Iris imaging device, iris authentication device, iris imaging method, iris authentication method, program, and recording medium

Abstract

To provide an iris imaging device and an iris imaging method capable of improving imaging accuracy of an iris.SOLUTION: An iris imaging device 10 includes a line-of-sight target display unit, a line-of-sight target control unit, and an imaging unit. The line-of-sight target display unit displays a line-of-sight target. The line-of-sight target control unit controls a change in the line-of-sight target. The imaging unit images an iris at a timing when the line-of-sight target changes to a predetermined state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an iris imaging device, an iris authentication device, an iris imaging method, an iris authentication method, a program, and a recording medium.

Background Art

[0002] A method of performing personal identification using iris information has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). An iris authentication device irradiates light on the eyes of a person whose iris is to be authenticated, captures an eye image with a camera, extracts iris information from the obtained eye image, and compares the extracted iris information with the data in a pre-registered iris information database to perform personal authentication.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in iris authentication, when capturing an iris, there is a problem that the difficulty of capturing an iris suitable for iris authentication is high because a part of the iris is hidden by the eyelids of the person to be authenticated or the eyes are hidden by blinking.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an iris imaging device capable of improving the imaging accuracy of an iris.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the iris imaging device (hereinafter, also referred to as an "imaging device") of the present invention includes a line-of-sight target display unit, a line-of-sight target control unit, and an imaging unit. The line-of-sight target display unit displays a line-of-sight target. The line-of-sight target control unit controls the change of the line-of-sight target. The imaging unit captures the iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target changes to a predetermined state.

[0007] The iris authentication device of the present invention (hereinafter, also referred to as "authentication device") includes an iris imaging unit and an authentication unit. The iris imaging unit is the iris imaging device of the present invention and can acquire an iris image of an authentication target person. The authentication unit performs iris authentication using the iris image acquired by the iris imaging unit.

[0008] The iris imaging method of the present invention (hereinafter, also referred to as "imaging method") includes a line-of-sight target display step, a line-of-sight target control step, and an imaging step. The line-of-sight target display step displays a line-of-sight target. The line-of-sight target control step controls the change of the line-of-sight target. The imaging step captures the iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target changes to a predetermined state.

[0009] The iris authentication method of the present invention (hereinafter, also referred to as "authentication method") includes an iris imaging step and an authentication step. The iris imaging step is the iris imaging method of the present invention and can acquire an iris image of an authentication target person. The authentication step performs iris authentication using the iris image acquired by the iris imaging step.

[0010] The first program of the present invention is a program for imaging the iris, causing a computer to execute a line-of-sight target display procedure, a line-of-sight target control procedure, and an imaging procedure. The line-of-sight target display procedure displays a line-of-sight target. The line-of-sight target control procedure controls the change of the line-of-sight target. The imaging procedure captures the iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target changes to a predetermined state.

[0011] The second program of the present invention is a program for iris authentication, Cause the computer to execute the iris imaging procedure and the authentication procedure, wherein the iris imaging procedure is executed by the first program of the present invention and is capable of acquiring an iris image of an authentication target person, and the authentication procedure performs iris authentication using the iris image acquired by the iris imaging procedure.

[0012] The recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records the program of the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the imaging accuracy of the iris can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. Note that the present invention is not limited or restricted in any way by the following embodiments. In the following FIGS. 1 to 10, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, the descriptions of the respective embodiments can be mutually referred to unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the configurations of the respective embodiments can be combined unless otherwise specified.

[0016] [Embodiment 1] This embodiment is an example of the iris imaging device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an example of the imaging device 10 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 10 includes a line-of-sight target display unit 11, a line-of-sight target control unit 12, and an imaging unit 13. The imaging device 10 may also include a storage unit. The imaging device 10 of this embodiment may be incorporated into a server as a system. Also, the imaging device 10 of this embodiment may be a personal computer (PC) in which the program of the present invention is installed. Although not shown, the imaging device 10 may be connectable to at least one of an external device and an external terminal of a device administrator via a communication line network. When the imaging device 10 is connectable to the external terminal of the device administrator, the device administrator may perform management of the imaging device 10 from the external terminal.

[0017] The communication line network is not particularly limited, and a known network can be used. For example, it may be wired or wireless. Examples of the communication line network include an Internet line, the World Wide Web (WWW), a telephone line, a local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), and LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).

