Authentication system, authentication method, and storage medium for id card

Abstract

An authentication system of an ID card includes an issuance device of the ID card and an authentication device of the ID card. A first processor of the issuance device performs processes of acquiring a first face image in which a face is captured, outputting an authentication image including the first face image and authentication information for authenticating legitimacy to a printer that issues the ID card by printing the authentication image on a card-shaped recording medium, and storing a first captured image obtained by capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card by a camera in a memory. A second processor of the authentication device performs processes of acquiring an image obtained by capturing the authentication image printed on an ID card of an authentication target by the camera as a second captured image, and authenticating the ID card of the authentication target by comparing respective density characteristics of the first captured image acquired from the memory and the second captured image acquired from the camera.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ID card authentication system, authentication method and authentication procedure. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-007977 discloses a legitimacy authentication system for verifying the legitimacy of ID (Identification Data) cards such as employee ID cards and student ID cards. The ID card described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-007977 has an IC (Integrated Circuit) memory, in which an identifier, a facial photograph, and an authentication image are recorded. The authentication image is an image in which electronic watermark information, such as a random number, is embedded in the facial photograph. A database stores combinations of the identifier and the electronic watermark information. During authentication processing, if the combination of the identifier recorded on the ID card and the electronic watermark information extracted from the authentication image matches the combination of the identifier and electronic watermark information stored in the database, the ID card is determined to be legitimate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0004] Thus, in the legitimacy authentication system described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-007977, the legitimacy of the information recorded on the ID card is authenticated by comparing the authentication information, such as the identifier and authentication image recorded on the ID card, with authentication information pre-stored in a database. Furthermore, since a facial photograph is recorded on the ID card, identity verification, such as visual inspection, is possible to confirm whether the ID card owner is the actual person.

[0005] In addition to identity verification and legitimacy, authenticity is a necessary condition for enhancing ID card security. Authenticity indicates that the ID card is not counterfeit. While the legitimacy authentication system described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-007977 does not include any information related to authenticity authentication, the ID cards described in that publication possess an IC memory. Therefore, by storing various information for authenticity verification in the IC memory, authenticity authentication can be performed. Furthermore, ID cards with IC memory are difficult to copy easily, thus ensuring authenticity.

[0006] However, ID cards with IC memory not only require a time-consuming issuance process but also simply increase costs. ID cards are not only used long-term like employee ID cards and student ID cards; there are also ID cards intended for short-term use, such as those used as attendance badges at events like exhibitions. For these short-term use ID cards, in addition to limited issuance costs, there is a necessity for immediate issuance at the event venue on the day of the event, requiring simple and quick issuance procedures.

[0007] If we want to implement ID cards quickly and easily at low cost, it is difficult to adopt a highly functional approach that incorporates IC memory and other features. A practical method, for example, could be to print a facial photograph and authentication information for legitimacy on a card-shaped piece of paper to create an ID card. However, such ID cards are easily counterfeited, so authenticating the authenticity of ID cards with a simple structure becomes a challenge, given the premise of counterfeiting.

[0008] Compared with the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide an ID card authentication system, authentication method and authentication procedure that can issue ID cards that can perform personal authentication and legitimacy authentication at low cost and in a simple and fast manner, and can perform ID card authenticity authentication in a simple structure.

[0009] means for solving technical problems

[0010] The ID card authentication system of the present invention is an authentication system comprising an ID card issuing device and an ID card authentication device. The issuing device includes a first processor, which performs the following processes: acquiring a first facial image captured by a photograph of a human face; outputting an authentication image to a printer that issues ID cards by printing an authentication image containing the first facial image and authentication information for authentication legitimacy onto a card-shaped recording medium; and storing a first photographic image obtained by a camera capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card in a memory. The authentication device includes a second processor, which performs the following processes: acquiring an image obtained by a camera capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card of the authentication target as a second photographic image; and authenticating the authenticity of the ID card of the authentication target by comparing the density characteristics of the first photographic image acquired from the memory and the second photographic image acquired from the camera.

[0011] The preferred second processor authenticates the authenticity of the ID card of the object being authenticated by taking advantage of the uncertainty of the color density, which varies with each print even when the same image is printed on the same type of recording medium, due to uneven density.

[0012] The preferred second processor authenticates the authenticity of the ID card of the object being authenticated by taking advantage of the fact that the color density of the image varies with each print, even when the same image is printed on the same type of recording medium.

[0013] The preferred second processor verifies the authenticity of the ID card of the authentication object by comparing the concentration characteristics based on the time-dependent changes in the color density of the authentication image printed on the ID card of the authentication object.

[0014] Preferably, a verification section for comparing concentration characteristics is included in a portion of the authentication image. The second processor authenticates the authenticity of the ID card of the authentication object by comparing the concentration characteristics of the verification sections of the first and second camera images.

[0015] The preferred verification section is a solid pattern composed of a single pigment color.

[0016] The preferred printer is one that uses a density modulation method.

[0017] The preferred printer is an instant photo printer that uses instant film, which is developed by a photosensitive material containing silver halide, as the recording medium.

[0018] The preferred second processor performs the following processing: acquiring the face of the holder of the ID card of the authentication object as the second face image; and authenticating the holder of the ID card of the authentication object as the person himself by comparing the facial feature quantity extracted from the first face image contained in the second face image with the facial feature quantity extracted from the second face image.

[0019] The preferred first processor performs the following processing: embedding the facial feature data extracted from the first face image into the authentication image; the second processor performs the following processing: authenticating the person as the holder of the ID card by comparing the facial feature data extracted from the authentication image contained in the second camera image with the facial feature data extracted from the second face image.

[0020] The selected authentication information and facial feature data are embedded as electronic watermarks into the authentication image.

[0021] Ideally, the first processor and printer are integrated into a single housing.

[0022] Preferably, a camera for acquiring the first image is built into the housing.

[0023] Preferably, the first and second images are acquired by cameras with the same camera performance.

[0024] The preferred second processor performs the following processing: calibrates the second image based on the difference in imaging performance between the camera that acquires the first image and the camera that acquires the second image; and uses the calibrated second image to authenticate the authenticity of the ID card of the authentication object.

[0025] The present invention provides an ID card authentication method using an ID card issuing device and an ID card authentication device. The ID card issuing device performs the following steps: a first face image acquisition step, acquiring a first face image of a human face; an output step, outputting an authentication image to a printer that issues ID cards by printing an authentication image containing the first face image and authentication information for authentication legitimacy onto a card-shaped recording medium; and a storage step, storing a first photographic image obtained by capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card by a camera in a memory. The ID card authentication device then performs the following steps: a second photographic image acquisition step, acquiring an image obtained by capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card of the authentication target by a camera as a second photographic image; and an authentication step, authenticating the authenticity of the ID card of the authentication target by comparing the density characteristics of the first photographic image obtained from the memory and the second photographic image obtained from the camera.

[0026] The ID card authentication program of the present invention is an ID card authentication program for operating an ID card authentication system, which includes: a first computer for issuing ID cards; and a second computer for authenticating ID cards. The ID card authentication program enables the first computer to function as follows: a first face image acquisition unit for acquiring a first face image of a person; an output unit for outputting an authentication image to a printer that issues ID cards by printing an authentication image containing the first face image and authentication information for authentication legitimacy onto a card-shaped recording medium; and a storage unit for storing a first photographic image obtained by capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card by a camera in a memory. The second computer is also configured to function as follows: a second photographic image acquisition unit for acquiring an image obtained by capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card of the authentication target by a camera as a second photographic image; and an authentication unit for authenticating the authenticity of the ID card of the authentication target by comparing the density characteristics of the first photographic image acquired from the memory and the second photographic image acquired from the camera.

[0027] Invention Effects

[0028] According to the technology of the present invention, compared with the prior art, it is possible to provide an ID card authentication system, authentication method and authentication procedure that can issue ID cards that can perform personal authentication and legitimacy authentication at low cost and easily and quickly, and can perform ID card authenticity authentication with a simple structure. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the authentication system.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the issuing device.

[0031] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the processing performed by the authentication image generation unit.

[0032] Figure 4 This is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of a method for generating authentication images.

[0033] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the processing performed by the ID card output unit.

[0034] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the processing performed by the first frequency characteristic acquisition unit.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a top view showing an example of a film in which images for authenticity verification are placed in four locations.

[0036] Figure 8 This is a graph representing an example of the first frequency characteristic of the concentration characteristics of each of the four real-world comparison images.

[0037] Figure 9 This is a graph showing an example of the comparison between the frequency characteristics of instant display and inkjet printing.

[0038] Figure 10 This is a graph comparing the frequency characteristics of the instantaneous display method with those of the sublimation thermal transfer method.

[0039] Figure 11 This is a block diagram of the authentication device.

[0040] Figure 12 This is a block diagram of a POS terminal.

[0041] Figure 13 This is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of self-authentication processing performed by the Self-Authentication Department.

[0042] Figure 14 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the legitimacy certification process conducted by the Legitimacy Certification Department.

[0043] Figure 15 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the first process of authenticity verification carried out by the authenticity verification department.

[0044] Figure 16 This is a graph representing an example of the change in color intensity over time in a verifiability verification image.

[0045] Figure 17 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the second process in the authenticity verification process performed by the authenticity verification department.

[0046] Figure 18 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the ID card issuance and processing procedure.

[0047] Figure 19 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the authentication process.

[0048] Figure 20 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the authentication process.

[0049] Figure 21 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the first process of authenticity verification carried out by the authenticity verification department.

[0050] Figure 22 This is a top view showing an example of an ID card containing multiple authenticity verification images.

[0051] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of how an ID card issuing program stored on a storage medium is installed on a computer.

[0052] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of how an authentication program stored on a storage medium is installed on a computer. Detailed Implementation

[0053] [First Implementation]

[0054] As an example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the ID card authentication system 2 includes: an issuing device 4 for issuing ID cards 14; and an authentication device 6 for authenticating ID cards 14. The authentication system 2 is used, for example, in outdoor or indoor event venues where multiple shops 16 are exhibiting. ID cards 14 are issued, for example, to event participants 11 in exchange for an admission fee to the event venue. This serves to prove that participant 11 is a legitimate attendee of the event. ID cards 14 are participant identification cards used to identify participant 11. As an example, by authenticating ID cards 14 at key locations such as the various shops 16 within the event venue, it is possible to exclude unauthorized participants 11 from entering the event venue.

[0055] Furthermore, in this example, ID card 14 also functions as a prepaid card within the event venue. Participant 11 can use ID card 14 for payments related to food and / or merchandise purchases at various shops 16. Payment information 30 for services used by participant 11 is managed through ID card 14. Additionally, authentication system 2 is an example of an "authentication system" according to the technology of this invention. Issuing device 4 is an example of an "issuing device" according to the technology of this invention. Authentication device 6 is an example of an "authentication device" according to the technology of this invention. ID card 14 is an example of an "ID card" according to the technology of this invention.

[0056] As an example, participant 11 uses their own smart device 8 to issue ID card 14 as follows. Issuance device 4 and authentication device 6 are located in management room 12, which is situated within the event venue. Participant 11 first remains in management room 12. In management room 12, participant 11 uses their own smart device 8 to access the ID card issuance website. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) used to access the website is provided to participant 11, for example, in exchange for the purchase of an admission ticket. Participant 11 operates their smart device 8 according to the instructions on the website, thereby capturing their face, and an ID card issuance request 18, including an image 10 of the captured face, is sent from smart device 8 to issuance device 4. To distinguish it from the face image described later, image 10 including the face is hereinafter referred to as original image 10. Issuance device 4 accepts ID card issuance request 18 and performs ID card issuance processing according to the received ID card issuance request 18.

[0057] Furthermore, in this example, we will illustrate how participant 11 uses their own smart device 8 to photograph their own face and sends the ID card issuance request 18 from the smart device 8. This is one example of how the ID card issuance request 18 is sent. In the technology of this invention, the participant 11's face can also be photographed and the ID card issuance request 18 can be sent by a reception device with a camera located in the management room 12, thereby replacing the participant 11's own smart device 8. Alternatively, reception staff at the event venue can use a smart device to photograph the participant 11's face and send the ID card issuance request 18 from the smart device.

[0058] The issuing device 4 has a built-in printer 20 capable of printing images on the instant film 15 (see reference). Figure 2 In the ID card issuance process, the issuance device 4 generates an authentication image 21 based on the original image 10 contained in the ID card issuance request 18, and uses the printer 20 to print the authentication image 21 onto the display film 15.

[0059] As is well known, instant film 15 is a self-developing photographic film that can develop within minutes after an image is exposed. Instant film 15 uses a known single-piece type and has the basic components of a known single-piece instant film, such as a photosensitive film, an image receiving film, a developing capsule containing developing solution, and a collection section for absorbing excess developing solution. The photosensitive film contains a photosensitive material containing silver halide, and color development is achieved by exposing the photosensitive material. More specifically, in instant film 15, a latent image is photochemically formed by exposing the photosensitive film. After the latent image is formed, with the photosensitive film and the image receiving film overlapping, developing solution is spread between them, and pressure is applied to the two films, thereby transferring a positive image onto the image receiving film.

[0060] In the instant film 15, for example, in the blank areas outside the exposed area of ​​the exposed image, the characters indicating the event name "Tokyo ○○ Festival" are pre-printed, and a mark indicating the use of the instant film 15 in the event is displayed. The printer 20 issues the ID card 14 by printing the authentication image 21 on the instant film 15. Furthermore, the printer 20 is an example of a "printer" according to the technology of this invention. The authentication image 21 is an example of an "authentication image" according to the technology of this invention. The instant film 15 is an example of a "card-shaped recording medium" according to the technology of this invention.

[0061] In this example, ID card 14 functions as a prepaid card, allowing participant 11 to top up any amount into ID card 14. Participant 11 can, for example, use a top-up device (not shown) located in management room 12 to top up the issued ID card 14 with any amount.

[0062] Participant 11 uses ID card 14 to make purchases within the event venue. Each time participant 11 checks out at a shop 16 within the event venue, they present their ID card 14 to the cashier 17 of that shop. Through the cashier 17's action, authentication request 22 is sent from the POS (point of sale) terminal 19 of each shop 16 to authentication device 6. Authentication device 6 accepts authentication request 22 and processes the authentication accordingly.

[0063] Detailed descriptions will follow. The authentication process includes: identity verification, verifying that the holder of ID card 14 is the creator of ID card 14; legitimacy verification, verifying that ID card 14 has legitimate access rights to authentication system 2; and authenticity verification, verifying that ID card 14 is not a counterfeit card. When authentication device 6 authenticates ID card 14, participant 11's settlement information 30 is sent to authentication device 6. Settlement information 30 contains the store name of store 16 and the settlement amount. Therefore, the settlement amount is deducted from the recharge balance 28 in ID card 14. Conversely, if authentication device 6 does not authenticate ID card 14, settlement information 30 is not sent, and no deduction is made from the recharge balance 28.

[0064] Issuing device 4 and authentication device 6 are connected to database 24. Participant data 26 is stored in database 24. In participant data 26, for each participant 11, the assigned serial number 27, the original image 10 included in the ID card issuance requirement 18, the prepaid balance 28 in the ID card 14, and settlement information 30 sent from the store 16 are stored. Each time settlement information 30 is sent from the POS terminal 19 to the authentication device 6, the sent settlement information 30 is accumulated in database 24, and the participant 11's prepaid balance 28 is deducted from the amount corresponding to the settlement information 30 and updated. Alternatively, participant 11 can also pay the total settlement amount later based on the settlement information 30 accumulated in database 24, instead of prepaying any amount to the ID card 14.

[0065] As an example Figure 2 As shown, the distribution device 4 includes a computer 32, a camera 34, and a printer 20. The computer 32, camera 34, and printer 20 are housed within a single casing. The computer 32 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32A, an NVM (Non-Volatile Memory) 32B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32C, and a communication I / F (interface) 32D. The CPU 32A, NVM 32B, RAM 32C, communication I / F 32D, camera 34, and printer 20 are interconnected via a bus 36.

[0066] CPU32A controls the entire distribution device 4. NVM32B is a non-volatile memory. Here, as an example of NVM32B, EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) is used, but it is not limited to this; it can be flash memory, or a combination of multiple non-volatile memories. RAM32C is a volatile memory. RAM32C is used as working memory by CPU32A.

[0067] The communication I / F32D is implemented, for example, through a device equipped with an FPGA (field-programmable gate array). The communication I / F32D is connected to the database 24 and handles the transmission and reception of various information between the CPU 32A and the database 24. Furthermore, the communication I / F32D is connected to the intelligent device 8 of participant 11 via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or wireless WAN (Wide Area Network), and handles the transmission and reception of various information between the CPU 32A and the intelligent device 8.

[0068] In this example, printer 20 is an instant photo printer that uses instant film 15 as the recording medium. Printer 20 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) as an exposure device. Within printer 20, the exposure device is configured such that the image display surface facing the photosensitive surface of instant film 15 is opposite to the image display surface. Printer 20 exposes the photosensitive material of instant film 15 to light by displaying the image to be printed on the exposure device. As described above, instant film 15 is a film that uses a photosensitive material containing silver halide for color development. Furthermore, since instant film 15 is used as the recording medium, printer 20 is naturally a density-modulated printer that forms an image by changing the color development concentration of the photosensitive material according to the exposure amount.

[0069] Under the control of CPU32A, printer 20 prints the authentication image 21 generated from the original image 10 contained in ID card issuance requirements 18 onto instant film 15 (reference). Figure 1 The printed film 15 is output as the ID card 14 (see reference). Figure 1 ). Details will be described later. Camera 34 acquires the first image 46 by photographing the ID card 14 output from printer 20 (see reference). Figure 5 Additionally, camera 34 is an example of a "camera" according to the technology of this invention. First image 46 is an example of a "first image" according to the technology of this invention.

[0070] The NVM32B stores an ID card issuance program 38. The CPU32A reads the ID card issuance program 38 from the NVM32B and executes it on the RAM32C, thereby operating as the authentication image generation unit 40, the ID card output unit 42, and the first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44. The authentication image generation unit 40, the ID card output unit 42, and the first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44 cooperate in the ID card issuance process. Furthermore, the authentication image generation unit 40, the ID card output unit 42, and the first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44 are examples of a "first processor" according to the technology of this invention.

[0071] The following is for reference. Figures 3 to 10 A specific example of ID card issuance processing via issuing device 4 will be explained.

[0072] As an example, such as Figure 3 As shown, when an ID card issuance request 18 containing the original image 10 is received from the smart device 8, the authentication image generation unit 40 uses known face recognition technology to extract a first face image 45 representing a human face from the original image 10. As a method for extracting the first face image 45, known face recognition technologies such as contour extraction by performing edge detection or other processing on the original image 10, determining the contour of the face from the extracted contour through pattern matching, and extracting the region within the determined face contour as a face image, or methods using machine learning, can be used. Furthermore, the first face image 45 is an example of a "first face image" according to the technology of this invention.

[0073] The authentication image generation unit 40 acquires the organization number 27 and legitimacy authentication information 48. The organization number 27 is, for example, an identification number assigned to each participant 11 according to their registration order. Figure 3 In the example shown, participant 11 was assigned a 4-digit number from "0001" to "0101". Furthermore, in Figure 3 In the middle, the circular frame enclosed by dots and lines, the number "0101" (27) is a... Figure 3 The latest ID card issuance requirements were sent to participant 11, who were assigned the sorting number 27.

[0074] The legitimacy authentication information 48, for example, is a random number assigned to each participant 11, which functions as a password for accessing the authentication device 6. The legitimacy authentication information 48 is data used in the legitimacy authentication processing described later. Figure 3In the example shown, for participant 11 whose serial number 27 is "0101", a combination of characters and numbers such as "oi3fzq" is assigned as legitimacy authentication information 48. The authentication image generation unit 40 establishes a corresponding association between the acquired serial number 27, the legitimacy authentication information 48, the original image 10, and the extracted first face image 45, and stores it in the database 24 as participant data 26. Furthermore, the legitimacy authentication information 48 is an example of "authentication information" according to the technology of this invention.

[0075] The authentication image generation unit 40 performs image analysis on the first face image 45 to extract a first face feature quantity 47 (reference) representing the feature quantity of the first face image 45. Figure 4 As features of the face image used for the first facial feature quantity 47, well-known features such as Haar-like features, HOG (Histograms of Oriented Gradients) features, SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform) features, and LBP (Local Binary Pattern) features can be appropriately used. As a method for extracting the features, well-known feature extraction techniques using a learned model can be employed, whereby the learned model is pre-learned to output features from the face image, with the face image as input and the features as output. The first facial feature quantity 47 is data used for the identity verification process described later. Furthermore, the first facial feature quantity 47 is an example of a "facial feature quantity" according to the technology of this invention.

[0076] The authentication image generation unit 40 generates an electronically watermarked image 49 (reference) by embedding the first facial feature 47 and the legitimacy authentication information 48 into the original image 10 through electronic watermarking. Figure 4 The authentication image generation unit 40 further generates the authentication image 21 by combining the authenticity verification pattern 50 and the area mark 51 read from the database 24 into the electronic watermark embedded image 49. Alternatively, the authenticity verification pattern 50 and the area mark 51 can also be stored in the NVM 32B as supplementary information of the ID card issuance procedure 38, instead of being stored in the database 24.

[0077] If a specific explanation is required, it will be given as an example, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the authentication image generation unit 40 generates a first facial feature quantity 47 and legitimacy authentication information 48 by utilizing a specific algorithm, and embeds them invisibly into the original image 10 to form an electronic watermark embedded image 49. Figure 4In the example shown, the first facial feature 47 and the legitimacy authentication information 48 are embedded as an electronic watermark 52 into the electronic watermark embedded image 49. The electronic watermark 52 refers to data that, although invisible to the naked eye, can be detected by performing specific computational processing on the electronic watermark embedded image 49 using detection software or the like.

[0078] The authentication image generation unit 40 reads the authenticity verification pattern 50 and the area mark 51 from the database 24. The authenticity verification pattern 50 is, for example, a solid pattern of a single color with a square side of a few millimeters. The area mark 51 is a cross-shaped mark of a few millimeters to tens of millimeters. Details will be described later. The area mark 51 is used to indicate where the electronic watermark 52 and the authenticity verification pattern 50 are recorded in the authentication image 21.

[0079] The authentication image generation unit 40 generates the authentication image 21 by overlaying the authenticity verification pattern 50 onto the lower right corner of the electronic watermark embedded image 49 and overlaying four region markers 51 onto the four corners of the electronic watermark embedded image 49. In this example, since the electronic watermark 52 is approximately the same size as the authentication image 21, the four corners of the electronic watermark 52 can be represented by placing region markers 51 on the four corners of the electronic watermark embedded image 49. The recording position of the electronic watermark 52 is indicated by these four region markers 51. Furthermore, since the authenticity verification pattern 50 is positioned at the lower right corner of the electronic watermark embedded image 49, the recording position of the authenticity verification pattern 50 is indicated by the region marker 51 at the lower right corner. Moreover, as described later, the authentication image 21 is captured by the camera 34, and the region markers 51 also serve as markers to indicate the cut-off region, that is, the cut-off region of the electronic watermark embedded image 49 cut from the authentication image 21 captured by the camera 34, i.e., the first captured image 46. The authentication image generation unit 40 outputs the generated authentication image 21 to the printer 20.

[0080] As an example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the ID card output unit 42 controls the printer 20 built into the issuing device 4 to print the authentication image 21 input from the authentication image generation unit 40. Under the control of the ID card output unit 42, the printer 20 prints the authentication image 21 onto the instant display film 15. The printed instant display film 15 is then ejected from the printer 20.

[0081] Here, in the authentication image 21 printed on the instant display film 15, the portion corresponding to the authenticity verification pattern 50 is distinguished from the authenticity verification pattern 50 and referred to as the authenticity verification image 57. The authenticity verification image 57 is an image representing a portion of the first photographic image 46, and is an image obtained by printing the authenticity verification pattern 50 contained in the authentication image 21 using the printer 20. That is, the authenticity verification pattern 50 is image data constituting a portion of the authentication image 21 when the authentication image 21 exists as image data, and the authenticity verification image 57 is an image printed on the instant display film 15 and constituting a portion of the authentication image 21 as a printed image. In the technology of the present invention, the authentication of the ID card 14 is performed by utilizing the change in the density characteristics of the authenticity verification image 57 during each printing. In contrast, the authenticity verification pattern 50 is image data, and therefore does not exhibit changes in density characteristics during each printing. Thus, there are differences in the printed image and image data between the authenticity verification image 57 and the authenticity verification pattern 50. In order to explain the authentication principle of authenticity, it is necessary to distinguish between them. Therefore, the two are explained separately here.

[0082] In the issuing device 4, the authentication image 21 of the ejected instant film 15 is positioned within the photographic range of the camera 34. The positioning of the instant film 15 can be performed automatically or manually by an operator. Examples of automatic positioning include methods such as setting the camera 34 so that the instant film 15 ejected from the printer 20 enters the photographic range, or methods such as transporting the ejected instant film 15 to the position of the camera 34 via a transport mechanism.

[0083] The ID card output unit 42 controls the camera 34 to capture the authentication image 21 printed on the instant film 15. Specifically, the ID card output unit 42 captures the instant film 15 by operating the camera 34, and detects the area markers 51 arranged at the four corners of the authentication image 21 from the captured image. The ID card output unit 42 cuts out the area surrounded by the area markers 51 from the captured image and obtains the cut-out image as the first captured image 46. As described above, the authentication image 21 contains an electronic watermark 52 and an authenticity verification image 57 corresponding to the authenticity verification pattern 50 in the area surrounded by the four area markers 51. Therefore, the first captured image 46 also contains the electronic watermark 52 and the authenticity verification image 57 (see also [reference]). Figure 6 ).

[0084] The ID card output unit 42 associates the acquired first photographic image 46 and the moment when the instant film 15 was captured by the camera 34 (i.e., the first photographic moment 54) with the organization number 27, the legitimacy authentication information 48, the original image 10, and the first facial image 45, and stores them in the database 24. After being photographed by the camera 34, the instant film 15 with the authentication image 21 printed on it is ejected from the issuing device 4 as an ID card 14.

[0085] As an example, such as Figure 6 As shown, the first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44 reads the first camera image 46 from the database 24 and extracts the authenticity verification image 57 located in the lower right corner of the read first camera image 46. The authenticity verification image 57 determines the recording position by detecting the area marker 51 in the lower right corner. The authenticity verification image 57 is used for the authenticity authentication process described later. In addition, the authenticity verification image 57 is an example of the "verification unit" involved in the technology of the present invention.

[0086] The first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44 acquires a first frequency characteristic 56 from the extracted authenticity verification image 57. The first frequency characteristic 56 is a frequency characteristic representing the density characteristics in the authenticity verification image 57. When recording an image on a recording medium, there is uncertainty in color density. This uncertainty means that even when the same image is printed on the same type of recording medium, the degree of density unevenness will vary from print to print. For example, even when a solid pattern of a single color is recorded on the same type of recording medium, uneven density will occur in the printed image. The technology of the present invention utilizes this uncertainty in color density to authenticate the authenticity of the ID card 14.

[0087] One reason for the uncertainty in color density in the instant film 15 is that the distribution of the developer spread on the recording surface during the developing process becomes uneven throughout the entire area of ​​the recording surface. Another reason is that the distribution of the photosensitive material, which serves as the colorant, also becomes uneven throughout the entire area of ​​the recording surface. Thus, even in a single instant film 15, inhomogeneity of the developer and photosensitive material occurs on the recording surface.

[0088] Therefore, as Figure 7 As shown, in the instant film 15, even when real-world verification images 57A, 57B, 57C, and 57D are set in four locations based on one real-world verification pattern 50, the four real-world verification images 57A, 57B, 57C, and 57D represent different concentration characteristics. Figure 8The graphs shown are the first frequency characteristics (56A, 56B, 56C, 56D) of the concentration characteristics of the four real-world verification images 57A, 57B, 57C, and 57D. Each of the first frequency characteristics 56A, 56B, 56C, and 56D was derived through Fourier analysis of each of the real-world verification images 57A, 57B, 57C, and 57D. Figure 8 In the graph, the horizontal axis represents frequency and the vertical axis represents power. The first frequency characteristics 56A, 56B, 56C, and 56D represent the degree of concentration unevenness produced at each frequency. Overall, the graph shows a tendency for relatively more concentration unevenness in the low-frequency region and relatively less concentration unevenness in the high-frequency region, but the four first frequency characteristics 56A, 56B, 56C, and 56D show slight differences.

[0089] Thus, even within a single instant film 15, the density characteristics vary depending on the location. Therefore, if the instant films 15 are different, the density characteristics of identical authenticity verification images 57 printed in the same location will also change. Therefore, for example, even if the ID card 14 is counterfeited by printing the same facial image on the instant film 15, it is possible to identify whether the ID card 14 is genuine or counterfeit by using the authenticity verification images 57.

[0090] In the technology of this invention, even when the same image is printed on the same type of recording medium, the authenticity of the ID card 14 is authenticated by utilizing the uncertainty of the color density, which varies with each print due to uneven density. Furthermore, the uneven density manifests as a frequency characteristic of the image's color density. Therefore, in the technology of this invention, the authenticity of the ID card 14 is authenticated by utilizing the fact that, even when the same image is printed on the same type of recording medium, the frequency characteristic of the image's color density varies with each print.

[0091] Furthermore, the differences in concentration characteristics become more pronounced when different printing methods are used. Figure 9 and Figure 10 It is a graph showing the different concentration characteristics caused by different printing methods. Figure 9 This indicates the frequency characteristics DP-INST for instant imaging using instant film 15 and DP-INK for inkjet imaging, which records images by jetting ink onto plain paper. For example... Figure 9 As shown, when comparing the two, the frequency characteristics DP-INST of the instant display method and DP-INK of the inkjet method show more density unevenness in the low-frequency region and less density unevenness in the high-frequency region. The instant display method uses density modulation, while the inkjet method uses area modulation to change grayscale based on dot density. Figure 9As shown, inkjet printing exhibits relatively greater density unevenness in the high-frequency region, indicating that images recorded using inkjet printing have a relatively stronger sense of roughness.

[0092] and, Figure 10 This is a graph showing the frequency response characteristics (DP-INST) of instant thermal transfer and the frequency response characteristics (DP-THR) of sublimation thermal transfer. Sublimation thermal transfer involves heating a sublimation dye ink coated on an ink ribbon with a thermal printhead and transferring the molten ink onto a special coated paper, such as one coated with a polyester resin. Both instant and sublimation thermal transfer methods are concentration modulation methods. However, as... Figure 10 As shown, there are also differences in the concentration characteristics between the two methods. The uneven concentration in the frequency region enclosed by the dotted circle is more pronounced in the sublimation heat transfer method than in the instantaneous method.

[0093] The first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44 acquires the density unevenness of the authenticity verification image 57 as the first frequency characteristic 56, and establishes a corresponding association between the acquired first frequency characteristic 56 and the first camera image 46 and stores it in the database 24. The acquired first frequency characteristic 56 displays an inherent waveform in each instant film 15. The first frequency characteristic 56 is used for the authenticity verification process described later.

[0094] As an example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the authentication device 6 includes a computer 60, a receiving device 70, and a display 72. The computer 60 includes a CPU 60A, an NVM 60B, a RAM 60C, and a communication I / F 60D. The CPU 60A, NVM 60B, RAM 60C, communication I / F 60D, receiving device 70, and display 72 are interconnected via a bus 74.

[0095] CPU 60A controls the entire authentication device 6. NVM 60B is a non-volatile memory. Here, as an example of NVM 60B, EEPROM is used, but it is not limited to this; it can be flash memory, or a combination of multiple non-volatile memories. RAM 60C is a volatile memory. RAM 60C is used as working memory by CPU 60A.

[0096] The communication I / F60D is implemented, for example, by a device equipped with an FPGA. The communication I / F60D is wired to the database 24 and handles the transmission and reception of various information between the CPU 60A and the database 24. Furthermore, the communication I / F60D is connected to multiple POS terminals 19 via LAN cables or the like, and handles the transmission and reception of various information between the CPU 60A and the POS terminals 19.

[0097] The receiving device 70 includes a keyboard and mouse. The keyboard and mouse receive instructions from the authentication device 6 based on operations performed by the staff. The display 72, under the control of the CPU 60A, is used to display various information.

[0098] An authentication program 62 is stored in the NVM 60B. The CPU 60A reads the authentication program 62 from the NVM 60B and executes the read authentication program 62 on the RAM 60C, thereby operating as the self-authentication unit 64, the legitimacy authentication unit 66, and the authenticity authentication unit 68. The self-authentication unit 64, the legitimacy authentication unit 66, and the authenticity authentication unit 68 cooperate in the authentication process. The authentication process is performed by the authentication device 6 when it receives an authentication request 76 from at least one of the plurality of POS terminals 19. Furthermore, the self-authentication unit 64, the legitimacy authentication unit 66, and the authenticity authentication unit 68 are examples of the "second processor" according to the technology of the present invention.

[0099] The following is for reference. Figures 12-17 Here is a specific example of the authentication process performed by authentication device 6.

[0100] As an example, such as Figure 12 As shown, the POS terminal 19 includes a computer 78, a receiving device 86, a camera 80, a display 82, and a printer 84. The computer 78 includes a CPU 78A, an NVM 78B, a RAM 78C, and a communication I / F 78D. The CPU 78A, NVM 78B, RAM 78C, communication I / F 78D, receiving device 86, camera 80, display 82, and printer 84 are interconnected via a bus 85.

[0101] CPU 78A controls the entire POS terminal 19. NVM 78B is a non-volatile memory. Here, as an example of NVM 78B, EEPROM is used, but it is not limited to this; it can be flash memory, or a combination of multiple non-volatile memories. In addition to various programs, NVM 78B also stores sales data processed by POS terminal 19. RAM 78C is a volatile memory. RAM 78C is used as working memory by CPU 78A. Communication I / F 78D is responsible for the transmission and reception of various information between CPU 78A and authentication device 6.

[0102] The acceptance device 86 includes a camera 86A, a barcode reader 86B, and input keys 86C. The camera 86A has the same imaging performance as the camera 34 built into the issuing device 4, namely, lens performance, filter performance, and imaging element performance. The camera 86A captures the authentication image 21 contained in the ID card 14 of the authentication recipient. The barcode reader 86B reads the barcode pre-attached to each product. The barcode contains information related to the product name and price, etc. The input keys 86C include numeric keys, which are keys that allow manual input of information related to each product into the POS terminal 19. Furthermore, the camera 86A is an example of a "camera" according to the technology of this invention.

[0103] Display 82, under the control of CPU 78A, is used to display the purchase amount to participant 11. Printer 84 prints a receipt showing the purchase details.

[0104] When participant 11 makes a purchase, for example, in store 16, cashier 17 of store 16 uses barcode reader 86B to read the barcode attached to the item that participant 11 wants to buy. CPU 78A calculates the purchase amount based on the product information contained in the barcode read by barcode reader 86B.

[0105] When participant 11 checks out at store 16, they present their ID card 14 (the ID card to be authenticated) to cashier 17. If cashier 17 brings the presented ID card 14 close to camera 86A, camera 86A, under the control of CPU 78A, captures the authentication image 21 contained in the ID card 14. CPU 78A detects area markers 51 located at the four corners of the authentication image 21 from the image captured by camera 86A, and cropps the area enclosed by area markers 51 to obtain the second image 88. Furthermore, under the control of CPU 78A, camera 80 captures a motion image 90 containing dozens of frames by shooting participant 11, who is positioned in front of POS terminal 19, for 1 to 2 seconds. POS terminal 19 sends an authentication request 76 containing the second image 88, motion image 90, and a second capture moment 89 indicating the moment when camera 86A captured the authentication image 21 contained in ID card 14 to authentication device 6. Furthermore, the second camera image 88 is an example of the "second camera image" involved in the technology of the present invention.

[0106] As an example, such as Figure 13As shown, the identity authentication unit 64 performs identity authentication processing upon receiving an authentication request 76 from the POS terminal 19. Specifically, the identity authentication unit 64 acquires the second camera image 88 included in the authentication request 76. The identity authentication unit 64 performs specific computational processing on the acquired second camera image 88 to extract the first facial feature quantity 47, which is embedded as an electronic watermark 52 into the authentication image 21.

[0107] The authentication unit 64 extracts a second face image 92 representing a face from the frame images included in the motion picture 90. The extraction method for the second face image 92 can use the same known face recognition technology as the extraction method for the first face image 45 described above. Among the faces extracted from the multiple frame images included in the motion picture 90, the authentication unit 64 extracts, for example, the initially extracted face as the second face image 92. The authentication unit 64 extracts a second face feature 94 from the extracted second face image 92. The second face feature 94 is the same as the first face feature 47 and can be extracted using the same known feature extraction technology as the first face feature 47.

[0108] The identity authentication unit 64 compares the first facial feature quantity 47 extracted from the second camera image 88 with the second facial feature quantity 94 extracted from the second facial image 92 contained in the moving image 90. When the difference between the first facial feature quantity 47 and the second facial feature quantity 94 is within a predetermined range, the identity authentication unit 64 determines that the person shown in the authentication image 21 of the ID card 14 of the authentication subject is the same person as the person located on the front of the POS terminal 19. At this time, the identity authentication unit 64 outputs a signal indicating that identity authentication has been completed (hereinafter referred to as the "identity authentication completion signal") to the legitimacy authentication unit 66. In addition, the second facial image 92 is an example of the "second facial image" according to the technology of the present invention. The first facial feature quantity 47 is an example of the "facial feature quantity extracted from the first facial image" according to the technology of the present invention, and the second facial feature quantity 94 is an example of the "facial feature quantity extracted from the second facial image" according to the technology of the present invention.

[0109] As an example, such as Figure 14As shown, the legitimacy authentication unit 66 performs legitimacy authentication processing upon receiving a legitimacy authentication completion signal from the self-authentication unit 64. Specifically, the legitimacy authentication unit 66 performs specific computational processing on the second photographic image 88 to extract legitimacy authentication information 48, which is embedded as an electronic watermark 52 in the authentication image 21, from the second photographic image 88. The legitimacy authentication unit 66 searches the participant data 26 stored in the database 24 for the existence of legitimacy authentication information 48 that matches the legitimacy authentication information 48 extracted from the second photographic image 88. When the participant data 26 contains legitimacy authentication information 48 that matches the legitimacy authentication information 48 extracted from the second photographic image 88, the legitimacy authentication unit 66 determines that the ID card 14 has legitimate access rights to the authentication system 2. At this time, the legitimacy authentication unit 66 outputs a signal indicating that legitimacy authentication has been completed (hereinafter referred to as the "legitimacy authentication completion signal") to the authenticity authentication unit 68.

[0110] As an example, such as Figure 15 As shown, the authenticity authentication unit 68 performs authenticity authentication processing upon receiving a legitimacy authentication completion signal from the legitimacy authentication unit 66. The authenticity authentication processing includes: a first processing step, authenticating authenticity using the uncertainty of the color density of the authenticity verification image 57; and a second processing step, authenticating authenticity using the time-dependent change in the color density of the authenticity verification image 57. First, in the first processing step, the authenticity authentication unit 68 acquires the second photographic image 88 included in the authentication requirement 76. The authenticity authentication unit 68 extracts the authenticity verification image 57 from the acquired second photographic image 88, for example, using pattern matching. The authenticity authentication unit 68 obtains the color density characteristics in the authenticity verification image 57, i.e., the second frequency characteristic 96 representing uneven density, by optically scanning the extracted authenticity verification image 57.

[0111] The authenticity verification department 68 reads data from database 24 and... Figure 14 The legitimacy authentication process shown refers to the legitimacy authentication information 48 searched by the legitimacy authentication unit 66 in the legitimacy authentication process, which is then associated with and stored in the participant data 26 as the first frequency characteristic 56. That is, in... Figure 15 In the example shown, the authenticity authentication unit 68 reads the first frequency characteristic 56 "A0101" from the database 24 and establishes a corresponding association with the legitimacy authentication information 48 "oi3fzq" searched by the legitimacy authentication unit 66, which is then stored in the participant data 26. The authenticity authentication unit 68 compares the first frequency characteristic 56 read from the database 24 with the second frequency characteristic 96 of the authenticity verification image 57 extracted from the second camera image 88. When the difference between the first frequency characteristic 56 and the second frequency characteristic 96 is within a predetermined range, the authenticity authentication unit 68 performs the second process.

[0112] In the second process, the authenticity verification unit 68 verifies authenticity by comparing the color intensity characteristics of the authenticity verification image 57, taking into account the changes in color intensity over time. For example, ... Figure 16 As shown, it is known that the color density of an image printed on instant film 15 changes over time. The characteristics of the change in color density over time vary depending on the printed color. Figure 16 The graph shown, for example, represents the change in color density over time for the authenticity verification image 57, starting from the first capture time 54. Figure 16 In the diagram, 0 minutes represents the moment when the authentication image 21 is printed onto the instant film 15 by the printer 20, and the first camera moment 54 represents the moment when the authentication image 21 printed on the instant film 15 is captured by the camera 34. The first camera moment 54 is a few seconds to tens of seconds elapsed from the moment the authentication image 21 is printed onto the instant film 15.

[0113] exist Figure 16 In the diagram, the vertical axis represents the brightness value; a higher brightness value indicates a lower concentration, and vice versa. For example... Figure 16 As shown, in instant film 15, due to the rapid color development within a short period (approximately 3 minutes) immediately after printing, the density increases sharply (brightness value decreases sharply) during this period. The density increase then becomes slower. The change in color density of instant film 15 over time is shown as follows. Figure 16 Therefore, based on the elapsed time after printing, the color development concentration of the developing film 15 at that time point can be predicted.

[0114] Database 24 contains a concentration change table 98 that represents the time-dependent changes in color intensity of the authenticity verification image 57. Here, the time-dependent changes in color intensity are derived, for example, through experiments conducted on a real machine and / or computer / simulation. Alternatively, the concentration change table 98 can be replaced with a formula that uses the elapsed time from the first image capture moment 54 as an independent variable and color intensity as a dependent variable.

[0115] As an example, such as Figure 17 As shown, in the second process, the authenticity authentication unit 68 reads the data from the database 24 and matches the data in the database. Figure 14The legitimacy authentication process shown uses the legitimacy authentication unit 66 to establish a corresponding association with the legitimacy authentication information 48 and stores it in the participant data 26 at the first camera time 54. The authenticity authentication unit 68 calculates the elapsed time from the first camera time 54 to the second camera time 89 by obtaining the difference between the second camera time 89 included in the authentication requirement 76 and the first camera time 54. Using the density change table 98, the authenticity authentication unit 68 derives a predicted color density 99, which is a predicted value of the color density of the authenticity verification image 57, based on the elapsed time.

[0116] The authenticity verification unit 68 measures the color density 100 of the authenticity verification image 57 extracted from the second camera image 88. The color density 100 is the brightness value of the authenticity verification image 57.

[0117] The authenticity verification unit 68 compares the color density 100 of the authenticity verification image 57 obtained through measurement with the predicted color density 99 derived using the density change table 98. When the difference between the predicted color density 99 and the color density 100 is within a predetermined range, the authenticity verification unit 68 determines that the ID card 14 is not counterfeit. At this time, the authenticity verification unit 68 sends an authentication signal indicating that the ID card 14 has been authenticated to the POS terminal 19.

[0118] Next, regarding the function of the authentication system 2 involved in this embodiment, while referring to... Figures 18-20 We will explain this further. Additionally... Figure 18 The ID card issuance process shown is implemented by the CPU 32A of the issuance device 4 executing the ID card issuance program 38. Figures 19-20 The authentication process shown is implemented by executing authentication program 62 by CPU 60A of authentication device 6.

[0119] Upon receiving the ID card issuance request 18 from the smart device 8, the authentication image generation unit 40 begins... Figure 18 The ID card issuance process is illustrated. In the ID card issuance process, firstly, the authentication image generation unit 40 extracts a first face image 45 from the original image 10 included in the received ID card issuance request 18. In step ST101, the authentication image generation unit 40 determines whether the first face image 45 has been extracted from the original image 10. If the first face image 45 has been extracted in step ST101, the determination is affirmative, and the ID card issuance process proceeds to step ST102. If the first face image 45 has not been extracted, the determination is negative, and the ID card issuance process ends.

[0120] In step ST102, the authentication image generation unit 40 acquires a new serial number 27 and legitimacy authentication information 48 corresponding to the received ID card issuance request 18. Afterwards, the ID card issuance process proceeds to step ST103.

[0121] In step ST103, the authentication image generation unit 40 establishes a corresponding association between the acquired serial number 27, the legitimacy authentication information 48, the original image 10, and the first face image 45, and stores them in the database 24. Afterwards, the ID card issuance process proceeds to step ST104.

[0122] In step ST104, the authentication image generation unit 40 extracts the first facial feature quantity 47 from the first facial image 45. Afterwards, the ID card issuance process proceeds to step ST105.

[0123] In step ST105, the authentication image generation unit 40 generates an electronically watermarked image 49 by embedding the extracted first facial feature 47 and the acquired legitimacy authentication information 48 into the original image 10. Afterwards, the ID card issuance process proceeds to step ST106.

[0124] In step ST106, the authentication image generation unit 40 reads the authenticity verification pattern 50 and the area mark 51 from the database 24. Afterwards, the ID card issuance process proceeds to step ST107.

[0125] In step ST107, the authentication image generation unit 40 generates an authentication image 21 by combining the read authenticity verification pattern 50 and the area mark 51 into the generated electronic watermark embedding image 49. The authentication image generation unit 40 outputs the generated authentication image 21 to the printer 20. After that, the ID card issuance process is transferred to step ST108.

[0126] In step ST108, the ID card output unit 42 controls the printer 20 to print the authentication image 21 input from the authentication image generation unit 40. As a result, the printer 20 prints the authentication image 21 onto the display film 15. Afterwards, the ID card issuance process proceeds to step ST109.

[0127] In step ST109, the ID card output unit 42 controls the camera 34 to capture an image of the instant display film 15 printed with the authentication image 21. Thus, the camera 34 captures the authentication image 21 printed on the instant display film 15, and the ID card output unit 42 acquires the image captured by the camera 34 as the first image 46. After the image is captured by the camera 34, the instant display film 15 with the authentication image 21 is ejected as an ID card 14 to the outside of the issuing device 4. Afterwards, the ID card issuing process proceeds to step ST110.

[0128] In step ST110, the ID card output unit 42 establishes a corresponding association between the acquired first camera image 46 and the first camera time 54 indicating the time when the first camera image 46 was captured, along with the organization number 27, legitimacy authentication information 48, original image 10, and first face image 45, and stores them in the database 24. Afterwards, the ID card issuance process proceeds to step ST111.

[0129] In step ST111, the first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44 extracts the authenticity verification image 57 located in the lower right corner of the first camera image 46 from the first camera image 46. Afterwards, the ID card issuance process proceeds to step ST112.

[0130] In step ST112, the first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44 acquires a first frequency characteristic 56 representing the concentration unevenness in the extracted authenticity verification image 57 from the extracted authenticity verification image 57. Afterwards, the ID card issuance process proceeds to step ST113.

[0131] In step ST113, the first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44 establishes a corresponding association between the acquired first frequency characteristic 56 and the first camera image 46 and stores it in the database 24. Afterwards, the ID card issuance process ends.

[0132] Upon receiving authentication request 76 from POS terminal 19, my authentication department 64 begins... Figures 19-20 The authentication process is shown below. The authentication process includes: the self-authentication process shown in steps ST201 to ST205; the legitimacy authentication process shown in steps ST206 to ST207; and the authenticity authentication process shown in steps ST208 to ST216. Furthermore, the authenticity authentication process is broadly divided into the first process shown in steps ST208 to ST211 and the second process shown in steps ST212 to ST216.

[0133] In the personal authentication process, firstly, the personal authentication unit 64 extracts the first facial feature 47 as embedded in the electronic watermark 52 from the second camera image 88 included in the received authentication request 76. In step ST201, the personal authentication unit 64 determines whether the first facial feature 47 has been extracted from the electronic watermark 52 included in the second camera image 88. If the first facial feature 47 has been extracted in step ST201, the determination is affirmative, and the personal authentication process proceeds to step ST202. If the first facial feature 47 has not been extracted, the determination is negative, and the authentication process proceeds to step ST218.

[0134] The authentication unit 64 extracts a second face image 92 from the motion image 90 included in the authentication requirement 76. In step ST202, the authentication unit 64 determines whether the second face image 92 has been extracted from the motion image 90. If the second face image 92 has been extracted in step ST202, the determination is affirmative, and the authentication process proceeds to step ST204. If the second face image 92 has not been extracted, the determination is negative, and the authentication process proceeds to step ST203.

[0135] If the second face image 92 is not extracted from the moving image 90, in step ST203, the person authentication unit 64 causes the CPU 78A of the POS terminal 19 to activate the camera 80 and resend the moving image 90 captured by the camera 80. After that, the person authentication process proceeds to step ST202.

[0136] In the case where the second face image 92 is extracted from the dynamic image 90, in step ST204, the person authentication unit 64 extracts the second face feature quantity 94 from the second face image 92. After that, the person authentication process proceeds to step ST205.

[0137] In step ST205, the self-authentication unit 64 determines whether the difference between the extracted first facial feature quantity 47 and the second facial feature quantity 94 is within a predetermined range. If the difference between the first facial feature quantity 47 and the second facial feature quantity 94 is within the predetermined range in step ST205, the determination is affirmative, and the self-authentication process proceeds to the legitimacy authentication process shown in steps ST206-ST207. If the difference between the first facial feature quantity 47 and the second facial feature quantity 94 is not within the predetermined range, the determination is negated, and the authentication process proceeds to step ST218.

[0138] In the legitimacy authentication process, firstly, the legitimacy authentication unit 66 extracts legitimacy authentication information 48 from the electronic watermark 52 contained in the second camera image 88. In step ST206, the legitimacy authentication unit 66 determines whether the legitimacy authentication information 48 has been extracted from the electronic watermark 52 contained in the second camera image 88. If the legitimacy authentication information 48 has been extracted in step ST206, the determination is affirmative, and the legitimacy authentication process proceeds to step ST207. If the legitimacy authentication information 48 has not been extracted, the determination is negative, and the authentication process proceeds to step ST218.

[0139] The legitimacy authentication unit 66 searches for and extracts legitimacy authentication information 48 within the participant data 26 of the database 24. In step ST207, the legitimacy authentication unit 66 determines whether the extracted legitimacy authentication information 48 exists in the participant data 26 of the database 24. If the legitimacy authentication information 48 exists in the participant data 26 in step ST207, the determination is affirmative, and the legitimacy authentication process proceeds to the authenticity authentication process shown in steps ST208 to ST216. If the legitimacy authentication information 48 does not exist in the participant data 26, the determination is negated, and the authentication process proceeds to step ST218.

[0140] In the first step of the authenticity authentication process, firstly, in step ST208, the authenticity authentication unit 68 acquires the first frequency characteristic 56, which is associated with the legitimacy authentication information 48 extracted in the legitimacy authentication process and stored in the participant data 26. Afterwards, the authenticity authentication process proceeds to step ST209.

[0141] The authenticity verification unit 68 extracts the authenticity verification image 57 from the second camera image 88. In step ST209, the authenticity verification unit 68 determines whether the authenticity verification image 57 has been extracted from the second camera image 88. In step ST209, if the authenticity verification image 57 has been extracted, the determination is affirmative, and the authenticity verification process proceeds to step ST210. If the authenticity verification image 57 has not been extracted, the determination is negative, and the authentication process proceeds to step ST218.

[0142] In step ST210, the authenticity verification unit 68 extracts the second frequency characteristic 96 from the authenticity verification image 57. Afterwards, the authenticity verification process proceeds to step ST211.

[0143] In step ST211, the authenticity authentication unit 68 determines whether the difference between the first frequency characteristic 56 and the second frequency characteristic 96 is within a predetermined range. In step ST211, if the difference between the first frequency characteristic 56 and the second frequency characteristic 96 is within the predetermined range, the determination is affirmative, and the authenticity authentication process proceeds to the second process shown in steps ST212 to ST216. If the difference between the first frequency characteristic 56 and the second frequency characteristic 96 is not within the predetermined range, the determination is negated, and the authentication process proceeds to step ST218.

[0144] In the second step of the authenticity authentication process, firstly, in step ST212, the authenticity authentication unit 68 acquires the first camera moment 54, which is associated with the legitimacy authentication information 48 extracted in the legitimacy authentication process and stored in the participant data 26 of the database 24. Afterwards, the authenticity authentication process proceeds to step ST213.

[0145] In step ST213, the authenticity verification unit 68 calculates the difference between the first camera time 54 obtained from the database 24 and the second camera time 89 included in the authentication requirement 76, and then derives the elapsed time from the first camera time 54 to the second camera time 89. Afterwards, the authenticity verification process proceeds to step ST214.

[0146] In step ST214, the authenticity verification unit 68 derives the predicted colorimetric concentration 99 based on the derived elapsed time and the concentration change table 98 stored in the database 24. Afterward, the authenticity verification process proceeds to step ST215.

[0147] In step ST215, the authenticity verification unit 68 measures the color density 100 of the authenticity verification image 57 extracted from the second camera image 88. Afterwards, the authenticity verification process proceeds to step ST216.

[0148] In step ST216, the authenticity verification unit 68 determines whether the difference between the measured colorimetric concentration 100 and the derived predicted colorimetric concentration 99 is within a predetermined range. If the difference between the colorimetric concentration 100 and the predicted colorimetric concentration 99 is within the predetermined range in step ST216, the determination is affirmative, and the verification process proceeds to step ST217. If the difference between the colorimetric concentration 100 and the predicted colorimetric concentration 99 is not within the predetermined range, the determination is negated, and the verification process proceeds to step ST218.

[0149] In step ST217, the CPU 60A of the authentication device 6 sends an authentication signal, indicating that the ID card 14 of the authentication object has been authenticated through self-authentication processing, legitimacy authentication processing, and authenticity authentication processing, from the authentication device 6 to the POS terminal 19, which is the source of the authentication request 76. After that, the authentication process ends.

[0150] In step ST218, the CPU 60A of the authentication device 6 sends an unauthenticated signal, indicating that the ID card 14 of the authentication object has not been authenticated through any of the personal authentication process, legitimacy authentication process, and authenticity authentication process, from the authentication device 6 to the POS terminal 19, which is the source of the authentication request 76. After that, the authentication process ends.

[0151] As explained above, according to this embodiment, the authentication system 2 includes: an issuing device 4 for issuing ID cards 14; and an authentication device 6 for authenticating ID cards 14. The authentication image generation unit 40 of the issuing device 4 acquires a first face image 45 from an original image 10 obtained by photographing the face of a participant 11. The authentication image generation unit 40 generates an authentication image 21 containing the first face image 45 and legitimacy authentication information 48, and outputs the generated authentication image 21 to a printer 20 built into the issuing device 4. The ID card output unit 42 of the issuing device 4 causes the printer 20 to print the authentication image 21 output from the authentication image generation unit 40 onto an instant film 15. The ID card output unit 42 acquires a first photographic image 46 by having a camera 34 photograph the authentication image 21 printed on the instant film 15, and stores the acquired first photographic image 46 in a database 24. Afterwards, the ID card output unit 42 discharges the instant film 15 with the printed authentication image 21 as an ID card 14.

[0152] Therefore, according to this structure, an ID card 14 can be manufactured by printing the authentication image 21 onto the instant film 15. Furthermore, the authenticity authentication unit 68 of the authentication device 6 acquires an image obtained by capturing the authentication image 21 printed on the ID card 14 of the authentication target using a camera 86A as a second photographic image 88. The authenticity authentication unit 68 authenticates the authenticity of the ID card 14 of the authentication target by comparing the density characteristics of the first photographic image 46 obtained from the database 24 with those of the second photographic image 88. In the field of image processing, comparing the density characteristics of images is a relatively common technique. Therefore, according to this structure, for example, compared to the case where an IC memory is provided on the ID card to achieve identity authentication, legitimacy authentication, and authenticity authentication, an authentication system 2 can be provided that can issue ID cards 14 that can perform identity authentication and legitimacy authentication at low cost and easily and quickly, and can perform authenticity authentication of the ID card 14 with a simple structure.

[0153] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the authenticity verification unit 68 verifies the authenticity of the ID card 14 by utilizing the uncertainty of the color density, which varies with each print even when the same image is printed on the same type of instant film 15 due to uneven density. Therefore, according to this structure, by using techniques commonly used in the field of image processing, such as comparing the differences in density between images, the authenticity verification of the ID card 14 can be performed with a simple structure and low cost.

[0154] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the authenticity authentication unit 68 authenticates the authenticity of the ID card 14 by utilizing the fact that even when the same image is printed on the same type of instant film 15, the frequency characteristics of the color density of the image will differ with each print. Therefore, according to this structure, by using techniques commonly used in the field of image processing, such as comparing the differences in the frequency characteristics of the color density of images, the authenticity authentication of the ID card 14 can be performed with a simple structure and low cost.

[0155] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the authenticity authentication unit 68 authenticates the authenticity of the ID card 14 by comparing its concentration characteristics, taking into account the change in the color density 100 of the authentication image 21 printed on the ID card 14 of the authentication object over time. Therefore, according to this structure, even when the color density 100 in the ID card 14 of the authentication object changes over time, accurate authenticity authentication can be performed compared to the case where the change over time is not considered.

[0156] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a portion of the authentication image 21 includes an authenticity verification pattern 50 for comparing concentration characteristics. The authenticity authentication unit 68 authenticates the authenticity of the ID card 14 by comparing the concentration characteristics of the authenticity verification image 57 representing the authenticity verification pattern 50 in the first image 46 with those of the authenticity verification image 57 representing the authenticity verification pattern 50 in the second image 88. Therefore, according to this structure, compared to comparing the concentration characteristics of the entire first image 46 and the second image 88, since only the authenticity verification image 57 is compared, the processing load of the authentication device 6 required for authenticity authentication can be reduced.

[0157] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the authenticity verification pattern 50 is a solid pattern composed of a single pigment. Therefore, according to this structure, compared with the case of using a verification pattern containing multiple colors, it is possible to easily compare the concentration characteristics in the authenticity verification image 57 between the first image 46 and the second image 88.

[0158] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, printer 20 is a density modulation printer. Images printed using a density modulation printer have different frequency characteristics and color reproduction than images printed using an area modulation printer, such as an inkjet printer. Therefore, according to this structure, by utilizing the differences in frequency characteristics and color reproduction compared to area modulation printers, an authentication system 2 that can easily detect forgery can be provided in the event that an ID card 14 has been forged using an area modulation printer.

[0159] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the printer 20 is an instant photo printer that uses an instant photo printing film 15, which is developed using a photosensitive material containing silver halide, as the recording medium. Therefore, according to this structure, by using an instant photo printer as the printer 20, the instant issuance of ID cards 14 can be performed. Moreover, the instant photo printing film 15 has non-uniformity of the photosensitive material on the recording surface and non-uniformity of the developing solution. Therefore, in each of the plurality of instant photo printing films 15, even if the same image is recorded in the same location, the density characteristics are different. By utilizing this characteristic of the instant photo printing film 15, even if an ID card 14 is counterfeited using an instant photo printing film 15 of the same type as a genuine ID card 14, the authenticity of the ID card 14 can be authenticated by comparing the density characteristics.

[0160] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the identity verification unit 64 acquires the face of the holder of the ID card 14 as the second face image 92. The identity verification unit 64 verifies that the holder of the ID card 14 is the creator of the ID card 14 by comparing the first facial feature 47 extracted from the first facial image 45 included in the second captured image 88 with the second facial feature 94 extracted from the second facial image 92. Therefore, according to this structure, compared with the case where the first facial image 45 included in the ID card 14 is compared with the face of the holder of the ID card 14 by the naked eye, there is no need for a manager to make the comparison, and the accuracy of identity verification is improved.

[0161] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the authentication image generation unit 40 embeds the first facial feature value 47 extracted from the first face image 45 into the authentication image 21. The identity verification unit 64 verifies that the person is the holder of the ID card 14 by comparing the first facial feature value 47 extracted from the authentication image 21 contained in the second photographic image 88 obtained by photographing the ID card 14 of the person being verified with the second facial feature value 94 extracted from the second face image 92. Therefore, according to this structure, the first facial feature value 47 is pre-embedded into the authentication image 21, and identity verification is performed based on the first facial feature value 47 extracted from the authentication image 21. Each time identity verification is performed, compared with the case where the first facial feature value 47 is extracted from the first face image 45, the processing load for identity verification in the authentication system 2 is reduced, and the processing time is shortened.

[0162] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the legitimacy authentication information 48 and the first facial feature 47 are embedded as an electronic watermark 52 into the authentication image 21. Therefore, according to this structure, compared to the case where the legitimacy authentication information 48 and the first facial feature 47 are directly embedded into the authentication image 21, it is difficult to forge the legitimacy authentication information 48 and the first facial feature 47, thus providing a highly secure ID card 14.

[0163] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the authentication image generation unit 40, the ID card output unit 42, the first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44, and the printer 20 are integrated into a single housing. Therefore, according to this structure, compared to the case where the authentication image generation unit 40, the ID card output unit 42, the first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44, and the printer 20 have separate housings, space can be saved by configuring the authentication system 2 accordingly.

[0164] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a camera 34 for acquiring the first image 46 is built into the housing. Therefore, according to this structure, compared to the case where the authentication image generation unit 40, ID card output unit 42, first frequency characteristic acquisition unit 44, printer 20, and camera 34 have separate housings, the authentication system 2 can be configured in a space-saving manner.

[0165] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first image 46 and the second image 88 are acquired by cameras 34 and 86A, respectively, which have the same imaging performance. Therefore, according to this structure, since the influence of the difference in imaging performance between cameras 34 and 86A on the density characteristics is reduced, it is easier to compare the density characteristics of the first image 46 and the second image 88 compared to the case where the first image 46 and the second image 88 are acquired using cameras with different imaging performance.

[0166] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the camera 34 acquiring the first image 46 and the camera 86A acquiring the second image 88 have the same imaging performance; however, the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. The camera 34 acquiring the first image 46 and the camera 86A acquiring the second image 88 may also have different imaging performance. For example, in this case, such as... Figure 21 As shown, the authenticity authentication unit 68 can also correct the second image 88 based on the difference in imaging performance between camera 34 and camera 86A, and use the corrected second image 88 to authenticate the authenticity of ID card 14. Therefore, according to this structure, the accuracy of authenticity authentication can be improved compared to the case where the second image 88 obtained by camera 86A, which has imaging performance different from camera 34, is directly used for authenticity authentication.

[0167] Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes printer 20 as an instant photo printer, the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. Printer 20 can, for example, be a sublimation printer using the sublimation thermal transfer method described above. In sublimation printers, plastic cards can be used as the recording medium instead of dedicated coated paper. When using a sublimation printer, ID cards 14 can also be created by printing authentication images 21 on plastic cards. Furthermore, printer 20 can also be an inkjet printer using an inkjet method. Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the density characteristics vary depending on the printing method. Therefore, even when using a printer other than an instant photo printer, it is possible to verify the authenticity of an ID card 14 counterfeited using a printer with a different printing method.

[0168] Furthermore, similar to instant photo printers, sublimation printers, when printing the same image on the same type of recording medium, exhibit significant variations in density, resulting in inconsistent color density each time the image is printed. For example, sublimation printers experience thermal fluctuations due to heat generation and storage of the thermal printhead, leading to uneven density each time the same image is printed on the same type of recording medium. Similarly, inkjet printers experience variations in dot placement, resulting in uneven density each time the same image is printed on the same type of recording medium. Therefore, even when using sublimation printers (other than instant photo printers), it is possible to verify the authenticity of a counterfeit ID card 14 printed using the same type of printer.

[0169] However, as mentioned above, the instant photo film 15 has inhomogeneities in the photosensitive material and developing solution. Therefore, compared to issuing ID cards 14 using a sublimation printer or an inkjet printer, when issuing ID cards 14 using an instant photo printer, the uncertainty of color density can easily be exploited in the authentication of authenticity. Therefore, as the printer 20, an instant photo printer is preferred over a sublimation printer or an inkjet printer.

[0170] Furthermore, the printing method of the instant photo film 15 differs from that of sublimation printers and inkjet printers, which use additive color mixing with photosensitive materials that develop colors of B (blue), G (green), and R (red), in that it utilizes subtractive color mixing with colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). Because of the significant difference in density characteristics between additive and subtractive color mixing, counterfeit ID cards 14 using sublimation printers and inkjet printers can be easily detected by using the instant photo printer 20, which is used to issue ID cards 14.

[0171] Furthermore, as mentioned above, instant photo printers and sublimation printers are density-modulated printers, while inkjet printers are area-modulated printers. Compared to area-modulated printers, density-modulated printers exhibit greater uncertainty in color density. In other words, the uneven density in inkjet printers is caused by variations in the dot's landing position, which is controlled by the mechanical position of the printhead. Regarding the causes of uneven density in density-modulated printers, for instant photo printers, it is due to the inhomogeneity of the photosensitive material and developer; for sublimation printers, it is due to thermal variations caused by the heating and heat storage of the thermal printhead. This is because controlling the inhomogeneity of the photosensitive material and developer or the thermal variations of the thermal printhead is more difficult than controlling the mechanical position of the printhead.

[0172] In this invention, the uncertainty of the printer's color density is used for authenticity verification; therefore, the greater the uncertainty of the color density, the better the printer used in this invention. Thus, compared to inkjet printers with equal area modulation, printers with density modulation methods such as instant photo printers and sublimation printers are preferred.

[0173] Furthermore, as the printer used in the technology of this invention, an instant photo printer with greater uncertainty in color density is preferred over a sublimation printer.

[0174] Furthermore, when using a sublimation printer and an inkjet printer as printer 20, it is preferable to increase the reading resolution of the authenticity verification image 57 compared to using an instant photo printer. This is because, although the sublimation printer uses the same density modulation method as the instant photo printer, its color density has less uncertainty compared to the instant film 15, thus requiring higher reading accuracy. And this is because, as... Figure 9 Compared to instant photo printers, the inkjet printers shown have more uneven density in the high-frequency region, thus requiring high-precision reading.

[0175] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the method of integrating the camera 34 and printer 20 into the issuing device 4 has been described as an example, but the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the camera 34 and / or printer 20 may also have a housing different from that of the issuing device 4.

[0176] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, examples have been described where the issuing device 4, authentication device 6, and database 24 each have different housings; however, the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. The issuing device 4, authentication device 6, and database 24 may be housed in the same housing, or at least two of the issuing device 4, authentication device 6, and database 24 may be housed in the same housing. When the issuing device 4 and authentication device 6 are housed in the same housing, a single computer can function as both computer 32 and computer 60.

[0177] Furthermore, while the above embodiments describe an example of how the authentication system 2 is used in activities involving the sale of food and / or goods, the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the authentication system 2 can also be used in commercial facilities where payments are made in multiple locations, including shopping malls, shopping streets, hotels, and inns. Furthermore, while the above embodiments describe an example of how the authentication system 2 manages the payment information 30 of each participant 11, the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the authentication system 2 can also be used to manage the entry and exit of participants 11 in highly confidential facilities, membership-based facilities, and private events such as weddings.

[0178] Furthermore, while the above embodiments describe an authentication process performed in the order of self-authentication, legitimacy authentication, and authenticity authentication, the present invention is not limited to this, and the order in which these processes are performed can be appropriately changed. Moreover, self-authentication, legitimacy authentication, and authenticity authentication can also be performed in parallel.

[0179] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the authenticity verification process was described as including a first process that checks the uncertainty of the color density of image 57 using an authenticity check and a second process that checks the time-dependent change of the color density of image 57 using an authenticity check; however, the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. The authenticity verification process may include at least one of the first and second processes. Furthermore, the order in which the first and second processes are performed may be changed, or they may be performed in parallel.

[0180] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example of configuring the authenticity verification pattern 50 in the lower right corner of the authentication image 21 has been described. However, the technology of the present invention is not limited to this, and the authenticity verification pattern 50 can also be configured at any position on the authentication image 21. Moreover, the authenticity verification pattern 50 can also be configured at a position other than the electronic watermark embedded image 49. Furthermore, the number of authenticity verification patterns 50 is not limited to one; multiple patterns can be configured.

[0181] Figure 22The example shown is an instance where the authenticity verification image 57, corresponding to the authenticity verification pattern 50, is printed in multiple locations on ID card 14. Figure 22 In the example shown, the authentication image 21 is the entire area of ​​the ID card 14 containing the electronic watermark embedded image 49. Furthermore, the authenticity verification image 57 is printed at the four corners of the electronic watermark embedded image 49. The authenticity verification image 57 is also printed in areas outside the electronic watermark embedded image 49.

[0182] According to this structure, compared to using a single authenticity checker to perform authenticity verification on image 57, the accuracy of authenticity verification can be improved by using multiple authenticity checkser to perform authenticity verification on image 57. This is because the number of comparison objects for concentration characteristics increases.

[0183] This effect is particularly noticeable when using instant film 15. That is to say, as... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the developing film 15 produces inhomogeneities in the photosensitive material and developer on the recording surface. At this time, the density characteristics of multiple verification images 57 printed on a single developing film 15 using the same verification pattern 50 can easily change depending on their position. Therefore, the more verification images 57 there are in the developing film 15, the more comparison objects with different density characteristics there are.

[0184] Furthermore, by printing multiple authenticity verification images 57, the resistance to reading errors of the authenticity verification images 57 caused by interference such as dirt is increased, and the durability is improved.

[0185] Furthermore, the authenticity verification pattern 50 and the authenticity verification image 57 formed by printing the authenticity verification pattern 50 can be generated using QR codes (registered trademarks). QR codes (registered trademarks) are composed of solid pattern blocks measuring a few millimeters square, therefore a portion of the QR code can be used as the authenticity verification pattern 50 and the authenticity verification image 57. Moreover, by using QR codes, existing software such as QR code readers can be easily used to read the authenticity verification image 57.

[0186] Furthermore, the authenticity verification image 57 can be a pattern other than a solid pattern in a single color, or a striped pattern in two or more colors. Also, the shape can be other than a square, such as a circle, polygon, rectangle, or stripe.

