Patent Publication Number: US-2022215684-A1

Title: Biometric authentication device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-001470, filed Jan. 7, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a biometric authentication device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, an optical biometric authentication device has been known as a biometric authentication device used for personal authentication and the like. For example, there is known a biometric authentication device in which a unit light source included in a light source is periodically lit by time division, and imaging operation by an imaging cell group located in the vicinity of the lit unit light source is stopped, whereas imaging operation is performed by an imaging cell group located in a distant place when viewed from the lit unit light source. According to this, it is possible to decreases the reception of reflected light that can be a noise component during the imaging operation. 
     However, there is room for improvement in the method of improving the S/N ratio of the signal output as a result of the imaging operation in the biometric authentication device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view showing another schematic configuration example of the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view showing a configuration example of a sensor of the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the sensor of the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the sensor of the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a first pixel included in the sensor constituting the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view showing a configuration example of an illumination device of the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view showing a circuit configuration example of a second pixel of the illumination device constituting the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram showing an image of a detection target created by a general detection process. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating a first detection process executed in the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram showing an image of a detection target created by the first detection process executed in the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a circuit diagram showing another configuration example of the biometric authentication device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing a procedure example of a second detection process executed in a biometric authentication device according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram illustrating a second detection process executed in the biometric authentication device according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram showing another shape example of the biometric authentication device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In general, according to one embodiment, a biometric authentication device includes a sensor and an illumination device. The sensor includes a first base material, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a first control unit. The photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a matrix on the first base material and output a signal according to an amount of received light. The first control unit controls an operation of the photoelectric conversion elements. The illumination device includes a second base material, a plurality of light emitting elements and a second control unit. The light emitting elements are arranged in a matrix on the second base material and apply light received by the photoelectric conversion elements. The second control unit controls an operation of the light emitting elements. The photoelectric conversion elements and the light emitting elements are divided into a plurality of groups corresponding to each other. Upon lighting the light emitting element at a predetermined position in the groups of the light emitting elements by the second control unit, the first control unit controls the operation of the photoelectric conversion elements so as to acquire a signal from the photoelectric conversion elements at predetermined positions of the groups of the photoelectric conversion elements, the positions corresponding to the lit light emitting element. 
     Embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     The disclosure is merely an example, and proper changes within the spirit of the invention, which are easily conceivable by a skilled person, are included in the scope of the invention as a matter of course. In addition, in some cases, in order to make the description clearer, the widths, thicknesses, shapes, etc., of the respective parts are schematically illustrated in the drawings, compared to the actual modes. However, the schematic illustration is merely an example, and adds no restrictions to the interpretation of the invention. Besides, in the specification and drawings, the same or similar elements as or to those described in connection with preceding drawings or those exhibiting similar functions are denoted by like reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof is omitted unless otherwise necessary. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a biometric authentication device  1  according to an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the biometric authentication device  1  includes a sensor  2  and an illumination device  3 , and the illumination device  3  and the sensor  2  are stacked in this order in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the sensor  2 . 
     Light L 1  applied from the illumination device  3  transmits the sensor  2 . The sensor  2  is, for example, a light reflective optical sensor that detects light L 2  reflected off the finger Fg to detect the biometric information of the finger Fg. Examples of the biometric information include a blood vessel image (vein pattern) such as a fingerprint or a vein, a pulse, a pulse wave, and a blood state (blood oxygen concentration and the like). The color of the light L 1  from the illumination device  3  may be varied depending on the detection target. For example, in the case of fingerprint detection, the illumination device  3  can apply the light L 1  that is visible light (e.g., blue or green), and in the case of vein detection, the illumination device  3  can apply the infrared light L 1  that is infrared light. 
     Incidentally,  FIG. 1  shows the biometric authentication device  1  having a configuration in which the illumination device  3  and the sensor  2  are stacked in this order in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the sensor  2 . However, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the biometric authentication device  1  may have the illumination device  3  and the sensor  2  stacked in this order in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the sensor  2 . In the case of this configuration, the light L 1  applied from the illumination device  3  is reflected off the finger Fg, and the reflected light L 2  is transmitted through the illumination device  3 . The sensor  2  detects the light L 2  reflected off the finger Fg and transmitted through the illumination device  3 , and thus the biometric information of the finger Fg can be detected. 
     In addition, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the case in which the detection target (authentication target) is the finger Fg is shown. However, the detection target is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a palm or the like. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view showing a configuration example of the sensor  2  of the biometric authentication device  1 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the sensor  2  includes a sensor base material  20 , a sensor unit  21 , a gate line drive circuit GD 1 , a signal line select circuit SD 1 , a detection circuit  48 , a control circuit  102 , and a power supply circuit  103 . 
     To the sensor base material  20 , a control board  101  is electrically connected through a flexible printed circuit board FPC 1 . The flexible printed circuit board FPC 1  is provided with the detection circuit  48 . The control board  101  is provided with the control circuit  102  and the power supply circuit  103 . The control circuit  102  is, for example, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The control circuit  102  supplies a control signal to the sensor unit  21 , the gate line drive circuit GD 1 , and the signal line select circuit SD 1  to control the detection operation of the sensor unit  21 . The power supply circuit  103  supplies a voltage signal such as a sensor power supply signal VDDSNS (see  FIG. 6 ) to the sensor unit  21 , the gate line drive circuit GD 1 , and the signal line select circuit SD 1 . 
     The sensor base material  20  has a detection region AA 1  and a peripheral region SA 1 . The detection region AA 1  is a region provided with a plurality of first pixels PX 1  constituting the sensor unit  21 . The first pixel PX 1  may be referred to as a sensor pixel or an imaging pixel. The plurality of first pixels PX 1  is provided in a matrix in a first direction X and a second direction Y. The plurality of first pixels PX 1  is each provided with a photodiode PD (see  FIG. 6 ). The peripheral region SA 1  is a region outside the detection region AA 1  and is a region that does not overlap the first pixel PX 1 . 
