System, face verification platform, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide a system, a face authentication platform and an information processing method capable of improving convenience for a user.SOLUTION: The face authentication platform 10 includes the control unit 12 that functions as the token issuing means 13, the cooperation information updating means 14, and the like by executing a program, the token issuing means 13 issues a token for cooperation and transmits the token for cooperation to the user terminal 20 when receiving cooperation start information from the user terminal 20, and the cooperation information updating means 14 updates the cooperation information stored in the storage unit 18 so as to cooperate with the management server 30 when receiving a cooperation completion notification from the management server 30. The management server 30 includes a control unit 32 that functions as a cooperation completion notification means 34 that transmits a cooperation completion notification to the face authentication platform 10 when the cooperation token is received from the user terminal 20 by executing a program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a face recognition platform and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a face authentication system that performs authentication based on face data, a face authentication system that performs identity authentication by comparing input face data with pre-registered face data is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] The face authentication system described in Patent Document 1 authenticates a target person using an image of the face portion in an image captured by a camera. In addition, the face authentication system described in Patent Document 2, for example, when four face images are registered, two are face patterns for ensuring accuracy, one is a face pattern for absorbing disturbance components, and one is a face pattern to be updated. When a new face pattern is registered, the face pattern to be updated that has the second lowest similarity to the newly registered face pattern is deleted from the four previously registered face patterns. In other words, by leaving the face pattern for absorbing disturbance components that has the lowest similarity to the newly registered face pattern, face authentication is performed while adapting to environmental variations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-197426 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-72540 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Linking a facial recognition platform with various service providers improves convenience for users, but traditionally, there has been a problem in that the methods for linking a facial recognition platform with service providers have been complicated.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a system, a facial recognition platform, and an information processing method that allows a user to easily link a facial recognition platform with a service provider using a user terminal carried by the user, thereby improving convenience for the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The system of the present invention comprises: A facial recognition platform, a management server, Equipped with The facial recognition platform includes: a first control unit that functions as a token issuing unit, a federation information updating unit, and an authentication unit by executing a program; a first storage unit that stores information related to a user's face image and linkage information; It has the token issuing means, upon receiving cooperation start information from a user terminal, issues a cooperation token and transmits the cooperation token to the user terminal; the cooperation information update means, upon receiving a cooperation completion notification from the management server, updates the cooperation information stored in the first storage unit so as to cooperate with the management server; the authentication means performs authentication of the user by comparing the received information on the user's face image with information on the user's face image stored in the first storage unit; The management server a second control unit that functions as a link completion notification unit by executing a program; The link completion notification means is characterized in that, when receiving the link token from the user terminal, it transmits a link completion notification to the face recognition platform.

[0008] The face recognition platform of the present invention includes: a control unit that functions as a token issuing unit, a federation information updating unit, and an authentication unit by executing a program; a storage unit that stores information about a user's face image and linkage information; Equipped with the token issuing means, upon receiving cooperation start information from a user terminal, issues a cooperation token and transmits the cooperation token to the user terminal; the link information update means, upon receiving a link completion notification from the management server, updates the link information stored in the storage unit so as to link with the management server; The authentication means authenticates the user by comparing the received information about the user's face image with information about the user's face image stored in the storage unit. The information processing method of the present invention comprises: An information processing method for a system including a face recognition platform and a management server, a step in which the face recognition platform issues a cooperation token when it receives cooperation start information from the user terminal and transmits the cooperation token to the user terminal; a step of transmitting a notification of completion of collaboration to the face recognition platform when the management server receives the collaboration token; When the face recognition platform receives a notification of completion of collaboration from the management server, the face recognition platform updates collaboration information stored in a storage unit of the face recognition platform so as to collaborate with the management server; The present invention is characterized by the following features. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The system, face recognition platform, and information processing method of the present invention can improve convenience for users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a face authentication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing information exchange between components when a linked operation is performed by the face authentication system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a flowchart showing a cooperative operation performed by the face authentication system shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a touch panel of a user terminal when a cooperative operation is performed by the face authentication system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a table showing linkage information stored in a storage unit of the face recognition platform of the face recognition system shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 5 show a face authentication system according to the present embodiment.

