Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> discloses an iris authentication device having a camera for iris authentication and an automatic door that operates in accordance with an authentication result. The camera is arranged at an angle at which the iris of the passing user can be imaged obliquely. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a gate device having a camera for face authentication.

<CIT>
discloses to photograph a walker's face on his/her stabilized front without hampering convenience for the walker. In the proposed solution, a walking range limiting part limit walker's walking range within a width W, an image input part is mounted on a support part <NUM> that is installed at a front position relative to the walker who is walking within said walking range, a face detection part detects a face picture from an image photographed by the image input part, and an image recording part records the detected image in a storage device. <CIT>discloses a checkpoint screening system which uses multiple cameras to provide images at different angles of a person to be screened. Different features extracted from the images at different angles are compared to a profile associated with the person to be screened. In one embodiment, the person first provides an ID, such as a drivers license or other identification, and the profile is retrieved. If a match is detected, the person may continue through the checkpoint. If no match is detected, the person may be directed to a different path through the checkpoint for further verification of identity. A registration process is used to enroll members and obtain a member profile. Three camera angles are utilized to provide a three dimensional image. Each image is independently compared against the profile and the decisions from such comparisons are weighted. The profile is regressively updated and weighted if a match is detected. <CIT> discloses a first face detecting section which detects the face of a passerby based on an image obtained from a first camera set to be easily recognized by the passerby. A second face detecting section detects the face of the passerby based on an image obtained from a second camera set so that the camera will be difficult to be recognized by the passerby. A classifying section classifies the passerby based on the detection results of the faces by the first and second face detecting sections and adjusts a threshold value for authentication based on the classification result. The face collating section calculates the similarity between the face of the passerby and each of faces of registrants and determines whether the passerby is a registrant or not according to whether the degree of calculated similarity is not lower than the adjusted threshold value for authentication. <CIT> discloses a system and method for automated aircraft boarding uses an iris recognition system for check-in and boarding. The passenger is enrolled once and assigned an account number. The passenger thereafter makes reservations using that account number. On arrival at the airport, the passenger is identified using an iris recognition system and automatically checked in for the flight, without the use of cards or other identification. Entry to the aircraft at the gate may also be provided with an iris recognition station. In one preferred embodiment, baggage check and baggage reconciliation are also performed using iris recognition. In its preferred embodiment, the disclosed system and method enhances customer convenience by eliminating tickets, boarding passes, and identification steps, while improving aircraft security.

<CIT>discloses a face recognition access control system according to the prior art.

In a gate system that performs biometric authentication by imaging a passing user as described in Patent Literature <NUM> or Patent Literature <NUM>, an accuracy of biometric authentication may not be sufficiently secured depending on the imaging angle of the user.

An object of this disclosure is to provide a gate system capable of performing biometric authentication of a passing user with higher accuracy.

The depending claims define embodiments of the invention.

According to this disclosure, a gate system capable of performing biometric authentication of a passing user with higher accuracy is provided.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted or simplified. In the following description, the first, second and third example embodiments do not fall under the scope of the claims and are described for explanatory purposes only.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a gate system according to a first example embodiment. The gate system <NUM> includes a gate device <NUM> and an authentication device <NUM>. The gate device <NUM> and the authentication device <NUM> are communicatively connected to each other.

The gate system <NUM> is a system for managing movement of users between regions by biometric authentication. The gate system <NUM> can be used, for example, for a security gate of a building, an entry gate of an event venue, an entrance/exit gate in a station premises, a gate between management regions of an airport, an entrance/exit gate of an unmanned payment store, and the like.

The gate device <NUM> is arranged between the first region and the second region in which the management states are different from each other. For example, if the gate device <NUM> is an entrance gate of an event venue, the first region is outside the event venue and the second region is inside the event venue. An imaging device provided in the gate device <NUM> captures an image of a user who tries to move from the first region to the second region. An image obtained by the capturing is used for biometric authentication in the authentication device <NUM>.

The authentication device <NUM> performs biometric authentication for matching a user against a registrant using an image of the user captured by the gate device <NUM>. The authentication method in the authentication device <NUM> may be, for example, face authentication for matching a person based on a feature in a face of the user, or iris authentication for matching a person based on a feature in a pattern of the iris of the user. Alternatively, the authentication device <NUM> may perform two-element authentication in which authentication is performed by performing matching using both the face image and the iris image and integrating the results of those. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the authentication device <NUM> performs iris authentication using an image including an iris of a user.

Note that the configuration of the gate system <NUM> is an example, and for example, the gate system <NUM> may further include a device other than the gate device <NUM> and the authentication device <NUM>. The gate device <NUM> and the authentication device <NUM> may be integrally provided in the same device or may be provided at separate locations.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the authentication device <NUM> according to the first example embodiment. The authentication device <NUM> is a computer such as a personal computer (PC) or a server. The authentication device <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, a random access memory (RAM) <NUM>, a read only memory (ROM) <NUM>, a hard disk drive (HDD) <NUM>, and a communication interface (I/F) <NUM>. The components of the authentication device <NUM> are connected to each other via a bus, wiring, a driving device, and the like.

