Authentication system and electronic pen

Abstract

To provide an authentication system capable of comparatively easily performing authentication by an electronic pen.SOLUTION: The authentication system comprises an electronic pen and an electronic apparatus. The electronic pen includes: a battery; a pickup section including, at a rear end side opposite a tip side for inputting position indication of a cylindrical casing, a pickup circuit portion that picks up color or image information of an arbitrary portion, and a transmission portion that transmits the color or image information to the electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus compares the color or image information received from the electronic pen with stored color or image authentication reference information to determine whether or not an authentication target can be authenticated. The pickup section includes detection means for detecting operations to start and end pickup by a user and a controller. The controller controls the supply of power source voltage from the battery to the pickup circuit portion, and the transmission portion on the basis of a detection state in the detection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an authentication system using an electronic pen. It also relates to an electronic pen used in this authentication system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the miniaturization and thinning of portable devices such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) and smartphones, a position detection sensor such as a touch panel is superimposed on the display screen, enabling operation input through the display screen. And an electronic pen has come to be used as a means of operation input through the display screen.

[0003] By the way, various application programs are installed in PCs and smartphones, and various data files and data folders are often stored. And among those various application programs, data files, and data folders, there are those that the user wants to secure (protect) and exclude unauthorized access by others.

[0004] Therefore, as something that satisfies that requirement, conventionally, various authentication methods and authentication systems for securing the security of those that want to secure security have been provided, with the target of authentication being those that want to secure security.

[0005] A commonly used authentication method is a method in which a password using numbers, letters, symbols, etc. is set and registered in advance, and the validity of authentication is determined by comparing the set and registered password with the password input at the time of authentication.

[0006] However, PIN codes consisting of combinations of numbers, letters, and symbols have the problem that they can be relatively easy for others to decipher if they have a small number of digits. Therefore, security is improved by using a larger number of digits and mixing numbers, letters, and symbols. However, a large number of digits in a PIN code makes the input process cumbersome, and there is also the problem that users may forget their PIN code.

[0007] One way to resolve this problem is to use authentication systems that utilize biometric information such as fingerprints, irises, and veins as authentication information (see Patent Document 1 (JP 2004-156265 A) and Patent Document 2 (JP 2010-250475 A), etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-156265 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-250475 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] However, while using biometric information such as fingerprints, irises, and veins as authentication information has the advantage of simplifying user operation and eliminating the need to remember multi-digit PINs, it requires special devices to acquire this biometric information, which can lead to a large-scale authentication system, a heavy information processing load, and high costs.

[0010] Furthermore, since only those who have registered their biometric information as authentication data can disable the security, PCs and mobile devices cannot be used by anyone other than those who have registered their biometric information, which can actually be inconvenient.

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide an authentication system that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To solve the above problems, An authentication system comprising an electronic pen and an electronic device that receives signals from the electronic pen and performs authentication on the subject of authentication, The aforementioned electronic pen is It is equipped with a battery, The device comprises a pickup unit provided on the rear end of a cylindrical housing, opposite in the axial direction to the front end which interacts with a position detection sensor to input position indications, and which includes a pickup circuit unit that picks up the color or image of an arbitrary part to obtain color information or image information, and a transmission unit that transmits the color information or image information obtained by the pickup circuit unit to the electronic device. The aforementioned electronic device is A storage unit for authentication reference information that stores color authentication reference information or image authentication reference information, An authentication feasibility determination unit that determines whether or not authentication is possible for the authentication target by comparing the color information or image information received from the electronic pen with the color authentication reference information or image authentication reference information stored in the authentication reference information storage unit, In an authentication system equipped with, The aforementioned pickup unit is Detection means for detecting when the user has performed an action to start the pickup and an action to end the pickup, In order to monitor the detection status in the detection means, the battery before the operation of the pickup is started -ka A control unit that enters a standby state upon receiving voltages, Equipped with, When the control unit detects that the detection means has performed an operation to start the pickup, it supplies power voltage from the battery to the pickup circuit and the transmission unit, and the pickup circuit performs the pickup Pu The system controls the transmission unit to transmit the color information or image information picked up by the pickup circuit unit to the electronic device, and when the detection means detects that an operation to terminate the pickup has been performed, it controls the system to stop supplying power voltage from the battery to the pickup circuit unit and the transmission unit. The present invention provides an authentication system characterized by the following features.

[0013] In the authentication system with the above configuration, when the detection means detects that an operation to initiate pickup by the pickup unit at the rear end of the electronic pen has been performed, the control unit supplies power voltage from the battery to the pickup circuit unit and the transmitter unit, and color information or image information is picked up by the pickup circuit unit and transmitted from the transmitter unit to the electronic device. When the detection means detects that an operation to terminate pickup by the pickup unit has been performed, the supply of power voltage from the battery to the pickup circuit unit and the transmitter unit is stopped, and the pickup operation and transmission operation of color information or image information to the electronic device are stopped.

[0014] In electronic devices, color information or image information transmitted from an electronic pen is received, and the received color information or image information is compared with the color authentication reference information or image authentication reference information stored in the authentication reference information storage unit to determine whether or not authentication is possible for the object to be authenticated.

[0015] As described above, according to the authentication system with the above-described configuration, in the electronic device, the signature authentication process is performed using the information on the color or image of an arbitrary part picked up by the pickup part provided on the rear end side of the electronic pen. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of signature authentication and ensure higher security. Further, the authentication information can be the information on the color or image of an arbitrary part, which is very convenient. And in the electronic pen, when performing the operation of picking up the color or image and transmitting it to the electronic device, the power supply voltage from the battery power supply is controlled to be supplied to the pickup circuit part and the transmission part only, so that the consumption of the battery can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining an outline of a configuration example of an embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic pen main body part of the electronic pen constituting the first embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of the pickup part constituting the first embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining a part of the pickup part in the example of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic device constituting the first embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the pickup part of the electronic pen in the first embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the stored content of the authentication reference information storage part in the first embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the electronic device in the first embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 9]This figure shows a portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electronic device in a first embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows a portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electronic device in a first embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 11] This block diagram shows an example of the configuration of the electronic pen body of an electronic pen that constitutes a second embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 12] This figure shows a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the pickup unit of the electronic pen in a second embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 13] This figure illustrates the contents of the authentication reference information storage unit in a second embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 14] This figure shows a portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electronic device in a second embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 15] This figure shows a portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electronic device in a second embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 16] This figure shows a portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electronic device in a second embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 17] This figure shows a portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electronic device in a second embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 18] This block diagram shows an example of the configuration of the electronic pen body of an electronic pen that constitutes a third embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 19] This figure shows a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the pickup unit of the electronic pen in a third embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 20] This figure shows a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic pen body in a third embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 21] This figure shows a portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electronic device in a fourth embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 22] This figure shows a portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electronic device in a fourth embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 23] This figure shows a portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electronic device in a fourth embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 24] This figure shows a portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an electronic device in a fourth embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 25] This figure is used to illustrate an example of the operation of an electronic device in a fourth embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Figure 26] This figure illustrates the contents of the authentication reference information storage unit in the fourth embodiment of the authentication system according to this invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the authentication system and electronic pen according to this invention will be described with reference to the figures.

[0018] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 shows an overview of an embodiment of the authentication system according to the present invention. The authentication system of this embodiment consists of an electronic pen 1 and an electronic device 2. The electronic pen 1 of this embodiment is configured by connecting an electronic pen body 10 and a pickup unit 11.

[0019] In this example, the electronic pen body 10 is configured in a so-called active electrostatic manner, comprising a power supply voltage generation unit that supplies a position detection signal to the sensor unit of the electronic device 2 via electrostatic coupling. As will be described later, in this example, the power supply voltage generation unit is composed of a battery that can be charged by an electromagnetic induction method or the like. Of course, the battery may also be a primary battery. Furthermore, the electronic pen body 10 is not limited to an active electrostatic configuration; it may also be a passive capacitive system or an electromagnetic induction system.

[0020] The pickup unit 11 is configured to be detachable from the electronic pen body 10 as a separate unit (adapter). In this example, the pickup unit 11 is connected to the rear end 10b of the electronic pen body 10 in the axial direction opposite to the pen tip 10a side via USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0021] In other words, in this example, as shown in Figure 1, a USB connector jack 106 is provided at the rear end 10b of the electronic pen body 10, while a USB connector plug 111 is provided on the pickup unit 11. The USB connector plug 111 of the pickup unit 11 is then plugged into the USB connector jack 106 of the electronic pen body 10, thereby physically and electrically connecting the electronic pen body 10 and the pickup unit 11.

[0022] In this embodiment, the pickup unit 11 does not have a battery and receives power voltage from the battery of the electronic pen body unit 10 via the USB connection. The pickup unit 11 has the function of picking up color information as authentication information in this example and transmitting it to the electronic device 2. That is, when the rear end of the pickup unit 11 is pressed against a portion of the predetermined plane that exhibits any color, with the axial direction of the electronic pen body unit 10 perpendicular to the predetermined plane, the pickup unit 11 is configured to pick up the color of the portion of the plane being pressed against, as will be described later, and transmit the picked-up color information to the electronic device 2.

[0023] In this example, the electronic device 2 consists of a thin and compact pad-type personal computer, as shown in Figure 1. The electronic device 2 is equipped with various application programs and has the function of performing various information processing tasks. In this example, it is also equipped with a position detection sensor that interacts with the electronic pen 1, and is configured to allow the electronic pen 1 to be used as an input device. Furthermore, the electronic device 2 has the function of protecting the security of authentication targets such as application programs and data files by using the color information sent from the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 as authentication information.

[0024] <Example of configuration of the electronic pen body unit 10> Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the electronic pen body 10 of this embodiment. The electronic pen body 10 comprises a battery BT as an example of a power supply voltage generation unit, a signal generation circuit 102, a control unit 103 composed of an IC (Integrated Circuit), and a pen pressure detection unit 104, all located within the hollow portion of a cylindrical housing 101. A conductor core 105 is arranged such that the tip of the pen tip 10a protrudes from an opening 101a on the pen tip side of the housing 101 in the axial direction, and the end of the core 105 opposite to the tip is connected to the pen pressure detection unit 104, and the electronic pen body 10 is located within the housing 101.

[0025] Furthermore, in this example, a USB connector jack 106 is provided in the opening 101b at the rear end 10b of the housing 101, which is axially opposite to the pen tip portion 10a. The USB connector jack 106 is connected to the control unit 103 via the USB interface 107. The power supply voltage from the battery BT is supplied to the pickup unit 11 connected to the USB connector jack 106 via the USB interface 107 and the USB connector jack 106.

[0026] In the electronic pen body 10 of this embodiment, the signal generation circuit 102 supplies a position detection signal to the lead 105 according to the control of the control unit 103. The lead 105 of the electronic pen body 10 and the position detection sensor of the electronic device 2 are capacitively coupled, so that the signal from the lead 105 of the electronic pen body 10 is received by the position detection of the electronic device 2.

[0027] In other words, when the position is indicated by the core 105 of the electronic pen 1 on the position detection sensor of the electronic device 2, the position detection signal sent from the core 105 is received by the position detection sensor of the electronic device 2 through interaction via capacitive coupling between the core 105 of the electronic pen body 10 and the position detection sensor of the electronic device 2, and the position indicated by the core 105 of the electronic pen body 10 (position coordinates on the position detection sensor) is detected by the electronic device 2 as described later.