     The gate line drive circuit GD 1  and the signal line select circuit SD 1  are provided in the peripheral region SA 1 . Specifically, the gate line drive circuit GD 1  is provided in a region elongating along the second direction Y in the peripheral region SA 1 . The signal line select circuit SD 1  is provided in a region elongating along the first direction X in the peripheral region SA 1  and is provided between the sensor unit  21  and the detection circuit  48 . 
     Incidentally, the first direction X is one direction in a plane parallel with the sensor base material  20 . The second direction Y is one direction in a plane parallel with the sensor base material  20 , and is a direction orthogonal to the first direction X. Incidentally, the second direction Y may intersect with the first direction X without being orthogonal to each other. In addition, the third direction Z is a direction orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, and is a normal direction of the sensor base material  20 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the sensor  2  of the biometric authentication device  1 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the sensor  2  further includes a detection control unit  11  and a detector  40 . A part or all of the functions of the detection control unit  11  are included in the control circuit  102 . In addition, in the detectors  40 , some or all of the functions other than the detection circuit  48  are included in the control circuit  102 . 
     The sensor unit  21  is an optical sensor having the photodiode PD that is a photoelectric conversion element. The photodiode PD included in the sensor unit  21  outputs an electric signal according to the amount of light applied to the signal line select circuit SD 1 . The signal line select circuit SD 1  sequentially selects a signal line SLA (see  FIG. 5 ) according to a selection signal ASW from the detection control unit  11 . As a result, the above-described electric signal is output to the detector  40  as a detection signal Vdet through the signal line select circuit SD 1 . In addition, the sensor unit  21  performs detection according to a gate drive signal Vgla supplied from the gate line drive circuit GD 1 . 
     The detection control unit  11  is a circuit that supplies control signals to the gate line drive circuit GD 1 , the signal line select circuit SD 1 , and the detector  40 , and controls their operations. The detection control unit  11  supplies various control signals such as a start signal STV, a clock signal CK, and a reset signal RST 1  to the gate line drive circuit GD 1 . In addition, the detection control unit  11  supplies various control signals such as the selection signal ASW to the signal line select circuit SD 1 . 
     The gate line drive circuit GD 1  is a circuit that drives a plurality of gate lines GLA (see  FIG. 5 ) based on various control signals. The gate line drive circuit GD 1  sequentially or simultaneously selects a plurality of gate lines GLA and supplies the gate drive signal Vgla to the selected gate lines GLA. As a result, the gate line drive circuit GD 1  selects a plurality of photodiodes PD connected to the gate line GLA. 
     The signal line select circuit SD 1  is a switch circuit that sequentially or simultaneously selects a plurality of signal lines SLA (see  FIG. 5 ). The signal line select circuit SD 1  is, for example, a multiplexer. The signal line select circuit SD 1  connects the selected signal line SLA to the detection circuit  48  based on the selection signal ASW supplied from the detection control unit  11 . As a result, the signal line select circuit SD 1  outputs the detection signal Vdet from the photodiode PD to the detector  40 . 
     The detector  40  includes the detection circuit  48 , a signal processor  44 , a coordinate extraction unit  45 , a storage unit  46 , and a detection timing control unit  47 . The detection timing control unit  47  controls the detection circuit  48 , the signal processor  44 , and the coordinate extraction unit  45  to operate in synchronization with each other based on the control signal supplied from the detection control unit  11 . 
     The detection circuit  48  is, for example, an analog front end circuit (AFE). The detection circuit  48  is, for example, a signal processing circuit having the functions of a detection signal amplification unit  42  and an A/D conversion unit  43 . The detection signal amplification unit  42  amplifies the detection signal Vdet. The A/D conversion unit  43  converts the analog signal output from the detection signal amplification unit  42  into a digital signal. Incidentally, in the following description, a signal amplified by the detection signal amplification unit  42 , converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A/D conversion unit  43 , and output is sometimes referred to as a detection signal Vdet. 
     The signal processor  44  is a logic circuit that detects a predetermined physical quantity input to the sensor unit  21  based on the output signal of the detection circuit  48 . The signal processor  44  can detect unevenness (i.e., fingerprints) on the surface of the finger Fg based on the output signal from the detection circuit  48  in the case in which the finger Fg comes into contact with or is close to the detection region AA 1 . 
     The storage unit  46  temporarily stores the signal calculated by the signal processor  44 . The storage unit may be, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a register circuit, or the like. 
     The coordinate extraction unit  45  is a logic circuit that finds the detection coordinates of the unevenness of the surface of the finger Fg or the like when the signal processor  44  detects the contact or approach of the finger Fg. The coordinate extraction unit  45  combines the detection signal Vdet output from the photodiode PD of the sensor unit  21  to create information (e.g., images, and so on) that shows the shape of the unevenness (i.e., fingerprint) on the surface of the finger Fg and the shape of the blood vessel pattern of the finger Fg. This two-dimensional information is the biometric information of the user. Incidentally, the coordinate extraction unit  45  may output the detection signal Vdet as a sensor output Vo without calculating the detection coordinates. In this case, the detection signal Vdet may be referred to as the biometric information of the user. Alternatively, the coordinate extraction unit  45  may output information about the living body (e.g., pulse wave data, and so on) that can be calculated based on the detection signal Vdet as the sensor output Vo without calculating the detection coordinates. In this case, the information about the living body that can be calculated based on the detection signal Vdet may be referred to as the biometric information of the user. 