The CPU <NUM> is a processor that performs predetermined calculations in accordance with programs stored in the ROM <NUM> and the HDD <NUM>, and also has a function of controlling each unit of the authentication device <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> is constituted by a volatile storage medium, and provides a temporary memory area necessary for the operation of the CPU <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> is constituted by a non-volatile storage medium, and stores necessary information such as a program used for the operation of the authentication device <NUM>. The HDD <NUM> is constituted by a non-volatile storage medium, and is a storage device for temporarily storing data acquired from the gate device <NUM> or the like, storing a feature amount of a registrant, storing an operation program of the authentication device <NUM>, and the like.

The communication I/F <NUM> is a communication interface based on a standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and is a module for performing communication with the gate device <NUM>.

Note that the hardware configuration illustrated in <FIG> is an example, and other devices may be added or some of the devices may not be provided. Further, some devices may be replaced by other devices having similar functions. For example, the authentication device <NUM> may further include an input device such as a keyboard, a pointing device, or a button so that an operation by the administrator of the authentication device <NUM> can be received. The authentication device <NUM> may further include a display device such as a display, a speaker, and an indicating lamp for providing information to the administrator. Thus, the hardware configuration illustrated in <FIG> can be changed as appropriate.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the gate device <NUM> according to the first example embodiment. The gate device <NUM> includes a control device <NUM>, an imaging device <NUM>, a guide <NUM>, a first display device <NUM>, a second display device <NUM>, an opening/closing member <NUM>, and a storage device <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> controls the imaging device <NUM>, the first display device <NUM>, the second display device <NUM>, the opening/closing member <NUM>, and the storage device <NUM>. The control device <NUM> has a communication function of transmitting and receiving information to and from the authentication device <NUM>. A specific hardware configuration of the control device <NUM> may be, for example, a computer similar to the authentication device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, or may be a dedicated control circuit.

The imaging device <NUM> is a device that captures an image of a user who tries to move from the first region to the second region to acquire an image of the user. The imaging device <NUM> may be a visible light camera that captures an image by visible light, may be an infrared camera that captures an image by infrared light, or may include both the visible light camera and the infrared camera. The imaging device <NUM> may include a light source that emits light of at least one band of visible light and infrared light.

The guide <NUM> defines a movement path of the user from the first region to the second region. The guide <NUM> may be, for example, a plurality of fences provided on boundaries of lanes on which the users moves. By guiding the user to pass between the two fences, the guide <NUM> can define the movement path for the user. The fences may be fixed or movable.

Further, the guide <NUM> is not limited to physically defining the movement path of the user, such as fences, but may indicate the movement path to the user by, for example, a line or a message drawn on a floor. The line or message may be displayed by light projected from a projector to the floor.

The first display device <NUM> and the second display device <NUM> are liquid crystal displays, organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, projectors, and the like, and are used to present information to the user.

The first display device <NUM> displays information indicating whether or not the user can enter an entrance of the gate device <NUM> to the user. The first display device <NUM> may indicate, for example, whether or not entry is possible by characters such as "passable", "impassable", figures such as "O mark", "X mark", and the like, colors such as "red", "green", and the like, but is not particularly limited. When the gate device <NUM> has a plurality of entrances, the first display device <NUM> may display an arrow or the like indicating an entrance that the user can enter.

The second display device <NUM> displays information indicating whether or not the user can pass the gate device <NUM> to the user. The possibility of the passage is determined in accordance with the result of the biometric authentication in the authentication device <NUM>. The second display device <NUM> may display similar information to that of the first display device <NUM>.

The opening/closing member <NUM> is provided so as to be openable and closable in accordance with a result of biometric authentication in the authentication device <NUM>. The opening/closing member <NUM> may be, for example, a flapper. The opening/closing member <NUM> is arranged in the movement path of the user between the first region and the second region, and movement of the user is prevented when the opening/closing member <NUM> is in the closed state.

The storage device <NUM> is an HDD or the like, and stores data such as an image acquired by the imaging device <NUM> and an operation program of the control device <NUM>. The storage device <NUM> may be provided outside the gate device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view illustrating the overall configuration of the gate device <NUM> according to the first example embodiment. The gate device <NUM> is arranged between the region R1 (a first region) and the region R5 (a second region). The guide <NUM> has an entrance EN and an exit EX. The entrance EN faces region R1 and the exit EX faces region R5.

