Device for secure use via image recognition

Abstract

This safe-use device (20) includes a light source (22), an optical sensor (24), and an optical system (26) configured to direct light emitted by the light source (22) toward a target (28), the optical system (26) further configured to direct light reflected by the target (28) toward the optical sensor (24). The device includes a module (30) for comparing an image of the target (28) formed on the optical sensor (24) with an image database stored in said comparison module (30). The safe-use device (20) further includes a module (32) for starting the safe-use device (20) configured to unlock said safe-use device (20) when the image of the target (28) formed on the optical sensor (24) is found in the database. (See Figure 3 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Device for secure use by image recognition Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to securing the use of equipment whose use must be restricted to authorized users.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to equipment requiring a certain qualification for use, such as scientific or military equipment.

[0003] Generally speaking, the invention applies to the authentication of a person authorized to use said equipment. Previous techniques

[0004] Some scientific or military equipment is complex to use or requires authorization to be handled. It is then advantageous to integrate a usage security function directly into this equipment, for example a password to be indicated, such as a numerical code. This type of function is all the more important when equipment of this type, for example a display device such as binoculars, is lost and must not be used by an unauthorized third party.

[0005] However, since the passwords currently used are too easily reproducible, it is advantageous to have a more robust security device that can be easily integrated into existing equipment.

[0006] [Fig. 1] schematically shows an image display device 2 according to the state of the art, for example integrated into binoculars, comprising a display screen 4 and an optical system 6 configured to direct light 8 emitted by the display screen 4 towards the eye 10 of a user, the latter thus being able to benefit from information displayed on the display screen 4.

[0007] In particular, the optical system 6 comprises a first prism 12 comprising a first surface 14 configured to transmit light from the display screen 4, a second surface 16 configured to reflect light transmitted by the first surface 14, and a third surface 18 capable of reflecting light reflected by the second surface 16 back to the second surface 16, the second surface 16 being adapted to transmit light reflected by the third surface 18 to the eye 10 of the user. Statement of the invention

[0008] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a device for secure use, preferably portable, the use of which can be restricted solely to authorized persons and presenting a visual target recognized by the device.

[0009] The present invention relates to a secure use device comprising a light source, an optical sensor, and an optical system configured to direct light emitted by the light source towards a target, the optical system being further configured to direct light reflected by the target towards the optical sensor, the device comprising a module for comparing an image of the target formed on the optical sensor with an image database recorded in said comparison module, the secure use device further comprising a module for starting the secure use device configured to unlock said secure use device when the image of the target formed on the optical sensor is included in the database.

[0010] Thus, recognition of the target makes it possible to secure the device and limit its use to a holder of the target.

[0011] Advantageously, the light source is a display screen.

[0012] Advantageously, the target comprises the iris of a user's eye, or an image.

[0013] In one embodiment, the device is a handheld device comprising an eyecup configured to accommodate an eye of a user, the optical system being configured to direct light emitted by the light source toward said eyecup.

[0014] Advantageously, the optical system comprises a first prism comprising a first surface configured to transmit light from the light source, a second surface configured to reflect light transmitted by the first surface, and a third surface configured to reflect light reflected by the second surface back to the second surface, the second surface being configured to transmit light reflected by the third surface to the target.

[0015] In one embodiment, the optical system comprises a second prism comprising a fourth, a fifth and a sixth surface, the second prism being joined to the third surface of the first prism by the fourth surface, the second surface of the first prism being configured to transmit light reflected by the target towards the third surface, the third surface of the first prism being configured to transmit light transmitted by the second surface through the fourth surface towards the fifth surface, the fifth surface being configured to reflect light transmitted by the fourth surface towards the sixth surface, the sixth surface being configured to transmit light reflected by the fifth surface towards the optical sensor.

[0016] In another embodiment, the optical system comprises a mirror, the second surface of the first prism being configured to transmit light reflected by the target towards the third surface, the third surface of the first prism being configured to transmit light transmitted by the second surface towards the mirror, said mirror being configured to reflect light transmitted by the third surface towards the optical sensor.

[0017] Advantageously, the device comprises at least two buttons, the start module of the secure use device being additionally configured to unlock said secure use device when the buttons are pressed according to a duration and / or an order of a predefined sequence.

