Information processing system, information processing method, and computer program

Abstract

This illumination device (D1) comprises: a first illumination (I1) which emits first light (L1) toward a first region (R1); and a second illumination (I2) which is located on one side from the first illumination (I1) along a predetermined direction, and emits second light (L2) toward a second region (R2) located on the other side from the first region (R1) along the predetermined direction.

Description

Lighting device, information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical fields of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an authentication device that includes a guidance mirror that allows a subject to confirm the position of their eyes by using the reflected image when taking an image of their own eyes, a lens arranged behind the guidance mirror, and illumination LEDs that emit near-infrared light and are arranged symmetrically about the optical axis of the lens and can be switched to emit light, and that takes a plurality of eye images of a subject with different illumination angles of the illumination light that is irradiated onto the subject's eyes, and determines from the taken eye images whether the taken eye images are fake and performs iris authentication.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an illumination device that illuminates a predetermined illumination range on a road surface so that a vehicle traveling on the road surface can be illuminated from the front or rear of the vehicle in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The illumination device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a light-emitting unit that is composed of multiple light source units, each of which can independently adjust illumination conditions, so as to illuminate each of multiple illumination sections included in the illumination range, and adjusts the illuminance distribution within the illumination range as desired.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a technology for obtaining an eye image illuminated from the front of the person to be authenticated, which includes an imaging means for capturing an eye image of the person to be authenticated, a plurality of lighting devices for illuminating the eyes of the person to be authenticated, the lighting devices being at different distances from the optical axis of the imaging means, and a control means for turning on the plurality of lighting devices in order from the side closest to the optical axis, analyzing the images obtained by the imaging means at each lighting time, and obtaining an image of the person to be authenticated's eyes illuminated from the front by a lighting device where the reflected light of the illumination light does not overlap the eye image.

[0005] International Publication No. 2006 / 088042 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-225764 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-304809

[0006] An object of this disclosure is to provide an illumination device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium that aim to improve upon the techniques described in prior art documents.

[0007] One aspect of the lighting device includes a first lighting means that irradiates a first light toward a first region, and a second lighting means that irradiates a second light toward a second region that is located on one side of the first lighting means along a predetermined direction and on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction.

[0008] One aspect of the information processing device comprises a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of an object, and a lighting control means for controlling a first lighting means capable of irradiating a first light toward a first region to illuminate the object with the first light when the object is located on one side of a predetermined position along a predetermined direction, and for controlling a second lighting means for irradiating a second light toward a second region located on one side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction and on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction to illuminate the object with the second light when the object is located on the other side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction.

[0009] One aspect of the information processing system includes an imaging means for imaging an object passing through a passageway, a first lighting means for irradiating a first light toward a first area, and a second lighting means located on one side of the first lighting means along a predetermined direction and for irradiating a second light toward a second area located on the other side of the first area along the predetermined direction, and further includes an illumination device for irradiating the illumination light toward the object, and a gate provided in the passageway that opens and closes depending on an authentication result of the object based on the imaging result by the imaging means.

[0010] One aspect of the information processing method involves acquiring position information indicating the position of an object, and when the object is located on one side of a predetermined position along a predetermined direction, controlling the first lighting means so that a first lighting means capable of irradiating first light toward a first region illuminates the object with the first light, and when the object is located on the other side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction, controlling the second lighting means so that a second lighting means irradiating second light toward a second region located on one side of the first lighting means along the predetermined direction and on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction illuminates the object with the second light.

[0011] One aspect of the recording medium has recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method in which position information indicating the position of an object is acquired, and when the object is located on one side of a predetermined position along a predetermined direction, the first lighting means, capable of irradiating first light toward a first region, is controlled to illuminate the object with the first light, and when the object is located on the other side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction, the second lighting means, which irradiates second light toward a second region that is located on one side of the first lighting means along the predetermined direction and is located on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction, is controlled to illuminate the object with the second light.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an information processing system in a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an information processing system in a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device in the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of lighting control operations performed by the information processing device in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified configuration of the information processing system in the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a side view showing an example of the arrangement of element lights included in the lighting device in the second embodiment. FIG. 8( a) is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a lighting device in a third embodiment, and FIG. 8( b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a lighting device in the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of lighting control operations performed by the information processing device in the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of lighting control performed by the information processing device in the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a front view showing a modified configuration of the lighting device in the third embodiment. 13A and 13B are top views showing an example of the arrangement of element lights included in the lighting device in the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15A is a top view showing an example of the configuration of a gate unit in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a gate unit in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging unit in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the imaging unit in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the imaging unit in the fourth embodiment (particularly, a cross section including a face camera, a display, and a housing). FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the imaging unit in the fourth embodiment (particularly, a cross section including an iris camera, a mirror, a display, and a housing). FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the imaging range of the face camera and the imaging range of the iris camera. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the imaging range of the face camera and the imaging range of the iris camera. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the imaging unit in the fourth embodiment (particularly, a cross section including a rotary motor).FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of authentication operation performed by the control unit in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 25 is a plan view showing a gate unit in which the first flapper gate is in an open state. FIG. 26 shows an example of a UI screen displayed on the display when the face camera captures an image of the target person's face. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the imaging range of the iris camera and the target person's eyes. FIG. 28 is a plan view showing a gate unit in which the second flapper gate is in an open state. FIG. 29 shows an example of a UI screen displayed on the display when authentication of the target person is successful. FIG. 30 is a plan view showing a gate unit in which the first and second flapper gates are in a closed state. FIG. 31 shows an example of a UI screen displayed on the display when authentication of the target person fails. FIG. 33 is a front view showing a modified configuration of the lighting device in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 33 is a top view of the right lighting device, left lighting device, and imaging device in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the flow of control operations performed by the control unit in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the flow of control operations performed by the control unit in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 38 is a top view showing an example of the configuration of a gate unit in the seventh embodiment. FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit in the eighth embodiment. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the flow of control operations performed by the control unit in the eighth embodiment. FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit in the ninth embodiment. FIG. 42(a) is a front view showing an example of the configuration of an illumination device in the ninth embodiment, and FIG. 42(b) is a side view showing an example of the configuration of an illumination device in the ninth embodiment. FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the flow of control operations performed by the control unit in the ninth embodiment.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to the drawings. [1: First Embodiment]

[0014] A first embodiment of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described below. Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using an information processing system SYS1 to which the first embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied. [1-1: Configuration of Information Processing System SYS1]

[0015] The configuration of the information processing system SYS1 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the information processing system SYS1 in the first embodiment.

[0016] 1, the information processing system SYS1 includes an illumination device D1 and an information processing device 1. The illumination device D1 is capable of irradiating a target T with light L. The information processing device 1 is capable of controlling the illumination device D1.

[0017] The lighting device D1 includes a first illuminator I1 and a second illuminator I2. The first illuminator I1 emits a first light L1 as light L toward a first region R1. The second illuminator I2 emits a second light L2 as light L toward a second region R2 located on one side of the first illuminator I1 along a predetermined direction and on the other side of the first region R1 along the predetermined direction. FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the "predetermined direction" is the Z-axis direction, the "one side" is the -Z side, and the "other side" is the +Z side. That is, FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the second illuminator I2 emits the second light L2 toward a second region R2 located on the -Z side of the first illuminator I1 along the Z-axis direction and on the +Z side of the first region R1 along the Z-axis direction. [1-2: Configuration of the Information Processing Device 1]

[0018] The configuration of the information processing device 1 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 1 in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing device 1 includes a position information acquisition unit 11 and an illumination control unit 12.

[0019] The position information acquisition unit 11 acquires information indicating the position of the target T. When the target T is located on one side of the predetermined position O along the predetermined direction, the lighting control unit 12 controls the first lighting I1 so that the first lighting I1 illuminates the target T with the first light L1. When the target is located on the other side of the predetermined position O along the predetermined direction, the lighting control unit 12 controls the second lighting I2 so that the second lighting I2 illuminates the target T with the second light L2. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, when the target T is located on the −Z side of the predetermined position O along the Z axis direction, the lighting control unit 12 may control the first lighting I1 so that the first lighting I1 illuminates the target T with the first light L1. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, when the target is located on the +Z side of the predetermined position O along the Z axis direction, the lighting control unit 12 may control the second lighting I2 so that the second lighting I2 illuminates the target T with the second light L2. [1-3: Technical Effects of the Information Processing System SYS1]

[0020] In the information processing system SYS1 in the first embodiment, each of the lights I emits light in a different direction, so that each light I can emit light to a different area. This allows the information processing system SYS1 to appropriately illuminate targets T in various positions. The information processing system SYS1 determines the illumination area of ​​the light L according to the position of the target T, so the illumination area is narrowed, enabling power saving. Furthermore, since the illumination area is narrowed, the information processing system SYS1 can prevent the illumination device D1 from becoming too hot. [2: Second Embodiment]

[0021] A second embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described below. Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using an information processing system SYS2 to which the second embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied. [2-1: Configuration of the information processing system SYS2]

[0022] The configuration of the information processing system SYS2 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the information processing system SYS2 in the second embodiment. Note that Fig. 3 uses a three-dimensional coordinate system consisting of mutually orthogonal X-, Y-, and Z-axes to explain the positional relationship of the components that make up the information processing system SYS2. The X- and Y-axes are axes along a horizontal plane (i.e., axes extending horizontally), and the Z-axis is an axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane (i.e., axis extending vertically).

[0023] 3, the information processing system SYS2 includes an illumination device D2, which is a specific example of an "illumination device" in the appendix described below, and an information processing device 2, which is a specific example of an "information processing device" in the appendix described below. Similar to the illumination device D1, the illumination device D2 is capable of irradiating light L onto a target T. The information processing device 2 is capable of controlling the illumination device D2.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3 , the lighting device D2 includes a first illuminator I1, which is a specific example of a “first illuminator” in the appendix described below, a second illuminator I2, which is a specific example of a “second illuminator” in the appendix described below, and a third illuminator I3, which is a specific example of a “third illuminator” in the appendix described below. The first illuminator I1 emits a first light L1 as light L toward a first region R1. The second illuminator I2 emits a second light L2 as light L toward a second region R2, which is located on one side of the first illuminator I1 along the predetermined direction and on the other side of the first region R1 along the predetermined direction. The third illuminator I3 emits a third light L3 as light L toward a third region R3, which is located on one side of the first illuminator I1 along the predetermined direction and on the other side of the second illuminator I2 along the predetermined direction, and which is located on the other side of the first region R1 along the predetermined direction and on the one side of the second region R2 along the predetermined direction. However, the lighting device D2 does not necessarily have to include the third lighting I3.

[0025] Each of the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 may include a range of, for example, 1 meter in a predetermined direction. The third region R3 may have an area that overlaps with the first region R1. The third region R3 may also have an area that overlaps with the second region R2. Each lighting device I may be adjusted so that at least a portion of the region R of an adjacent lighting device I overlaps. One side along the predetermined direction may be the negative side in the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 3 or the lower side in the vertical direction. The other side along the predetermined direction may be the positive side in the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 3 or the upper side in the vertical direction. [2-2: Configuration of the information processing device 2]

[0026] The configuration of the information processing device 2 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 2 in the second embodiment.

[0027] 4, the information processing device 2 includes a calculation device 21 and a storage device 22. The information processing device 2 may further include a communication device 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25. However, the information processing device 2 does not necessarily have to include at least one of the communication device 23, the input device 24, and the output device 25. The calculation device 21, the storage device 22, the communication device 23, the input device 24, and the output device 25 may be connected via a data bus 26.

[0028] The arithmetic device 21 includes, for example, at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The arithmetic device 21 reads a computer program. For example, the arithmetic device 21 may read a computer program stored in the storage device 22. For example, the arithmetic device 21 may read a computer program stored in a computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium using a storage medium reading device (e.g., an input device 24, described later) not shown in the drawings that is included in the information processing device 2. The arithmetic device 21 may acquire (i.e., download or read) the computer program from a device (not shown) located outside the information processing device 2 via the communication device 23 (or another communication device). The arithmetic device 21 executes the read computer program. As a result, logical functional blocks for executing the operations to be performed by the information processing device 2 are realized within the arithmetic device 21. In other words, the arithmetic device 21 can function as a controller for realizing logical functional blocks for executing the operations (in other words, processing) to be performed by the information processing device 2.

[0029] Fig. 4 shows an example of logical functional blocks implemented within the arithmetic device 21 for executing lighting control operations. As shown in Fig. 4, a location information acquisition unit 211, which is a specific example of "location information acquisition means" described in the appendix below, and a lighting control unit 212, which is a specific example of "lighting control means" described in the appendix below, are implemented within the arithmetic device 21. Details of the respective operations of the location information acquisition unit 211 and the lighting control unit 212 will be described later.

[0030] The storage device 22 can store desired data. For example, the storage device 22 may temporarily store a computer program executed by the arithmetic device 21. The storage device 22 may temporarily store data that the arithmetic device 21 temporarily uses when the arithmetic device 21 is executing a computer program. The storage device 22 may store data that the information processing device 2 stores long-term. The storage device 22 may include at least one of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a disk array device. In other words, the storage device 22 may include a non-temporary recording medium.

[0031] The communication device 23 can communicate with devices external to the information processing device 2 via a communication network (not shown). The communication device 23 may transmit a lighting control signal to the lighting device D2 via the communication network. The communication device 23 may acquire location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 211 from devices external to the information processing device 2 via the communication network.

[0032] The input device 24 is a device that accepts information input to the information processing device 2 from outside the information processing device 2. For example, the input device 24 may include an operation device (e.g., at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel) that can be operated by an operator of the information processing device 2. For example, the input device 24 may include a reading device that can read information recorded as data on a recording medium that can be externally attached to the information processing device 2.