The movement path of the user defined by the guide <NUM> is divided into regions R2, R3, and R4. The region R2 is a region in which photographing of the user is performed. The region R2 (a first portion of the movement path) extends in parallel with the optical axis OA of the imaging device <NUM> in a direction (a first direction) from the entrance EN facing the region R1 toward the imaging device <NUM>. The region R2 is arranged such that at least a part thereof is included in a region R6 which is an imaging range of the imaging device <NUM>. A focal point F of the optical system of the imaging device <NUM> is arranged so as to be included in the region R2. As a result, it is possible to capture an image focused on the user in the region R2.

The region R3 (a second portion of the movement path) is a region in which the user moves away from the front of the imaging device <NUM> toward the outside of the imaging range after being photographed. The region R3 extends from the end of the region R2 in a direction (a second direction) that is not parallel to the direction in which the region R2 extends (that is, the direction of the optical axis OA).

The region R4 is a region in which the user after being photographed passes through the side of the imaging device <NUM>. The region R4 extends in a direction from the end of the region R3 toward the region R5. An opening/closing member <NUM> is provided in the region R4.

The first display device <NUM> is provided in the vicinity of the beginning of the region R2. More specifically, the first display device <NUM> is provided at a position closer to the beginning of the region R2 than the range in which the user is photographed (vicinity of the focal point F). Thus, the first display device <NUM> can appropriately present information to the user moving from the region R1 toward the entrance EN. The first display device <NUM> may be incorporated in the guide <NUM>, may be provided at an upper portion or a side portion of the guide <NUM>, or may be provided at a position away from the guide <NUM>.

The second display device <NUM> is provided in the vicinity of the imaging device <NUM>. More specifically, the second display device <NUM> is provided at a position closer to the imaging device <NUM> than a range in which the user is photographed (vicinity of the focal point F). Thus, the second display device <NUM> can appropriately present information to the user that watches the imaging device <NUM> from the region R2. The second display device <NUM> may be incorporated in the guide <NUM>, may be provided in contact with the guide <NUM>, or may be provided at a position away from the guide <NUM>. The second display device <NUM> may be incorporated in the same housing as the imaging device <NUM> or may be provided separately from the imaging device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view for explaining a movement path of a user in the gate device <NUM> according to the first example embodiment. <FIG> is a flowchart schematically illustrating the operation of the gate system <NUM> according to the first example embodiment. A plurality of users U illustrated in <FIG> schematically indicate users in the regions R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5, respectively. The arrow attached to the user U indicates moving direction, and the direction of the face of the user U usually identical to the direction of the arrow. The flowchart illustrated in <FIG> indicates processing performed when one user passes through the gate device <NUM> in time series. The operation of the gate system <NUM> will be described in accordance with the flowchart of <FIG> with reference to the position of the user illustrated in <FIG>.

In step S101, the control device <NUM> guides the user U in the region R1 to the imaging range in the region R2 via the entrance EN. In this process, for example, the control device <NUM> may control the first display device <NUM> to display information such as an arrow indicating that the user U may enter the entrance EN. In the case where such an entrance permission is always displayed during the gate system <NUM> being in operation, the process of step S101 can be omitted.

In the case where the gate system <NUM> is separately provided with a voice guiding device such as a speaker, the process of step S101, the process of guiding by the control device <NUM>, may be generating voice for guiding.

In step S102, the control device <NUM> performs a process of capturing an iris image of the user U in the region R2. This process may be, for example, a process in which the control device <NUM> controls the imaging device <NUM> to capture an image including the iris of the user U. In this processing, for example, a plurality of images are continuously captured at a predetermined frame rate, and an image obtained at a timing when the user U reaches a focal point F is selected as an iris image for matching. The acquired iris image is transmitted to the authentication device <NUM> for use in a subsequent authentication process. The acquired iris image may be stored in the storage device <NUM>.

It is desirable that the angle of view of the imaging device <NUM> be set so that the irises of both eyes of the user U can be imaged simultaneously. In this case, many features can be acquired as compared with the case where only one eye is photographed in one photographing.

In step S103, the CPU <NUM> of the authentication device <NUM> extracts a feature amount from the captured iris image of the user U.

In step S104, the CPU <NUM> of the authentication device <NUM> matches the feature amount of the user U against the feature amount of one or a plurality of registrants previously stored in the HDD <NUM> of the authentication device <NUM> to determine whether or not the user U is the same person as any of the registrants. The registrant is a person authorized to pass through the gate device <NUM>. This determination result is transmitted from the authentication device <NUM> to the gate device <NUM>.

The authentication processing in steps S103 and S104 is performed during a period until the user U moves from the region R2 to the region R3.

When the CPU <NUM> of the authentication device <NUM> determines that the user U is a registrant (YES in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106. When the CPU <NUM> of the authentication device <NUM> determines that the user U is not a registrant (NO in step S105), the process proceeds to step S107.

