from the user at the time of authentication. A guide lamp 2302 indicating a position where the hand is held is disposed along at least a part of the inverted U-shaped outline. The position of the guide lamp 2302 and the surface of the authentication unit 3 are also different in height and have steps. At the time of authentication, the guide lamp 2302 lights up or blinks to prompt the user to hold the hand with the finger open.

The guide lamp 2302 can be configured, for example, by arranging a plurality of LEDs along the inverted U-shaped outline of the authentication unit 3. In a preferred example, each LED emits visible light with an optical axis in the horizontal direction. With this configuration, when the hand 1 is brought close to the authentication unit 3, visible light is applied to the side surface of the hand 1, so that the user can recognize the position of the hand 1 in the vertical direction. For example, by providing guidance to the user that the position of the hand 1 irradiated with the guide lamp is appropriate for non-contact authentication, biometric authentication with a stable hand height becomes possible. .

Also, a configuration without a lighting or blinking function by an LED or the like, such as a guide lamp 2302 or a wrist guide lamp 2303 is also possible. For example, the difference between the upper surface 2301 of the housing 1003 and the authentication unit 3 is expressed by a surface color such as a resin color or a paint color that constitutes the guide unit indicating the authentication unit 3, thereby clearly informing the position where the hand is held over. It is possible. As a specific example, mark printing, sticking of a seal, or painting is performed at the position of the guide lamp 2302 or the wrist guide lamp 2303. Further, instead of the guide lamp 2302 and the wrist guide lamp 2303, the position can be indicated by fitting parts of different colors.

In the configuration of FIG. 23, the guide lamp 2302 indicating the position where the hand is held and the authentication unit 3 constituting the authentication surface are arranged in steps. The inverted U-shaped guide lamp 2302 lights up or blinks, and guides the user to hold the hand with the finger open. Since the guide lamp 2302 is visible light, the authentication status can be notified by changing the color. For example, authentication completion is blue, authentication failure is red, standby is green, and so on. Further, if the light from the light source array 9 for obtaining biometric authentication information is infrared to near-infrared light, the guide lamp 2302 that is visible light has a different wavelength, so there is little possibility of causing interference.

Although there are various variations in the planar shape of the authentication unit 3, the stepped wall on the wrist side is notched in the example of FIG. 23 to improve operability and cleanability. That is, the notch part allows the hand 1 to be easily put in and out of the authentication part 3 constituting the authentication surface, and the authentication operation and the authentication part 3 are easy to clean. Specifically, by opening the wrist side of the hand 1, the operation of putting in and out when the hand is held up becomes easy, and the authentication operation becomes smooth. Further, the notch part facilitates sweeping and wiping off dirt and impurities accumulated on the authentication part 3 and improves the cleanability.

A wrist guide lamp 2303 is arranged around the notch. The wrist guide lamp 2303 can be configured, for example, by arranging a plurality of LEDs. Each LED emits visible light with an optical axis in the vertical direction, for example. With this configuration, when the hand 1 is brought close to the authentication unit 3, visible light is applied to the wrist, so that the user can recognize the position of the hand 1 in the longitudinal direction of the casing. That is, it is possible to know whether the hand 1 is sufficiently inserted into the authentication unit 3. This enables biometric authentication at a stable hand position.

In this embodiment, the guide portion is formed of two types of guide lamp 2302 having an inverted U shape and a guide lamp 2303 for the wrist. With the guide lamp 2302, the position of the hand in the z direction can be grasped mainly. The wrist guide lamp 2303 can mainly grasp the position of the hand in the y direction. The position of the hand in the x direction can be determined by positioning the wrist in the notch.

FIG. 24 is a six-sided view of the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view and a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of a dotted line A portion around the authentication unit 3 of the apparatus of FIG. As described with reference to FIG. 23, the notch 2501 is provided on the wrist-side stepped wall, which improves operability and facilitates cleaning around the authentication unit 3. Further, a wrist guide lamp 2303 is disposed on the wrist side.

The hand 1 (not shown) arranged in the vicinity of the authentication unit 3 is irradiated with light from the light source array 9 and imaged by the imaging unit 11 below the authentication unit 3. Since the height of the hand is normally likely to be placed in one of the ranges of the step 2504, when the focal length of the optical system of the imaging unit 11 is fixed, the focal position is within the range of the step 2504. It is convenient to set.

The light from the light source array 9 is irradiated so as to have an optical axis 2101, for example. At this time, if the hand 1 is too close to the step 2504 on the light source array 9 side, it becomes a shadow of the step and the light from the light source array 9 is not irradiated, and biometric authentication information may not be captured. In order to prevent this, in the example of FIG. 25, the wall surface forming the step portion on the light source array 9 side is not vertical, but is provided with an inclination (slope) 2502 having an angle θs. In this embodiment, for example, θs is set to 60 to 80 °.