[0018] The external device includes, for example, a PC; a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc.; a smartwatch, smart glasses, a wearable terminal, etc. The external device may include, for example, imaging means such as a camera, a scanner, etc., and voice input means such as an IC (integrated circuit) card reader, a microphone, etc.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the hardware configuration of the imaging device 10. The imaging device 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a memory 102, a bus 103, a storage device 104, an input device 106, a display 107, a communication device 108, etc. Each part of the imaging device 10 is connected via the bus 103 by respective interfaces (I / F).

[0020] The CPU 101 cooperates with other components, for example, by a controller (system controller, I / O controller, etc.), and is responsible for overall control of the imaging device 10. In the imaging device 10, for example, the program 105 of the present invention and other programs are executed by the CPU 101, and various information is read and written. Specifically, for example, the CPU 101 functions as the line-of-sight target display unit 11, the line-of-sight target control unit 12, and the imaging unit 13. The imaging device 10 includes a CPU as an arithmetic device, but may also include other arithmetic devices such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), or a combination of the CPU and these.

[0021] The memory 102 includes, for example, a main memory. The main memory is also referred to as a main storage device. When the CPU 101 performs processing, for example, the memory 102 reads various operation programs such as the program 105 of the present invention stored in the storage device 104 (auxiliary storage device) described later. Then, the CPU 101 reads data from the memory 102, decodes it, and executes the program. The main memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 102 further includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0022] The bus 103 can also be connected to, for example, an external device. Examples of the external device include the iris authentication device of the present invention described later, the external device, an external storage device, a printer, a voice output device such as a speaker, and the like. The imaging device 10 can be connected to the communication line network, for example, by a communication device 108 connected to the bus 103, and can also be connected to the external device via the communication line network.

[0023] The storage device 104 is also referred to as, for example, a so-called auxiliary storage device with respect to the main memory (main storage device). As described above, an operation program including the program 105 of the present invention is stored in the storage device 104. The storage device 104 includes, for example, a storage medium and a drive for reading and writing to the storage medium. The storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an internal type or an external type, and examples include an HD (hard disk), an FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk), a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, an MO, a DVD, a flash memory, a memory card, etc. The drive is not particularly limited. The storage device 104 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) in which the storage medium and the drive are integrated. When the imaging device 10 includes, for example, the storage unit, the storage device 104 functions as the storage unit.

[0024] The imaging device 10 further includes, for example, an input device 106 and a display 107. The input device 106 includes, for example, pointing devices such as a touch panel, a track pad, and a mouse; a keyboard; imaging means such as a camera and a scanner; card readers such as an IC card reader and a magnetic card reader; voice input means such as a microphone; and the like. The display 107 includes, for example, display devices such as an LED display and a liquid crystal display. In the first embodiment, the input device 106 and the display 107 are separately configured, but the input device 106 and the display 107 may be integrally configured like a touch panel display. Further, the imaging device 10 includes, for example, a camera (imaging device) such as a visible light camera and a near-infrared camera as the input device 106, and the CPU 101 controls the camera as the imaging unit 13 to capture an iris image.

[0025] In the imaging device 10, the memory 102 and the storage device 104 can also store access information and log information from the user, as well as information obtained from an external database (not shown).

[0026] Next, the iris imaging method of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 4 to 7. The imaging method of this embodiment can be implemented, for example, using the imaging device 10 of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0027] First, a line-of-sight target is displayed by the line-of-sight target display unit 11 of the imaging device 10 (S1, line-of-sight target display step). The line-of-sight target is a mark for guiding the line of sight of the iris imaging subject, and includes, for example, figures such as a circle, a square, and a triangle; characters such as hiragana, kanji, and alphabet; symbols such as a Landolt ring; images such as illustrations, photos, and characters of insects, animals, and plants; and the like. The line-of-sight target display unit 11 may display, for example, in addition to the line-of-sight target, text explaining what kind of change the line-of-sight target will undergo by the line-of-sight target control unit 12 described later. The text is not particularly limited, and examples include text including the instruction information 112c to the imaging subject described later.

[0028] Next, the gaze target control unit 12 of the imaging device 10 controls the change of the gaze target (S2, gaze target control step). Examples of the change of the gaze target include, for example, a change in the position of the gaze target (also referred to as a change in the position of the gaze target); a change in the size of the gaze target; a change in the angle of the gaze target; a switch of the gaze target; and the like. Specific examples of the change of the gaze target by the gaze target control unit 12 will be described later.