In step S106, the control device <NUM> performs control for permitting passage of the user U. A specific example of this control is to control the opening/closing member <NUM> to the open state to allow the user U to pass through the region R4. In addition, the control device <NUM> may control the second display device <NUM> for displaying information indicating that the user U can pass through the gate device <NUM>, thereby providing the user U with information indicating that the user U can or cannot pass through the gate device <NUM>. By these processes, the user U is guided to the region R5.

When the opening/closing member <NUM> is controlled to be in the open state in step S106, the user U leaves the exit EX from the region R3 via the region R4 and moves to the region R5.

In step S107, the control device <NUM> performs control for not permitting passage of the user U. A specific example of this control is to control the opening/closing member <NUM> to the closed state to prevent the user U from passing through the region R4. In addition, the control device <NUM> may control the second display device <NUM> for displaying information indicating that the user U cannot pass through the gate device <NUM>, thereby presenting information indicating that the user U can or cannot pass through the gate device <NUM>.

When the opening/closing member <NUM> is controlled to be in the closed state in step S107, the user U cannot move to the region R4, and thus returns to the region R1. Alternatively, the user U may return to the region R2 and receive authentication again.

As described above, in the gate device <NUM> of the present example embodiment, the movement path of the user includes the first portion (the region R2) in which the photographing of the user is performed, and the second portion (the region R3) in which the user passes after being photographed. Here, the first portion extends from the first region toward the imaging device <NUM> in a first direction (the right direction in <FIG>) that is parallel to the optical axis OA of the imaging device <NUM>. The second portion extends from the end of the first portion in a second direction (the lower right direction in <FIG>) that is not parallel to the first direction.

Generally, in an authentication method using an image such as iris authentication, authentication accuracy is improved by using an image obtained by photographing a face of a user from the front. In the present example embodiment, since the first portion where the user is photographed extends in the first direction along the optical axis of the imaging device <NUM>, the user before being photographed moves toward the imaging surface of the imaging device <NUM> as illustrated in the region R2 of <FIG>. Therefore, the imaging device <NUM> can capture an image of the face of the user from the front. This improves the accuracy of biometric authentication. In the present example embodiment, the second portion through which the user passes after being photographed extends in the second direction which is not parallel to the first direction. As illustrated in the region R3 in <FIG>, the user after being photographed moves in a direction different from that of the imaging device <NUM>. Thus, the user can move smoothly without being blocked by the imaging device <NUM>. Therefore, even if the imaging device <NUM> is arranged at a position where the face of the user is imaged from the front, the passage of the user is not blocked. As described above, according to the present example embodiment, the gate device <NUM> capable of performing biometric authentication of a passing user with higher accuracy is provided.

In addition, since the user after being photographed moves toward a direction different from that of the imaging device <NUM> and quickly moves away from the imaging range, the possibility of failure of authentication due to overlapping of a plurality of users in the captured image is also reduced.

In the gate system <NUM> of the present example embodiment, the position of the opening/closing member <NUM> is different from that of the first example embodiment, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first example embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from the first example embodiment will be mainly described, and description of common portions will be omitted or simplified.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view illustrating the overall configuration of the gate device <NUM> according to the second example embodiment. In the present example embodiment, the opening/closing member <NUM> is provided in the region R2. More specifically, the opening/closing member <NUM> is provided at a position closer to the imaging device <NUM> than the focal point F, which is a range in which the user is photographed. Also in this configuration, similarly to the first example embodiment, the opening/closing member <NUM> can be controlled in accordance with the authentication result to restrict the passage of the user.

Also in the present example embodiment, the same effects as those of the first example embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the configuration of the present example embodiment, since the distance between the position at which the imaging is performed and the opening/closing member <NUM> is short, when the imaging state is inappropriate and the passage is not permitted, the user can easily return to the imaging position, and the imaging can be easily performed again. Therefore, the gate device <NUM> of the present example embodiment can perform biometric authentication more smoothly than the configuration of the first example embodiment in the case where the operation capable of re-imaging is performed.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view illustrating an overall configuration of a gate device <NUM> according to a modified example of the second example embodiment. In this modified example, the opening/closing member <NUM> is provided in the region R3. Also in this configuration, similarly to the first example embodiment, the opening/closing member <NUM> can be controlled in accordance with the authentication result to restrict the passage of the user.

Also in this modified example, the same effects as those of the first example embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the present modified example, although the distance between the position at which the imaging is performed and the opening/closing member <NUM> is longer than that in the configuration of <FIG>, since the distance is shorter than that in the configuration of <FIG>, the re-imaging can be performed more easily than in the case of the first example embodiment. Therefore, also in the configuration of the present modified example, the gate device <NUM> can perform biometric authentication more smoothly than in the configuration of the first example embodiment in the case where the operation capable of re-imaging is performed.

