WO2007029710A1

WO2007029710A1 - Mobile processor apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007029710A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/317567
Authority: WO
Inventors: Katsuya Umeyama; Kouji Imai
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-09-07
Filing date: 2006-09-05
Publication date: 2007-03-15

Abstract

A mobile processor apparatus capable of avoiding the necessity of input operation of personal identification, while preventing any operations from being done by any other person as not intended by the user. The mobile processor apparatus (10) comprises an imaging part (21) that constantly captures images; an authentication part (24) that performs an image authentication processing between an image captured by the imaging part (21) and each of face images registered in advance; and a control part (25) that permits the accepting of an input operation of the mobile processor apparatus (10) if the authentication part (24) determines that those images are coincident with each other, while inhibiting the accepting of any input operation of the mobile processor apparatus (10) otherwise.

Description

Portable processing equipment

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable processing device having a personal authentication function.

Background art

[0002] In order to prevent operation of the device by others not intended by the device owner, a recent mobile processing device identifies whether the operator is the device owner or the user before operating the device. Mobile processing devices having a personal authentication function (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a security lock) have come to be used. As an early portable processing device equipped with a personal authentication function, it is common to use a 4-digit password to confirm whether the operator is the owner of the device. In recent years, in order to further improve the safety of personal authentication, a portable processing device having a personal authentication function using biometric information such as face authentication, fingerprint authentication, voiceprint authentication, etc., allows an operator to Some certify that they are the owners themselves.

[0003] As a mobile processing device having a personal authentication function using biometric information, for example, there is a mobile phone disclosed in Patent Document 1. A conventional mobile phone equipped with a personal authentication function includes a fingerprint detection / data generation unit, a fingerprint data storage unit, a fingerprint data collation unit, and a control unit. The data is collated with the fingerprint data stored in the fingerprint data storage unit by the fingerprint data collating means, and it is determined whether the operator is the owner. The control unit cancels the setting of the security lock of the phone based on the collation result of the fingerprint data collating means. This can improve the safety of personal authentication.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-274007

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, in the conventional portable processing device such as Patent Document 1, when performing personal authentication to set 'cancel security lock', various input operations (in the case of fingerprint authentication, For example, it is necessary to perform an operation for starting a fingerprint authentication application provided in the device, an operation for reading a fingerprint into a fingerprint detection portion of the device, and the like, and this makes the device user troublesome.

[0005] Furthermore, the conventional portable processing device has a current security lock state (a state in which a security lock is set, Or, a character or mark indicating that the security lock is released is often displayed on the display of the device. However, if characters or marks indicating the security lock status are displayed, the current security lock status may be transmitted to others other than the owner. This is undesirable for the purpose of preventing others from operating the device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to omit an input operation for performing personal authentication while preventing an operation by an unintended user, and as a result, the individual. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable processing device without performing authentication and making the user aware of it.

Means for solving the problem

[0007] The portable processing device of the present invention is a portable processing device having a face image authentication function, and registers in advance an imaging unit that regularly captures an image and an image captured by the imaging unit. When the authentication unit that performs image authentication of the face image and the authentication unit determines that they match as a result of the authentication, control is performed to allow acceptance of an input operation to the portable processing device, and it is determined that they do not match In such a case, a control unit that controls to prohibit acceptance of an input operation to the portable processing device is provided.

[0008] With this configuration, the security mode can be automatically switched to authenticate whether the operator is the owner or not even if the operator does not consciously operate. As a result, there is no need to display characters or marks indicating the security lock state.

[0009] In addition, the portable processing device of the present invention includes a face region detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a region corresponding to a face image in the image captured by the imaging unit, and the authentication unit detects the face region detection. When the image is detected, the image authentication of the area corresponding to the face image and the image registered in advance is included. [0010] With this configuration, personal authentication is performed only when a captured image has a region corresponding to a face image, and therefore unnecessary face image authentication (image authentication for a obscene image with a face captured) is performed. Nothing will happen. As a result, the power consumption consumed by image authentication can be minimized. For the portable processing device of the present invention that regularly captures images, it is very effective to reduce power consumption by this configuration.