[0012] The face authentication system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a face authentication platform 10 and a management server 30, which are connected to each other via a network such as the Internet to enable communication. While only one management server 30 is shown in FIG. 1 , in reality, multiple management servers 30 corresponding to various services are connected to the face authentication platform 10 to enable communication. These multiple management servers 30 belong to companies (specifically, the operating companies of the respective services described below) different from the system company that operates the face authentication platform 10. Each management server 30 is connected to a corresponding authentication terminal 40 to enable communication via a network such as the Internet. Each authentication terminal 40 is connected to the face authentication platform 10 to enable communication via a network such as the Internet. A user terminal 20 owned by a user is connected to the face authentication platform 10 and the management server 30 to enable communication via a network such as the Internet. The components of this face authentication system 1 are described below.

[0013] The facial recognition platform 10 is a computer or the like installed at a system company. Specifically, the facial recognition platform 10 includes a control unit 12 (first control unit), a memory unit 18 (first memory unit), and a communication interface 19. The memory unit 18 and the communication interface 19 are each connected to the control unit 12 via a bus. The control unit 12 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and functions as a token issuing means 13, a linkage information updating means 14, and an authentication means 15 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 18. The memory unit 18 stores user registration information and information related to the user's facial image in association with the user's identification information. The user registration information includes the user's name, date of birth, username, email address, telephone number of the user terminal 20, credit card information, password, etc. The information related to the user's facial image is the user's facial image data or a hash value extracted from the user's facial image data using a predetermined hash function. The communication interface 19 transmits and receives signals to and from other devices wirelessly or via a wired connection via a network such as the Internet.

[0014] The storage unit 18 is also configured to store collaboration information, which is information indicating whether the face authentication platform 10 and each management server 30 are collaborating for each user. Fig. 5 is a table showing the collaboration information stored in the storage unit 18. As shown in Fig. 5, for each user's identification number, the collaboration status with the management server 30 corresponding to each of services A, B, and C is stored in the storage unit 18. In the table shown in Fig. 5, "○" indicates that the face authentication platform 10 and each management server 30 corresponding to each of services A, B, and C are collaborating, and "×" indicates that they are not collaborating.

[0015] The programs executed by the control unit 12 are not limited to those stored in the storage unit 18. The control unit 12 may function as the token issuing means 13, the linkage information updating means 14, and the authentication means 15 by executing a program stored in a recording medium attached to the face recognition platform 10, a program transmitted to the face recognition platform 10 from an external device, or the like.

[0016] When the token issuing means 13 receives link start information from the user terminal 20, it issues a link token and transmits the link token to the user terminal 20. When the link information update means 14 receives a link completion notification from the management server 30, it updates the link information stored in the storage unit 18 so as to perform linkage with the management server 30. The authentication means 15 authenticates the user by comparing the received information on the user's facial image with the information on the user's facial image stored in the storage unit 18. Details of each of these means will be described later.

[0017] The management server 30 is a computer or the like installed at a service operating company. Specifically, the management server 30 has a control unit 32 (second control unit), a memory unit 38 (second memory unit), and a communication interface 39. The memory unit 38 and the communication interface 39 are each connected to the control unit 32 via a bus. The control unit 32 is a CPU (central processing unit) or the like, and functions as a link completion notification means 34 and a completion screen display instruction means 36 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 38. The memory unit 38 is configured to store various information related to the service facility where the authentication terminal 40 is installed. The communication interface 39 transmits and receives signals to and from other devices wirelessly or via a wired connection via a network such as the Internet.

[0018] The storage unit 38 also stores cooperation information, which is information on whether or not cooperation with the face authentication platform 10 has been established, and a cooperation token transmitted from the user terminal 20.

[0019] The programs executed by the control unit 32 are not limited to those stored in the storage unit 38. The control unit 32 may function as the linkage completion notifying means 34 and the completion screen display instructing means 36 by executing a program stored in a recording medium attached to the management server 30, a program transmitted to the management server 30 from an external device, or the like.

[0020] The link completion notification means 34 transmits a link completion notification to the face authentication platform 10 when it receives a link token from the user terminal 20. The completion screen display instruction means 36 transmits an instruction to display a completion screen to the user terminal 20 when it receives a link token from the user terminal 20. Details of each of these means will be described later.