[0028] In this example, the control unit 103 also generates pressure information corresponding to the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit 104 and supplies it to the signal generation circuit 102. The signal generation circuit 102 is configured to supply the pressure information to the pencil body 105 and the electronic device 2 using a position detection signal and, for example, a time-division multiplexing method, a frequency-division multiplexing method, or other signal multiplexing method. The signal generation circuit 102 may also be configured to send the position detection signal as a burst signal and to send the pressure information as digital information, modulated into an OOK (On-Off Keying) signal or an ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) signal.

[0029] <Example configuration of pickup unit 11> Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the pickup unit 11 in this embodiment. Figure 3 shows the rear end side of the pickup unit 11 facing downwards. Figure 3(A) shows the case when the rear end of the pickup unit 11 is not closed and is in a free state, and Figure 3(B) shows the case when the rear end of the pickup unit 11 is pressed against an arbitrary flat surface FL and the opening at the rear end of the pickup unit 11 is closed.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3(A) and (B), the pickup unit 11 is equipped with a USB connector plug 111 in this example at the opening 112a on the side of the cylindrical housing 112 that connects to the electronic pen body 10. A lens 113 is disposed at the opening 112b at the rear end opposite to the side that connects to the electronic pen body 10 in the axial direction within the hollow part of the housing 112 of the pickup unit 11. Inside this lens 113 is a color detection component which also includes this lens 113 as a component. Furthermore, within the hollow part of the housing 112 of the pickup unit 11 are a USB interface 115, a control unit 116, a power supply circuit 117, a wireless communication unit 118, and a memory 119, all of which are disposed on a printed circuit board 114.

[0031] In this example, the wireless communication unit 118 is composed of a wireless communication unit using a short-range wireless communication method, such as the Bluetooth® standard. The wireless communication unit 118 is not limited to such radio wave wireless communication means, but can also use optical communication means such as infrared rays.

[0032] When the electronic pen body 10 and the pickup unit 11 are connected via USB, the USB interface 115 supplies power voltage from the battery BT of the electronic pen body 10 to the power supply circuit 117. The power supply circuit 117 generates power voltage for each part of the pickup unit 11 and supplies power voltage to the control unit 116, wireless communication unit 118, and memory 119, as well as to the light-emitting element 121, light-receiving unit 122, color detection circuit 123, and pressure detection switch 124 that constitute the color detection component.

[0033] The control unit 116 stores the color information picked up and generated by the color detection component in the memory 119, as described later, and controls its transmission to the electronic device 2 via the wireless communication unit 118. The control unit 116 also has a function to control the operation of the color pickup by the color detection component.

[0034] In this example, the color detection component comprises a lens 113, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) as an example of a light-emitting element 121, a light-receiving unit 122, a color detection circuit 123, a pressure detection switch 124, and a holder unit 125.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3(A) and (B), the light receiving unit 122 and the color detection circuit 123 are unitized and housed in a case 126, and the case 126 is positioned behind the lens 113 so as to be movable together with the lens 113. In this case, the case 126 is positioned behind the lens 113 so that the light receiving unit 122 can receive the light focused by the lens 113.

[0036] In this example, the light-receiving unit 122, as shown in Figure 4, consists of optical filters Fr, Fg, and Fb that transmit only red, green, and blue light, respectively, and phototransistors PTr, PTg, and PTb that receive the red, green, and blue light that has been transmitted through the optical filters Fr, Fg, and Fb, respectively. The light-receiving output signals from the phototransistors PTr, PTg, and PTb are then supplied to the color detection circuit 123.

[0037] The color detection circuit 123 generates color information from the light-receiving output signals corresponding to the respective light-receiving levels of red, green, and blue light from the phototransistors PTr, PTg, and PTb of the light-receiving unit 122. For example, the color detection circuit 123 converts the light-receiving output signals of red, green, and blue light into multiple bits corresponding to the respective signal levels, for example, 8-bit digital signals Dr, Dg, and Db. In addition, brightness information (luminance information) indicating brightness is also generated from the light-receiving output signals, for example as an 8-bit digital signal Y, and together with the digital signals Dr, Dg, and Db, it is configured as color information. In this embodiment, the color detection circuit 123 generates color information in the L*a*b* color system obtained by mathematical conversion from the digital signals Dr, Dg, Db and Y.

[0038] Furthermore, the color information generated by the color detection circuit 123 is not limited to the L*a*b* color system; it may also be the RGB color system using the three primary colors of red, green, and blue light, or the L*u*v* color system or other color systems.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the holder portion 125 is positioned at the rear end of the hollow portion of the housing 112 of the pickup portion 11 in a manner that prevents it from moving in the axial direction. A recess 125a is provided in the center of the holder portion 125, with the lens 113 side facing outwards, and a pressure detection switch 124 is positioned at the bottom of the recess 125a.

[0040] The pressure detection switch 124 is equipped with a press element 124a, and is configured to be in the off state when the press element 124a is not pressed, and in the on state when the press element 124a is pressed. In this embodiment, the pressure detection switch 124 is disposed in the recess 125a of the holder portion 125 with its press element 124a protruding toward the lens 113. The pressure detection switch 124 is connected to the control unit 116, which has a function to monitor the switch state of the pressure detection switch 124.

[0041] Furthermore, the case 126, which houses the light-receiving unit 122 and the color detection circuit 123 and is attached to the rear side of the lens 113, is positioned to face the presser 124a of the pressure detection switch 124. In this case, the case 126 is smaller than the inner diameter of the recess 125a of the holder unit 125, and therefore the case 126 can move in the direction that presses the presser 124a.

[0042] In this example, multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) 121 are arranged around the opening on the lens 113 side of the recess 125a of the holder portion 125. These multiple light-emitting elements 121 are configured to be turned on and off by control signals from the control unit 116.

[0043] In this example, multiple light-emitting elements 121 are arranged at equal intervals around the opening on the lens 113 side of the recess 125a of the holder portion 125. One light-emitting element 121 is sufficient to pick up color, but by configuring it as in this example, as shown in Figure 3(B), when the pickup portion 11 is pressed against the flat portion FL, the emitted light is irradiated onto the flat portion FL through the lens 113, and the light reflected from the flat portion FL is uniformly incident on the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving portion 122 through the lens 113.

[0044] In this embodiment, an elastic member, in this example a coil spring 127, is provided between the end face of the holder portion 125 on the lens 113 side and the rear face of the lens 113, so as to cause the lens 113 to always be biased toward the opening 112b side of the housing 112, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0045] Therefore, in the normal state where no pressing force is applied to the lens 113 side, as shown in Figure 3(A), the elastic force of the coil spring 127 presses the lens 113 against the stepped portion 112c of the opening 112b of the housing 112, so that the opening 112b of the housing 112 is closed by the lens 113.

[0046] Then, when the lens 113 side of the pickup unit 11 is pressed against the flat surface FL, as shown in Figure 3(B), the lens 113 is pushed into the housing 112 of the pickup unit 11, resisting the elastic force of the coil spring 127. As the lens 113 slides into the housing 112 of the pickup unit 11, the case 126 moves in the axial direction, pressing down the press element 124a of the pressure detection switch 124. This causes the pressure detection switch 124 to change from the off state to the on state.

[0047] The control unit 116 of the pickup unit 11 detects that the pressure detection switch 124 has turned ON, and detects that the rear end of the pickup unit 11 has been pressed against the flat surface FL. Based on this detection of the ON state of the pressure detection switch 124, the control unit 116 controls all of the multiple light-emitting elements 121 from the off state to the on state.

[0048] In this case, when the rear end of the pickup unit 11 is pressed against the flat surface FL with the axial direction of the pickup unit 11 perpendicular to the flat surface FL, the circumferential tip of the opening 112b on the lens 113 side of the pickup unit 11 comes into close contact with the flat surface FL, blocking the entry of external light into the opening 112b of the pickup unit 11. Therefore, only the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 121 is irradiated onto the flat surface FL from the opening 112b at the rear end of the pickup unit 11 through the lens 113. In other words, the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 121 is irradiated onto the portion of the flat surface FL corresponding to the opening 112b at the rear end of the pickup unit 11. As a result, reflected light corresponding to the color of that portion of the flat surface FL is incident on the light-receiving unit 122 through the lens 113.

[0049] Furthermore, by constructing the housing 112 of the pickup unit 11 from an elastic material such as resin or rubber that can be elastically deformed, the degree of contact between the circumferential tip of the opening 112b on the lens 113 side of the pickup unit 11 and the flat surface FL can be increased when the rear end of the pickup unit 11 is pressed against the flat surface FL. Alternatively, an elastic ring may be provided in the opening 112b that fits onto the outer circumference of the lens 113 and protrudes from the lens 113 in a direction along the axial direction of the housing 112.

[0050] As described above, the light receiving unit 122 receives the incident light by separating it into red, green, and blue light components, and outputs a light-receiving output corresponding to the received level of each component to the color detection circuit 123. The color detection circuit 123 generates color information in the L*a*b* color system from the light-receiving output from the light receiving unit 122, as described above. The color information generated by the color detection circuit 123 is stored in the memory 119 under the control of the control unit 116. The control unit 116 then transmits the color information stored in the memory 119 to the electronic device 2 via the wireless communication unit 118. Once the control unit 116 confirms the completion of the transmission of the color information (completion of reception by the electronic device 2) through communication with the electronic device 2 via the wireless communication unit 118, it stops the transmission and erases the color information stored in the memory 119.

[0051] Furthermore, when pressing the rear end of the pickup unit 11 against the flat surface FL to pick up the color of the pressed area, it is preferable to block the entry of ambient light into the opening 112b of the pickup unit 11 as much as possible in order to accurately pick up the color. However, it is acceptable if, when the rear end of the pickup unit 11 is pressed against the flat surface FL, the axial direction is slightly deviated from being perpendicular to the flat surface FL, and some ambient light enters through the opening 112a of the pickup unit 11. As will be described later, when performing authentication using color information, the success or failure of authentication is determined by detecting a match between the registered color information (authentication reference information) and the picked-up color information (information to be authenticated). By changing the threshold for determining a match, it is possible to determine that the two color information matches even if they are slightly different.

[0052] <Example configuration of electronic device 2> As shown in Figure 5, the electronic device 2 in this example includes a position detection processing unit 21 which includes a position detection sensor 210 that interacts with the electronic pen body 10 by electrostatic coupling to detect a position instruction input indicated by the pen tip 10a of the electronic pen body 10, and an information processing unit 20 which performs various information processing.

[0053] The position detection processing unit 21 of the electronic device 2 receives a position detection signal from the electronic pen body 10 via the position detection sensor 210 and detects the position on the position detection sensor 210 indicated by the pen tip portion 10a of the electronic pen body 10.

