Access control device and access control method

Abstract

To reduce the overall processing load of the system. [Solution] The entry / exit control device 100 according to this embodiment has an acquisition unit 121, a registration unit 122, and an authentication unit 123. The acquisition unit 121 acquires the user's biometric information. The registration unit 122 registers the user's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit 121 at the time of entry into the entry status management DB 132, which manages the biometric information of users in the entry status. The authentication unit 123 authenticates the user's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit 121 at the time of exit using the entry status management DB 132.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an entrance / exit control device and an entrance / exit control method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, touchless gates that do not require users to hold an IC card or communication terminal near a ticket gate housing when passing through the ticket gate have been installed at railway and airplane boarding gates. Touchless gates use technologies such as biometric authentication and frequency beams to authenticate users and determine entrance / exit.

[0003] As a conventional technique, a method has been disclosed in which authentication processing related to the biometric information of a user is performed using an authentication database created by screening users detected near a ticket gate to determine entrance / exit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the prior art, the processing load of the entire system cannot be reduced. For example, in the prior art, since a wireless communication medium detected around a ticket gate is detected and screening of users is performed using the medium detected each time a ticket gate is passed through, the processing becomes enormous and the load on the entire system is high.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the entry / exit control device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires the user's biometric information; a registration unit that registers the user's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit at the time of entry into a database that manages the biometric information of users in the entry state; and an authentication unit that authenticates the user's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit at the time of exit using the database. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the processing load of the entire system can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of an entry / exit control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an entry / exit control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of data stored in the admission status management DB according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a specific example of the process in an embodiment, from user authentication processing upon entry to registering the authenticated user in the entry status management DB. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a specific example of the process used in the embodiment to authenticate a user using information registered in the entry status management DB upon exit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows another example in which a user is authenticated using screened information in an embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the entry / exit control device according to the embodiment when a user enters. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the entry / exit control device according to the embodiment when a user exits. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of a computer running a program. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the access control device and access control method according to the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that these embodiments do not limit the access control device and access control method according to the present application. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0010] [Introduction] (Overview of the access control system 10) First, an overview of the access control system 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the access control system according to this embodiment. The access control system 10 shown in Figure 1 includes a plurality of access control devices 100 that authenticate users by acquiring their biometric information and determine whether they enter or exit a predetermined area (hereinafter simply referred to as "area") set by an administrator, a user management server 200 that manages pre-set user biometric information, etc., for each user account, and a ticket gate 300 that controls the movement of users into and out of the area by opening and closing gates according to user authentication. Note that the access control system shown in Figure 1 is just an example, and the number of each device, etc., is not particularly limited.

[0011] The entry / exit control device 100 is an information processing device that manages user entry and exit by authenticating users entering or leaving an area and determining whether or not they are allowed to move in or out of the area. It is implemented using a computer or the like. For example, the entry / exit control device 100 acquires biometric information such as facial image data, iris data, fingerprint data, and palm print data of users entering the area, and performs user authentication by determining whether the acquired biometric information matches the user's biometric information stored in advance.

[0012] The user management server 200 is a device that manages biometric information preset for each user, and is realized by, for example, a server device or a cloud system. For example, the user management server 200 has a user information management DB 201 that manages information of all users for whom biometric information has been registered in advance, and an entry status management DB 202 that manages information of users in the entry status. Further, the user management server 200 can refer to the information in the user information management DB 201 in response to a request from the entrance / exit control device 100, or update the information in the entry status management DB 202 in response to the transmission of information of a user in the entry status from the entrance / exit control device 100.

[0013] In addition, the user management server 200 can manage information other than the above-described biometric information in association with the user. For example, the user management server 200 manages the entry / exit history and balance information of the user, information on discount coupons such as entrance fees, etc., for each user.

[0014] The ticket gate 300 is a device that controls the movement of a user in and out of an area by opening and closing a gate in response to a notification of an authentication result by an entrance / exit control device, and is, for example, a ticket gate installed at a station, an event venue, or the like. For example, the ticket gate 300 transmits biometric information acquired by a camera device that acquires face image data or iris data, or a device that acquires fingerprint / palmprint data to the entrance / exit control device 100, and opens the gate to permit the user to pass when receiving a notification from the entrance / exit control device 100 that the authentication of the user has been successful.