The gate system <NUM> of the present embodiment includes a plurality of gate devices of the first example embodiment, and has a structure in which two gate devices are connected in series. The configuration of each of the two gate devices is substantially the same as that of the first example embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from the first example embodiment will be mainly described, and description of common portions will be omitted or simplified.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view illustrating the overall configuration of a gate system <NUM> according to the invention. The gate system <NUM> includes two gate devices 10a and 10b, and a first gate device 10a and a second gate device 10b are connected in series.

The shape of the guide <NUM> in the gate device 10a is different from the shape of the guide <NUM> in the configuration described with reference to <FIG>. The movement path of the user defined by the guide <NUM> further includes a region R7 (a third portion) in addition to the regions R2, R3, and R4. The end of the region R2 is branched into the region R3 and the region R7. In other words, the region R7 extends from the end of the region R2 in a direction (a third direction) not parallel to the direction in which the region R2 extends (that is, the direction of the optical axis OA) and not parallel to the direction in which the region R3 extends. The user is guided to either the region R3 or the region R7 in accordance with the result of biometric authentication. In the present example embodiment, the end of the region R4 is referred to as an exit EX3.

The end of the region R7 is connected to the beginning of the region R2 of the gate device 10b, and the user passing through the region R7 is guided to the entrance of the gate device 10b. Like the gate device 10a, the gate device 10b also branches into two regions. The user is guided to the exit EX1 or the exit EX2 through either of the two regions in accordance with the result of biometric authentication.

Although the opening/closing member <NUM> is not illustrated in <FIG>, the opening/closing member <NUM> may or may not be provided at a position as described in the first example embodiment or the second example embodiment. In the following description, it is assumed that the opening/closing member <NUM> is not provided, and the second display device <NUM> guides the movement direction of the user by displaying guidance.

<FIG> is a flowchart schematically illustrating the operation of the gate system <NUM> according to a third example embodiment. The flowchart illustrated in <FIG> indicates the processing performed when one user passes through the gate devices 10a and 10b in time series.

In step S201, the control device <NUM> guides the user in the region R1 to the imaging range in the region R2 of the gate device 10a via the entrance EN. This process is the same as step S101 of the first example embodiment.

In step S202, the gate device 10a and the authentication device <NUM> perform a first authentication process. The contents of the first authentication process are the same as those of steps S102, S103, and S104 in <FIG>, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

When the CPU <NUM> of the authentication device <NUM> determines that the user is a registrant (YES in step S203), the process proceeds to step S204. When the CPU <NUM> of the authentication device <NUM> determines that the user is not a registrant (NO in step S203), the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S204, the control device <NUM> performs control for guiding the user to the exit EX3. As a specific example of this control, a guidance indicating a direction in which the user should move by an arrow or the like may be displayed on the second display device <NUM>. When the user leaves the exit EX3 and moves to the region R5 in accordance with the guidance, the process ends.

In step S205, the control device <NUM> performs control for guiding the user into the imaging range of the gate device 10b. When the user moves to the gate device 10b in accordance with the guidance, the gate device 10b and the authentication device <NUM> perform the second authentication process in step S206. The contents of the second authentication process are the same as those of steps S102, S103, and S104 in <FIG>, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

When the CPU <NUM> of the authentication device <NUM> determines that the user is a registrant (YES in step S207), the process proceeds to step S208. When the CPU <NUM> of the authentication device <NUM> determines that the user is not a registrant (NO in step S207), the process proceeds to step S209.

In step S208, the control device <NUM> performs control for guiding the user to the exit EX2. In step S209, the control device <NUM> performs control for guiding the user to the exit EX1. When the user leaves the exit EX1 or the exit EX2 according to guidance, the process ends.

Since the exit EX1 is an exit from which a user who has not been determined to be a registrant leaves, the exit EX1 is connected to a region different in management state from the exits EX2 and EX3. Since both the exit EX2 and the exit EX3 are exits where the user who is determined to be a registrant leaves, the exit EX2 and the exit EX3 may be connected thereafter, or the exit EX2 and the exit EX3 may be the same exit.

Also in the present example embodiment, the same effects as those of the first example embodiment can be obtained. In the configuration of the present example embodiment, the user determined to be a registrant and the user determined not to be a registrant are guided to different movement paths. Therefore, even when it is determined that a certain user is not a registrant, the user does not stay in the gate devices 10a and 10b and a flow of people is not stopped. Further, in the present example embodiment, since the two gate devices 10a and 10b are connected in series, even when authentication in the gate device 10a fails due to an error such as imaging or matching processing, re-authentication can be performed in the gate device 10b without stopping a flow of people. Therefore, biometric authentication can be performed more smoothly.