     Next, a circuit configuration example of the sensor  2  of the biometric authentication device  1  will be described.  FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram showing the sensor  2 .  FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram showing a plurality of first pixels PX 1  of the sensor  2 . Incidentally,  FIG. 6  also shows the circuit configuration of the detection circuit  48 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the sensor unit  21  has a plurality of first pixels PX 1  arranged in a matrix. The plurality of first pixels PX 1  is each provided with the photodiode PD is provided. 
     The gate line GLA elongates in the first direction X and is connected to a plurality of first pixels PX 1  arranged in the first direction X. In addition, a plurality of gate lines GLA 1 , GLA 2 , . . . , GLA 8  are arranged in the second direction Y and is connected to the gate line drive circuit GD 1 . Incidentally, in the following description, in the case in which it is unnecessary to distinguish between the plurality of gate lines GLA 1  to GLA 8 , the gate lines GLA 1  to GLA 8  are simply referred to as the gate line GLA. In addition, in  FIG. 5 , eight gate lines GLA are shown for easy understanding. However, this is merely an example, and M gate lines GLA may be arranged (M is 8 or more, e.g., M=256). 
     The signal line SLA elongates in the second direction Y and is connected to the photodiodes PD of the plurality of first pixels PX 1  arranged in the second direction Y. In addition, a plurality of signal lines SLA 1 , SLA 2 , . . . , SLA 12  is arranged in the first direction X and is connected to the signal line select circuit SD 1  and the reset circuit RC. Incidentally, in the following description, in the case in which it is unnecessary to distinguish between the plurality of signal lines SLA 1  to SLA 12 , the signal lines SLA 1  to SLA 12  are simply referred to as the signal line SLA. In addition, in  FIG. 5 , 12 signal line SLA are shown for easy understanding. However, this is merely an example, and N signal line SLA may be arranged (N is 12 or more, e.g., N=252). 
     Incidentally, in  FIG. 5 , the sensor unit  21  is provided between the signal line select circuit SD 1  and the reset circuit RC. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sensor unit  21  may be connected to the signal line select circuit SD 1  and the reset circuit RC at the ends of the signal lines SLA in the same direction. 
     The gate line drive circuit GD 1  receives various control signals such as the start signal STV, the clock signal CK, and the reset signal RST 1  from the control circuit  102 . The gate line drive circuit GD 1  sequentially selects a plurality of gate lines GLA 1  to GLA 8  in a time-division manner based on various control signals. The gate line drive circuit GD 1  supplies the gate drive signal Vgla to the selected gate line GLA. As a result, the gate drive signal Vgla is supplied to a plurality of switching elements Tr connected to the gate line GLA, and the plurality of first pixels PX 1  arranged in the first direction X is selected as targets for acquiring the detection signal Vdet. 
     Incidentally, the gate line drive circuit GD 1  may be driven differently for each detection mode of fingerprint detection and a plurality of different pieces of biometric information (e.g., the pulse wave, pulse, blood vessel image, blood oxygen concentration, and so on). 
     The signal line select circuit SD 1  has a plurality of selection signal lines Lse 1 , a plurality of output signal lines Lout, and a switching element TrS. The plurality of switching elements TrS is each provided corresponding to a plurality of signal lines SLA. The six signal lines SLA 1  to SLA 6  are connected to a common output signal line Lout 1 . The six signal lines SLA 7  to SLA 12  are connected to a common output signal line Lout 2 . The output signal lines Lout 1  and Lout 2  are connected to the detection circuit  48 . 
     Here, the signal lines SLA 1  to SLA 6  are referred to as a first signal line block, and the signal lines SLA 7  to SLA 12  are referred to as a second signal line block. The plurality of selection signal lines Lse 1  is each connected to the gate of the switching element TrS included in one signal line block. In addition, one selection signal line Lse 1  is connected to the gate of the switching element TrS of a plurality of signal line blocks. 
     Specifically, the selection signal lines Lse 11  to Lse 16  are connected to the switching element TrS corresponding to the signal lines SLA 1  to SLA 6 , respectively. In addition, the selection signal line Lse 11  is connected to the switching element TrS corresponding to the signal line SLA 1  and the switching element TrS corresponding to the signal line SLA 7 . The selection signal line Lse 12  is connected to the switching element TrS corresponding to the signal line SLA 2  and the switching element TrS corresponding to the signal line SLA 8 . 
     The control circuit  102  sequentially supplies the selection signal ASW to the selection signal line Lse 1 . As a result, the signal line select circuit SD 1  sequentially selects the signal line SLA in one signal line block in a time-division manner by the operation of the switching element TrS. In addition, the signal line select circuit SD 1  selects one signal line SLA for each of the plurality of signal line blocks. With such a configuration, the sensor  2  can decreases the number of Integrated Circuits (ICs) including the detection circuit  48  or the number of terminals of the ICs. 
     Here, an example is shown in which six signal lines SLA are connected to one output signal line Lout to form one signal line block. However, in regard how many signal lines SLA are connected to one output signal line Lout to form one signal line block, it is possible to freely set. For example, four signal lines SLA may be connected to one output signal line Lout to form one signal line block. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the reset circuit RC includes a reference signal line Lvr, a reset signal line Lrst, and a switching element TrR. The switching element TrR is provided corresponding to the plurality of signal lines SLA. The reference signal line Lvr is connected to one of the source or drain of a plurality of switching elements TrR. The reset signal line Lrst is connected to the gate of the plurality of switching elements TrR. 