[0021] The authentication terminal 40 is installed in various service facilities and is a PC tablet terminal or the like having a control unit 42 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an imaging unit 44 such as a camera that captures a user's facial image. Information about the user's facial image captured by the imaging unit 44 is transmitted from the authentication terminal 40 to the face authentication platform 10. Furthermore, when the face authentication platform 10 authenticates a user, a processing device at the service facility where the authentication terminal 40 is installed performs various processes for the authenticated user. For example, if the authentication terminal 40 is installed at an entrance to an office building, apartment complex, or the like, when the face authentication platform 10 authenticates a user, the processing device unlocks the doors at the entrances or exits of the office building or apartment complex. Furthermore, if the authentication terminal 40 is installed in a taxi, restaurant, hotel, public transportation facility, convenience store, or the like, when paying a fare at these service facilities, cashless payment is possible when the face authentication platform 10 authenticates the user. In this case, payment information is sent from the facial recognition platform 10 to the server of a financial institution or credit card company, and the payment amount is automatically debited from the user's bank account or added to the credit card statement. Alternatively, instead of payment being made by the facial recognition platform 10, a cashless payment may be made by a service facility where an authentication terminal 40 is installed. Specifically, when a user is authenticated by the authentication means 15 of the facial recognition platform 10, information that the user has been authenticated is sent from the facial recognition platform 10 to the service facility where the authentication terminal 40 is installed, and cashless payment is then made at the service facility. For example, if the authentication terminal 40 is installed inside a taxi and a user's facial image is registered in the facial recognition platform 10, the user's facial image is captured by the imaging unit 44, and the user is authenticated by the authentication means 15 of the facial recognition platform 10, allowing payment to be made using a credit card or the like registered in the taxi app.It should be noted that the above description is based on the premise that the service is operated with the face images of the users registered in the face authentication platform 10, but this is not the only possibility in this embodiment.

[0022] The user terminal 20 is owned by a user. Examples of the user terminal 20 include a personal computer, a PC tablet terminal, a smartphone, and the like. The user terminal 20 includes a control unit 22, a touch panel 24, an imaging unit 26, a storage unit 28, and a communication interface 29. The control unit 22 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. Various screens are displayed on the touch panel 24, and the user can input various information to the control unit 22 via the touch panel 24. The imaging unit 26 is, for example, a camera, and is configured to capture images of the user's face, etc. The storage unit 28 is configured to store various information. The communication interface 29 transmits and receives signals to other devices (specifically, the face authentication platform 10 and the management server 30) wirelessly or via a wired connection via a network such as the Internet. A face authentication app can be installed on the user terminal 20 from an online store, the website of the management company of the face authentication platform 10, or the like. When such a face authentication app is installed, the user can register face image data and input various registration information (e.g., name, date of birth, user name, email address, phone number of the user terminal 20, credit card information, password, etc.) using the user terminal 20. In addition, the user terminal 20 can install apps other than the face authentication app from an online store, the website of the company that operates the management server 30, etc.

[0023] Next, the processing flow of the face authentication system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the exchange of information between the components when a cooperative operation is performed by the face authentication system 1 shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the cooperative operation performed by the face authentication system 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the touch panel 24 of the user terminal 20 when a cooperative operation is performed by the face authentication system 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0024] First, a brief description will be given of the operation of the face authentication system 1 when a user registers facial information using the user terminal 20. A user who intends to use the services of the face authentication system 1 first installs a face authentication app on the user terminal 20 owned by the user. When the user launches the face authentication app on the user terminal 20, a user registration screen is displayed on the touch panel 24. On this user registration screen, the user enters registration information such as the user's name (kanji), name (kana), date of birth, username, telephone number of the user terminal 20, email address of the user terminal 20, and password, checks a box indicating agreement to the terms of use, and then presses a registration button. A facial image capture screen is displayed on the touch panel 24. When the user captures a facial image on this capture screen using the imaging unit 26 of the user terminal 20, the various registration information entered on the user registration screen and information on the user's facial image are transmitted from the user terminal 20 to the face authentication platform 10. In this way, the face authentication platform 10 accepts the registration information and facial image information from the user terminal 20. The face authentication platform 10 also accepts identification information of the user terminal 20. The control unit 12 of the face authentication platform 10 issues user identification information when it receives registration information and facial image information from the user terminal 20. The user's registration information and facial image information are stored in the storage unit 18, linked to the user's identification information. In this way, the user's facial image data is registered in the face authentication platform 10. The user selects a service to use from multiple services using a face authentication app on the user terminal 20. Information about the selected service is linked to the user's identification information and stored in the storage unit 18.

