JP2000030063A - Method and device for personal identification - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make organismic information difficult to be forged and to make identifiable a user stably without making the user feel mental resistance by photodetecting reflected light generated by irradiating a specific position of the organ of sense of equilibrium of a human body and extracting feature information. SOLUTION: After a measuring probe 4 is inserted into or put close to the external auditory mialus, the feature information is started to be measure by a switch 2. When the ON signal from the switch 2 is outputted to a control circuit 6, the control circuit 6 sends a command for starting measurement to a signal processing circuit 8. The signal processing circuit 8 receives a measurement signal which is obtained from the measuring probe 4 photodetecting reflected light of, for example, near-infrared irradiation light and corresponds to the feature of the balance receptor. This measurement signal is sent to a feature extraction part 10 after a specific signal process to extract the feature quantity. This extracted feature quantity is sent to a storage part 14 and also compared by a comparison part 12 with a feature quantity which is already stored in the storage part 14 to obtain a judgement result 18 showing whether the individual is identical.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for identifying an individual which constitute a part of a security system.
In particular, the present invention relates to an individual identification method and device that uses individual differences of a balanced auditory organ of a living body as identification information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a personal identification device used for entry / exit control in a highly confidential room or the like, access control of a computer, etc., a system using characteristics of a human body such as a fingerprint, an iris, a retinal blood vessel, a handprint, a face, A method using characteristics such as a voiceprint and a signature is known. Among the personal identification methods used in such known personal identification devices, for example,
05090, JP-A-57-153635,
The method using a retinal vascular pattern disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-200628 and the like is known as a method having an extremely low false recognition rate, extremely difficult to forge, and excellent reliability compared to other methods. I have.

[0003]

However, in the personal identification method using the retinal blood vessel pattern, it is necessary to irradiate light to the eyes in order to detect the retinal blood vessel pattern, which imposes a heavy psychological burden on the user. There's a problem. Also,
At the time of use, it is necessary to look at the finder of the collation device and adjust the fixation point, which is inconvenient for ordinary people to use.

[0004] Also, other personal identification methods have the following problems, respectively. The fingerprint-based method poses a difficult problem before technology, in that the image (impression) of a criminal investigation results in high psychological resistance to the user, and the image must be wiped out for widespread use. I have Further, in the method using fingerprints or bills, there is a high risk of being duplicated because the appearance of an individual's body is used.

In the method using the iris, since the iris pattern is read by a camera, the iris may be stolen by a similar method. In the method using the shape of the face, it is necessary to suppress the posture and lighting conditions within a certain range, and the method lacks stability and may be forged to use the appearance. Voiceprints and signatures are more likely to be stolen, and are more susceptible to the user's psychological and health conditions and lack stability. Also, in the method using the blood vessel pattern of the hand or finger,
It is more difficult to forge than the method using the appearance features, and the psychological burden on the user is smaller than the method using the retinal blood vessel pattern. Since information close to the surface layer is used, there is a possibility that a pattern may be stolen by a near-infrared camera or the like after all. In addition, since the blood vessels of the hands and fingers are deformed due to the movement of the hands and fingers, it is difficult to obtain the same pattern every time, and the allowable range at the time of collation has to be widened.
There is a problem that the false authentication rate increases.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is extremely difficult to forge, there is no psychological resistance of the user, and the physical restraint conditions during use are limited. An object of the present invention is to provide a personal identification method and apparatus using biometric information which is small and is not easily affected by a mental state or a health state.

[0007]

According to the personal identification method and apparatus of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, information (characteristic information) on the shape characteristics and anatomical characteristics of the parts of a balanced hearing device (ear) is provided. For example, information on the shape of the eardrum, the blood vessel pattern of the eardrum, and the blood vessel pattern of the ear canal is used as biological information.

[0008] The above object is characterized by irradiating means for irradiating a predetermined portion of a human balanced hearing device with light, light receiving means for receiving light reflected from the predetermined portion, and the balanced hearing device from the reflected light. This is achieved by a personal identification device including: a feature extracting unit that extracts information; and a determining unit that compares and determines feature information stored in advance with the extracted feature information. Further, the predetermined portion is an eardrum. Further, the feature extracting means extracts feature information on a blood vessel pattern of the eardrum. Further, there is provided illumination means for illuminating the eardrum, and image receiving means for receiving an image formed by reflected light from the eardrum, wherein the feature extracting means further includes at least one predetermined image on the eardrum from the image. Extract the position of
The irradiating means irradiates light to an area based on the predetermined position. Further, the irradiating means irradiates light on an area on a circumference or a circle centered on the predetermined position. In addition, the predetermined position is a protrusion of the nail, the navel of the eardrum, or the vicinity thereof. Further, the irradiating means irradiates light to a region on a straight line connecting the orbital projection or its vicinity, and the eardrum navel or its vicinity.

Further, in the personal identification device of the present invention, the predetermined portion is an external auditory meatus or a concha of the ear. Further, the feature extracting means extracts feature information on a blood vessel pattern of the external auditory canal or the concha of the concha. In addition, the feature extracting means may include a blood vessel pattern obtained along the inner circumference of the ear canal on a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the ear canal, or an ear concha obtained along a circumference centered substantially at the center of the ear canal entrance. It is characterized in that feature information on a blood vessel pattern of a cavity is extracted.

