Abstract:
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal that may update a system for fingerprint authentication whenever fingerprint authentication is performed. Apparatus for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal comprising: a memory unit for configuring fingerprint data registration entries corresponding to fingerprints, the fingerprint data registration entry including a plurality of slots, and storing fingerprint data in each of the slots, the fingerprint data being captured by a fingerprint sensor provided in the mobile communication terminal; and a control unit for checking whether condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate for fingerprint authentication, verifying whether the captured fingerprint data is fingerprint data of a same finger and performing fingerprint authentication by checking whether there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data and fingerprint data previously stored in each of the slots.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application is claiming priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0040962, filed on Jun. 4, 2004, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal that may update a system for fingerprint authentication whenever fingerprint authentication is performed.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Generally, fingerprint authentication is performed as follows. A user previously stores fingerprint data in a system for fingerprint authentication. Later, when the fingerprint authentication is required, the fingerprint authentication is performed, by reading the previously stored fingerprint data and comparing with newly inputted fingerprint data.  
         [0006]     In other words, according to a general method for fingerprint authentication in the related art, fingerprint of a genuine user is scanned, stored and registered first. Then, when fingerprint of the user is inputted by scanning, the fingerprint authentication is performed by comparing the inputted user&#39;s fingerprint data and the registered fingerprint data, and identifying the user depending on whether the inputted user&#39;s fingerprint data and the registered fingerprint data are identical with each other.  
         [0007]     At this time, a non-optical type fingerprint sensor, generally used for the fingerprint authentication, comprises one semiconductor. Accordingly, it has a small volume and can be mass-produced, so that a manufacturing cost can be lowered.  
         [0008]     However, the fingerprint sensor used for the fingerprint authentication is physically weak to a scratch and an external impact, and sensitive to a change of external environments such as static electricity, temperature and humidity, etc. Accordingly, there is a drawback in that there are some restrictions in obtaining identical fingerprint data all the time, since environments at the time of performing fingerprint authentication can be changed from environments when registering fingerprint data.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art. The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal that may update a system for fingerprint authentication whenever fingerprint authentication is performed.  
         [0010]     The other object of the present invention is to cope with conditions of a fingerprint sensor or surrounding environment thereof, and to improve the probability of the fingerprint authentication, by updating a system for fingerprint registration and authentication whenever fingerprint authentication is performed.  
         [0011]     The other object of the present invention is to adapt to a change of external environments such as static electricity, temperature and humidity, etc. by properly updating a system for fingerprint authentication corresponding to environments, instead of permanently using the registered fingerprint data, in a mobile communication terminal equipped with a fingerprint sensor.  
         [0012]     In addition, the other object of the present invention is to improve a probability of fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal equipped with a fingerprint sensor by updating a system for fingerprint authentication according to environments or a condition of a fingerprint whenever fingerprint authentication is performed.  
         [0013]     According to the present invention, when storing and registering fingerprint data for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal equipped with a fingerprint sensor, registered fingerprint data is properly replaced with fingerprint data newly inputted when performing fingerprint authentication so as to cope with a change of environments or a condition of a fingerprint, and to improve a probability of fingerprint authentication at the same time.  
         [0014]     In order to achieve the above objects, in whole or in parts, there is provided an apparatus for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal comprising: a memory unit for configuring fingerprint data registration entries corresponding to fingerprints, the fingerprint data registration entry including a plurality of slots, and storing fingerprint data in each of the slots, the fingerprint data being captured by a fingerprint sensor provided in the mobile communication terminal; and a control unit for checking whether condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate for fingerprint authentication, verifying whether the captured fingerprint data is fingerprint data of a same finger, and performing fingerprint authentication by checking whether there is a similarity between the captured fingerprint data and fingerprint data previously stored in each of the slots.  
         [0015]     Preferably, the control unit may comprise: a fingerprint registering section for recognizing a request of fingerprint registration inputted through a keypad of the mobile communication terminal; a fingerprint capture start section for generating an initialization command for initializing the fingerprint sensor after receiving the request of fingerprint registration from the fingerprint registering section, for receiving notification of fingerprint data capture completion, for requesting fingerprint data verification, and for asking a template verifying section to check whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to the fingerprint data previously stored in each of the slots; a fingerprint sensor driving section for initializing the fingerprint sensor after receiving the initialization command from the fingerprint capture start section, maintaining stand-by state until new fingerprint data is captured, and notifying the fingerprint capture start section of fingerprint data capture completion in a case where the captured fingerprint data is adequate for fingerprint authentication; an entry verifying section for receiving the request of fingerprint data verification from the fingerprint capture start section, comparing the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data previously stored in each of the slots, and requesting storage of the captured fingerprint data during a fingerprint data registration process in a case where there is no similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data previously stored in each of the slots; a template storing section for receiving the request of storing the captured fingerprint data from the entry verifying section, generating a fingerprint data registration entry corresponding to the captured fingerprint data, storing the captured fingerprint data in a template form in a first slot of the fingerprint data registration entry, and asking the fingerprint sensor driving section to prepare recapturing of fingerprint data; and the template verifying section for receiving a request of checking whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to fingerprint data stored prior to the captured fingerprint data, comparing the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data stored prior to the captured fingerprint data, and storing the captured fingerprint data in a template form in a slot next to a slot of the fingerprint data stored prior to the captured fingerprint data.  