     The control circuit  102  supplies a reset signal RST 2  to the reset signal line Lrst. As a result, the plurality of switching elements TrR is turned on, and the plurality of signal lines SLA is electrically connected to the reference signal line Lvr. The power supply circuit  103  supplies a reference signal COM to the reference signal line Lvr. As a result, the reference signal COM is supplied to the capacitive element Ca (see  FIG. 6 ) included in the plurality of first pixels PX 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first pixel PX 1  includes the photodiode PD, the capacitive element Ca, and the switching element Tr.  FIG. 6  shows two gate lines GLA (m) and GLA (m+1) arranged in the second direction Y among the plurality of gate lines GLA. In addition, among the plurality of signal lines SLA, two signal lines SLA (n) and SLA (n+1) arranged in the first direction X are shown. The first pixel PX 1  is disposed in the region surrounded by the gate line GLA and the signal line SLA. The switching element Tr is provided corresponding to the photodiode PD. The switching element Tr is formed of a thin-film transistor, and in this example, the switching element Tr is formed of an n-channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) Thin Film Transistor (TFT). 
     The gates of the switching elements Tr belonging to the plurality of first pixels PX 1  arranged in the first direction X are connected to the gate line GLA. The sources of the switching elements Tr belonging to the plurality of first pixels PX 1  arranged in the second direction Y are connected to the signal line SLA. The drain of the switching element Tr is connected to the cathode of the photodiode PD and the capacitive element Ca. 
     The sensor power supply signal VDDSNS is supplied from the power supply circuit  103  to the anode of the photodiode PD. In addition, to the signal line SLA and the capacitive element Ca, from the power supply circuit  103 , the reference signal COM is supplied, which is the initial potential of the signal line SLA and the capacitive element Ca. 
     When light is applied to the first pixel PX 1 , a current corresponding to the amount of light is carried through the photodiode PD included in the first pixel PX 1 . As a result, electric charges are accumulated in the capacitive element Ca. Upon turning on the switching element Tr, a current is carried through the signal line SLA according to the electric charges accumulated in the capacitive element Ca. The signal line SLA is connected to the detection circuit  48  through the switching element TrS of the signal line select circuit SD 1 . As a result, the sensor  2  can detect a signal corresponding to the amount of light applied to the photodiode PD for each first pixel PX 1 . 
     In the detection circuit  48 , a switch SSW is turned on during a read period, and the detection circuit  48  is connected to the signal line SLA. The detection signal amplification unit  42  of the detection circuit  48  converts the fluctuation in the current supplied from the signal line SLA into the fluctuation in the voltage and amplifies the fluctuation. To a non-inverting input unit (+) of the detection signal amplification unit  42 , a reference potential (Vref) having a fixed potential is input, and to an inverting input terminal (−), the signal line SLA is connected. Here, a signal the same as the reference signal COM is input as the reference potential (Vref). In addition, the detection signal amplification unit  42  has a capacitive element Cb and a reset switch RSW. In a reset period after the read period, the reset switch RSW is turned on and the electric charges of the capacitive element Cb are reset. 
     Next, the illumination device  3  of the biometric authentication device  1  will be described.  FIG. 7  is a plan view showing a configuration example of the illumination device  3  of the biometric authentication device  1 . The illumination device  3  includes a light source base material  30 , a light emitting unit  31 , a light source gate line drive circuit GD 2 , a light source signal line select circuit SD 2 , a control circuit  112 , and a power supply circuit  113 . 
     To the light source base material  30 , a control board  111  is electrically connected through a flexible printed circuit board FPC 2 . The control board  111  is provided with the control circuit  112  and the power supply circuit  113 . The control circuit  112  is, for example, an FPGA. The control circuit  112  supplies a control signal to the light emitting unit  31 , the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2 , and the light source signal line select circuit SD 2 , and controls the lighting operation of the plurality of light emitting elements LED included in the light emitting unit  31 . The power supply circuit  103  supplies a voltage signal such as a light source power supply signal to the light emitting unit  31 , the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2 , and the light source signal line select circuit SD 2 . 
     The light source base material  30  has a light emitting region AA 2  and a peripheral region SA 2 . In the case of the biometric authentication device  1  having the configurations shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the light emitting region AA 2  of the light source base material  30  overlaps the detection region AA 1  of the sensor base material  20  in planar view. In addition, the peripheral region SA 2  of the light source base material  30  overlaps the peripheral region SA 1  of the sensor base material  20  in planar view. The light emitting region AA 2  is a region provided with a plurality of second pixels PX 2  constituting the light emitting unit  31 . The plurality of second pixels PX 2  is provided in a matrix in the first direction X and the second direction Y. The plurality of second pixels PX 2  is each provided with the light emitting element LED (see  FIG. 8 ). The light emitting element LED is, for example, a micro LED or a mini LED, and applies light toward the finger Fg that is a detection target. The peripheral region SA 2  is a region outside the light emitting region AA 2  and is a region that does not overlap the second pixel PX 2 . 
     The light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  and the light source signal line select circuit SD 2  are provided in the peripheral region SA 2 . Specifically, the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  is provided in a region elongating along the second direction Y in the peripheral region SA 2 . The light source signal line select circuit SD 2  is provided in a region elongating along the first direction X in the peripheral region SA 2 . 
     The light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  is a circuit that drives a plurality of light source gate lines GLB (see  FIG. 8 ) based on various control signals. The light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  sequentially or simultaneously selects the plurality of light source gate lines GLB and supplies a gate drive signal to the selected light source gate line GLB. As a result, the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  selects the plurality of light emitting elements LED connected to the light source gate line GLB. 
