JPH0522791B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is applicable to locking doors of automobiles, etc.
The present invention relates to an electronic key device that performs unlocking by remote control, and more particularly relates to an electronic key device that allows key changes to be performed using a fingerprint.

(Prior Art) Generally, doors in automobiles and the like are locked and unlocked by inserting a key carried by the driver into a keyhole and mechanically rotating the key. However, according to this method, it is necessary to insert the key into the keyhole each time, which is troublesome, and there are also inconveniences such as difficulty in handling the key in a dark place.

Therefore, an electronic key device has been proposed that allows doors to be locked and unlocked by remote control. This device transmits predetermined key code data from a portable transmitter (remote control key) to the receiver side, and the receiver side receives the transmitted key code data and confirms that it matches its own key code. In this case, the device is configured to actuate a drive for locking or unlocking the door.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) Conventionally, in an electronic key device having such a configuration, if someone knows the key code transmitted from the transmitter, he or she can operate the key without the owner's permission. There was a possibility that this could happen, and there was a theft prevention problem.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to realize an electronic key device with extremely high anti-theft properties by using a fingerprint to change the key.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems includes a fingerprint analysis means for extracting feature points of a fingerprint and outputting key code data according to a combination of the feature points, and A transmitter comprising a transmitting means for transmitting key code data from the analysis means, a fingerprint registration means for outputting key code data according to the matching of minutiae points of fingerprints registered in advance, and a key sent from the transmitter. The present invention is characterized by comprising a receiver that transmits code data and locks or unlocks the door when the key code data matches the key code data from the fingerprint registration means. .

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail using the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a structural block diagram showing an example of a device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of application of the present invention, in which the device is used in an automobile.

In these figures, 1 is a transmitter (remote control key) and 2 is a receiver. The receiver 2 is installed near the outer handle 5 of the driver's door 4 of the automobile 3, as shown in FIG.

In the transmitter 1, 6 is a microcomputer, and 7 detects the minutiae of a fingerprint placed on the fingerprint detection window 70, and provides the microcomputer 6 with key code data created by a combination of the minutiae points of the fingerprint. In the fingerprint analysis means, 8 is a transmission amplifier controlled by the microcomputer 6, and 9 is a light emitting element driven by the transmission amplifier 8 and emits, for example, an optical signal carrying a data signal.

In the receiver 2, 10 is a light receiving element that receives the optical signal transmitted from the transmitter 1, 11 is a receiving amplifier that amplifies the signal from this light receiving element, 12 is a microcomputer that inputs the signal from the receiving amplifier 11, 13 is a fingerprint registration means for providing key code data corresponding to the minutiae of the fingerprint registered in advance in the microcomputer 12; 14 is a power relay unit into which control signals from the microcomputer 12 are input; 15 and 16 are the power relay units 14. The lock actuator and unlock actuator are driven by signals from the
These lock and unlock the door 4.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of essential parts showing an example of the fingerprint analysis means 6 in FIG. 1. In the figure, 70 is a fingerprint detection window made of, for example, transparent glass, 71 is a light source that irradiates the fingerprint detection window, and 72 is a light source that reflects the difference in reflectance due to the fingerprint of a finger placed on the fingerprint detection window 70. For example, a CCD or BBD is used as an image sensor that receives light from the fingerprint pattern generated.
Reference numeral 73 denotes a fingerprint pattern analysis means that inputs the signal from the image sensor 72. For example, a microcomputer is used to extract characteristic points such as the size, outline, presence or absence of vortices, number of stripes, and flow direction of the stripes of the fingerprint. , a key code is created by a combination of these feature points, and this key code data is sent to the microcomputer 6.

The operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be explained as follows. First, the owner of the electronic key device registers his or her thumb or index finger fingerprint in the fingerprint registration means 13 on the receiver 2 side. In this registration procedure, in the receiver 2, the microcomputer 12 is set to the registration mode by means such as a switch (not shown), and in this state, the owner enters the finger whose fingerprint is to be registered on the transmitter 1 side. Placed on the fingerprint detection window 70, the fingerprint pattern analysis means 74
This is done by transmitting the key code data created by the above to the receiver 2 side. In this registration mode, the receiver 2 registers the transmitted key code data on the fingerprint registration means 13 side. After completing such a registration means, the receiver 2 cancels the registration mode and enters the normal reception mode. In this reception mode, the microcomputer 12 of the receiver 2 determines whether the key code data transmitted from the transmitter 1 side matches the key code data registered in advance in the registration mode, and if they match,
Lock or unlock actuator 15 or 1
Drive 6.

In the above explanation, it was assumed that a finger is placed on the fingerprint detection window 70 on the transmitter 1 side, the characteristics of the fingerprint are detected each time, and key code data is transmitted. A fingerprint pattern formed by pressing a fingerprint in advance may be placed on the window 70. Further, on the receiver 2 side, the fingerprint registration means 1
3, it was explained that in the registration mode, key code data corresponding to the fingerprint pattern sent from the transmitter 1 side is stored, but a fingerprint pattern analysis means is also provided on the receiver 2 side, and the results analyzed here are The key code data based on the above may be stored in the fingerprint registration means 13.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the present invention is configured to analyze the unique fingerprint of each person and create key code data based on the combination of minutiae of the fingerprint. According to the present invention, an electronic key device with extremely high anti-theft properties can be realized.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an application example of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a main part configuration diagram showing an example of a fingerprint analysis means. 1... Transmitter, 2... Receiver, 6, 12... Microcomputer, 7... Fingerprint analysis means, 8...
...Transmission amplifier, 11...Reception amplifier, 13...Fingerprint registration means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transmitter consisting of a fingerprint analysis means for extracting the minutiae of a fingerprint and outputting key code data according to the combination of the minutiae points, and a transmission means for transmitting the key code data from the fingerprint analysis means, registered in advance. a fingerprint registration means for outputting key code data corresponding to a combination of feature points of the fingerprint; and a fingerprint registration means for receiving key code data sent from the transmitter, and the key code data being combined with the key code data from the fingerprint registration means. An electronic key device comprising a receiver that locks or unlocks a door when a match is made.