         [0016]     Preferably, the entry verifying section may compare the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data previously stored in the slots, and make the fingerprint capture start section generate the initialization command by notifying the fingerprint capture start section that there is a similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data previously stored in the slots in a case where there is fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data.  
         [0017]     Preferably, the template verifying section may comprise: a second template verifying section for comparing the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data stored prior to the captured fingerprint data after receiving the request of checking whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to the fingerprint data stored prior to the captured fingerprint data, storing the captured fingerprint data in a template form in a second slot of the corresponding entry in a case where there is a similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored prior to the captured fingerprint data, and requesting recapturing of fingerprint data; and a third template verifying section for comparing fingerprint data captured through the fingerprint sensor with fingerprint data stored in a first slot and a second slot after receiving the request of checking whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to the fingerprint data stored prior to the captured fingerprint data, storing the captured fingerprint data in a template form in a third slot of the corresponding entry in a case where there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored prior to the captured fingerprint data, and notifying the fingerprint registering section of fingerprint data registration success.  
         [0018]     Preferably, the template verifying section may compare the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data stored prior to the captured fingerprint data, and make the fingerprint capture start section generate the initialization command by notifying the fingerprint capture start section that there is no similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored prior to the captured fingerprint data in a case where there is no fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data.  
         [0019]     Preferably, the control unit may comprise: a fingerprint authenticating section for recognizing a request of fingerprint authentication inputted through a keypad of the mobile communication terminal, and applying the request of fingerprint authentication and information on type of matching to a fingerprint capture start section; the fingerprint capture start section for generating an initialization command for initializing the fingerprint sensor after receiving the request of fingerprint authentication from the fingerprint authenticating section, for receiving fingerprint data capture completion, for requesting fingerprint data verification and for asking an entry verifying section to check whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to the previously stored fingerprint data; a fingerprint sensor driving section for initializing the fingerprint sensor after receiving the initialization command from the fingerprint capture start section, maintaining stand-by state until new fingerprint data is captured, and notifying the fingerprint capture start section of fingerprint data capture completion in a case where the captured fingerprint data is adequate for fingerprint authentication; and the entry verifying section for receiving the request of fingerprint data verification from the fingerprint capture start section and performing fingerprint authentication by comparing the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data previously stored in each of the slots.  
         [0020]     Preferably, the entry verifying section may compare the captured fingerprint data with fingerprint data stored in a certain fingerprint data registration entry selected by a user in a case where the type of matching is 1 to 1, and compare the captured fingerprint data with fingerprint data stored in all slots in a case where the type of matching is 1 to N.  
         [0021]     Preferably, the control unit may further comprise an updating section for forwarding to the fingerprint capture start section the notification of fingerprint authentication success and No. of fingerprint data registration entry storing fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data, after receiving the notification of fingerprint authentication success from the entry verifying section, and updating the fingerprint data registration entry.  
         [0022]     Preferably, the updating section may search fingerprint data having a least similarity among the fingerprint data in the fingerprint data registration entry, delete the fingerprint data having the least similarity from a corresponding slot of the fingerprint data registration entry, and update the fingerprint data registration entry by replacing the deleted fingerprint data with the captured fingerprint data.  
         [0023]     In order to achieve the above objects, in whole or in parts, there is provided a method for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal comprising: registering a plurality of fingerprint data by capturing the fingerprint data through using fingerprint sensor provided in the mobile communication terminal, checking whether the fingerprint data is fingerprint data of a same fingerprint, and storing the fingerprint data in slots consisting of one fingerprint data registration entry in a case where the fingerprint data is fingerprint data of a same finger; and performing fingerprint authentication by checking whether a fingerprint data captured for fingerprint authentication is adequate for fingerprint authentication and checking whether there is a similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored in slots.  
