Operation method of authentication server for providing companion animal authentication-related service

Abstract

Provided in an embodiment of the present invention is a system for providing a companion animal authentication-related service capable of authenticating the identity of a companion animal and verifying whether the companion animal visits a facility. An operation method of an authentication server in the system for providing a companion animal authentication-related service, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving biometric image data related to biometric information of a companion animal from a user device; determining the position of the user device from the biometric image data; confirming facility visitation by the companion animal on the basis of the biometric information of the companion animal and the position of the user device; and storing information about the facility visitation by the companion animal.

Description

How an authentication server that provides authentication-related services for companion animals operates

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating method of an authentication server that provides authentication-related services for companion animals.

[0002] In modern society, demand for companion animals, who provide emotional support and companionship alongside humans, is growing. The number of people living with pets is steadily increasing, and the pet-related industry is also on the rise. A prime example is facilities like pet hospitals, which provide medical and health-related services for companion animals. However, unlike human pets, pet insurance is not as widely available at pet hospitals, and pet insurance subscription rates are low.

[0003] One reason for the low rate of pet insurance subscription is the difficulty for insurance companies to verify whether insured animals have actually visited a pet clinic. This means that verification is required to verify whether the insured animal actually visited a pet clinic. However, because there is no way to verify the pet's identity or whether the visit occurred, the likelihood of fraudulent pet insurance claims increases.

[0004] Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an operation method of an authentication server that provides a pet authentication-related service capable of verifying the identity of a pet and whether the pet has visited a facility.

[0005] The solutions of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other solutions not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0006] In a system for providing a companion animal authentication-related service according to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating an authentication server includes the steps of: receiving biometric image data related to the companion animal's biometric information from a user device; determining the location of the user device from the biometric image data; confirming the companion animal's visit to a facility based on the companion animal's biometric information and the location of the user device; and storing information about the companion animal's visit to the facility.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the biometric image data may include an image including an object representing the biometric information of the companion animal, information on the shooting time of the image, and information on the shooting location.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an object representing the biometric information of a companion animal included in the image may include a nose area or a face area of ​​the companion animal.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of confirming the companion animal's visit to the facility may include the steps of: identifying the companion animal's identity from the companion animal's biometric information; determining whether the shooting location information of the image corresponds to the facility location; and confirming that the companion animal has visited the facility if the shooting location information corresponds to the facility location.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating an authentication server in a system providing a service related to authentication of a companion animal may further include a step of generating a visit certificate proving that the companion animal has visited the facility based on information about the companion animal's visit to the facility; and a step of transmitting the visit certificate to the user device.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of confirming the companion animal's visit to the facility may include the step of detecting an object related to the facility from the biometric image data or the image data including the process of acquiring the biometric information; and the step of verifying whether the companion animal has visited the facility based on the object related to the facility.

[0012] In a system for providing a companion animal authentication-related service according to the present invention, a method for operating an authentication server includes the steps of: receiving first biometric information and profile information of a companion animal from a user device; generating a biometric information registration certificate including a biometric information registration number of the companion animal based on the first biometric information and profile information of the companion animal; transmitting the biometric information registration certificate to the user device; receiving a request for issuing a visitor certificate including authentication information of the companion animal from the user device; generating the visitor certificate based on the authentication information of the companion animal; and transmitting the visitor certificate to the user device.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the authentication information of the companion animal may include second biometric information of the companion animal, acquisition time information of the second biometric information, and location information of the user device.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of receiving the request for issuing the visit certificate may include the step of transmitting a request for access to location information of the user device; the step of receiving the location information of the user device when the access request is approved; the step of receiving an image of a feature object corresponding to the second biometric information from the user device; and the step of recording the time at which the second biometric information was acquired as acquisition time information of the second biometric information.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of generating the visit certificate may include the step of verifying the validity of the visit certificate issuance request based on the second biometric information of the companion animal and the location information of the user device; and the step of generating a visit certificate corresponding to the visit certificate issuance request if the visit certificate issuance request is determined to be valid.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of verifying the validity of the request for issuing a visit certificate may include: a step of confirming facility visit information including facility visit time and facility information from the user device; a step of determining whether a first matching condition regarding whether the second biometric information matches the first biometric information is satisfied; a step of determining whether a second matching condition regarding whether location information of the user device corresponds to a facility location is satisfied; a step of determining whether a third matching condition regarding whether acquisition time information of the second biometric information falls within a reference range from the facility visit time is satisfied; and a step of determining that the request for issuing a visit certificate is valid if the first matching condition, the second matching condition, and the third matching condition are all satisfied.

[0017] In a system providing a companion animal authentication-related service according to the present invention, a method of operating an authentication server includes the steps of: receiving image data of a companion animal from a user device; receiving payment history data including payment information from the user device; confirming a visit to a facility by the companion animal based on the image data and the payment history data; and storing information about the companion animal's visit to the facility.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of confirming the companion animal's visit to the facility may include the step of determining whether the payment information included in the payment history data matches the shooting information of the image data; and the step of verifying that the companion animal has visited the facility if the payment information and the shooting information match.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining whether the payment information and the shooting information match may include the step of determining whether the facility location and shooting location information included in the payment information match; and the step of determining whether the payment time included in the payment information and the shooting time included in the shooting information match.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shooting location information can be acquired from metadata linked to the image data or extracted from an object included in a frame image of the image data.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a visitor certificate can be generated based on the pet's biometric information and the location information of the user device, thereby authenticating the pet's identity and verifying whether the pet has visited a facility.