[0015] (Problems of the prior art) Next, problems of the prior art regarding the entrance / exit control device according to the present embodiment will be described. Conventionally, there is an entrance / exit control device that performs user authentication using the user's biometric information such as face image data, iris data, fingerprint data, palmprint data, etc. regarding the user's entry into and exit from an area. And the conventional entrance / exit control device performs user authentication by searching for matching biometric information from the biometric information of all registered users, so it takes time to authenticate the user.

[0016] Here, a system is disclosed that screens users staying near an entrance / exit control device that performs user authentication via wireless communication, and authenticates users who wish to enter or exit the area using the screened data, thereby reducing the user authentication time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0017] However, in the prior art, since users near the entrance / exit control device are constantly screened to create an authentication database, there is a problem that the processing becomes enormous and the load on the entire system increases.

[0018] (Outline of the processing of the entrance / exit control device 100) Next, the processing content of the entrance / exit control device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. In view of the above-described problems, the entrance / exit control device 100 according to the present embodiment acquires biometric information of a user, and registers the biometric information of the user at the time of entry in a database that manages the biometric information of the users in the entry state. Then, the entrance / exit control device 100 authenticates the acquired biometric information of the user at the time of exit using the database.

[0019] For example, the entrance / exit control device 100 acquires biometric information such as face image data, iris data, fingerprint data, and palm print data of a user who wishes to enter or exit the area. Then, the entrance / exit control device 100 registers the biometric information of the user acquired at the time of entry in an entry state management DB that manages users in the entry state. Then, the entrance / exit control device 100 authenticates the biometric information of the user acquired at the time of exit using the biometric information of the users in the entry state registered in the entry state management DB.

[0020] Thereby, when authenticating a user when exiting the area, the entrance / exit control device 100 authenticates using a database created by screening users in the entry state from all users, so that the time required for authenticating a user related to exiting the area can be reduced, and the processing load on the entire system can be reduced.

[0021] 〔Configuration of the entrance / exit control device 100〕 The following describes an example of the functional configuration of the entry / exit control device 100 described above. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the entry / exit control device according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the entry / exit control device 100 has a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a storage unit 130.

[0022] The communication unit 110, for example, mediates the connection between the entry / exit control device 100 and the user management server 200 via the Internet or the like, to send and receive information from the entry status management DB 131, which will be described later.

[0023] The memory unit 130 is implemented by a storage device such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or a hard disk. The memory unit 130 stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 120. The storage device may be implemented by a storage system installed outside the access control device 100. The memory unit 130 includes, for example, an access status management DB 131.

[0024] The entry status management DB 131 is a database in which the biometric information of users who are in an entry status is registered. For example, the entry status management DB 131 stores the biometric information of users who have been permitted to enter, as registered by the registration unit 122, which will be described later. Furthermore, the entry status management DB 131 stores only the biometric information of users who are in an entry status, as the biometric information of users who have left the area is deleted. In this embodiment, the entry status refers to the state from when a user enters the area until when they leave.

[0025] Here, we will explain with specific examples the data stored in the entry status management DB 131. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data stored in the entry status management DB according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the entry status management DB 131 stores information such as "user ID", "biometric information", "entry location", and "entry time".

[0026] The "User ID" field stores a unique ID assigned to each user whose biometric information has been registered in advance. The "Biometric Information" field stores the biometric information data for the corresponding User ID. The "Entry Location" field stores information about the location where the entry / exit control device 100 that authorized the user's entry is installed. The "Entry Time" field stores information about the time the user was authorized to enter.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the entry status management DB131 remembers that user ID "U0001" is in an entry status, and stores that the biometric information is "*** (file of facial image data)", the entry location is "Location A", and the entry time is "10 / 1 / 9:30".

[0028] Furthermore, the entry status management DB 131 can share biometric information of users in an entry status who have entered from multiple locations by periodically sharing information from the entry status management DB 202 held by the user management server 200. Here, we will explain the process when the biometric information of users in an entry status stored in the entry status management DB 131 of multiple entry / exit control devices 100 is shared.

[0029] For example, the entry / exit control device 100 transmits information from the entry status management DB 131, which contains registered users in the entry status acquired by the device, to the user management server 200. The user management server 200 then registers the information of users in the entry status received from the entry / exit control devices 100 installed at multiple locations into the entry status management DB 202 of the user management server 200, thereby comprehensively managing users in the entry status.

[0030] The user management server 200 then transmits information from the entry status management DB 202, which contains information on all users currently in the entry state, to each entry / exit control device 100 at regular intervals. The entry / exit control device 100 then registers the user information transmitted from the user management server 200 in the entry status management DB 131.