         [0024]     Preferably, the act of registering a plurality of fingerprint data may comprise: initializing the fingerprint sensor when receiving a request of fingerprint registration inputted from a keypad of the mobile communication terminal and maintaining stand-by state; capturing fingerprint data by scanning fingerprint through the fingerprint sensor, verifying image quality of the fingerprint data and transforming the fingerprint data into a template form; checking whether the captured fingerprint data is registered by comparing the captured fingerprint data with fingerprint data stored in all fingerprint data registration entry; in a case where the captured fingerprint data is not registered, generating a fingerprint data registration entry for the captured fingerprint data and storing the captured fingerprint data in a first slot of the fingerprint data registration entry having a plurality of slots; capturing fingerprint data by scanning fingerprint through the fingerprint sensor, verifying image quality of the fingerprint data and transforming the fingerprint data into a template form; comparing the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data stored in the first slot; and in a case where the captured fingerprint data is similar to the fingerprint data stored in the first slot, storing the captured fingerprint data in a second slot of the fingerprint data registration entry.  
         [0025]     Preferably, the act of registering a plurality of fingerprint data may further comprise: capturing fingerprint data by scanning fingerprint through the fingerprint sensor, verifying image quality of the fingerprint data, transforming the fingerprint data into a template form, comparing the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data stored in the first slot and the second slot, and storing the captured fingerprint data in a slot next to the second slot of the fingerprint data registration entry, and wherein the acts of capturing, verifying, transforming, comparing and storing are able to be repeated for a plurality of times.  
         [0026]     Preferably, the act of performing fingerprint authentication may comprise: in a case where a request of fingerprint authentication is received through a keypad of the mobile communication terminal, initializing the fingerprint sensor and maintaining stand-by state; in a case where type of matching for fingerprint authentication is 1 to 1, capturing fingerprint data by scanning fingerprint through the fingerprint sensor, verifying image quality of the fingerprint data, transforming the fingerprint data into a template form; and comparing the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data stored in a fingerprint data registration entry that user of the mobile communication terminal selects.  
         [0027]     Preferably, the act of performing fingerprint authentication may further comprise: in a case where type of matching for fingerprint authentication is 1 to N, capturing fingerprint data by scanning fingerprint through the fingerprint sensor, verifying image quality of the fingerprint data, transforming the fingerprint data into a template form; and comparing the captured fingerprint data with fingerprint data stored in all fingerprint data registration entries.  
         [0028]     Preferably, the act of performing fingerprint authentication may further comprise: in a case where there is a fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data in the fingerprint data registration entry, searching fingerprint data having a least similarity among fingerprint data in the fingerprint data registration entry; and deleting the fingerprint data having the least similarity from the fingerprint data registration entry and updating the fingerprint data registration entry by replacing the deleted fingerprint data with the captured fingerprint data.  
         [0029]     Preferably, the act of performing fingerprint authentication may further comprise: in a case where there is a fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data in the fingerprint data registration entries, searching fingerprint data having a least similarity among fingerprint data in a fingerprint data registration entry storing the fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data; and deleting the fingerprint data having the least similarity from the fingerprint data registration entry and updating the fingerprint data registration entry by replacing the deleted fingerprint data with the captured fingerprint data. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a method for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a structure of registered fingerprint data;  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a state diagram for illustrating a process of registering fingerprint data illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a state diagram for illustrating a process for fingerprint authentication in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.  
         [0037]      FIG. 1  illustrates an apparatus for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal comprises a fingerprint sensor  10 , a control unit  20 , a memory unit  30  and a display unit  40 .  
         [0038]     The fingerprint sensor  10  scans a fingerprint of a user and transmits the fingerprint data captured by the scan to the control unit  20 .  
         [0039]     The control unit  20  checks whether condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate for fingerprint authentication, verifies whether the captured fingerprint data is fingerprint data of a same finger, and registers the verified fingerprint data in the memory unit  30 . In addition, the control unit  20  performs fingerprint authentication by checking whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to fingerprint data previously registered in the memory unit  30 . Further, the control unit  20  updates fingerprint data registration entry having the previously registered fingerprint data after the fingerprint authentication by replacing the previously registered fingerprint data with the captured fingerprint data.  
         [0040]     The memory unit  30  stores the registered fingerprint data according to controls of the control unit  20 . The memory unit  30  configures fingerprint data registration entries having a plurality of slots (for example, three slots per one entry) corresponding to each fingerprint data and stores the fingerprint data in a template form (“fingerprint template”) in each slot.  
         [0041]     The display unit  40  displays a message requesting a user to input a fingerprint data according to controls of the control unit  20 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  illustrates configuration of the control unit  20  for registering a fingerprint data according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the control unit comprises a fingerprint registering section  21 , a fingerprint capture start section  22 , a fingerprint sensor driving section  23 , an entry verifying section  24 , a template storing section  25 , and a plurality of template verifying sections  26 ,  27 .  