[0025] Next, an operation of the facial authentication system 1 in which a user links the facial authentication platform 10 and the management server 30 corresponding to each service provider using the user terminal 20 will be described. When a user links the facial authentication platform 10 and the management server 30 using the user terminal 20, the user downloads an app other than the facial authentication app from the website of the operating company of the management server 30 or the like and installs it on the user terminal 20. Note that in vending machines, apartments, offices, etc., there are no apps other than the facial authentication app, and linking can be achieved using the facial authentication app as described below. Furthermore, an app other than the facial authentication app that can be downloaded from the website of the operating company of the management server 30 or the like has an interface built in for linking with the facial authentication app. Then, when a user runs an app corresponding to the management server 30 on the user terminal 20, a link button 24a (specifically, a button displaying "Link with Face Authentication App") as shown in FIG. 4(a) can be displayed on the touch panel 24 of the user terminal 20. When the user presses this link button 24a on the user terminal 20 ("YES" in STEP 1), an input screen for a user ID and a password as shown in Fig. 4(b) is displayed on the touch panel 24 of the user terminal 20. In Fig. 4(b), reference symbol 24c is an input box for a user ID, reference symbol 24d is an input box for a password, and reference symbol 24e is a link button. After the user inputs the user ID into box 24c and the password into box 24d on the input screen as shown in Fig. 4(b), when the user presses the link button 24e ("YES" in STEP 2), link start information is transmitted from the user terminal 20 to the face recognition platform 10 (STEP 3).

[0026] When the facial authentication platform 10 receives the collaboration start information, the token issuing means 13 of the facial authentication platform 10 issues a collaboration token (STEP 4). The collaboration token is a randomly issued character string of several digits or several tens of digits, and the character string includes numbers, alphabets, etc. The collaboration token issued by the token issuing means 13 is stored in the storage unit 18. The collaboration token issued by the token issuing means 13 is also transmitted from the facial authentication platform 10 to the user terminal 20 (STEP 5). When the user terminal 20 receives the collaboration token from the facial authentication platform 10, it transmits the collaboration token to the management server 30 corresponding to the currently running app (STEP 6). The control unit 32 of the management server 30 stores the collaboration token transmitted from the user terminal 20 in the storage unit 38. In this way, the same collaboration token is stored in the storage unit 18 of the facial authentication platform 10 and the storage unit 38 of the management server 30, thereby enabling smooth collaboration between the facial authentication platform 10 and the management server 30.

[0027] Furthermore, when the management server 30 receives the linking token from the user terminal 20, the linking completion notifying means 34 of the management server 30 transmits a linking completion notification to the face authentication platform 10 (STEP 7). When the face authentication platform 10 receives the linking completion notification from the management server 30, the linking information updating means 14 updates the linking information stored in the storage unit 18. Specifically, for example, if linking start information for linking the face authentication app and the app of service B is transmitted to the face authentication platform 10 from the user terminal 20 of a user whose user identification number is 0002, when the face authentication platform 10 receives the linking completion notification from the management server 30, the linking information table stored in the storage unit 18 changes the part corresponding to user number 0002 and service B from "x" to "o" as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). As a result, the linking information stored in the storage unit 18 is updated so that the face authentication app and the app of service B are linked for the user whose user identification number is 0002.

[0028] Furthermore, when the management server 30 accepts the linking token from the user terminal 20, the completion screen display instructing means 36 of the management server 30 transmits a completion screen display instruction to the user terminal 20 (STEP 8). When the user terminal 20 accepts the completion screen display instruction from the management server 30, the control unit 22 causes the touch panel 24 to display a linking completion screen, as shown in FIG. 4(c). Specifically, a message 24f stating "Linking with the face authentication app has been completed" is displayed on the touch panel 24. This allows the user to recognize that the app currently being used on the user terminal 20 has been linked with the face authentication app, i.e., that the management server 30 related to the app currently being used on the user terminal 20 has been linked with the face authentication platform 10.