[0011] Further, in the portable processing device of the present invention, the portable processing device includes two housings, and includes an open / closed state detection unit that detects an open state and a closed state of the two housings, and the imaging Includes a unit that performs imaging during a period when the open / closed state detection unit detects the open state.

With this configuration, personal authentication is performed only when it is detected that the folding portable processing device is open. As a result, power saving can be realized.

[0013] In addition, the portable processing device of the present invention includes a display device that displays various types of information, and that performs imaging during the period of time displayed by the imaging unit and the display unit.

[0014] With this configuration, personal authentication is performed only during display of the display unit with a high probability that the face authentication target person is near the front of the display surface of the display unit. As a result, unnecessary face image authentication is not performed, and as a result, power saving can be realized.

The invention's effect

[0015] According to the portable processing device of the present invention, it is possible to omit an input operation for performing personal authentication while preventing an operation by an unintended user, and as a result, the personal authentication is performed. It is possible to eliminate making the user aware of this.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a mobile phone device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the personal authentication operation of the mobile phone device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone device according to an example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone device according to the example of the first embodiment of the present invention. ヤ Ya 1—

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圆 6] Block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone device according to the second embodiment of the present invention 圆 7] Flow chart showing the personal authentication operation of the mobile phone device according to the second embodiment of the present invention

圆 8] Block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 圆 9] Flow chart showing the personal authentication operation of the mobile phone device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

Mobile phone equipment

11 Display

12 In-camera

20, 40, 60 Mobile phone devices

21 Imaging unit

22 Face area detector

23 Feature data storage

24 Authentication Department

25, 62, 83 Control unit

26 Security mode switching section

41 Stand-by image setting storage

42 Standby image selector

43 Stand-by image display

61 Open / close state detector

81 Display

82 Display status detector

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, a portable processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a cellular phone device is assumed as an example of the portable processing device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a mobile phone device according to the present invention. Figure 1 (a) is one case Fig. 1 (b) shows a mobile phone device composed of two housings. In the mobile phone device 10, for example, an in-camera 12 is installed on the display unit 11.

[0020] (First embodiment)

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the mobile phone device 10 includes an imaging unit 21 that acquires an operator's image, a face region detection unit 22 that detects an operator's face region from the operator's image, and characteristic data of the operator himself / herself. Feature data storage unit 23 to be stored, an authentication unit 24 that authenticates whether the operator's face is the owner's face, a control unit 25 that controls the entire mobile phone device 10, and instructions from the control unit 25 The security mode switching unit 26 switches the security mode according to the configuration.

The imaging unit 21 always acquires an image when the mobile phone device is activated. As a specific example of the imaging unit 21, an operator usually operates while looking at the screen of the mobile phone device, so an in-camera 12 that captures the operator can be considered.

[0022] The face area detection unit 22 specifies the face area of the operator from the color of the operator image acquired from the imaging unit 21. As an algorithm for identifying a face area, first, an area that seems to be an eye, eyebrow, nose, or mouth is extracted from an image, and its characteristic power is determined to determine whether the face area is included in the image area. If there is one, cut out that part. By identifying the face area by this method, face authentication is performed only when the captured image has an area corresponding to the face, so unnecessary face image authentication (image authentication for images where no face is captured) is performed. ) Is not performed, and the power consumed by image authentication can be minimized.

The feature data holding unit 23 holds face feature data of a mobile phone device user, for example, an owner.

[0024] The authentication unit 24 performs face authentication by comparing the face area of the operator detected by the face area detection unit 22 with the face feature data of the owner himself / herself held by the feature data holding unit 23.

[0025] As a result of collation by the authentication unit 24, the control unit 25 locks the security area when the face area of the operator and the feature data holding unit 23 match and the owner's face feature data matches. Kena! / Owner, the owner's face area and the feature data holding unit 23 If it does not match the facial feature data, the security lock is instructed.

[0026] When the security mode switching means 26 receives an instruction from the control unit 25 not to lock the security lock, the security mode switching means 26 switches to a mode in which the security lock is not applied and receives a command to lock the security lock of the control unit 25 as much as possible. Switch to the security mode when the security lock is activated.