[0010] In the personal identification device of the present invention, the irradiating means and the light receiving means are incorporated in a housing which can be mounted on a predetermined position of a human balanced hearing device. An electroacoustic transducer for generating a sound according to a state is provided in the housing. In addition, the apparatus has two housings, and the two housings are connected to each other so that the characteristic information can be extracted from each of the left and right balanced hearing devices of a person.

The above object is also achieved by illuminating means for illuminating the eardrum of a human balanced hearing device, receiving means for receiving an image of light reflected from the eardrum, and extracting characteristic information relating to the shape of the eardrum from the image. The feature of the present invention is achieved by a personal identification device, comprising: a feature extracting unit that performs a comparing process;

The above object is also achieved by irradiating the eardrum with light, receiving reflected light from the eardrum, extracting characteristic information on the eardrum from the reflected light, Comparing the extracted characteristic information with each other to determine whether they are the same individual. Further, before the step of extracting the characteristic information, irradiating the eardrum with light, receiving reflected light from the eardrum, and extracting characteristic information about the eardrum from the reflected light,
Storing the extracted feature information.

[0013] Further, the object is to illuminate the eardrum with light in a visible region, receive an image of reflected light from the eardrum, and specify a predetermined position of the eardrum, and an area based on the specified position. Irradiating light, receiving the reflected light from the region, extracting the characteristic information about the eardrum from the reflected light, and comparing the previously stored characteristic information and the extracted characteristic information Determining whether or not they are the same individual.

Further, the object is to irradiate light to the external auditory canal or the concha of the ear, receive light reflected from the external auditory canal or the concha of the ear, and obtain characteristic information on the external auditory canal or the concha of the ear from the reflected light. And a step of comparing the previously stored feature information with the extracted feature information to determine whether or not the individuals are the same. In addition, before the step of extracting the feature information, the ear canal or the concha is irradiated with light, the light reflected from the ear canal or the concha is received, and the ear canal or the concha is detected from the reflected light. The method includes a step of extracting characteristic information regarding a cavity, and a step of storing the extracted characteristic information.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A personal identification method and apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the overall schematic configuration of the personal identification device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The personal identification device according to the present embodiment uses information (feature information) regarding anatomical features such as the shape of the eardrum and ear canal of a human balanced hearing device and blood vessel patterns to identify an individual. is there.

The personal identification device according to the present embodiment, when measuring characteristic information of a person's equilibrium hearing aid, uses the measurement probe 4
Has a switch 2 for starting measurement of characteristic information after being inserted or approached into the ear canal. The switch 2 may be a mechanical switch that is pressed with a fingertip, or a switch that is turned on when the measurement probe 4 and a portion of a balance sensory device such as an eardrum or an ear canal approach a predetermined distance by various non-contact sensors. The ON / OFF signal from the switch 2 is output to the control circuit 6. When the ON signal is output from the switch 2 to the control circuit 6, the control circuit 6 sends a measurement start command to the signal processing circuit 8. Upon receiving the command, the signal processing circuit 8 receives, for example, a measurement signal corresponding to the characteristics of the balance sensory device obtained from the measurement probe 4 that irradiates near-infrared light and receives reflected light. The received measurement signal is sent to the feature extraction unit 10 as measurement data through predetermined signal processing, and a feature amount (feature information) is extracted.

The extracted feature amount is sent to the storage unit 14 when registering an individual as an object of authentication, while comparing means for identifying whether or not the individual is an object of authentication. 12 is sent. The feature amount sent to the storage unit 14 is stored in the storage unit 14 and is used when identifying an individual thereafter. The feature amount sent to the comparison unit 12 is used by the comparison unit 12 for comparison with a feature amount already stored in the storage unit 14. Comparison section 1
As a result of the comparison and determination by step 2, a determination result 18 as to whether or not the individual (individual) having the stored characteristic amount is the same individual is output. On the basis of the determination result 18, for example, entry / exit management of a highly confidential room or the like, access control of a computer, etc. are performed.

Next, the features relating to the human balanced hearing device used in the personal recognition apparatus according to the present embodiment and the advantages of using the features for personal identification will be described with reference to FIGS. Will be explained. FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section of the entire balanced hearing aid on the right side of the person. The human auditory canal includes the external auditory canal 20, the concha cavernosa 21, the ossicle 22, the tympanic cavity 2
4. Maze 26, eardrum 28, inner ear nerve 30, and Eustachian tube 3.
There are second-class organizations. The eardrum 28 is a pearly gray-white oval
It is a funnel-shaped (conical) membrane with a major axis of about 9 mm, a minor axis of about 8.5 mm, and a thickness of about 0.1 mm.

FIG. 3 shows an otoscopic image of the eardrum 28 on the right side of the person. In and around the tympanic membrane 28, the tympanic membrane 34, light cone 36, external auditory canal 20, tibial protrusion 40, anterior tibial fold and thigh ridge 42, flaccidity 44, deep auricular artery 46, posterior tibial fold 48, The stalk 50, the tension part 52, etc. are observed. The light cone 36 refers to a portion that emits strong reflected light when the eardrum 28 is irradiated with light.
The shape of No. 6 is unique to each person. Also,
The eardrum umbilicus 34 is the top portion of the eardrum being pulled by the ossicles 22. The relaxation part 44 is the eardrum 2
8 is a portion where the film is loosened,
"" Means a portion of the eardrum 28 where the membrane is stretched.
The tension portion 52 is located below the eardrum 28 and occupies most of the eardrum 28, while the relaxation portion 44 is slightly above the eardrum 28.