[0029] Next, a method for canceling the link between the management server 30 of a service provider and the facial authentication platform 10 will be described. When a user runs a facial authentication app or an app corresponding to the management server 30 on the user terminal 20 and inputs a command to cancel the link between the management server 30 of a certain service provider and the facial authentication platform 10 into the app, a link cancellation notice indicating that the link between the management server 30 and the facial authentication platform 10 will be canceled is transmitted from the user terminal 20 to the facial authentication platform 10. When the facial authentication platform 10 receives the link cancellation notice from the management server 30, the link information update means 14 updates the link information stored in the storage unit 18. Specifically, for example, if a link cancellation notice requesting cancellation of the link between the facial authentication app and the app of service B is transmitted to the face authentication platform 10 from the user terminal 20 of a user whose user identification number is 0002, upon receiving the link cancellation notice from the management server 30, the face authentication platform 10 changes the part corresponding to user number 0002 and service B in the link information table stored in the storage unit 18 from "○" to "×". As a result, the link information stored in the storage unit 18 is updated so as to terminate the link between the face authentication application and the application of service B for the user with the user identification number 0002.

[0030] Next, a description will be given of the operation when performing face authentication of a user by the face authentication platform 10. In an authentication terminal 40 managed by a management server 30 associated with an app linked to the face authentication app of the face authentication platform 10, when a user holds his or her face over an imaging unit 44 of the authentication terminal 40, an image of the user's face is captured by the imaging unit 44, and information about the captured face image of the user is transmitted from the authentication terminal 40 to the face authentication platform 10. Here, the user's face image data may be transmitted directly from the authentication terminal 40 to the face authentication platform 10 as information about the user's face image, or the control unit 42 of the authentication terminal 40 may extract a hash value from the user's face image captured by the imaging unit 44 using a predetermined hash function, and the extracted hash value may be transmitted from the authentication terminal 40 to the face authentication platform 10 as information about the user's face image.

[0031] In the face authentication platform 10, when information regarding a user's face image is transmitted from the authentication terminal 40, the control unit 12 causes the authentication means 15 to perform face authentication. Specifically, if the user's face image data transmitted from the authentication terminal 40 and the user's face image data stored in the storage unit 18 approximately match, the authentication means 15 authenticates the user. Alternatively, the control unit 12 may extract a hash value from the user's face image data transmitted from the authentication terminal 40 using a predetermined hash function, and if the extracted hash value and the hash value stored in the storage unit 18 approximately match, the authentication means 15 may authenticate the user. As yet another aspect, if the hash value transmitted from the authentication terminal 40 and the hash value stored in the storage unit 18 approximately match, the authentication means 15 may authenticate the user.

[0032] When the authentication means 15 authenticates the user, authentication information is transmitted to the management server 30 associated with the authentication terminal 40. The management server 30 then causes a processing device provided at the service facility where the authentication terminal 40 is installed to perform various processes. For example, if the authentication terminal 40 is installed at an entrance to an office building, an apartment complex, or the like, the processing device will unlock the doors at the entrances to the office building or apartment complex when the facial recognition platform 10 authenticates the user. Furthermore, if the authentication terminal 40 is installed in a taxi, a restaurant, a hotel, public transportation, a convenience store, or the like, cashless payment becomes possible when paying a fare at these service facilities when the facial recognition platform 10 authenticates the user.

[0033] According to the system (face authentication system 1) and information processing method of this embodiment configured as described above, when the face authentication platform 10 receives linkage start information from the user terminal 20, it issues a linkage token and transmits the linkage token to the user terminal 20, when the management server 30 receives the linkage token it transmits a linkage completion notification to the face authentication platform 10, and when the face authentication platform 10 receives the linkage completion notification from the management server 30, it updates the linkage information stored in the storage unit 18 of the face authentication platform 10 so as to link with the management server 30. This allows the face authentication platform 10 to easily link with a service provider using the user terminal 20 owned by the user, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0034] Furthermore, in the system (face authentication system 1) and information processing method of the present embodiment, when a linkage token is issued in the face authentication platform 10, the issued linkage token is stored in the memory unit 18 (first memory unit) of the face authentication platform 10, and the management server 30 has a memory unit 38 (second memory unit) that stores the linkage token received from the user terminal 20. In this case, the same linkage token is stored in the memory unit 18 of the face authentication platform 10 and the memory unit 38 of the management server 30, so that linkage between the face authentication platform 10 and the management server 30 can be more reliably performed.

[0035] Furthermore, in the system (face authentication system 1) and information processing method of this embodiment, the control unit 32 (second control unit) executes a program to further function as completion screen display instruction means 36, and upon receiving a linkage token from the user terminal 20, the completion screen display instruction means 36 transmits an instruction to display a completion screen to the user terminal 20. This allows the user to be sure that the face authentication platform 10 and the management server 30 have linked together.