[0054] The position detection sensor 210 is formed by laminating a first group of conductors and a second group of conductors with an insulating layer in between. The first group of conductors consists of a plurality of first conductors 211Y1, 211Y2, ..., 211Y m The first group of conductors (where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1) are arranged in parallel along the Y-axis, separated from each other by a predetermined distance. The second group of conductors consists of the first group of conductors 211Y1, 211Y2, ..., 211Y m Multiple second conductors 212X1, 212X2, ..., 212X extend in a direction intersecting the direction of extension of the first conductor, in this example, in a perpendicular longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). n This arrangement consists of (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) elements placed in parallel along the X-axis, separated from each other by predetermined distances.

[0055] A selection circuit 221, which serves as an input / output interface, is provided between the position detection sensor 210 and the position detection control circuit 227 of the position detection processing unit 21. Based on the control signals from the position detection control circuit 227, the selection circuit 221 is controlled to select one conductor each from the first group of conductors and the second group of conductors in this example.

[0056] A signal from the electronic pen 1 is input to the position detection processing unit 21 from the conductor of the position detection sensor 210, which is selected by the selection circuit 221 based on a control signal from the position detection control circuit 227. In the position detection processing unit 21, the transmitted signal, which consists of a modulated sinusoidal signal from the electronic pen 1, is amplified by the amplification circuit 222 and supplied to the bandpass filter 223, where only the frequency components of the sinusoidal signal are extracted.

[0057] The output signal of the bandpass filter 223 is detected by the detection circuit 224, and the detected output signal is sampled and held at a predetermined timing by the sampled signal from the position detection control circuit 227 in the sample-and-hold circuit 225, and then converted into a digital value by the AD conversion circuit 226. The digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226 is supplied to the position detection control circuit 227. From this digital data, the position detection control circuit 227 calculates the position coordinates on the position detection sensor 210 indicated by the electronic pen 1.

[0058] Furthermore, the electronic pen 1 transmits the pressure information detected by the pressure detection unit 104 to the position detection sensor 210 in a time-division manner, separate from the position detection signal. The position detection control circuit 227 of the position detection processing unit 21 detects the pressure value from this pressure information. The position detection control circuit 227 then supplies the position coordinates on the position detection sensor 210, indicated by the electronic pen 1, and the pressure value information to the information processing control unit 200 of the information processing unit 20.

[0059] In this example, the information processing unit 20 is configured by connecting the information processing control unit 200 to an application storage unit 201 that stores one or more application programs, a data storage unit 202 that stores files and folders of documents consisting of characters, symbols, numbers, etc., input by the position detection sensor 210 using the electronic pen 1, and files and folders of drawing information such as figures and pictures drawn on the position detection sensor 210 using the electronic pen 1, a display unit 203, a wireless communication unit 204, an authentication reference information storage unit 205, and a writing color information storage unit 206.

[0060] In this example, the display unit 203 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The wireless communication unit 204 is configured to communicate with the wireless communication unit 118 of the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1, and in this example, it is composed of a wireless communication unit conforming to the Bluetooth® standard.

[0061] As will be described later, the authentication reference information storage unit 205 stores authentication reference information in which color information is pre-associated with the authentication target, and also has a buffer area for storing the color information sent from the electronic pen 1 when an authentication request is made, for comparison with the authentication reference information. Here, authentication reference information refers to information that is registered in advance and is referenced during the authentication process to determine whether it matches the information to be authenticated.

[0062] The writing color information storage unit 206 stores information about the writing color when writing input is made by the electronic pen 1 to the position detection sensor 210 of the electronic device 2. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the color information sent from the electronic pen 1 is stored as the writing color information.

[0063] In this example, the information processing control unit 200 is composed of a microprocessor made of an IC (Integrated Circuit). In this embodiment, the information processing control unit 200 includes a registration processing unit 2001 for authentication reference information, an authentication feasibility determination unit 2002, a display control unit 2003, and other functional units, and is configured to execute each functional unit using an application program stored in the application storage unit 201.

[0064] The registration processing unit 2001 specifies an application program in the application storage unit 201 that requires authentication processing and is only available when authentication is successful. It then registers authentication reference information for that authentication processing and stores it in the authentication reference information storage unit 205. In this example, the color information mentioned above is used as the authentication reference information.

[0065] The authentication success / failure determination unit 2002 compares the registered authentication reference information with the color information sent from the electronic pen 1 to determine whether authentication is successful or not. If the degree of agreement between the color information of the registered authentication reference information and the color information of the information to be authenticated sent from the electronic pen 1 is above a predetermined threshold, it is determined that authentication has been achieved (authentication OK). If the degree of agreement falls below the predetermined threshold, it is determined that authentication has failed (authentication NG).

[0066] In this case, the degree of agreement between the color information of the registered authentication reference information and the color information of the information to be authenticated sent from the electronic pen 1 is determined by calculating the difference between the two sets of color information. If the difference is less than or equal to a threshold, authentication is considered OK; if the difference exceeds the threshold, authentication is considered NG. The value of this threshold is determined considering that the color may change slightly depending on external environmental factors such as the time, place, and temperature of detection, as well as the usage status of the pickup unit 11.

[0067] Furthermore, when picking up information for each color, the colors are not always taken from the same object. For example, if a user recognizes a white area on the flat surface of an object in a certain location as "white" and picks it up with the pickup unit 11 and registers it as authentication reference information, then when the pickup unit 11 picks up "white" as authentication information from a white area on the flat surface of another object in a different location, the two may not be exactly the same "white." Therefore, the threshold is set so that a match can be determined if there is a predetermined range of similarity, rather than physical matching.

[0068] The threshold setting can also be used to adjust the level of security. Specifically, to make security strict (strong), the threshold should be set so that the difference between the color information of the registered authentication reference information and the color information of the information being authenticated is between 0 and a small value. To make security relatively weak, the threshold should be set so that the difference is reasonably large. In other words, if the range of color matching is narrow, only colors that are close to a perfect match will be accepted, resulting in a highly secure and robust system. On the other hand, if the range of color matching is wide, the system can be considered less secure.

[0069] Based on the authentication determination result of the authentication determination unit 2002, the information processing control unit 200 performs control operations as an authentication target associated with the authentication reference information, namely, controlling whether or not to launch an application program, or controlling whether or not to open files and folders and allow the use of data.

[0070] The display control unit 2003 executes the display function of each application program and controls the display to display the display image on the display screen 203D (see Figure 1) of the display unit 203.

[0071] In this embodiment, when writing input by the electronic pen 1 on the position detection sensor 210 of the electronic device 2, the writing trace of the electronic pen tip 1 is displayed in color using the color information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the electronic device 2 is configured so that the user can request the registration of a writing color, and the electronic pen 1's pickup unit 11 performs a color pickup operation and transmits the color information to the electronic device 2. In response to the request for registration of a writing color, the electronic device 2 stores the color information received from the electronic pen 1's pickup unit 11 in the writing color information storage unit 206 and uses it as the display color for subsequent writing input by the electronic pen 1 on the position detection sensor 210.

[0072] [Authentication and writing color processing operations by electronic pen 1 and electronic device 2] Next, we will explain an example of the processing flow related to authentication by the electronic pen 1 and the electronic device 2, and an example of the processing flow related to the display color (writing color) of handwriting input on the position detection sensor 210 by the electronic pen 1.

[0073] <Explanation of the color information pickup operation by the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1> First, referring to the flowchart in Figure 6, we will explain an example of the flow of color information acquisition operation in the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1. Note that the operation of each step in Figure 6 will be explained assuming that it is performed by the control unit 116 of the pickup unit 11.

[0074] When picking up color information, the user holds the electronic pen 1 with the pen tip 10a facing upwards, as shown in the upper center of Figure 5, and presses the rear end of the pickup unit 11 against the flat surface FL that displays the color they want to pick up, such as white, red, green, or blue. At this time, the user presses the rear end of the pickup unit 11 against the flat surface FL so that the axis direction of the housing 101 of the electronic pen 1 is perpendicular to the flat surface FL.

[0075] Then, in the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1, as shown in Figure 3(B), the lens 113 at the rear end of the pickup unit 11 is pushed inward against the elastic force of the coil spring 127, and the end face of the opening 112b at the rear end of the housing 112 of the pickup unit 11 is pressed against the flat surface FL, so that no external light enters the opening 112b. As the lens 113 is pushed inward against the elastic force of the coil spring 127, the pressure detection switch 124 changes from the off state to the on state, and the pickup unit 11 starts the color information pickup operation.

[0076] In other words, as shown in Figure 6, the control unit 116 of the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 monitors whether the pressure detection switch 124 has changed to the ON state (step S1). In step S1, if the control unit 116 determines that the pressure detection switch 124 has changed to the ON state, it controls the supply of power voltage from the power supply circuit 117 to all the circuits in the pickup unit 11 (step S2), lighting up all of the multiple LEDs 121 and making the light receiving unit 122 and the color detection circuit 123 operational (step S3).

[0077] As described above, the light emitted from multiple LEDs 121 is then shone onto the flat portion FL corresponding to the opening 112b at the rear end of the pickup portion 11, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving portion 122 through the lens 113. As described above, in this embodiment, the light receiving portion 122 receives the reflected light by separating it into a red light component, a green light component, and a blue light component, and outputs a received light output corresponding to the received light level of each component to the color detection circuit 123. In this embodiment, the color detection circuit 123 generates color information in the L*a*b* color system from the received light output from the light receiving portion 122.

[0078] Therefore, following step S3, the control unit 116 takes in the color information generated by the color detection circuit 123 (step S4) and temporarily stores it in the memory 119 (step S5). Then, the control unit 116 transmits the color information temporarily stored in the memory 119 to the electronic device 2 via the wireless communication unit 118 (step S6).

[0079] The user presses the pickup unit 11 against the flat surface FL for a predetermined time, for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds, and then releases the action of pressing the pickup unit 11 against the flat surface FL. The predetermined time is sufficient for the pickup unit 11 to pick up color information from the flat surface FL and transmit it to the electronic device 2, and is, for example, several seconds or more. In addition, the housing 112 of the pickup unit 11 may be provided with a status indicator element, such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), so that the user can confirm whether the light-emitting element 121 is lit or not, and the status indicator light-emitting element may be lit after the transmission of color information from the wireless communication unit 118 is complete.

[0080] When the user releases the action of pressing the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 against the flat surface FL, the pressure detection switch 124 changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0081] The control unit 116 of the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 monitors whether the pressure detection switch 124 changes from the ON state to the OFF state (step S7). When it determines that the pressure detection switch 124 has changed from the ON state to the OFF state, it erases the color information stored in the memory 119 (step S8) and returns the power supply voltage supply state from the power supply circuit 117 to each circuit to the standby state (step S9). After step S9, the control unit 116 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the process from step S1 onward.

[0082] Furthermore, the erasure of the color information stored in memory 119 in step S8 can be achieved by configuring memory 119 as a volatile memory and stopping the supply of power voltage from the power supply circuit 117 to the memory. If memory 119 is configured as a non-volatile memory, it goes without saying that the control unit 116 will perform the erasure of the color information.

[0083] <Example of operation in electronic device 2> Next, we will explain an example of an operation in which the color information picked up by the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 is used as authentication information in the electronic device 2 to authenticate the object to be authenticated, and an operation in which the color is used as the writing color and displayed on the display screen.

[0084] In the electronic device 2 of this embodiment, the user pre-registers color information to be used for authentication for each object to be authenticated using color information. The registered color information becomes authentication reference information when determining whether or not authentication is possible for the object to be authenticated.