As an example of the imaging device <NUM> in the above-described example embodiment, a specific configuration example of the imaging device <NUM> that can be used for iris authentication will be described as a fourth example embodiment. The imaging device <NUM> of the present example embodiment is a device that captures an image including an iris of the user passing through.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of an imaging device <NUM> according to a fourth example embodiment. The imaging device <NUM> captures an image of a user existing in the authentication region based on a control information input from the control device <NUM>, and outputs the captured image to the control device <NUM>. The imaging device <NUM> according to the present example embodiment includes a visible light camera <NUM>, an iris imaging camera <NUM>, a bandpass filter <NUM>, a half mirror <NUM>, and a display unit <NUM>.

The visible light camera <NUM> is an imaging device that captures an image of a face, eyes, or the like of a user with visible light. The visible light camera <NUM> captures an overall image (a first image) including at least a part of the face of the authentication subject. As the visible light camera <NUM>, a digital camera using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor, or the like may be used so as to be suitable for image processing in the control device <NUM>. The visible light camera <NUM> may further include a light source for irradiating the user with illumination light.

The iris imaging camera <NUM> is an imaging device including an infrared light irradiation device 122a and an infrared light camera 122b, and captures an image (a second image) of an eye of the user by infrared light. That is, the imaging device <NUM> according to the present example embodiment includes two types of cameras that capture images of users using light in different wavelength ranges.

The infrared light irradiation device 122a includes a light emitting element such as an infrared light LED that emits infrared light. The wavelength of the infrared light irradiated from the infrared light irradiation device 122a may be, for example, in a near-infrared region of about <NUM>.

The infrared light camera 122b includes a light receiving element configured to be sensitive to infrared light. A digital camera using a CMOS image sensor, a CCD image sensor, or the like may be used as the infrared light camera 122b. The infrared light is irradiated from the infrared light irradiation device 122a to the eye of the user, and the infrared light reflected by the iris is photographed by the infrared light camera 122b, thereby acquiring an image of the eye including the iris image used for iris authentication. By acquiring an iris image captured by infrared light, a high-contrast image can be obtained irrespective of the color of the iris, and the influence of reflection by the cornea can be reduced.

The bandpass filter <NUM> is an optical filter having a pass band in the infrared region and a blocking band in the visible region. That is, the bandpass filter <NUM> is capable of selectively transmitting infrared light of a desired wavelength without transmitting visible light incident from the user side.

The half mirror <NUM> reflects a part of visible light incident from the user side and transmits another part of visible light. The bandpass filter <NUM> and the half mirror <NUM> in the present example embodiment have mirror surfaces that reflect visible light. Thus, the user can check his/her face on the mirror surfaces of the bandpass filter <NUM> and the half mirror <NUM>.

The display unit <NUM> corresponds to the second display device <NUM> of the above-described example embodiment. In other words, in the present example embodiment, the second display device <NUM> is incorporated in the imaging device <NUM> as the display unit <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> detects the position of the eye of the user (an authentication subject) based on the overall image captured by the visible light camera <NUM>, selects the infrared light camera 122b corresponding to the height of the eye of the user, and captures an image of the iris of the user.

Further, the control device <NUM> extracts an iris image from the eye image captured by the infrared light camera 122b, and requests the authentication device <NUM> to execute iris authentication based on the iris image. Then, the control device <NUM> displays the authentication result in the authentication device <NUM> on the display unit <NUM>. In a state where characters or the like are displayed on the display unit <NUM>, since the line of sight of the user is easily guided toward the display unit <NUM>, the control device <NUM> preferably controls the display unit <NUM> to be non-displayed before capturing an image of the iris of the user by the infrared light camera 122b.

Next, the structure of the imaging device <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the imaging device <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of the imaging device <NUM>. <FIG> is a transparent side view of the imaging device <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the bandpass filter <NUM>, the half mirror <NUM>, and the display unit <NUM> are arranged on the same side of a housing <NUM>. The bandpass filter <NUM> is arranged above the half mirror <NUM> in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the display unit <NUM> is arranged below the half mirror <NUM> in the vertical direction. The visible light camera <NUM> and the iris imaging camera <NUM> are arranged in the housing <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

A bottom portion of the housing <NUM> is connected to an upper end portion of the support post <NUM>. The length of the support post <NUM> may be appropriately changed in accordance with the range of height of the authentication subject. In addition, it is preferable that an internal space be formed in the support post <NUM>, and power supply cables (not illustrated) of the visible light camera <NUM>, the iris imaging camera <NUM> (the infrared light irradiation device 122a and the infrared light camera 122b), and the display unit <NUM> be arranged in the internal space along the central axis. A lower end portion of the support post <NUM> is connected to a disk-shaped support base <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the imaging device in a state where the bandpass filter <NUM>, the half mirror <NUM>, and a cover 125a (see <FIG>) covering the front face of the display unit <NUM> are removed from the housing <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, on the left side of the housing <NUM>, four infrared light irradiation devices 122a are arranged side by side in a vertical direction and in a straight line in a front view. On the right side of the four infrared light irradiation devices 122a, three infrared light cameras 122b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and in a straight line.