[0036] Furthermore, when an application related to the management server 30 is executed on the user terminal 20, a link button 24a is displayed, and link start information is sent from the user terminal 20 to the face authentication platform 10 on the condition that at least the link button 24a is pressed. This allows the user to easily perform linking operations using the user terminal 20, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0037] Furthermore, in the system (face authentication system 1) and information processing method of this embodiment, the face authentication platform 10 authenticates a user by comparing information about the user's face image received only from the authentication terminal 40 managed by the linked management server 30 with information about the user's face image stored in the memory unit 18 (first memory unit). This allows user authentication to be performed only for the authentication terminal 40 corresponding to the linked management server 30, thereby preventing user authentication from being performed by an authentication terminal 40 corresponding to an unlinked management server 30. Furthermore, when user authentication is performed in the face authentication platform 10, authentication information is transmitted to the management server 30 associated with the authentication terminal 40. This allows the management server 30 to also manage user authentication performed in the authentication terminal 40.

[0038] The program, face authentication system 1, and information processing method according to the present embodiment are not limited to the above-described aspects, and various modifications can be made.

[0039] For example, instead of or in addition to a user using the user terminal 20 to link the management server 30 and the facial recognition platform 10 using an app corresponding to the management server 30 provided at the service facility, the user may activate a facial recognition app on the user terminal 20 to link the management server 30 and the facial recognition platform 10 using the facial recognition app. For example, by tapping an icon of a taxi or the like from the facial recognition app on the user terminal 20, the management server 30 associated with the taxi can be linked with the facial recognition platform 10.

[0040] In addition, the completion screen display instruction means 36 may be provided in the face recognition platform 10 rather than the management server 30, and when a notification of completion of collaboration is sent from the management server 30 to the face recognition platform 10, a completion screen display instruction may be sent from the face recognition platform 10 to the user terminal 20.

[0041] Furthermore, the linkage information update means 14 does not necessarily have to be provided in the face authentication platform 10. Even if the linkage information update means 14 is not provided in the face authentication platform 10, the face authentication platform 10 and the management server 30 can be linked by storing the issued linkage token in the storage unit 18 of the face authentication platform 10 when the linkage token is issued in the face authentication platform 10, and storing the linkage token in the storage unit 38 of the management server 30 when the linkage token is transmitted from the user terminal 20 to the management server 30.

[0042] 1 shows an example in which the authentication terminal 40 installed at the service facility has the control unit 42 and the imaging unit 44, but the present embodiment is not limited to this example. As another example, a camera may be installed at the service facility, and an image captured by the camera may be transmitted to the face authentication platform 10.

[0043] The facial authentication system 1 of this embodiment may also be applied to an unmanned store. Specifically, an authentication terminal 40 is installed at the entrance of the unmanned store, and when a facial image of a user about to enter the unmanned store is captured by the imaging unit 44, information about the user's facial image is transmitted from the authentication terminal 40 to the facial authentication platform 10. Furthermore, the type of product, etc., that the user intends to purchase is automatically recognized by capturing an image with a product camera, and information about the product that the user intends to purchase is transmitted to the facial authentication platform 10. Then, when the user performs payment processing for the product purchased at the unmanned store, the authentication means 15 of the facial authentication platform 10 authenticates the user, thereby enabling cashless payment.

[0044] The face authentication system 1 of this embodiment may also be applied to a vending machine. Specifically, when a user activates a face authentication app on the user terminal 20, an information registration screen for credit card information, etc. is added to the screen displayed on the user terminal 20. This allows the user to register credit card numbers, etc., using the user terminal 20, and the information registered by the user terminal 20 is sent to the face authentication platform 10. Furthermore, when the face authentication app is activated, a service collaboration icon for the vending machine is displayed on the user terminal 20. When the user presses the service collaboration icon on the touch panel 24 of the user terminal 20, the face authentication platform 10 and the system of the payment agency are linked. Furthermore, an authentication terminal 40 or a camera is installed in the vending machine.