[0022] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a system that provides authentication-related services for companion animals.

[0024] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an authentication server.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation method of an authentication server according to the first embodiment in a system providing a service related to authentication of companion animals.

[0026] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the process for confirming a pet's visit to a facility.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation method of an authentication server according to the second embodiment in a system providing a service related to authentication of companion animals.

[0028] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on a user device during the process of registering a pet's profile information.

[0029] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on a user device during the process of registering a pet's biometric information.

[0030] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process of receiving a request for issuance of a visitor certificate.

[0031] Figure 9 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on a user device during an input process for requesting a visitor certificate.

[0032] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the process of generating a visitor certificate.

[0033] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process for verifying the validity of a request for issuance of a visitor certificate.

[0034] Figure 12 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on a user device to which a visitor certificate has been issued.

[0035] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the operation between a user device and an authentication server in a system that provides a service related to authentication of companion animals.

[0036] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation method of an authentication server according to the third embodiment in a system providing a service related to authentication of companion animals.

[0037] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the process of confirming whether a pet has visited a facility using the pet's image data and payment history data.

[0038] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the process of verifying whether payment information and shooting information match.

[0039] Figure 17 is a drawing for explaining the process of corresponding shooting information and payment information.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0041] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0042] In addition, in various embodiments, components having the same configuration are described only in representative embodiments using the same symbols, and in other embodiments, only configurations different from the representative embodiments are described.

[0043] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected (or coupled)" with another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected (or coupled)" but also cases where it is "indirectly connected (or coupled)" with other elements in between. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0044] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0045] Hereinafter, the present invention will describe a system, an authentication server, and an operation method of the authentication server that provide authentication-related services for companion animals. Biometric information of companion animals is acquired to confirm the identity of the companion animals. Biometric information of companion animals may include the shape of nose wrinkles (nasal print), facial shape, body shape, iris, etc. This document focuses on the description of photographing a dog's nose print as the companion animal's biometric information. However, the scope of companion animals in the present invention is not limited to dogs and cats, and various physical characteristics of companion animals may be used as identification information, not limited to nose prints. In this document, a facility refers to an entity that provides services for companion animals, such as a veterinary hospital.

[0046] Figure 1 illustrates a system providing a companion animal authentication-related service. Referring to Figure 1, the system providing a companion animal authentication-related service includes a user device (200) used by a companion animal guardian, and an authentication server (100) that provides the companion animal's biometric authentication and visitor certificate to the user device (200).

[0047] Referring to Fig. 1, a user visits a facility (300) (S101) and receives treatment for a companion animal at the facility (S102). When the user registers the companion animal's biometric information with an authentication server (100) through a user device (200) (S103), the authentication server (100) authenticates the visit to the facility by authenticating the companion animal's identity with the user device (200) (S104). The user files an insurance claim with an insurance company (400) by attaching information or a visit certificate certifying the fact of visiting the facility together with the treatment history at the facility (300) (S105), and the insurance company (400) can verify the claim details through the treatment history and visit certificate and then pay the insurance claim (S106).

[0048] The user device (200) is an electronic device carried and used by the guardian of a companion animal. The user device (200) may be a portable electronic device such as a smartphone, a tablet device, or a laptop computer. Furthermore, the user device (200) may be a wearable device such as a smart watch or smart glasses. The user device (200) may be an electronic device such as a personal computer (PC) or a gaming console. The user device (200) may be an electronic device equipped with a processor, memory, display, and communication module capable of executing an application program for biometric identification of a companion animal.

[0049] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an authentication server (100). In a system for providing a companion animal authentication-related service according to the present invention, the authentication server (100) includes a communication module (120) for transmitting or receiving data with a user device (200), a processor (110) electrically coupled to the communication module (120), and a memory (150) electrically coupled to the processor (110). Optionally, the authentication server (100) may include a display (130) for visually outputting information and an input / output interface (140) for connection with other devices or input and output of information.

[0050] The processor (110) can perform calculations and data processing for performing the operation of the authentication server (100), and control each module of the authentication server (100). The processor (110) can execute one or more software programs stored in the memory (150). The processor (110) can include a general-purpose processor (e.g., CPU) that executes an operating system that manages the overall operation of the authentication server (100). In addition, the processor (110) can include a dedicated processor (e.g., GPU, NPU) for specific calculation processing. The processor (110) can include one or more processing circuits. The operation method of the authentication server (100) described below can be executed by the processor (110).

[0051] The communication module (120) provides an environment for communication with the authentication server (100) and external entities (e.g., authentication server, base station, IoT device, user device (200)). The communication module (120) may include a device for performing wired or wireless communication. The communication module (120) may provide data received from an external entity to the processor (110). The communication module (120) may convert the data provided from the processor (110) and transmit it to the external entity.

[0052] The display (130) is a device that outputs visual information and may include a panel and a control circuit. The memory (150) may store programs such as an operating system and applications for the operation of the authentication server (100), and data used during the execution of the programs. The memory (150) may include volatile memory (e.g., DRAM) and non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory). In addition, the memory (150) may include a mass storage device for configuring a database.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an authentication server (100) according to a first embodiment in a system providing a service related to authentication of a companion animal. The operation method of the authentication server (100) in the system providing a service related to authentication of a companion animal according to the present invention includes a step (S310) of receiving biometric image data related to biometric information of a companion animal from a user device (200), a step (S320) of determining a location of the user device (200) from the biometric image data, a step (S330) of confirming a visit to a facility by the companion animal based on the biometric information of the companion animal and the location of the user device (200), and a step (S340) of storing information about the visit to the facility by the companion animal.