[0085] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the launch of application programs A, B, and C is registered as an authentication target, and separate color information Ca, Cb, and Cc are registered for each authentication target. Similarly, the opening of files D and E and folder F is registered as an authentication target, and separate color information Cd, Ce, and Cf are registered for each authentication target. The correspondence information (correspondence table information) between the authentication targets and the authentication reference information in the example of Figure 7 is stored and maintained in the authentication reference information storage unit 205 shown in Figure 5.

[0086] It goes without saying that the authentication targets are not limited to the example shown in Figure 7. For example, the authentication target could be the startup operation of electronic device 2 when it is powered on, and the operation of electronic device 2 could be started only when the authentication based on color information is successful.

[0087] In the example shown in Figure 7, the color information registered as authentication reference information is shown to be different for each authentication target. However, it goes without saying that it is also acceptable to use color information obtained by picking the same color even if the authentication targets are different.

[0088] Once the registration of authentication reference information for the authentication target is complete, the electronic device 2 can begin executing the security function for the authentication target. In the authentication of this security function, the electronic device 2 identifies the authentication target and compares the color information, which is the authentication reference information stored in the authentication reference information storage unit 205 associated with the identified authentication target, with the color information of the information to be authenticated, which is sent from the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 at the time of authentication (when the security function is executed). Based on the result of this comparison, the electronic device 2 determines whether authentication is possible or not. Only when authentication is OK can the authentication target be launched if it is an application program, or opened and the data used if it is a file or folder. Furthermore, if the authentication target is, for example, the operation startup when the electronic device 2 is powered on, the electronic device 2 can start operating when authentication using the color information is OK.

[0089] When performing the security function (authentication), the user uses the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 to pick up color information as authentication target information, which is used to determine whether authentication is possible or not by comparing it with authentication reference information. The pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 receives this operation from the user, picks up the color information, and transmits it to the electronic device 2. The electronic device 2 then performs an authentication process for security purposes to determine whether authentication is possible or not, and based on the result of that determination, decides whether the device to be authenticated can be used or not.

[0090] Furthermore, the electronic device 2 in this embodiment is configured to have a function for registering writing colors. That is, when registering a writing color, the color information picked up by the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 and transmitted wirelessly is acquired and stored in the writing color information storage unit 206. Then, the writing traces resulting from writing input by the electronic pen 1 on the position detection sensor 210 are displayed in color on the display screen of the display unit 203 using the color information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206. In this case, the writing traces resulting from writing input include not only line drawings such as letters and figures, but also drawing traces made with paintbrushes or other art brushes, provided that the type of pen tip of the electronic pen 1 can be specified in the electronic device 2.

[0091] An example of the operation flow in the electronic device 2 described above will be explained with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 8 to 10. Note that the processing of each step in Figures 8 to 10 will be explained assuming that it is performed by the information processing control unit 200 of the electronic device 2.

[0092] The information processing control unit 200 first determines whether or not a processing event has occurred based on the user's input operation (step S11). If it determines in step S11 that a processing event has occurred, the information processing control unit 200 first determines whether or not that processing event is an "authentication registration" (step S12).

[0093] In step S12, if it is determined that the event is an "authentication registration," the information processing control unit 200 identifies the authentication target based on the occurrence status of the processing event in step S11 (step S13). In step S13, if the processing event determined in step S11 includes an instruction that means the registration of authentication reference information for starting an application program specified in the processing event or an application program that is currently running, the authentication target is the startup of the application program. If the processing event includes an instruction that means the registration of authentication reference information for opening a file or folder, the authentication target is the opening of a file or folder.

[0094] Next, the information processing control unit 200 holds the information to be authenticated that was identified in step S13, and prompts the user to pick up color information as authentication reference information (step S14).

[0095] In response to the prompt in step S14, the user presses the rear end of the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 against the flat surface FL that displays the color they wish to use as authentication reference information, as explained with reference to Figure 6. Then, as described above, the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 wirelessly transmits the color information, and the electronic device 2 receives this color information through the wireless communication unit 204.

[0096] After prompting the user to pick up color information in step S14, the information processing control unit 200 of the electronic device 2 waits for the user to pick up the color information in response to this prompt (step S15). In step S15, when it determines that the user has received the color information, the information processing control unit 200 stores the authentication target information identified in step S13 and the received color information as table information, as shown in Figure 7, in the authentication reference information storage unit 205 (step S16). The information processing control unit 200 then returns to step S11 and repeats the process from step S11 onward.

[0097] If, in step S12, the system determines that the processing event that occurred is not an "authentication registration," the information processing control unit 200 determines whether the processing event requests "authentication" (step S17). In step S17, the system determines whether the processing event determined in step S11 relates to an authentication target stored in the authentication reference information storage unit 205 and requires authentication.

[0098] In step S17, if it is determined that "authentication" is required, the information processing control unit 200 identifies the target for authentication based on the processing event that occurred in step S11 and the stored information in the authentication reference information storage unit 205 (step S21 in Figure 9).

[0099] The information processing control unit 200 then stores the identified information of the object to be authenticated and prompts the user to pick up color information as the information to be authenticated in order to perform the authentication (step S22).

[0100] In response to the prompt in step S22, the user presses the rear end of the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 against the flat surface FL that exhibits the same color as the color information they registered for the authentication target, as explained with reference to Figure 6. Then, as described above, the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 wirelessly transmits the color information, and the electronic device 2 receives this color information as authentication information via the wireless communication unit 204.

[0101] In other words, after prompting the user to pick up color information in step S22, the information processing control unit 200 of the electronic device 2 waits for the user to pick up the color information in response to this prompt (step S23). In step S23, when it is determined that the user has received the color information, the information processing control unit 200 compares the color information received in step S23 as authentication information with the color information of the authentication reference information stored in the authentication reference information storage unit 205, which is associated with the authentication target identified in step S21 (step S24), to determine whether the authentication is OK or not (step S25).

[0102] In steps S24 and S25, the success or failure of authentication is determined by whether the color information stored in the authentication reference information storage unit 205 matches the color information received in step S23. That is, as described above, the difference between the color information of the authentication reference information and the color information of the information to be authenticated is calculated, and if the difference is less than or equal to a threshold, authentication is determined to be OK, and if the difference exceeds the threshold, authentication is determined to be NG.

[0103] In step S25, if it is determined that authentication is not OK and that authentication is NG, the information processing control unit 200 notifies the user by displaying "Authentication NG" on the display screen of the display unit 203 and emitting an alarm sound (step S26). Following step S26, the information processing control unit 200 asks whether the user wants to try authentication again and determines the user's response (step S27). In step S27, if it is determined that the user wants to try again, the information processing control unit 200 returns to step S22 and repeats the process from step S22 onward. In step S27, if it is determined that the user does not want to try again, the information processing control unit 200 returns to step S11 in Figure 8 and repeats the process from step S11 onward.

[0104] Furthermore, if the system determines in step S25 that authentication is successful, the information processing control unit 200 removes security protection and allows the authenticated object (step S28). In step S28, the system allows the launch of the application program that is the subject of authentication, and the opening of the files and folders that are the subject of authentication. The information processing control unit 200 then returns to step S11 in Figure 8 and repeats the process from step S11 onward.

[0105] Next, in step S17 of Figure 8, if it is determined that the processing event does not request "authentication", the information processing control unit 200 determines whether the processing event is "registration of writing color" or not (step S31 of Figure 10). This determination in step S31 is made based on whether the processing event that occurred in step S11 is a processing event based on, for example, the user clicking the "registration of writing color" icon displayed on the display screen of the electronic device 2 while writing with, for example, the electronic pen 1 on the position detection sensor 210 of the electronic device 2.

[0106] If step S31 determines that it is not a "registration of writing color," the information processing control unit 200 performs other processing related to the processing event (step S32), then returns the process to step S11 in Figure 8, and repeats the processing from step S11 onwards.

[0107] In step S31, when the processing event is determined to be "registration of writing color", the information processing control unit 200 prompts the user to pick up color information as writing color information (step S33).

[0108] In response to the prompt in step S33, the user presses the rear end of the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 against the flat surface FL that displays the color they wish to use as authentication reference information, as explained with reference to Figure 6. Then, as described above, the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 wirelessly transmits the color information, and the electronic device 2 receives this color information through the wireless communication unit 204.

[0109] After prompting the user to pick up color information in step S33, the information processing control unit 200 of the electronic device 2 monitors the reception of the color information picked up by the user in response to this prompt (step S34). When it determines that color information has been received, it stores the received color information as writing color information in the writing color information storage unit 206 (step S35).

[0110] In this embodiment, after storing the writing color information in the writing color information storage unit 206 in step S35, the electronic device 2 is configured to receive the writing force from the electronic pen 1 through the position detection sensor 210. The user then changes the state of the electronic pen 1 from the state shown in the center of Figure 5, where the rear end of the pickup unit 11 is pressed against the flat surface FL, to the state shown on the left, where the pen tip is brought close to or in contact with the input area of ​​the position detection sensor 210 of the electronic device 2 to perform writing input.

[0111] Following step S35, the information processing control unit 200 determines whether or not it has detected writing input from the electronic pen 1 by checking whether or not it has received a signal of a predetermined level or higher from the electronic pen 1 via the position detection sensor 210 (step S36), and monitors the writing input. If it determines in step S36 that writing input has been detected, the information processing control unit 200 stores the coordinate information of the detected writing input trajectory (step S37), and uses the color information (writing color information) stored in the writing color information storage unit 206 to display the writing input trajectory in color on the display screen of the display unit 203 (step S38).

[0112] Next, the information processing control unit 200 determines whether or not the user has requested a change in writing color (step S39). If it determines that a request to change the writing color has been made, it returns to step S33 and repeats the process from step S33 onward. If, in step S39, it determines that the user has not requested a change in writing color, the information processing control unit 200 determines whether or not writing input has been completed (step S40). If it determines that writing input has not been completed, it returns to step S36 and repeats the process from step S36 onward. If, in step S40, it determines that writing input has been completed, the information processing control unit 200 erases the writing color information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206 (step S41). After that, it returns to step S11 in Figure 8 and repeats the process from step S11 onward.

[0113] As described above, with the electronic pen of the first embodiment, authentication of the object to be authenticated can be performed using the color information picked up by the pickup unit 11 connected to the electronic pen body 10. In this case, the user only needs to press the rear end of the pickup unit 11, which is connected to the rear end of the electronic pen body 10, against a flat surface exhibiting the color to be used for authentication, making it easy to use.

[0114] Furthermore, since the color information picked up by the pickup unit 11 is used for authentication, the user only needs to remember the color used for authentication. Therefore, compared to cases where multi-digit numbers or symbols are used for authentication, the risk of forgetting the authentication information is reduced. In addition, the user only needs to press the rear end of the pickup unit 11 against the flat surface exhibiting the color used for authentication as the input operation for authentication, which has the advantage of being easy to use and less prone to input errors compared to when inputting multi-digit numbers or symbols.

[0115] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the color information picked up by the pickup unit 11 can be used as the display color of the handwriting input at the position detection sensor 210 by the electronic pen 1. In this case, the display color of the handwriting can be the same as the color information picked up by the pickup unit 11, which is convenient as it allows the handwriting to be displayed in the color intended by the user. In addition, the color information stored in the handwriting color information storage unit 206 may be associated with the coordinate information of the handwriting input stored in the electronic device 2 and stored accordingly.