[0045] When the facial recognition system 1 of this embodiment is applied to a vending machine and a user links the facial recognition platform 10 with the system of a payment agency, the following process is performed when the user purchases a product from the vending machine. First, the user selects the purchase of a product and then captures a facial image using the imaging unit 44 or camera of the authentication terminal 40. Information regarding the user's facial image captured by the imaging unit 44 or camera of the authentication terminal 40 is transmitted from the authentication terminal 40 to the facial recognition platform 10. Then, when the user is authenticated by the authentication means 15 of the facial recognition platform 10, payment information is transmitted from the facial recognition platform 10 to the payment agency. Once payment is made by the payment agency, a payment completion notice is transmitted from the payment agency to the facial recognition platform 10. When the control unit 12 of the facial recognition platform 10 receives the payment completion notice, it transmits a command signal to the vending machine, causing the vending machine to dispense a product. In this way, products can be purchased cashlessly from a vending machine using facial recognition. In addition, sales performance data on payments made using facial recognition is sent monthly from the vending machine maintenance company to the system company that operates the facial recognition platform 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1. Facial Recognition System 10. Facial Recognition Platform 12 Control Unit 13 Token Issuance Method 14 Linkage information update method 15 Authentication Methods 18 Memory section 19 Communication Interface 20 User terminal 22 Control Unit 24 Touch Panel 24a Link button 24c User ID input box 24d Password input box 24e Link button 24f Message 26 Imaging unit 28 Memory section 29 Communication Interface 30 Management Server 32 Control section 34 Cooperation completion notification means 36 Completion screen display instruction means 38 Memory section 39 Communication Interface 40 Authentication Terminal 42 Control Unit 44 Imaging unit

Claims

1. A facial recognition platform, a management server, Equipped with The facial recognition platform includes: a first control unit that functions as a token issuing unit, a federation information updating unit, and an authentication unit by executing a program; a first storage unit that stores information related to a user's face image and linkage information; It has the token issuing means, upon receiving cooperation start information from a user terminal, issues a cooperation token and transmits the cooperation token to the user terminal; the link information update means, upon receiving a link completion notification from the management server, updates the link information stored in the first storage unit so as to link with the management server; the authentication means performs authentication of the user by comparing the received information on the user's face image with information on the user's face image stored in the first storage unit; The management server a second control unit that functions as a link completion notification unit by executing a program; The link completion notification means transmits a link completion notification to the face recognition platform when the link token is received from the user terminal.

2. When the cooperation token is issued by the token issuing means, the issued cooperation token is stored in the first storage unit of the face recognition platform, The system according to claim 1 , wherein the management server includes a second storage unit that stores the cooperation token received from the user terminal.

3. the second control unit further functions as a completion screen display instruction unit by executing a program, 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the completion screen display instruction means transmits an instruction to display a completion screen to the user terminal upon receiving the linkage token from the user terminal.

4. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein a link button is displayed on the user terminal when an app related to the management server is executed, and link start information is sent from the user terminal to the face recognition platform on the condition that at least the link button is pressed.

5. The system described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the authentication means authenticates the user by comparing information regarding the user's facial image received only from an authentication terminal managed by the associated management server with information regarding the user's facial image stored in the first memory unit.

6. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein when the authentication means authenticates the user, authentication information is transmitted to the management server associated with the authentication terminal.

7. a control unit that functions as a token issuing unit, a federation information updating unit, and an authentication unit by executing a program; a storage unit that stores information about a user's face image and linkage information; Equipped with the token issuing means, upon receiving cooperation start information from a user terminal, issues a cooperation token and transmits the cooperation token to the user terminal; the link information update means, upon receiving a link completion notification from the management server, updates the link information stored in the storage unit so as to link with the management server; The authentication means authenticates the user by comparing the received information about the user's facial image with information about the user's facial image stored in the memory unit.

8. 8. The face recognition platform according to claim 7, wherein the authentication means authenticates the user by comparing information about the user's face image received only from an authentication terminal associated with the management server with information about the user's face image stored in the memory unit.

9. The face authentication platform according to claim 8 , wherein when the authentication means authenticates the user, authentication information is transmitted to the management server associated with the authentication terminal.

10. An information processing method for a system including a face recognition platform and a management server, a step in which the face recognition platform issues a cooperation token when it receives cooperation start information from the user terminal and transmits the cooperation token to the user terminal; a step of transmitting a notification of completion of collaboration to the face recognition platform when the management server receives the collaboration token; When the face recognition platform receives a notification of completion of collaboration from the management server, the face recognition platform updates collaboration information stored in a storage unit of the face recognition platform so as to collaborate with the management server; An information processing method comprising:

11. 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, further comprising a step in which the face recognition platform authenticates the user by comparing information about the user's face image received from an authentication terminal managed by the management server with information about the user's face image stored in the memory unit.

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