FIG. 4 shows the ear canal 20 and the eardrum 28 in an adult.
The outline of the positional relationship with is shown. The eardrum 28 is the ear canal 2
It is about 3 cm deep from the entrance of 0. The central portion of the eardrum 28 (the eardrum umbilicus 34) is attached to the tibial pedicle of the ossicle 22 and is pulled inside the body, forming a funnel shape. The tympanic membrane 28 forms a sound transmission chain with the stigma stalk and the kinuta bone and the stapes of the other ossicles 22 which are ligament-bonded to the stalk bone stalk. The lower side of the eardrum 28 is approximately 3
At an angle of 0 degree, the upper side of the eardrum 28 is approximately 1
The eardrum 28 is inclined at an angle of about 40 to 50 degrees with respect to the ear canal 20 as a whole. Eardrum 2
Numeral 8 is composed of three layers, an outer skin layer, an inner mucosal layer, and an eigenlayer sandwiched therebetween, and the eigenlayer is composed of an outer radially connected tissue fiber and an inner annularly connected tissue fiber. . As described above, since the eigenlayer is a radial connective tissue fiber and the eardrum 28 has a funnel shape as described above, the light cone 36 described above is observed.

FIG. 5 shows the division of the tension portion 52 of the eardrum 28.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Tension 52 of the eardrum 28
Is indicated by two dashed lines intersecting at the tympanic navel 34 as shown in FIG. 5, by the upper front quadrant 68, the lower front quadrant 66, the rear upper quadrant 62,
The lower lower quadrant 64 is divided into four. Further, the tension portion 52 of the eardrum 28 may be divided into a central zone 74, an intermediate zone 72, and a peripheral zone 70 by two broken circles centered on the eardrum navel 34 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a blood vessel pattern of the eardrum 28, which is an anatomical feature of a balanced hearing device. Since there is an individual difference in the shape of the blood vessel pattern of the eardrum 28 and the mutual positional relationship between the blood vessels, the information on the blood vessel pattern is powerful information for identifying an individual. The blood vessel pattern under the ear canal 20 also shows a complicated pattern like the above-described eardrum blood vessel pattern, and has sufficient information to identify an individual. The blood vessel pattern of the eardrum 28 is usually not clear under visible light, but can be easily observed due to hyperemia at the time of injury such as acute otitis media.

Here, with reference to FIG. 8, light that can obtain information on a blood vessel pattern such as an eardrum and an ear canal even in a healthy state will be described. FIG. 8 shows the light absorption characteristics of blood. For example, a wavelength of 400 nm (purple) or 550 nm
When (green) light is applied to the eardrum and skin of the ear canal, the light penetrates into the subcutaneous tissue and partially returns to the skin surface by reflection and scattering. At this time, the wavelength of 400 nm
The light of (violet) or 550 nm (green) is almost absorbed in the blood vessel portion by strong absorption of oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin as shown in FIG. For this reason,
The image obtained by receiving the light returning to the skin surface reflects the blood vessel pattern, so that information on the blood vessel pattern can be obtained.

In the case of light having a wavelength of 660 nm (red),
As shown in FIG. 8, it is hardly absorbed by oxygenated hemoglobin, but is absorbed by reduced hemoglobin. Therefore,
The image obtained by receiving the light returning to the skin surface reflects the vein blood vessel pattern, and information about the blood vessel pattern can be obtained. In addition, wavelength 9
The near-infrared light of 30 nm absorbs a small amount of skin pigments such as melanin, bilirubin, and β-carotene as well as moisture occupying most of the living body, and penetrates the living body better. It is absorbed by reduced hemoglobin. For this reason, the image obtained by receiving the light returning to the skin surface reflects the blood vessel pattern, and information on the blood vessel pattern can be obtained. Therefore, in order to obtain information on a blood vessel pattern even in a healthy state, a wavelength of about 400 nm (purple),
It is effective to use light in the range from around 550 nm (green) or around 660 nm (red) to around 930 nm (near infrared).

In order to obtain information on the subcutaneous ear canal,
The optical system may focus light at a predetermined depth position under the skin. In this way, since only the region at a predetermined depth position under the ear canal is irradiated with strong light, it is affected by scattered light from other parts of the living body, for example, a part deeper than the blood vessel to be measured. Information can be obtained stably.

In the above-described method using the characteristics of the subcutaneous tissue such as a blood vessel pattern for identification, the change due to injury or contamination is smaller than that in the epidermis. Compared to the method using
It is hardly affected by the environment and mental state. In addition, it is difficult to collect features of the eardrum or ear canal due to makeup or piercing,
The characteristics of the subcutaneous tissue itself such as the blood vessel pattern do not change. The method using the ear has less anxiety than the method using the retina. In addition, since the housing of the personal identification device can be physically brought into contact with the outer ear or the external auditory canal for positioning, there is no sense of restriction such as fixing the line of sight at the time of data collection as in a retinal blood vessel pattern.