[0033] The output device 25 is a device that outputs information to the outside of the information processing device 2. For example, the output device 25 may output information as an image. That is, the output device 25 may include a display device (a so-called display) that can display an image showing the information to be output. For example, the output device 25 may output information as sound. That is, the output device 25 may include an audio device (a so-called speaker) that can output sound. For example, the output device 25 may output information on paper. That is, the output device 25 may include a printing device (a so-called printer) that can print desired information on paper. [2-3: Lighting Control Operation of Information Processing Device 2]

[0034] The flow of the illumination control operation performed by the information processing device 2 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the illumination control operation performed by the information processing device 2 in the second embodiment.

[0035] 5, the position information acquisition unit 211 acquires information indicating the position of the target T (step S20). The position of the target T may be at the eye height of the target person P.

[0036] The illumination control unit 212 determines whether the target T is located on one side of the predetermined position O along the predetermined direction (step S21). The one side along the predetermined direction may be the negative side in the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 3 or the lower side in the vertical direction. The other side along the predetermined direction may be the positive side in the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 3 or the upper side in the vertical direction.

[0037] If the target T is located vertically below the predetermined position O (step S21: Yes), the illumination control unit 212 controls the first illumination I1 and also controls the third illumination I3 (step S22). The illumination control unit 212 controls the first illumination I1 to illuminate the target T with the first light L1. The illumination control unit 212 also controls the third illumination I3 to illuminate the target T with the third light L3. That is, the illumination control unit 212 may control the illumination to illuminate the lower region RB shown in FIG. 3 . The lower region RB may be a region including the first region R1 and the third region R3.

[0038] If the target T is located vertically above the predetermined position O (step S21: No), the illumination control unit 212 controls the second illumination I2 and also controls the third illumination I3. The illumination control unit 212 controls the second illumination I2 to illuminate the target T with the second light L2. The illumination control unit 212 also controls the third illumination I3 to illuminate the target T with the third light L3. That is, the illumination control unit 212 may control the illumination to illuminate the upper region RT shown in FIG. 3. The upper region RT may be a region including the second region R2 and the third region R3. The upper region RT is typically a region including a region located vertically above the lower region RB.

[0039] For example, if the target T is the eye of a target person P, suppose the eyes of a first target person P who has a first height are located at a first position in the lower region RB. In this case, the lighting control unit 212 may control the first lighting I1 and the third lighting I3 to illuminate the lower region RB. On the other hand, suppose the eyes of a second target person P who has a second height higher than the first height are located at a second position higher than the first position in the upper region RT. In this case, the lighting control unit 212 may control the second lighting I2 and the third lighting I3 to illuminate the upper region RT. [2-4: Modified Examples of Information Processing System SYS2]

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which the lighting device D2 includes three luminaires I located at different heights and illuminates two regions R located at different heights. However, the lighting device D2 may include three or more luminaires I located at different heights and illuminate three or more regions R located at different heights. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the lighting device D2′ may include seven luminaires I located at different heights and illuminate three regions R located at different heights. The seven luminaires I may be referred to, from top to bottom, as the first row luminaire RI1, the second row luminaire RI2, the third row luminaire RI3, the fourth row luminaire RI4, the fifth row luminaire RI5, the sixth row luminaire RI6, and the seventh row luminaire RI7. Furthermore, the three regions R may be referred to, from top to bottom, as the upper region RT, the middle region RM, and the lower region RB.

[0041] When the target T is located in the upper region RT, the illumination control unit 212 may control the fifth row illumination RI5, the sixth row illumination RI6, and the seventh row illumination RI7. When the target T is located in the middle region RM, the illumination control unit 212 may control the third row illumination RI3, the fourth row illumination RI4, and the fifth row illumination RI5. When the target T is located in the lower region RB, the illumination control unit 212 may control the first row illumination RI1, the second row illumination RI2, and the third row illumination RI3. That is, the illumination control unit 212 may control the fifth row illumination RI5 when the target T is located in the upper region RT or when the target T is located in the middle region RM. When the target T is located in the lower region RB or when the target T is located in the middle region RM, the illumination control unit 212 may control the third row illumination RI3. [2-5: Modified Examples of the Illumination Device D2]

[0042] FIG. 7( a) illustrates an example of an illumination device D2″ having seven rows of row illuminators RI. The seven row illuminators RI may be referred to, from top to bottom, as a first row illuminator RI1, a second row illuminator RI2, a third row illuminator RI3, a fourth row illuminator RI4, a fifth row illuminator RI5, a sixth row illuminator RI6, and a seventh row illuminator RI7. FIG. 7( a) is a cross-sectional side view of the illumination device D2″. The row illuminators RI may be arranged with a shift in a direction intersecting a predetermined direction. As shown in FIG. 7( a), the row illuminators RI closer to the center in the Z-axis direction may be arranged on the positive side in the Y-axis direction. By arranging the row illuminators RI in this manner, for example, when the target T is located near the center of the Z-axis region that can be illuminated by the illumination device D2″, the distance between each row illuminator RI and the target T can be made equal. Furthermore, for example, the row illuminators RI may be arranged with a shift in the X-axis direction.

[0043] Furthermore, the shape of the cover member CD housing the first row illuminators RI1 to the seventh row illuminators RI7 when viewed from the side does not have to be a rectangle as shown in FIG. 7( a). For example, as shown in FIG. 7( b), the shape of the cover member CD-b when viewed from the side may be a trapezoid. Furthermore, the shape of the cover member when viewed from the side does not have to be a shape composed of straight lines as shown in FIGS. 7( a) and 7( b). For example, as shown in FIG. 7( c), the shape of the cover member CD-c when viewed from the side may be a shape composed of curved lines. In particular, it may be a shape including a curve that curves in accordance with the illumination angle of the illumination. When the illumination angle corresponds to the angle of the cover member, the illumination device D2″ is more likely to properly illuminate the target.

[0044] The number of lights I provided in the lighting device D2 may be a number other than three or seven, and the number of regions R illuminated by the lighting device D2 may be four or more. [2-6: Technical Effects of the Information Processing System SYS2]

[0045] The information processing system SYS2 in the second embodiment can more appropriately illuminate targets T at various positions than the information processing system SYS1 in the first embodiment. The information processing system SYS2 simultaneously illuminates multiple rows of lights I, thereby compensating for the brightness of the target T. Furthermore, for example, if the target T is the eyes of a target person, the information processing system SYS2 can narrow the illumination area, thereby preventing the target person from being dazzled.

[0046] Because the illumination light has a wide irradiation area, the illumination light may be reflected on the iris area, and the reflected light may appear in the iris image, thereby degrading the accuracy of iris authentication. In contrast, the information processing system SYS2 in the second embodiment can narrow the irradiation area, thereby reducing the possibility of the accuracy of iris authentication degrading due to the reflected light appearing in the iris image.

[0047] Furthermore, since the illumination directions of the illuminations I of the illumination device D2 intersect, it is possible to prevent the light L from being blocked by the housing of the illumination device D2, etc. For example, if the first illumination I1 irradiates the light L toward a region located vertically above (e.g., the second region R2 in FIG. 3 ) and the second illumination I2 irradiates the light L toward a region located vertically below (e.g., the first region R1 in FIG. 3 ), each light L may be blocked by the housing of the illumination device D2, etc. [3: Third Embodiment]

[0048] A third embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described below. Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using an information processing system SYS3 to which the third embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the recording medium are applied.

[0049] The information processing system SYS3 includes an illumination device D3 and an information processing device 3. The illumination device D3 is capable of irradiating light L onto an object T, similar to the illumination devices D1 and D2. The information processing device 3 is capable of controlling the illumination device D3. In the third embodiment, the light L irradiated onto the object T by the illumination device D3 is referred to as illumination light IL as necessary. [3-1: Appearance of the illumination device D3]

[0050] In the third embodiment, each of the luminaires I included in the luminaire D3 includes a plurality of element luminaires EI arranged side by side. Fig. 8 is an external view showing the appearance of the luminaire D3. Fig. 7(a) is a front view of the luminaire D3, and Fig. 8(b) is a top view showing the appearance of the luminaire D3. The transmission surface of the luminaire light IL that intersects with the optical path of the luminaire light IL emitted by the luminaire D3 may be referred to as the front surface.

[0051] For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the lighting device D3 may include a plurality of element lights EI arranged in a matrix. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the first light I1 may include element lights EI11, EI12, and EI13, the second light I2 may include element lights EI21, EI22, and EI23, and the third light I3 may include element lights EI31, EI32, and EI33. In the third embodiment, the direction in which the lights I are arranged may be referred to as the Z-axis direction, and the direction in which the element lights EI are arranged may be referred to as the X-axis direction. Each of the illumination lights IL emitted by the element lights EI may illuminate a different element region ER. The element regions ER may overlap each other. In the following description, the illumination light IL emitted by the element lights EI is referred to as "element light EL."

[0052] The element illuminant EI11 included in the first illuminant I1 irradiates the first element region ER1 with a first element light EL11, which is an element light EL constituting a part of the first light L1. The element illuminant EI12 included in the first illuminant I1 is located on one side of the element illuminant EI11 along the intersecting direction intersecting the predetermined direction. The element illuminant EI12 irradiates the second element region ER2, which is located on the other side of the first element region ER1 in the intersecting direction, with a second element light EL12, which is an element light EL constituting a part of the first light L1. The element illuminant EI13 included in the first illuminant I1 is located on one side of the element illuminant EI12 along the intersecting direction intersecting the predetermined direction. The element illuminant EI13 irradiates the third element region ER3, which is located on the other side of the intersecting direction of the second element region ER2, with a third element light EL13, which is an element light EL constituting a part of the first light L1. 8 shows an example in which the "predetermined direction" is the Y-axis direction, the "intersecting direction intersecting the predetermined direction" is the X-axis direction, "one side" is the +X side (the right side in FIG. 8(a) and the lower side in FIG. 8(b)), and the "other side" is the -X side (the left side in FIG. 8(a) and the upper side in FIG. 8(b)). That is, FIG. 8 shows an example in which the element illumination EI12 is located on the +X side along the X-axis direction from the element illumination EI11, and irradiates the second element light EL12 toward the second element region ER2 located on the -X side along the X-axis direction from the first element region ER1. Also, the element illumination EI13 is located on the +X side along the X-axis direction from the element illumination EI12, and irradiates the third element light EL13 toward the third element region ER3 located on the -X side along the X-axis direction from the second element region ER2.

[0053] Similarly, the element illuminant EI21 included in the second illuminant I2 irradiates the first element region ER1 with a first element light EL21, which is an element light EL constituting a part of the second light L2. The element illuminant EI22 included in the second illuminant I2 is located on one side of the element illuminant EI21 along the intersecting direction intersecting with the predetermined direction. The element illuminant EI22 irradiates the second element region ER2 with a second element light EL22 constituting a part of the second light L2. The element illuminant EI23 included in the second illuminant I2 is located on one side of the element illuminant EI22 along the intersecting direction intersecting with the predetermined direction. The element illuminant EI23 irradiates the third element region ER3 with a third element light EL23 constituting a part of the second light L2. 8 shows an example in which the element illumination EI22 is located on the +X side along the X-axis direction from the element illumination EI21 and irradiates the second element light EL22 toward the second element region ER2 located on the −X side along the X-axis direction from the first element region ER1. Also, the element illumination EI23 is located on the +X side along the X-axis direction from the element illumination EI22 and irradiates the third element light EL23 toward the third element region ER3 located on the −X side along the X-axis direction from the second element region ER2.

[0054] Similarly, the element illuminant EI31 included in the third illuminant I3 irradiates the first element region ER1 with a first element light EL31 constituting a part of the third light L3. The element illuminant EI32 included in the third illuminant I3 is located on one side of the element illuminant EI31 along the intersecting direction intersecting with the predetermined direction. The element illuminant EI32 irradiates the second element region ER2 with a second element light EL32 constituting a part of the third light L3. The element illuminant EI33 included in the third illuminant I3 is located on one side of the element illuminant EI32 along the intersecting direction intersecting with the predetermined direction. The element illuminant EI33 irradiates the third element region ER3 with a third element light EL33 constituting a part of the third light L3. 8 shows an example in which the element illumination EI32 is located on the +X side along the X-axis direction from the element illumination EI31 and irradiates the second element light EL32 toward the second element region ER2 located on the −X side along the X-axis direction from the first element region ER1. Also, the element illumination EI33 is located on the +X side along the X-axis direction from the element illumination EI32 and irradiates the third element light EL33 toward the third element region ER3 located on the −X side along the X-axis direction from the second element region ER2.

[0055] In the following description, as shown in FIG. 8B, an illumination including at least one of element illuminations EI11, EI21, and EI31 may be referred to as element illumination EI1. An illumination including at least one of element illuminations EI12, EI22, and EI32 may be referred to as element illumination EI2. An illumination including at least one of element illuminations EI13, EI23, and EI33 may be referred to as element illumination EI3. At least one of the first element light EL11 emitted by the element illumination EI11, the first element light EL21 emitted by the element illumination EI21, and the first element light EL31 emitted by the element illumination EI31 may be referred to as first element light EL1. At least one of the second element light EL12 emitted by the element illumination EI12, the second element light EL22 emitted by the element illumination EI22, and the second element light EL32 emitted by the element illumination EI32 may be referred to as the second element light EL2. At least one of the third element light EL13 emitted by the element illumination EI13, the third element light EL23 emitted by the element illumination EI23, and the third element light EL33 emitted by the element illumination EI33 may be referred to as the third element light EL3.

[0056] 8B, the element illuminator EI1 irradiates the first element light EL1 toward the first element region ER1. The element illuminator EI2 irradiates the second element light EL2 toward the second element region ER2. The element illuminator EI3 irradiates the third element light EL3 toward the third element region ER3. [3-2: Configuration of the Information Processing Device 3]

[0057] The configuration of the information processing device 3 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 3 in the third embodiment.