[0054] In step S310, the processor (110) receives biometric image data related to the biometric information of the companion animal from the user device (200) via the communication module (120). The biometric image data may include an image including an object representing the biometric information of the companion animal, information on the time and location of the image being captured. The image data may be configured by linking the image including the object representing the biometric information of the companion animal with the information on the time and location of the image being captured. The object representing the biometric information of the companion animal included in the image may include the nose area or the face area of ​​the companion animal. The user device (200) may transmit the biometric image data to the authentication server (100) to authenticate the companion animal's visit to the facility. The user device (200) may capture an image for biometric identification of the companion animal and transmit the captured image to the authentication server (100). The image of the companion animal, along with information on the time and location of the image being captured, is transmitted to the authentication server (100).

[0055] In step S320, the processor (110) determines the location of the user device (200) from the biometric image data. The processor (110) can specify the location (e.g., address) where the image was captured from the shooting location information (e.g., coordinate information) included in the biometric image data.

[0056] In step S330, the processor (110) confirms the visit to the facility by the companion animal based on the biometric information of the companion animal and the location of the user device (200). FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for confirming the visit to the facility by the companion animal. Referring to FIG. 4, the step (S330) of confirming the visit to the facility by the companion animal based on the biometric information of the companion animal and the location of the user device (200) includes a step (S410) of identifying the identity of the companion animal from the biometric information of the companion animal, a step (S420) of determining whether the shooting location information of the image corresponds to the facility location, and a step (S430) of confirming that the companion animal has visited the facility if the shooting location information corresponds to the facility location.

[0057] At step S410, the processor (110) identifies the identity of the companion animal based on its biometric information. The processor (110) identifies an animal whose biometric information matches the received biometric information among the animals registered in the database. The processor (110) can confirm the identity of the companion animal based on the identity information of the animal whose biometric information matches the received biometric information.

[0058] In step S420, the processor (110) determines whether the shooting location information of the image corresponds to the facility location. The processor (110) can determine whether the shooting location information (e.g., coordinates) received together with the image corresponds to the facility location. If the shooting location is within a certain distance range from the location of the designated facility, the processor (110) can determine that the shooting location corresponds to the facility location. If the shooting location of the image corresponds to the facility location, the processor (110) confirms that the companion animal has visited the facility in step S430, and if the shooting location of the image does not correspond to the facility location, the processor (110) determines that the visit to the facility has not been confirmed in step S440 and processes the companion animal's visit to the facility as not being authorized.

[0059] In one embodiment, the step (S420) of confirming a visit to a facility by a companion animal includes a step of detecting an object related to the facility from image data including a process of acquiring biometric image data or biometric information, and a step of verifying whether the companion animal has visited the facility based on the object related to the facility. The processor (110) can acquire information about the surrounding environment in which the companion animal is located from each frame of the biometric image data including the biometric information (e.g., nose print, face) of the companion animal. That is, the processor (110) can analyze the image using a deep neural network to determine where the companion animal is currently located. The processor (110) can detect one or more objects located around the companion animal from each frame of the biometric image data. The processor (110) can determine which object the detected object corresponds to. By detecting an object located at a hospital among the objects detected around the companion animal in each frame, the processor (110) can determine that the companion animal is located at the hospital. For example, if text such as "hospital," "treatment," or "hospitalization" is detected in the frame, the processor (110) may determine that the pet is located in a hospital. Alternatively, if a person dressed as a doctor or nurse or a medical device is detected in the frame, the processor (110) may determine that the pet is located in a hospital.

[0060] If it is confirmed that the companion animal has visited the facility, the process proceeds to step S340 of FIG. 3, where the processor (110) stores information about the companion animal's visit to the facility in the memory (150) or the database. If the companion animal's visit to the facility is authenticated, the processor (110) may store that the companion animal has visited a specific facility and transmit information (e.g., a visit certificate) authenticating the companion animal's visit to the facility to the authentication server of the user device (200) or the insurance company (400). Thus, the insurance company authentication server (400) may confirm that the companion animal has visited the facility and perform insurance processing. The embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 are embodiments that verify whether the companion animal has visited the facility by using an image including the companion animal's biometric information and metadata (shooting time, shooting location) attached to the image. Hereinafter, FIGS. 5 to 13 relate to embodiments that receive the companion animal's biometric information in advance, acquire the companion animal's biometric information and location information from the user device (200), and authenticate whether the companion animal has visited the facility.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an authentication server (100) in a system providing a service related to authentication of a companion animal. The operation method of the authentication server (100) in the system providing a service related to authentication of a companion animal includes a step (S510) of receiving first biometric information and profile information of a companion animal from a user device (200), a step (S520) of generating a biometric information registration certificate including a unique identification number of the companion animal based on the first biometric information and profile information of the companion animal, a step (S530) of transmitting the biometric information registration certificate to the user device (200), a step (S540) of receiving the authentication information of the companion animal acquired from the user device (200) and a request for issuing a visitor certificate, a step (S550) of generating a visitor certificate based on the authentication information of the companion animal, and a step (S560) of transmitting the visitor certificate to the user device (200).

[0062] At step S510, the processor (110) receives the first biometric information and profile information of the companion animal from the user device (200) via the communication module (120). The user can run an application program for biometric authentication of the companion animal on the user device (200) and input the biometric information and profile information of the companion animal through the application program. That is, the user device (200) receives the biometric information and profile information of the companion animal through the application program for biometric authentication of the companion animal.