With respect to the mobile phone device configured as described above, the personal authentication operation centered on the control unit 25 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0028] First, when the mobile phone device is activated, the imaging unit 21 automatically takes an image of the operator (step S301). Since the operator usually operates while looking at the screen of the mobile phone device, when the operator operates the mobile phone device, the in-camera 12 mounted on the mobile phone device can take an image of the operator.

[0029] The face area detection unit 22 detects the operator's face area obtained from the image of the operator acquired in step S301, and when the face area is detected, notifies the control unit 25 that the face area has been detected. At the same time, the detected face area data is sent to the authentication unit 24 (step S302).

The control unit 25 determines whether a face area has been detected based on the presence / absence of a detection notification from the face area detection unit 22 (step S303).

[0031] In step S303, when there is a detection notification from the face area detection unit 22 and it is determined that the face area has been detected, the authentication unit 24 is instructed to authenticate, and the authentication unit 24 receives the authentication instruction. Face authentication is performed, and the authentication result is sent to the control unit 25 (step S304). Here, the authentication unit 24 acquires the owner's own facial feature data from the feature data holding unit 23, and collates the operator's facial region data from the facial region detection unit 22 with the owner's own facial feature data. , Perform face authentication, and send the authentication result to the control unit 25.

[0032] The control unit 25 determines whether the operator is the owner of the authentication result from the authentication unit 24.

(Step S305) When it is determined that the operator is the owner, it is determined whether the security lock is applied!

[0033] If it is determined in step S306 that the security lock is on, the security mode switching unit 26 is instructed to switch the security mode, and the security mode switching unit 26 receives the instruction and Switching modes ( Step S307).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S306 that the security lock is not applied, the process returns to step S301 where it is not necessary to switch the security mode, and the operator's image is acquired again. Here, by returning to step S301, the operator's image acquisition and personal authentication after the image acquisition are regularly and repeatedly executed.

[0035] In step S303, if it is determined that the face area that the detection notification from the face area detection unit 22 does not detect is detected, the control unit 25 determines whether the security lock is on. However, if it is determined that the security lock is on (step S308), the process returns to step S301 and takes the operator's image again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S308 that the security lock is not applied, the process proceeds to step S307, the security mode is switched to the security lock, and the process returns to step S301. The operator's image is acquired again. If there is no detection notification for the face area detection unit 22, there is a possibility that the image taken by the imaging unit 21 may not be a human image, so it is necessary to lock the security.

If it is determined in step S 305 that the operator is not the owner, the process proceeds to step S 308. If the security status is determined and it is determined that the security lock is not locked, the process proceeds to step S307, the security mode is switched to the security lock status, the process returns to step S301, and again. Acquire the operator's image.

[0037] According to the mobile phone device having the personal authentication function according to the first embodiment of the present invention as described above, the operator's image is constantly acquired even if the operator does not operate consciously. By authenticating whether the operator is the owner, the input operation for performing personal authentication can be omitted, and as a result, the user is not aware that the personal authentication is being performed. be able to.

[0038] Various situations can be considered as examples of switching the security mode. Hereinafter, as an example of switching the security mode, Example 1 in which the display screen of the mobile phone device changes depending on the security mode will be described in detail.

Example 1 [0039] In the first embodiment, when the operator is the owner himself / herself, the image A is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone device without the security lock, and the operator is not the owner himself / herself! / This is an example in which image B is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone device by applying a tylock.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile phone device 10 of the present embodiment.

The mobile phone device 10 of the first embodiment is provided with a standby image setting holding unit 41, a standby image selection unit 42, and a standby image display unit 43 in the configuration of the mobile phone device 10 shown in FIG. It should be noted that the same components as those of the cellular phone device 10 shown in FIG.

The standby image setting holding unit 41 holds an image that can be selected as a standby screen.

The standby image selection unit 42 selects a standby screen in accordance with the security mode switching instruction from the security mode switching unit 26. Here, for example, when switching to a state where the security mode is not locked by the security mode switching unit 26, the image A is selected as the standby screen, and the security lock is locked by the security mode switching unit 26. When switching, select image B as the standby screen.