[0058] 9, the information processing device 3 in the third embodiment differs from the information processing device 2 in the second embodiment in that the calculation device 21 further includes a distance information acquisition unit 313. Other features of the information processing device 3 may be the same as other features of the information processing device 2. Therefore, hereinafter, differences from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and descriptions of other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate. [3-3: Operation of the information processing system SYS3]

[0059] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the lighting control operation performed by the information processing device 3 in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10 , the distance information acquisition unit 313 acquires distance information indicating the distance from the lighting device D3 to the target T (step S30). In the case illustrated in FIG. 8B , the distance information may be the distance from the element lighting EI2 to the target T. The distance information acquisition unit 313 may acquire the distance information from a distance sensor, which is a measurement device capable of measuring the distance from the lighting device D3 to the target T. Examples of distance sensors include at least one of a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor, a triangulation sensor, a light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and a stereo camera. Alternatively, the distance information acquisition unit 313 may acquire the distance measured by a distance sensor external to the information processing device 3 via the communication device 23. The distance sensor may be mounted on the lighting device D3. The distance sensor may be mounted on the information processing device 3. The distance sensor may be mounted on a device different from the lighting device D3 and the information processing device 3.

[0060] The illumination control unit 212 determines in which region the target T is located based on the distance indicated by the distance information acquired in step S30 (step S31). In the case illustrated in Fig. 8(b), the illumination control unit 212 may determine in which of the first element region ER1, the second element region ER2, and the third element region ER3 the target T is located.

[0061] When the target T is located in the first element region ER1 (step S31: first element region ER1), the illumination control unit 212 controls the element illumination EI1 (step S32). When the target T is located in the second element region ER2 (step S31: second element region ER2), the illumination control unit 212 controls the element illumination EI2 (step S33). When the target T is located in the third element region ER3 (step S31: third element region ER3), the illumination control unit 212 controls the element illumination EI3 (step S34). That is, the illumination control unit 212 controls which row of the multiple element illuminations to light up depending on the distance. In other words, the illumination control unit 212 controls which element illumination EI to light up depending on the distance among the multiple element illuminations EI arranged along the X-axis direction.

[0062] 11A and 11B are conceptual diagrams of illumination control according to the distance from the illumination device D3 to the target T. As shown in FIG. 11A, when the distance from the illumination device D3 to the target T falls within the first element region ER1 (i.e., the target T is located in the first element region ER1), the illumination control unit 212 may control the illumination device D3 so that the element illumination EI1, which is the element illumination EI provided on the front side in the movement direction of the target T, irradiates the target T with the first element light EL1. As shown in FIG. 11B, when the distance from the illumination device D3 to the target T falls within the second element region ER2 (i.e., the target T is located in the second element region ER2), the illumination control unit 212 may control the illumination device D3 so that the element illumination EI2, which is the element illumination EI provided at the intermediate position in the movement direction of the target T, irradiates the target T with the second element light EL2. As shown in Figure 11 (c), when the distance from the lighting device D3 to the target T belongs to the third element region ER3 (i.e., the target T is located in the third element region ER3), the lighting control unit 212 may control the lighting device D3 so that the element lighting EI3, which is the element lighting EI located behind the movement direction of the target T, irradiates the third element light EL3 onto the target T.

[0063] 11 shows an example in which the target T moves along the X-axis direction (the direction in which the element lights EI are arranged in the third embodiment), but this is just an example. The target T may move in a direction different from the direction in which the element lights EI are arranged, or may move along any direction intersecting with the X-axis direction. [3-4: Modified Examples of the Information Processing System SYS3]

[0064] In a modified example, the lighting control unit 212 may control which of the plurality of element lights EI to turn on, taking into account the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 211. The lighting control unit 212 may control which of the plurality of element lights EI to turn on, in accordance with at least one of the distance information and the position information.

[0065] For example, FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a lighting device D3′ having five rows of lighting elements I, each of which has five lighting elements EI arranged in a column direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). The five lighting elements I may be referred to, from top to bottom, as the first lighting element RI1, the second lighting element RI2, the third lighting element RI3, the fourth lighting element RI4, and the fifth lighting element RI5. In this case, if the target T is located relatively close to the lighting device D3′ and at a low position, the lighting control unit 212 may turn on, for example, the four lighting elements EI (EI14, EI15, EI24, and EI25) located at the top right, as illustrated in FIG. 12( b). Furthermore, if the target T is located relatively far from the lighting device D3′ and at a high position, the lighting control unit 212 may turn on, for example, the four lighting elements EI (EI41, EI42, EI51, and EI52) located at the bottom left, as illustrated in FIG. 12( c). [3-5: Modification of illumination device D3]

[0066] FIG. 13 illustrates an illumination device D3″ having a configuration in which seven element illuminations EI are arranged in a column direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), and multiple rows of aligned illuminations I are provided. Each of the multiple rows of illuminations I may be referred to as a row illumination RI. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device D3″ as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 13( b), the element illuminations EI closer to the center in the X-axis direction may be disposed on the positive side in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 11, because the object T passes through an area (e.g., a passing lane) on the positive side of the Y-axis direction of the illumination device D3, the element illuminations EI closer to the center in the X-axis direction may be disposed farther from the area through which the object T passes. In other words, the closer an element illumination EI is to the center in the row direction in which multiple element illuminations EI are arranged, the longer the distance between the element illumination EI and the area through which the object T passes. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13( c), the element illuminations EI closer to the center in the X-axis direction may be disposed on the negative side in the Y-axis direction. In either case, the arrangement of the element lights EI may differ for each row. [3-6: Technical Effects of the Information Processing System SYS3]

[0067] The lighting device D3 provided in the information processing system SYS3 in the third embodiment includes a plurality of element lights EI, each of which emits element light EL toward a different element region ER along an intersecting direction intersecting a predetermined direction, so that the lighting device D3 can appropriately illuminate the target T at various distances from the lighting device D3. For example, the information processing system SYS3 can appropriately illuminate the target T that is moving to the location where the lighting device D3 is installed. The information processing system SYS3 can increase the opportunities to appropriately illuminate the target T. The information processing system SYS3 can more accurately illuminate the position of the target T. [4: Fourth Embodiment]

[0068] A fourth embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described below. Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using an information processing system SYS4 to which the fourth embodiment of the lighting device, the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied.

[0069] In the following description, the positional relationships of the components that make up the information processing system SYS4 will be explained using a three-dimensional coordinate system consisting of mutually orthogonal X-, Y-, and Z-axes. The X- and Y-axes are axes along a horizontal plane (i.e., axes extending horizontally), and the Z-axis is an axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane (i.e., axis extending vertically). [4-1: Overall Configuration of Information Processing System SYS4]

[0070] First, the overall configuration of the information processing system SYS4 in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the information processing system SYS4 in the fourth embodiment.

[0071] 14, the information processing system SYS4 includes an illumination device D4, an imaging unit C, a gate unit G, and a control unit 4. The imaging unit C, the gate unit G, and the control unit 4 may be referred to as an imaging device, a gate device, and a control device, respectively.

[0072] The imaging unit C is capable of capturing an image of at least a portion of a passing object (see FIG. 15( a)) passing through lane G5, which will be described later. The passing object may include, for example, a person. The object may also include animals other than people (for example, at least one of mammals such as dogs and cats, birds such as sparrows, reptiles such as snakes, amphibians such as frogs, and fish such as goldfish). The passing object may also include an inanimate object. The inanimate object may also include a robot that resembles a person or an animal. In the following description, an example will be described in which the passing object is a person (hereinafter referred to as "target person P"). Note that the above-mentioned target T may be at least a portion of the target person P. For example, the target T may be the eyes of the target person P.

[0073] The lighting device D4 irradiates illumination light IL onto the target person P. The lighting device D4 may be the same as any one of the lighting device D1 in the first embodiment to the lighting device D3 in the third embodiment.

[0074] The imaging unit C can capture an image of at least a portion of the target person P, thereby generating a person image IMG in which at least a portion of the target person P is captured. Specifically, as will be described in detail later, the imaging unit C can capture an image of the iris of the target person P, thereby generating an iris image IMG_I in which the iris of the target person P is captured, as the person image IMG. Furthermore, the imaging unit C may be able to capture an image of the face of the target person P, thereby generating a face image IMG_F in which the face of the target person P is captured, as the person image IMG.

[0075] Note that the iris image IMG_I may include a part of the target person P other than the iris. Even in this case, as will be described in detail later, the target person P is authenticated using the iris of the target person P reflected in the iris image IMG_I, so no problem arises even if a part of the target person P other than the iris is reflected in the iris image IMG_I. Alternatively, if the iris image IMG_I includes a part of the target person P other than the iris but does not include the iris of the target person P, the imaging unit C may generate the iris image IMG_I including the iris of the target person P by rotating the rotating mirror C3 and / or adjusting the position of the iris camera CI, as will be described in detail later. Similarly, the face image IMG_F may include a part of the target person P other than the face. Even in this case, as will be described in detail later, the position of the eyes of the target person P is identified using the face of the target person P reflected in the face image IMG_F, so no problem occurs even if a part of the target person P other than the face is reflected in the face image IMG_F. Alternatively, if a part of the target person P other than the face is reflected in the face image IMG_F but the face of the target person P is not reflected in the face image IMG_F, as will be described in detail later, the imaging unit C may adjust the position of the face camera CF to generate a face image IMG_F in which the face of the target person P is reflected.

[0076] The control unit 4 acquires a person image IMG from the imaging unit C and performs an authentication operation to authenticate the target person P using the person image IMG. In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 4 acquires an iris image IMG_I from the imaging unit C and performs an authentication operation to authenticate the target person P using the iris image IMG_I. That is, the control unit 4 performs an authentication operation related to iris authentication. Specifically, the control unit 4 determines whether the target person P reflected in the acquired iris image IMG_I is identical to a person registered in advance (hereinafter referred to as a "registered person") based on the iris pattern of the target person P reflected in the acquired iris image IMG_I. If it is determined that the target person P reflected in the iris image IMG_I is identical to the registered person, it is determined that authentication of the target person P has been successful. On the other hand, if it is determined that the target person P reflected in the iris image IMG_I is not identical to the registered person, it is determined that authentication of the target person P has failed.

[0077] As at least a part of the authentication operation, the control unit 4 may perform an operation of controlling the imaging unit C to capture an image of at least a part of the target person P. For example, the control unit 4 may control the imaging unit C by outputting an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C to control the imaging unit C to capture an image of at least a part of the target person P.

[0078] The control unit 4 may perform the lighting control operation performed by any of the information processing device 1 in the first embodiment to the information processing device 3 in the third embodiment. If the lighting device D4 is the same as the lighting device D1, the control unit 4 may perform the same operation as the lighting control operation performed by the information processing device 1. If the lighting device D4 is the same as the lighting device D2, the control unit 4 may perform the same operation as the lighting control operation performed by the information processing device 2. If the lighting device D4 is the same as the lighting device D3, the control unit 4 may perform the same operation as the lighting control operation performed by the information processing device 3.

[0079] The gate unit G is a device capable of controlling the passage of a target person P. An example of the configuration of the gate unit G is shown in FIGS. 15( a) and 15(b). FIG. 15(a) is a top view showing an example of the configuration of the gate unit G, and FIG. 15(b) is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the gate unit G. As shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b), the gate unit G includes a pair of guide walls G1, a first flapper gate G2, a second flapper gate G3, and a proximity sensor G4. However, the configuration of the gate unit G is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b).

[0080] The pair of guide walls G1 form a lane G5 between the pair of guide walls G1 for the target person P to pass through. Therefore, each of the pair of guide walls G1 extends along the direction in which the lane G5 extends (the Y-axis direction in the example shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b)).

[0081] The first flapper gate G2 is a plate-shaped member capable of controlling the passage of the target person P. Note that a gate bar, which is a rod-shaped member capable of controlling the passage of the target person P, may be used in addition to or instead of the first flapper gate G2. The state of the first flapper gate G2 is controlled by the control unit 4 based on the detection result of the target person P by the proximity sensor G4. Specifically, when the proximity sensor G4 detects the target person P, the state of the first flapper gate G2 is controlled by the control unit 4 so that the first flapper gate G2 is in an open state that allows the target person P to pass through the first flapper gate G2. On the other hand, when the proximity sensor G4 does not detect the target person P, the state of the first flapper gate G2 is controlled by the control unit 4 so that the first flapper gate G2 is in a closed state that prevents the target person P from passing through the first flapper gate G2. However, the state of the first flapper gate G2 may be controlled based on the detection result of the target person P by the proximity sensor G4, independently of the control by the control unit 4.

[0082] The second flapper gate G3 is a plate-like member capable of controlling the passage of the target person P. Note that a gate bar, which is a rod-like member capable of controlling the passage of the target person P, may be used in addition to or instead of the second flapper gate G3. The state of the second flapper gate G3 is controlled by the control unit 4 based on the authentication result of the target person P by the control unit 4. Specifically, if the authentication of the target person P by the control unit 4 is successful (i.e., it is determined that the target person P matches a registered person), the state of the second flapper gate G3 is controlled by the control unit 4 to be in an open state that allows the target person P to pass through the second flapper gate G3. On the other hand, if the authentication of the target person P by the control unit 4 is unsuccessful (i.e., it is determined that the target person P does not match a registered person), the state of the second flapper gate G3 is controlled by the control unit 4 to be in a closed state that prevents the target person P from passing through the second flapper gate G3.

[0083] The proximity sensor G4 is a detection device capable of detecting a target person P. The proximity sensor G4 may be capable of detecting a target person P approaching the gate unit G. The proximity sensor G4 may be capable of detecting a target person P entering a lane G5 formed by the gate unit G. The proximity sensor G4 may be capable of detecting a target person P about to enter a lane G5 formed by the gate unit G.

[0084] 15(a) and 15(b), the proximity sensor G4 is capable of optically detecting the target person P. Specifically, the proximity sensor G4 includes a light emitting device G41 and a light receiving device G42, which are respectively disposed on a pair of guide walls G1. The light emitting device G41 is capable of emitting detection light DL that propagates in a direction crossing the lane G5. The light receiving device G42 is capable of receiving the detection light DL emitted by the light emitting device G41. When the target person P is not entering the lane G5, the detection light DL emitted by the light emitting device G41 is not blocked by the target person P, and therefore the light receiving device G42 receives the detection light DL emitted by the light emitting device G41. On the other hand, when the target person P enters lane G5 (particularly, enters the optical path of the detection light DL), the detection light DL emitted by the light emitting device G41 is blocked by the target person P, and therefore the light receiving device G42 does not receive the detection light DL emitted by the light emitting device G41. Therefore, the light reception result by the light receiving device G42 indicates the detection result of the target person P.