Next, the personal identification method and apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. As described above, the personal identification device of the present embodiment mainly uses characteristic information relating to anatomical features such as a blood vessel pattern of a human balanced hearing device, particularly, feature information from the eardrum or the ear canal. There are several methods for obtaining feature information on anatomical features such as blood vessel patterns, but only those methods that can be used here are, of course, non-invasive and secure. Also, a method that does not give the user a feeling of resistance or discomfort is desired. The method using light is excellent in this respect. As described above, if the wavelength is carefully selected, characteristic information based on a membrane like an eardrum or a blood vessel pattern just under the skin of the ear canal can be safely and quickly obtained. Since the device of the present invention is not used for medical purposes, it is not important to obtain an accurate blood vessel shape. Therefore, in the present apparatus, it is not only necessary to obtain only information relating to an accurate blood vessel pattern, but information other than a blood vessel pattern, that is, information due to absorption other than hemoglobin may be mixed. In short, it is only necessary that the obtained information has information that can identify an individual.

First, a housing for accommodating the measurement probe 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 9 shows the eardrum 2
8 shows a housing 76 accommodating the measurement probe 4 for measuring feature information on the blood vessel pattern, and FIG. 10 shows a housing 82 accommodating the measurement probe 4 for measuring feature information on the blood vessel pattern of the ear canal 20. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a part of each of the casings 76 and 82 has substantially the same shape as the entrance of the ear canal 20, and a part of the casings 76 and 82 is
By inserting it at zero, the housings 76, 82 can be maintained at a substantially constant position with respect to the balanced hearing aid. The measurement probe 4 for measuring characteristic information relating to the blood vessel pattern of the eardrum 28 incorporates irradiation means for irradiating the eardrum 28 with light 78 and light-receiving means for receiving light reflected from the eardrum 28, which will be described later. The irradiation means for irradiating the ear canal 20 with light 84 to be described later and the ear canal 20
Light receiving means for receiving reflected light from the camera is built in. The control circuit 6, the measuring means, the signal processing means 8, the feature extracting section 10, the comparing section 12, and the storing section 14 are provided inside the casings 76, 82.
At least one of them may be built in, or all of them may be placed outside.

The housing 88 accommodating the measuring probe 4 is
The shape is not limited to the shape shown in FIGS.
The shape shown in (a) and (b) may be used. That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, a part of the housing 88 may be shaped to be inserted into the ear just like an insert (earplug type) earphone or an ear thermometer. This shape like the housing 88 is convenient for easy positioning with respect to the balanced hearing instrument and for obtaining characteristic information stably.

When a part of the housing is to be inserted into the ear canal, the insertion part of the housing to be inserted into the ear canal is slightly larger than the diameter of the ear canal so that the part of the housing can be brought into appropriate contact with the ear canal. It is desirable to provide a part. Further, the insertion portion may be formed according to the shape of the ear canal of an individual. The vicinity of the entrance of the ear canal is soft because it is formed by cartilage, and the insertion part can usually come into close contact with the ear canal in many parts. Further, a replaceable protective cover may be attached to the insertion portion to protect the inside of the housing from dirt and the like and to prevent bacterial infection. Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), even if a part of the housing is fit in the concha of the concha of ear, even if a part of the housing is not inserted into the ear canal, the ear canal or the ear canal can be stably inserted. Characteristic information can be obtained. Of course, it may be in the form of a stacked earphone (headphone).

Next, an example of the irradiating means for irradiating the eardrum with light and the light receiving means for receiving the reflected light from the eardrum, which is built in the measuring probe 4 for measuring the characteristic information on the blood vessel pattern of the eardrum 28, is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG. Light source 9
2 is 400 nm (purple), 550 nm (green), or 660 nm (red) to 930 n
Lasers containing near-infrared light of m, continuous light sources such as LEDs, halogen lamps, and tungsten lamps, and intermittent light sources such as pulsed lasers and multi-strobes can be used. Here, a case where a laser including near-infrared light having a wavelength of 660 nm (red) to 930 nm is used as an example will be described. An example of such a light source is a tungsten lamp. The laser emitted from the light source 92 is extracted by the filter 94 as light having a wavelength of, for example, only 930 nm. The light transmitted through the filter 94 is condensed by the lenses 96 and 98, reflected by the half mirror 100 and the rotating mirror 102, and irradiated to the portion of the eardrum 28 including the capillaries.

The rotating mirror 102 is mounted at an angle of about 2 to 3 degrees from the vertical with respect to the shaft 106 of the motor 104. Therefore, the rotation mirror 102 is rotated by the drive of the motor 104, and the light irradiated on the eardrum 28 can be swung in an elliptical shape. Thus, light having a wavelength of 930 nm can be scanned and irradiated on the eardrum 28. Here, the light source 92, the filter 94, the lenses 96 and 98, the half mirror 100, and the rotating mirror 102 constitute irradiation means.

The light applied to the eardrum 28 is reflected, scattered or absorbed by the eardrum 28, and a part of the reflected light returns to the original path again, is reflected by the rotating mirror 102, and passes through the half mirror 100. Through the lens 108 and enter the photodetector 110. Here, the above-mentioned rotating mirror 102, lens 108, and photodetector 110 are the main components of the light receiving means. As the photodetector 110, a CCD, a photodiode, a phototransistor, or the like can be used. Here, a phototransistor having sensitivity to near-infrared light is used.

Since the light irradiated on the eardrum 28 is mainly affected by the absorption by hemoglobin in the blood vessels, the reflected light from the eardrum 28 has an intensity specific to an individual according to the blood vessel pattern of the irradiated part. Shows the distribution. FIG. 13 shows an example of the scanning path of the light applied to the eardrum 28, and FIG.
Schematically shows the position where the amount of reflected light was not obtained in the scanning path of this light. A white circle 116 in FIG. 14 indicates a position where the amount of reflected light was not obtained. When light is scanned along the scanning path 112 shown in FIG. 13, in the portion where the blood vessel 114 is present, as shown in FIG. I can't.