         [0043]     The fingerprint registering section  21  recognizes a request of fingerprint registration when a user requests a fingerprint registration through a keypad of a mobile communication terminal, applies the request of the fingerprint registration to the fingerprint capture start section  22 , and completes the fingerprint registration by receiving notification of fingerprint registration success from the template verifying section.  
         [0044]     The fingerprint capture start section  22  applies an initialization command for initializing the fingerprint sensor  10  to the fingerprint sensor driving section  23  after receiving the request of fingerprint registration from the fingerprint registering section  21 , after receiving notification of fingerprint data verification failure from the entry verifying section  24 , or after receiving notification of template verification failure from the template verifying section  26 ,  27 . Further, the fingerprint capture start section  22  receives notification of fingerprint data capture completion from the fingerprint sensor driving section  23 , asks the entry verifying section  24  to perform fingerprint data verification for verifying whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to fingerprint data previously registered in entries of the memory unit  30 , and asks the template verifying section  26 ,  27  to check whether newly captured fingerprint data is similar to fingerprint data captured prior to the newly captured fingerprint data and to store the fingerprint template therein.  
         [0045]     The fingerprint sensor driving section  23  initializes the fingerprint sensor  10  by receiving the initialization command from the fingerprint capture start section  22  or receiving a request of recapturing fingerprint data, maintains stand-by state until fingerprint data is captured, checks whether condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate for fingerprint authentication, and notifies the fingerprint capture start section  22  of fingerprint data capture completion.  
         [0046]     The entry verifying section  24  receives the request of fingerprint data verification from the fingerprint capture start section  22  and, then, compares the fingerprint data captured through the fingerprint sensor  10  with fingerprint data previously registered in entries of the memory unit  30  for checking whether the fingerprint data captured through the fingerprint sensor  10  is similar to the other fingerprint data previously registered in the entries of the memory unit  30 .  
         [0047]     When there exists a similar fingerprint data during a process of fingerprint data registration, the entry verifying section  24  notifies the fingerprint capture start section  22  of the fact, and when there is no similar fingerprint data during the process of fingerprint data registration, the entry verifying section  24  asks the template storing section  25  to store the fingerprint data in a template form therein.  
         [0048]     The template storing section  25  receives a request of storing the fingerprint template from the entry verifying section  24 , generates a fingerprint data registration entry in the memory unit  30  corresponding to the fingerprint template, stores the template-transformed fingerprint dada in a first slot of the corresponding fingerprint data registration entry, and asks the fingerprint sensor driving section  23  to prepare recapturing of fingerprint data.  
         [0049]     The template verifying section  26 ,  27  receives request of checking whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to the previous fingerprint data and request of storing the fingerprint template from the fingerprint capture start section  22 , and compares the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data previously stored in the slot of the corresponding fingerprint data registration entry of the memory unit  30  for checking whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to the fingerprint data stored in the slot. When there is no fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data in the slot, the template verifying section notifies the fingerprint capture start section  22  of template verification failure. On the other hand, when there is fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data in the slot, it stores the captured fingerprint data in a slot next to the previous slot of the corresponding fingerprint data registration entry in a template form, and then asks the fingerprint sensor driving section  23  to prepare recapturing of fingerprint data or notifies the fingerprint registering section  21  of fingerprint registration success.  
         [0050]     Preferably, the template verifying section may comprise, for example, a second template verifying section  26  and a third template verifying section  27 .  
         [0051]     The second template verifying section  26  receives a request of checking whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to the previous fingerprint data and a request of storing the fingerprint data in a template form from the fingerprint capture start section  22 , and compares fingerprint data secondly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10  with the fingerprint data previously stored in the first slot of the corresponding fingerprint data registration entry in the memory unit  30  for checking whether the fingerprint data secondly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10  is similar to the fingerprint data stored in the first slot.  
         [0052]     When there is no fingerprint data, similar to the fingerprint data secondly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10 , in the first slot, the second template verifying section notifies the fingerprint capture start section  22  of template verification failure. On the other hand, when there is fingerprint data similar to the fingerprint data secondly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10  in the first slot, it stores the fingerprint data secondly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10  in a second slot next to the first slot of the corresponding fingerprint data registration entry in a template form, and then asks the fingerprint sensor driving section  23  to prepare recapturing of fingerprint data.  
         [0053]     The third template verifying section  27  receives requests of checking whether fingerprint data thirdly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10  is similar to the previous fingerprint data and request of storing the fingerprint data in a template form, from the fingerprint capture start section  22 , and compares the fingerprint data thirdly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10  with the fingerprint data previously stored in all slots of the corresponding fingerprint data registration entry in the memory unit  30  for checking whether the fingerprint data thirdly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10  is similar to the fingerprint data stored in all the slots of the corresponding fingerprint data registration entry.  