[0085] The imaging unit C described above captures an image of a target person P located in the lane G5 formed by the gate unit G. For this reason, the imaging unit C may be disposed in the gate unit G. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15( a) and 15(b), the imaging unit C may be disposed on the guide wall G1. However, the position of the imaging unit C is not limited to the positions shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b). The imaging unit C does not have to be disposed in the gate unit G. The imaging unit C does not have to be disposed on a member different from the gate unit G. For example, the imaging unit C may be attached to a support member (e.g., a wall member or a pole member) disposed near the gate unit G.

[0086] The illumination device D4 may be disposed on the guide wall G1, for example. The illumination device D4 illuminates the target person P (particularly, the eyes) with illumination light IL when the imaging unit C (particularly, the iris camera CI described later) captures an image of the target person P located in lane G5. As described in detail later, the iris camera CI captures an image of the iris of the target person P located between the first flapper gate G2 and the second flapper gate G3. Therefore, the illumination device D4 may be disposed in a position where it can illuminate the iris of the target person P located between the first flapper gate G2 and the second flapper gate G3 with illumination light IL. The information processing system SYS4 includes, as the illumination devices D4, a left illumination device D4L provided on one side of the lane G5 and irradiating the target person P with left illumination light ILL as illumination light IL, and a right illumination device D4R provided on the other side of the lane G5 and irradiating the target person P with right illumination light ILR as illumination light IL. In addition, when there is no need to distinguish between the left lighting device D4L and the right lighting device D4R, they will be referred to as lighting device D4. Also, Fig. 15(b) shows an example in which the lighting device D4 has a cylindrical shape, but the shape of the lighting device D4 is not limited to the shape shown in Fig. 15(b). The shape of the lighting device D will be described in detail in other embodiments described later.

[0087] The imaging unit C may capture an image of a target person P moving along the lane G5 (for example, a target person P moving without standing still in front of the imaging unit C). Alternatively, the imaging unit C may capture an image of a target person P standing still in the lane G5 (for example, a target person P standing still in front of the imaging unit C).

[0088] 14, the control unit 4 may perform, as at least a part of the authentication operation, an operation of controlling the gate unit G based on the authentication result. For example, the control unit 4 may control the gate unit G by outputting to the gate unit G a gate control signal for switching the state of the first flapper gate G2 between an open state and a closed state. For example, the control unit 4 may control the gate unit G by outputting to the gate unit G a gate control signal for switching the state of the second flapper gate G3 between an open state and a closed state. [4-2: Configuration of the Imaging Unit C]

[0089] Next, the configuration of the imaging unit C will be described with reference to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the imaging unit C. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the imaging unit C.

[0090] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the imaging unit C includes a face camera CF, an iris camera CI which is a specific example of the "imaging means" in the appendix described below, a rotating mirror C3, a rotating motor C4, a display C5, and a distance sensor C6.

[0091] The face camera CF is an imaging device capable of capturing an image of the face of the target person P. The face camera CF is typically capable of capturing an image of at least a portion of the target person P, including the face of the target person P. The face camera CF is capable of capturing an image of the face of the target person P, thereby generating a face image IMG_F in which the face of the target person P is captured.

[0092] The iris camera CI is an imaging device capable of capturing at least an image of the iris of the target person P. The iris camera CI is typically capable of capturing an image of at least a portion of the target person P, including the iris of the target person P. The iris camera CI is capable of capturing an image of the iris of the target person P, thereby generating an iris image IMG_I in which the iris of the target person P is captured.

[0093] The rotating mirror C3 is an optical element that reflects light from the target person P toward the iris camera CI. The iris camera CI captures an image of the iris of the target person P via the rotating mirror C3. Specifically, as described above, when the iris camera CI captures an image of the iris of the target person P, the iris of the target person P is illuminated with light L from the illumination device D4. The illumination light IL may include, for example, light of a predetermined wavelength in the near-infrared region or the infrared region. That is, the illumination device D4 irradiates the target person P with light of a predetermined wavelength in the near-infrared region or the infrared region as the illumination light IL. Thus, the iris camera CI captures an iris image of the target person P illuminated with light of the predetermined wavelength.

[0094] Furthermore, the camera C may capture a facial image of the target person P illuminated with light of a predetermined wavelength by the illumination device D4. The illumination light IL may also include visible light. In this case, the iris camera CI may capture an iris image of the target person P illuminated with visible light by the illumination device D4. Furthermore, the camera C may capture a facial image of the target person P illuminated with visible light by the illumination device D4.

[0095] The iris illuminated by the illumination light emits reflected light of the illumination light (or scattered light in addition to or instead of the reflected light). Therefore, the light from the target person P reflected by the rotating mirror C3 toward the iris camera CI may include at least one of the reflected light of the illumination light and the scattered light emitted from the iris. The iris camera CI receives light from the target person P using an image sensor CI2 (see FIG. 19 , described later) such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), thereby capturing an image of the iris of the target person P. The technical reason why the iris camera CI captures an image of the iris of the target person P via the rotating mirror C3 will be explained later when explaining the arrangement of the iris camera CI.

[0096] The rotary motor C4 is a drive device for rotating the rotary mirror C3 around a predetermined rotation axis under the control of the control unit 4. The technical reason why the rotary motor C4 rotates the rotary mirror C3 will be explained later when explaining the arrangement of the iris camera CI.

[0097] The display C5 is a display device capable of displaying desired information. For example, the display C5 may be capable of displaying information related to the authentication of the target person P using the iris image IMG_I. The information related to the authentication of the target person P may include information related to the authentication result of the target person P. The information related to the authentication of the target person P may include information to be notified to a target person P who has been successfully authenticated (e.g., information notifying the target person P that they have been permitted to pass through the second flapper gate G3). The information related to the authentication of the target person P may include information to be notified to a target person P who has failed authentication (e.g., information notifying the target person P of the next action to be taken due to the authentication failure).

[0098] In addition to or instead of the display C5, the imaging unit C may be provided with any output device capable of outputting desired information. For example, the imaging unit C may be provided with an audio output device (e.g., a speaker) capable of outputting the desired information as audio. For example, the imaging unit C may be provided with a paper output device (e.g., a printer) capable of outputting paper on which the desired information is written.

[0099] The distance sensor C6 is a measurement device capable of measuring the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P. The distance sensor C6 may be capable of optically measuring the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P. An example of the distance sensor C6 capable of optically measuring the distance is at least one of a TOF (Time Of Flight) sensor, a triangulation sensor, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and a stereo camera. However, in the fourth embodiment and others, the imaging unit C does not need to be equipped with the distance sensor C6.

[0100] 18 and 19 , the face camera CF, iris camera CI, rotating mirror C3, rotating motor C4, display C5, and distance sensor C6 are disposed within a housing C9. That is, the face camera CF, iris camera CI, rotating mirror C3, rotating motor C4, display C5, and distance sensor C6 are disposed in a storage space SP1 within the housing C9. The housing C9 includes a front housing C91 and a rear housing C92. By combining the front housing C91 and the rear housing C92, a storage space SP1 is formed between the front housing C91 and the rear housing C92, and the face camera CF, iris camera CI, rotating mirror C3, rotating motor C4, display C5, and distance sensor C6 are disposed in this storage space SP1.

[0101] The arrangement of the face camera CF, iris camera CI, rotating mirror C3, and display C5 within the housing C9 will be described. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the imaging unit C (particularly, a cross section including the face camera CF, display C5, and housing C9). Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the imaging unit C (particularly, a cross section including the iris camera CI, rotating mirror C3, display C5, and housing C9).

[0102] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the face camera CF, iris camera CI, and display C5 may be supported by a support plate C8 within the housing C9. That is, the face camera CF, iris camera CI, and display C5 may be housed in the housing C9 with the face camera CF, iris camera CI, and display C5 attached to the support plate C8. In the example shown in Figures 18 and 19, the support plate C8 is a plate-shaped member along the XZ plane, but its shape is not limited to the shape shown in Figures 18 and 19. However, at least one of the face camera CF, iris camera CI, and display C5 may not be supported by the support plate C8. In addition to or instead of at least one of the face camera CF, iris camera CI, and display C5, at least one of the rotating mirror C3, the rotating motor C4, and the distance sensor C6 may be supported by the support plate C8.

[0103] At least a portion of the support plate C8 may be exposed to the outside of the housing C9. For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 (and also FIG. 17 ), the support plate C8 is housed within the housing C9 so as to be sandwiched between the front housing C91 and the rear housing C92. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 (and also FIG. 17 ), at least a portion of the outer edge of the support plate C8 may be exposed to the outside of the housing C9. As a result, heat generated by the face camera CF, iris camera CI, and display C5 can be dissipated to the outside of the housing C9 via the support plate C8. This reduces the impact of heat on the operations of the face camera CF, iris camera CI, and display C5. Note that when heat generated by the face camera CF, iris camera CI, and display C5 is dissipated to the outside of the housing C9 via the support plate C8, the support plate C8 may be made of a material capable of promoting heat dissipation (e.g., a metal material). However, the support plate C8 does not have to be exposed to the outside of the housing C9.

[0104] A member other than the support plate C8 may be used as a member for dissipating heat generated within the housing C9 to the outside of the housing C9. For example, as shown in FIG. 17 , when the imaging unit C is attached to the gate unit G via a connecting member C98, the connecting member C98 may be used as a member for dissipating heat generated within the housing C9 to the outside of the housing C9. Furthermore, to further promote heat dissipation, the imaging unit C may be provided with a heat dissipation fan. The heat dissipation fan may be driven to dissipate heat generated within the housing C9 to the outside of the housing C9. For example, the heat dissipation fan may be driven to dissipate heat generated within the housing C9 to the outside of the housing C9 through an opening formed in the housing C9 (e.g., at least one of openings C94, C95, and C97 described below).

[0105] As shown in FIG. 19 , the face camera CF may be disposed so as to face the direction in which the target person P is present. Here, the "direction in which the face camera CF faces" may refer, for example, to the direction in which the face camera CF captures an image. In this case, the face camera CF may be disposed within the housing C9 so as to capture an image of the space in the direction in which the target person P is present. The "direction in which the face camera CF faces" may refer, for example, to the direction in which the imaging range of the face camera CF expands as seen from the face camera CF. In this case, the face camera CF may be disposed within the housing C9 so that the imaging range expands in the direction in which the target person P is present. The "direction in which the face camera CF faces" may refer, for example, to the direction in which the optical system CF1 of the face camera CF (e.g., an optical system including a lens) faces. In this case, the face camera CF may be disposed within the housing C9 so that the optical system CF1 faces the direction in which the target person P is present. The "direction in which the face camera CF faces" may refer, for example, to the direction in which the optical axis AXF of the optical system CF1 of the face camera CF extends. In this case, the face camera CF may be disposed in the housing C9 so that the optical axis AXF extends in the direction in which the target person P is present.

[0106] 19 , the target person P is located in the lateral direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction, e.g., the horizontal direction) as viewed from the face camera CF. That is, the target person P is located at a distance along the lateral direction as viewed from the face camera CF. In this case, the face camera CF may be disposed so as to face the lateral direction. For example, the face camera CF may be disposed so that the imaging range of the face camera CF extends in the lateral direction of the face camera CF as viewed from the face camera CF. For example, the face camera CF may be disposed so that the optical axis AXF of the optical system CF1 of the face camera CF extends along the lateral direction (e.g., a direction along the XY plane, e.g., the horizontal direction).

[0107] The face camera CF captures an image of the target person P by receiving light L1 from the target person P (e.g., light from the face of the target person P) with an image sensor CF2 via an optical system CF1. The light LF enters the face camera CF (particularly, the optical system CF1) through an opening C94 (see FIG. 18 ) formed in the housing C9. Furthermore, when the face camera CF is supported by a support plate C8, the light LF may enter the face camera CF (particularly, the optical system CF1) through an opening C84 formed in the support plate C8. Alternatively, the face camera CF may be positioned such that at least a portion of the face camera CF is disposed within the opening C84 formed in the support plate C8. As a result, the face camera CF housed in the housing C9 can capture an image of the target person P located outside the housing C9, thereby generating a face image IMG_F.

[0108] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20 , the iris camera CI may be disposed so as to face a direction different from the direction in which the target person P is present. Here, the "direction in which the iris camera CI faces" may refer, for example, to the direction in which the iris camera CI captures an image. In this case, the iris camera CI may be disposed within the housing C9 so as to capture an image of a space existing in a direction different from the direction in which the target person P is present. The "direction in which the iris camera CI faces" may refer, for example, to the direction in which the imaging range of the iris camera CI extends as seen from the iris camera CI. In this case, the iris camera CI may be disposed within the housing C9 so that its imaging range extends in a direction different from the direction in which the target person P is present. The "direction in which the iris camera CI faces" may refer, for example, to the direction in which the optical system CI1 of the iris camera CI (e.g., an optical system including a lens, etc.) faces. In this case, the iris camera CI may be disposed within the housing C9 so that the optical system CI1 faces a direction different from the direction in which the target person P is present. The "direction in which the iris camera CI faces" may refer to, for example, the direction in which the optical axis AXI of the optical system CI1 of the iris camera CI extends. In this case, the iris camera CI may be disposed in the housing C9 so that the optical axis AXI extends in a direction different from the direction in which the target person P is present.