[0029] Then, the imaging unit 13 of the imaging device 10 images the iris at the timing when the gaze target changes to a predetermined state (S3, imaging step). The number of times of imaging the iris may be once or a plurality of two or more times. From the viewpoint of improving the acquisition accuracy of the iris image, for example, a plurality of times is preferable. The predetermined state is not particularly limited and can be appropriately determined according to the control of the change of the gaze target by the gaze target control unit 12. When the change of the gaze target is a change in the position of the gaze target, that is, a movement of the gaze target, the imaging unit 13 may image the iris, for example, at the timing when the gaze target moves to a specific position, or at the timing when the change in the position of the gaze target stops, that is, at the timing when the gaze target stops. When the change of the gaze target is a change in the size of the gaze target, the imaging unit 13 can image the iris, for example, at the timing when the gaze target reaches a predetermined size. When the change of the gaze target is a change in the angle of the gaze target, the imaging unit 13 may image the iris, for example, at the timing when the gaze target reaches a specific angle, or at the timing when the change in the angle of the gaze target stops, that is, at the timing when the gaze target stops. Further, when the change of the gaze target is a switch of the gaze target, the imaging unit 13 can image the iris, for example, at the timing when the gaze target is switched. Further, the present invention may use a combination of these changes in the gaze target, for example.

[0030] Specific examples of the processes of S1 to S3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0031] Regarding the case where the change in the line-of-sight target is a change in the position of the line-of-sight target, that is, the movement of the line-of-sight target, it will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 4. FIGS. 4(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams showing an example of the screen displayed by the line-of-sight target display unit 11. FIG. 4(A) shows a state where the position of the line-of-sight target is changing, and FIG. 4(B) shows the timing when the change in the position of the line-of-sight target has stopped. First, as shown in FIG. 4(A), a circular figure (line-of-sight target 112b) is displayed in the display area 112a of the line-of-sight target display unit 11. At this time, for example, the line-of-sight target display unit 11 may also display instruction information 112c such as "Please confirm where the point stops". The instruction information 112c may be output by voice by the voice output means instead of or in addition to the display by the line-of-sight target display unit 11, for example, when the imaging device 10 is provided with the voice output means. Next, in the S2 step, the line-of-sight target control unit 12 changes the position of the line-of-sight target 112b displayed in the display area 112a so as to draw a locus as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 4(A). Note that the locus of the line-of-sight target 112b shown by the dotted line in FIG. 4(A) is an example, and the line-of-sight target control unit 12 can change the position of the line-of-sight target 112b in an arbitrary locus, for example. Then, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the imaging unit 13 images the iris at the timing when the change in the position of the line-of-sight target 112b has stopped. The stop position of the line-of-sight target 112b is not particularly limited and can be an arbitrary position, but it is preferably stopped at a position corresponding to the imaging position of the iris of the imaging subject to be described later, for example. Also, when the imaging unit 13 performs iris imaging a plurality of times, the line-of-sight target control unit 12 may intermittently repeat the movement and stop of the line-of-sight target 112b, for example. In this case, the imaging unit 13 images the iris every time the line-of-sight target 112b stops, for example. By imaging the iris at such a timing, for example, the iris can be imaged in a state where the eyes of the imaging subject are open, so that the imaging accuracy of the iris can be improved.

[0032] Note that the present invention is not limited to this. The imaging unit 13 may, for example, image the iris while the line-of-sight target 112b is moving. In this case, the imaging unit 13 can image the iris, for example, at the timing when the line-of-sight target 112b moves to a predetermined position. The predetermined position is not particularly limited, and it is preferably, for example, a position corresponding to the imaging position of the iris of the imaging subject. The "position corresponding to the imaging position of the iris" can be, for example, position coordinates on the display area 112a that are located in the direction opposite to the position of the iris of the imaging target. Specific examples of the position coordinates located in the direction opposite to the imaging position of the iris include combinations of the position coordinates of the lower side of the iris and the upper side of the display area 112a, the position coordinates of the upper side of the iris and the lower side of the display area 112a, the position coordinates of the right side of the iris and the left side of the display area 112a, and the position coordinates of the left side of the iris and the right side of the display area 112a. While the line-of-sight target 112b is moving, since the imaging subject is following the line-of-sight target 112b with the eyes, the position of the iris hidden by the eyelids changes. Therefore, by imaging the iris at such a timing, for example, the imaging angle of the iris can be changed, and thus the imaging accuracy of the iris can be improved.