         [0054]     When there is no fingerprint data, similar to the fingerprint data thirdly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10 , in the all slots, the third template verifying section  27  notifies the fingerprint capture start section  22  of template verification failure. On the other hand, when there is fingerprint data, similar to the fingerprint data thirdly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10 , in the slots, it stores the fingerprint data thirdly successively captured through the fingerprint sensor  10  in a third slot next to the second slot of the corresponding fingerprint data registration entry in a template form, and then notifies the fingerprint registering section  21  of fingerprint registration success.  
         [0055]      FIG. 5  illustrates configuration of the control unit  20  for fingerprint authentication in an apparatus for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the control unit  20  comprises a fingerprint authenticating section  31 , a fingerprint capture start section  32 , a fingerprint sensor driving section  33 , an entry verifying section  34  and an updating section  35 .  
         [0056]     The fingerprint authenticating section  31  recognizes request of fingerprint authentication when fingerprint authentication is requested through keypads of a mobile communication terminal, applies the request of fingerprint authentication and information on type of matching (e.g. 1 to 1 matching or 1 to N matching) to the fingerprint capture start section  32 , and completes fingerprint registration by receiving notification of fingerprint registration success from the fingerprint capture start section  32 .  
         [0057]     The fingerprint capture start section  32  applies an initialization command for initializing the fingerprint sensor  10  to the fingerprint sensor driving section  33  after receiving request of fingerprint authentication from the fingerprint authenticating section  31  or after receiving notification of a verification failure from the entry verifying section  34 . Further, the fingerprint capture start section  32  receives notification of fingerprint data capture completion from the fingerprint sensor driving section  33  and asks the entry verifying section  34  to perform fingerprint data verification for verifying whether the captured fingerprint data is similar to fingerprint data previously registered in entries in the memory unit  30 .  
         [0058]     The fingerprint sensor driving section  33  initializes the fingerprint sensor  10  by receiving the initialization command from the fingerprint capture start section  32 , maintains stand-by state until fingerprint data is captured, checks whether condition of the fingerprint data is adequate for fingerprint authentication, and notifies the fingerprint capture start section  32  of fingerprint data capture completion.  
         [0059]     The entry verifying section  34  receives the request of fingerprint data verification from the fingerprint capture start section  32  and, then, compares the captured fingerprint data with other fingerprint data previously registered in entries of the memory unit  30 . At this time, whether type of the matching is 1 to 1 or 1 to N is checked first. When the type of the matching is 1 to 1, fingerprint data stored in slots of a certain entry selected by the user and captured fingerprint data are compared. On the other hand, the type of the matching is 1 to N, the captured fingerprint data is compared with all fingerprint data stored in slots of every entry in the memory unit  30 . In a case where there is no similarity, the fingerprint capture start section  32  is notified that the fingerprint authentication is failed. On the other hand, in a case where there is a similarity between the fingerprint data stored in the slots and the captured fingerprint data, the updating section  35  is notified that the fingerprint authentication is succeeded.  
         [0060]     The updating section  35  receives notification of fingerprint authentication success from the entry verifying section  34 , forwards information on No. of entry storing fingerprint data that has similarity with the captured fingerprint data and the notification of fingerprint authentication success to the fingerprint capture start section  32 , and updates the entry storing the fingerprint data that has similarity in the memory unit  30 .  
         [0061]     More particularly, the updating section  35  searches fingerprint template having the least similarity among the three fingerprint template stored in the fingerprint data registration entry, deletes the fingerprint data having the least similarity from a corresponding slot of the entry and performs an update operation by replacing the deleted fingerprint data with the captured fingerprint data.  
         [0062]     Hereinafter, a method for fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will de described with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0063]     First, a process for fingerprint data registration will be described. For fingerprint data registration, fingerprint of genuine user is scanned through the fingerprint sensor  10  repeatedly (e.g. at least three times) and fingerprint data captured by the act of scanning is stored. The reason why the fingerprint scan is performed repeatedly is that fingerprint scan through many times improves a probability of an authentication success and an registration success and prevents a mis-authentication.  
         [0064]     The fingerprint sensor  10  scans the fingerprint and transmits the fingerprint data captured by scanning the fingerprint through the fingerprint sensor  10  to the control unit  20 . The control unit  20  checks whether image quality of the fingerprint data is adequate (S 1 ), and then verifies whether the fingerprint data is a fingerprint data of the same finger (S 2 ).  
         [0065]     As a result of the verification, when the fingerprint data is a fingerprint data of the same finger, the control unit  20  stores and registers the verified fingerprint data in the memory unit  30  (S 3 ).  