[0109] In the example shown in FIG. 20 , the target person P is located in a horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction, as an example, the horizontal direction) as viewed from the iris camera CI. In other words, the target person P is located at a distance along the horizontal direction as viewed from the iris camera CI. In this case, the iris camera CI may be disposed so as to face a direction different from the horizontal direction. As an example, the iris camera CI may be disposed so as to face a vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction, as an example, the vertical direction) different from the horizontal direction. For example, the iris camera CI may be disposed so that the imaging range of the iris camera CI extends in the vertical direction of the iris camera CI as viewed from the iris camera CI. For example, the iris camera CI may be disposed so that the optical axis AXI of the optical system CI1 of the iris camera CI extends along the vertical direction. As an example, the iris camera CI may be disposed so that the optical axis AXI extends along a direction intersecting the XY plane (e.g., the vertical direction or the Z-axis direction).

[0110] The iris camera CI captures an image of the target person P by receiving light L2 from the target person P (e.g., light from the iris of the target person P) with the image sensor CI2 via the optical system CI1. However, it is difficult for the light LI from the target person P to directly enter the optical system CI1 of the iris camera CI, which is facing a direction different from the direction in which the target person P is present. For this reason, in the fourth embodiment, the iris camera CI receives the light LI via a rotating mirror C3. That is, the light LI enters the optical system CI1 of the iris camera CI via the rotating mirror C3. Specifically, the rotating mirror C3 is disposed on the optical path of the light LI. The light LI is incident on the reflecting surface C31 of the rotating mirror C3. The light LI incident on the reflecting surface C31 is reflected by the reflecting surface C31. The reflecting surface C31 reflects the light LI toward the iris camera CI (particularly toward the optical system CI1). As a result, even if the iris camera CI is facing in a direction different from the direction in which the target person P is present, the iris camera CI can capture an image of the target person P.

[0111] The light LI is incident on the iris camera CI (particularly, the optical system CI1) through an opening C95 (see FIG. 20 ) formed in the housing C9 (particularly, the front housing C91). Furthermore, when the iris camera CI is supported by a support plate C8, light from the target person P may be incident on the iris camera CI (particularly, the optical system CI1) through an opening C85 formed in the support plate C8. As a result, the iris camera CI housed in the housing C9 can generate an iris image IMG_I by capturing an image of the target person P located outside the housing C9.

[0112] As described above, the light LI reflected by the rotating mirror C3 toward the iris camera CI may include at least one of reflected light and scattered light (e.g., near-infrared light) of illumination light emitted from the iris. In this case, the opening C95 may be filled with a material that allows near-infrared light to pass through while absorbing or reflecting a portion of visible light. The opening C95 may be filled with a material that allows near-infrared light to pass through while exhibiting a desired color relative to visible light. As a result, the design quality of the exterior of the housing C9 (i.e., the design quality of the exterior of the imaging unit C) is improved. Furthermore, since it becomes difficult for the target person P to see the internal structure of the imaging unit C through the opening C95, it becomes easier to guide the target person P's gaze to the display exposed to the outside of the imaging unit C.

[0113] The size of the imaging range of the face camera CF may be different from the size of the imaging range of the iris camera CI. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21 , the imaging range of the face camera CF may be wider than that of the iris camera CI. That is, the angle of view θ1 of the face camera CF may be larger than the angle of view θ2 of the iris camera CI. In this case, due to differences in the heights of the target persons P, the eyes of the target persons P may not necessarily be located at a specific position within the imaging range of the face camera CF. For example, while the eyes of a first target person P having a first height may be located at a first position within the imaging range of the face camera CF, the eyes of a second target person P having a second height shorter than the first height may be located at a second position lower than the first position within the imaging range of the face camera CF. However, because the angle of view θ2 of the iris camera CI is relatively small, the imaging range of the iris camera CI may not necessarily include both the eyes of the first target person P and the eyes of the second target person P. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the imaging unit C may move the imaging range of the iris camera CI by rotating the rotating mirror C3 using the rotation motor C4. That is, the imaging unit C may move the imaging range of the iris camera CI by changing the orientation of the rotating mirror C3 using the rotation motor C4. For example, as shown in FIG. 21 , the imaging unit C may move the imaging range of the iris camera CI along the vertical direction (in other words, the up and down direction, for example, the Z-axis direction) by rotating the rotating mirror C3. Specifically, the imaging unit C may move the imaging range of the iris camera CI along the vertical direction by rotating the rotating mirror C3 around a rotation axis (for example, a rotation axis along the horizontal direction) that intersects with the direction in which the imaging range of the iris camera CI is moved. As an example, the imaging unit C may move the imaging range of the iris camera CI along the vertical direction by rotating the rotating mirror C3 around a rotation axis (e.g., a rotation axis along the X axis) that intersects both the direction in which the imaging range of the iris camera CI is moved (e.g., the Z-axis direction) and the direction in which the target person P is located (e.g., the Y-axis direction).

[0114] When the rotary mirror C3 rotates around a rotation axis along the horizontal direction, as shown in Fig. 22, the rotary motor C4 that rotates the rotary mirror C3 may be disposed within the housing C9 so that the motor shaft C40 of the rotary motor C4 extends along the horizontal direction. In this case, the horizontal size of the rotary motor C4 (i.e., the size in the direction in which the motor shaft C40 extends) is one factor that determines the horizontal size of the imaging unit C. Specifically, the horizontal size of the imaging unit C is larger than the horizontal size of the rotary motor C4. However, because the horizontal size of the rotary motor C4 is not excessively large, the horizontal size of the imaging unit C is not excessively large.

[0115] 18 and 19 , the display C5 is housed in the housing C9 so that a display surface C51 capable of displaying information is exposed to the outside of the housing C9. Specifically, the display C5 is housed in the housing C9 so that the display surface C51 is exposed to the outside of the housing C9 through an opening C96 (see FIGS. 17 to 19 ) formed in the housing C9 (particularly the front housing C91). In other words, the display C5 is housed in the housing C9 so that the display surface C51 is visible from outside the housing C9 through the opening C96.

[0116] The space SP2 (see FIG. 19 ) of the accommodation space SP1 adjacent to the display C5 may be used as a space for accommodating at least a portion of the iris camera CI. That is, at least a portion of the iris camera CI may be disposed in the space SP2 adjacent to the display C5. Specifically, at least a portion of the illumination control unit 12 may be disposed in the space SP2 adjacent to the back surface C52 of the display C5, which is located on the opposite side from the display surface C51.

[0117] The distance sensor C6 is housed in the housing C9 (particularly the front housing C91) so as to measure the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P through an opening C97 (see FIG. 17) formed in the housing C9. For example, when the distance sensor C6 capable of optically measuring the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is housed in the housing C9, the distance sensor C6 may be housed in the housing C9 so as to emit measurement light through the opening C97 (for example, to irradiate the measurement light onto the target person P). [4-3: Configuration of the control unit 4]

[0118] Next, the configuration of the control unit 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 4.

[0119] 23 , the control unit 4 includes a calculation device 41, a storage device 42, and a communication device 43. The control unit 4 may further include an input device 44 and an output device 45. However, the control unit 4 does not necessarily have to include at least one of the input device 44 and the output device 45. The calculation device 41, the storage device 42, the communication device 43, the input device 44, and the output device 45 may be connected via a data bus 46.

[0120] The arithmetic device 41 includes, for example, at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a demand-side platform (DSP), and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The arithmetic device 41 reads a computer program. For example, the arithmetic device 41 may read a computer program stored in the storage device 42. For example, the arithmetic device 41 may read a computer program stored in a computer-readable, non-transitory recording medium using a recording medium reading device (not shown) provided in the control unit 4. The arithmetic device 41 may acquire (i.e., download or read) a computer program from a device (not shown) located outside the control unit 4 via the communication device 43 (or another communication device). The arithmetic device 41 executes the read computer program. As a result, a logical function block for executing the operation (e.g., the authentication operation described above) that the control unit 4 should perform is realized within the arithmetic device 41. In other words, the arithmetic device 41 can function as a controller for realizing the logical function block for executing the operation (in other words, processing) that the control unit 4 should perform.

[0121] Fig. 23 shows an example of logical functional blocks realized in the computing device 41 for performing the authentication operation. As shown in Fig. 23, the computing device 41 includes a position information acquisition unit 211, an illumination control unit 212, an authentication unit 414 which is a specific example of "authentication means" in the appendix described below, a mirror control unit 415, and a gate control unit 416. Note that the operations of the position information acquisition unit 211, the illumination control unit 212, the authentication unit 414, the mirror control unit 415, and the gate control unit 416 will be described in detail later with reference to Fig. 24 etc., and therefore will not be described here.

[0122] The storage device 42 can store desired data. For example, the storage device 42 may temporarily store a computer program executed by the arithmetic device 41. The storage device 42 may temporarily store data that the arithmetic device 41 temporarily uses when the arithmetic device 41 is executing a computer program. The storage device 42 may store data that the control unit 4 stores long-term. The storage device 42 may include at least one of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a disk array device. In other words, the storage device 42 may include a non-temporary recording medium.

[0123] The communication device 43 is capable of communicating with the lighting device D4, the imaging unit C, and the gate unit G via a communication network (not shown). In the fourth embodiment, the communication device 43 transmits an illumination control signal to the lighting device D4 for controlling the lighting device D4 to illuminate at least a portion of the target person P. The communication device 43 receives (i.e., acquires) a person image IMG (specifically, a face image IMG_F and an iris image IMG_I) from the imaging unit C. Furthermore, the communication device 43 transmits an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C for controlling the imaging unit C to capture at least a portion of the target person P. The communication device 43 transmits a gate control signal to the gate unit G for switching the states of the first flapper gate G2 and the second flapper gate G3 between an open state and a closed state.

[0124] The input device 44 is a device that accepts information input to the control unit 4 from outside the control unit 4. For example, the input device 44 may include an operation device (for example, at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel) that can be operated by an operator of the control unit 4. For example, the input device 44 may include a reading device that can read information recorded as data on a recording medium that can be externally attached to the control unit 4.

[0125] The output device 45 is a device that outputs information to the outside of the control unit 4. For example, the output device 45 may output information as an image. That is, the output device 45 may include a display device (a so-called display) that can display an image showing the information to be output. For example, the output device 45 may output information as sound. That is, the output device 45 may include an audio device (a so-called speaker) that can output sound. For example, the output device 45 may output information on paper. That is, the output device 45 may include a printing device (a so-called printer) that can print desired information on paper. [2-4: Operation of the control unit 4]

[0126] Next, the control operation performed by the control unit 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 24. Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control operation performed by the control unit 4.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 24, the gate control unit 416 determines whether or not the proximity sensor G4 of the gate unit G has detected a target person P (step S101).

[0128] If it is determined in step S101 that the proximity sensor G4 has not detected the target person P (step S101: No), the gate control unit 416 continues to determine whether the proximity sensor G4 has detected the target person P. In this case, the gate control unit 416 may transmit a gate control signal for setting the state of the first flapper gate G2 to the closed state to the gate unit G via the communication device 43. As a result, the state of the first flapper gate G2 is maintained in the closed state.

[0129] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the proximity sensor G4 has detected the target person P (step S101: Yes), the gate control unit 416 transmits a gate control signal to the gate unit G via the communication device 43 to set the state of the first flapper gate G2 to an open state (step S102). As a result, as shown in FIG. 25 , the state of the first flapper gate G2 switches to the open state, allowing the target person P to enter lane G5. However, as described above, the gate unit G may switch the state of the first flapper gate G2 to the open state when the proximity sensor G4 detects the target person P, regardless of the control by the gate control unit 416.

[0130] If the face camera CF is capable of capturing an image of the face of the target person P who has not passed through the first flapper gate G2, then in step S101, the gate control unit 416 may authenticate the target person P based on the face image IMG_F generated by the face camera CF. In this case, if the authentication is successful, then in step S102, the gate control unit 416 may transmit a gate control signal to the gate unit G to set the state of the first flapper gate G2 to the open state.

[0131] 24 again, thereafter, the authentication unit 414 determines whether the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is equal to or less than a predetermined trigger distance based on the detection result of the distance sensor C6 (step S103). The trigger distance may be the distance from the imaging unit C to the position where the face camera CF is in focus. In this case, the operation of determining whether the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is equal to or less than the trigger distance is equivalent to the operation of determining whether the target person P, who has entered lane G5, has advanced to the position where the face camera CF is in focus.

[0132] If it is determined in step S103 that the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is not equal to or less than the trigger distance (step S103: No), it is estimated that the target person P who has entered lane G5 has not yet advanced to a position where the face camera CF can focus. In this case, the authentication unit 414 continues to determine whether the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is equal to or less than the trigger distance.

[0133] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S103 indicates that the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is equal to or shorter than the trigger distance (step S103: Yes), it is presumed that the target person P who has entered lane G5 has already advanced to a position where the face camera CF can focus. In this case, the authentication unit 414 transmits an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C via the communication device 43 to control the face camera CF to capture an image of the face of the target person P (step S104). As a result, the face camera CF captures an image of the face of the target person P. However, as described above, the face camera CF may capture an image of the face of the target person P when the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is equal to or shorter than the trigger distance, regardless of the control by the authentication unit 414.

[0134] When the face camera CF captures an image of the target person P's face, the authentication unit 414 may transmit an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C via the communication device 43 to control the display C5 to display a predetermined UI (User Interface) screen. The predetermined UI screen may include, for example, a screen that prompts the target person P to turn his / her face toward the face camera CF. An example of a UI screen that prompts the target person P to turn his / her face toward the face camera CF is shown in FIG. 26 . FIG. 26 shows, as an example of a UI screen, a UI screen that includes a circular frame that specifies the position of the target person P's face, as well as a message that prompts the target person P to turn his / her face toward the display C5 (i.e., turn his / her face toward the face camera CF arranged together with the display C5).