As illustrated in <FIG>, only one bandpass filter <NUM> is provided on the housing <NUM> so as not to cover the light receiving surface of the visible light camera <NUM> while covering the light receiving surface of each of the plurality of infrared light cameras 122b. Therefore, only infrared light of a predetermined wavelength can be selectively incident on the infrared light camera 122b. In addition, there is an advantage that attachment to the housing <NUM> is easy and manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

On the other hand, the half mirror <NUM> is provided so as to cover the light receiving surface of the visible light camera <NUM>. Since the infrared light is not incident on the visible light camera <NUM>, the control device <NUM> can detect the face (especially the eyes) of the user from the entire image with high accuracy.

The visible light camera <NUM> is arranged below the infrared light camera 122b and the bandpass filter <NUM>. Therefore, the visible light camera <NUM> can capture an image of the face of the user more easily than when the visible light camera <NUM> is arranged above the infrared light camera 122b and the bandpass filter <NUM>.

The three infrared light cameras 122b are arranged at a constant interval D1 in the vertical direction. This makes it easy to associate the height position of the eyes of the user who is the imaging target (or height range of the user) with the infrared light camera 122b used for photographing the iris. The distance D2 between the infrared light camera 122b at the lowest position and the visible light camera <NUM> may be different from or equal to the distance D1.

A transparent cover 125a made of acrylic resin or the like is provided on the front of the display unit <NUM>. Instead of the cover 125a, the half mirror <NUM> may be provided.

Further, the light receiving surfaces of the three infrared light cameras 122b are aligned on a straight line at different heights in the vertical direction. Thus, the focal positions of the plurality of infrared light cameras 122b are aligned on a straight line in the vertical direction.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a visual field range in the vertical direction of the imaging device <NUM>. In this example, when the user U moves to a position P1, the imaging process is performed by any one of the three infrared light cameras 122b. The position P1 is separated from a position P0 where the imaging device <NUM> is arranged by the focal length FL. The visual field ranges of the three infrared light cameras 122b arranged in the vertical direction are indicated by broken lines. the visual field ranges A and B overlap at the position P1 in part and the visual field ranges B and C overlap at the position P1 in part. The three visual field ranges A, B, and C form one large visual field range as a whole. The length of the visual field range in the vertical direction is indicated by reference numeral H. It is assumed that the horizontal length of the visual field range is common among the three infrared light cameras 122b. The visual field range D of the visible light camera <NUM> is set to be wide enough to capture an image of the entire body of the user U. For example, at a position away from the visible light camera <NUM> by the focal length FL, the angle of view of the visible light camera <NUM> is set such that the visual field range D includes a range up to a height of about three meters from the ground in the vertical direction. Thus, when the user U is at the focal length FL of the infrared light camera 122b, the visible light camera <NUM> can substantially capture an image of the user U from the foot to the head irrespective of the height of the user U.

As described above, according to the present example embodiment, the imaging device <NUM> applicable to the gate device <NUM> of the first to third example embodiments is provided. Hereinafter, advantages of the imaging device <NUM> of the present example embodiment will be described.

Generally, in order to perform iris authentication with high accuracy, it is necessary to capture a high-resolution image at a high frame rate while the user U is in the depth of field. However, it is difficult to satisfy the level of the captured image required by one general-purpose camera.

On the other hand, in the imaging device <NUM> of the present example embodiment, three infrared light cameras 122b are arranged in the vertical direction, and the infrared light camera 122b for capturing an image of the eye region of the user U is selected. At this time, the control device <NUM> also determines a region of interest to be read out at high speed in the selected infrared light camera 122b. The region of interest is determined in consideration of, for example, the distance between both eyes arranged in the horizontal direction and the ordinary size of an eye. The control device <NUM> controls the imaging process of the imaging device <NUM> so that the iris is included in the region of interest. Thus, the control device <NUM> can acquire a high-resolution iris image. That is, even when the general-purpose infrared light camera 122b is used, the level of the captured image required for iris authentication can be satisfied.

Generally, in an authentication method using an image such as iris authentication, authentication accuracy is improved by using an image obtained by photographing a face of a user from the front. However, when the user can visually recognize a plurality of cameras from the outside, the user may see cameras other than a camera at an optimal height for capturing an iris image.

In contrast, in the present example embodiment, the light receiving surfaces of the plurality of infrared light cameras 122b are collectively covered by one bandpass filter <NUM> (optical filter). That is, since the imaging device <NUM> of the present example embodiment is configured such that the user cannot visually recognize the plurality of infrared light cameras 122b from the outside, the user naturally faces the front with respect to the imaging device <NUM>, and the above-described problem does not occur. As described above, according to the present example embodiment, since the imaging device <NUM> can capture an image of the face of the user by the infrared light camera 122b positioned in front of the user, the authentication device <NUM> can perform iris authentication of the user with higher accuracy.