[0116] In the above-described embodiment, the color information transmitted from the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 was distinguished into color information for authentication reference, color information for authentication, and color information for writing by changing the storage unit. However, it is also possible to add indicators as additional information to identify each of the authentication reference, authentication, and writing color information, and store the respective color information accordingly.

[0117] Furthermore, in the description of the first embodiment above, the transmission of the color information picked up by the pickup unit 11 to the electronic device 2 was performed by the wireless communication unit 118 provided in the pickup unit 11. However, instead of providing the wireless communication unit 118 in the pickup unit 11, the wireless communication unit may be provided in the electronic pen body unit 10, and the control unit 103 of the electronic pen body unit 10 may be configured to acquire color information from the pickup unit 11 via the USB interface 107 and transmit it using the wireless communication unit provided in the electronic pen body unit 10.

[0118] Alternatively, instead of providing a wireless communication unit 118 in the pickup unit 11, the control unit 103 of the electronic pen body 10 may acquire color information from the pickup unit 11 via the USB interface 107, include it in the signal sent via the pen tip 105, and supply it to the position detection sensor 210, thereby transmitting it to the electronic device 2 through interaction between the electronic pen body 10 and the position detection sensor 210.

[0119] Furthermore, in the description of the first embodiment above, the pickup unit 11 is configured to be connected via USB to the electronic pen body 10 of the electronic pen 1 and to receive power voltage from the electronic pen body 10. However, a battery (either a primary or secondary battery) may be provided inside the housing 112 of the pickup unit 11. In that case, if the pickup unit 11 transmits color information to the electronic device 2 via the wireless communication unit 118 of the pickup unit 11, there is no need to electrically connect the pickup unit 11 and the electronic pen body 10; they simply need to be able to be coupled together. Also, when the pickup unit 11 picks up color information, the pickup unit 11 can be detached from the electronic pen body 10 and pressed against the flat surface FL to perform the pickup operation.

[0120] [Modified version of the pickup unit of the above embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, the pickup unit is configured such that when the rear end of the pickup unit is pressed against a flat surface, the lens is pushed in and moves. The pickup unit is activated when a pressure detection switch detects the pressure caused by this movement of the lens. However, the configuration is not limited to this.

[0121] For example, a skirt made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber may be provided at the rear end of the pickup unit so as to protrude outward from the periphery of the lens in the axial direction of the pickup unit. When the rear end of the pickup unit is pressed against a flat surface, the end of the skirt and the flat surface come into close contact, so that the area surrounded by the skirt is blocked from ambient light. The system may also be configured to detect the presence or absence of ambient light using a phototransistor. In this way, when the rear end of the pickup unit is pressed against a flat surface, the phototransistor can detect that the area surrounded by the skirt is blocked from ambient light. The system may then be configured to activate the pickup unit and light up the LED based on the detection output of this phototransistor.

[0122] Alternatively, the rear end housing portion of the pickup unit may be equipped with a contact sensor to detect contact with a flat surface and a pressure sensor to detect the pressing force from the flat surface. The pickup unit may be activated and the LED lit based on the detection output of these contact and pressure sensors.

[0123] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, only color information was used as authentication information. In the second embodiment, the authentication system consists of an electronic pen and electronic device, as described with reference to Figure 1 in the first embodiment, but security is made stronger by using not only color information but also identification information of the electronic pen (hereinafter referred to as pen ID information) as authentication reference information.

[0124] The authentication system of this second embodiment consists of an electronic pen 1A, which differs from the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment in that it has a pen ID information storage unit, and an electronic device 2A, which differs from the electronic device 2 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the processing functions related to authentication processing.

[0125] The electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment consists of an electronic pen body 10A (see Figure 11) and a pickup unit 11A (not shown). The hardware configuration of the electronic pen body 10A of this second embodiment differs from that of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment in that it has a control unit 103A whose control processing content is different from that of the control unit 103, and a pen ID memory 108 is connected to this control unit 103A. The pen ID memory 108 stores pen ID information for identifying each electronic pen 1A.

[0126] The other components of the electronic pen body 10A are the same as those of the electronic pen body 10 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5. In Figure 11, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are identical to those of the electronic pen body 10 of the first embodiment.

[0127] Furthermore, the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A in this second embodiment, although not shown in the figures, has the same hardware configuration as the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 in the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, except that it includes a control unit 116A (not shown) whose control content differs from the control unit 116 of the pickup unit 11 of the electronic pen 1 in the first embodiment.

[0128] Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the electronic device 2A in the second embodiment includes an information processing control unit 200A (not shown) whose control processing content differs from that of the information processing control unit 200 of the electronic device 2 in the first embodiment shown in Figure 5, and an authentication reference information storage unit 205A (not shown) whose stored authentication reference information differs from that of the authentication reference information storage unit 205 of the electronic device 2 in the first embodiment. It also includes a writing color information storage unit 206A (not shown) whose stored writing color information differs from that of the writing color information storage unit 206. The other configurations of the electronic device 2A in the second embodiment are the same as those of the electronic device 2 in the first embodiment.

[0129] In this second embodiment, when the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A presses its rear end against the flat surface FL to pick up color information, it performs the operation of picking up color information in the same manner as the pickup unit 11 of the first embodiment. However, the control unit 116A of the pickup unit 11A in this second embodiment does not immediately transmit the picked-up color information to the electronic device 2A, but temporarily holds it and sends a request to acquire pen ID information to the electronic pen body 10A via the USB interface 115 and USB connector plug 111.

[0130] When the control unit 103A of the electronic pen body 10A of the electronic pen 1A receives a request from the pickup unit 11A to acquire pen ID information via the USB connector jack 106 and USB interface 107, it reads the pen ID information from the pen ID memory 108 and transmits it to the pickup unit 11A via the USB interface 107 and USB connector jack 106.

[0131] In this second embodiment, the control unit 116A of the pickup unit 11A, after acquiring pen ID information from the electronic pen body unit 10A, transmits the stored color information and the acquired pen ID information to the electronic device 2 via the wireless communication unit 118.

[0132] The operation flow of the electronic pen 1A and the operation flow of the electronic device 2A in this second embodiment will be further explained with reference to flowcharts.

[0133] <Explanation of the color information pickup operation by the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A> First, referring to the flowchart in Figure 12, we will explain an example of the flow of color information acquisition operation in the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A. Note that the operation of each step in Figure 6 will be explained assuming that it is performed by the control unit 116A (not shown) of the pickup unit 11A.

[0134] In this second embodiment of the electronic pen 1A, the operations from steps S51 to S55 in Figure 12 are the same as the operations from steps S1 to S5 in Figure 6. That is, when the user holds the electronic pen 1A with the pen tip 10a facing upwards and presses the rear end of the pickup unit 11A against the flat surface FL that displays the color they want to pick up, the pressure detection switch 124 changes from the off state to the on state (step S51), power is supplied to each part of the pickup unit 11A (step S52), the LED 121 lights up (step S53), the color information acquisition operation is performed (step S54), and the acquired color information is temporarily held in the memory 119 (step S55).

[0135] In the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A in this second embodiment, after step S55, the control unit 116A sends a request to the electronic pen body 10A to acquire pen ID information via the USB interface 115, and in response, acquires the pen ID information sent from the electronic pen body 10A via the USB interface 115 (step S56).

[0136] Next, the control unit 116A transmits the color information temporarily stored in the memory 119 and the pen ID information acquired from the electronic pen body unit 10A to the electronic device 2 via the wireless communication unit 118 (step S57).

[0137] Then, the control unit 116A of the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A monitors whether the pressure detection switch 124 changes from the ON state to the OFF state when the user releases the state in which the rear end of the electronic pen 1A is pressed against the flat surface FL (step S58). When it determines that the pressure detection switch 124 has changed from the ON state to the OFF state, it erases the color information stored in the memory 119 (step S59) and returns the power supply voltage supply state from the power supply circuit 117 to each circuit to the standby state (step S60). After step S60, the control unit 116A returns the process to step S51 and repeats the process from step S51 onwards.

[0138] <Example of operation in electronic device 2A> In the electronic device 2A of this second embodiment, when registering the authentication target and authentication reference information, the registered color information and pen ID information become authentication reference information for determining whether or not authentication is possible for each registered authentication target.

[0139] In other words, in the second embodiment, for example, as shown in Figure 13, the launch of application programs A, B, and C is registered as an authentication target, and for each authentication target, separate color information Ca, Cb, and Cc are associated with pen ID information IDa, IDb, and IDc, respectively. In addition, the opening of files D and E is registered as an authentication target, and for each authentication target, separate color information Cd and Ce are associated with pen ID information IDd and IDe, respectively.

[0140] As in the first embodiment, the correspondence information (correspondence table information) between the authentication target and the authentication reference information in the example of Figure 13 is stored and maintained in the authentication reference information storage unit 205A. In the example of Figure 13, the color information is shown to be different for each authentication target, but it goes without saying that the same color information obtained by picking the same color may be used even if the authentication targets are different. Also, although the pen ID information is shown to be different for each authentication target, the same pen ID information may be used even if the authentication targets are different, or the same pen ID information may be used for all authentication targets.

[0141] In this second embodiment, the information transmitted from the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A to the electronic device 2A is a pair of information consisting of the picked-up color and the pen ID. The electronic device 2A stores the information of the pair of color information and pen ID as writing color information in the writing color information storage unit 206.

[0142] In this second embodiment, the control unit 103A of the electronic pen 1A controls the signal generation circuit 102 so that the signal sent from the pen tip 105 of the electronic pen body 10A includes pen ID information. The pen ID information is included in the signal from the pen tip 105 along with the position detection signal and pressure information using a multiplexing method such as time division multiplexing or frequency multiplexing. Alternatively, as described above, the pen ID information may be expressed as digital information, such as a modulated signal like an OOK signal or an ASK signal.

[0143] In the electronic device 2A, the information processing control unit 200A receives a signal transmitted from the core 105 of the electronic pen body 10A of the electronic pen 1A, compares the pen ID information contained in the signal with the pen ID information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206, and if they match, displays the writing trace based on the writing input by the pen tip of the core of the electronic pen body 10A of the electronic pen 1A in color using the color information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206. If the pen ID information attached to the signal from the core 105 of the electronic pen body 10A of the electronic pen 1 does not match the pen ID information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206, the information processing control unit 200A displays the writing trace based on the writing input by the pen tip of the core 105 of the electronic pen body 10A of the electronic pen 1A in the default color, for example, black. This allows the handwriting to be displayed in the registered color only when writing is being done with the electronic pen 1A that has registered the color information.

[0144] An example of the operation flow in the electronic device 2A of this second embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 14 to 17. Note that the processing of each step in Figures 14 to 17 will be explained assuming that it is performed by the information processing control unit 200A of the electronic device 2A.

[0145] The processes from steps S71 to S74 in Figure 14 are the same as the processes from steps S11 to S14 in Figure 8 in the first embodiment, so the explanation is omitted here. In this second embodiment, after the process prompting the pickup of color information in step S74, color information and pen ID information are sent from the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A, so the processes from step S74 onwards differ from those in the first embodiment.