[0135] 24 , the authentication unit 414 then acquires a facial image IMG_F from the facial camera CF via the communication device 43 and identifies the position of the target person P's eyes (particularly, the position in the vertical direction, for example, the position in the Z-axis direction) based on the acquired facial image IMG_F (step S105). The authentication unit 414 then transmits an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C via the communication device 43 to rotate the rotating mirror C3 so that the iris camera CI can capture an image of the eyes located at the position identified in step S105 (step S106). That is, the authentication unit 414 transmits an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C via the communication device 43 to rotate the rotating mirror C3 so that the eyes located at the position identified in step S105 are included in the imaging range of the iris camera CI (step S106). As a result, as shown in FIG. 17 , the rotation motor C4 rotates the rotating mirror C3 based on the imaging control signal, allowing the iris camera CI to capture an image of the target person P's eyes. Furthermore, the illumination control unit 212 transmits an illumination control signal to the illumination device D4 via the communication device 43 so that the illumination light IL can be emitted to the eye position (particularly the position in the vertical direction, for example, the position in the Z-axis direction) identified in step S105. That is, the illumination control unit 212 controls which of the illumination I or the element illumination EI included in the illumination device D4 to turn on, depending on the orientation of the rotating mirror C3.

[0136] When the iris camera CI captures an image of the eyes of the target person P, the lighting device D4 illuminates the eyes of the target person P with illumination light IL. For example, because the iris camera CI captures an image of the eyes of the target person P after the rotating mirror C3 rotates in step S106, the lighting device D4 may start illuminating the eyes of the target person P with illumination light IL before the rotating mirror C3 rotates in step S106. For example, because the iris camera CI captures an image of the eyes of the target person P after the face camera CF captures an image of the face of the target person P in step S104, the lighting device D4 may start illuminating the eyes of the target person P with illumination light IL after the face camera CF captures an image of the face of the target person P in step S104. For example, because the iris camera CI captures an image of the eyes of the target person P after the first flapper gate G2 opens in step S102, the lighting device D4 may start illuminating the eyes of the target person P with the illumination light IL after the first flapper gate G2 opens in step S102. In this case, the lighting control unit 212 may transmit a lighting control signal to the lighting device D4 so that the element lighting EI corresponding to the distance to the eyes of the target person P is turned on.

[0137] 24 , the authentication unit 414 then determines whether the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is equal to or less than a predetermined focus distance based on the detection result of the distance sensor C6 (step S107). The focus distance may be the distance from the imaging unit C to the position where the iris camera CI is in focus. In this case, the operation of determining whether the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is equal to or less than the focus distance is equivalent to the operation of determining whether the target person P, who has entered lane G5, has advanced to the position where the iris camera CI is in focus. Note that the focus distance is typically less than the trigger distance described above.

[0138] If it is determined in step S107 that the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is not equal to or less than the focus distance (step S107: No), it is estimated that the target person P who has entered lane G5 has not yet advanced to a position where the iris camera CI is in focus. In this case, the authentication unit 414 continues to determine whether the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is equal to or less than the focus distance.

[0139] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S107 indicates that the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is equal to or shorter than the focus distance (step S107: Yes), it is presumed that the target person P, who has entered lane G5, has already advanced to a position where the iris camera CI is in focus. In this case, the authentication unit 414 transmits an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C via the communication device 43 to control the iris camera CI to capture an image of the eyes of the target person P (step S108). As a result, the iris camera CI captures an image of the face of the target person P. However, as described above, regardless of the control by the authentication unit 414, the iris camera CI may capture an image of the eyes of the target person P when the distance from the imaging unit C to the target person P is equal to or shorter than the focus distance. In step S108, the illumination control unit 212 may control at least one of the left illumination device D4L and the right illumination device D4R to emit at least one of the left illumination light ILL and the right illumination light ILR in response to the image captured by the iris camera CI.

[0140] Even when the iris camera CI captures the eyes of the target person P, as in the case where the face camera CF captures the face of the target person P, the authentication unit 414 may send an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C via the communication device 43 to control the display C5 to display a specified UI screen.

[0141] Thereafter, the authentication unit 414 acquires the iris image IMG_I from the iris camera CI via the communication device 43, and authenticates the target person P based on the acquired iris image IMG_I (step S109).

[0142] If the authentication of the target person P is successful as a result of the authentication in step S109 (step S110: Yes), the gate control unit 416 transmits a gate control signal to the gate unit G via the communication device 43 to set the state of the second flapper gate G3 to an open state (step S111). As a result, as shown in Fig. 28, the state of the second flapper gate G3 switches to an open state, allowing the target person P to pass through lane G5. Furthermore, if the authentication of the target person P is successful, as shown in Fig. 29, the authentication unit 414 may transmit an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C via the communication device 43 to control the display C5 to display a UI screen to inform the target person P that the authentication has been successful.

[0143] Referring back to FIG. 24 , on the other hand, if the authentication of the target person P in step S109 is not successful (i.e., fails) (step S110: No), the gate control unit 416 transmits a gate control signal to the gate unit G via the communication device 43 to set the second flapper gate G3 to a closed state (step S112). As a result, as shown in FIG. 5-12 , the second flapper gate G3 is maintained in a closed state, preventing the target person P from passing through lane G5. In this case, the gate control unit 416 may transmit a gate control signal to the gate unit G via the communication device 43 to set the first flapper gate G2 to a closed state. As a result, as shown in FIG. 30 , the target person P is trapped between the first flapper gate G2 and the second flapper gate G3. In this case, the target person P may act in accordance with instructions from an attendant or the like operating the gate unit G. Furthermore, if the authentication of the target person P is not successful, the authentication unit 414 may transmit, via the communication device 43, an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C for controlling the display C5 to display a UI screen for informing the target person P that the authentication was not successful, as shown in Fig. 31 . Furthermore, if the authentication of the target person P is not successful, the authentication unit 414 may transmit, via the communication device 43, an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C for controlling the display C5 to display a UI screen for prompting the target person P to re-register the iris pattern of the target person P in the information processing system SYS4 (i.e., register the target person P as a registered person), as shown in Fig. 31 . Furthermore, if the authentication of the target person P is not successful, the authentication unit 414 may transmit, via the communication device 43, an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C for controlling the display C5 to display a UI screen for prompting the target person P to perform iris authentication again (i.e., have the iris of the target person P photographed again by the iris camera CI). [Modification]

[0144] The lighting control unit 212 may control which of the plurality of element lights EI included in the lighting device D5 to turn on, depending on the authentication result of the target person P. As illustrated in Fig. 32 , the lighting device D4 may be configured to have seven rows of lights I, each of which has seven element lights EI arranged in a row.

[0145] In step S111, the lighting control unit 212 may send a lighting control signal to the lighting device D4 to turn on the lighting to inform the target person P that authentication has been successful. For example, as shown in FIG. 32( a), the element lights EI may be turned on to form an upward arrow shape. Alternatively, the element lights EI may be illuminated row by row from the bottom up to encourage the target person P to move forward in the direction of travel.

[0146] In step S112, the lighting control unit 212 may send a lighting control signal to the lighting device D4 to turn on the lighting to inform the target person P that authentication has failed. For example, as shown in FIG. 32(b), the lighting element EI may be turned on to form an x-shape. [4-5: Technical Effects of the Information Processing System SYS4]

[0147] The information processing system SYS4 in the fourth embodiment opens and closes the gate in accordance with the authentication result of the target T based on the image capture result of the target T in an appropriately illuminated state, thereby enabling appropriate gate control. For example, even when the eyes of a first target person P having a first height are the eyes of the target T, or when the eyes of a second target person P having a second height that is taller than the first height are the eyes of the target T, the target T is appropriately illuminated and captured, and the gate is appropriately controlled to open and close. The information processing system SYS4 can authenticate the target T from both sides of the lane G5, allowing for even more appropriate illumination of the target T.

[0148] The information processing system SYS4 controls which of the lighting elements EI included in the lighting device D4 to turn on depending on the orientation of the rotating mirror C3, i.e., the exact height of the target T, so that the exact height of the target T can be illuminated. Furthermore, since the lighting device D4 emits light of a predetermined wavelength in the near-infrared region or the infrared region as illumination light, the information processing system SYS4 can control the opening and closing of the gate using a highly accurate iris image. Furthermore, the information processing system SYS4 controls which of the multiple lighting elements EI included in the lighting device D4 to turn on depending on the target authentication result, so that the target person P can be appropriately guided. [5: Fifth Embodiment]

[0149] A fifth embodiment of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described below. Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing system SYS5 to which the fifth embodiment of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium is applied. [5-1: Configuration of information processing system SYS5]

[0150] In the fifth embodiment, the information processing system SYS5 includes, as the lighting device D5, a left lighting device D5L provided on the left side of lane G5 and a right lighting device D5R provided on the right side of lane G5. The left lighting device D5L and the right lighting device D5R may be identical to the lighting device D4. That is, the left lighting device D5L and the right lighting device D5R may be identical to the left lighting device D4L and the right lighting device D4R, respectively. In the eighth embodiment, the imaging unit C, the left lighting device D5L, and the right lighting device D5R are arranged in the arrangement shown in FIG. 33. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 33, the left lighting device D5L is arranged on the left side of the imaging unit C as viewed from the imaging unit C (the -X side in the example shown in FIG. 33). That is, the left lighting device D5L is arranged on the left side of the imaging unit C as viewed from the target person P whose image is captured by the imaging unit C. On the other hand, the right-side illumination device D5R is disposed on the right side of the imaging unit C as viewed from the imaging unit C (on the +X side in the example shown in FIG. 33 ). That is, the right-side illumination device D5R is disposed on the right side of the imaging unit C as viewed from the target person P whose image is captured by the imaging unit C. Furthermore, at the timing when the imaging unit C (or the iris camera CI provided therein) captures images of the right and left eyes, the optical axis AXL of the left-side illumination device D5L (e.g., the optical axis of the optical system such as a lens provided in the left-side illumination device D5L) and the optical axis AXR of the right-side illumination device D5R (e.g., the optical axis of the optical system such as a lens provided in the right-side illumination device D5R) may intersect between the imaging unit C and the target person P. At least one of the left-side illumination device D5L and the right-side illumination device D5R may be disposed in the imaging unit C. At least one of the left-side illumination device D5L and the right-side illumination device D5R may be disposed in a position different from the imaging unit C. At least one of the left-side illumination device D5L and the right-side illumination device D5R may be integrated with the imaging unit C. At least one of the left illumination device D5L and the right illumination device D5R may be disposed separately from the imaging unit C. [5-2: Configuration of the control unit 5]

[0151] The configuration of the control unit 5 in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 34. Fig. 34 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 5 in the fifth embodiment.

[0152] As shown in Fig. 34, the control unit 5 in the fifth embodiment differs from the control unit 4 in the fourth embodiment in that the arithmetic device 41 includes a determination unit 517. Other features of the control unit 5 may be the same as other features of the control unit 4. Therefore, the following will describe in detail the parts that differ from the embodiments already described, and will omit descriptions of other overlapping parts as appropriate. [5-3: Lighting control operation performed by the control unit 5]

[0153] The flow of the lighting control operation performed by the control unit 5 in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 35. Fig. 35 is a flowchart showing the flow of the lighting control operation performed by the control unit 5 in the fifth embodiment. Note that in the fifth embodiment, the control unit 5 may typically perform the lighting control operation shown in Fig. 35 before starting the operation of step S108 in Fig. 24.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 35 , the determination unit 517 determines whether or not the target person P is wearing eyeglasses (step S50). The determination unit 517 may determine that the target person P is wearing eyeglasses if a region with a brightness higher than a predetermined value is detected within a predetermined region including the position of the target person P's eyes identified within the facial image IMG_F. The predetermined value may be a value that determines whether or not an area is a high-brightness region, and may be set in advance as a fixed value or as a variable value corresponding to, for example, the average brightness of the entire facial image IMG_F. Such a predetermined value may be set as the lower limit of a range of possible brightness values ​​of the illumination reflection region captured in the facial image IMG_F, determined experimentally, empirically, or through simulation. The eyeglasses may include colorless lenses, or may be, for example, sunglasses or the like, including colored lenses.

[0155] If the target person P is wearing eyeglasses (step S50: Yes), the illumination control unit 212 switches the operation mode of the left illumination device D5L and the right illumination device D5R to an eyeglasses-wearing mode and controls the left illumination device D5L and the right illumination device D5R (step S51). The eyeglasses-wearing mode is an operation mode in which the left illumination device D5L and the right illumination device D5R irradiate the target person P with left illumination light ILL and right illumination light ILR at different times. In the eyeglasses-wearing mode, the illumination control unit 212 may control the left illumination light ILL and the right illumination light ILR to be irradiated alternately, or may control the left illumination light ILL and the right illumination light ILR to be irradiated in a random order.

[0156] If the target person P is not wearing eyeglasses (step S50: No), the illumination control unit 212 switches the operation mode of the left illumination device D5L and the right illumination device D5R to an eyeglasses-free mode and controls the left illumination device D5L and the right illumination device D5R (step S52). The eyeglasses-free mode is an operation mode in which the left illumination device D5L and the right illumination device D5R irradiate the target person P with left illumination light ILL and right illumination light ILR at the same time.

[0157] Thereafter, the control unit 5 performs the operation of step S108 in Fig. 24 . That is, the control unit 5 transmits an imaging control signal to the imaging unit C for controlling the iris camera CI to capture an image of the eyes of the target person P. As a result, the iris camera CI captures an image of the face of the target person P. Thereafter, in step S109 in Fig. 24 , the authentication unit 414 may authenticate the target person P using both the iris image IMG_I generated by the iris camera CI capturing an image of the target person P illuminated by the left illumination device D5L with left illumination light ILL, and the iris image IMG_I generated by the iris camera CI capturing an image of the target person P illuminated by the right illumination device D5R with right illumination light ILR. However, the authentication unit 414 may authenticate the target person P using either an iris image IMG_I generated by the iris camera CI capturing an image of the target person P illuminated by the left illumination device D5L with left illumination light ILL, or an iris image IMG_I generated by the iris camera CI capturing an image of the target person P illuminated by the right illumination device D5R with right illumination light ILR. [5-4: Technical Effects of the Information Processing System SYS5]

[0158] If the target person P is wearing glasses, the light reflected from the eyeglass lenses of the illumination light IL may appear in the iris image IMG_I. In contrast, in the information processing system SYS5 of the fifth embodiment, when the target person P is wearing glasses, the left illumination device D5L and the right illumination device D5R emit illumination light at different times, so that it is possible to capture an iris image IMG_I in which the reflected light does not appear on at least one of the left and right irises, thereby enabling iris authentication to be performed with high accuracy. [6: Sixth Embodiment]

[0159] A sixth embodiment of an illumination device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described below. Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment of an illumination device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing system to which the sixth embodiment of the illumination device, the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied.