[0033] Also, for example, when there is a hidden part in the imaged iris image, the line-of-sight target control unit 12 moves the line-of-sight target 112b to a position corresponding to the hidden part of the iris, and the imaging unit 13 may image the iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target 112b moves to a position corresponding to the hidden part of the iris. Specifically, for example, when the lower half of the iris of the imaging subject imaged by the imaging unit 13 is hidden, the line-of-sight target control unit 12 changes the position of the line-of-sight target 112b displayed on the display area 112a to the upper side of the display area 112a. Then, the imaging unit 13 images the iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target 112b moves to the upper side of the display area 112a. By imaging the iris at such a timing, for example, the hidden part of the iris of the imaging subject can be imaged, and thus the imaging accuracy of the iris can be improved.

[0034] Next, when the change in the line-of-sight target is a change in the size of the line-of-sight target, the imaging unit 13 captures an iris, for example, at the timing when the line-of-sight target reaches a previously specified size. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 5. FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are schematic diagrams showing an example of a screen displayed by the line-of-sight target display unit 11. FIG. 5(A) shows the state before the size of the line-of-sight target changes, and FIG. 5(B) shows the timing when the size of the line-of-sight target has changed. First, as shown in FIG. 5(A), the letter "A" (line-of-sight target 112b) of the alphabet is displayed in the display area 112a of the line-of-sight target display unit 11. At this time, for example, the line-of-sight target display unit 11 may also display instruction information 112c such as "Please tell me the character to be displayed." The instruction information 112c may be output by voice by the voice output means instead of or in addition to the display by the line-of-sight target display unit 11, for example, when the imaging device 10 is provided with the voice output means. Next, in the S2 step, for example, the line-of-sight target control unit 12 gradually changes the size of the line-of-sight target 112b displayed in the display area 112a from the size shown in FIG. 5(A) to the size shown in FIG. 5(B). Then, the imaging unit 13 captures an iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target 112b reaches a previously specified size. The previously specified size is not particularly limited, and any size can be specified. Also, the specified size may be, for example, one size or two or more sizes. However, from the viewpoint of improving the imaging accuracy of the iris by imaging multiple times, it is preferable to specify multiple sizes. By capturing an iris at such a timing, for example, the iris can be captured in a state where the eyes of the imaging subject are open, so that the imaging accuracy of the iris can be improved.

[0035] In the above example, the case where the line-of-sight target control unit 12 gradually increases the size of the line-of-sight target 112b is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the line-of-sight target control unit 12 may gradually decrease the size of the line-of-sight target 112b.

[0036] Next, the case where the change in the line-of-sight target is a change in the angle of the line-of-sight target, that is, a rotation of the line-of-sight target, will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 6. FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are schematic diagrams showing an example of a screen displayed by the line-of-sight target display unit 11. FIG. 6(A) shows a state where the position of the line-of-sight target is changing, and FIG. 6(B) shows the timing when the change in the position of the line-of-sight target has stopped. First, as shown in FIG. 6(A), an image of a chair and a table (line-of-sight target 112b) is displayed in an inclined state in the display area 112a of the line-of-sight target display unit 11. At this time, for example, the line-of-sight target display unit 11 may also display instruction information 112c such as "What kind of figure would it be?" The instruction information 112c may be output by voice by the voice output means instead of or in addition to the display by the line-of-sight target display unit 11, for example, when the imaging device 10 includes the voice output means. Next, in the S2 step, the line-of-sight target control unit 12 rotates the line-of-sight target 112b displayed in the display area 112a in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6(A) to change the angle of the line-of-sight target 112b. Then, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the imaging unit 13 images the iris at the timing when the change in the angle of the line-of-sight target 112b has stopped. Also, when the imaging unit 13 performs iris imaging a plurality of times, the line-of-sight target control unit 12 may, for example, intermittently repeat the rotation and stop of the line-of-sight target 112b. In this case, the imaging unit 13 images the iris every time the rotation of the line-of-sight target 112b stops, for example. By imaging the iris at such a timing, for example, the iris can be imaged in a state where the eyes of the imaging subject are open, so that the imaging accuracy of the iris can be improved.

