Patents by Inventor Naoto Miura

Naoto Miura has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080112600
    Abstract: Provided in this invention is a vein authentication device comprising: an interface on which a part of a living body; one or more light sources for emitting infrared light; an image pickup unit for picking up a blood vessel image of the part of the living body using infrared light emitted from the light sources; an image computing unit for processing the blood vessel image picked up by the image pickup unit; and a light shielding unit for shielding infrared light emitted from the light sources and preventing the infrared light from traveling in an image pickup direction of the image pickup unit, wherein the interface has an opening opened in the image pickup direction of the image pickup unit, and wherein the light sources irradiates the part of the living body with infrared light from an image pickup side of the part of the living body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake
  • Publication number: 20080075332
    Abstract: The present invention is adapted to form a finger table for supporting and locating a finger to be authenticated by touching the front part of the finger in a case, make the case closed at parts corresponding to the tip and the base of the finger to be authenticated and parts corresponding to left and right sides of the finger, make the case opened at parts corresponding to the front part and the backside of the finger, and form an imaging range of imaging means such as an imaging element in the parts corresponding to the left and right sides of the finger. With the configuration, a finger vein pattern inputting device with high operability and authentication accuracy reserved is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Yasunori Fujisawa, Yuichi Horiuchi, Kyoichi Takahashi, Soichi Sakurai, Naoto Miura
  • Publication number: 20080063243
    Abstract: A perfect non-contact type vein authentication apparatus is provided with a light source for emitting infrared light; an input interface equipped with an imaging unit for photographing a vein image of a living body by the infrared light emitted from said light source; a unit for controlling intensity of light to be illuminated; an image calculating unit for performing a feature extracting operation and a feature authenticating operation with respect to an image; and a positioning unit for presenting the living body. More specifically, the light source is provided in front of the living body. Both the light source and the imaging unit are installed in such a positional relationship that the light of the light source gives no adverse influence to the imaging unit. Also, the light source is installed in such a direction that the light of the light source gives no adverse influence to the imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Harumi Kiyomizu, Takafumi Miyatake, Akio Nagasaka, Naoto Miura
  • Publication number: 20080049981
    Abstract: A compact authentication device that prevents user from feeling pressure and is strong against external light, when capturing an image of a finger blood vessel pattern with transmitted light. The device includes a guidance part for determining the finger position, a light source disposed on at least one side of the guidance part to emit light to be transmitted though the finger, an image capture part for capturing the transmitted light, a shading unit for limiting an irradiation region of the light, a finger thickness measuring unit, a unit for controlling a light amount of the light source based on a result of the measurement, a unit for recording registered image patterns of the finger, a unit for collating a captured image pattern from the image capture part with the registered patterns, and a unit for controlling different processing according to the collation result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake, Naoto Miura, Yuichi Kashimura
  • Publication number: 20080049982
    Abstract: A compact authentication device that prevents user from feeling pressure and is strong against external light, when capturing an image of a finger blood vessel pattern with transmitted light. The device includes a guidance part for determining the finger position, a light source disposed on at least one side of the guidance part to emit light to be transmitted though the finger, an image capture part for capturing the transmitted light, a shading unit for limiting an irradiation region of the light, a finger thickness measuring unit, a unit for controlling a light amount of the light source based on a result of the measurement, a unit for recording registered image patterns of the finger, a unit for collating a captured image pattern from the image capture part with the registered patterns, and a unit for controlling different processing according to the collation result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake, Naoto Miura, Yuichi Kashimura
  • Publication number: 20080044066
    Abstract: The invention aims at providing personal identification in environments where non-contact is required, with high accuracy even though using a finger vein pattern images unclear and susceptible to positional deviations, wherein it has: a means for acquiring finger vein patterns without contact; a means for carrying out rotational correction using the outline of a finger as a method of taking out a vein pattern contained in the acquired image; a means for normalizing the position of the finger image with reference to the fingertip; a means for acquiring an overall vein pattern statistically by repetitively tracking regions of dark luminance intensities for a desired length from a desired position in the image; a matching means for comparing regions where vein patterns manifest vivid features; and a means for independent matching of subregions and evaluating positional deviations where matching is recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake
  • Publication number: 20080008358
    Abstract: The invention aims at providing personal identification in environments where non-contact is required, with high accuracy even though using a finger vein pattern images unclear and susceptible to positional deviations, wherein it has: a means for acquiring finger vein patterns without contact; a means for carrying out rotational correction using the outline of a finger as a method of taking out a vein pattern contained in the acquired image; a means for normalizing the position of the finger image with reference to the fingertip; a means for acquiring an overall vein pattern statistically by repetitively tracking regions of dark luminance intensities for a desired length from a desired position in the image; a matching means for comparing regions where vein patterns manifest vivid features; and a means for independent matching of subregions and evaluating positional deviations where matching is recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake
  • Patent number: 7310133
    Abstract: An identification apparatus that keeps the conditions for imaging uniform among successive identifications and requires a user to perform only a series of simple maneuvers. An identification apparatus comprising a guide member, a light source, and an imaging unit. The guide member includes a pattern or a structure that inspires a user to position his/her finger thereon or to approach his/her specific finger region thereto. A contact member such as a button switch is preferably located at a position in the guide member at which a fingertip is to be positioned. An optical opening is formed at a position coincident with a position at which a portion of a finger to be imaged for identification should be placed. The light source radiates near-infrared light through the portion of the finger to be imaged. The imaging means acquires an image of the finger, and the apparatus compares the image to previously registered images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake, Naoto Miura, Yoshiaki Amano, Yoshimi Kasai, Shinichiro Umemura, Miyuki Kono
  • Patent number: 7280676
    Abstract: The invention aims at providing personal identification in environments where non-contact is required, with high accuracy even though using a finger vein pattern images unclear and susceptible to positional deviations, wherein it has: a means for acquiring finger vein patterns without contact; a means for carrying out rotational correction using the outline of a finger as a method of taking out a vein pattern contained in the acquired image; a means for normalizing the position of the finger image with reference to the fingertip; a means for acquiring an overall vein pattern statistically by repetitively tracking regions of dark luminance intensities for a desired length from a desired position in the image; a matching means for comparing regions where vein patterns manifest vivid features; and a means for independent matching of subregions and evaluating positional deviations where matching is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake
  • Patent number: 7266223
    Abstract: The invention aims at providing personal identification in environments where non-contact is required, with high accuracy even though using a finger vein pattern images unclear and susceptible to positional deviations, wherein it has: a means for acquiring finger vein patterns without contact; a means for carrying out rotational correction using the outline of a finger as a method of taking out a vein pattern contained in the acquired image; a means for normalizing the position of the finger image with reference to the fingertip; a means for acquiring an overall vein pattern statistically by repetitively tracking regions of dark luminance intensities for a desired length from a desired position in the image; a matching means for comparing regions where vein patterns manifest vivid features; and a means for independent matching of subregions and evaluating positional deviations where matching is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake
  • Publication number: 20070177767
    Abstract: Provided is a small-sized, flat, vein authentication device of high authentication accuracy by photographing a living body several times and thus obtaining as registration data plural images that are picked up at different positions. A biometric information processing device of this invention comprising an image pickup device, which picks up a vein image, an image computing unit, which processes the vein image picked up by the image pickup device, an interface on which a part of a living body to be picked up is placed, and a light source, which emits infrared light. The biometric information processing device is further comprised of a sensor unit, which detects the presence or absence of a subject picked up by the image pickup device, a unit to obtain plural images as registration data, and a unit to select optimum registration data out of images obtained as registration data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Takafumi Miyatake, Akio Nagasaka, Harumi Kiyomizu
  • Patent number: 7245745
    Abstract: A compact authentication device that prevents user from feeling pressure and is strong against external light, when capturing an image of a finger blood vessel pattern with transmitted light. The device includes a guidance part for determining the finger position, a light source disposed on at least one side of the guidance part to emit light to be transmitted though the finger, an image capture part for capturing the transmitted light, a shading unit for limiting an irradiation region of the light, a finger thickness measuring unit, a unit for controlling a light amount of the light source based on a result of the measurement, a unit for recording registered image patterns of the finger, a unit for collating a captured image pattern from the image capture part with the registered patterns, and a unit for controlling different processing according to the collation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake, Naoto Miura, Yuichi Kashimura
  • Publication number: 20070058841
    Abstract: Personal identification is implemented by picking up finger vein patterns when the user naturally grasps a grip such as doorknob. The device for personal identification has a light source provided to irradiate light on the finger from the palm side, a camera to pick up the vessel image of the finger, and a processor to extract features of the vessel from the image and compare the obtained features with the registered ones. The camera picks up the light that exits from the backside of the finger after penetrating it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Takafumi Miyatake, Akio Nagasaka, Harumi Kiyomizu
  • Publication number: 20070036399
