Authentication system

Abstract

An authentication system that assists in performing authentication with higher security. The authentication system has a first electrostatic capacitance type reading section (1) that reads an electrostatic capacitance that varies according to a distance from a user's finger, a second electrostatic capacitance type reading section (2) that reads an electrostatic capacitance that varies according to a distance from a user's finger, a third electrostatic capacitance type reading section (3) that reads an electrostatic capacitance that varies according to a distance from a user's finger, a fourth electrostatic capacitance type reading section (4) that reads an electrostatic capacitance that varies according to a distance from a user's finger, and an authentication section that performs authentication according to variations in the electrostatic capacitances read by the first electrostatic capacitance type reading section (1), the second electrostatic capacitance type reading section (2), the third electrostatic capacitance type reading section (3), and the fourth electrostatic capacitance type reading section (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to authentication systems. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a system for authentication by entering a password.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-87364

[0004] In the existing system described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the password can be easily learned by observing the key input actions from the surroundings. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure addresses the aforementioned issues. The purpose of this disclosure is to assist in more secure authentication.

[0006] The authentication system disclosed herein includes: a first capacitive reading unit that reads the capacitive capacitance that varies depending on the distance between itself and the user's finger; a second capacitive reading unit that reads the capacitive capacitance that varies depending on the distance between itself and the user's finger; a third capacitive reading unit that reads the capacitive capacitance that varies depending on the distance between itself and the user's finger; a fourth capacitive reading unit that reads the capacitive capacitance that varies depending on the distance between itself and the user's finger; and an authentication unit that performs authentication based on the changes in capacitive capacitance read by the first, second, third, and fourth capacitive reading units.

[0007] The authentication system disclosed herein can assist in conducting more secure authentication. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the authentication system according to Implementation Method 1.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the reading device according to Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the authentication system in Implementation 1.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating a modified example of the functional structure of the authentication system of Implementation 1.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the structure of the reading device according to Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 6This is a flowchart illustrating a variation of the operation of the authentication system according to Implementation Method 1.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a hardware structure diagram showing an example of the structure of the main parts of the authentication system in Implementation 1.

[0015] Label Explanation

[0016] 1: First electrostatic capacitive reading unit; 2: Second electrostatic capacitive reading unit; 3: Third electrostatic capacitive reading unit; 4: Fourth electrostatic capacitive reading unit; 5: Control unit; 6: Authentication unit; 7: Card reading unit; 8: Calculation unit; 9: Number assignment unit; 10: Reading device; 11: Display unit; 110a: Processor; 110b: Memory; 200: Dedicated hardware. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical or equivalent parts are labeled with the same reference numerals. In this disclosure, repeated descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and variations thereof shown below. Any structural elements described in the following embodiments and variations can be freely combined, modified, or omitted without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0018] Implementation Method 1

[0019] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the authentication system according to Embodiment 1. The authentication system of this embodiment can be used, for example, in building access control devices. Figure 1 As shown, the authentication system of this embodiment has a reading device 10 as an example. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the reading device 10 according to Embodiment 1.

[0020] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the reading device 10 includes a first electrostatic capacitive reading unit 1, a second electrostatic capacitive reading unit 2, a third electrostatic capacitive reading unit 3, and a fourth electrostatic capacitive reading unit 4. The first electrostatic capacitive reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitive reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitive reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitive reading unit 4 read the electrostatic capacitance that varies depending on the distance between the reading unit and the user's finger. Figure 2 As shown, as an example, the first electrostatic capacitive reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitive reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitive reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitive reading unit 4 are arranged in two columns and two rows.

[0021] The value of the electrostatic capacitance read by the first electrostatic capacitive reader 1 varies according to the straight-line distance from the first electrostatic capacitive reader 1 to the finger. That is, the first electrostatic capacitive reader 1 can indirectly detect the straight-line distance from the first electrostatic capacitive reader 1 to the finger. Similarly, the second electrostatic capacitive reader 2, the third electrostatic capacitive reader 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitive reader 4 can indirectly detect the straight-line distance to the finger.