[0160] The information processing system in the sixth embodiment includes an illumination device D6, an imaging unit C, a gate unit G, and a control unit 6. The illumination device D6 may be the same as any of the illumination devices D1 in the first embodiment to D5 in the fifth embodiment. [6-1: Configuration of the control unit 6]

[0161] The configuration of the control unit 6 in the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 36. Fig. 36 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 6 in the sixth embodiment.

[0162] As shown in Fig. 36, the control unit 6 in the sixth embodiment differs from the control unit 4 in the fourth embodiment and the control unit 5 in the fifth embodiment in that the arithmetic device 41 includes an imaging information acquisition unit 618. Other features of the control unit 6 may be the same as other features of the control unit 4 or the control unit 5. Therefore, in the following, only the parts that differ from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate. [6-2: Lighting control operation performed by the control unit 6]

[0163] The flow of the lighting control operation performed by the control unit 6 in the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 37. Fig. 37 is a flowchart showing the flow of the lighting control operation performed by the control unit 6 in the sixth embodiment. Note that in the sixth embodiment, the control unit 6 may typically perform the lighting control operation shown in Fig. 37 before starting the operation of step S108 in Fig. 24.

[0164] 37 , the imaging information acquisition unit 618 acquires imaging information from the imaging unit C via the communication device 43 (step S60). In the sixth embodiment, the iris camera CI may continuously capture images of the target T. The imaging information may include at least one of information indicating the imaging timing of the imaging of the target T by the iris camera CI and information indicating the exposure time for the imaging. The imaging timing may be information indicating the number of images captured by the iris camera CI per unit time.

[0165] The illumination control unit 212 determines an operation mode based on at least one of the timing of capturing an image of the target T by the iris camera CI and the exposure time of the image (step S61). The operation modes include a continuous mode and a discontinuous mode. The continuous mode is an operation mode in which illumination light IL is emitted continuously regardless of the timing of capturing an image by the iris camera CI. The discontinuous mode is an operation mode in which illumination light IL is emitted discontinuously according to the capturing timing.

[0166] For example, if the iris camera CI captures a relatively large number of images per unit time, controlling the illumination on and off according to the image capture timing would impose a heavy burden on the illumination control. It is sufficient for the illumination device D6 to illuminate the target T at the exposure timing of the iris camera CI, i.e., when the shutter is open. If the exposure time per image capture by the iris camera CI is relatively long and the time when illumination by the illumination device D4 is not required is extremely short, there is little benefit in turning off illumination during the time when illumination by the illumination device D4 is not required. In these cases, the illumination control unit 212 may determine the operating mode to be the continuous mode.

[0167] When the operation mode is determined to be the continuous mode (step S61: continuous mode), the illumination control unit 212 controls the illumination device D6 in the continuous mode to continuously irradiate illumination light IL regardless of the timing of capturing images of the target person P (step S62). When the operation mode is determined to be the discontinuous mode (step S61: discontinuous mode), the illumination control unit 212 controls the illumination device D6 in the discontinuous mode to discontinuously irradiate illumination light IL according to the timing of capturing images (step S63).

[0168] The lighting control unit 212 may, for example, switch which lighting device I will use for illumination for each image capture. Alternatively, if the information processing system in the sixth embodiment is equipped with a plurality of lighting devices D6, the lighting control unit 212 may switch which lighting device D6 will use for illumination for each image capture. In other words, in the sixth embodiment, the position illuminated by the lighting device D6 may change for each image capture. [6-3: Technical Effects of the Information Processing System in the Sixth Embodiment]

[0169] If the power of the near-infrared illumination is strong, it may strain the eyes of the target person P. The information processing system in the sixth embodiment can illuminate only when necessary, that is, only at the exposure timing when the shutter of the iris camera CI is open, thereby reducing the strain on the eyes of the target person P. Furthermore, the lighting control by the information processing system in the sixth embodiment can achieve power saving. Furthermore, the lighting control by the information processing system in the sixth embodiment can also prevent the lighting device D6 from becoming too hot.

[0170] On the other hand, if the number of times that the lights are turned on and off exceeds a predetermined number, the burden of controlling the lights on and off increases. In such a case, the information processing system according to the sixth embodiment can switch the operation mode to a continuous mode, thereby reducing the burden of controlling the lights on and off. [7: Seventh Embodiment]

[0171] A seventh embodiment of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described below. Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing system SYS7 to which the seventh embodiment of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium is applied. [7-1: Configuration of information processing system SYS7]

[0172] The configuration of the information processing system SYS7 in the seventh embodiment, in particular the arrangement of the lighting device D7 in the seventh embodiment, will be described with reference to Fig. 38. Fig. 38 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system SYS7 in the seventh embodiment.

[0173] The information processing system SYS7 includes an illumination device D7, an imaging unit C, a gate unit G, and a control unit 7. The control unit in the seventh embodiment may be the same as any one of the control unit 4 in the fourth embodiment to the control unit 6 in the sixth embodiment. Furthermore, each illumination device D7 may be the same as any one of the illumination devices D1 in the first embodiment to the illumination device D6 in the sixth embodiment.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 38 , lane G5 includes a first lane G51, a second lane G52 adjacent to one side of the first lane G51, and a third lane G53 adjacent to the other side of the first lane G51. A target person P can pass through at least one of the first lane G51, the second lane G52, and the third lane G53. Note that "one side" in the seventh embodiment may refer to one side in a direction intersecting the direction in which lane G5 extends (i.e., the movement direction of the target person P passing through lane G5). Furthermore, "the other side" in the seventh embodiment may refer to the other side in a direction intersecting the direction in which lane G5 extends (i.e., the movement direction of the target person P passing through lane G5). In the example shown in FIG. 38 , the left side corresponds to one side and the right side corresponds to the other side as seen from the target person P passing through lane G5.

[0175] The information processing system SYS7 includes, as lighting devices D7, a first lighting device D71, a second lighting device D72, a third lighting device D73, and a fourth lighting device D74. The first lighting device D71 is provided on one side of the first lane G51 and irradiates a target person P passing through the first lane G51 with first illumination light IL1 as illumination light IL. The second lighting device D72 is provided on the other side of the first lane G51 and irradiates a target person P passing through the first lane G51 with second illumination light IL2 as illumination light IL. The third lighting device D73 is provided on one side of the first lane G51 and irradiates a target person P passing through the second lane G52 with third illumination light IL3 as illumination light IL. The fourth illumination device D74 is provided on the other side of the first lane G51, and irradiates a target person P passing through the third lane G53 with fourth illumination light IL4 as illumination light IL.

[0176] The imaging unit C is provided on the other side of the first lane G51. In this case, the first lighting device D71 provided on one side of the first lane G51 is provided closer to the traveling direction of the target person P than the third lighting device D73. Furthermore, the fourth lighting device D74 provided on the other side of the first lane G51 is provided closer to the traveling direction of the target person P than the second lighting device D72. In other words, each lighting device D7 is provided so that the distance from the imaging unit C to the first lighting device D71 and the distance from the imaging unit C to the second lighting device D72 are equal. [7-2: Technical Effects of the Information Processing System SYS7]

[0177] The information processing system SYS7 in the seventh embodiment can irradiate the target T with illumination light IL from both the left and right sides in each lane G5. The information processing system SYS7 can ensure that the distance between the imaging unit C and the illumination device D7 installed on the same side as the imaging unit C is equal to the distance between the imaging unit C and the illumination device D7 installed on a different side from the imaging unit C in each lane G5. That is, the information processing system SYS7 can appropriately set the distance between the imaging unit C and each illumination device D7 in each lane G5. This allows each illumination device D7 to illuminate the target T with an appropriate amount of illumination light IL. This reduces the possibility that the target T will be strongly affected by illumination from either the left or right side. Both the first illumination device D71 installed on one side of the first lane G51 and the second illumination device D72 installed on the other side of the first lane G51 can irradiate illumination light IL with a brightness appropriate for acquiring an iris image. [8: Eighth Embodiment]

[0178] An eighth embodiment of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described below. Hereinafter, the eighth embodiment of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing system to which the eighth embodiment of a lighting device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium is applied.

[0179] The information processing system in the eighth embodiment includes an illumination device D8, an imaging unit C, a gate unit G, and a control unit 8. The illumination device D8 may be the same as any of the illumination devices D1 in the first embodiment to D7 in the seventh embodiment. [8-1: Configuration of the control unit 8]

[0180] The configuration of the control unit 8 in the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 39. Fig. 39 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 8 in the eighth embodiment.

[0181] As shown in Figure 39, the control unit 8 in the eighth embodiment differs from the control unit 4 in the fourth embodiment to the control unit 6 in the sixth embodiment in that the arithmetic device 41 includes a brightness detection unit 819. Other features of the control unit 8 may be the same as other features of any one of the control units 4 to 6. Therefore, in the following, differences from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and descriptions of other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate. [8-2: Lighting control operation performed by control unit 8]

[0182] The flow of the lighting control operation performed by the control unit 8 in the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 40. Fig. 40 is a flowchart showing the flow of the lighting control operation performed by the control unit 8 in the eighth embodiment. Note that in the eighth embodiment, the control unit 8 may typically perform the lighting control operation shown in Fig. 40 before starting the operation of step S108 in Fig. 24.

[0183] As shown in Fig. 40 , the brightness detection unit 819 detects the brightness of the target T when the target T is illuminated (step S80). The brightness detection unit 819 may detect the brightness of the target T in the face image IMG_F generated in step S104 of Fig. 24. Alternatively, the iris camera CI may continuously capture images of the target T after it is determined in step S107 of Fig. 24 that the distance to the target person P is equal to or shorter than the focus distance, and the brightness detection unit 819 may detect the brightness of the target T in the iris image IMG_I generated in the previous capture.

[0184] The illumination control unit 212 controls the irradiation intensity of the illumination light IL according to the brightness (step S81). The illumination control unit 212 may control the irradiation intensity so that the illumination light IL can be irradiated with a brightness appropriate for acquiring the iris image IMG_I. [8-3: Technical Effects of the Information Processing System in the Eighth Embodiment]

[0185] The information processing system according to the eighth embodiment can illuminate the target T with appropriate brightness. [9: Ninth Embodiment]

[0186] A ninth embodiment of an illumination device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described below. Hereinafter, the ninth embodiment of an illumination device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing system to which the ninth embodiment of the illumination device, the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied.

[0187] The information processing system in the ninth embodiment includes an illumination device D9, an imaging unit C, a gate unit G, and a control unit 9. The illumination device D9 may be the same as any of the illumination devices D1 in the first embodiment to D8 in the eighth embodiment. [9-1: Configuration of the control unit 9]

[0188] The configuration of the control unit 9 in the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 41. Fig. 41 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 9 in the ninth embodiment.

[0189] As shown in Fig. 41, the control unit 9 in the ninth embodiment differs from the control unit 4 in the fourth embodiment to the control unit 8 in the eighth embodiment in that the calculation device 41 includes a distance information acquisition unit 313 and an attitude control unit 920. Other features of the control unit 9 may be the same as other features of any one of the control units 4 to 8. Therefore, in the following, differences from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and descriptions of other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate. [9-2: Appearance of lighting device D9]

[0190] FIG. 42 shows the appearance of the illumination device D9. FIG. 42(a) is a front view of the illumination device D9, and FIG. 42(b) is a side view of the illumination device D9. As shown in FIG. 42(a), the illumination device D9 includes a cover member CD that houses the first illuminator I1 and the second illuminator I2, blocks visible light, and transmits light of a predetermined wavelength in the near-infrared or infrared region. The cover member CD includes a first member CD1 that intersects the optical paths of the first light L1 and the second light L2 and has a flat surface, and a second member CD2 that has a curved surface. The first member CD1 is disposed on a transmission surface of the illumination light IL that intersects the optical path of the illumination light IL emitted by the illumination device D9. As shown in FIG. 43(b), the surface that intersects the optical path AX of the first light L1 and the second light L2 is flat, so the illumination device D9 can deliver each of the first light L1 and the second light L2 to a desired area. [9-3: Operation of the information processing system in the ninth embodiment]

[0191] The flow of the lighting control operation performed by the control unit 9 in the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 43. Fig. 43 is a flowchart showing the flow of the lighting control operation performed by the control unit 9 in the ninth embodiment. Note that in the ninth embodiment, the control unit 9 may typically perform the lighting control operation shown in Fig. 43 before starting the operation of step S108 in Fig. 24.

[0192] 43 , at least one of the following is performed: the position information acquisition unit 211 acquires position information; and the distance information acquisition unit 313 acquires distance information (step S90). The attitude control unit 920 controls the attitude of the lighting device D9 so as to change the tilt of the first member CD1 in accordance with at least one of the position information and the distance information (step S91). After determining in step S107 of FIG. 24 that the distance to the target person P is equal to or less than the focus distance, the iris camera CI may continuously capture images of the target T, and the attitude control unit 920 may control the attitude of the lighting device D9 so as to change the tilt of the first member CD1 for each image capture in accordance with at least one of the position information and the distance information.

[0193] In step S91, for example, the illumination device D9 may rotate around the Z-axis direction as shown by the arrow in Fig. 42(a). Also, the first member CD1 may tilt, changing the angle of the first member CD1 with respect to the Z-axis as shown by the arrow in Fig. 42(b).