An enlarged schematic diagram in a circle indicated by a dotted line is also shown. Due to the function of the slope 2502, the user's hand 1 is naturally guided to a part away from the edge part 2503 of the step in the horizontal direction, so that the influence of the shadow due to the step 2504 can be avoided. A guide lamp 2302 can also be arranged near the slope 2502. When the optical axis 2505 of the guide lamp is set in the horizontal direction, the guide lamp is irradiated near the fingertip of the user's hand 1 (not shown).

FIG. 26 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a dotted line A portion around the authentication unit 3 of the apparatus of FIG. As described with reference to FIG. 23, the stepped wall on the wrist side has a notch 2501, and the hand 1 can easily access the authentication unit 3. However, when clear biometric authentication information is to be acquired at the time of registration of biometric authentication, it may be desirable to fix the hand 1 with a wrist portion or the like and take an image. FIG. 26 shows an example for that purpose, and shows an example in which a pedestal 2601 for stabilizing the wrist is attached to the notch 2501. The pedestal 2601 is detachable, and it is convenient to attach and detach according to the application.

The inventors selected and verified the height of the step 2504 by selecting 50 mm, 35 mm, and 20 mm from a practical range of 20 mm to 50 mm. As a result, at 20 mm, the hand 1 may come into contact with the authentication unit 3, which is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of non-contact. Further, at 50 mm, since the stepped wall is large, some subjects felt anxiety that the hand bumped into the step when holding the hand during authentication or passing through the walk-through operation after authentication. There was relatively little dissatisfaction at 35 mm. Considering these, it seems that about 25 mm or more and 45 mm or less is appropriate as the step range.

However, considering the case where the focal position of the optical system of the imaging unit 11 is fixed at the time of imaging, when the step is large, the range in which the position of the hand 1 is assumed is wide and it may be difficult to focus. Considering this, it was considered that the range of the step was about 25 mm or more and 40 mm or less. The focal position may be set within a step range, for example, between the surface of the authentication unit 3 and the position of the guide lamp 2302. As an example, it is set near the center of the step. In this case, the focal position is adjusted to a position of about 12.5 mm to 20 mm above the authentication unit 3.

FIG. 27 shows another configuration example in which the user can easily hold his / her hand so as not to contact the authentication unit 3. Compared with the example of FIG. 23, in the example of FIG. 27, a notch 2701 is also provided on the stepped wall on the side where the user 1 passes and is connected to the notch 2501 on the wrist side. In this configuration, the frame-shaped guide lamp 2302 of the authentication unit 3 has an inverted L shape when viewed from the user side, and is larger than the authentication unit 3 by taking a large notch range with respect to the user side. Easy to insert and remove hands.

FIG. 28 shows still another configuration example in which the user can easily hold his / her hand so as not to contact the authentication unit 3. Compared with the example of FIG. 23, in the example of FIG. 28, the surface of the authentication unit 3 is the same surface as the upper surface 2301 of the housing 1003, but a protrusion 2801 protruding from the upper surface 2301 is provided. The guide lamp 2302 is installed at, for example, the edge of the protrusion 2801, and there is a step between the height of the guide lamp 2302 and the height of the authentication unit 3, and the protrusion 2801 on the wrist side has a notch. The point is the same as the example of FIG.

Further, the projecting portion 2801 and the guide lamp 2302 can be configured to be separable from the upper surface 2301 of the housing 1003. By making the separation possible, the authentication unit 3 and the upper surface 2301 become flat, so that it becomes easier to clean.

FIG. 29 shows still another configuration example in which the user can easily hold his / her hand so as not to contact the authentication unit 3. Compared with the example of FIG. 28, in the example of FIG. 28, the protrusion 2801 that surrounds the authentication unit 3 in an inverted U shape is provided only in a part of the periphery of the authentication unit 3 in the example of FIG. Although not shown, the guide lamp 2302 is installed on, for example, the upper surface or the edge of the protrusion 2801, and there is a step between the height of the guide lamp 2302 and the height of the surface of the authentication unit 3 in FIG. Similar to the example.

In the example in which the protrusion 2801 is provided and a step is provided between the height of the guide lamp 2302 and the surface of the authentication unit 3, there is an advantage that the processing of the housing 1003 is easy. In addition, by adding a notch in accordance with the direction of travel during walk-through, smoother operation and movement are possible. Furthermore, by suppressing the size of the protruding portion 2801, processing to the housing 1003 is facilitated, and there is an advantage that cleaning properties are further improved.

In the second embodiment described above, by guiding the hand to the guide lamp and holding the hand, it is easy to operate without touching the hand, it is hygienic, and the authentication panel surface is less likely to get dirty without contact. Does not interfere with shooting. In addition, a series of walk-through operations will be smooth because authentication can be performed with the palm raised. Specifically, the motion of stopping to touch the hand is suppressed, and further, the distance when the palm is pulled back is shortened, so that a series of walk-through operations are smoothly connected. If the guide lamp shape is used for the icon, the user can be guided to open the finger.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications. For example, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add, delete, and replace the configurations of other embodiments with respect to a part of the configurations of the embodiments.