[0022] The finger raised relative to the first electrostatic capacitive reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitive reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitive reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitive reading unit 4, as... Figure 2 When moved as shown, the electrostatic capacitance changes read by the first electrostatic capacitance reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitance reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitance reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitance reading unit 4. The authentication system of this embodiment performs authentication based on these changes in electrostatic capacitance. As an example, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the authentication system includes an authentication unit 6. The authentication unit 6 performs authentication based on changes in electrostatic capacitance read by the first electrostatic capacitance reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitance reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitance reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitance reading unit 4. For example, the authentication unit 6 has the function of unlocking or locking the electronic lock based on the authentication result.

[0023] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the authentication unit 6 is located outside the reading device 10. Figure 1 In the example shown, the reading device 10 and the authentication unit 6 are configured to communicate with each other. The authentication unit 6 can be installed on a network, for example, on a cloud server. Alternatively, the authentication unit 6 can also be installed on the reading device 10, which is equipped with a first electrostatic capacitive reading unit 1, a second electrostatic capacitive reading unit 2, a third electrostatic capacitive reading unit 3, and a fourth electrostatic capacitive reading unit 4.

[0024] In this embodiment, authentication can be performed using the movement of the user's finger relative to the first electrostatic capacitive reader 1, the second electrostatic capacitive reader 2, the third electrostatic capacitive reader 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitive reader 4, instead of conventional key input. Therefore, for example, countermeasures can be implemented to address the risk of password leakage due to peeping key input. According to this embodiment, more secure authentication can be achieved.

[0025] Furthermore, by using the electrostatic capacitive reading device 10, users can perform contactless authentication. This helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Additionally, it eliminates the limitations of the physical durability of the keys used for entering numbers.

[0026] As an authentication method based on changes in electrostatic capacitance, i.e., authentication based on the user's finger movement, any method can be used. For example, when the finger is moved from top to bottom or from right to left, the electrostatic capacitance values ​​read by the first electrostatic capacitance reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitance reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitance reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitance reading unit 4 change in a time sequence. Therefore, information on the time sequence change pattern of the electrostatic capacitance values ​​can be pre-stored, and authentication can be performed by comparing the stored change pattern with the change pattern of the electrostatic capacitance values ​​actually read by the first electrostatic capacitance reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitance reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitance reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitance reading unit 4.

[0027] As an example, the reading device 10 may also include a control unit 5 that identifies a time-series change pattern of the electrostatic capacitance values ​​read by the first capacitive reading unit 1, the second capacitive reading unit 2, the third capacitive reading unit 3, and the fourth capacitive reading unit 4. The authentication unit 6 may also perform authentication based on the change pattern identified by the control unit 5. For example, the authentication unit 6 compares the change pattern identified by the control unit 5 with a pre-stored change pattern to perform authentication. Thus, in this embodiment, the user can perform gesture authentication by moving their finger.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the authentication system according to Embodiment 1. First, the electrostatic capacitance of the system is read by the first electrostatic capacitance reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitance reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitance reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitance reading unit 4, corresponding to a straight-line distance to the user's finger (step S101). Then, the control unit 5 identifies a time-series change pattern of the read electrostatic capacitance values ​​(step S101).

[0029] S102).

[0030] The authentication unit 6 compares the changed pattern identified by the control unit 5 in step S102 (step S102).

[0031] S103). If the comparison result shows that the changed pattern matches the pre-stored registered pattern, the authentication is set to OK (step S104); if they do not match, the authentication is set to NG (step S105), and authentication processing is performed.

[0032] also, Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating a modified example of the functional structure of the authentication system of Implementation 1. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the structure of the reading device 10 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of the operation of the authentication system according to Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, referring to... Figures 4-6 Specific variations of the authentication system of this embodiment will be described.