The change in the amount of reflected light is output together with an output from a rotary encoder (not shown) attached to the shaft 106 of the motor 102, that is, data on the position where light is irradiated. FIG. 15 shows an example of an output result from the photodetector 110 when scanning light as shown in FIG.
Shown in The white circle shown in FIG. 15 corresponds to the white circle shown in FIG. In the portion where the blood vessel is irradiated with light, the wavelength is 930n.
Since the light of m is almost absorbed, the amount of reflected light is very small.
On the other hand, in a portion where no blood vessel exists, part of the light is reflected and enters the photodetector 110, so that the photodetector 110 can extract a current corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light. Based on this output result, the feature information extraction unit 10
The information on the angle that caused the absorption more than the predetermined reference amount is extracted as the feature information for personal identification. In addition, for example, the average light amount is obtained for each angle of 1 degree, and the average light amount is large, medium,
The data may be quantized into small ternary values, and the quantized data of the angle and the average light amount may be used as feature information for identifying an individual.

Next, an example of an irradiating means for irradiating light to the ear canal 20 and a light receiving means for receiving light reflected from the ear canal 20, which is built in the measuring probe 4 for measuring characteristic information on a blood vessel pattern of the ear canal 20, will be described. This will be described with reference to FIG. It is to be noted that the same functional portions as those in FIG. 12 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The light emitted from the light source 92 is applied to the ear canal via the filter 94, the lenses 96 and 98, the half mirror 126, and the rotating mirror 128. The rotating mirror 128 is attached to the cylinder 130 at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the light transmitted through the half mirror 126. Cylinder 130
Has a window in the path of light emitted to the ear canal 20.

The cylinder 130 is rotated by the motor 104. Accordingly, when the cylinder 130 is rotated by the motor 104, the rotating mirror 1
28 rotates and the light radiated to the ear canal 20 is changed to the ear canal 2
0 will be scanned along its inner circumference. In addition,
Light is preferably scanned along the inner circumference of the ear canal 20 on a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the ear canal 20. The light applied to the ear canal 20 is reflected, scattered, and absorbed, and a part of the reflected light returns to the original path again, is reflected by the rotating mirror 128, and is further reflected by the half mirror 126.
The light passes through the lens 134 and enters the light detector 110.

Here, after the light is scanned once, the light source 92 is slightly moved (for example, about 1.0 mm) as shown by an arrow A in the figure, for example, by an actuator (not shown). In this way, the scanning surface of the light in the ear canal 20 can be moved slightly deeper than the first scanning surface, and by scanning such slightly different positions a plurality of times, more light can be scanned. Information can be obtained. For this movement of the scanning path, a method of slightly changing the mounting angle of the rotating mirror 128 to the cylinder 130 may be adopted. Of course, a plurality of light sources may be provided so that information from a plurality of different locations can be obtained by one scan.

FIG. 17 shows an example in which the information of the position 140 where the amount of reflected light is not obtained in the two scanning paths and the blood vessel 138 of the ear canal 20 are displayed together. Since the irradiated light is absorbed in the blood vessel 138 under the ear canal 20,
As shown in FIG. 17, the position where the amount of reflected light is not obtained by the measurement reflects the position of the blood vessel 138. Here, a hatched portion 142 in FIG. 17 is a data missing portion where the focus of the scanning light deviates from the subcutaneous blood vessel portion 138 and no data is generated because the external auditory canal is not completely cylindrical. Even if such a data missing portion 142 occurs, a sufficient amount of data can be obtained for normal collation. Furthermore,
Usually, if the person is the same person, the data loss portion 142 is always substantially the same, so that it does not hinder the identification process.

Ear hairs generally have less melanin pigment than hairs and the like, and have little optical effect. However, when the measurement target is the eardrum 28, there is a possibility that the light may not reach the eardrum 28 due to the scattering of light by the ear hairs of the external auditory meatus 20 and the measurement may not be possible. On the other hand, when the measurement target is the ear canal 20, as shown in FIG.
2 is inserted into the external auditory canal 20 and almost comes into contact with the skin of the external auditory canal 20, so that it is only affected by the ears between the housing 82 and the skin of the external auditory canal 20. Therefore, it is possible to obtain characteristic information that can be identified even by a person with many ear hairs. In this regard, it can be said that the case where the measurement target is the external auditory meatus 20 is superior.

The apparatus and method using the characteristic information on the blood vessel pattern of the concha region 21 can be realized in the same manner as the apparatus and method using the characteristic information on the blood vessel pattern of the external auditory canal 20 described above. In this case, it is preferable to use the characteristic information on the blood vessel pattern of the concha cavum 21 obtained along a circumference centered on substantially the center of the entrance of the ear canal 20.

The two-dimensional CC is used as the photodetector 110 described above.
Using D, the obtained image may be subjected to image processing to extract a branch point or end point of a blood vessel as feature information from a near-infrared light pattern, such as feature point extraction (minutiae extraction) in a fingerprint. Good. In this case, the entire eardrum 28 or the ear canal 20 may be uniformly illuminated instead of being optically scanned.