Especially, it can be used for devices using biometric authentication such as hands and fingers.

1 hand 2 image acquisition device 3 authentication unit 4 distance sensor 5 computer 6 memory 7 CPU
8 Opening 9 Light source array 10 Point light source 11 Imaging unit 12 Optical filter 13 Interface 14 Storage device 15 Speaker 16 Display unit 17 Visible light source 18 Keyboard 19 Blood vessel image 20 Blood vessel 21 Brightness saturation region 50 Data input unit 51 Light source control unit 52 Image input Part

Claims (15)

1. A housing,
   A light source unit installed on an upper surface of the housing and including a light source;
   An authentication unit that is formed on the upper surface of the housing, is located below the light source, and is made of a material that transmits light from the light source;
   An imaging unit disposed inside the housing;
   A guide lamp that is positioned above the surface of the authentication unit and that emits visible light;
   With
   The longitudinal direction of the housing and the optical axis of the light source intersect,
   A feature of a user's living body irradiated with irradiation light from the light source is imaged by the imaging unit via the authentication unit,
   Biometric authentication device.
2. The height difference between the surface of the authentication unit and the position of the guide lamp is set in a range of 20 mm to 50 mm.
   The biometric authentication device according to claim 1.
3. The position of the focal point of the optical system of the imaging unit is set to a height between the surface of the authentication unit and the position of the guide lamp.
   The biometric authentication device according to claim 1.
4. In order to obtain a height difference between the surface of the authentication unit and the position of the guide lamp, it has a step structure.
   The biometric authentication device according to claim 1.
5. Of the wall surfaces constituting the step structure, at least the wall surface on the light arrival direction side from the light source is inclined at an angle of less than 90 degrees,
   The biometric authentication device according to claim 4.
6. The surface of the authentication unit is a recessed structure that is recessed from the upper surface of the housing,
   The guide lamp is disposed at an edge of the recess structure;
   The biometric authentication device according to claim 4.
7. A convex structure on the upper surface of the housing;
   The guide lamp is disposed on the convex structure.
   The biometric authentication device according to claim 4.
8. The step structure is cut at least on the side opposite to the light arrival direction from the light source to form a notch,
   A wrist side guide lamp for irradiating visible light is disposed in the notch,
   The biometric authentication device according to claim 4.
9. A housing,
   A light source unit installed on an upper surface of the housing and including a light source;
   An authentication unit that is formed on the upper surface of the housing and is made of a material that transmits light from the light source;
   An imaging unit disposed inside the housing;
   A guide lamp disposed at a height between the light source and the surface of the authentication unit;
   With
   The line connecting the projection point S of the geometric center of gravity of the light source onto the floor surface and the projection point O of the geometric center of gravity of the authentication unit onto the floor surface is other than 90 degrees in the longitudinal direction of the casing. Characterized by crossing at an angle,
   Biometric authentication device.
10. The guide lamp emits visible light in a horizontal direction,
    The biometric authentication device according to claim 9.
11. In order to obtain a height difference between the surface of the authentication unit and the position of the guide lamp, it has a step structure,
    Of the wall surfaces constituting the step structure, at least the wall surface on the light arrival direction side from the light source is inclined at an angle of less than 90 degrees,
    The biometric authentication device according to claim 9.
12. In order to obtain a height difference between the surface of the authentication unit and the position of the guide lamp, it has a step structure,
    Among the wall surfaces constituting the step structure, at least the wall surface on the side opposite to the direction of arrival of light from the light source is cut to form a notch,
    A second guide lamp that irradiates visible light in the vertical direction is disposed in the cutout portion.
    The biometric authentication device according to claim 9.
13. The focal position of the optical system of the imaging unit is
    It is set to a height between the surface of the authentication unit and the guide lamp,
    The biometric authentication device according to claim 9.
14. A biometric authentication device, a registration device, and a storage device;
    The biometric authentication device is:
    A housing,
    A light source unit installed on an upper surface of the housing and including a light source;
    An authentication unit formed on an upper surface of the housing and positioned below the light source;
    A guide lamp located below the light source and above the authentication unit;
    An imaging unit disposed under the authentication unit;
    With
    The longitudinal direction of the housing and the optical axis of the light source intersect at an angle of less than 90 degrees,
    The characteristics of the user's living body irradiated with the irradiation light from the light source are imaged by the imaging unit via the authentication unit,
    The registration device
    Acquire the characteristics of the user's biological body, register it in the storage device as reference data,
    The storage device
    Storing the reference data;
    Using the biometric feature of the user imaged by the biometric authentication device and the reference data to authenticate the user,
    Biometric authentication system.
15. The biometric authentication device, the registration device, and the storage device are connected to each other via a network,
    The biometric authentication system according to claim 14.

Images