[0033] As described above, the electrostatic capacitance read by the first electrostatic capacitive reader 1, the second electrostatic capacitive reader 2, the third electrostatic capacitive reader 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitive reader 4 changes according to the movement of the user's finger. The electrostatic capacitance read by the first electrostatic capacitive reader 1, the second electrostatic capacitive reader 2, the third electrostatic capacitive reader 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitive reader 4 changes according to the positional relationship between each electrostatic capacitive reader and the finger. Therefore, the position of the finger relative to each electrostatic capacitive reader can also be assigned, similar to the numbering in a numeric keypad.

[0034] For example, numbers can be assigned based on the position of the finger relative to each electrostatic capacitive reader unit, such as assigning number 1 to the case where the finger is only close to the first electrostatic capacitive reader unit 1, number 2 to the case where the finger is only close to the second electrostatic capacitive reader unit 2, number 3 to the case where the finger is only close to the third electrostatic capacitive reader unit 3, number 4 to the case where the finger is only close to the fourth electrostatic capacitive reader unit 4, number 5 to the case where the finger is close to both the first and second electrostatic capacitive reader units 1 and 2, and number 6 to the case where the finger is close to both the third and fourth electrostatic capacitive reader units 3 and 4.

[0035] The position of the finger relative to each capacitive reading unit corresponds to the electrostatic capacitance read by each capacitive reading unit. Therefore, the authentication system of this embodiment can also be configured to have an assignment unit that assigns a number to the electrostatic capacitance read by the first capacitive reading unit 1, the second capacitive reading unit 2, the third capacitive reading unit 3, and the fourth capacitive reading unit 4. The number assignment unit assigns a number to the values ​​of the electrostatic capacitance read multiple times consecutively by the first capacitive reading unit 1, the second capacitive reading unit 2, the third capacitive reading unit 3, and the fourth capacitive reading unit 4. The authentication unit 6 performs authentication based on the combination of numbers assigned by the number assignment unit. According to this modification, authentication based on multi-digit number input can be implemented substantially in the same way as key input. In this case, the number keys cannot be seen from the surroundings, thus ensuring security.

[0036] like Figure 4As shown, as an example of the assignment unit, the reading device 10 may also have an arithmetic unit 8 and a number assignment unit 9. The arithmetic unit 8 converts the electrostatic capacitance values ​​read by the first electrostatic capacitance reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitance reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitance reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitance reading unit 4 into predetermined numerical values. The number assignment unit 9 assigns a number to the numerical value obtained by the arithmetic unit 8. By continuously performing the reading action of the finger by the first electrostatic capacitance reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitance reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitance reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitance reading unit 4, numbers are continuously assigned, enabling the use of a multi-digit password. The authentication unit 6 performs authentication based on the combination of numbers continuously assigned by the number assignment unit 9.

[0037] In this modified example, the reading device 10 may also include a display unit 11, which displays to the user the result of the number assignment by the assignment unit. This allows the user to perform the authentication operation more accurately and without errors. Alternatively, the display unit 11 may not directly display the number, but rather, for example... Figure 5 As shown, the number is displayed indirectly using LED lights or similar components. In this case, a high level of security can be maintained against prying from the surrounding area.

[0038] Furthermore, the reading device 10 may also include a card reading unit 7, which reads contactless IC cards. For example, by performing a process to determine authentication validity based on the reading result of the card reading unit 7, security can be improved. Additionally, the password can be changed based on the reading result of the card reading unit 7, i.e., the finger movement required for authentication can be changed.

[0039] Reference Figure 6 The operation of this modified example will be explained. First, the contactless IC card is read by the card reader 7 (step S201). If the reading result is an unregistered IC card, subsequent processing can be suspended and the authentication can be set to NG. Alternatively, the reference data used in subsequent processing can be changed based on the reading result.