[0031] As a result, the entry / exit control devices 100 installed in multiple locations can register the same information as the entry status management DB 202 of the user management server 200, which centrally manages users in the entry status, in their own entry status management DB 131, thereby enabling the sharing of information about users in the entry status.

[0032] The control unit 120 is implemented by a processor such as an integrated circuit (CPU), MPU, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) executing various programs stored in the internal memory of the access control device 100 using RAM or the like as the working area. In the example shown in Figure 2, the control unit 120 includes an acquisition unit 121, a registration unit 122, an authentication unit 123, and an access processing unit 124.

[0033] The acquisition unit 121 acquires the user's biometric information. For example, when the ticket gate 300 detects a user who wishes to enter or exit an area, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the user's biometric information from the ticket gate 300, which is obtained by processes such as capturing the user's facial image, capturing the user's iris image, reading the user's fingerprints, and reading the user's palm print. The acquisition unit 121 then notifies the registration unit 122 of the acquired biometric information, acquisition time, and acquisition location.

[0034] The registration unit 122 registers the user's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit 121 at the time of entry into the entry status management DB 131, which manages the biometric information of users who are in an entry state. For example, when a user who wishes to enter is authenticated based on the information in the user information management DB 201 of the user management server 200 (described later), the registration unit 122 associates the acquired user's biometric information with the user ID retrieved from the biometric information and registers it in the entry status management DB 131.

[0035] Here, the process of registering information of users who have been permitted to enter in the entry status management DB 131 has been described in the registration unit 122. However, the entry / exit control device 100 can also delete information of users who have been permitted to exit from the entry status management DB 131. For example, the entry / exit control device 100 deletes the information of users who have been authenticated by the authentication unit 123 (described later) and permitted to exit from the entry status management DB 131.

[0036] The entry / exit control device 100 can register only users who are in the entry status from the time they enter until they leave in the entry status management DB 131 through the aforementioned registration process for users who enter and deletion process for users who leave.

[0037] Furthermore, in the example described above, the registration unit 122 registered biometric information along with the user ID of a user in the entry status management DB 131, but it is not limited to this. For example, the registration unit 122 can also register only the user ID of a user in the entry status and the user's address information in the user information management DB 201 held by the user management server 200. This allows the entry / exit control device 100 to manage information on users in the entry status without having to store a relatively large amount of biometric data in the entry status management DB 131. In this case, the authentication unit 123, which will be described later, authenticates the user by matching the user's biometric information acquired at the time of exit with the user's biometric information retrieved in the user information management DB 201 using the user ID and user address information stored in the entry status management DB 131.

[0038] The authentication unit 123 authenticates the user's biometric information acquired at the time of exit using the entry status management DB 131. For example, the authentication unit 123 authenticates the user by matching the biometric information acquired for a user exiting through the ticket gate 300 with the user's biometric information registered in the entry status management DB 131.

[0039] Furthermore, the authentication unit 123 can change the authentication accuracy according to the number of biometric data entries registered in the entry status management DB 131. To illustrate with an example using facial image data as biometric data, if the number of facial image data entries registered in the entry status management DB 131 is less than a predetermined threshold, the authentication unit 123 may reduce the number of feature points acquired during facial authentication compared to when the number of facial image data entries is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold. Here, a specific example of the processing content of the authentication unit 123 when using facial image data will be explained.

[0040] For example, the authentication unit 123 obtains the locations (feature points) of characteristic parts such as the eyes, nose, and mouth from the acquired user's facial image data. The authentication unit 123 then quantifies the locations and distances of the feature points and compares them with the numerical information of the feature points in the entry status management DB 131 to search for similar ones. If the matching rate of the numerical information is above a threshold, the authentication unit 123 determines that the user has been successfully authenticated.

[0041] Here, if the number of face image data registered in the entry status management DB 131 is less than a predetermined threshold, the authentication unit 123 may lower the threshold for the face image data matching rate compared to when the number of face image data is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, or it may reduce the number of feature points to acquire and lower the threshold for the face image data matching rate. In this way, when the number of face image data registered in the entry status management DB 131 is less than a predetermined threshold, processing can be sped up while maintaining a certain level of authentication accuracy by reducing the number of feature points to acquire or lowering the threshold for the face image data matching rate.