    Abstract: In a personal identification device using blood vessel patterns, means capable of downsizing the device is especially provided. The personal identification device comprises an infrared ray source and a light receiving element row containing a plurality of light receiving elements. In personal identification, a finger is passed over the light receiving element row. An image containing a two-dimensional blood vessel pattern of the finger is created from an output of the light receiving element row and displacement information of the passing finger. The blood vessel pattern thus obtained is checked for a match with a previously registered pattern to perform the personal identification. The device can be downsized and can be easily mounted in a place having a limited mounting space, such as in cars and cell phones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Matsumura, Ichiro Osaka, Yuichi Kashimura, Takafumi Miyatake, Akio Nagasaka, Naoto Miura
  • Patent number: 7141889
    Abstract: Highly convenient automobile engine starting uses an individual authentication device which utilizes biological information and provides a security function required when starting the engine, while protecting a sensor for receiving the biological information. An engine starting system can comprise an ignition switch for controlling a state of an automobile; a key for changing a state of the ignition switch; a registration key for registering biological information; a switch for starting an engine; a sensor for inputting biological information; a device for storing biological information; a collating unit for collating the inputted biological information with the stored biological information; and a lid for covering the sensor of an authentication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Takezaki, Naoto Miura, Takafumi Miyatake, Akio Nagasaka, Satoru Kuragaki
  • Publication number: 20060098848
    Abstract: An image pickup scheme capable of always providing an optimum quality of a blood vessel pattern, in image pickup of a blood vessel pattern of a finger using transmitted light, without being affected by a difference, if any, in an external environment. A personal identification apparatus includes light sources for irradiating light to be transmitted by a finger, an image pickup unit for picking up an image using light transmitted by the finger, finger detection unit for detecting that the finger exists in a predetermined position, finger region extraction unit for extracting a region occupied by the finger from an image picked up by the image pickup unit, and gain changing unit for changing an amplification factor of image pickup elements in the image pickup unit on the basis of a picture quality of a specific region within the extracted region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Akio Nagasaka, Naoto Miura, Takafumi Miyatake
  • Publication number: 20060068693
    Abstract: The invention detects the state where a vehicle cabin is or the individual occupants are short of oxygen and eliminates this shortage of oxygen. Further, the invention prevents the occupant from developing high-altitude sickness when a vehicle runs in highlands. Still further, the invention constructs a system tough to the failure of sensors. There is provided an apparatus in which a system is constructed in such a way as to provide a vehicle with a function of measuring oxygen saturation in blood, a function of measuring oxygen concentration or carbon dioxide concentration, and a function of measuring altitude and can condition air in a vehicle cabin by use of a remaining function even in the event of a failure of the respective functions. With this, it is possible to eliminate a shortage of oxygen in individual occupants according to their states and hence to prevent the occupants from developing high-altitude sickness when the vehicle runs in highlands and hence to secure the safe running of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Miyuki Kono, Yuichi Kashimura, Takafumi Matsumura, Takafumi Miyatake, Akio Nagasaka, Hiroshi Masuzawa, Naoto Miura
  • Patent number: 6993160
    Abstract: The invention aims at providing personal identification in environments where non-contact is required, with high accuracy even though using a finger vein pattern images unclear and susceptible to positional deviations, wherein it has: a means for acquiring finger vein patterns without contact; a means for carrying out rotational correction using the outline of a finger as a method of taking out a vein pattern contained in the acquired image; a means for normalizing the position of the finger image with reference to the fingertip; a means for acquiring an overall vein pattern statistically by repetitively tracking regions of dark luminance intensities for a desired length from a desired position in the image; a matching means for comparing regions where vein patterns manifest vivid features; and a means for independent matching of subregions and evaluating positional deviations where matching is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake
  • Publication number: 20060002592
    Abstract: The invention aims at providing personal identification in environments where non-contact is required, with high accuracy even though using a finger vein pattern images unclear and susceptible to positional deviations, wherein it has: a means for acquiring finger vein patterns without contact; a means for carrying out rotational correction using the outline of a finger as a method of taking out a vein pattern contained in the acquired image; a means for normalizing the position of the finger image with reference to the fingertip; a means for acquiring an overall vein pattern statistically by repetitively tracking regions of dark luminance intensities for a desired length from a desired position in the image; a matching means for comparing regions where vein patterns manifest vivid features; and a means for independent matching of subregions and evaluating positional deviations where matching is recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake
  • Publication number: 20050281442
    Abstract: The invention aims at providing personal identification in environments where non-contact is required, with high accuracy even though using a finger vein pattern images unclear and susceptible to positional deviations, wherein it has: a means for acquiring finger vein patterns without contact; a means for carrying out rotational correction using the outline of a finger as a method of taking out a vein pattern contained in the acquired image; a means for normalizing the position of the finger image with reference to the fingertip; a means for acquiring an overall vein pattern statistically by repetitively tracking regions of dark luminance intensities for a desired length from a desired position in the image; a matching means for comparing regions where vein patterns manifest vivid features; and a means for independent matching of subregions and evaluating positional deviations where matching is recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake