Interface device for face recognition door control system

Abstract

To provide an interface device for a face recognition door control system that can prompt a user to resolve the cause of face recognition failure by notifying the user of the cause to realize smooth locking / unlocking of doors through face recognition.SOLUTION: A device serving as an interface between a door control system for locking / unlocking a door using face recognition and a user includes an infrared camera unit 2 for picking up a face image for face recognition, an ambient light sensor unit 3 provided in the vicinity of an infrared camera to detect the brightness of the surroundings, a voice message unit 6 for outputting a voice message, and a control unit 8 for controlling these units. The control unit 8 is configured to, when the face recognition is not successful, specify the cause thereof, causes the voice message unit 6 to output a voice message corresponding to the specified cause, and prompt the user to eliminate the cause of the face recognition not being successful.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an interface device for a face recognition type door control system, and more particularly to an interface device with a user in a door control system that performs locking and unlocking of a door and / or opening and closing control of a door using face recognition.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, door control systems that perform locking and unlocking of a door using face recognition have been provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 6 shows an example of a face recognition procedure in such a door control system. In this door control system, face recognition processing is started by operating a start button provided in an interface device (not shown) (see steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 6). When unlocking the door, the user (the person to be authenticated) operates this start button to start face recognition processing.

[0003] When face recognition processing is started, imaging is performed by imaging means provided in the interface device. This imaging is performed to acquire a face image of the person to be authenticated, and after imaging, it is determined whether or not a human face is included in the imaged image (presence or absence of face detection) (see step S3 in FIG. 6). This determination is repeatedly performed for a certain period of time until a face is detected. If a face is not detected within a certain period of time, the interface device determines that face recognition has failed (see steps S4 and S5 in FIG. 6).

[0004] On the other hand, when a face is detected within a certain period of time, the interface device determines whether or not the detected face image is a living body image (see steps S6 and S7 in FIG. 6). This determination is for preventing face recognition from being performed based on an image other than a living body such as a photograph. If this determination is negative, similar to the case where a face is not detected, the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG. 6 and it is determined that face recognition has failed.

[0005] On the other hand, if the determination is affirmative, the interface device determines whether the captured face image belongs to a registered user (see steps S8 and S9 in FIG. 6). This determination is made using known face recognition technology. For example, by detecting the feature points of the face (such as the positions and contours of the eyes, nose, and mouth) from the captured face image and performing matching with the feature point data of the face of the registered user registered in advance, it is determined whether the captured image belongs to the registered user.

[0006] If this determination is negative, the interface device determines that the captured image is an image of an unregistered user and notifies the user of an error indicating that the user is unregistered (see steps S10 and S11 in FIG. 6). On the other hand, if this determination is affirmative, the interface device determines that the face authentication is successful, locks / unlocks the door, and notifies the user that the face authentication has been successful (see steps S12 and S13 in FIG. 6).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] As described above, a door control system that locks and unlocks a door using face authentication is excellent in convenience because the door can be locked and unlocked without a key. However, if face authentication fails for some reason, the user cannot recognize the cause of the failure. For example, if the imaging of the face image fails due to the influence of external light such as backlight, if the cause is known, the user can easily succeed in imaging the face image by blocking the external light, such as by holding a hand in front of the face, and perform the locking and unlocking of the door by face authentication. However, if the cause remains unknown, the door must be locked and unlocked by a method other than face authentication (for example, by entering a password or using a physical key), which impairs convenience.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to prompt a user to eliminate the cause by notifying the cause of face authentication failure, and to provide an interface device for a face authentication type door control system capable of realizing smooth locking and unlocking of a door by face authentication.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, an interface device for a face authentication type door control system according to the present invention is a device that constitutes an interface between the door control system and a user in a door control system that performs locking and unlocking of a door and / or opening and closing control of a door using face authentication, and includes an imaging means for imaging a face image for the face authentication, an illuminance detection means disposed near the imaging means for detecting the ambient brightness, a voice output means for outputting a predetermined voice message, and a control means. The control means has a control configuration for specifying the cause when the authentication fails in the face authentication and causing the voice output means to output a voice message corresponding to the specified cause.

[0011] In this interface device, when the face authentication fails, the cause is specified and a voice message corresponding to the specified cause is output, so that the user of the door control system can grasp the cause of the face authentication failure. For example, when the imaging of the face image of the person to be authenticated cannot be performed normally due to the influence of light such as backlight, by outputting a voice message indicating that the light is strong, the user can grasp the cause of the face authentication failure and take measures against the cause (for example, blocking the incident light to the imaging means with the hand).

[0012] And, as a preferred embodiment, the interface device for a face authentication type door control system according to the present invention is characterized in that the voice message includes a countermeasure for eliminating the specified cause. Thereby, the user can clearly grasp the countermeasure against the face authentication failure and take appropriate measures for eliminating the cause.

[0013] Also, as another preferred embodiment, the interface device of the face authentication type door control system according to the present invention has a display means, and the control means has a control configuration for causing the display means to display a display corresponding to the specified cause together with the output of the voice message. In this embodiment, since the display corresponding to the specified cause of authentication failure is displayed on the display means, the user can also grasp the cause of face authentication failure by visual information.

[0014] Also, as another preferred embodiment, the interface device of the face authentication type door control system according to the present invention has a control configuration in which the control means analyzes the position of the face of the person to be authenticated from the image data captured by the imaging means, and outputs a voice message prompting correction of the face position when the position of the face of the person to be authenticated deviates from a predetermined shooting position. In this embodiment, since a voice message prompting correction of the face position is output when the position of the face of the person to be authenticated deviates from a predetermined shooting position, it is possible to eliminate authentication failure due to an inappropriate face position.

[0015] Also, as another preferred embodiment, the interface device of the face authentication type door control system according to the present invention has a control configuration in which the control means analyzes the light irradiation situation on the imaging means from the exposure time of the imaging means and / or the detection value of the illuminance detection means, and outputs a voice message prompting to block the light irradiated on the imaging means when the light irradiated on the imaging means exceeds a predetermined condition. In this embodiment, since a voice message prompting to block the light irradiated on the imaging means is output when the light irradiated on the imaging means exceeds a predetermined condition, it is possible to eliminate authentication failure due to the influence of disturbing light such as backlight.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, when a user of a door control system fails in face authentication, the cause of the failure can be grasped, so that countermeasures to eliminate the cause can be taken quickly and accurately. Therefore, locking and unlocking of the door by face authentication can be performed smoothly, and a practically user-friendly face authentication type door control system can be provided.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the interface device 1 of the face authentication type door control system according to the present invention. The interface device 1 of the face authentication type door control system according to the present invention is a device that constitutes an interface between the face authentication type door control system and the user, and is applied to an interface device such as a door control system including an electric lock unit that performs locking / unlocking (locking and unlocking) control according to an electric signal, or a door control system including a door engine that performs opening / closing control of the door according to an electric signal.

[0019] The interface device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device applied to a door control system in which door locking and unlocking control is performed. It is arranged near the door handle of a door (for example, above the door handle) not shown in the figure and is used for face authentication when locking or unlocking the door. As shown in FIG. 2, this interface device 1 mainly includes an infrared camera unit 2, an ambient light sensor unit 3, an electric lock unit 4, an operation display unit 5, an audio message unit 6, a power supply unit 7, and a control unit 8.

[0020] The infrared camera unit 2 is a unit that constitutes an imaging means for capturing a face image for face authentication, and includes an infrared camera 21 and an infrared illuminator 22. As is well known, the infrared camera 21 captures an image while illuminating the surroundings with the infrared illuminator 22, so that an image for face authentication can be captured even in the dark at night. In this embodiment, as will be described later, since a light sensor 31 for detecting the brightness around the infrared camera 21 is provided, the control unit 8 determines the influence of external light based on the exposure time of the infrared camera 21 and the detection value of the light sensor 31.

[0021] In addition, the infrared camera unit 2 is rotatably supported on the housing 11 of the interface device 1 via a rotation shaft 23, and is configured such that the direction of the infrared camera 21 can be pivoted up and down. Thereby, the direction of the infrared camera 21 can be adjusted according to the height of the user, and anyone can capture a face image suitable for face authentication. In this embodiment, the case where the infrared camera 21 is used as the face image capturing means is shown, but of course, a camera other than the infrared camera can be used as long as it can capture a face image suitable for face authentication. Also, when using a camera other than the infrared camera, an illuminator (projector) adapted to the camera is adopted instead of the infrared illuminator 22.

[0022] The ambient light sensor unit 3 is a unit that constitutes illuminance detection means for detecting the ambient brightness, and includes a light sensor (ambient light sensor) 31 for detecting brightness. In the present embodiment, the light sensor 31 is disposed near the infrared camera 21 and detects the brightness around the infrared camera 21. In the illustrated example, the light-receiving portion of the light sensor 31 is externally exposed and disposed at a portion near the infrared camera unit 2 in the touch sensor panel 51 to be described later (specifically, between the numbers "1" and "2" near the upper end of the touch sensor panel 51), so that the external brightness can be detected by the light-receiving portion.

[0023] The electric lock unit 4 is a unit that receives a predetermined electric signal (locking / unlocking signal) given from the control unit 8 and performs locking / unlocking of a door D (not shown), and includes an electric lock mechanism including a deadbolt, a drive unit for driving the electric lock mechanism, and a drive circuit unit (none of which are shown) for generating a drive signal for controlling the operation of the drive unit. The electric lock mechanism and the drive unit are housed in the door D, and the drive circuit unit is housed in the interface device 1.

[0024] The operation display unit 5 is a unit that also serves as input means and display means. In the present embodiment, a touch sensor panel 51 is used as this unit. In the illustrated example, as this touch sensor panel 51, a panel provided with 12-channel input operation units 52, 52,... and 4-channel LED display units 53, 53,... is used. In the 12-segment input operation unit 52, the numbers "0" to "9" and the European characters "C" and "E" are assigned. Also, to the four LED display units 53, predetermined icons for displaying the status of the electric lock unit 4 such as "locked", "unlocked", and the "remaining battery level" of the power supply unit 7 are assigned.

[0025] In addition, in the present embodiment, a push-button type switch 54 is provided at the lower end of the touch sensor panel 51, and this switch 54 serves as an activation button for face authentication described later. In the illustrated example, the input operation unit 52, the LED display unit 53, and the push-button type switch 54 are arranged on one touch sensor panel 51, but a part or all of these may be configured in an independent form.

[0026] The voice message unit 6 is a unit that constitutes voice output means for outputting a predetermined voice message or the like. In the present embodiment, it is configured to output a predetermined voice message and a predetermined electronic sound as acoustic information, which will be described later. This voice message unit 6 includes a voice memory that stores data serving as a sound source, a decoder for the data in the voice memory, a D / A conversion circuit for the decoded data, a voice amplification circuit, a speaker (none of which are shown), etc., and is configured to be able to output a predetermined voice message or the like to the outside through the speaker based on an instruction from the control unit 8.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates voice messages and the like stored in the voice memory of the voice message unit 6. As shown in the figure, in the interface device 1 shown in the present embodiment, in relation to the face authentication process, 14 types of voice messages shown in File_N0.1 to File_No.14 are stored in the voice memory corresponding to two languages, Japanese and English. In the following description, it will be described assuming that a Japanese voice message is selected.

[0028] Here, the voice messages stored in the voice memory include, in addition to voice messages that only convey the results, such as "Authentication successful.", "Authentication failed.", and "User not registered.", voice messages that prompt the user to perform actions (actions that serve as countermeasures to avoid authentication failure), such as "Please stand in front of the camera.", "Please block the light from your hand to the face or the camera.", and "Please move your face position slightly downward.", and further voice messages that inform the cause of the failure to succeed (failure) in face authentication, such as "Failed in biometric authentication due to light influence." and "Failed to discriminate registration information due to light influence."

[0029] Also, in the voice memory, as electronic sounds, there are stored two modes of electronic sounds: a long-drawn "beep" sound and a short-pitched "bip" sound.

[0030] The power supply unit 7 is a power supply means that supplies power to each part of the interface device 1. In this embodiment, it is composed of a power supply circuit using dry batteries (not shown) as the power source. The above-described infrared camera unit 2, ambient light sensor unit 3, electric lock unit 4, operation display unit 5, voice message unit 6, and the control unit 8 described later all operate by receiving power supply from the power supply unit 7.

[0031] The control unit 8 is a control means that controls each part of the interface device 1 and is composed of a microcomputer (not shown). As is well known, a microcomputer includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O ports, etc., and executes predetermined processing based on a program stored in the ROM. In this embodiment, this microcomputer is configured to execute processing such as face authentication processing, cause identification processing, lock / unlock control, display control, and voice output control.

[0032] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the face authentication procedure in the interface device 1 will be described.

[0033] (1) When performing face authentication, the user presses the activation button (push-button switch 54) located on the front of the interface device 1 (see step S1 in FIG. 3).

[0034] When the control unit 8 receives the operation of the activation button, it starts the infrared camera unit 2 and the ambient light sensor unit 3 and starts the face authentication process (see step S2 in FIG. 3). At this time, since the light sensor 31 detects the brightness around the infrared camera 21 when the ambient light sensor unit 3 is started, the control unit 8 determines the influence of external light from the detection value of the light sensor 31 and the exposure time of the infrared camera 21.

[0035] In addition, in accordance with the start of the infrared camera unit 2 and the ambient light sensor unit 3, the control unit 8 causes the voice message unit 6 to output a voice message prompting the user to stand in front of the infrared camera 21. Specifically, it outputs the voice message "Please stand in front of the camera." shown in File_No.1 of FIG. 5. As a result, the user (the person to be authenticated) recognizes that the face authentication process has started and moves in front of the infrared camera 21, so that an image for face authentication is captured by the infrared camera 21.

[0036] (2) After the user's image is captured by the infrared camera 21 in this way, next, the control unit 8 analyzes the captured image to determine whether the image contains an image corresponding to a "face" (the presence or absence of face detection) (see step S3 in FIG. 3).

[0037] Then, if this determination is negative, that is, if no "face" can be detected in the captured image, the control unit 8 executes a process of analyzing the captured face image and identifying the cause of the failure to detect the face (cause identification process). In this case, the control unit 8 analyzes the position of the user's face and determines whether the position of the user's face has deviated from the shooting position. For example, it determines whether the standing position (face position) of the user is too close or too far, or whether the position of the user's face protrudes in any of the up, down, left, or right directions, and identifies the cause of the failure to detect the face. If any of these cases apply, according to the result, it causes the voice message unit 6 to output a voice message of a countermeasure method for prompting the correction of the cause (in this case, a voice message for prompting the correction of the face position) (see step S4 in FIG. 3).

[0038] Specifically, when the face position protrudes upward, it causes the voice message unit to output a voice message saying "Please move your face position down a little.", and when it protrudes downward, it outputs a voice message saying "Please move your face position up a little." (see File_No.3,4 in FIG. 5). Also, when the face position protrudes to the left, it outputs a voice message saying "Please move your face position to the right a little.", and when it protrudes to the right, it outputs a voice message saying "Please move your face position to the left a little." (see File_No.5,6 in FIG. 5). Furthermore, when the face position is too far, it outputs a voice message saying "Please move your face position closer a little.", and when it is too close, it outputs a voice message saying "Please move your face position away a little." (see File_No.7,8 in FIG. 5).

[0039] Also, when the analyzed image does not contain any image corresponding to a "face" at all, the control unit 8 causes the voice message unit 6 to output a voice message notifying the user of the cause of the failure of face authentication (see step S5 in FIG. 3). Specifically, it causes the output of a voice message saying, "Face cannot be recognized." (see File_No.12 in FIG. 5). Here, when no image corresponding to a face is included, it is not possible to instruct a specific countermeasure (operation) for correcting the cause. However, by notifying the user of the cause, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an operation to spontaneously eliminate the cause.

[0040] (3) The control unit 8 repeats the processes of steps S4 or S5 in FIG. 3 until the determination in the process of step S3 in FIG. 3 (presence or absence of face detection) becomes affirmative (see "No" in step S6 in FIG. 3). And when the determination does not become affirmative even after a certain period of time has elapsed (see "Yes" in step S6 in FIG. 3), it proceeds to step S7 in the next FIG. 4 and determines whether the cause of the failure to detect a face is due to ambient light (cause identification process).

[0041] (4) Here, since the infrared camera 21 may not be able to capture a normal image of a face due to the influence of light such as illumination or sunlight when directly capturing the light, in the interface device 1 shown in this embodiment, the presence or absence of the influence of such ambient light is determined based on the detection value of the ambient light sensor unit 3 or the like.

[0042] Specifically, in the interface device 1 shown in this embodiment, two determinations, namely, a determination based on the exposure time of the infrared camera 21 and the detection value (sensor value) of the light sensor 31, and a determination based on the number of retry times of face detection, are determined with an OR condition (see step S7 in FIG. 4).

[0043] That is, the former determination is made when both the exposure time is equal to or less than a predetermined value Th1 (60 in the illustrated example) and the detected value of the optical sensor 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Th2 (20 Klux in the illustrated example), it is determined that there is an influence by ambient light. That is, in the former determination, the control unit 8 analyzes the light irradiation situation from the exposure time of the infrared camera 21 and the detected value of the optical sensor 31. Here, this determination can also be made only based on the detected value of the optical sensor 31, but by using the exposure time of the infrared camera 21 together, the influence by ambient light can be grasped more accurately. Note that the exposure time of the infrared camera 21 and the detected value of the optical sensor 31, which are the thresholds for determination, are appropriately changed according to the performance of the infrared camera 21 and the like. On the other hand, for the latter determination, for example, in view of the fact that when imaging of a face image fails due to backlight or the like, it often takes time for imaging and the number of retries for face detection tends to decrease, a threshold value (predetermined value Th3) is set for the number of retries.

[0044] And, when the determination in step S7 of FIG. 4 is affirmative, that is, when the exposure time of the infrared camera 21 is equal to or less than a predetermined value Th and the detected value of the optical sensor 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Th2, or when the number of retries for face detection is equal to or less than a predetermined value Th3, the control unit 8 determines that the light (ambient light) around the infrared camera 21 is strong (see step S8 of FIG. 4), and outputs from the voice message unit 6 a voice message notifying the user of the countermeasure method in this case (see step S9 of FIG. 4). Specifically, a voice message such as "Please block the light to your face or the camera with your hand." is output (see File_No.2 of FIG. 5). Note that when this voice message is output, the face authentication process in the control unit 8 returns to step S2 of FIG. 3. Thereby, when the user blocks the ambient light of the infrared camera 21, an image capable of detecting the face can be captured.

[0045] On the other hand, if the determination in step S7 of FIG. 4 is negative, that is, if it does not meet any of the above OR conditions for determining the presence or absence of the influence of external light, the control unit 8 determines "face authentication failed" (see step S10 of FIG. 4), and causes the voice message unit 6 to output a voice message to that effect. Specifically, it causes a voice message of "Authentication failed." to be output (see File_No.10 of FIG. 5).

[0046] (5) On the contrary, if the determination in step S3 of FIG. 3 is affirmative, that is, if the detection of the "face" image from the captured image is successful, the control unit 8 determines whether the captured image is an image of a "living body", that is, whether it is an image of something non-living such as a photo or a video (see step S11 of FIG. 3). For example, by applying a known three-dimensional (3D) face recognition technology to the face authentication algorithm, it is determined whether it is an image of a living body or a non-living body.

[0047] And in this determination, if it cannot be determined that the captured image is a living body (see "No" in step S11 of FIG. 3), the control unit 8 transfers the process to step S13 of FIG. 4, and makes the same determination as step S7 of FIG. 4 described above, that is, determines the presence or absence of the influence of external light. Here, the reason for determining the presence or absence of the influence of external light is to consider the possibility that the image capture has failed due to the influence of external light (the face was detected, but it could not be determined that it is a living body). If the determination in step S13 of FIG. 4 is affirmative, the control unit 8 determines that it is an error due to the influence of external light (see step S14 of FIG. 4), and notifies that it cannot be determined as a living body due to the influence of external light. Specifically, it causes a voice message of "Failed to perform biometric authentication due to the influence of light." to be output (see File_No.13 of FIG. 5).

[0048] On the other hand, when the determination in step S13 of FIG. 4 is negative, that is, when it is determined that there is no influence of external light, and when the state where it cannot be determined that it is a living body continues for a certain period of time (refer to "Yes" in step S12 of FIG. 3), the control unit 8 shifts to step S10 of FIG. 4 described above and determines "face authentication failed", and causes the voice message unit 6 to output a voice message indicating that face authentication has failed (refer to File_No.10 in FIG. 5).

[0049] (6) On the contrary, when the determination in step S11 of FIG. 3 is affirmative, that is, when it is determined that the captured image is an image of a "living body", next, the control unit 8 collates the captured image with the image of the user registered in advance and executes face authentication (refer to step S15 of FIG. 3). In this embodiment, 3D (three-dimensional) face authentication using 3D face recognition technology is used for face authentication. As is well known, 3D face authentication recognizes a face as three-dimensional data, detects feature points (such as the positions and contours of eyes, nose, and mouth), and collates this with the data for collation to determine whether the authentication is successful or not, thus enabling highly accurate face authentication. In addition, the infrared camera 21 used for 3D face authentication captures an image while irradiating the subject (the person to be authenticated) with infrared light from the infrared illuminator 22, so that an image of the face of the person to be authenticated can be captured with high accuracy even in a dark corridor or the like.

[0050] And when it cannot be determined that this face authentication is successful (refer to "No" in step S15 of FIG. 3), the control unit 8 shifts the process to step S17 of FIG. 4 and makes the same determinations as steps S7 and S13 of FIG. 4 described above, that is, determines the presence or absence of the influence of external light. Here, the reason for determining the presence or absence of the influence of external light is to consider the possibility that face authentication has failed due to the influence of external light (although the face of a living body has been detected, there is insufficient information to determine that face authentication is successful). And when the determination in step S17 of FIG. 4 is affirmative, the control unit 8 determines that it is an error due to the influence of external light (refer to step S18 of FIG. 4) and notifies that face authentication cannot be determined to be successful due to the influence of external light. Specifically, it causes a voice message "Failed to discriminate registered information due to the influence of light." to be output (refer to File_No.14 in FIG. 5).

[0051] On the other hand, when the determination in step S17 of FIG. 4 is negative, that is, when it is determined that there is no influence by external light, the control unit 8 determines that the user is an unregistered user (see step S19 of FIG. 4), and the infrared camera 21 notifies the user (the person to be authenticated) who has been imaged that they are unregistered (see step S20 of FIG. 4). Specifically, a voice message saying "You are an unregistered user." is output (see File_No.11 of FIG. 5). Also, when the state where face authentication cannot be determined as successful continues for a certain period of time (see "Yes" in step S162 of FIG. 3), the control unit 8 also shifts to step S20 of FIG. 4 described above and notifies that the user is unregistered.

[0052] And when face authentication is successful (see "Yes" in step S15 of FIG. 3), the control unit 8 outputs a predetermined locking / unlocking signal to the drive circuit unit of the electric lock unit 4 and executes locking / unlocking control for the electric lock unit 4 (see step S21 of FIG. 4). As a result, the drive unit of the electric lock unit 4 is driven, and the electric lock mechanism including the deadbolt operates. That is, when the electric lock mechanism is in the locked state, it transitions to the unlocked state, and when the electric lock mechanism is in the unlocked state, it transitions to the locked state. In this way, by successfully passing face authentication, the user can lock and unlock the door D without using a physical key. Note that the application of face authentication for locking / unlocking of the electric lock mechanism can of course be limited to only one of, for example, only at the time of unlocking or only at the time of locking, depending on the setting of the control unit 8.

[0053] Also, the control unit 8 notifies a voice message indicating successful face authentication through the voice message unit 6 in conjunction with the output of the locking / unlocking signal (see step S22 of FIG. 4). Specifically, a voice message saying "Authentication successful." is output (see File_No.9 of FIG. 5).

[0054] As described above, in the interface device 1 according to the present invention, when face authentication fails (for example, when the answer is "No" in step S3 of FIG. 3 or "Yes" in step S7 of FIG. 4), the control unit 8 identifies the cause and outputs an audio message corresponding to the identified cause, specifically, an audio message including the identified cause and a countermeasure for eliminating the cause, to the outside. Therefore, by listening to the audio message, the user can quickly grasp the countermeasure for eliminating the cause of the failure of face authentication and take appropriate measures. Therefore, according to the interface device 1 according to the present invention, the locking and unlocking of the door by face authentication can be smoothly performed, and a practically user-friendly face authentication type door control system can be provided.

[0055] Note that the above-described embodiments merely show preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and various design changes are possible within the scope thereof.

[0056] For example, in the above-described embodiment, in relation to the face authentication process, the control unit 8 is shown as identifying the cause when face authentication fails and causing the audio message unit 6 to output an audio message corresponding to the identified cause. However, it is also possible to configure the display means (for example, the LED display unit 53) to display a predetermined display corresponding to the identified cause together with the output of the audio message. For example, as shown in the LED column of FIG. 5, it is also possible to configure the four LEDs (referred to as LED1 to LED4) constituting the LED display unit 53 to notify the user of individual messages using combinations such as the selection of the LED to be lit, the lighting time, the blinking period, and the number of blinks.

[0057] Also, similarly, it is also possible to configure to output a predetermined electronic sound together with the output of the voice message corresponding to the identified cause or instead of the output of the voice message. For example, as shown in the column of the electronic sound in FIG. 5, individual messages can be notified by combining the timbre of the electronic sound, the number of times of the electronic sound, and the like. In this embodiment, the case where the electronic sound is stored in the voice memory of the voice message unit 6 is shown, but it is also possible to provide a buzzer circuit that can be controlled by the control unit 8 and configure to sound the electronic sound through this buzzer circuit.

[0058] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, as the cause identification process when the face authentication fails, two types, namely, the analysis of the standing position (face position) of the user and the analysis of the influence of ambient light, are shown. However, the cause identification process executed by the control unit 8 is not limited to these and can be appropriately changed. In addition, in this regard, the voice messages shown in FIG. 5 are merely examples, and the specific content of the voice messages can be appropriately changed.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where all the various processes such as the face authentication process, the cause identification process when the authentication fails, the locking and unlocking control, the display control, and the voice output control are all performed by the control unit 8 is shown. However, it is also possible to configure to distribute all or part of these processes inside and outside the interface device 1 and perform the processes.

[0060] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the state of the light irradiated on the infrared camera 21 (including the reflected light from the user's face) is determined (analyzed) based on the exposure time of the infrared camera 21 and the detection value of the optical sensor 31 (see steps S7, S13, and S17 in FIG. 4) is shown. However, the state of the light irradiated on the infrared camera 21 can also be configured to be determined using only one of the exposure time of the infrared camera 21 or the detection value of the optical sensor 31.

[0061] Note that the above-described embodiment shows the case where the interface device 1 according to the present invention is applied to a door control system in which door locking and unlocking control is performed. However, for example, the present invention is applicable to a door control system in which door opening and closing control is performed using a door engine or the like, such as the entrance door of an apartment.

Explanation of Signs

[0062] 1 Interface device 2 Infrared camera unit (imaging means) 21 Infrared camera 22 Infrared illuminator 3 Ambient light sensor unit (illuminance detection means) 31 Light sensor 4 Electric lock unit 5 Operation display unit 51 Touch sensor panel 6 Voice message unit (voice output means) 7 Power supply unit 7 8 Control unit (control means)

Claims

1. In a door control system that performs unlocking / locking of a door and / or control of opening / closing of the door using face authentication, an apparatus that constitutes an interface between the door control system and a user, imaging means for imaging a face image for the face authentication, illuminance detection means arranged near the imaging means for detecting ambient brightness, voice output means for outputting a predetermined voice message, and control means, and the control means has a control configuration for specifying a cause when authentication fails in the face authentication and causing the voice output means to output a voice message corresponding to the specified cause An interface apparatus for a face authentication type door control system, characterized by the above.

2. The voice message includes a countermeasure for eliminating the specified cause The interface apparatus for a face authentication type door control system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. Having display means, The control means has a control configuration for causing the display means to display a display corresponding to the specified cause together with the output of the voice message The interface apparatus for a face authentication type door control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. The control means analyzes the position of the face of the person to be authenticated from the image data imaged by the imaging means, and when the position of the face of the person to be authenticated deviates from a predetermined shooting position, has a control configuration for causing a voice message prompting correction of the face position to be output The interface apparatus for a face authentication type door control system according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

5. The control means analyzes the light irradiation situation on the imaging means from the exposure time of the imaging means and / or the detection value of the illuminance detection means, and when the light irradiating the imaging means exceeds a predetermined condition, has a control configuration for causing a voice message prompting blocking of the light irradiating the imaging means to be output The interface apparatus for a face authentication type door control system according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

Images