[0018] Advantageously, the start-up module is additionally configured to unlock said secure use device when a movement made by the target is included in the database.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method for unlocking a device for secure use as defined above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0020] - Switching on the light source;

[0021] - Acquisition by the optical sensor of at least one image of the target;

[0022] - Comparison by the comparison module of at least one image of the target with the database;

[0023] - Unlocking the secure use device when at least one image of the target formed on the optical sensor is included in the database; and

[0024] - Starting the secure use device. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig.l] which has already been mentioned, is a schematic view of an image display device according to the state of the art;

[0027] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a device for secure use according to the invention in a first embodiment;

[0028] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of a device for secure use according to the invention in a second embodiment;

[0029] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of a secure use device according to the invention in a third embodiment; and

[0030] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of the steps of a method for unlocking a secure use device according to the invention. Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0031] [Fig.2] shows schematically a device for secure use 20.

[0032] The safety device 20 comprises a light source 22, a sensor optical system 24, and an optical system 26 configured to direct light emitted by the light source 22 towards a target 28, then to direct light reflected by the target 28 towards the optical sensor 24. Reflected light also means light that can be scattered by the target 28. Only the light reflected by the target has been shown for greater visibility.

[0033] The target 28 comprises, for example, the iris of a user's eye, or an image. The target 28 optionally comprises a sequence of images passed one after the other. An image is, for example, a two-dimensional bar code, such as a QR code. The iris or the image allows its owner to be identified quickly. In addition, this type of target 28 cannot be disclosed orally and makes the secure use device 20 more robust and secure. Finally, this makes it possible to provide access to a different number of functionalities depending on the user who is authenticated.

[0034] In one embodiment, the light source 22 is a display screen, which makes it possible both to display information to the user, and to serve as a light source 22 to illuminate the target 28. This dual use makes it possible in particular to reuse an existing display screen in order to implement the usage security function. The light source 22 is for example a light-emitting diode screen, for example an OLED screen. The light emitted by the light source 22 is for example white in color, particularly suitable for a shape recognition algorithm.

[0035] In one embodiment, the safety device 20 is a portable device, for example binoculars or a telescope. The safety device 20 may comprise an eyecup (not shown), for example of the eye cup type, in order to darken the environment of a user's eye and allow them to focus on the view in the binoculars. The eyecup is thus configured to accommodate an eye of a user, the optical system 26 being configured to direct light emitted by the light source 22 towards said eyecup.

[0036] The optical sensor 24 is for example a sensor in the visible range, for example an FPA (focal plane array) sensor, of the CMOS or CCD type.

[0037] The secure use device 20 further comprises a module 30 for comparing an image of the target 28 formed on the optical sensor 24 with an image database recorded in said comparison module 30. This comparison module 30 implements, for example, a shape recognition algorithm.

[0038] The database thus includes iris images or other types of images corresponding to the irises and / or images of authorized users.

[0039] The database is stored in a memory of the comparison module 30 of the secure use device 20. It can be updated by connection to a wireless network, or by wired connection, or by plugging a USB key into the secure use device 20, or even by a first authentication of a first authorized person, then authorizing access to a second person, for example by recording in the database the new irises of the second person.

[0040] The secure use device 20 further comprises a module 32 for starting the secure use device 20 configured to unlock said secure use device 20 when the image of the target 28 formed on the optical sensor 24 is included in the database. In particular, it is considered that the image of the target 28 is well included in the database when the shape of the target 28 is reproduced in the database, for example with a similarity rate greater than a predetermined rate, for example 90%.

[0041] In a particular embodiment, the optical system 26 comprises a first prism 12 comprising a first surface 14 configured to transmit light from the light source 22, a second surface 16 configured to reflect light transmitted by the first surface 14, and a third surface 18 configured to reflect light reflected by the second surface 16 back to the second surface 16, the second surface 16 being configured to transmit light reflected by the third surface 18 to the target 28.

[0042] The first prism 12 is for example a so-called freeform prism, in other words a prism which has no symmetry of revolution.

[0043] The first prism 12 is for example made of molded plastic, for example of cyclic olefin polymer.