[0037] For the case where the change in the line-of-sight target is a switch of the line-of-sight target, it will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 7. FIGS. 7(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams showing an example of a screen displayed by the line-of-sight target display unit 11, where FIG. 7(A) shows the state before the switch of the line-of-sight target, and FIG. 7(B) shows the state after the switch of the line-of-sight target. First, as shown in FIG. 7(A), an image of a hole where a mole is hidden (line-of-sight target 112b) is displayed in the display area 112a of the line-of-sight target display unit 11. At this time, for example, the line-of-sight target display unit 11 may also display instruction information 112c such as "From which hole will the mole come out?". The instruction information 112c may be output by voice by the voice output means instead of or in addition to the display by the line-of-sight target display unit 11, for example, when the imaging device 10 is provided with the voice output means. Next, in the S2 step, the line-of-sight target control unit 12 switches the line-of-sight target 112b displayed in the display area 112a to the image showing the mole as shown in FIG. 7(B) at an arbitrary timing. Then, the imaging unit 13 images the iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target 112b is switched to the image showing the mole as shown in FIG. 7(B). Also, when the imaging unit 13 images the iris a plurality of times, the line-of-sight target control unit 12 may intermittently repeat the switch between the line-of-sight target 112b shown in FIG. 7(A) and the line-of-sight target 112b shown in FIG. 7(B), for example. In this case, the imaging unit 13 images the iris every time the line-of-sight target 112b is switched, for example. By imaging the iris at such a timing, for example, the iris can be imaged in a state where the eyes of the imaging subject are wide open, so that the imaging accuracy of the iris can be improved.

[0038] According to the iris imaging device of the present invention, the line-of-sight target control unit controls the change in the line-of-sight target, and the imaging unit images the iris of the subject at the timing when the line-of-sight target changes to a predetermined state. Therefore, the iris imaging device of the present invention can image the iris, for example, at the timing when the subject's eyes are wide open, and the imaging accuracy of the iris is improved.

[0039] [Embodiment 2] This embodiment is an example of the iris authentication device of the present invention. The authentication device of the present invention includes an iris imaging unit and an authentication unit. The iris imaging unit is the iris imaging device of the present invention, and the authentication unit is not particularly limited except that iris authentication is performed using the iris image acquired by the iris imaging unit.

[0040] The authentication device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an example of the authentication device 20 of this embodiment. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the authentication device 20 includes an iris imaging unit 10 and an authentication unit 21. The authentication device 20 may, for example, include a storage unit (not shown). In this case, the storage unit may include, for example, the reference iris information 221 of the person to be authenticated. The authentication device 20 of this embodiment may be incorporated into a server as a system. Also, the authentication device 20 of this embodiment may be a personal computer (PC) installed with the program of the present invention. Also, although not shown, the authentication device 20 may be connectable to at least one of an external device and an external terminal of a device administrator via a communication network. When the authentication device 20 is connectable to the external terminal of the device administrator, the device administrator may perform management of the authentication device 20 from the external terminal.

[0041] The communication network is not particularly limited, and a known network can be used. For example, it may be wired or wireless. Examples of the communication network include an Internet line, WWW (World Wide Web), a telephone line, a LAN (Local Area Network), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), and the like.

[0042] Examples of the external device include a PC; mobile terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet terminals; smartwatches, smart glasses, wearable terminals, and the like. The external device may include, for example, imaging means such as a camera and a scanner, and voice input means such as an IC (integrated circuit) card reader and a microphone.

[0043] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of the hardware configuration of the authentication device 20. The authentication device 20 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a memory 202, a bus 203, a storage device 204, an input device 206, a display 207, a communication device 208, and the like. Each part of the authentication device 20 is connected via the bus 203 by respective interfaces (I / F).

[0044] The CPU 201 cooperates with other components, for example, by a controller (such as a system controller, an I / O controller, etc.), and is responsible for the overall control of the authentication device 20. In the authentication device 20, for example, the program 205 of the present invention and other programs are executed by the CPU 201, and various information is read and written. Specifically, for example, the CPU 201 functions as the iris imaging unit 10 and the authentication unit 21. The authentication device 20 includes a CPU as an arithmetic unit, but may also include other arithmetic units such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), or a combination of the CPU and these.

[0045] The memory 202 includes, for example, a main memory. The main memory is also referred to as a main storage device. When the CPU 201 performs processing, for example, the memory 202 reads various operation programs such as the program 105 of the present invention stored in the storage device 204 (auxiliary storage device) described later. Then, the CPU 201 reads data from the memory 202, decodes it, and executes the program. The main memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 202 further includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0046] The bus 203 can also be connected to, for example, external devices. Examples of the external devices include imaging devices such as cameras, the external devices, external storage devices, printers, audio output devices such as speakers, and the like. The authentication device 20 can be connected to the communication network, for example, by a communication device 208 connected to the bus 203, and can also be connected to the external device via the communication network.