[0187] Furthermore, the size of the authenticity verification image 57, as described above, only needs to be a few millimeters square. This is because, at this size, the required density characteristics for comparison can be obtained, for example, by reading at a resolution of approximately 600 dpi (dots per inch). Since the authenticity verification image 57 is relatively small, multiple images can be easily set within the ID card 14.

[0188] Furthermore, while the above embodiment uses an example where only an image is used as authentication information, voice can also be used in addition to images. For example, when capturing the original image 10 using the smart device 8, the participant 11's voice is also captured using the recording function of the smart device 8. The captured voice information is then registered in the database 24. The URL, etc., that allows access to the voice information is pre-recorded in the ID card 14. This registered voice information is used as authentication information for personal authentication or authenticity verification.

[0189] Furthermore, while computers 32, 60, and 78 have been exemplified in the above embodiments, the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) can be applied.

[0190] Devices using FPGAs and / or PLDs (programmable logic devices) can replace 32, 60, or 78 computers. Furthermore, a combination of hardware and software architectures can also be used to replace 32, 60, or 78 computers.

[0191] Furthermore, while the above embodiment illustrates an example of ID card issuance processing performed by the CPU 32A of the issuing device 4, the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. A GPU (graphics processing unit) or multiple CPUs may be used instead of the CPU 32A. Moreover, various processes may be performed by a single processor or multiple physically separate processors.

[0192] Furthermore, while the above embodiment illustrates an example of authentication processing being performed by the CPU 60A of the authentication device 6, the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. A GPU (graphics processing unit) or multiple CPUs may be used instead of the CPU 60A. Moreover, various processes may be performed by a single processor or multiple physically separate processors.

[0193] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, an example of storing the ID card issuance program 38 in the NVM32B has been described, but the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. As an example, such as Figure 23 As shown, the ID card issuance program 38 can also be stored in the removable storage medium 200. The storage medium 200 is a non-transitory storage medium. Examples of storage medium 200 include SSDs or USB memory. The ID card issuance program 38 stored in the storage medium 200 is installed in the computer 32, and the CPU 32A performs ID card issuance processing according to the installed ID card issuance program 38.

[0194] Furthermore, the ID card issuance program 38 can be pre-stored in the program memory of another computer or server device connected to the computer 32 via a communication network (not shown). Upon request from the issuance device 4, the ID card issuance program 38 is downloaded to the issuance device 4. At this time, the CPU 32A of the computer 32 executes the ID card issuance process based on the downloaded ID card issuance program 38.

[0195] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, an example of storing the authentication program 62 in the NVM60B has been described, but the technology of the present invention is not limited thereto. As an example, such as Figure 24 As shown, the authentication program 62 may also be stored in the removable storage medium 201. The storage medium 201 is a non-transitory storage medium. Examples of storage media 201 include SSDs or USB memory. The authentication program 62 stored in the storage medium 201 is installed in the computer 60, and the CPU 60A performs authentication processing based on the installed authentication program 62.

[0196] Alternatively, the authentication program 62 can be pre-stored in the program memory of another computer or server device connected to the computer 60 via a communication network (not shown), and downloaded to the authentication device 6 upon request. At this time, the CPU 60A of the computer 60 executes the authentication process based on the downloaded authentication program 62.

[0197] As hardware resources for performing ID card issuance and authentication processes, various processors can be used, as shown below. As a processor, for example as described above, a general-purpose processor, i.e., a CPU, can be cited as a hardware resource that performs data processing according to software, i.e., programs.

[0198] Furthermore, other processors, such as FPGAs, PLDs, or ASICs, are dedicated circuits with circuit structures specifically designed to perform particular processes. Every processor has built-in or connected memory, and every processor performs data processing using this memory.

[0199] The hardware resources for performing data processing can consist of one of these various processors, or a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Furthermore, the hardware resources for performing data processing can be a single processor.

[0200] As examples of a single processor, firstly, there are configurations such as client and server computers, where a single processor is a combination of one or more CPUs and software, functioning as a hardware resource for data processing. Secondly, there are configurations such as SoCs (system-on-a-chip), where a single IC chip implements the overall system functionality, including multiple hardware resources for data processing. In this way, one or more of these processors are used as hardware resources to perform data processing.

[0201] Moreover, the hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, can be a circuit composed of combined semiconductor elements and other circuit elements.

[0202] Furthermore, the data processing described above is just one example. Therefore, without deviating from the main point, unnecessary steps can certainly be deleted, new steps can be added, or the processing order can be changed.

[0203] The descriptions and illustrations above are detailed explanations of the parts involved in the technology of this invention, and are merely examples of the technology of this invention. For example, the descriptions of the structure, function, effect, and effect described above are examples of the structure, function, effect, and effect of the parts involved in the technology of this invention. Therefore, without departing from the technical spirit of this invention, unnecessary parts can be deleted, or new elements can be added or replaced with the descriptions and illustrations above. Furthermore, in order to avoid complicating the technical aspects of this invention and to facilitate understanding, explanations of common technical knowledge that do not require special explanation based on the technology enabling the implementation of this invention have been omitted from the descriptions and illustrations above.

[0204] In this specification, "A and / or B" has the same definition as "at least one of A and B". That is, "A and / or B" means that it can be only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. Furthermore, in this specification, when more than three items are described together using "and / or", the same concept as "A and / or B" also applies.

[0205] All documents, patent applications and technical standards described in this specification are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as the individual documents, patent applications and technical standards specifically and separately described and incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. An ID card authentication system, comprising: an issuing device for issuing ID cards; and an authentication device for authenticating the ID cards, wherein, The issuing device includes a first processor. The first processor performs the following processing: Obtain the first facial image of the captured person; The authentication image is output by a printer that issues ID cards by printing an authentication image containing the first facial image and authentication information for authentication legitimacy onto a card-shaped recording medium; The first camera image, obtained by capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card by the camera, is stored in the memory. The authentication device includes a second processor. The second processor performs the following processing: The image obtained by capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card of the authentication object by a camera is used as the second camera image; Based on the time-dependent change in the color density of the authentication image printed on the ID card of the authentication object, the authenticity of the ID card of the authentication object is authenticated by comparing the density characteristics of the first image obtained from the memory and the second image obtained from the camera.

2. The ID card authentication system according to claim 1, wherein, The second processor authenticates the authenticity of the ID card of the object being authenticated by taking advantage of the uncertainty that the uneven density of the color development will vary with each print, even when the same image is printed on the same type of recording medium.

3. The ID card authentication system according to claim 1, wherein, The second processor authenticates the authenticity of the ID card of the object being authenticated by taking advantage of the fact that the color density of the image varies with each print, even when the same image is printed on the same type of recording medium.

4. The ID card authentication system according to claim 1, wherein, A portion of the authentication image includes a verification section for comparing concentration characteristics. The second processor authenticates the authenticity of the ID card by comparing the density characteristics of the verification portion of the first and second camera images, respectively.

5. The ID card authentication system according to claim 4, wherein, The verification section is a solid pattern composed of a single color.

6. The ID card authentication system according to claim 1, wherein, The printer in question is a density modulation printer.

7. The ID card authentication system according to claim 6, wherein, The printer is an instant photo printer that uses instant film, which is developed by a photosensitive material containing silver halide, as the recording medium.

8. The ID card authentication system according to claim 1, wherein, The second processor performs the following processing: Obtain the face of the holder of the ID card of the authentication object as the second face image; The holder of the ID card of the object being authenticated is identified by comparing the facial feature data extracted from the first face image contained in the second camera image with the facial feature data extracted from the second face image.

9. The ID card authentication system according to claim 8, wherein, The first processor performs the following processing: The facial features extracted from the first facial image are embedded into the authentication image. The second processor performs the following processing: The person in the second face image is identified as the holder of the ID card by comparing the facial feature data extracted from the authentication image contained in the second camera image with the facial feature data extracted from the second face image.

10. The ID card authentication system according to claim 9, wherein, The authentication information and the facial feature data are embedded as an electronic watermark into the authentication image.

11. The ID card authentication system according to claim 1, wherein, The first processor and the printer are housed within a single housing.

12. The ID card authentication system according to claim 11, wherein, The housing contains a camera for acquiring the first image.

13. The ID card authentication system according to claim 1, wherein, The first and second images were acquired by cameras with the same camera performance.

14. The authentication system for ID cards according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The second processor performs the following processing: The second image is corrected based on the difference in camera performance between the camera that acquired the first image and the camera that acquired the second image. The authenticity of the ID card of the object being authenticated is verified using the corrected second camera image.

15. An ID card authentication method, comprising an ID card issuing device and an ID card authentication device, wherein, The ID card issuing device shall perform the following steps: The first face image acquisition step involves acquiring the first face image of the captured human face; The output step outputs the authentication image to a printer that issues ID cards by printing an authentication image containing the first facial image and authentication information for authentication legitimacy onto a card-shaped recording medium. and The storage step involves storing the first camera image, obtained by capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card, in the memory. The ID card authentication device shall perform the following steps: The second camera image acquisition step involves acquiring an image obtained by capturing an authentication image printed on the ID card of the authentication object using a camera, which is then used as the second camera image. and The authentication process, taking into account the time-dependent changes in the color density of the authentication image printed on the ID card of the object being authenticated, verifies the authenticity of the ID card by comparing the density characteristics of the first image obtained from the memory and the second image obtained from the camera.

16. A computer-readable storage medium storing an ID card authentication program for enabling an ID card authentication system, the ID card authentication system comprising: a first computer for issuing ID cards; and a second computer for authenticating ID cards, wherein, The authentication process of the ID card is used to enable the first computer to function as follows: The first face image acquisition unit acquires a first face image of a person's face. The output unit outputs the authentication image to a printer that issues ID cards by printing an authentication image containing the first facial image and authentication information for authentication legitimacy onto a card-shaped recording medium; and The storage unit stores the first photographic image, obtained by capturing the authentication image printed on the ID card by the camera, in the memory, and... The authentication process of the ID card is used to enable the second computer to function as follows: The second camera image acquisition unit acquires an image obtained by taking a picture of the authentication image printed on the ID card of the authentication object by the camera as the second camera image; and The authentication department, taking into account the time-dependent changes in the color density of the authentication image printed on the ID card of the authentication object, authenticates the authenticity of the ID card of the authentication object by comparing the density characteristics of the first image obtained from the memory and the second image obtained from the camera.

Images