In particular, the bandpass filter <NUM> in the present example embodiment is visually recognized as a mirror surface when viewed from the user side. A mirror image of the user appears on the bandpass filter <NUM>. The user naturally faces the imaging device <NUM> and directly view his/her own face appeared on the bandpass filter <NUM>. Thus, since the user can easily check his/her face on the mirror surface, the accuracy of iris authentication can be further improved.

Therefore, according to the present example embodiment, the imaging device <NUM> in which the accuracy of iris authentication is improved is provided.

The devices described in the above example embodiment can also be configured as in the following fifth example embodiment.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a gate system according to a fifth example embodiment. The gate system <NUM> includes an imaging device <NUM> and a guide <NUM>. The gate system <NUM> is arranged between a first region and a second region. The guide <NUM> defines a movement path of a user from the first region to the second region. The imaging device <NUM> photographs the user to acquire an image used for biometric authentication. The movement path includes a first portion in which the user is photographed and a second portion in which the user passes after being photographed. The first portion extends from the first region toward the imaging device <NUM> in a first direction that is parallel to an optical axis of the imaging device <NUM>. The second portion extends from an end of the first portion in a second direction that is not parallel to the first direction.

According to the present example embodiment, there is provided a gate system <NUM> capable of performing biometric authentication of a passing user with higher accuracy.

This disclosure is not limited to the above-described example embodiments, and can be suitably modified within the scope of this disclosure. For example, an example in which a configuration of a part of any example embodiment is added to another example embodiment or an example in which a configuration of a part of any example embodiment is replaced with a part of another example embodiment is also an example embodiment of this disclosure.

Although the iris authentication and the face authentication are exemplified as examples of the biometric authentication performed in the authentication device <NUM> in the above-described example embodiment, this disclosure is not limited thereto as long as the biometric information that can be extracted from the image of the user passing through the gate device <NUM> is used. For example, the biometric authentication performed in the authentication device <NUM> may be auricle authentication or gait authentication.

However, the biometric authentication performed in the authentication device <NUM> preferably includes at least iris authentication. This is because the authentication accuracy of iris authentication is easily influenced by the angle of imaging, so that the configuration of the above-described example embodiment in which imaging can be performed from the front is more effective. The biometric authentication performed in the authentication device <NUM> is preferably at least two-element authentication having iris authentication and face authentication. This is because authentication accuracy is further improved by matching using both the iris and the face to perform authentication.

A processing method in which a program for operating the configuration of the above-described example embodiment is stored in a storage medium so as to implement the functions of the above-described example embodiment, the program stored in the storage medium is read as code, and the program is executed in a computer is also included in the scope of each example embodiment. That is, a computer-readable storage medium is also included in the scope of the example embodiments. Further, not only the storage medium in which the above program is stored, but also the program itself is included in each example embodiment. In addition, one or more components included in the above-described example embodiments may be a circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and a field programmable gate array (FPGA), configured to implement the functions of each component.

As the storage medium, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a compact disk (CD)-ROM, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, or a ROM can be used. Further, the scope of each example embodiment is not limited to the case where the processing is executed by the program alone stored in the storage medium, and a case where the processing is executed by operating on an operating system (OS) in cooperation with the functions of other software and extension board is also included in the scope of each.

Claim 1:
A gate system (<NUM>) arranged between a first region (R1) and a second region (R5), comprising a first gate system (10a) and a second gate system (10b), each including:
a guide (<NUM>) that defines a movement path of a user from the first region to the second region;
an imaging device (<NUM>) that photographs the user to acquire an image used for biometric authentication; and
an opening/closing member (<NUM>) provided in the movement path so as to be opened or closed in accordance with a result of the biometric authentication,
wherein, in each of the first gate system (10a) and the second gate system (10b),
the movement path includes a first portion (R2) in which the user is photographed, a second portion (R3) through which the user passes after being photographed, and a third (R7) portion through which the user passes after being photographed,
the first portion (R2) extends from the first region (R1) toward the imaging device (<NUM>) in a first direction that is parallel to an optical axis of the imaging device, and
the second portion (R3) extends from an end of the first portion in a second direction that is not parallel to the first direction, and
the third portion (R7) extends from the end of the first portion in a third direction that is not parallel to the first direction,
wherein an end of the third portion (R7) of the first gate system (10a) is connected to a beginning of the first portion (R2) of the second gate system (10b), and
wherein when the user is determined to be a registrant in the biometric authentication based on the image acquired by the imaging device (<NUM>), the user is guided by the guide (<NUM>) to the second portion (R3) of the first gate system (10a), and when the user is not determined to be the registrant in the biometric authentication, the user is guided by the guide (<NUM>) from the first portion (R2) of first gate system (10a) to the third portion (R7) of the first gate system.