[0047] The storage device 204 is also referred to as a so-called auxiliary storage device with respect to the main memory (primary storage device), for example. As described above, an operation program including the program 205 of the present invention is stored in the storage device 204. The storage device 204 includes, for example, a storage medium and a drive for reading and writing to the storage medium. The storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an internal type or an external type, and examples include HD (hard disk), FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk), CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, MO, DVD, flash memory, memory card, etc. The drive is not particularly limited. The storage device 204 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) in which the storage medium and the drive are integrated. When the authentication device 20 includes the storage unit, the storage device 204 functions as the storage unit, for example, and stores the reference iris information 221.

[0048] The authentication device 20 further includes, for example, an input device 206 and a display 207. Examples of the input device 206 include pointing devices such as touch panels, track pads, and mice; keyboards; imaging means such as cameras and scanners; card readers such as IC card readers and magnetic card readers; voice input means such as microphones; and the like. Examples of the display 207 include display devices such as LED displays and liquid crystal displays. In the second embodiment, the input device 206 and the display 207 are separately configured, but the input device 206 and the display 207 may be configured integrally, such as a touch panel display.

[0049] In the authentication device 20, the memory 202 and the storage device 204 can also store access information and log information from the user, as well as information obtained from an external database (not shown).

[0050] Next, the iris authentication method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. The authentication method of the present embodiment can be implemented using, for example, the authentication device 20 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Note that the authentication method of the present invention is not limited to the use of the authentication device 20.

[0051] First, the iris imaging unit 10 of the authentication device 20 performs S1 to S3 in the same manner as S1 to S3 in the iris imaging method of the first embodiment, and captures and acquires an iris image of the person to be authenticated.

[0052] Next, the authentication unit 21 of the authentication device 20 performs iris authentication using the acquired iris image of the person to be authenticated (S11, authentication step). The iris authentication process by the authentication device of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be implemented, for example, in the same manner as a known iris authentication device. As an example, for example, the authentication unit 21 extracts the iris information of the person to be authenticated from the iris image of the person to be authenticated, and collates the iris information of the person to be authenticated with the reference iris information 221 stored in advance to perform iris authentication. Specifically, for example, the authentication unit 21 calculates a similarity score by comparing the iris information of the person to be authenticated with the reference iris information 221, and can perform iris authentication by determining whether the similarity score exceeds a threshold value. The reference iris information 221 may be, for example, one type of information or a plurality of two or more types of information. In the latter case, the authentication unit 21 can, for example, collate the plurality of reference iris information 221 stored in the DB with the iris information of the person to be authenticated, list up the reference iris information 221 with a high similarity score for the person to be authenticated, and perform iris authentication.

[0053] According to the iris authentication device of the present invention, since the iris imaging unit 10 improves the imaging accuracy of the iris, for example, as a result, the accuracy of iris authentication can be improved.

[0054] [Embodiment 3] The first program of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the above-described iris imaging method. Specifically, the program of this embodiment is a program for imaging the iris, and causes the computer to execute a line-of-sight target display procedure, a line-of-sight target control procedure, and an imaging procedure.

[0055] The line-of-sight target display procedure displays a line-of-sight target, the line-of-sight target control procedure controls the change of the line-of-sight target, and the imaging procedure images the iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target changes to a predetermined state.

[0056] Also, the program of this embodiment can be said to be a program that causes a computer to function as a line-of-sight target display procedure, a line-of-sight target control procedure, and an imaging procedure.

[0057] The program of this embodiment can incorporate the descriptions in the iris imaging apparatus and iris imaging method of the present invention. Each of the above procedures can be, for example, read as "processing" instead of "procedure". Also, the program of this embodiment may be recorded on, for example, a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The recording medium is not particularly limited, and examples include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk (HD), optical disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), and the like.

[0058] [Embodiment 4] The second program of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the above-described iris authentication method. Specifically, the program of this embodiment is a program for iris authentication, and causes the computer to execute an iris imaging procedure and an authentication procedure.

[0059] The authentication procedure is executed by the first program of the present invention, and is capable of acquiring an iris image of an authentication target person. The authentication procedure performs iris authentication using the iris image acquired by the iris imaging procedure.

[0060] Also, the second program of the present embodiment can also be said to be a program that causes a computer to function as an iris imaging procedure and an authentication procedure.