[0042] The threshold for the facial image data matching rate is an arbitrary threshold set in advance by the administrator or other person managing the entry / exit control device 100, and is a numerical value for the matching rate used to determine whether the facial image data being compared matches or not. To explain with a specific example, in a situation where the threshold for facial image data is set to 80%, the authentication unit 123 determines that the user is a match and authenticates the user if the matching rate of the facial image data being compared is 80% or higher.

[0043] In other words, the authentication unit 123 compares the number of biometric data entries registered in the entry status management DB 131 with a threshold and can authenticate the user with a pre-set authentication accuracy according to the comparison result.

[0044] Furthermore, in addition to reducing the number of feature points to acquire, the authentication unit 123 can change the authentication accuracy by, for example, increasing or decreasing the number of pixels in the acquired face image data. For example, if the number of face image data registered in the entry status management DB 131 is less than a predetermined threshold, the authentication unit 123 can speed up processing while maintaining a certain level of authentication accuracy by reducing the number of pixels in the acquired face image data and lowering the threshold for the uniqueness rate of the face image data, compared to when the number of face image data is equal to or greater than the planned threshold.

[0045] For example, in a situation where it is pre-configured that facial recognition is performed with 40 pixels if the number of facial image data registered in the entry status management DB 131 is 10,000 or more, and with 20 pixels if the number of facial image data is less than 10,000, the authentication unit 123 will perform facial recognition of the user with 20 pixels if the number of facial image data registered in the entry status management DB 131 is 8,000.

[0046] Furthermore, if a user wishes to enter, the authentication unit 123 authenticates the user by matching the acquired biometric information of the user at the time of entry with the biometric information of all users registered in the user information management DB 201 held by the user management server 200.

[0047] The entry / exit processing unit 124 performs processing related to the user's entry and exit based on the information linked to the acquired user's biometric information. For example, the entry / exit processing unit 124 performs processing related to the user's entry and exit based on information managed by the user management server 200, such as the user's entry / exit history and electronic money balance, which are linked to the user's biometric information.

[0048] Here, the processing related to the entry and exit of users includes, for example, processing to update the user's entry and exit history information, and processing to deduct the entry fee from the balance of pre-registered electronic money and simultaneously update the balance of electronic money registered in the user management server 200. This processing is performed when a user enters or leaves the area.

[0049] Furthermore, the timing at which the entry / exit processing unit 124 performs entry / exit processing is not particularly limited. For example, it may be performed when the acquisition unit 121 acquires biometric information, or after the authentication unit 123 has completed user authentication, or the timing of processing may be changed depending on whether it is at entry or exit.

[0050] [Specific examples] Next, specific examples of processing performed by the entry / exit control device 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the processing from user authentication processing upon entry to registering the authenticated user in the entry status management DB, according to the embodiment. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of the processing of authenticating a user using the information registered in the entry status management DB upon exit, according to the embodiment.

[0051] First, we will explain the process performed when a user enters the area using Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4(1), the entry / exit control device 100 authenticates the user's facial image data acquired at the time of entry, which is notified from the ticket gate 300, using the user information management DB 201 held by the user management server 200.

[0052] To explain with a specific example, the entry / exit control device 100 first acquires facial image data captured by the camera device of the ticket gate 300 of users who wish to enter the area. The entry / exit control device 100 then compares the acquired facial image data with the user information management DB 201, which is stored in the user management server 200 and contains pre-registered facial image data for all users (for example, 500,000 people). If a matching facial image data exists, the entry / exit control device 100 authenticates the user, updates the entry / exit history information associated with the authenticated user, and notifies the ticket gate 300 that the user has been authenticated.

[0053] Next, as shown in Figure 4(2), the entry / exit control device 100 shares information from the entry status management DB 131, which contains facial image data of users whose entry has been authenticated, with the user management server 200.

[0054] To explain with a specific example, the entry / exit control device 100 registers the facial image data of users whose entry has been authenticated in the entry status management DB 131. Then, at regular intervals, the entry / exit control device 100 transmits the information from the entry status management DB 131 to the user management server 200, and receives as a reply information from the user management server 200 about all users in an entered state that it manages comprehensively. The entry / exit control device 100 then updates the information in the entry status management DB 131 based on the received information.

[0055] Next, using Figure 5, we will explain the process performed when a user leaves the area. As shown in Figure 5, the entry / exit control device 100 authenticates the user's facial image data acquired at the time of exit, which is notified by the ticket gate 300, using the entry status management DB 131.