         [0066]      FIG. 3  illustrates configuration of fingerprint data registration in the memory unit  30 . One fingerprint data registration entry comprises a plurality of slots (e.g. three slots) and each slot has a fingerprint data.  
         [0067]     In other words, all of the fingerprint data captured by scanning the fingerprint through the fingerprint sensor  10  are stored in a template form in the memory unit  30 . The template is binary data that stores only characteristic points of the fingerprint data through a specific algorithm. All the fingerprint data captured by the scan through the fingerprint sensor  10  are transformed into template forms and then stored in the memory unit  30 . In addition, in order to improve a probability of the authentication and to prevent a mis-authentication, a plurality of fingerprint template (e.g. at least three) is stored for one fingerprint. Then, a process of fingerprint authentication will be described.  
         [0068]     When fingerprint authentication is requested through keypads of a mobile communication terminal after the process of fingerprint registration, the request of fingerprint authentication is recognized (S 4 ). Then, the fingerprint sensor  10  is initialized to scan a fingerprint pursuant to the request and the fingerprint is scanned through the fingerprint sensor  10  (S 5 ). The fingerprint sensor  10  transmits to the control unit  20  fingerprint data captured by scanning the fingerprint. The control unit checks whether condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate. Then, in a case where condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate, fingerprint authentication is performed to check whether there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the registered fingerprint data in the memory unit  30  by comparing the captured fingerprint data and the registered fingerprint data (S 6 ).  
         [0069]     For checking whether there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the registered fingerprint data in the memory unit  30 , there are two cases. According to a first case, the captured fingerprint data is compared with registered fingerprint data stored in slots of a certain fingerprint data registration entry. The certain fingerprint data registration entry is determined by choice of the user. According to a second case, the captured fingerprint data is compared with registered fingerprint data stored in slots of all fingerprint data registration entries. At this time, the captured fingerprint data is compared with all the registered fingerprint data in the memory unit  30 . The first case is termed as 1 to 1 matching and the second case is termed as 1 to N matching, wholly in this specification.  
         [0070]     The fingerprint registration process (S 1 -S 3 ) as described above will be more specifically explained with reference to  FIG. 4 .  
         [0071]     The fingerprint registering section  21  recognizes a request of fingerprint registration through keypads of a mobile communication terminal, and transmits the request to the fingerprint capture start section  22  (S 11 ). At this time, the fingerprint registration may be requested repeatedly (e.g. at least three times).  
         [0072]     The fingerprint capture start section  22  transmits an initialization command for initializing the fingerprint sensor  10  to the fingerprint sensor driving section  23  (S 12 ). The fingerprint sensor driving section  23  initializes the fingerprint sensor  10  pursuant to the initialization command and maintains a stand-by state until a fingerprint is scanned.  
         [0073]     At this time, the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and a voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that an initialization of the fingerprint sensor  10  is completed and a fingerprint scan is required.  
         [0074]     When fingerprint is scanned in response to the message, the fingerprint data is captured through the fingerprint sensor  10 . Then, the control unit  20  checks whether condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate, and notifies the fingerprint capture start section  22  of fingerprint data capture completion in a case where it is checked by the control unit that the condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate (S 13 ).  
         [0075]     At this time, image quality of the fingerprint data is verified by the control unit  20 , in order to check whether the condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate for fingerprint authentication.  
         [0076]     In a case where the image quality of the fingerprint data is good, the control unit  20  transforms the fingerprint data to a template form and stores the fingerprint template temporarily. The notification of the fingerprint data capture completion may be performed after the verification of the image quality of the captured fingerprint data or after the transformation.  
         [0077]     In contrast, in a case where the image quality of the fingerprint data is not good, the fingerprint capture start section  22  is notified that the image quality of the fingerprint data is not good, and the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and a voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a new fingerprint scan is required. Then, when a new fingerprint is scanned through the fingerprint sensor  10 , the above processes such as the process of verifying image quality thereof and the process of transforming are performed.  
         [0078]     After the notification of the fingerprint data capture completion, the fingerprint capture start section  22  asks the entry verifying section  24  to perform fingerprint data verification for verifying whether there is a registered fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data (S 14 ).  
         [0079]     Pursuant to the request of fingerprint data verification, the entry verifying section  24  compares the captured fingerprint data with the registered fingerprint data. Objects of comparison in this specification such as the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data registered in the memory unit are all fingerprint templates.  
         [0080]     In a case where there is the registered fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data, the fingerprint capture start section  22  is notified that there is the registered fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data (S 15 ). Then, in order to store a preset number (e.g. at least three) of fingerprint template, the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and the voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a new fingerprint scan is required.  