[0043] The standby image display unit 43 displays the standby image selected by the standby image selection unit 42.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone device 10 when the display screen is changed by switching the security mode.

In FIG. 5, the procedure until the security mode is switched in step S307, that is, the operations in steps S301 to S307 are the same as those shown in FIG.

[0045] In step S307, when the state is switched to a state where the security lock is not applied, the standby image selection unit 41 selects the image A to be displayed in a state where the security lock is not applied from the standby image setting holding unit 41. (Step S501), the standby image display unit 43 displays image A as the standby screen (Step S502), returns to Step S301, and acquires the operator image again.

[0046] If it is determined in step S308 that the security lock is not applied, the security lock is applied (step S307), and the standby image selection unit 41 sets the standby image setting. The security lock is applied from the holder 41. Select the image B to be displayed (step S503), and the standby image display unit 43 displays the image B as the standby screen (step S504), returns to step S301, and acquires the operator image again.

[0047] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S308 that the security lock has been activated, the process proceeds to step S503 where it is not necessary to switch the security mode, image B is selected (step S503), and the standby image display unit 43 displays image B as a standby screen (step S504), returns to step S301, and acquires the operator image again.

[0048] In this manner, the cellular phone device 10 uses different standby screens for the mode in which the security lock is applied and the mode in which the security lock is not applied. As a result, when a third party looks at the display screen, it cannot be easily determined whether the security lock is applied. However, the owner himself or herself cannot lock the security lock by the display screen. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether or not it is in a state of hanging. This can improve security.

[0049] In addition, it is possible to set an image to be displayed only when the security lock is not applied (when used by the owner). This makes it possible to set an image on the standby screen that the owner wants to see but does not want others to see.

[0050] (Second Embodiment)

In the second embodiment, the mobile phone device is a foldable type, and personal authentication is performed only when the foldable mobile phone device is open.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile phone device 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the mobile phone device 10 of the second embodiment, the open / close state detection unit 61 is provided in the mobile phone device 10 shown in FIG. 2, and a control unit 62 having a slightly different function is provided instead of the control unit 25. Note that the same components as those of the cellular phone device 10 shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

[0052] The open / close state detection unit 61 detects the open / close state of the mobile phone device, and sends a notification signal to the control unit 62 when detecting that the mobile phone device is open.

[0053] In addition to the function of the control unit 25, the control unit 62 adds a mobile phone device from the open / closed state detection unit 61. When receiving a notification signal notifying that the device is open, the imaging unit 21 is instructed to start imaging.

[0054] Hereinafter, with respect to the mobile phone device 10 configured as described above, an operation for performing personal authentication when the foldable mobile phone device centered on the control unit 62 is open is shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. This will be explained based on.

[0055] First, the open / close state detection unit 61 determines whether the mobile phone device is open (step 701).

), If it is determined that the mobile phone device is open, the control unit 62

V is notified (step S702).

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S701 that the mobile phone device is not open, the process returns to step S701, and it is determined whether the mobile phone device is open again.

[0057] Upon receiving the notification from the open / close state detection unit 61, the control unit 62 instructs the imaging unit 21 to acquire an image (step S703).

The subsequent procedures, that is, the operations of steps S301 to S308 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. After the operation of step S308, the open / close state detection unit 61 determines whether the mobile phone device is open (step 701).

[0059] According to such a mobile phone device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, by providing the open / close state detection unit 61, the open / close state of the mobile phone device can be determined. As a result, it is possible to realize power saving by performing imaging only when the cellular phone device is open.

[0060] (Third embodiment)

The third embodiment is an example in which the mobile phone device is foldable, and personal authentication is performed only when the foldable mobile phone device is open.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile phone device 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile phone device 10 of the third embodiment is provided with a display unit 81 and a display state detection unit 82 in the mobile phone device 10 shown in FIG. 6, and a control unit 83 having slightly different functions instead of the control unit 62. It was. It should be noted that the same components as those of the cellular phone device 10 shown in FIG. [0062] The display unit 81 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information displayed on a liquid crystal display of a recent mobile phone device.

