JP4810509B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  In the image forming apparatus, in order to prevent the user ID and password from leaking when performing user authentication, the user's authentication is performed by photographing the shape of the hand with an image input camera and determining the shape by the image processing unit. It relates to the technology to be made possible.

  In the image forming apparatus, there is a method in which a user ID and a password are input before user operation to perform user authentication and enable the apparatus to be used. When performing this user authentication, the user ID and password are entered from the input panel. However, the user ID / password may be leaked due to the entry being stolen or sneak shot by a hidden camera. was there.

  As a conventional technique, when performing personal authentication, a hand is inserted into the authentication box and a series of operations such as goo, choki, and par are performed, and the image is taken by the camera device and registered in advance by the image processing unit and the determination unit. There has been a method of performing user authentication by seeking the relevance with the action of the authenticator's hand (see Patent Document 1).

  However, this method requires an authentication box, and authentication is performed based on an operation image, which causes a problem of complicated image analysis.

JP 2002-150296 A

  The problem to be solved is that in the image forming apparatus, when user authentication is performed, the user ID and password can be seen and information leaks.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image input camera that captures a gesture pattern of a hand that is inserted by an intention of the person to be authenticated by being inserted into a space surrounded by a casing around the inner discharge tray, and the image An image processing determination unit that processes an image captured by the input camera to determine the identity with a pre-registered gesture pattern, and the gesture pattern of the hand based on the determination of the image processing determination unit is a start / end gesture The main feature is having an authentication unit that performs user authentication when a pattern is determined .

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, further including an illuminating device that illuminates a space on the internal discharge tray, and the paper discharged to the internal discharge tray by the illuminating device and the internal The main feature is to illuminate a hand that is part of the body placed in a gap on the discharge tray.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, and when the image input camera determines that the hand that is a part of the body is photographed, or the sheet is discharged to the internal discharge tray. It has a control part which makes the said illuminating device light at least at one of the times.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image input camera that captures a gesture pattern of a hand that is inserted by an intention of the person to be authenticated by being inserted into a space surrounded by a casing around the inner discharge tray, and the image An image processing determination unit that processes an image captured by the input camera to determine the identity with a pre-registered gesture pattern, and the gesture pattern of the hand based on the determination of the image processing determination unit is a start / end gesture The most important feature is that it has an authentication unit that performs user authentication when it is determined that the pattern is a pattern. Therefore, when user authentication is performed, the user ID and password can be seen and information leaks. It became possible to suppress.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, further including an illuminating device that illuminates a space on the internal discharge tray, and the paper discharged to the internal discharge tray by the illuminating device and the internal The main feature is to illuminate the hand that is part of the body placed in the gap on the discharge tray, making it possible to share both functions with a single lighting device, simplifying the device and reducing the Cost can be reduced.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, and when the image input camera determines that the hand that is a part of the body is photographed, or the sheet is discharged to the internal discharge tray. Since it has a control unit for turning on the lighting device at least one of the times, there is no need to mount a sensor for detecting that a hand has been inserted, and the device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. became.

  In the image forming apparatus, there is a problem that a user ID / password is stolen when performing user authentication. An image input camera is provided in the gap on the internal discharge tray, and a gesture pattern by hand is used in front of the image input camera. Solved by the method of user authentication.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 101 includes an input panel 111, an internal discharge port 113, an internal discharge tray 117, a lighting device 121, and an image input camera 123.

  FIG. 1 shows that the discharged paper 115 discharged from the internal discharge port 113 is placed on the internal discharge tray 117.

  The input panel 111 is used to operate the image forming apparatus 101, and also displays whether or not authentication has been performed during user authentication according to the present embodiment.

  The image input camera 123 is provided on the ceiling surface of the gap above the internal discharge tray 117 formed at the center of the main body of the image forming apparatus 101. The user (authenticated person) puts his hand 201 (FIG. 1) under the image input camera 123 on the discharge tray 117 to input a user ID / password, and photographs a gesture pattern corresponding to the user ID / password. . The image input camera 123 also has a role of a sensor that detects that the hand 201 is inserted.

  The gap on the internal discharge tray 117 is covered on the upper surface, the lower surface, and the side surface. Since a person stands on the front surface side, the possibility of gesture input by hand or voyeurism is very low. In the image forming apparatus 101 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, only one side surface with the internal discharge port 113 of the gap on the internal discharge tray 117 is covered and the opposite side surface is open. Walls may be provided on both sides in order to increase the height.

  Along with the image input camera 123, a lighting device 121 is mounted on the ceiling surface of the gap on the discharge tray 117. The image input camera 123 lights up to illuminate the hand 201 when shooting a hand gesture pattern. When the paper (discharged paper 115) discharged to the internal discharge tray is taken out, the light is turned on to illuminate the discharged paper 115.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 101 includes functional blocks of an image processing determination unit 131, an authentication unit 133, a control unit 151, and a storage device 153, in addition to the input panel 111, the illumination device 121, and the image input camera 123 described in FIG.

  The image processing determination unit 131 processes an image photographed by the image input camera 123, and a gesture pattern (FIG. 3) registered in advance with the shape of the hand inserted in front of the image input camera based on the gesture pattern of the hand. ) And the shape is converted to a corresponding numerical value.

  The authentication unit 133 receives a user ID and a password based on a series of numerical inputs converted based on the hand gesture pattern determined by the image processing determination unit 131, and determines whether the user is a registered user. Make a decision and perform user authentication.

  The control unit 151 includes a CPU and a peripheral control circuit, and controls the entire apparatus, and also controls the lighting device 121 and the input reception and display control of the input panel 111. The control unit 151 starts taking out the discharged paper 115 or user authentication when the paper is discharged on the internal discharge tray 117 of the image forming apparatus 101 or when the image processing determination unit 131 recognizes the hand. And the lighting device 121 is turned on.