[0194] For example, consider a case where the illumination device D9 of the ninth embodiment is applied to a case where the first illumination device D71 and the third illumination device D73, and the second illumination device D72 and the fourth illumination device D74 of the seventh embodiment are arranged close to each other. As shown in Fig. 42, the sides and back surfaces of the illumination device D9 other than the first member CD1 are curved, so that even when the position of each illumination device D9 is changed, they are unlikely to come into contact with each other and illumination is not hindered. [9-4: Technical Effects of the Information Processing System in the Ninth Embodiment]

[0195] The illumination device D9 in the ninth embodiment has a flat surface through which the illumination light passes, allowing the illumination light IL to be properly illuminated on the target T without distortion. The illumination device D9 in the ninth embodiment has curved sides and back surfaces other than the surface intersecting the optical path of the illumination device D9, preventing the illumination devices D9 from coming into contact with each other or otherwise interfering with illumination even when the orientation of each illumination device D9 changes. Furthermore, the control unit 9 in the ninth embodiment can control the orientation of the illumination device D9, thereby expanding the area R that can be illuminated by the illumination device D9. This allows the target T to be properly illuminated regardless of the position of the target T.

[0196] Furthermore, because the illumination light has a wide illumination area, the illumination light may be reflected on the iris area, and the reflected light may appear in the iris image, degrading the accuracy of iris authentication. In contrast, the information processing system in each of the above embodiments can narrow the illumination area, thereby reducing the possibility of the accuracy of iris authentication being degraded due to the reflected light appearing in the iris image. [10: Supplementary Note]

[0197] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed with respect to the above-described embodiments. [Supplementary Note 1] An illumination device comprising: a first illumination means that irradiates a first light toward a first region; and a second illumination means that irradiates a second light toward a second region that is located on one side of the first illumination means along a predetermined direction and on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction. [Supplementary Note 2] The illumination device according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising: a third illumination means that irradiates a third light toward a third region that is located on one side of the first illumination means along the predetermined direction and on the other side of the second illumination means along the predetermined direction, and that is located on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction and on one side of the second region along the predetermined direction. [Supplementary Note 3] The illumination device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein each of the first illumination means and the second illumination means includes a plurality of element illuminants arranged side by side, wherein a first element illuminant of the plurality of element illuminants irradiates a first element region with a first element light constituting a part of the first light, and a second element illuminant of the plurality of element illuminants located on one side of the first element illuminant along an intersecting direction intersecting the predetermined direction irradiates a second element region located on the other side of the first element region in the intersecting direction with a second element light constituting another part of the first light. [Supplementary Note 4] The illumination device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein each of the first and second lights is light of a predetermined wavelength in a near-infrared region or an infrared region, and further includes a cover member that houses the first and second illumination means and blocks visible light but transmits light of the predetermined wavelength, and the cover member includes a first member that intersects with the optical paths of the first and second lights and has a flat surface, and a second member that has a curved surface.[Supplementary Note 5] An information processing device comprising: a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating a position of an object; and an illumination control means for controlling a first illumination means, when the object is located on one side of a predetermined position along a predetermined direction, such that a first illumination means capable of irradiating a first light toward a first region illuminates the object with the first light, and when the object is located on the other side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction, such that a second illumination means, which irradiates a second light toward a second region that is located on one side of the first illumination means along the predetermined direction and is located on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction, illuminates the object with the second light. [Supplementary Note 6] The lighting control means controls the first lighting means so that, when the target is located on one side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction, the first lighting means illuminates the target with the first light, and controls the third lighting means so that a third lighting means capable of irradiating a third light toward a third region that is located on one side of the first lighting means along the predetermined direction and on the other side of the second lighting means along the predetermined direction, is located on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction, and is located on one side of the second region along the predetermined direction, the third lighting means illuminates the target with the third light; and when the target is located on one side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction, the lighting control means controls the second lighting means so that the second lighting means illuminates the target with the second light, and controls the third lighting means so that the third lighting means illuminates the target with the third light. [Supplementary Note 7] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 5 or 6, wherein each of the first and second lighting means includes a plurality of element lights, and further comprises distance information acquisition means for acquiring distance information indicating a distance from the first and second lighting means to the object, and the lighting control means controls which of the plurality of element lights to turn on depending on at least one of the distance and the position of the object.[Supplementary Note 8] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 5 or 6, wherein each of the first and second lighting means includes a plurality of element lights, and each of the element lights included in the first and second lighting means is arranged in a matrix, and further comprises distance information acquisition means for acquiring distance information indicating a distance from the first and second lighting means to the object, and the lighting control means controls which column of the element lights arranged in the matrix to turn on depending on the distance. [Supplementary Note 9] The information processing device according to claim 5 or 6, further comprises brightness detection means for detecting brightness of the object when the object is illuminated, and the lighting control means controls irradiation intensity of at least one of the first light and the second light depending on the brightness. [Supplementary Note 10] An information processing system comprising: an imaging means for imaging an object passing through a passageway; a lighting device comprising: a first lighting means for irradiating a first light toward a first region and a second lighting means located on one side of the first lighting means along a predetermined direction and for irradiating a second light toward a second region located on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction, the lighting device irradiating the illumination light toward the object; and a gate provided in the passageway, the gate opening and closing in accordance with an authentication result of the object based on an imaging result by the imaging means. [Supplementary Note 11] The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 10, further comprising: an illumination control means for controlling the first and second lighting devices to irradiate the first and second illumination lights, respectively, in accordance with imaging by the imaging means.[Supplementary Note 12] The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 11, further comprising a determination means for determining whether the subject is wearing eyeglasses, wherein the illumination control means, if the subject is wearing eyeglasses, switches the operation modes of the first and second illumination devices to an eyeglasses-wearing mode in which the first illumination device and the second illumination device irradiate the subject with the first and second illumination lights at different times, respectively, and, if the subject is not wearing eyeglasses, switches the operation modes of the first and second illumination devices to an eyeglasses-not-wearing mode in which the first illumination device and the second illumination device irradiate the subject with the first and second illumination lights at the same time. [Supplementary Note 13] The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 11, further comprising: a determination means for determining whether the subject is wearing eyeglasses, wherein the illumination control means, if the subject is wearing eyeglasses, switches the operation modes of the first and second illumination devices to a eyeglasses-wearing mode in which the first illumination device and the second illumination device irradiate the subject with the first and second illumination lights at different times, respectively. [Supplementary Note 13] The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 11, [Supplementary Note 14] The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 10 or 11, wherein the object can pass through at least one of a first passage, a second passage adjacent to one side of the first passage, and a third passage adjacent to the other side of the first passage, and the information processing system comprises, as the illumination devices, a first illumination device provided on one side of the first passage and irradiating the object passing through the first passage with first illumination light as the illumination light; a second illumination device provided on the other side of the first passage and irradiating the object passing through the first passage with second illumination light as the illumination light; a third illumination device provided on one side of the first passage and irradiating the object passing through the second passage with third illumination light as the illumination light; and a fourth illumination device provided on the other side of the first passage and irradiating the object passing through the third passage with fourth illumination light as the illumination light.[Supplementary Note 15] The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 14, wherein the first lighting device is provided on the side of the third lighting device in a direction of travel of the target, and the fourth lighting device is provided on the side of the second lighting device in a direction of travel of the target. [Supplementary Note 16] The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 10, further comprising: authentication means for authenticating the target using an image generated by the imaging means capturing an image of the target; and lighting control means for controlling which of a plurality of element lights included in the lighting device to turn on depending on an authentication result of the target. [Supplementary Note 17] The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 10, further comprising a reflective surface capable of reflecting light from the target toward the imaging means, and lighting control means for controlling which of the element lights included in the lighting device to turn on depending on an orientation of the reflective surface. [Supplementary Note 18] The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 10 or 11, wherein the lighting device irradiates the target with light of a predetermined wavelength in the near-infrared region or the infrared region as the lighting light, and the imaging means captures an iris image of the target irradiated with the light of the predetermined wavelength. [Supplementary Note 19] The information processing system according to Supplementary Note 10 or 11, further comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring at least one of position information indicating a position of the target and distance information indicating a distance from the lighting device to the target; and an attitude control means for controlling an attitude of the lighting device so as to change an inclination of a transmission plane of the lighting light that intersects with an optical path of the lighting light emitted by the lighting device, according to at least one of the position information and the distance information. [Supplementary Note 20] An information processing method comprising: acquiring position information indicating a position of an object; controlling a first lighting means capable of irradiating a first light toward a first region to illuminate the object with the first light when the object is located on one side of a predetermined position along a predetermined direction; and controlling a second lighting means, capable of irradiating a second light toward a second region that is located on one side of the first lighting means along the predetermined direction and on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction, to illuminate the object with the second light when the object is located on the other side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction.[Supplementary Note 21] A recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, the method comprising: acquiring position information indicating the position of an object; controlling a first lighting means, capable of irradiating a first light toward a first region, to illuminate the object with the first light, when the object is located on one side of a predetermined position along a predetermined direction; and controlling a second lighting means, capable of irradiating a second light toward a second region, which is located on one side of the first lighting means along the predetermined direction and is located on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction, to illuminate the object with the second light, when the object is located on the other side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction.

[0198] At least some of the constituent elements of each of the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined with at least some of the other constituent elements of each of the above-described embodiments. Some of the constituent elements of each of the above-described embodiments may not be used. Furthermore, to the extent permitted by law, the disclosures of all documents (e.g., published patent applications) cited in this disclosure are incorporated by reference as part of the description of this disclosure.

[0199] This disclosure may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the technical idea that can be read from the entire specification. The lighting device, information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and recording medium that involve such modifications are also included in the technical idea of ​​this disclosure.

[0200] SYS1, SYS2, SYS3, SYS4, SYS5, SYS7 Information processing system D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9 Lighting device I1 First lighting I2 Second lighting I3 Third lighting CD Cover member CD1 First member CD2 Second member 1, 2, 3 Information processing device 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 Control unit 11, 211 Position information acquisition unit 12, 212 Lighting control unit 313 Distance information acquisition unit 414 Authentication unit 415 Mirror control unit 416 Gate control unit 517 Determination unit 618 Imaging information acquisition unit 819 Brightness detection unit 920 Posture control unit C Imaging unit G Gate unit G5 Lane T Target P Target person C31 Reflective surface

Claims

1. An imaging means for imaging an object passing through the passage; an illumination device that irradiates illumination light onto the target, the illumination device including a first illumination means that irradiates a first light toward a first region, and a second illumination means that is located on one side of the first illumination means along a predetermined direction and that irradiates a second light toward a second region that is located on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction; a gate provided in the passage, the gate being opened or closed depending on an authentication result of the target based on an image capturing result by the imaging means; An information processing system having the above configuration.

2. the information processing system includes, as the lighting devices, a first lighting device provided on one side of the passage and irradiating the object with a first lighting light as the lighting light, and a second lighting device provided on the other side of the passage and irradiating the object with a second lighting light as the lighting light, The imaging device further includes an illumination control unit that controls the first and second illumination devices so as to irradiate the first and second illumination lights, respectively, in response to imaging by the imaging unit. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The apparatus further includes a determination means for determining whether the subject is wearing glasses, The lighting control means includes: when the subject is wearing eyeglasses, switching operation modes of the first and second illumination devices to an eyeglasses-wearing mode in which the first illumination device and the second illumination device irradiate the first and second illumination lights to the subject at different times, respectively; When the subject is not wearing glasses, the operation modes of the first and second illumination devices are switched to a glasses-free mode in which the first and second illumination devices irradiate the first and second illumination lights, respectively, to the subject at the same timing. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. The lighting control means includes: Based on at least one of the imaging timing of the imaging means for imaging the object and the exposure time of the imaging, The operation mode of the first or second illumination means is switched between a discontinuous mode in which the first or second illumination light is discontinuously irradiated in accordance with the imaging timing, and a continuous mode in which the first or second illumination light is continuously irradiated regardless of the imaging timing of the object. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

5. the target can pass through at least one of a first passage, a second passage adjacent to one side of the first passage, and a third passage adjacent to the other side of the first passage; The information processing system includes, as the lighting device, a first lighting device provided on one side of the first passage and configured to irradiate the target passing through the first passage with first illumination light as the illumination light; a second lighting device that is provided on the other side of the first passage and that irradiates the target passing through the first passage with second illumination light as the illumination light; a third illumination device that is provided on one side of the first passage and that irradiates the target passing through the second passage with third illumination light as the illumination light; a fourth illumination device that is provided on the other side of the first passage and that irradiates the target passing through the third passage with a fourth illumination light as the illumination light; Equipped 3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The first lighting device is provided on a side of the third lighting device in a traveling direction of the target, The fourth lighting device is provided on a side of the second lighting device in a traveling direction of the target.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5.

7. an authentication means for authenticating the object using an image generated by the imaging means capturing an image of the object; a lighting control means for controlling which of a plurality of element lights included in the lighting device is turned on in accordance with an authentication result of the target; The information processing system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

8. The imaging device further includes a reflecting surface capable of reflecting light from the object toward the imaging means. The information processing system further includes a lighting control unit that controls which of the element lights included in the lighting device is to be turned on depending on the orientation of the reflective surface. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

9. Obtain location information indicating the location of the target; When the target is located on one side of a predetermined position along a predetermined direction, a first illumination means capable of emitting a first light toward a first region is controlled so as to illuminate the target with the first light; When the target is located on the other side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction, a second illumination means is controlled so that a second illumination means that irradiates a second light toward a second region that is located on one side of the first illumination means along the predetermined direction and is located on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction illuminates the target with the second light. Information processing methods.

10. On the computer, Obtain location information indicating the location of the target; When the target is located on one side of a predetermined position along a predetermined direction, a first illumination means capable of emitting a first light toward a first region is controlled so as to illuminate the target with the first light; When the target is located on the other side of the predetermined position along the predetermined direction, a second illumination means is controlled so that a second illumination means that irradiates a second light toward a second region that is located on one side of the first illumination means along the predetermined direction and is located on the other side of the first region along the predetermined direction illuminates the target with the second light. A computer program for executing an information processing method.