[0063] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on a user device (200) during the process of registering a pet's profile information, and FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on a user device (200) during the process of registering a pet's biometric information.

[0064] In (a) of Fig. 6, a profile input interface for entering profile information of a companion animal is displayed through the screen of a user device (200). In (a) of Fig. 6, a profile picture (605), name (610), breed information (615), gender (620), birthday (625), and a profile input completion button (630) for completing profile input are displayed through the profile input interface. Profile information of a companion animal can be entered by a user through a profile input interface such as (a) of Fig. 6. The profile information may include the animal species, gender, and birthday of the companion animal.

[0065] Figure 6 (b) is a profile input completion interface indicating the completion of profile input of a companion animal. Figure 6 (b) is an interface displayed when the profile input completion button (630) for completing profile input in Figure 6 (a) is pressed. In Figure 6 (b), some information of the companion animal whose profile information has been entered is displayed, and a biometric information registration button (640) for proceeding to an interface for generating a biometric information registration certificate and a return button (650) for returning to the initial screen are displayed. When an input is made to the biometric information registration button (640), an operation for acquiring biometric information of the companion animal is executed on the user device (200). When an input is made to the return button (650), an operation for returning to the initial screen of the application for biometric authentication of the companion animal is executed.

[0066] Figure 6 (c) is an interface for displaying information about a pet whose profile is registered in an application for biometric authentication of companion animals. In Figure 6 (c), profile information (660) of the companion animal is displayed. The profile information (660) includes whether the companion animal's biometric information is registered (670). If the biometric information is not registered, a biometric information registration button (680) is displayed, which proceeds to an interface for generating a biometric information registration certificate. When an input is made to the biometric information registration button (640), an operation for acquiring the companion animal's biometric information is executed on the user device (200). In addition, a missing person report button (690) for reporting the companion animal missing may be displayed on the interface.

[0067] FIG. 7 (a) illustrates an interface displayed on a user device (200) during the process of registering a companion animal's biometric information. To acquire biometric information, the camera of the user device (200) is activated, and a preview image captured by the camera is displayed on the screen. A message (710) indicating the companion animal's photographing status is overlapped and displayed on the preview image. In addition, an icon (730) for tracking a feature object corresponding to the companion animal's biometric information is displayed at the location of the feature object. The icon (730) may indicate the suitability of the current photographing status based on the image quality of the current feature object. While a screen such as FIG. 7 (a) is displayed, the user may control the user device (200) to capture an image suitable for the companion animal's biometric authentication. For example, the user may move the user device (200) to capture a frontal image of the companion animal. The user device (200) may repeatedly perform a quality check on the preview image to evaluate whether an image suitable for biometric authentication is captured, and may automatically store an image having a quality level above a certain level. That is, the processor of the user device (200) can automatically acquire an image suitable for biometric identification of the companion animal without the user having to press the capture button one by one. The biometric information (e.g., a fingerprint image) acquired through the biometric information acquisition process can be transmitted to the authentication server (100) as first biometric information. That is, the first biometric information includes an image including the face area or nose area of ​​the companion animal.

[0068] When acquisition of biometric information is completed, the biometric information is transmitted to the authentication server (100), and the authentication server (100) stores the biometric information together with the pet's profile information in the memory (150).

[0069] In step S520, the processor (110) generates a biometric registration certificate including the biometric registration number of the companion animal based on the first biometric information and profile information of the companion animal. The processor (110) generates the biometric registration number of the companion animal, adds it to the registration information of the companion animal, and stores it in the memory (150). The biometric registration certificate may include a unique identification number of the companion animal. The biometric registration certificate is data (an image file or a document file) that certifies that the biometric information of the companion animal has been registered in the authentication server (100) in connection with the companion animal's identity information. The biometric registration certificate may include the companion animal's biometric registration number, animal species, sex, birthday, and issuance date. In step S530, the processor (110) transmits the biometric registration certificate to the user device (200) via the communication module (120).

[0070] Figure 7 (b) is an interface displayed after biometric information registration is completed. In Figure 7 (b), a biometric information registration certificate (760) is displayed together with the companion animal's profile information (740). When biometric information registration is completed, the profile information (740) includes text (750) indicating that biometric information registration is completed. The biometric information registration certificate (760) is data (an image file or a document file) that certifies that the companion animal's biometric information has been registered in the authentication server (100) in connection with the companion animal's identity information. The interface may include a registration number copy button (770) for copying a registration number from the biometric information registration certificate (760) and a registration certificate save button (780) for storing the biometric information registration certificate (760) in the user device (200).

[0071] In step S540, the processor (110) receives the pet's authentication information acquired from the user device (200) through the communication module (120) and a request for issuing a visitor certificate. The pet's authentication information includes the pet's second biometric information, location information of the user device (200), and acquisition time information of the second biometric information. Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving a request for issuing a visitor certificate. The step of receiving the request for issuing a visitor certificate (S540) includes the step of transmitting an access request for the location information of the user device (200) (S810), the step of receiving the location information of the user device (200) when the access request is approved (S820), the step of receiving an image of a feature object corresponding to the second biometric information from the user device (200) (S830), and the step of recording the time at which the second biometric information is received as acquisition time information of the second biometric information (S840).