Here, several methods for matching the measurement positions by the measurement probe 4 will be described. The simplest method is to mechanically match the shape of a part of the device to the shape of the ear canal or pinna to fix the positional relationship between the personal identification device and the balanced hearing device. This example has already been described with reference to FIGS. In an individual identification device that measures information for the ear canal, an insert (earplug type) earphone type can perform positioning with relatively high accuracy just by inserting it into the ear. If a protrusion for regulating the inserted depth and a switch for turning on / off the power by an insertion pressure are provided in the insert portion to be inserted into the ear, the position can be determined more stably.

However, in order to stably collect feature information with higher precision, especially when collecting feature information from the eardrum, in addition to such mechanical alignment, the feature information is optically obtained. It is desirable to specify the sampling location. When the identification data collection position is determined from the eardrum, the above-described method using the light cone 36, the ridge of the tibial bone 40, or the eardrum umbilicus 34 is convenient because it can be easily separated optically from others. First, a description will be given of a case where the light cone 36 is used for collecting and positioning feature information on anatomical features such as a blood vessel pattern, and a case where the tibial protrusion 40 and the tympanic navel 34 are used for positioning.

In the personal identification device which uses the light cone 36 for collecting and positioning feature information on anatomical features such as blood vessel patterns, the inside of the measurement probe 4 shown in FIG. For example, an illuminating unit that illuminates the eardrum with visible light and a C that receives reflected light from the eardrum
It is necessary to provide image receiving means such as a CD. Of course, these illuminating means and image receiving means can be shared with the irradiating means and light receiving means shown in FIG. 10 as long as they can use a wide range of wavelengths.

First, the eardrum 28 is illuminated with visible light,
The reflected light from the 8 surfaces is captured by a CCD having sensitivity in the visible region, and then, for example, the light spot closest to the eardrum navel 34, that is, the upper left light spot of the light cone 36 is determined as a reference point for scanning with near-infrared light. . Although this reference point does not always coincide with the eardrum navel 34, there is no problem. Then, an area on a circle with a radius of 1.5 mm, for example, is scanned with near-infrared light around the reference point. In this case, the positioning of the scanning path of the near-infrared light is performed as shown in FIG.
The angle can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of the motor 104 shown in FIG.

The method of optically scanning the circumference around the reference point determined by the light cone 36 as the characteristic information collection position has been described. For example, the optical scanning may be performed on the elliptical edge based on the reference point. You may. Further, a linear region connecting two identifiable points on the eardrum 28 may be optically scanned. The two points that can be specified can be detected, for example, as follows. When the eardrum 28 is irradiated with visible light as described above, the light cone 36 shows the highest luminance. Usually, the upper left point of the light cone 36 is on or around the tympanic navel 34, and the position of this point (hereinafter referred to as P1) is detected. Next, a point (hereinafter, referred to as P2) showing the maximum luminance is detected in the region of the eardrum 28 excluding the light cone 36. The portion showing the high brightness other than the normal light cone 36 is the spike projection 40. The rib projection 40 is usually present in the front upper quadrant 68 and the peripheral band 70. Since the light cone 36 normally exists in the lower front quadrant 66, the point P2 can be detected by detecting the maximum luminance point above the point P1 and on the parietal side.

Thereafter, a region on a straight line connecting these points P1 and P2 is scanned with near-infrared light to obtain characteristic information. Eardrum navel 3
Reference numeral 4 denotes an apex of the elliptical / funnel-shaped (conical) eardrum 28, while the rib projection 40 is literally the most protruding portion in the eardrum 28. Therefore, the position can be obtained from the luminance of the reflected light as described above. For example, the position can be specified by measuring the distance from the entrance of the ear canal 20 using laser light. A straight line connecting the tympanic navel 34 and the tibial protrusion 40 hits the tibial pedicle 50, where the deep auricular artery 46 runs as shown in FIG. Therefore, when this portion is optically scanned, a blood vessel pattern can be obtained more easily than in other portions.

Although the example in which the light cone 36 is used to determine the position where the characteristic information is collected has been described above, the shape of the light cone 36 can be used as characteristic information for identifying an individual. Here, a personal identification device that identifies an individual using the shape of the light cone 36 will be described. This personal identification device includes, for example, illumination means for illuminating the eardrum 28 with visible light in order to capture the light cone 36 instead of the irradiation means inside the measurement probe 4 shown in FIG. An image receiving means such as a CCD for receiving the reflected light from the light source 28 is provided.

FIG. 18 shows an image obtained by illuminating the eardrum 28 with visible light. FIG. 18A shows an entire image of the eardrum 28, and FIG. 18B shows an enlarged image of the light cone 36.
As shown in FIG. 18, a triangular light cone 36 having the apex of the eardrum 34 is observed. The shape of the light cone 36 is substantially triangular, and the shape varies greatly among individuals.
Since the axis of visible light illumination does not fluctuate much when a part of the housing is inserted into the ear canal 20, the shape of the light cone 36, which is a reflected image of light, can always be obtained stably.

The image of the light cone 36 captured by the image receiving means such as a CCD can be extracted as feature information for identifying an individual by processing as follows. As shown in FIG. 19A, an image of the eardrum 28 including the light cone 36 captured by the image receiving means is, for example, a light spot closest to the eardrum 34, that is, an upper left light spot to the edge of the eardrum 28 as a starting point. It is divided into 12 in both the horizontal and vertical directions. That is, the eardrum 28 including the light cone 36
Is divided into 12 × 12 = 144 blocks. Next, the image of the eardrum 28 including the light cone 36 is approximated by the density pattern of each block as shown in FIG. Thus, a 144-dimensional pattern space is obtained.
When registering an individual, the pattern vector of the pattern space is stored. Then, at the time of collation, it is determined whether or not the already stored pattern vector matches the newly obtained pattern vector in the pattern space based on the inter-vector distance and the angle formed by the vectors.
Thus, it is also possible to identify an individual from the shape of the light cone 36. In addition, an individual may be identified using both feature information of the feature of the light cone 36 shape and the anatomical feature such as a blood vessel pattern.

As described above, characteristic information for specifying an individual can be obtained from a balanced hearing device such as the eardrum 28 or the ear canal 20. At the time of registration, such characteristic information is recorded together with an ID number and the like on a storage medium such as a disk device, an IC card, or a magnetic card. Then, at the time of collation, the stored data is called with an ID number or the like, and is compared with the input data at the time of collation. At the time of comparison, a predetermined allowable range may be provided in consideration of a slight fluctuation at the time of data input. In some cases, an accident such as an operation error or misalignment may occur at the time of collation, so that even if the comparison result is not determined to be the person, a setting may be made to allow a predetermined number of retries. When the number of pieces of registered feature information is small, an identification process may be performed without using the ID number and comparing with the total number of pieces of data.

An electroacoustic transducer is provided on the housing to be attached to the outer ear.
(Speaker) may be built in. The electroacoustic transducer includes an electrodynamic type, an electromagnetic type, an electrostatic type, an electrostrictive type, a speed type, a piezoelectric type, and the like, and any of them may be used. The electro-acoustic transducer is used for notifying a user of an appropriate instruction or a collation result by voice at the time of registration or collation. For example, if the collation shows that you are the person, you will receive a message such as "I have confirmed that you are the person you are. Thank you. Turn off the switch and return the measuring instrument to its original position." Shed. At the time of measurement, an instruction such as "Put the measuring device a little deeper into the ear hole" or a sound such as "beep!" This allows the user to use the personal identification device correctly and with peace of mind. These audio data are stored in an independent storage device. The sound generation timing can be obtained from an on / off signal from the switch 2, a measurement start instruction signal from the measurement means processing circuit 8, a signal of the determination result 18 from the comparison unit 12, and the like.

This personal identification device has a housing of the same configuration
And these two housings may be configured in a mirror-symmetrical structure. In this way, information can be obtained from the left and right balanced hearing devices, and the possibility of occurrence of an identification error can be reduced. Also, the two housings may be connected by a band like a stacked earphone (headphone), and in this case, the housing can be supported not only by the external auditory meatus and pinna, but also by the head, The housing can be positioned more stably.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, personal identification using a balanced auditory device such as the eardrum or the ear canal is performed.
Unlike the method of recording facial images remotely with a camera, etc., there is no feeling of being monitored because there is an active sensation of self-conscious measurement, and there is no danger of stealing patterns from remote locations . In particular, in the method using the features in the ear hole and not the appearance like the pinna as in the present invention but also the anatomical features, that is, the features of the subcutaneous tissue, it can be measured with ordinary equipment. And it is difficult to know even what features are being captured, so it is almost impossible to forge. In addition, there is no negative image such as a criminal investigation image or a surveillance image such as a fingerprint.

Furthermore, since the measurement of the ear is performed, unlike the eyes, the psychological resistance such as fear or discomfort is small. The anatomical features such as the shape of the eardrum and the ear canal and the blood vessel pattern thereof do not change according to the user's mental state, and there is no deformation, so that the measurement can always be performed stably. The light of the wavelength used here can detect a signal reflecting a shape or an anatomical feature without giving a bad influence on a human body. The personal identification device according to the present invention is almost impossible to forge as described above, does not give a user a psychological burden or a feeling of resistance, and the restraint condition of the body at the time of use is extremely small, In addition, the user can always be stably identified without being affected by the user's mental state or health state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of a personal identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the organization of a human balanced hearing device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an otoscopic image of a right eardrum of a person.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic positional relationship between a human eardrum and an ear canal;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating divisions of the eardrum on the right side of a person.

FIG. 6 is another diagram illustrating the division of the eardrum on the right side of a person.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a blood vessel pattern of the eardrum on the right side of a person.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing light absorption characteristics of oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a housing for accommodating a measurement probe of the personal identification device for measuring the eardrum according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a housing for accommodating a measurement probe of the personal identification device for measuring the ear canal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a housing for housing the measurement probe in the personal identification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an optical system configuration of a measurement probe for measuring characteristic information on a blood vessel pattern of an eardrum according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a scanning path of light when measuring characteristic information on a blood vessel pattern of an eardrum in the personal identification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a portion where the amount of reflected light is not obtained when measuring the eardrum in the personal identification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
It is a figure which shows the positional relationship with the blood vessel pattern of the eardrum.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an output of a photodetector obtained at the time of eardrum measurement of the personal identification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an optical system configuration of a measurement probe for measuring characteristic information relating to a blood vessel pattern in the ear canal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a portion where the amount of reflected light is not obtained during measurement of the ear canal and a blood vessel pattern of the ear canal in the personal identification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image of a light cone of the eardrum on the right side of a person.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a process of obtaining a pattern space from an image of a light cone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Switch 4 Measurement Probe 6 Control Circuit 8 Measurement Means Signal Processing Circuit 10 Feature Extraction Unit 12 Comparison Unit 14 Storage Unit 18 Judgment Results 20 External Ear Canal 22 Ossicle 24 Tympania 26 Maze 28 Tympanic membrane 30 Inner Ear Nerve 32 Eustachian Tube 34 Tympanic Navel 36 Light Pyramid Reference Signs List 40 groin protrusion 42 groin ridge / groin ridge 44 relaxation portion 46 deep auricular artery 48 groin ridge 50 groin pattern 52 tension portion 54 back upper wall 58 front lower wall 62 rear upper quadrant 64 rear lower quadrant 66 front Lower quadrant 68 Front upper quadrant 70 Peripheral band 72 Intermediate band 74 Central band 76, 82, 88, 90 Housing 78 Light path 84 Light path 92 Light source 94 Filter 96, 98, 108 Lens 100 Half mirror 102 Rotating mirror 104 Motor 106 Shaft 110 Photodetector 112 Optical scanning path 114 Blood vessels 116, 140 Low reflection The amount position 126 half mirror 128 rotating mirror 130 cylinder 138 vessel 142 data lost portion

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Sou Sugino 430 Nakaicho, Nakai-machi, Ashigara-kami, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 4C038 VA07 VB40 VC01 VC02 5B043 AA09 BA01 DA04 DA05 GA02

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. An irradiating means for irradiating a predetermined portion of a human balanced hearing device with light, a light receiving device for receiving light reflected from the predetermined portion, and characteristic information on the balanced hearing device from the reflected light. A personal identification device, comprising: a feature extracting unit for extracting; and a discriminating unit for comparing and discriminating feature information stored in advance with the extracted feature information. 2. The personal identification device according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined portion is an eardrum. 3. The personal identification apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said characteristic extracting means extracts characteristic information on a blood vessel pattern of the eardrum. 4. The personal identification device according to claim 2, further comprising: illumination means for illuminating the eardrum; and image receiving means for receiving an image formed by light reflected from the eardrum, wherein the feature extraction means is provided. The personal identification device further extracts at least one predetermined position on the eardrum from the image, and the irradiation unit irradiates a region based on the predetermined position with light. 5. The personal identification device according to claim 4, wherein said irradiating means irradiates light on an area on a circumference or a circle centered on said predetermined position. 6. The personal identification device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined position is a protrusion of the tibial bone, an eardrum, or a vicinity thereof. 7. The personal identification device according to claim 4, wherein the irradiating means irradiates light to a region on a straight line connecting the projection of the tibial bone or its vicinity, and the navel of the eardrum or its vicinity. Personal identification device. 8. The personal identification device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined portion is an external auditory meatus or a concha of the concha. 9. The personal identification device according to claim 8, wherein said characteristic extracting means extracts characteristic information relating to a blood vessel pattern of the ear canal or the concha of the concha. 10. The personal identification device according to claim 9, wherein the feature extracting means sets a blood vessel pattern obtained along the inner periphery of the ear canal on a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the ear canal, or substantially the center of the entrance of the ear canal. A personal identification device for extracting feature information relating to a blood vessel pattern of the concha of the ear obtained along a center circle. 11. The personal identification device according to claim 1, wherein said irradiating means and said light receiving means are incorporated in a housing mountable at a predetermined position of a human balanced hearing device. A personal identification device characterized in that: 12. The personal identification device according to claim 11, further comprising an electroacoustic transducer for generating a sound according to a state in said housing. 13. The personal identification device according to claim 11, further comprising two housings, wherein said two housings are connected to each other to output said characteristic information from each of the left and right balanced hearing devices of a person. A personal identification device characterized in that a personal identification device can be extracted. 14. Illumination means for illuminating the eardrum of a human balanced hearing device, image receiving means for receiving an image of light reflected from the eardrum, and feature extraction means for extracting characteristic information relating to the shape of the eardrum from the image. And a discriminating means for comparing and discriminating feature information on a shape stored in advance and feature information on the extracted shape. 15. A step of irradiating the eardrum with light, receiving reflected light from the eardrum, and extracting feature information on the eardrum from the reflected light; and storing the prestored feature information and the extracted features. Comparing the information with the information to determine whether they are the same individual. 16. The personal identification method according to claim 15, wherein, prior to the step of extracting the characteristic information, the eardrum is irradiated with light, reflected light from the eardrum is received, and the reflected light is used for the eardrum. A personal identification method, comprising: extracting feature information; and storing the extracted feature information. 17. A step of illuminating the eardrum with light in a visible region, receiving an image of light reflected from the eardrum and specifying a predetermined position of the eardrum, and irradiating an area based on the predetermined position with light. Receiving reflected light from the region, extracting characteristic information on the eardrum from the reflected light, and comparing the previously stored characteristic information with the extracted characteristic information to identify the same individual. Determining whether or not the personal identification is performed. 18. A step of irradiating the ear canal or the concha space with light, receiving reflected light from the ear canal or the concha cavity, and extracting characteristic information relating to the ear canal or the concha cavity from the reflected light. And comparing the characteristic information stored in advance with the extracted characteristic information to determine whether or not the individuals are the same individual. 19. The personal identification method according to claim 18, wherein, prior to the step of extracting the characteristic information, the ear canal or the concha of the ear is irradiated with light, and the reflected light from the ear canal or the concha of the concha is extracted. A personal identification method, comprising: receiving light, extracting characteristic information relating to the ear canal or concha of ear from the reflected light, and storing the extracted characteristic information.