     The light source signal line select circuit SD 2  is a switch circuit that sequentially or simultaneously selects the plurality of light source signal lines SLB (see  FIG. 8 ). The light source signal line select circuit SD 2  is, for example, a multiplexer. The light source signal line select circuit SD 2  sequentially or simultaneously selects a plurality of light source signal lines SLB, and supplies a selection signal to the selected light source signal line SLB. As a result, the light source signal line select circuit SD 2  selects one or a plurality of light emitting elements LED among the plurality of light emitting elements LED selected by the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the second pixel PX 2  is disposed in the region surrounded by the light source gate line GLB and the light source signal line SLB. The plurality of second pixels PX 2  each elongates along the first direction X and are connected to the light source gate lines GLB elongating along the first direction X being arranged in the second direction Y with spacings and to the light source signal line SLB elongating along the second direction Y being arranged in the first direction X with spacings. The light emitting elements LED included in the plurality of second pixels PX 2  is selectively lit by the control signals supplied from the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  and the light source signal line select circuit SD 2 . 
     Here, a process for detecting biometric information (in the following, simply referred to as a detection process) executed in a general biometric authentication device will be described. In a general detection process, first, a plurality of light emitting elements provided in the illumination device is lit at the same time, and the plurality of light emitting elements applies the finger or palm of the detection target with light. The light applied from the plurality of light emitting elements is diffusely reflected off the finger or palm of the detection target. After that, a plurality of photodiodes provided in the sensor receives the light diffusely reflected off the finger or palm of the detection target, and outputs a detection signal according to the amount of the received light. As a result, it is possible that the biometric authentication device detects biometric information based on detection signals from the plurality of photodiodes. 
     However, in the above-described general detection process, since the plurality of light emitting elements provided in the illumination device is lit all at once, each of the plurality of photodiodes provided in the sensor may receive a mixture of a plurality of beams of light diffusely reflected at various positions on the finger that is a detection target or the palm. According to this, this causes a problem that the S/N ratio of the detection signals from the plurality of photodiodes is degraded. In addition, when the S/N ratio of the detection signal is degraded, a problem also arises that accurate detection of a temporal change in biometric information (e.g., pulse wave data) fails. Further, when the S/N ratio of the detection signal is degraded, for example, even though an image based on the detection signal is created, a blurred image I 1  with low contrast is created as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Therefore, in the biometric authentication device  1  according to the present embodiment, the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  has a function that divides the plurality of second pixels PX 2  provided in the illumination device  3  into a plurality of groups and controls the operations of the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  and the light source signal line select circuit SD 2  such that only the light emitting element LED included in the second pixels PX 2  located at a predetermined position is lit. 
     In addition, the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  has a function that divides the plurality of first pixels PX 1  provided in the sensor  2  into a plurality of groups, and controls the operations of the gate line drive circuit GD 1  and the signal line select circuit SD 1  such that only the detection signal Vdet is acquired from the photodiode PD included in the first pixel PX 1  at a predetermined position in each group. 
     Incidentally, the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  and the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  operate in synchronization with each other. In addition, here, it is assumed that the number of pixels of the plurality of second pixels PX 2  provided in the illumination device  3  is the same as the number of pixels of the plurality of first pixels PX 1  provided in the sensor  2 , and it is assumed that the second pixels PX 2  by the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  are grouped corresponding to grouping the grouping of the first pixels PX 1  by the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  (the area of one group of the second pixels PX 2  is the same as the area of one group of the first pixels PX 1  and one group of the first pixels PX 1  is present for one group of the second pixels PX 2 ). 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating the above-described function of the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  and the above-described function of the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2 .  FIG. 10  shows the case in which the plurality of second pixels PX 2  provided in the illumination device  3  and the plurality of first pixels PX 1  provided in the sensor  2  are both grouped into 16 pixels in four by four. Incidentally, in the following, a series of processes described with reference to  FIG. 10  is referred to as a first detection process. 
     As shown in the upper part of (a) of  FIG. 10 , the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  controls the operations of the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  and the light source signal line select circuit SD 2  such that the light emitting elements LED included in the second pixels PX 2  located in the first column of the first row of each group (in the following, referred to as the first light emitting element LED) are lit all at once. At this time, the light emitting elements LED included in the other second pixels PX 2  of each group (i.e., 15 second pixels PX 2  located in the second column of the first row to the fourth column of the fourth row) are not lit and remain off. According to this, as shown in the upper part of (a) of  FIG. 10 , only the first light emitting element LED of each group is lit. 
     In synchronization with the timing when the first light emitting element LED of each group of the illumination device  3  is lit, the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  controls the operations of the gate line drive circuit GD 1  and the signal line select circuit SD 1  such that the detection signal Vdet is acquired all at once from the photodiode PD included in the first pixels PX 1  located in the first column of the first row of each group (in the following, referred to as the first photodiode PD). At this time, no detection signal Vdet is acquired from the photodiode PD included in the other first pixel PX 1  of each group (i.e., 15 first pixels PX 1  located in the second column of the first row to the fourth column of the fourth row). According to this, as shown in the lower part of (a) of  FIG. 10 , only the detection signal Vdet is acquired from the first photodiode PD of each group. The acquired detection signal Vdet is stored in the storage unit  46 . 
     Next, as shown in the upper part of (b) of  FIG. 10 , the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  controls the operations of the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  and the light source signal line select circuit SD 2  such that the first light emitting element LED of each group is turned off and the light emitting elements LED included in the second pixel PX 2  located in the second column of the first row of each group (in the following, referred to as a second light emitting element LED) are lit all at once. At this time, the light emitting elements LED included in the other second pixels PX 2  of each group (i.e., 15 second pixels PX 2  located in the first column of the first row and the third column of the first row to the fourth column of the fourth row) are not lit and remain off. According to this, as shown in the upper part of (b) of  FIG. 10 , only the second light emitting element LED of each group is lit. 