[0061] The program of the present embodiment can incorporate the descriptions in the iris imaging device, iris imaging method, iris authentication device, and iris authentication method of the present invention. Each of the above procedures can, for example, have "procedure" read as "process". Also, the program of the present embodiment may be recorded on, for example, a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The recording medium is not particularly limited, and examples include a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk (HD), an optical disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), and the like.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

[0063] <Supplementary Note> Some or all of the above embodiments and examples can be described as follows in the supplementary note, but are not limited thereto. (Supplementary Note 1) An iris imaging device including a line-of-sight target display unit, a line-of-sight target control unit, and an imaging unit, wherein the line-of-sight target display unit displays a line-of-sight target, the line-of-sight target control unit controls changes in the line-of-sight target, and the imaging unit images the iris at a timing when the line-of-sight target changes to a predetermined state. (Supplementary Note 2) The line-of-sight target control unit controls a change in the position of the line-of-sight target as a change in the line-of-sight target. The imaging unit images the iris at the timing when the change in the position of the line-of-sight target stops. The iris imaging device according to Supplementary Note 1. (Supplementary Note 3) The line-of-sight target control unit controls a change in the position of the line-of-sight target as a change in the line-of-sight target. The imaging unit images the iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target moves to a predetermined position. The iris imaging device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2. (Supplementary Note 4) The line-of-sight target control unit controls a change in the size of the line-of-sight target as a change in the line-of-sight target. The imaging unit images the iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target reaches a predetermined size. The iris imaging device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3. (Supplementary Note 5) The line-of-sight target control unit controls a change in the angle of the line-of-sight target as a change in the line-of-sight target. The imaging unit images the iris at the timing when the change in the angle of the line-of-sight target stops. The iris imaging device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4. (Supplementary Note 6) The line-of-sight target control unit controls a switch of the line-of-sight target as a change in the line-of-sight target. The imaging unit images the iris at the timing when the line-of-sight target is switched. The iris imaging device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5. (Supplementary Note 7) Comprising an iris imaging unit and an authentication unit. The iris imaging unit is the iris imaging device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, and is capable of acquiring an iris image of an authentication target person. The authentication unit performs iris authentication using the iris image acquired by the iris imaging unit. An iris authentication device. (Supplementary Note 8) Comprising a line-of-sight target display step, a line-of-sight target control step, and an imaging step. The line-of-sight target display step displays a line-of-sight target. The line-of-sight target control step controls a change in the line-of-sight target. The iris imaging method, wherein the imaging process captures an iris at a timing when the line-of-sight target changes to a predetermined state. (Appendix 9) In the line-of-sight target control process, as a change in the line-of-sight target, a change in the position of the line-of-sight target is controlled. The imaging process captures an iris at a timing when the change in the position of the line-of-sight target stops, which is the iris imaging method described in Appendix 8. (Appendix 10) In the line-of-sight target control process, as a change in the line-of-sight target, a change in the position of the line-of-sight target is controlled. The imaging process captures an iris at a timing when the line-of-sight target moves to a predetermined position, which is the iris imaging method described in Appendix 8 or 9. (Appendix 11) In the line-of-sight target control process, as a change in the line-of-sight target, a change in the size of the line-of-sight target is controlled. The imaging process captures an iris at a timing when the line-of-sight target reaches a predetermined size, which is the iris imaging method described in any of Appendices 8 to 10. (Appendix 12) In the line-of-sight target control process, as a change in the line-of-sight target, a change in the angle of the line-of-sight target is controlled. The imaging process captures an iris at a timing when the change in the angle of the line-of-sight target stops, which is the iris imaging method described in any of Appendices 8 to 11. (Appendix 13) In the line-of-sight target control process, as a change in the line-of-sight target, a switching of the line-of-sight target is controlled. The imaging process captures an iris at a timing when the line-of-sight target is switched, which is the iris imaging method described in any of Appendices 8 to 12. (Appendix 14) An iris authentication method including an iris imaging process and an authentication process. The iris imaging process is the iris imaging method described in any of Appendices 8 to 13, and an iris image of an authentication target person can be obtained. The authentication process performs iris authentication using the iris image obtained by the iris imaging process. (Appendix 15) A program for imaging the iris, causing a computer to execute a line-of-sight target display procedure, a line-of-sight target control procedure, and an imaging procedure, wherein the line-of-sight target display procedure displays a line-of-sight target, the line-of-sight target control procedure controls the change of the line-of-sight target, and the imaging procedure images the iris at a timing when the line-of-sight target changes to a predetermined state. A program. (Appendix 16) The line-of-sight target control procedure controls the change of the position of the line-of-sight target as the change of the line-of-sight target, and the imaging procedure images the iris at a timing when the change of the position of the line-of-sight target stops. The program according to Appendix 15. (Appendix 17) The line-of-sight target control procedure controls the change of the position of the line-of-sight target as the change of the line-of-sight target, and the imaging procedure images the iris at a timing when the line-of-sight target moves to a predetermined position. The iris imaging device according to Appendix 15 or 16. (Appendix 18) The line-of-sight target control procedure controls the change of the size of the line-of-sight target as the change of the line-of-sight target, and the imaging procedure images the iris at a timing when the line-of-sight target reaches a predetermined size. The program according to any one of Appendices 15 to 17. (Appendix 19) The line-of-sight target control procedure controls the change of the angle of the line-of-sight target as the change of the line-of-sight target, and the imaging procedure images the iris at a timing when the change of the angle of the line-of-sight target stops. The program according to any one of Appendices 15 to 18. (Appendix 20) The line-of-sight target control procedure controls the switching of the line-of-sight target as the change of the line-of-sight target, and the imaging procedure images the iris at a timing when the line-of-sight target is switched. The program according to any one of Appendices 15 to 19. (Appendix 21) A program for iris authentication, Cause a computer to execute an iris imaging procedure and an authentication procedure, wherein the iris imaging procedure is executed by a program for imaging the iris described in any one of Appendices 15 to 20, and an iris image of an authentication target person can be obtained, and the authentication procedure is a program for performing iris authentication using the iris image obtained by the iris imaging procedure. (Appendix 22) A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the iris imaging method described in any one of Appendices 8 to 13, or each step of the iris authentication method described in Appendix 14. (Appendix 23) A computer-readable recording medium recording the program described in any one of Appendices 15 to 22.