[0056] To explain with a specific example, the entry / exit control device 100 first acquires facial image data captured by the camera device of the ticket gate 300 of users who wish to exit the area. The entry / exit control device 100 then compares the acquired facial image data with the entry status management DB 131, which contains information on all users (for example, 10,000 people) who are currently inside the area. If a facial image data matching the acquired facial image data exists, the entry / exit control device 100 authenticates the user, updates the entry / exit history information associated with the authenticated user, processes the collection of fees such as admission fees, and notifies the ticket gate 300 that the user has been authenticated.

[0057] Through the series of processes described above, the entry / exit control device 100 can authenticate users upon exit using a database screened from all users (e.g., 500,000) to identify users who are currently inside (e.g., 10,000). This reduces the time required for user authentication upon exiting an area and lowers the overall processing load on the system.

[0058] By the way, the explanation so far has shown an example of a process that uses a database of users who have been screened while inside to authenticate users upon exit. However, the user screening process performed by the entry / exit control device 100 is not limited to this. For example, the entry / exit control device 100 can use information of users screened by detecting communication terminals present around the device using beacons to perform user authentication using facial image data.

[0059] The following section describes an example of screening and authenticating users present in the vicinity of the device using beacons, with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram showing another example in which users are authenticated using the screened information in this embodiment.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the entry / exit control device 100 establishes wireless communication with communication terminals of users located within a pre-set wireless communication area around the device using beacons installed on the device, and obtains information such as the ID of the communication terminal (Figure 6(1)).

[0061] The entry / exit control device 100 then searches the database that manages user information for the ID of the communication terminal received by the beacon, and obtains the name of the user and the user's facial image data associated with the ID of the communication terminal, thereby screening two users, "BB" and "CC," who are present in the vicinity of the device (Figure 6(2)).

[0062] The entry / exit control device 100 then uses a database containing the facial image data of the two screened users, "BB" and "CC," to perform authentication based on the user's facial image data, thereby identifying the user who wishes to enter the area as "BB" (Figure 6(3)).

[0063] 〔flowchart〕 Next, an example of processing by the entry / exit control device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the entry / exit control device according to this embodiment when a user enters. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the entry / exit control device according to this embodiment when a user leaves. Note that each step in the flowcharts shown in Figures 7 and 8 can be executed in a different order, and additional processing may be added or omitted.

[0064] First, an example of the entry process will be explained using Figure 7. The entry / exit control device 100 obtains biometric information from the ticket gate 300 for users who wish to enter the area (S101). Then, the entry / exit control device 100 authenticates the obtained biometric information with the user information management DB 201 of the user management server 200 (S102).

[0065] The entry / exit control device 100 then performs entry-related processing, such as updating the entry history, on the user information associated with the authenticated user (S103). The entry / exit control device 100 then registers the authenticated user's information in the entry status management DB 131 (S104). The entry / exit control device 100 then shares the information in the entry status management DB 131 with the user management server 200 (S105) and completes the process.

[0066] Next, an example of the exit process will be explained using Figure 8. The entry / exit control device 100 obtains biometric information acquired from the ticket gate 300 for users who wish to exit the area (S201). The entry / exit control device 100 then authenticates the acquired biometric information with the entry status management DB 131 (S202).

[0067] The entry / exit control device 100 then performs processes that occur upon exit, such as updating the exit history and payment of admission fees, for the user information associated with the authenticated user (S204). The entry / exit control device 100 then deletes the authenticated user's information from the entry status management DB 131 (S205). The entry / exit control device 100 then shares the information from the entry status management DB 131 with the user management server 200 (S206) and terminates the process.

[0068] 〔effect〕 The entry / exit control device 100 according to this embodiment includes an acquisition unit 121, a registration unit 122, and an authentication unit 123. The acquisition unit 121 acquires the user's biometric information. The registration unit 122 registers the user's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit 121 at the time of entry into the entry status management DB 131, which manages the biometric information of users in the entry status. The authentication unit 123 authenticates the user's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit 121 at the time of exit using the entry status management DB 131.

[0069] As a result, when a user leaves an area, the entry / exit control device 100 authenticates the user using a database created by screening all users to identify those who are currently in the entry state. This reduces the time required for user authentication when leaving an area and also reduces the overall processing load of the system.