     In synchronization with the timing when the second light emitting element LED of each group of the illumination device  3  is lit, the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  controls the operations of the gate line drive circuit GD 1  and the signal line select circuit SD 1  such that the detection signal Vdet is acquired all at once from the photodiode PD included in the first pixels PX 1  located in the second column of the first row of each group (in the following, referred to as a second photodiode PD). At this time, no detection signal Vdet is acquired from the photodiode PD included in the other first pixels PX 1  of each group (i.e., 15 first pixels PX 1  located in the first column of the first row and the third column of the first row to the fourth column of the fourth row). According to this, as shown in the lower part of (b) of  FIG. 10 , the detection signal Vdet is acquired only from the second photodiode PD of each group. The acquired detection signal Vdet is stored in the storage unit  46 . 
     In the following, the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  executes the similar control for the light emitting element LED included in the second pixels PX 2  located in the third column of the first row and the fourth column of the first row, and the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  executes the similar control for the photodiode PD included in the first pixels PX 1  located in the third column of the first row and the fourth column of the first row. 
     After executing the control on the first column of the first row to the fourth column of the first row (the columns of the first row) of each group, the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  and the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  execute the similar control on the columns of the subsequent row. In other words, the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  executes the similar control for the light emitting element LED included in the second pixels PX 2  located in the first column of the second row to the fourth column of the second row, and the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  executes the similar control for the photodiode PD included in the first pixels PX 1  located in the first column of the second row to the fourth column of the second row. 
     In addition, after executing the control on the first column of the second row to the fourth column of the second row (the columns of the second row) of each group, the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  and the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  further execute the similar control on the columns of the subsequent row. In other words, the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  executes the similar control for the light emitting element LED included in the second pixels PX 2  located in the first column of the third row to the fourth column of the third row, and the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  executes the similar control for the photodiode PD included in the first pixels PX 1  located in the first column of the third row to the fourth column of the third row. 
     Further, after executing the control on the first column of the third row to the fourth column of the third row (the columns of the third row) of each group, the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  and the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  further execute the similar control on the columns of the subsequent row. In other words, the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  executes the similar control for the light emitting element LED included in the second pixels PX 2  located in the first column of the fourth row to the fourth column of the fourth row, and the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  executes the similar control for the photodiode PD included in the first pixels PX 1  located in the first column of the fourth row to the fourth column of the fourth row. In the following, the control executed for the fourth column of the fourth row of each group will be described in detail with reference to (c) of  FIG. 10 . 
     As shown in the upper part of (c) of  FIG. 10 , the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  controls the operations of the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  and the light source signal line select circuit SD 2  such that the fifteenth light emitting element LED of each group is turned off and the light emitting elements LED included in the second pixel PX 2  located in the fourth column of the fourth row of each group (in the following, referred to as a sixteenth light emitting element LED) are lit all at once. At this time, the light emitting elements LED included in the other second pixels PX 2  of each group (i.e., 15 second pixels PX 2  located in the first column of the first row to the third column of the fourth row) are not lit and remain off. According to this, as shown in the upper part of (c) of  FIG. 10 , only the sixteenth light emitting element LED of each group is lit. 
     In synchronization with the timing when the sixteenth light emitting element LED of each group of the illumination device  3  is lit, the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  controls the operations of the gate line drive circuit GD 1  and the signal line select circuit SD 1  such that the detection signal Vdet is acquired all at once from the photodiode PD included in the first pixels PX 1  located in the fourth column of the fourth row of each group (in the following, referred to as a sixteenth photodiode PD). At this time, no detection signal Vdet is acquired from the photodiode PD included in the other first pixels PX 1  of each group (i.e., 15 first pixels PX 1  located in the first column of the first row to the third column of the fourth row. According to this, as shown in the lower part of (c) of  FIG. 10 , the detection signal Vdet is acquired only from the sixteenth photodiode PD of each group. The acquired detection signal Vdet is stored in the storage unit  46 . 
     When the series of controls as described above is executed and the detection signal Vdet acquired from the first to sixteenth photodiodes PD of each group is stored in the storage unit  46 , the coordinate extraction unit  45 , which is one function of the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2 , creates an image I 2  (see  FIG. 11 ) showing the shape of the blood vessel pattern of the finger Fg that is a detection target based on the detection signal Vdet of the first to sixteenth photodiodes PD of each group stored in the storage unit  46 . 
     In the first detection process executed in the biometric authentication device  1  according to the embodiment described above, the plurality of second pixels PX 2  provided in the illumination device  3  and the plurality of first pixels PX 1  provided in the sensor  2  are divided into pluralities of groups corresponding to each other. Then, in the illumination device  3 , one light emitting element LED per group is controlled to be lit. In other words, the light emitting elements LED other than one of the plurality of light emitting elements LED included in each group are controlled to be turned off. According to this, it is possible to suppress the incidence of the light from other light emitting elements LED included in each group as stray light into the photodiode PD that operates in synchronization with the lit light emitting element LED. 
     In addition, in the first detection process executed in the biometric authentication device  1  according to the present embodiment, one light emitting element LED is controlled to be lit for each group, and the light emitting elements LED are grouped such that a light emitting element LED that is lit in one group is sufficiently apart from a light emitting elements LED that is lit in the group adjacent to the one group (e.g., in  FIG. 10 , the light emitting elements LED are grouped being separated by four pixels). Therefore, it is possible to mainly enter the light from the nth light emitting element LED of each group that overlaps in planar view to the nth photodiode PD of each group. In other words, according to the first detection process according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the incidence of the light from the nth light emitting element LED of another group, which does not overlap in planar view, to the nth photodiode PD of each group as stray light. 
     As described above, by suppressing the incidence of stray light into a plurality of photodiodes PD, it is possible to suppress a degradation in the S/N ratio of the detection signal Vdet from the plurality of photodiodes PD. According to this, the biometric authentication device  1  according to the present embodiment can create the image I 2  showing the shape of a blood vessel pattern as shown in  FIG. 11 , for example, as compared with the above-described general biometric authentication device. Therefore, it is possible to create an image with high contrast. 