Industrial Applicability

[0064] According to the present invention, the imaging accuracy of the iris can be improved, and as a result, the accuracy of iris authentication can be improved. Therefore, the present invention is extremely useful in the field of image authentication, particularly iris authentication.

Explanation of Signs

[0065] 10 Iris imaging device 11 Line-of-sight target display unit 12 Line-of-sight target control unit 13 Imaging unit 101 CPU 102 Memory 103 Bus 104 Storage device 105 Program 106 Input device 107 Display 108 Communication device 20 Iris authentication manager 21 Authentication unit 201 CPU 202 Memory 203 Bus 204 Storage device 205 Program 206 Input device 207 Display 208 Communication device 221 Reference iris information

Claims

1. A device for iris imaging, comprising a gaze target display unit, a gaze target control unit, and an imaging unit, wherein the gaze target display unit displays a gaze target, the gaze target control unit controls changes in the gaze target, and as a change in the gaze target, rotates the gaze target on a screen, and the imaging unit images the iris at a timing when the gaze target changes to a predetermined state, and images the iris at a timing when the rotation of the gaze target stops.

2. The gaze target control unit controls a change in the position of the gaze target as a change in the gaze target, and the imaging unit images the iris at a timing when the change in the position of the gaze target stops. The iris imaging device according to claim 1.

3. The gaze target control unit controls a change in the position of the gaze target as a change in the gaze target, and the imaging unit images the iris at a timing when the gaze target moves to a predetermined position. The iris imaging device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The gaze target control unit controls a change in the size of the gaze target as a change in the gaze target, and the imaging unit images the iris at a timing when the gaze target reaches a predetermined size. The iris imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The gaze target control unit controls the switching of the gaze target as a change in the gaze target, and the imaging unit images the iris at a timing when the gaze target is switched. The iris imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An iris authentication device, comprising an iris imaging unit and an authentication unit, wherein the iris imaging unit is the iris imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and is capable of acquiring an iris image of an authentication target person, and the authentication unit performs iris authentication using the iris image acquired by the iris imaging unit.

7. An iris imaging method, comprising a gaze target display step, a gaze target control step, and an imaging step, wherein the gaze target display step displays a gaze target, the gaze target control step controls changes in the gaze target, and as a change in the gaze target, rotates the gaze target on a screen, and the imaging step images the iris at a timing when the gaze target changes to a predetermined state, and images the iris at a timing when the rotation of the gaze target stops. Each step is executed by a computer.

8. An iris authentication method, comprising an iris imaging step and an authentication step, The iris imaging process is the iris imaging method according to claim 7, and it is possible to obtain an iris image of an authentication target person. The authentication process performs iris authentication using the iris image obtained in the iris imaging process. Each process is an iris authentication method executed by a computer.

9. A program for causing a computer to execute each process of the iris imaging method according to claim 7 or each process of the iris authentication method according to claim 8.

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