[0070] Furthermore, the entry status management DB 131 shares the biometric information of users who have entered from multiple locations and are in an entered state. As a result, the entry / exit control device 100 shares users who have entered from multiple locations as users in an entered state, so even if a user who entered using another entry / exit control device 100 tries to exit using its own device, it can be properly authenticated.

[0071] Furthermore, the entry / exit control device 100 has an entry / exit processing unit 124. The entry / exit processing unit 124 performs processing related to the user's entry and exit based on the information linked to the user's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit 121. As a result, the entry / exit control device 100 can perform processing such as updating the entry / exit history linked to the user and collecting fees such as admission fees when the user enters and exits the area.

[0072] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the user's facial image data, and the authentication unit 123 changes the accuracy of facial recognition according to the number of facial image data of users in the entry status registered in the entry status management DB 131. As a result, when the number of facial image data of users in the entry status is small, the entry / exit control device 100 has to match fewer facial image data, so it can perform facial recognition with a relatively coarse accuracy, and process faster while maintaining a certain level of authentication accuracy.

[0073] 〔others〕 Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of those described as being performed automatically may be performed manually. Conversely, all or part of those described as being performed manually may be performed automatically by known methods. In addition, the processing procedures, specific names, and various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings may be changed at will unless otherwise specified.

[0074] Furthermore, each component of the illustrated device is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to be physically or functionally configured as shown. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each device and functional configuration are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions. In addition, the embodiments described above and the processes carried out in each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, as long as the processing content is not contradictory.

[0075] 〔program〕 Furthermore, the entry / exit control device 100 according to the above-described embodiment is implemented by a computer 1000 having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a computer that executes a program. The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and has a configuration in which a central processing unit 1030, memory 1040, storage 1050, output IF (Interface) 1060, input IF 1070, and communication interface 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

[0076] The central processing unit 1030 operates based on programs stored in the memory 1040 and storage 1050, as well as programs read from the input device 1020, and executes various processes. The memory 1040 is a memory device, such as RAM, that temporarily stores data used by the central processing unit 1030 for various calculations. The storage 1050 is a storage device where data used by the central processing unit 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is implemented using ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, etc.

[0077] Output IF1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to output devices 1010 that output various types of information, such as monitors and printers. It can be implemented using connectors of standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). Input IF1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as mice, keyboards, and cameras. It can be implemented using USB, for example. Input devices 1020 may also be devices that read information from optical recording media, magneto-optical recording media, tape media, magnetic recording media, or semiconductor memory, or external storage media such as USB memory.

[0078] The communication interface 1080 receives data from other devices via the network N and sends it to the central processing unit 1030, and also transmits data generated by the central processing unit 1030 to other devices via the network N. The central processing unit 1030 controls the output device 1010 and input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and input IF 1070. For example, the central processing unit 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or storage 1050 into memory 1040 and executes the loaded program.

[0079] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are illustrative examples, and the present invention may be implemented in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, starting with the embodiments described in the disclosure section of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "section, module, unit" used above can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, the "applying part" can be read as the "applying means" or "applying circuit." [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 100 Entry / Exit Control Device 110 Communications Department 120 Control Unit 121 Acquisition Department 122 Registration Department 123 Authentication Department 124 Entrance / Exit Processing Unit 130 Storage section 131 Entry Status Management Database 200 User Management Server 201 User information management DB 202 Entry Status Management Database 300 ticket gates

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires the user's biometric information, A registration unit registers the user's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit at the time of entry into a database that manages the biometric information of users in the entry state. An authentication unit authenticates the user's biometric information at the time of departure, which has been acquired by the acquisition unit, using the database. An entry / exit control device characterized by having the following features.

2. The entry / exit control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the database shares biometric information of users in the entry state who have entered from each of the multiple locations.

3. The system further includes an entry / exit processing unit that performs processing related to the entry and exit of the user on the information linked to the user's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit. The entry / exit control device according to feature 1.

4. The acquisition unit acquires the user's facial image data, The authentication unit changes the accuracy of facial recognition according to the number of facial image data of the user in the entry status registered in the database. The entry / exit control device according to feature 1.

5. An entry / exit control method performed by an entry / exit control device, The acquisition process involves obtaining the user's biometric information, A registration step involves registering the biometric information of the user at the time of entry, obtained by the acquisition step, into a database that manages the biometric information of the user in the entry state. An authentication step is performed using the database to authenticate the biometric information of the user at the time of departure, which was acquired in the acquisition step. An entry / exit control method characterized by including the following:

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