     Incidentally, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the plurality of second pixels PX 2  provided in the illumination device  3  and the plurality of first pixels PX 1  provided in the sensor  2  are grouped into 16 pixels in four by four. However, grouping the second pixels PX 2  and the first pixels PX 1  by how many number of pixels is not limited to this. The second pixels PX 2  and the first pixels PX 1  may be grouped by a given number of pixels as long as the light emitting element LED that is lit in one group is separated from the light emitting element LED that is lit in the adjacent group such that the light from the light emitting element LED that is lit in the one group does not enter, as stray light, the photodiode PD that overlaps the light emitting element LED that is lit in the adjacent group in planar view. 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, the case is described in which the number of pixels of the plurality of second pixels PX 2  provided in the illumination device  3  and the number of pixels of the plurality of first pixels PX 1  provided in the sensor  2  are the same. However, the number is not limited to this. The number of pixels of the second pixel PX 2  provided in the illumination device  3  may be different from the number of pixels of the first pixel PX 1  provided in the sensor  2 . 
     For example, the first pixel PX 1  of the sensor  2  may be disposed at a pitch of 235 μm, while the second pixel PX 2  of the illumination device  3  may be disposed at a pitch of 100 μm. In other words, the number of pixels of the second pixel PX 2  of the illumination device  3  may be larger than the number of pixels of the first pixel PX 1  of the sensor  2 . However, even in this case, desirably, one group of the first pixel PX 1  and one group of the second pixel PX 2  have the same area (i.e., although the number of pixels included in one group is different, the area of a group is the same). 
     In this case, the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  controls the operations of the light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  and the light source signal line select circuit SD 2  so as to light the light emitting elements LED included in the plurality of the second pixels PX 2  corresponding to one of the plurality of first pixels PX 1  provided in the sensor  2  (i.e., the plurality of second pixels PX 2  overlapping one first pixel PX 1  in planar view). 
     The control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  controls the operations of the gate line drive circuit GD 1  and the signal line select circuit SD 1  such that in synchronization with the timing at which the light emitting elements LED included in the plurality of second pixels PX 2  provided in the illumination device  3  are lit, the detection signal Vdet is acquired from the photodiode PD included in the first pixel PX 1  corresponding to the plurality of second pixels PX 2  including the lit light emitting elements LED. 
     Even in such a configuration, only the light emitting elements LED included in one region for each group are controlled to be lit, and the light emitting elements LED in the other regions are controlled to be turned off, and thus it is possible to suppress the incidence of the light from the light emitting element LED included in the other regions of each group, as stray light, into the photodiode PD that operates in synchronization with the light emitting element LED. 
     In addition, there is no change in grouping that the region in which the light emitting element LED is lit in one group is sufficiently separated from the region in which the light emitting element LED is lit in the group adjacent to the one group. Thus, it is also possible to suppress the incidence of the light from the light emitting element LED lit in the group adjacent to the one group, as stray light, into the photodiode PD corresponding to the region in which the light emitting element LED is lit in one group. 
     In other words, even in the case in which the number of pixels of the first pixel PX 1  provided in the sensor  2  is different from the number of pixels of the second pixel PX 2  provided in the illumination device  3 , it is possible to suppress the incidence of stray light into the plurality of photodiodes PD by the series of the first detection processes, it is possible to suppress the degradation in the S/N ratio of the detection signals Vdet from the plurality of photodiodes PD, and by extension, it is also possible to create a high contrast image based on the detection signal Vdet. 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, the control of the first pixel PX 1  and the second pixel PX 2  in each group is sequentially executed from the first column of the first row to the fourth column of the first row, from the first column of the second row to the fourth column of the second row, from the first column of the third row to the fourth column of the third row, and from the first column of the fourth row to the fourth column of the fourth row. However, the order of the control of the first pixel PX 1  and the second pixel PX 2  is not limited. 
     In the present embodiment described above, the biometric authentication device  1  having a configuration is described in which the sensor  2  and the illumination device  3  are stacked (a configuration in which the sensor  2  and the illumination device  3  are provided on separate substrates). However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. The biometric authentication device  1  may have a configuration in which the sensor  2  and the illumination device  3  are provided on the same substrate. 
       FIG. 12  is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the biometric authentication device  1  in which the photodiode PD of the sensor  2  and the light emitting element LED of the illumination device  3  are provided on the same substrate. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the gate lines GLA that select the photodiode PD elongates along the first direction X and are arranged with spacings in the second direction Y. In addition, the signal lines SLA that select the photodiode PD elongates along the second direction Y and are arranged with spacings in the first direction X. The light source gate line GLB that selects the light emitting element LED elongates in a direction parallel with the gate line GLA that selects the photodiode PD. In addition, the light source signal line SLB that selects the light emitting element LED elongates in a direction parallel with the signal line SLA that selects the photodiode PD. In this case, the region surrounded by the gate line GLA, the light source gate line GLB, the signal line SLA, and the light source signal line SLB corresponds to one pixel. 
     Even in such a configuration, the biometric authentication device  1  operates so that a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix is grouped and one light emitting element LED is lit for each group, and the detection signal Vdet is acquired from one photodiode PD included in the same pixel as the lit light emitting element LED. In other words, even in the case in which the sensor  2  and the illumination device  3  are provided on the same substrate, it is possible to suppress the incidence of stray light into the plurality of photodiodes PD by the series of first detection processes. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a degradation in the S/N ratio of the detection signal Vdet from the plurality of photodiodes PD, and by extension, it is also possible to create a high-contrast image based on the detection signal Vdet. 