[0044] In order to be able to both transmit and reflect light rays, the second surface 16 comprises a surface treatment, for example in the form of multilayers, configured to reflect light rays at approximately 50% and to transmit light rays at approximately 50%.

[0045] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the optical system 26 comprises a mirror 34, for example a free-form mirror, the second surface 16 of the first prism 12 being configured to transmit light reflected by the target 28 to the third surface 18, the third surface 18 of the first prism 12 being configured to transmit light transmitted by the second surface 16 towards the mirror 34, said mirror 34 being configured to reflect light transmitted by the third surface 18 towards the optical sensor 24, for example by focusing on the optical sensor 24.

[0046] Optionally, the optical system 26 comprises a lens 36 positioned directly in front of the optical sensor 24, namely between the mirror 34 and the optical sensor 24, so as to focus the light coming from the target 28 onto said optical sensor 24.

[0047] In another embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the optical system 26 comprises, instead of the mirror 34 of [Fig. 2], a second prism 38, for example a free-form prism, comprising a fourth, a fifth and a sixth surface 40, 42 and 44, the second prism 38 being attached to the third surface 18 of the first prism 12 by the fourth surface 40.

[0048] The second surface 16 of the first prism 12 is configured to transmit light reflected by the target 28 to the third surface 18, the third surface 18 of the first prism 12 being configured to transmit light transmitted by the second surface 16 through the fourth surface 40 to the fifth surface 42, the fifth surface 42 being configured to reflect light transmitted by the fourth surface 40 to the sixth surface 44, the sixth surface 44 being configured to transmit light reflected by the fifth surface 42 to the optical sensor 24, in particular by focusing the light on the optical sensor 24.

[0049] The second prism 38 is for example made of molded plastic, for example of cyclic olefin polymer.

[0050] In order to be able to both transmit and reflect light rays, the third surface 18 comprises a surface treatment, for example in the form of multilayers, configured to reflect between 60 and 95% of the light rays, for example 90%, and to transmit between 5% and 40% of the light rays, for example 10%. This distribution makes it possible to direct the majority of the light towards the target 28, for example an eye which must see the light source 22, for example a display screen. The remainder of the light allows the transmission of the light coming from the target 28 towards the optical sensor 24.

[0051] Optionally, the optical system 26 comprises a lens 46 positioned directly in front of the optical sensor 24, namely between the second prism 38 and the optical sensor 24, so as to focus the light coming from the target 28 onto said optical sensor 24, this embodiment being illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0052] In a particular embodiment, the secure use device 20 can partly integrate the same characteristics as the image display device 2 shown in [Fig.l].

[0053] In one embodiment, the secure use device 20 comprises at least two buttons, the start-up module 32 of the secure use device 20 being additionally configured to unlock said secure use device 20 when the buttons are pressed according to a duration and / or an order of a predefined sequence. Thus, the addition of security by recognition of an image of a target 28 in a database, as well as security by sequence of pressing buttons allows double security and thus improves the security of the secure use device 20.

[0054] In a particular embodiment, the boot module 32 is additionally configured to unlock said secure use device 20 when a movement made by the target 28 is included in the database. This makes it possible to improve the security of the use of the device 20. For example, in the case where the target 28 is the iris of an eye, if an unauthorized user presents a photograph of an eye of an authorized user, the secure use device 20 will not be unlocked because no movement of the eye will be detected.

[0055] For example, in the case where the target 28 is the iris of a user's eye, the light source 22 can then be a display screen and display a moving black dot on a white background. The boot module 32 then unlocks the secure use device 20 when the movements of the iris detected by the optical sensor 24 are indeed consistent with the movement of the black dot that the user's eye must follow. In a particular embodiment, the black dot starts from the center of the display screen and then moves to the four corners of the display screen.

[0056] In another example, in the case where the target 28 comprises an image, the boot module 32 then unlocks the secure use device 20 when movements of the image correspond to movements pre-recorded in the database.

[0057] [Fig. 5] schematically shows the steps of a method for unlocking the secure device 20 as described previously. The secure device 20 comprises a computer 48 configured to implement the unlocking method.

[0058] In a first step 50, the light source 22 is switched on. This step 50 makes it possible to illuminate the target 28 allowing the user to be authenticated, whether this target 28 is the iris of an eye or an image.

[0059] Next, a step 52 is carried out for acquiring at least one image of the target 28 by the optical sensor 24. Optionally, several images of the target are acquired in order to follow the movement of the target 28.

[0060] Then, a step 54 is carried out by the module 30 for comparing the at least one image of the target 28 acquired with the database.

[0061] A step 56 of unlocking the secure use device 20 is then carried out when the at least one image of the target 28 is included in the database. The image of the target 28 corresponds more precisely to the image of the target 28 formed on the optical sensor 24.

[0062] Finally, a step 58 is carried out to start the secure use device 20, for example with the functionalities corresponding to the user's authorization level.

[0063] In a particular embodiment, the secure use device 20 comprises a proximity sensor (not shown) configured to detect the presence of the target 28. When the proximity sensor detects the presence of the target 28, the computer 48 can implement the method described previously.

[0064] In a particular embodiment, the secure use device 20 is of the binocular type and comprises two light sources 22, two optical systems 26 and two optical sensors 24 in order to be able to study each iris of each eye of the user. This embodiment also makes it possible to increase the security of the device 20, a double check thus being able to be carried out for both eyes.

Claims

Claims

1. A secure use device (20) comprising a light source (22), an optical sensor (24), and an optical system (26) configured to direct light emitted by the light source (22) toward a target (28), the optical system (26) being further configured to direct light reflected by the target (28) toward the optical sensor (24), characterized in that it comprises a module (30) for comparing an image of the target (28) formed on the optical sensor (24) with an image database recorded in said comparison module (30), the secure use device (20) further comprising a module (32) for starting the secure use device (20) configured to unlock said secure use device (20) when the image of the target (28) formed on the optical sensor (24) is included in the database, the light source (22) being a display screen.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the target (28) comprises the iris of a user's eye, or an image.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, said device being a portable device comprising an eyepiece configured to accommodate an eye of a user, the optical system (26) being configured to direct light emitted by the light source (22) towards said eyepiece.

4. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical system (26) comprises a first prism (12) comprising a first surface (14) configured to transmit light from the light source (22), a second surface (16) configured to reflect light transmitted by the first surface (14), and a third surface (18) configured to reflect light reflected by the second surface (16) back to the second surface (16), the second surface (16) being configured to transmit light reflected by the third surface (18) to the target (28).

5. Device according to claim 4, in which the optical system (26) comprises a second prism (38) comprising a fourth, a fifth and a sixth surface (40; 42; 44), the second prism (38) being attached to the third surface (18) of the first prism (12) by the fourth surface (40), the second surface (16) of the first prism (12) being configured to transmit light reflected by the target (28) to the third surface (18), the third surface (18) of the first prism (12) being configured to transmit light transmitted by the second surface (16) through the fourth surface (40) to the fifth surface (42), the fifth surface (42) being configured to reflect light transmitted by the fourth surface (40) to the sixth surface (44), the sixth surface (44) being configured to transmit light reflected by the fifth surface (42) to the optical sensor (24).

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the optical system (26) comprises a mirror (34), the second surface (16) of the first prism (12) being configured to transmit light reflected by the target (28) to the third surface (18), the third surface (18) of the first prism (12) being configured to transmit light transmitted by the second surface (16) to the mirror (34), said mirror (34) being configured to reflect light transmitted by the third surface (18) to the optical sensor (24).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, said device (20) comprising at least two buttons, the module (32) for starting the secure use device (20) being additionally configured to unlock said secure use device (20) when the buttons are pressed according to a duration and / or an order of a predefined sequence.

8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the boot module (32) is additionally configured to unlock said secure use device (20) when a movement made by the target (28) is included in the database.

9. Method for unlocking a secure use device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Switching on (step 50) the light source (22); - Acquisition (step 52) by the optical sensor (24) of at least one image of the target (28); - Comparison (step 54) by the comparison module (30) of the at least one image of the target with the database s; Unlocking (step 56) of the secure use device (20) when the at least one image of the target (28) formed on the 1st optical sensor (24) is included in the database; and Start (step 58) of the safe use device (20).

Images