[0146] In other words, the information processing control unit 200A of the electronic device 2A in the second embodiment monitors the reception of color information and pen ID information sent from the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A (step S75), and when it determines that the color information and pen ID information have been received, it associates the received color information and pen ID information with the authentication target information received in step S73 and stores it in the authentication reference information storage unit 205A as shown in Figure 13 (step S76).

[0147] After step S76, the information processing control unit 200A returns to step S71 and repeats the processing from step S71 onward.

[0148] Then, if the information processing control unit 200A determines in step S72 that the processing event that occurred is not an "authentication registration", it determines whether the processing event requests "authentication" or not (step S77). If it determines in step S77 that "authentication" is requested, the information processing control unit 200A identifies the authentication target based on the processing event that occurred in step S71 and the stored information in the authentication reference information storage unit 205A (step S81 in Figure 15).

[0149] The information processing control unit 200A then stores the information of the identified authentication target and prompts the user to pick up color information as authentication target information for performing authentication (step S82).

[0150] In response to the prompt in step S82, in this second embodiment, the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A sends color information and pen ID information. The information processing control unit 200A monitors for the reception of the color information and pen ID information (step S83), and when it determines that the information has been received, it compares the received color information and pen ID information with the authentication reference information stored in the authentication reference information storage unit 205 (step S84).

[0151] In this example, the information processing control unit 200A first determines whether authentication using the pen ID information is OK based on whether the pen ID information of the authentication reference information and the pen ID information of the information to be authenticated are a perfect match (step S85).

[0152] In step S85, if the pen ID information of the authentication reference information and the pen ID information of the information to be authenticated do not match exactly, and the system determines that authentication is not OK, the information processing control unit 200A notifies the user by displaying "Authentication NG" on the display screen of the display unit 203 and emitting an alarm sound (step S86).

[0153] Next, following step S86, the information processing control unit 200 asks whether or not to re-authenticate and determines the user's response (step S87). If it determines in step S87 that the user will re-authenticate, the information processing control unit 200A returns to step S82 and repeats the process from step S82 onward. If it determines in step S87 that the user will not re-authenticate, the information processing control unit 200A returns to step S71 in Figure 14 and repeats the process from step S71 onward.

[0154] Then, in step S85, if it is determined that the pen ID information of the authentication reference information and the pen ID information of the information to be authenticated are a perfect match and authentication is OK, the information processing control unit 200A determines whether authentication is OK or not by checking whether the difference between the color information stored in the authentication reference information storage unit 205A and the color information received in step S84 is below a threshold (step S88). In step S88, if it is determined that the difference between the color information of the authentication reference information and the color information of the information to be authenticated exceeds the threshold and authentication is not OK, the information processing control unit 200A moves the process to step S86, where it displays "Authentication NG" on the display screen of the display unit 203 and emits an alarm sound to notify the user, and then executes the processes from step S87 onwards.

[0155] Furthermore, in step S88, if the difference between the color information of the authentication reference information and the color information of the information to be authenticated is below a threshold, and it is determined that authentication is OK, that is, if it is determined that authentication by pen ID information is OK and authentication by color information is OK, the information processing control unit 200A permits the authentication target (step S89). Then, the information processing control unit 200A returns the process to step S71 in Figure 14 and repeats the process from step S71 onwards.

[0156] Next, in step S77 of Figure 14, if it is determined that the processing event does not request "authentication", the information processing control unit 200A determines whether the processing event is "registration of writing color" or not (step S91 of Figure 16). The processing from steps S91 to S93 in Figure 16 is the same as the processing from steps S31 to S33 in Figure 10 in the first embodiment, so its explanation is omitted here.

[0157] In this second embodiment, in response to the prompt to pick up color information in step S93, when the user presses the rear end of the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A against the flat surface FL to perform the color information pickup operation, the pickup unit 11A wirelessly transmits the picked-up color information and pen ID information, as described above.

[0158] Therefore, in the second embodiment, after step S93, the information processing control unit 200A of the electronic device 2A monitors for the reception of color information and pen ID information from the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A (step S94), and when it determines that the color information and pen ID information have been received, it stores the received color information and pen ID information as writing color information in the writing color information storage unit 206A (step S95).

[0159] In this second embodiment as well, after the writing color information is stored in the writing color information storage unit 206A in step S95, the electronic device 2A is configured to receive the writing force from the electronic pen 1A through the position detection sensor 210. However, in this second embodiment as described above, the signal from the core body 105 of the electronic pen body 10A of the electronic pen 1A includes a position detection signal and pressure detection information, as well as pen ID information.

[0160] Following step S95, the information processing control unit 200A monitors the writing input by determining whether or not it has detected writing input from the electronic pen 1A by checking whether or not it has received a signal of a predetermined level or higher from the electronic pen 1A via the position detection sensor 210 (step S96). If it determines in step S96 that writing input has been detected, the information processing control unit 200A stores the coordinate information of the detected writing input trajectory (step S97).

[0161] Next, the information processing control unit 200A compares the pen ID information contained in the signal received as writing input with the pen ID information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206A to determine whether the two are a perfect match (step S98).

[0162] In step S98, if the information processing control unit 200A determines that the pen ID information contained in the signal received as writing input is a perfect match with the pen ID information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206A, the information processing control unit 200A uses the color information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206A to display the writing input trajectory in color on the display screen of the display unit 203 (step S99).

[0163] Furthermore, in step S98, if it is determined that the pen ID information contained in the signal received as handwriting input does not match the pen ID information stored in the handwriting color information storage unit 206A, the information processing control unit 200A displays the handwriting input trajectory on the display screen of the display unit 203 in the default color (step S100).

[0164] Then, following step S99 and step S100, the information processing control unit 200A determines whether or not a request to change the writing color has been made by the user (step S111 in Figure 17). If it determines that a request to change the writing color has been made, it returns to step S93 and repeats the process from step S93 onward.

[0165] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S111 that the user has not requested a change in writing color, the information processing control unit 200A determines whether or not the writing input has been completed (step S112). If it determines that it has not been completed, it returns to step S96 and repeats the process from step S96 onward.

[0166] Furthermore, when it is determined in step S112 that the handwriting input has finished, the information processing control unit 200A asks whether to retain the handwriting color information via the display screen of the display unit 203 or via a voice message, determines the user's response to the inquiry (step S113), and if it receives a response that the handwriting color information should be retained, it returns to step S71 and repeats the process from step S71 onward.

[0167] Furthermore, if the system responds in step S113 that it does not want to retain the writing color information, the information processing control unit 200A erases the color information and pen ID information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206A (step S114). The information processing control unit 200A then returns to step S71 and repeats the process from step S71 onward.

[0168] As explained above, in the second embodiment, since pen ID information is used in addition to color information for authentication, the security level can be increased compared to the case where only color information is used for authentication in the first embodiment.

[0169] Furthermore, in the display control of the writing color in the second embodiment, the color information picked up by the pickup unit 11A of the electronic pen 1A is used, as in the first embodiment. However, since the pen ID information and the color information are associated to form the writing color information, it is convenient that the writing trace can be displayed using the registered color information only for writing input by electronic pens 1A having the same pen ID. In addition, the color information stored in the writing color information storage unit 206A may be associated with the coordinate information of the writing input stored in the electronic device 2A and stored accordingly.

[0170] [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment described above, the transmission of color information and pen ID information to the electronic device 2A is performed by the wireless communication unit 118 provided in the pickup unit 11A.

[0171] In contrast, in the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment, the pickup unit 11B (not shown) does not have a wireless communication unit 118, and as shown in Figure 18, the electronic pen body 10B is provided with a wireless communication unit 109 that communicates wirelessly with the electronic device 2A.

[0172] The control unit 103B of the electronic pen body 10B is configured to acquire color information from the pickup unit 11B via the USB interface 107 and transmit it to the electronic device 2A via the wireless communication unit 109, along with the pen ID information stored in the pen ID memory 108. In other words, the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the wireless transmission of the color information and pen ID information to the electronic device 2A is performed by the electronic pen body 10B.

[0173] As shown in Figure 18, the electronic pen body 10B of the electronic pen 1B in the third embodiment includes a wireless communication unit 109 and a control unit 103B whose control functions are slightly different from those of the second embodiment. The other components of the electronic pen body 10B are the same as those of the electronic pen body 10A in the second embodiment shown in Figure 11, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0174] The hardware configuration of the pickup unit 11B is equivalent to that of the pickup unit 11 shown in Figure 3, with the wireless communication unit removed, so it is omitted from the illustration here.

[0175] Furthermore, the processing operation of electronic device 2A can be exactly the same as in the second embodiment. That is, in the third embodiment, electronic device 2A of the second embodiment can be used as is, so its operation description will be omitted here.

[0176] Figure 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the pickup operation in the pickup unit 11B of the electronic pen 1B in this third embodiment. Figure 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation flow of the transmission of color information by the electronic pen body 10B of the electronic pen 1B in this third embodiment.

[0177] In Figure 19, the processing steps from step S121 to step S125 are exactly the same as the processing steps from step S1 to step S5 in Figure 6 and from step S51 to step S55 in Figure 12.

[0178] In this third embodiment, following step S125, the control unit 116B (not shown) of the pickup unit 11B transmits the color information picked up and held in step S125 to the electronic pen body unit 10B via the USB interface 115 (step S126). In this case, the control unit 116B of the pickup unit 11B may include a request to wirelessly transmit the color information to the electronic device 2A in the information transmitted via the USB interface 115.

[0179] Following step S126, the control unit 116B of the pickup unit 11B monitors whether the pressure detection switch 124 changes from the ON state to the OFF state (step S127). When it determines that the pressure detection switch 124 has changed from the ON state to the OFF state, it erases the color information stored in the memory 119 (step S128) and returns the power supply voltage supply state from the power supply circuit 117 to each circuit to the standby state (step S129). Then, after step S129, the control unit 116B returns the process to step S121 and repeats the process from step S121 onward.

[0180] The control unit 103B of the electronic pen body 10B monitors for receiving color information from the pickup unit 11B via the USB interface 107 (step S131 in Figure 20). If it determines that no information has been received, it performs other processing (step S132), and then returns to step S131.

[0181] When the control unit 103B determines in step S131 that it has received color information from the pickup unit 11B, it temporarily holds the received color information (step S133). Then, the control unit 103B reads the pen ID information stored in the pen ID memory 108 and wirelessly transmits this read pen ID information and the color information obtained from the pickup unit 11B to the electronic device 2A via the wireless communication unit 109 (step S134).

[0182] The control unit 103B then determines whether the transmission is complete (step S135). If it determines that the transmission is not complete, it returns to step S134 and continues the transmission process. If it determines that the transmission is complete, it erases the color information acquired from the pickup unit 11B that it has been temporarily holding (step S136) and terminates this processing routine.

[0183] In the example shown in Figure 20, the wireless transmission of color information and pen ID information was described as being triggered by the reception of color information from the pickup unit 11B. However, as mentioned above, if the color information from the pickup unit 11B includes information requesting wireless transmission to the electronic device 2A, the wireless transmission to the electronic device 2A will be triggered by the detection of this added information requesting wireless transmission.

[0184] In this third embodiment, the same effects as in the second embodiment can be obtained, and there is also the effect of reducing the processing load in the control unit 116B of the pickup unit 11B.