         [0081]     In contrast, in a case where there is no registered fingerprint data similar to the captured fingerprint data, the entry verifying section  24  asks the template storing section  25  to store the fingerprint template in a new entry (S 16 ). The template storing section  25  stores the fingerprint template in a first slot of the new entry. At this time, in a case where the fingerprint template is not successfully stored in a first slot of the new entry, the fingerprint capture start section  22  is notified that the fingerprint template is not successfully stored (S 17 ). Then, the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and the voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a fingerprint scan is required.  
         [0082]     Then, the template storing section  25  asks the fingerprint sensor driving section  23  to prepare recapturing of fingerprint data (S 18 ).  
         [0083]     When fingerprint is scanned in response to the message, the fingerprint data is captured through the fingerprint sensor  10 . Then, the control unit  20  checks whether condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate and notifies the fingerprint capture start section  22  of fingerprint data capture completion in a case where it is checked by the fingerprint sensor driving section  23  that the condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate (S 19 ). In a case where the fingerprint capture start section  22  does not receive notification of fingerprint data capture completion from the fingerprint sensor driving section  23  for a certain time, the fingerprint capture start section  22  considers that the fingerprint scan is failed (S 20 ). Then, the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and the voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a fingerprint scan is required. When fingerprint is scanned in response to the message, the fingerprint data is captured through the fingerprint sensor  10 . To check whether the condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate, image quality of the captured fingerprint data is verified by the control unit  20 , as described above.  
         [0084]     In a case where the image quality of the fingerprint data is good, the control unit  20  transforms the fingerprint data to a template form and stores the fingerprint template temporarily. The notification of the fingerprint data capture completion may be performed after the verification of the image quality of the fingerprint data or after the transformation.  
         [0085]     In contrast, in a case where the image quality of the captured fingerprint data is not good, the fingerprint capture start section  22  is notified that the image quality of the captured fingerprint data is not good, and the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and a voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a new fingerprint scan is required. Then, when a new fingerprint is scanned through the fingerprint sensor  10 , the above processes such as the process of verifying image quality thereof and the process of transforming are performed.  
         [0086]     The fingerprint capture start section  22  asks the second template verifying section  26  to check whether there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot and to store the captured fingerprint data in a case where there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot (S 21 ). The second template verifying section  26  compares the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot to check whether there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot.  
         [0087]     In a case where there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot, the second template verifying section  26  stores the captured fingerprint data in a template form in a second slot and the template storing section  25  asks the fingerprint sensor driving section  23  to prepare to capture another fingerprint data (S 23 ).  
         [0088]     On the other hand, in a case where there is no similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot, the fingerprint capture start section  22  is notified that there is no similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot (S 22 ). Then, the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and the voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a fingerprint scan is required.  
         [0089]     After storing the captured fingerprint data in a second slot, the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and the voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a fingerprint scan is required. When fingerprint is scanned in response to the message, the fingerprint data is captured through the fingerprint sensor  10 . As with the fingerprint template in the first slot and the second slot, image quality of the captured fingerprint data is verified by the control unit  20  to check whether the condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate for fingerprint authentication, the fingerprint data is transformed into a template form in a case where the image quality of the captured fingerprint data is good, and the fingerprint template is stored temporarily. Then, the fingerprint sensor driving section  23  notifies the fingerprint capture start section  22  of fingerprint data capture completion (S 24 ).  
         [0090]     The fingerprint capture start section  22  asks the third template verifying section  26  to check whether there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot and the second slot and to store the captured fingerprint data (S 25 ). The third template verifying section  26  compares the captured fingerprint data and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot and the second slot to check whether there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data, and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot and the second slot.  
         [0091]     In a case where there is no similarity between the captured fingerprint data, and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot and the second slot, the fingerprint capture start section  22  is notified that there is no similarity between the captured fingerprint data, and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot and the second slot (S 26 ). Then, the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and the voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a fingerprint scan is required.  
         [0092]     In contrast, in a case where there is similarity between the captured fingerprint data, and the fingerprint data stored in the first slot and the second slot, the captured fingerprint data is stored in a third slot in the memory unit  30 . Then, fingerprint registration is completed, by notifying the fingerprint registering section  21  of fingerprint registration success (S 27 ).  
         [0093]     In a case where fingerprint registration is failed, the fingerprint registering section  21  is notified that fingerprint registration is failed (S 28 ). Then, the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and the voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a fingerprint scan is required.  
         [0094]     Hereinafter, the process for fingerprint authentication (S 4 -S 6 ) will be explained with reference to  FIG. 5 .  