[0063] The display state detection unit 82 determines whether or not the display unit 81 is displaying power. As an example of determination, if the display unit 81 is a liquid crystal display, determination is made according to whether or not the backlight is lit, or detection is performed according to the amount of power supplied to the display unit 81. It is done.

When receiving a notification signal notifying that the display unit 81 is performing display from the display state detection unit 82, the control unit 83 instructs the imaging unit 21 to start imaging.

[0065] Hereinafter, with respect to the mobile phone device 10 configured as described above, the operation of performing personal authentication when the foldable mobile phone device centered on the control unit 83 is open is shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. This will be explained based on.

[0066] First, the open / close state detection unit 61 determines whether or not the cellular phone device is open (step 701), and the display state detection unit 82 determines whether or not the display unit 81 is displaying power. Yes (Step 901). When it is determined that the mobile phone device is open, the open / close state detection unit 61 notifies the control unit 83 that the mobile phone device is open, and the display state detection unit 82 displays the display on the display unit 81. If it is determined that the display unit 81 has performed, the control unit 83 is notified that the display unit 81 will display (step S902).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S701 that the mobile phone device is not open, the process returns to step S701 to determine again whether the mobile phone device is open. If it is determined in step S901 that the display unit 81 is not displaying, the process returns to step S901, and the display unit 81 displays again to determine whether or not the power is high.

When receiving the notification from the open / close state detection unit 61 and the display state detection unit 82, the control unit 62 instructs the imaging unit 21 to acquire an image (step S703).

[0069] The subsequent procedure, that is, the operations in steps S301 to S308 are the same as those in the second embodiment shown in FIG.

[0070] When the display unit is not displaying, a screen prompting an input operation to the device is also displayed. Therefore, it is not intended! An operation to the device by another person may be performed. The security mode is judged to be extremely low, so do not change the security mode! /, In many cases . Therefore, when the display unit is not displaying, it is not necessary to perform personal authentication. Display Power Effective power saving can be realized by performing face recognition again when performing display, performing personal authentication, and changing the security mode.

[0071] It should be noted that in the mobile phone device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when the mobile phone device that is foldable is in the open state and the display unit is displaying how much power, Although the imaging unit has been described as acquiring images, the open / close state of the mobile phone device is not a condition, and the imaging unit acquires or does not acquire an image only depending on whether the display unit is displaying power or not You may make it discriminate | determine. With this configuration, even a non-foldable mobile phone device can achieve power saving.

[0072] Although the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. is there.

[0073] This application is based on a Japanese patent application filed on September 7, 2005 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-259296), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Industrial applicability

[0074] As described above, according to the portable processing device of the present invention, it is possible to omit an input operation for performing personal authentication while preventing an operation by an unintended user, and as a result, If it is possible to eliminate the user's consciousness by performing authentication, this is effective in a portable processing apparatus having a personal authentication function.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A portable processing device having a face image authentication function,

An imaging unit for constantly capturing images;

An authentication unit that performs image authentication of an image captured by the imaging unit and a face image registered in advance;

If the authentication unit determines that they match as a result of authentication, it controls to accept input operation to the portable processing device, and if it does not match, accepts input operation to the portable processing device. A control unit that controls to prohibit,

A portable processing device.

[2] The portable processing device according to claim 1,

A face region detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a region corresponding to a face image in the image captured by the imaging unit;

The authentication unit performs image authentication of the region corresponding to the face image and an image registered in advance when the face region detection unit detects.

A portable processing device.

[3] The portable processing device according to claim 1 or 2,

The portable processing device is composed of two housings,

A portable processing device, comprising: an open / closed state detection unit that detects an open state and a closed state of the two housings, wherein the imaging unit performs imaging during a period when the open state is detected by the open / close state detection unit.

[4] The portable processing device according to claim 1, wherein the displacement force is defined in item 1.

It has a display unit that displays various information,

The imaging unit performs imaging during the period displayed by the display unit.

Mobile processing device.