[0072] First, a request for issuance of a visitor certificate is generated from a user device (200) of a guardian who visits a pet facility. Fig. 9 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on the user device (200) during the input process of requesting a visitor certificate. Fig. 9 (a) is a profile interface showing profile information of a companion animal. In Fig. 9 (a), the animal's profile information (910), a biometric information registration certificate (920), a copy button (930) for copying the biometric information registration number to a clipboard, a save button (940) for saving the biometric information registration certificate to the memory of the user device (200), and an issuance request button (950) for generating a request for issuance of a visitor certificate are displayed. When an input is generated for the issuance request button (950), a request for issuance of a visitor certificate is transmitted to the authentication server (100).

[0073] In step S810, in response to a request for issuing a visit certificate, the processor (110) transmits a request for access to location information to the user device (200) through the communication module (120). When the access request is transmitted to the user device (200), an interface for acquiring location information from the user device (200) is displayed as shown in (b) of FIG. 9. (b) of FIG. 9 is an interface for selecting whether to allow access to the location information of the user device (200) by the authentication server (100). In (b) of FIG. 9, an interface (960) for notifying the occurrence of a request for access to location information of the authentication server (100) is displayed, and the interface (960) includes a one-time permission button (971) for allowing access once, an app operation permission button (972) for allowing access while using the application, and a rejection button (973) for denying access.

[0074] In step S820, if an input is made to the one-time allow button (971) or the allow button (972) during app operation, the processor (110) receives location information of the user device (200) through the communication module (120). If an input is made to the one-time allow button (971) or the allow button (972) during app operation, location information is transmitted from the user device (200) to the authentication server (100). If an input is made to the reject button (973), a location information access rejection message is transmitted from the user device (200) to the authentication server (100). If location information access is rejected, the authentication server (100) terminates the procedure for issuing a visitor certificate.

[0075] In step S830, the processor (110) receives second biometric information (image of a feature object) from the user device (200) through the communication module (120). When an input occurs for the one-time permission button (971) or the permission button (972) during app operation in (b) of Fig. 9, the user device (200) executes an operation for acquiring biometric information of the companion animal. The user device (200) activates the camera to capture an image of a feature area (e.g., face or nose) as the biometric information of the companion animal. Fig. 9 (c) is an interface for acquiring biometric information of the companion animal, and a message (980) indicating the shooting status of the companion animal and an icon (990) for tracking the feature object are displayed together with a preview image captured by the camera. Acquisition of the second biometric information of the companion animal can be performed in the same manner as acquisition of the first biometric information described with reference to (a) of Fig. 7. An image including the pet's inscription can be extracted as the second biometric information. The second biometric information may be transmitted from the user device (200) to the authentication server (100). In another embodiment, the user device (200) may transmit an image of a previously stored companion animal to the authentication server (100) as the second biometric information.

[0076] In step S840, the processor (110) records the time at which the second biometric information is acquired as acquisition time information of the second biometric information. The processor (110) may associate the time at which the second biometric information is received from the user device (200) with the location information of the user device (200) and the second biometric information of the companion animal and store the information in the memory (150). Alternatively, the time at which the second biometric information is photographed may be recorded as acquisition time information of the second biometric information. Additionally, the authentication server (100) may receive facility visit information (facility information, visit time information) from the user device (200). When the authentication server (100) receives the location information of the user device (200), the biometric information of the companion animal, the acquisition time information, and the facility visit information from the user device (200), the authentication server (100) may proceed to step S550 and execute an operation for generating a visit certificate.

[0077] In step S550, the processor (110) generates a visitor certificate based on the second biometric information of the companion animal, information on the acquisition time of the second biometric information, and the location information of the user device (200). Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating a visitor certificate. The step of generating a visitor certificate (S550) includes a step (S1010) of verifying the validity of a visitor certificate issuance request based on the second biometric information of the companion animal and the location information of the user device (200), and a step (S1020) of generating a visitor certificate corresponding to the visitor certificate issuance request if the visitor certificate issuance request is determined to be valid. If the visitor certificate issuance request is determined to be invalid, a step (S830) may be performed in which the authentication server (100) rejects the visitor certificate issuance request or transmits a message requesting to re-execute the visitor certificate issuance request to the user device (200).

[0078] In step S1010, the processor (110) verifies the validity of the request for issuance of a visit certificate based on the second biometric information of the companion animal and the location information of the user device (200). The authentication server (100) can verify whether the companion animal included in the request for issuance of a visit certificate by the user device (200) is the same as a previously registered companion animal and whether the companion animal actually visited the facility.

[0079] Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process for verifying the validity of a request for issuing a visitor certificate. The step (S1010) for verifying the validity of the request for issuing a visitor certificate includes a step (S1110) for confirming facility visit information including facility visit time and facility information from a user device (200), a step (S1120) for determining whether a first matching condition regarding whether second biometric information matches first biometric information is satisfied, a step (S1130) for determining whether a second matching condition regarding whether location information of the user device (200) corresponds to a facility location is satisfied, a step (S1140) for determining whether a third matching condition regarding whether acquisition time information of the second biometric information falls within a reference range from the facility visit time is satisfied, and a step (S1150) for determining that the request for issuing a visitor certificate is valid if the first matching condition, the second matching condition, and the third matching condition are all satisfied. If one of the first matching condition, the second matching condition, and the third matching condition is not satisfied, a step (S1160) of determining that the request for issuance of a visit certificate is invalid (invalid) may be executed.

[0080] In step S1110, the processor (110) verifies the facility visit information entered by the user device (200). The facility visit information may be entered into the user device (200) and transmitted to the authentication server (100). The facility visit information may include information on the visited facility, information on the visit time, and information on medical treatment history.