     According to the first embodiment described above, in the biometric authentication device  1 , the light emitting elements LED included in the plurality of second pixels PX 2  provided in the illumination device  3  are simultaneously lit, and no detection signal Vdet is simultaneously acquired from the photodiode PD included in the plurality of the first pixels PX 1  provided in the sensor  2 . Instead, by the series of first detection processes, the first pixels PX 1  and the second pixels PX 2  are grouped, only the light emitting element LED included in the second pixel PX 2  at the predetermined position of each group is lit, and the detection signal Vdet is acquired only from the photodiode PD included in the first pixel PX 1  corresponding to the second pixel PX 2  including the lit light emitting element LED. 
     According to this, it is possible to suppress the incidence of stray light into a plurality of photodiodes PD, it is possible to suppress a degradation in the S/N ratio of the detection signal Vdet from the plurality of photodiodes PD, and by extension, it is also possible to create a high-contrast image based on the above-described detection signal Vdet. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, the first detection process capable of improving the contrast of the image created based on the detection signal Vdet from the photodiode PD is mainly described. However, in the present embodiment, a detection process (in the following, referred to as a second detection process) will be described in which a temporal change in biometric information (e.g., pulse wave data) calculated based on a detection signal Vdet from a photodiode PD can be accurately detected. 
     Incidentally, since the configuration of a biometric authentication device  1  is the similar as that of the first embodiment described above, the detailed description will be omitted here, and the second detection process will be mainly described below. 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the second detection process executed in the biometric authentication device  1  according to the present embodiment. 
     First, when the biometric authentication device  1  detects contact or approach of a detection target such as a finger Fg, a sensor  2  and an illumination device  3  constituting the biometric authentication device  1  create an image of the detection target by the first detection process shown in the first embodiment (Step S 1 ). Here, it is assumed that a gray-scale image I 2  shown in (b) of  FIG. 14  is created by the process in Step S 1 . 
     Subsequently, a control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  creates a binarized image of the image created by the process in Step S 1  (Step S 2 ). According to this, the control circuit  102  can obtain, for example, a binarized image I 3  shown in (c) of  FIG. 14 . 
     Subsequently, the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  extracts the center line of the black portion of the binarized image created by the process in Step S 2 , and creates an image in which only the extracted center line is drawn (Step S 3 ). According to this, the control circuit  102  can obtain, for example, a line image I 4  shown in (d) of  FIG. 14 . 
     When the line image shown in (d) of  FIG. 14  is created by the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2 , a control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  controls the operations of a light source gate line drive circuit GD 2  and a light source signal line select circuit SD 2  so as to light the light emitting element LED included in a second pixel PX 2  disposed at a position overlapping the center line drawn in the line image (Step S 4 ). 
     Incidentally, here, it is assumed that the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  and the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  operate in synchronization with each other and can share information with each other by exchanging signals. According to this, as shown in the process in Step S 4 , the control circuit  112  of the illumination device  3  makes reference to the line image I 4  created by the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2 , and the second pixel PX 2  that lights the light emitting element LED. 
     The control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  controls the operations of the gate line drive circuit GD 1  and the signal line select circuit SD 1  so as to acquire the detection signal Vdet from the photodiode PD included in the first pixel PX 1  corresponding to the second pixel PX 2  including the lit light emitting element LED (more specifically, the first pixel PX 1  overlapping the second pixel PX 2  including the lit light emitting element LED in planar view) (Step S 5 ). 
     After that, the control circuit  102  of the sensor  2  calculates biometric information (pulse wave data) based on the acquired detection signal Vdet (Step S 6 ), and ends the series of second detection processes here. Such a series of second detection processes is repeatedly executed, it is possible to accurately detect a temporal change in the biometric information calculated based on the detection signal Vdet. 
     According to the second embodiment described above, in the biometric authentication device  1 , the binarized image I 3  is created based on the gray-scale image I 2 , which is a high-contrast image, by the second detection process described above, the line image I 4  is created based on the binarized image I 3 , only the light emitting element LED included in the second pixel PX 2  disposed at a position overlapping the center line drawn on the line image I 4  is lit, and the detection signal Vdet is acquired only from the photodiode PD included in the first pixel PX 1  corresponding to the second pixel PX 2  including the lit light emitting element LED. 
     According to this, the light of the light emitting element LED can be applied only to the position at which the object (e.g., a vein) of the biometric information to be calculated passes, and thus, for example, it is possible to improve the S/N ratio of the detection signal Vdet obtained from the photodiode PD, compared with the case in which the light emitting element LED provided in the illumination device  3  are fully lit. As a result, it is possible to also detect a temporal change accurately in the biometric information calculated based on the detection signal Vdet. 
     In the first and second embodiments described above, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is assumed that the biometric authentication device  1  has a flat plate shape. However, the shape of the biometric authentication device  1  is not limited to this, and the shape may be a ring shape, for example, as shown in (a) of  FIG. 15 . In this case, as shown in (a) of  FIG. 15 , the finger Fg is placed in the ring of the ring-shaped biometric authentication device  1 , and thus, as shown in (b) of  FIG. 15 , it is possible to detect the light applied from the light emitting element LED toward the finger Fg at the photodiodes PD disposed opposed to the light emitting element LED. Even in such a configuration, the first and second detection processes described above are executed, and thus it is possible to obtain the similar effects as those shown in the first and second embodiments described above. In addition, since the biometric authentication device  1  is in a ring shape and the light emitting element LED and the photodiode PD are disposed around the ring, it is possible to calculate the detection coordinates of both sides of the finger Fg (the front surface of finger Fg (surface on the fingerprint side) and the back side (surface of the nail), and by extension, it is possible to also create three-dimensional information (a three-dimensional image). 
     According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to provide the biometric authentication device  1  capable of improving the S/N ratio of the detection signal Vdet output in the biometric authentication device  1 . 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.