  The storage device 153 includes a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, stores necessary data and programs in cooperation with the control unit 151, and holds data of a hand input pattern shape (described later in FIG. 3).

[Gesture pattern by hand]
FIG. 3 is a table showing hand gesture patterns used in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the user ID and password are numerically input, and the hand gesture pattern corresponding to the numerical values is shown. An input code other than a numerical value is also shown.

  For example, the number “0” is indicated by a shape in which the palm side faces the upper surface and holds the hand. In addition, the number “1” is indicated by a shape in which the palm side faces the upper surface and the index finger is raised.

  In addition to the numerical shape, “start / end” indicating the start and end of the input (the shape with the palm facing the bottom and the thumb, forefinger, little finger) and “separator” (the palm facing the bottom, pointing the index finger, the little finger) There is an input code.

  The “start / end” pattern is a gesture pattern used at the start and end of user authentication.

  The “separation” pattern is a “separation” between the first “0” and the next “0” when the same numerical value is input continuously, for example, “0 · 0”. This is a code for recognizing that there are a plurality of “0” s by putting a pattern.

[flowchart]
The operation flow will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  S11: It is determined whether or not the user's hand is in front of the image input camera. If the hand is in front of the camera, the operation proceeds to S15. If the hand is not in front of the camera, the operation proceeds to S13.

  S13: Since there is no hand in front of the image input camera, if the illumination is on, the light is turned off. Again, the operation shifts to the determination condition of S11.

  S15: The lighting device is turned on.

  S17: It is determined whether or not the user's hand can be recognized as the “start / end” pattern. When the “start / end” pattern is recognized, the operation proceeds to S19. If not recognized, the operation proceeds to the first S11.

  S19: The numerical value input by the user's hand pattern is started.

  S21: It is determined whether or not the user's hand pattern can be recognized as a registered pattern (FIG. 3). If it can be recognized, the operation proceeds to S23. If not, the process proceeds to S11.

  S23: Hand pattern recognition and numerical value input processing are performed.

  S25: It is determined whether or not the data input in S23 matches the password / ID. If they match, the operation proceeds to S27. If they do not match, the operation proceeds to S11.

  S27: Since the password and ID match, an authentication process is performed to complete the operation.

  Thus, a series of operations is completed.

[Effect of Example]
The image forming apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention includes an image input camera and a lighting device in a gap on the internal discharge tray, and performs a predetermined gesture pattern with a hand inserted into the gap, and shoots, User authentication can be performed based on the image. Image processing judgment unit is a method for judging based on movement to compare with a pre-registered hand shape based on different shapes by opening and closing fingers of the hand and making the palm side upside or masked Compared to, image processing can be determined relatively easily.

  When a user inserts a hand into the gap and makes a gesture, the gap is surrounded by the casing of the device, and the front side is closed by the body of the user inserting the hand, so the gesture pattern of the hand is There is no danger of being seen, and the confidentiality of user authentication information (user ID and password) is improved. Further, since the space on the internal discharge tray is provided in a normal image forming apparatus, it is not necessary to install a dedicated box for inserting a hand.

  Since the gesture pattern of the hand is illuminated by the lighting device, the sharpness of the captured image is increased and the accuracy of recognition is increased.

  In addition, it is possible to check whether the paper is being discharged to illuminate the paper discharged from the lighting device to the internal discharge tray, and to check whether it is the output paper that you output. It became easy.

  Whether or not the hand is inserted into the gap in the internal discharge tray is determined based on the detection of the hand shape by the image input camera, simplifying the device and reducing costs without requiring a special sensor for detection. Led to

  Since the authentication method according to the present invention is performed in a non-contact manner unlike input from a keyboard, there is no wear such as fatigue damage of mechanical parts such as a keyboard.

[Others]
In this embodiment, the determination is made based on the static image of the hand shape input as an image, but the body part of the person to be authenticated who inputs the image may be a part other than the hand. For example, the right hand 1 for the left hand, 2 for the left hand, 3 for the right elbow, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the hand is associated with a numerical value, but many other shapes may be defined and associated with characters (for example, alphabets).

1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 1). 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 1). FIG. It is a chart of a gesture pattern of a hand (example 1). 1 is a flowchart of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 1).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image forming apparatus 111 Input panel 113 Internal discharge port 115 Discharged paper 117 Internal discharge tray 121 Illuminating device 123 Image input camera
131 Image processing judgment unit 133 Authentication unit 151 Control unit 201 User's hand (authenticated person's hand)

Claims (5)

An image input camera that shoots a gesture pattern of a hand formed by the intention of the person to be authenticated by inserting the periphery of the internal discharge tray into a gap surrounded by the casing;
An image processing determination unit that processes an image captured by the image input camera and determines the identity with a pre-registered gesture pattern ;
An authentication unit that performs user authentication when it is determined that the hand gesture pattern is a start / end gesture pattern based on the determination of the image processing determination unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The authentication unit performs the user authentication by using a plurality of hand gesture pattern patterns as a series.
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The image processing determining unit is configured to use the registered gesture pattern as a delimiter hand gesture pattern for separating a sequence of the same gesture pattern when a plurality of the gesture patterns of the hand are continuously captured with the same gesture pattern. It is possible to output the same hand gesture pattern as continuous data of a plurality of patterns through determination of the gesture pattern of the separated hand,
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
An illuminating device for illuminating a gap on the internal discharge tray;
An image forming apparatus , wherein the illumination device illuminates the sheet discharged to an internal discharge tray or the hand put in a gap on the internal discharge tray . The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that turns on the illumination device when at least one of the image input camera determines that the hand has been photographed or when a sheet is discharged from the internal discharge tray .

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