[0081] In step S1120, the processor (110) determines whether the first matching condition regarding whether the second biometric information matches the first biometric information is satisfied. The processor (110) determines whether the first biometric information previously registered for the companion animal for which a request for issuance of a visitor certificate has been made matches the second biometric information received from the user device (200). Whether the two biometric information matches may be determined based on whether a value (score) indicating the degree of matching is equal to or higher than a reference value. Alternatively, the processor (110) may identify a companion animal that matches the second biometric information received from the user device (200) among the companion animals for which biometric information has been previously registered. If the second biometric information of the companion animal matches the first biometric information (if the first matching condition is satisfied), step S1130 may be executed.

[0082] In step S1130, the processor (110) determines whether the second matching condition regarding whether the location information of the user device (200) corresponds to the facility location is satisfied. The processor (110) may determine whether the location information (e.g., coordinates, address) of the user device (200) included in the request for issuance of a visitor certificate corresponds to the address of the facility. If the facility is included within a certain distance from the location information of the user device (200), the processor (110) may determine that the location information of the user device (200) corresponds to the facility location. If the location information of the user device (200) corresponds to the facility location (if the second matching condition is satisfied), step S1140 may be executed.

[0083] In step S1140, the processor (110) determines whether the third matching condition regarding whether the acquisition time information of the second biometric information matches the facility visit time is satisfied. The processor (110) determines whether the acquisition time of the second biometric information matches the facility visit time information included in the facility visit information received from the user device (200). For example, if the acquisition time of the second biometric information and the facility visit time are within a certain time range (e.g., 10 minutes), the processor (110) may determine that the acquisition time information of the second biometric information matches the facility visit time. As another example, the facility visit time information may be input as a time range in units of a certain range (e.g., 30 minutes) (e.g., 10:30 to 11:00), and if the acquisition time of the second biometric information is included in the facility visit time information, the acquisition time information of the second biometric information may be determined to match the facility visit time. If the acquisition time information of the second biometric information matches the facility visit time (if the third matching condition is satisfied), step S1150 may be executed.

[0084] At step S1150, the processor (110) determines that the request for issuing a visitor certificate is valid if the first matching condition, the second matching condition, and the third matching condition are all satisfied. If the request for issuing a visitor certificate is valid, the processor (110) proceeds to step S1020 of FIG. 10.

[0085] In step S1020, if the request for issuing a visit certificate is determined to be valid, the processor (110) generates a visit certificate corresponding to the request for issuing a visit certificate. The visit certificate is data (an image file or a document file) that verifies that a companion animal registered in the account of the user device (200) visited a specific facility at a specific time. It includes the companion animal's guardian information, facility visit information, a biometric information registration certificate, and a QR (quick response) code corresponding to the page information of the visit certificate. The companion animal's guardian information is guardian information corresponding to the account of the user device (200) from which the request for issuing a visit certificate was made. The facility visit information includes the facility location and facility visit time authenticated by the authentication server (100) after being entered into the user device (200). The QR code is a code that allows easy access to a page where the corresponding visit certificate can be verified from another device. In step S560, the generated visit certificate is transmitted from the authentication server (100) to the user device (200). The authentication server (100) can store the visitor certificate in the memory (150) of the authentication server (100) or in a separate database.

[0086] Fig. 12 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on a user device to which a visitor certificate has been issued. Fig. 12 (a) is an interface for outputting a list of visitor certificates generated and registered by an authentication server (100). In Fig. 12 (a), visitor certificate issuance history (1210) and a list of visitor certificates by time zone (1220, 1230, 1240) are output. Each list of visitor certificates (1220, 1230, 1240) includes save buttons (1222, 1232, 1242) that enable saving each visitor certificate to the user device (200). The list of most recently issued visitor certificates (1220) may include an icon (1224) indicating that it has been newly issued.

[0087] FIG. 12 (b) is an example of a visitor certificate (1250) that is output when an input occurs for a specific visitor certificate list (1220) in FIG. 12 (a). The visitor certificate (1250) includes information on the pet's guardian and facility visit information (1251), a biometric information registration certificate (1252), and a QR (quick response) code (1253) corresponding to the page information of the visitor certificate. The user can download the visitor certificate to the user device (200) and attach the visitor certificate when filing an insurance claim with the insurance company. The insurance company can verify whether the pet for which insurance is filed is an insured pet and whether the pet visited the facility during the treatment time through the visitor certificate when confirming the claimed insurance. By establishing a system that can verify whether treatment has been provided between the pet's guardian and the insurance company in this way, the reliability of the entire pet insurance system can be improved.

[0088] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating operations between a user device (200) and an authentication server (100) in a system providing authentication-related services for companion animals. Referring to Figure 13, the user device (200) receives the companion animal's first biometric information and profile information (S1305). The user device (200) transmits the companion animal's first biometric information and profile information to the authentication server (100) (S1310).

[0089] The authentication server (100) generates a biometric registration certificate including the pet's biometric registration number based on the pet's first biometric information and profile information (S1315). The authentication server (100) transmits the biometric registration certificate to the user device (200) (S1320).

[0090] The user device (200) receives an input for issuing a visitor certificate (S1325). The user device (200) acquires the pet's second biometric information and the location information of the user device (200) (S1330). The user device (200) transmits a request for issuing a visitor certificate, including the pet's second biometric information and the location information of the user device, to the authentication server (100) (S1335).