[0185] In the second and third embodiments described above, the pickup units 11A and 11B are supplied with power from the battery BT of the electronic pen body units 10A and 10B. However, it is also possible for each of the pickup units 11A and 11B to have its own battery.

[0186] [Modified versions of the second and third embodiments] In the second and third embodiments described above, the color information picked up by the pickup unit and the pen ID information are transmitted as a pair to the electronic device 2A via the wireless communication unit 118 of the pickup unit 11A or the wireless communication unit 109 of the electronic pen body unit 10B. However, the color information may be transmitted to the electronic device 2A via the wireless communication unit 118 of the pickup unit 11A or the wireless communication unit 109 of the electronic pen body unit 10B, while the pen ID information may be included in the signal from the core body 105 of the electronic pen body units 10A and 10B and transmitted to the electronic device 2A via the sensor unit, thereby transmitting the color information and the pen ID information via separate routes.

[0187] Furthermore, in the second and third embodiments, the information of the color information and pen ID information pair is transmitted wirelessly via the wireless communication unit 118 or wireless communication unit 109. However, the information of the color information and pen ID information pair may also be included in the signal from the core body 105 of the electronic pen body 10 and transmitted to the electronic device 2A via the position detection sensor 210. In that case, it is not necessary to provide the wireless communication unit 118 or wireless communication unit 109 and the wireless communication unit 204.

[0188] As a variation of the second and third embodiments, when the authentication target is a document file, image drawing file, or folder containing handwritten input using an electronic pen, the prior registration of the authentication target can be omitted by using pen ID information. That is, the electronic pen's pen ID information is associated with (added to) the document file and image drawing file containing handwritten input using an electronic pen and stored. Then, if the document file or folder is the same as the pen ID information stored as authentication reference information, it can be recognized as the authentication target and authentication can be performed using color information. However, in this case, it is not possible to set different color information for each document file, image drawing file, or folder containing them, and authentication will be performed using one common color information for each pen ID information.

[0189] [Fourth Embodiment] The fourth embodiment is designed to provide even stricter security than the second and third embodiments, by adding a signature entered by the user using an electronic pen on an electronic device as authentication reference information.

[0190] The electronic pen constituting this fourth embodiment can be either the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment or the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment described above; either one may be used. Therefore, the operation of picking up color information and the operation of wirelessly transmitting information including pen ID information in the electronic pen 1A (or electronic pen 1B) constituting this fourth embodiment are the same as those of the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment or the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment described above. For this reason, a detailed explanation will be omitted here.

[0191] Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the electronic device 2C (not shown) constituting this fourth embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the electronic device 2A in the second and third embodiments described above. However, the information processing control unit 200C (not shown) of the electronic device 2C of the fourth embodiment has different control contents from the information processing control unit 200A of the electronic device 2A in the second and third embodiments, and the authentication reference information storage unit 205C stores different authentication reference information from the authentication reference information storage unit 205A of the electronic device 2A in the second and third embodiments.

[0192] Below, an example of the operation of the information processing control unit 200C of the electronic device 2C in this fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 21 to 23.

[0193] In Figure 21, the processes from steps S141 to S145 are the same as the processes from steps S71 to S75 described in Figure 14 in the second embodiment, so the explanation is omitted here.

[0194] In the fourth embodiment, when it is determined in step S145 that color information and pen ID information have been received, the information processing control unit 200C temporarily holds the received color information and pen ID (step S146).

[0195] Next, the information processing control unit 200C displays a signature input field (signature field) 203SG on the display screen 203D of the display unit 203, as shown in Figure 25, and prompts the user to input a signature into the input field 203SG using the electronic pen 1A (or electronic pen 1B) (step S151 in Figure 22).

[0196] In response to this prompt, the user signs in the input field 203SG using the electronic pen 1A (or electronic pen 1B). In this case, as described above, the pen ID information is sent from the core body 105 of the electronic pen 1A (or electronic pen 1B) as a time-division signal, in addition to the position detection signal and pressure information.

[0197] In the electronic device 2C, the position detection control circuit 227 detects the signal sent from the core 105 of the electronic pen 1A (or electronic pen 1B) via the position detection sensor 210. The position detection control circuit 227 detects the coordinates of the trajectory indicated by the core 105 of the electronic pen 1A (or electronic pen 1B) (signature handwriting information), calculates the pen pressure value from the pen pressure information, and further detects the pen ID information. The position detection control circuit 227 then supplies the detected signature handwriting information, pen pressure value information, and pen ID information to the information processing control unit 200C.

[0198] The information processing control unit 200C receives a signature input from the position detection control circuit 227, which includes handwriting information of the signature, pressure information, and pen ID information (step S152). The unit then compares the pen ID information included in the signature input with the pen ID information held in step S146 to determine whether the two are identical (step S153).

[0199] In step S153, if the information processing control unit 200C determines that the pen ID information included in the signature input is not the same as the pen ID information held in step S146, it rejects the acceptance of the signature input (step S154). The information processing control unit 200C then returns to step S141 in Figure 21 and repeats the processing from step S141 onward.

[0200] The processing in steps S153 and S154 is intended to ensure that the electronic pen used to pick up the color information and the electronic pen used for signature input are the same, thereby strengthening security. However, since it is rare for the electronic pen used to pick up the color information and the electronic pen used for signature input to be different, the processing steps S153 and S154 may be omitted.

[0201] Then, in step S153, if it is determined that the pen ID information included in the signature input is the same as the pen ID information held in step S146, the information processing control unit 200C determines whether the signature input has been completed by determining, for example, whether the exit button icon 203ES on the display screen 203D in Figure 25 has been clicked (step S155).

[0202] If the information processing control unit 200C determines in step S155 that the signature input is not yet complete, it returns the process to step S152 and repeats the process from step S152 onward. If the information processing control unit 200C determines in step S155 that the signature input is complete, it stores authentication reference information in the authentication reference information storage unit 205C as table information, as shown in Figure 26, which associates the color information, pen ID information, and signature information (coordinate information of the handwriting trace) held in step S146 with the authentication target (step S156).

[0203] Following step S156, the information processing control unit 200C returns to step S141 in Figure 21 and repeats the processing from step S141 onward.

[0204] Then, in step S147 in Figure 21, if it is determined that the processing event detected in step S141 is requesting authentication, the information processing control unit 200C executes the processing from step S161 in Figure 23. In Figure 23, the processing steps from step S161 to step S168 are the same as the processing steps from step S81 to step S88 in Figure 15, so their explanation is omitted.

[0205] Then, in step S168 of Figure 23, when it is determined that authentication by pen ID is OK and authentication by color information is OK, the information processing control unit 200C displays a signature input field (signature field) 203SG on the display screen 203D of the display unit 203, as shown in Figure 25, and prompts the user to input a signature into the input field 203SG using the electronic pen 1A (or electronic pen 1B) (step S171 of Figure 22).

[0206] In response to this prompt, the user signs in the input field 203SG using the electronic pen 1A (or electronic pen 1B). In this case, as described above, the pen ID information is sent from the core body 105 of the electronic pen 1A (or electronic pen 1B) as a time-division signal, in addition to the position detection signal and pressure information.

[0207] In the electronic device 2C, as described above, the position detection control circuit 227 (see Figure 5) of the position detection processing unit 21 detects the coordinates of the trajectory indicated by the core body 105 of the electronic pen 1A (or electronic pen 1B) (signature handwriting information), calculates the pen pressure value from the pen pressure information, and further detects the pen ID information. The position detection control circuit 227 then supplies the detected signature handwriting information, pen pressure value information, and pen ID information to the information processing control unit 200C.

[0208] The information processing control unit 200C receives a signature input from the position detection control circuit 227, which includes signature handwriting information, pen pressure value information, and pen ID information (step S172). The unit then compares the pen ID information included in the signature input with the pen ID information held in step S162 to determine whether the two are identical (step S173).

[0209] In step S173, if the information processing control unit 200C determines that the pen ID information included in the signature input received in step S172 is not the same as the pen ID information held in step S162, the information processing control unit 200C proceeds to step S166 in Figure 23 and notifies the user that authentication failed. After that, the information processing control unit 200C returns to step S141 in Figure 21 and repeats the processing from step S141 onwards.

[0210] The processing in steps S173 and S174 is intended to ensure that the electronic pen used to pick up the color information and the electronic pen used for signature input are the same, thereby strengthening security. However, since it is rare for the electronic pen used to pick up the color information and the electronic pen used for signature input to be different, the processing steps S173 and S174 may be omitted.

[0211] Then, in step S173, if it is determined that the pen ID information included in the signature input is the same as the pen ID information held in step S162, the information processing control unit 200C determines whether the signature input has been completed by determining, for example, whether the exit button icon 203ES on the display screen 203D in Figure 25 has been clicked (step S174).

[0212] If it is determined in step S174 that the signature input has not been completed, the process returns to step S172. If it is determined that the signature input has been completed, the information processing control unit 200C holds the signature input information (step S175) and compares the held signature input information with the signature input information stored in the authentication reference information storage unit 205C (step S176).

[0213] Then, the information processing control unit 200C determines whether authentication by signature is OK or not based on the result of verifying the signature input information and whether the signatures match (step S177). Whether the signatures match or not is determined, for example, by whether the difference between the two input information being verified is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. If it is less than or equal to the threshold, authentication is OK; if it is greater than the threshold, authentication is NG. In this case, when the threshold value is small, security becomes stricter, and when it is large, security becomes weaker.

[0214] If, in step S177, the system determines that authentication by signature is unsuccessful, the information processing control unit 200C proceeds to step S166 in Figure 23 and notifies the system of the authentication failure. Subsequently, the information processing control unit 200C returns to step S141 in Figure 21 and repeats the process from step S141 onward.

[0215] Furthermore, if step S177 determines that authentication by signature is OK, the information processing control unit 200C authorizes the authentication target (step S178), and then returns the process to step S141 in Figure 21, and repeats the process from step S141 onwards.

[0216] In the fourth embodiment described above, in addition to authentication by color information and authentication by pen ID, authentication by signature is also performed, thereby strengthening security.

[0217] In the description of the fourth embodiment above, signature-based authentication was added to the authentication system of the second or third embodiment. However, signature-based authentication may also be added to the authentication system of the first embodiment. That is, security protection for the authentication target may be removed only when both authentication by color information and authentication by signature are successful.

[0218] [Other embodiments or variations] In the above-described embodiment, the electronic device generates table information that stores authentication targets and authentication reference information in association, and performs authentication management and authentication control processing based on this table information. However, for example, information indicating that each authentication target, such as an application program, file, or folder, is subject to security management may be added, along with authentication reference information. In that case, when an application program subject to authentication is started or when an authentication target file or folder is opened, the same authentication process as described above is automatically started and executed, and the success or failure of authentication is determined.

[0219] Furthermore, in the recognition systems of the second to fourth embodiments described above, in order to strengthen security beyond just color information, color information is combined with the pen ID information of the electronic pens 1A and 1B. However, the pickup units 11A and 11B, which are separate from the electronic pen bodies 10A and 10B, may be assigned identification information (unit ID of the pickup unit) to the pickup units, and a storage unit for storing the identification information of the pickup units may be provided to transmit this information, along with the color information, to the electronic device 2 instead of the pen ID information. In this case as well, the means for transmitting the color information and identification information from the electronic pens 1A and 1B to the electronic devices 2 and 2A may be a wireless communication unit mounted on the pickup units 11A and 11B, or a wireless communication unit mounted on the electronic pen bodies 10A and 10B. In addition, the color information and identification information may be included in the signal sent from the core body 105 of the electronic pen bodies 10A and 10B.