         [0095]     The fingerprint authenticating section  31  recognizes request of the fingerprint authentication when receiving the request of the fingerprint authentication through keypads of a mobile communication terminal, and transmits the request of the fingerprint authentication to the fingerprint capture start section  32  (S 31 ).  
         [0096]     At this time, the fingerprint authenticating section  31  also informs the fingerprint capture start section  32  of information about a 1 to 1 matching when entry for fingerprint authentication is known or a 1 to N matching when entry for fingerprint authentication is not known. In a case of the 1 to 1 matching, the fingerprint authenticating section  31  informs the fingerprint capture start section  32  of the information about the entry for fingerprint authentication as well.  
         [0097]     After the fingerprint capture start section  32  receives the request of the fingerprint authentication from the fingerprint authenticating section  31  and checks whether the request is a 1 to 1 matching request or a 1 to N matching request, it transmits an initialization command for initializing the fingerprint sensor  10  to the fingerprint sensor driving section  33  (S 32 ). The fingerprint sensor driving section  33  initializes the fingerprint sensor  10  according to the initialization command and maintains a standby state until a fingerprint is scanned.  
         [0098]     At this time, the control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and a voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a fingerprint scan is required. In a case of the 1 to 1 matching, a message asking both selection of the entry for fingerprint authentication and input of fingerprint is outputted.  
         [0099]     When fingerprint is scanned through the fingerprint sensor  10  in response to the message, fingerprint data is captured by the fingerprint scan. The control unit  20  checks whether condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate. In case of a 1 to 1 matching, the control unit  20  checks information on entry selected by the user as well.  
         [0100]     For checking whether condition of the captured fingerprint data is adequate, the control unit  20  verifies image quality of the captured fingerprint data. In a case where image quality of the captured fingerprint data is not good, the fingerprint capture start section  32  is notified that the image quality of the fingerprint data is not good. The control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and a voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that a fingerprint scan is required.  
         [0101]     In a case where the image quality of the fingerprint data is good, the control unit  20  transforms the fingerprint data into a template form and stores the fingerprint template temporarily.  
         [0102]     The fingerprint capture start section  32  asks the entry verifying section  34  to verify the captured fingerprint data by comparing the captured fingerprint data with fingerprint data previously registered in the memory unit  30  and the entry verifying section  34  checks whether there is a similar fingerprint data by comparing the captured fingerprint data with the fingerprint data previously registered in the memory unit  30  (S 34 ).  
         [0103]     At this time, in a case of the 1 to 1 matching, the entry verifying section reads from the memory unit  30  the fingerprint data of the slots corresponding to an entry selected by the user and then compares the read fingerprint data stored in the slots with the captured fingerprint data. In a case where there is a similar fingerprint data, the entry verifying section  34  notifies the updating section  35  of the success of fingerprint authentication (S 35 ).  
         [0104]     Alternatively, in a case of the 1 to 1 matching, the entry verifying section  34  sequentially reads all fingerprint data registered in the memory unit  30 , and compares the captured fingerprint data with all the fingerprint data registered in the memory unit  30 . In a case where there is a similar fingerprint data, the entry verifying section  34  notifies the updating section  35  of the success of fingerprint authentication.  
         [0105]     In contrast, in a case where there is no similar fingerprint data, the entry verifying section  34  notifies the fingerprint capture start section  32  of the failure of fingerprint authentication (S 36 ). The control unit  20  controls the display unit  40  and a voice outputting part, etc. to output a message indicating that fingerprint authentication is failed and a fingerprint scan is required.  
         [0106]     The updating section  35  forwards to the fingerprint capture start section  32  information on whether fingerprint authentication is succeeded and No. of the entry where the similar fingerprint data is stored (S 37 ) and updates fingerprint data registration entries in the memory unit  30 .  
         [0107]     Hereinafter, the operations of the updating section  35  will be explained more particularly.  
         [0108]     In a case where the entry verifying section  34  finds the matched fingerprint data registration entry from the memory unit  30 , the updating section  35  searches fingerprint template having the least similarity among the three fingerprint template stored in the fingerprint data registration entry, deletes the fingerprint template having the least similarity from a corresponding slot of the entry and performs an update operation by replacing the deleted fingerprint template with the fingerprint template that succeeded in fingerprint authentication.  
         [0109]     As described above, according to the present invention, the registered fingerprint template is not permanently used in a mobile communication terminal equipped with a fingerprint sensor. Instead, the fingerprint data is properly updated according to environments or fingerprint condition of a user. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a change of a condition of the fingerprint sensor or a surrounding situation and to improve the probabilities of the fingerprint registration and authentication.  
         [0110]     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that although the embodiment described above is explained with regard to the fingerprint authentication in a mobile communication terminal, it can be applied to all apparatuses or devices using a fingerprint authentication function.