[0091] The authentication server (100) generates the visit certificate based on the second biometric information of the companion animal, the acquisition time information of the second biometric information, and the location information of the user device (S1340), and transmits the visit certificate to the user device (200).

[0092] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an authentication server (100) according to a third embodiment in a system providing authentication-related services for companion animals. In this embodiment, the authentication server (100) uses payment history data along with image data generated by photographing the companion animal to authenticate whether the companion animal has visited the facility.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 14, the method of operating the authentication server (100) in the system providing a companion animal authentication-related service includes a step (S1410) of receiving image data of the companion animal from a user device (200), a step (S1420) of receiving payment history data including payment information from the user device (200), a step (S1430) of confirming the companion animal's visit to the facility based on the image data and payment history data, and a step (S1440) of storing information about the companion animal's visit to the facility.

[0094] In step S1410, the user device (200) transmits image data generated by photographing the companion animal to the authentication server (100). The processor (110) receives the image data via the communication module (120). The image data may be an image including the companion animal's biometric information (e.g., a nose print or face). In other words, the image data may be photo or video data generated during the process of acquiring the companion animal's biometric information.

[0095] In step S1420, the user device (200) transmits payment details data including payment information to the authentication server (100). The processor (110) receives the payment details data via the communication module (120). The payment details data may include a photo of a receipt or electronic receipt data on which payment information is recorded. The guardian of a companion animal may use the user device (200) to visit a facility, take a photo of the issued receipt, and transmit the photo of the received receipt to the authentication server (100). Alternatively, the guardian of a companion animal may receive electronic receipt data from the facility visited and transmit the electronic receipt data to the authentication server (100).

[0096] At step S1430, the processor (110) can confirm the pet's visit to the facility based on the image data and payment history data.

[0097] Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process for confirming whether a pet has visited a facility using the pet's video data and payment history data. Referring to Fig. 15, the step of confirming a pet's visit to a facility (S1430) includes a step of determining whether payment information included in the payment history data matches the video data's filming information (S1510), and a step of verifying that the pet has visited the facility if the payment information and the filming information match (S1520). The step of confirming a pet's visit to a facility (S1430) includes a step of determining that the pet's visit to the facility has not been confirmed if the payment information and the filming information do not match (S1530).

[0098] At step S1510, the processor (110) confirms the pet's visit to the facility based on the shooting information of the image data received from the user device (220) and the payment information included in the payment history data.

[0099] Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating a process for verifying whether payment information and shooting information match. Referring to Figure 16, the step (S1510) for determining whether payment information and shooting information match includes the step (S1610) for determining whether the facility location included in the payment information and the shooting location information match, and the step (S1620) for determining whether the payment time included in the payment information and the shooting time included in the shooting information match.

[0100] Prior to step S1610, the processor (110) may extract shooting information from the image data and payment information from the payment history data. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the processor (110) may extract shooting information from metadata associated with the image data. The shooting information may include a shooting location (1711), a shooting time (1712), and a shooting format. Alternatively, the processor (110) may extract the shooting location and shooting time based on an object detected in each frame of the image data. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the processor (110) may extract payment information, i.e., a facility name (1721), a facility location (1722), visitor information (1723), payment information (1724), and a payment time (1725), from a receipt photo (1720).

[0101] In step S1610, the processor (110) determines whether the facility information included in the payment information matches the shooting location information. The processor (110) can determine whether the shooting location (1711) extracted from the image data (1710) matches the facility location (1722) of the payment information. The processor (110) can determine whether the shooting location (1711) is the same as the facility location (1722). Alternatively, the processor (110) can determine whether the distance between the shooting location (1711) and the facility location (1722) is within a reference range (e.g., 100 m). If the distance between the shooting location (1711) and the facility location (1722) is within the reference range, the processor (110) can determine that the shooting location (1711) and the facility location (1722) match. The processor (110) can determine whether the shooting location (1711) and the facility location (1722) are identical by comparing the coordinates of the shooting location (1711) with the coordinates of the facility location (1722). If the shooting location (1711) matches the facility location (1722) of the facility information, the processor (110) proceeds to step S1620. If the shooting location (1711) does not match the facility location (1722) of the facility information, the processor (110) proceeds to step S1640 and determines that the payment information and the shooting information do not match.

[0102] In step S1620, the processor (110) determines whether the payment time included in the payment information matches the shooting time included in the shooting information. The processor (110) determines whether the shooting time (1712) extracted from the image data (1710) matches the payment time (1725) of the payment information. The processor (110) can determine whether the difference between the shooting time (1712) and the payment time (1725) is within a reference range (e.g., 10 minutes). If it is within the reference range, the processor (110) can determine that the shooting time (1712) and the payment time (1725) match. If the shooting time (1712) and the payment time (1725) match, the processor (110) proceeds to step S1630 and determines that the payment information and the shooting information match. If the shooting time (1712) and the payment time (1725) do not match, the processor (110) proceeds to step S1640 and determines that the payment information and the shooting information do not match.

[0103] If the payment information and the photographing information are determined to match, the processor (110) verifies that the pet has visited the facility in step S1520. At this time, the server (100) may transmit a message to the user device (200) notifying that the pet's visit to the facility has been authenticated.

[0104] If the payment information and the photographing information are determined to not match, the processor (110) determines in step S1530 that the pet's visit to the facility has not been confirmed. At this time, the processor (110) may request a message and data retransmission to the user device (200) informing that the visit has not been confirmed.