[0040] Next, the electrostatic capacitance corresponding to the straight-line distance to the user's finger is read by the first electrostatic capacitance reading unit 1, the second electrostatic capacitance reading unit 2, the third electrostatic capacitance reading unit 3, and the fourth electrostatic capacitance reading unit 4 (step S202). Then, the value of the read electrostatic capacitance is numerically converted by the arithmetic unit 8 (step S203). Then, the conversion from the value obtained by the arithmetic unit 8 to a number is performed by the number assignment unit 9 (step S204). When assigning a number to the finger movement, the assigned number information is displayed by the display unit 11, and the number is confirmed (step S205). The display unit 11 is controlled by the control unit 5, for example. Steps S202 to S205 are repeated multiple times.

[0041] After the processing in steps S202 to S205 is repeated a predetermined number of times, the authentication unit 6 compares the assigned combination of numbers (step S206). At this time, for example, information read by the card reader 7 can also be used for comparison. If the comparison result shows that the combination of numbers matches the pre-stored registration data, authentication is set to OK (step S207); if they do not match, authentication is set to NG (step S208), and authentication processing continues. The authentication result can also be displayed on the display unit 11 at this time.

[0042] also, Figure 7 This is a hardware structure diagram illustrating a structural example of the main components of the authentication system according to Embodiment 1. The functions of the reading device 10 and the authentication unit 6, which are the main components of the authentication system, can be implemented by a processing circuit. The processing circuit has at least one processor 110a and at least one memory 110b. The processing circuit may also have at least one dedicated hardware 200, either together with or in place of the processor 110a and the memory 110b. The processing circuit is, for example, mounted on a device or apparatus constituting the authentication system.

[0043] When the processing circuit has a processor 110a and a memory 110b, the functions of the reading device 10 and the authentication unit 6 are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is described as a program. This program is stored in the memory 110b. The processor 110a reads and executes the program stored in the memory 110b, thereby implementing the functions of the authentication system. The program that implements the functions of the authentication system may also be a software package containing multiple software programs applied to multiple computers, etc.

[0044] The processor 110a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic device, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 110b is composed of non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM.

[0045] When the processing circuit has dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit is implemented, for example, by a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmable processor, a parallel programmable processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0046] Each function of the authentication system can be implemented separately by processing circuitry. Alternatively, each function of the authentication system can be implemented uniformly by processing circuitry. Regarding the functions of the authentication system, some can be implemented by dedicated hardware 200, and others by software or firmware. Thus, the processing circuitry implements the functions of the authentication system through dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Claims

1. An authentication system, the authentication system having: The first electrostatic capacitive reading unit reads the electrostatic capacitance that varies depending on the distance between the reading unit and the user's finger. The second electrostatic capacitive reading unit reads the electrostatic capacitance that varies depending on the distance between the reading unit and the user's finger. The third electrostatic capacitive reading unit reads the electrostatic capacitance that varies depending on the distance between the reading unit and the user's finger. The fourth electrostatic capacitive reading unit reads the electrostatic capacitance that varies depending on the distance between the reading unit and the user's finger. as well as The authentication unit performs authentication based on changes in electrostatic capacitance read by the first electrostatic capacitance reading unit, the second electrostatic capacitance reading unit, the third electrostatic capacitance reading unit, and the fourth electrostatic capacitance reading unit.

2. The authentication system according to claim 1, wherein, The authentication system includes an assignment unit that assigns numbers to the electrostatic capacitance values ​​read by the first, second, third, and fourth electrostatic capacitance reading units. The assigning unit assigns numbers to the electrostatic capacitance values ​​read multiple times consecutively by the first electrostatic capacitance reading unit, the second electrostatic capacitance reading unit, the third electrostatic capacitance reading unit, and the fourth electrostatic capacitance reading unit. The authentication department performs authentication based on the combination of numbers assigned by the assigning unit.

3. The authentication system according to claim 2, wherein, The authentication system has a card reader that reads contactless IC cards. The authentication unit performs authentication based on the reading result from the card reader.

4. The authentication system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The authentication system has a display unit that shows the user the result of the assignment of the number by the assignment unit.

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