[0220] Thus, when the unit ID of the pickup unit is used as identification information transmitted along with the color information, if the pickup units 11A and 11B are equipped with a wireless communication unit and a battery, the transmission of the color information and the identification information of the pickup units 11A and 11B is possible even without an electrical connection to the electronic pen body units 10A and 10B. For this reason, an electrical connection such as a USB connection as in the above example is not required between the pickup units 11A and 11B and the electronic pen body units 10A and 10B; they simply need to be configured to be connectable.

[0221] In the above embodiment, the electronic pen is configured with the electronic pen body and the pickup unit as separate components, which are then connected. However, it goes without saying that instead of having the electronic pen body and the pickup unit as separate components, the electronic pen may be configured as a single unit with the functions of both the electronic pen body and the pickup unit housed within the electronic pen's casing. In this case, the functional part of the pickup unit, which includes an externally exposed lens, would be provided on the rear end of the electronic pen's casing, opposite to the pen tip side.

[0222] In the above embodiment, since color information is picked up and used for authentication, the light receiving unit 122 is made up of a phototransistor and is equipped with a color detection circuit. However, in the authentication system according to this invention, it is also possible to configure it to pick up image information instead of color information.

[0223] In other words, in this case, the light-receiving unit 122 is configured as an image sensor in which multiple light-receiving cells are arranged in two dimensions, and an image detection circuit is provided instead of a color detection circuit to detect an image from the output of the image sensor, so that the pickup unit can pick up an image of the area to which the rear end is pressed. Needless to say, in this case, the image is not limited to a monochrome image, but a color image can also be picked up.

[0224] Furthermore, although the electronic pen body of the electronic pen in the above-described embodiment is configured as an active capacitive electronic pen that transmits signals from the core, the method of the electronic pen that interacts with the position detection sensor 210 can be anything. That is, it can be a passive electronic pen or an electromagnetic induction electronic pen. The electromagnetic induction electronic pen may be of the type that receives and feeds back signals from the position detection sensor 210, or it may be of the type that has its own signal generation circuit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0225] 1,1A,1B…Electronic pen; 2,2A,2C…Electronic device; 10,10A,10B…Electronic pen body; 11,11A,11B…Pickup unit; 113…Lens; 118…Wireless communication unit; 121…Light-emitting element; 122…Light-receiving unit; 123…Color detection circuit; 124…Pressure detection switch; 200…Information processing control unit; 204…Wireless communication unit; 205…Authentication reference information storage unit; 210…Position detection sensor

Claims

1. An authentication system comprising an electronic pen and an electronic device that receives signals from the electronic pen and performs authentication on the subject of authentication, The aforementioned electronic pen is It is equipped with a battery, The device comprises a pickup unit provided on the rear end of a cylindrical housing, opposite in the axial direction to the front end which interacts with a position detection sensor to input position indications, and which includes a pickup circuit unit that picks up the color or image of an arbitrary part to obtain color information or image information, and a transmission unit that transmits the color information or image information obtained by the pickup circuit unit to the electronic device. The aforementioned electronic device is A storage unit for authentication reference information that stores color authentication reference information or image authentication reference information, An authentication feasibility determination unit that determines whether or not authentication is possible for the authentication target by comparing the color information or image information received from the electronic pen with the color authentication reference information or image authentication reference information stored in the authentication reference information storage unit, In an authentication system equipped with, The aforementioned pickup unit is Detection means for detecting when the user has performed an action to start the pickup and an action to end the pickup, In order to monitor the detection state in the detection means, a control unit is provided that enters a standby state by receiving voltage from the battery before the operation of the pickup is started, Equipped with, When the detection means detects that an operation to start the pickup has been performed, the control unit supplies power voltage from the battery to the pickup circuit and the transmitter to cause the pickup circuit to perform the pickup, and controls the transmitter to transmit the color information or image information picked up by the pickup circuit to the electronic device. When the detection means detects that an operation to end the pickup has been performed, the control unit controls the supply of power voltage from the battery to the pickup circuit and the transmitter to stop. An authentication system characterized by the following features.

2. The pickup unit of the electronic pen includes an identification information storage unit that stores unique identification information, and the transmission unit transmits the identification information from the identification information storage unit together with the color information or image information picked up by the pickup circuit unit to the electronic device. The electronic device receives the identification information along with the color information or image information transmitted from the electronic pen, and the authentication reference information storage unit stores authentication reference information for the identification information in addition to the authentication reference information for the color or image, and the authentication feasibility determination unit determines whether authentication is possible by comparing the identification information, in addition to the color information or image information transmitted from the electronic pen, with the authentication reference information for the color or image stored in the authentication reference information storage unit and the authentication reference information for the identification information. The authentication system according to feature 1.

3. The electronic pen includes an identification information storage unit that stores unique identification information, and an identification information transmission unit that transmits the identification information from the identification information storage unit to the electronic device. The electronic device includes an identification information receiving unit that receives the identification information transmitted from the electronic pen, and the authentication reference information storage unit stores authentication reference information for the identification information in addition to the authentication reference information for the color or the image, and the authentication feasibility determination unit determines whether authentication is possible by comparing the identification information, in addition to the color information or the image information transmitted from the electronic pen, with the authentication reference information for the identification information stored in the authentication reference information storage unit. The authentication system according to feature 1.

4. The electronic device is equipped with the position detection sensor, and the identification information transmission unit and the identification information receiving unit of the electronic device transmit and receive the identification information through interaction between the electronic pen and the position detection sensor. The authentication system according to feature 3.

5. The electronic device includes the position detection sensor and a detection circuit that detects trajectory information corresponding to the position instruction input by the electronic pen through the position detection sensor. The authentication reference information storage unit stores authentication reference information for the trajectory information. The authentication determination unit compares the color information or image information transmitted from the electronic pen with the authentication reference information for the color or image stored in the authentication reference information storage unit, and also compares the trajectory information detected by the detection circuit with the authentication reference information for the trajectory stored in the authentication reference information storage unit to determine whether authentication is possible. The authentication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The transmitting unit performs wireless communication according to a predetermined communication standard. The authentication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The pickup unit is configured as a separate component that can be detached from the main body of the electronic pen. The authentication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The pickup unit is equipped with a second connector that connects to a first connector provided on the main body of the electronic pen, and the pickup unit and the main body of the electronic pen are electrically connected, and the battery is provided on the main body side of the electronic pen. The authentication system according to feature 7.

9. The action taken by the user to initiate the pickup, as detected by the detection means, is the operation of pressing the rear end of the pickup unit against the arbitrary part, and the action to terminate the pickup is the operation of releasing the state in which the pickup unit is pressed. The authentication system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The detection means is configured by a pressure detection switch. The authentication system according to feature 9.

11. The pickup unit has an opening at its rear end, The detection means detects that the user has initiated the pickup action when the opening is pressed against the flat surface, thereby blocking the entry of external light into the opening, and detects that the user has initiated the pickup action when the blocking of external light into the opening is released. The authentication system according to feature 9.

12. The detection means is comprised of a contact sensor or pressure sensor provided at the rear end of the pickup unit. The authentication system according to feature 9.

13. The pickup unit has an opening at its rear end, and a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are arranged inside the opening. When the detection means detects that an operation to start the pickup has been performed, the control unit controls the light-emitting element to start emitting light, to irradiate the pressed flat surface with light from the light-emitting element, to receive the reflected light from the flat surface with the light-receiving element, and to acquire the color information or the image information from the output signal of the light-receiving element. The authentication system according to feature 11.

14. A lens is provided in the aforementioned opening. The authentication system according to feature 13.

15. The lens is arranged to protrude outward from the opening and to be displaceable inward from the opening in the axial direction of the electronic pen when pressed from the outside. The detection means is configured with a switch that changes its state in accordance with the displacement of the lens toward the inside of the aperture. The authentication system according to feature 14.

16. It is equipped with a battery, The device comprises a pickup unit located on the rear end of a cylindrical housing, opposite in the axial direction to the front end which interacts with a position detection sensor to input position instructions, and which includes a pickup circuit unit that picks up the color or image of an arbitrary part to obtain color information or image information, and a transmission unit that transmits the color information or image information obtained by the pickup circuit unit as authentication information to an external electronic device that performs authentication of the authentication target. The aforementioned pickup unit is Detection means for detecting when the user has performed an action to start the pickup and an action to end the pickup, In order to monitor the detection state in the detection means, a control unit is provided that enters a standby state by receiving voltage from the battery before the operation of the pickup is started, Equipped with, When the detection means detects that an operation to start the pickup has been performed, the control unit supplies power voltage from the battery to the pickup circuit and the transmitter to cause the pickup circuit to perform the pickup, and controls the transmitter to transmit the color information or image information picked up by the pickup circuit to the electronic device. When the detection means detects that an operation to end the pickup has been performed, the control unit controls the supply of power voltage from the battery to the pickup circuit and the transmitter to stop. An electronic pen characterized by the following features.

17. The transmitting unit performs wireless communication according to a predetermined communication standard. The electronic pen according to feature 16.

18. The pickup unit is configured as a separate component that can be detached from the main body of the electronic pen. The electronic pen according to claim 16 or 17.

19. The pickup unit is equipped with a second connector that connects to a first connector provided on the main body of the electronic pen, and the pickup unit and the main body of the electronic pen are electrically connected, and the battery is provided on the main body side of the electronic pen. The electronic pen according to feature 18.

20. The action taken by the user to initiate the pickup, as detected by the detection means, is the operation of pressing the rear end of the pickup unit against the arbitrary part, and the action to terminate the pickup is the operation of releasing the state in which the pickup unit is pressed. The electronic pen according to any one of claims 16 to 19.

21. The detection means is configured by a pressure detection switch. The electronic pen according to feature 20.

22. The pickup unit has an opening at its rear end, The detection means detects that the user has initiated the pickup action when the opening is pressed against the flat surface, thereby blocking the entry of external light into the opening, and detects that the user has initiated the pickup action when the blocking of external light into the opening is released. The electronic pen according to feature 21.

23. The detection means is comprised of a contact sensor or pressure sensor provided at the rear end of the pickup unit. The electronic pen according to feature 21.

24. The pickup unit has an opening at its rear end, and a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are arranged inside the opening. When the detection means detects that an operation to start the pickup has been performed, the control unit controls the light-emitting element to start emitting light, to irradiate the pressed flat surface with light from the light-emitting element, to receive the reflected light from the flat surface with the light-receiving element, and to acquire the color information or the image information from the output signal of the light-receiving element. The electronic pen according to feature 22.

25. A lens is provided in the aforementioned opening. The electronic pen according to feature 24.

26. The lens is arranged to protrude outward from the opening and to be displaceable inward from the opening in the axial direction of the electronic pen when pressed from the outside. The detection means is configured with a switch that changes its state in accordance with the displacement of the lens toward the inside of the aperture. The electronic pen according to feature 25.

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