[0105] At step S1440, the processor (110) may store information about the companion animal's visit to the facility in the memory (150). The server (100) may store information about the companion animal's visit to the facility in a separate database. The server (100) may generate a visit certificate indicating information about the companion animal's visit to the facility and store it in the memory (150) or the database. When a request is made from the user device (200) or the insurance company (400), the server (100) may transmit information about the companion animal's visit to the facility to the user device (200) or the insurance company (400).

[0106] The present embodiments and drawings attached to the present specification only clearly illustrate a part of the technical idea included in the present invention, and it will be obvious that all modified examples and specific embodiments that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea included in the specification and drawings of the present invention are included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.

[0107] Therefore, the idea of ​​the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and all things that are equivalent or equivalent to the claims described below as well as the claims are considered to fall within the scope of the idea of ​​the present invention.

Claims

1. In a system that provides authentication-related services for companion animals, a method of operation of an authentication server: A step of receiving biometric image data related to the biometric information of a companion animal from a user device; A step of determining the location of the user device from the biometric image data; A step of confirming a visit to a facility by the companion animal based on the companion animal's biometric information and the location of the user device; and A method of operating an authentication server comprising a step of storing information about a visit to a facility by the companion animal.

2. In paragraph 1, The above biometric image data is an operation method of an authentication server including an image containing an object representing the biometric information of the companion animal, information on the shooting time of the image, and information on the shooting location.

3. In paragraph 1, An operation method of an authentication server, wherein an object representing the biometric information of a companion animal included in the above image includes a nose area or a face area of ​​the companion animal.

4. In paragraph 2, The steps to confirm the above pet's visit to the facility are: A step of identifying the identity of the companion animal from the biometric information of the companion animal; A step of determining whether the shooting location information of the above image corresponds to the facility location; and An operation method of an authentication server, including a step of confirming that the companion animal has visited the facility if the above shooting location information corresponds to the facility location.

5. In paragraph 1, A step of generating a visit certificate proving that the companion animal has visited the facility based on information about the companion animal's visit to the facility; and A method of operating an authentication server further comprising the step of transmitting the above visit certificate to the user device.

6. In paragraph 1, The steps to confirm the above pet's visit to the facility are: A step of detecting an object related to the facility from image data including the process of acquiring the biometric image data or biometric information; and A method of operating an authentication server, comprising a step of verifying whether the companion animal has visited the facility based on an object related to the facility.

7. In a system that provides authentication-related services for companion animals, a method of operation of an authentication server: A step of receiving first biometric information and profile information of a companion animal from a user device; A step of generating a biometric information registration certificate including a biometric information registration number of the companion animal based on the first biometric information and profile information of the companion animal; A step of transmitting the above biometric information registration certificate to the user device; A step of receiving authentication information of a companion animal and a request for issuing a visit certificate obtained from the user device; A step of generating the visit certificate based on the authentication information of the companion animal; and A method of operating an authentication server, comprising the step of transmitting the above visit certificate to the user device.

8. In paragraph 7, The authentication information of the companion animal includes the second biometric information of the companion animal, information on the acquisition time of the second biometric information, and the location information of the user device. The method of operating the authentication server.

9. In paragraph 7, The steps for receiving the above visit certificate issuance request are: A step of transmitting a request for access to location information of the user device; A step of receiving location information of the user device when the above access request is approved; A step of receiving an image of a feature object corresponding to the second biometric information from the user device; and An operation method of an authentication server, comprising a step of recording the time at which the second biometric information is acquired as acquisition time information of the second biometric information.

10. In paragraph 7, The steps to create the above visit certificate are: A step of verifying the validity of the request for issuance of the visit certificate based on the second biometric information of the companion animal and the location information of the user device; and A method of operation of an authentication server, comprising the step of generating a visit certificate corresponding to the visit certificate issuance request if the above visit certificate issuance request is determined to be valid.

11. In paragraph 10, The steps for verifying the validity of the above visit certificate issuance request are: A step of checking facility visit information including facility visit time and facility information from the user device; A step of determining whether a first matching condition is satisfied regarding whether the second biometric information matches the first biometric information; A step of determining whether a second matching condition regarding whether the location information of the user device corresponds to the facility location is satisfied; A step of determining whether the third matching condition is satisfied regarding whether the acquisition time information of the second biometric information falls within a reference range from the facility visit time; and A method of operating an authentication server, comprising a step of determining whether the request for issuing a visit certificate is valid if all of the first matching condition, the second matching condition, and the third matching condition are satisfied.

12. In a system that provides authentication-related services for companion animals, a method of operation of an authentication server: A step of receiving image data of a companion animal from a user device; A step of receiving payment history data including payment information from the user device; A step of confirming the visit of the pet to the facility based on the above image data and the above payment history data; and A method of operating an authentication server comprising a step of storing information about a visit to a facility by the companion animal.

13. In paragraph 12, The steps to confirm the above pet's visit to the facility are: A step of determining whether the payment information included in the payment history data matches the shooting information of the image data; and A method of operating an authentication server, comprising a step of verifying that the companion animal has visited the facility if the payment information and the photographing information match.

14. In paragraph 13, The step of determining whether the above payment information and the above shooting information match is: A step of determining whether the facility location and shooting location information included in the above payment information match; and An operation method of an authentication server, comprising a step of determining whether the payment time included in the above payment information matches the shooting time included in the above shooting information.

15. In paragraph 14, The above shooting location information is obtained from metadata linked to the video data or extracted from an object included in a frame image of the video data. The method of operation of the authentication server.

Images