Unauthorized boarding tracing device, unauthorized boarding tracing method, program, and unauthorized boarding tracing system

Abstract

Provided are an unauthorized boarding tracing device, an unauthorized boarding tracing method, a program, and an unauthorized boarding tracing system which are capable of supporting suitable countermeasures against a user who has boarded without authorization. This unauthorized boarding tracing device comprises: a storage means for storing a user list in which user identification information and biometric information for registration are associated with each other, and an unauthorized boarding list in which the user identification information and unauthorized boarding information are associated with each other; an image acquisition means for acquiring user biometric information for authentication; a designation means for designating identification information of a user on the basis of the biometric information for authentication and the user list; a determination means for determining, on the basis of the designated identification information and the unauthorized boarding list, whether the user has boarded without authorization; a position acquisition means for acquiring user position information if the user has boarded without authorization; and a transmission means for transmitting the user position information to a prescribed contact destination.

Description

Illegal fare tracing device, illegal fare tracing method, program, and illegal fare tracing system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fare fraud tracing device, a fare fraud tracing method, a program, and a fare fraud tracing system.

[0002] Considerations are being made for the introduction of a facial recognition service that will replace station ticket gates with an area (hereinafter referred to as the "ticket gate area") where users' facial recognition will be performed, and where boarding and disembarking stations will be identified based on the facial recognition and fare payment will be made. When such a facial recognition service is introduced at stations, users will register their facial images in advance with the facial recognition service, associating them with payment information, etc. However, even if a user has already been registered, if they run through the ticket gate area, they will board a train without undergoing facial recognition, which could result in ridden fraud.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method in which a facial image of a user whose ticket gate processing at an entrance gate has not been completed is stored in a center device, and if a facial image acquired from the user at an exit gate matches the facial image stored in the center device, an output is given indicating that the ticket gate processing has not been completed. For example, the display unit of the ticket gate device may display a message indicating that the ticket gate processing has not been completed, or a voice message may be used to notify the user that the ticket gate processing has not been completed.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-087124

[0005] However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, when many users pass through a ticket gate area that does not use a ticket gate device, it is difficult to provide a visual or audio notification to only those users who have committed fare fraud, making it difficult to take appropriate action against users who have committed fare fraud.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fare evasion tracing device, a fare evasion tracing method, a program, and a fare evasion tracing system that can support appropriate action against users who have committed fare evasion.

[0007] The fraudulent riding tracing device of the present disclosure comprises a memory unit that stores a user list in which a user's identification information is associated with the user's registration biometric information, and a fraudulent riding list in which the user's identification information is associated with fraudulent riding information indicating that the user has ridden fraudulently, an acquisition unit that acquires the user's authentication biometric information, an identification unit that identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list, a determination unit that determines whether the user has ridden fraudulently based on the identified identification information and the fraudulent riding list, a location acquisition unit that acquires the user's location information if the user has ridden fraudulently, and a transmission unit that transmits the user's location information to a specified contact point.

[0008] The fraudulent riding tracing method of the present disclosure is a method in which a computer stores in a memory a user list in which a user's identification information is associated with the user's registration biometric information, and a fraudulent riding list in which the user's identification information is associated with fraudulent riding information indicating that the user has ridden fraudulently, acquires the user's authentication biometric information, identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list, determines whether the user has ridden fraudulently based on the identified identification information and the fraudulent riding list, and if the user has ridden fraudulently, acquires the user's location information and sends the user's location information to a specified contact point.

[0009] The program of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer to perform the following processes: storing in a memory a user list in which a user's identification information is associated with the user's registration biometric information; and a rogue ride list in which the user's identification information is associated with rogue ride information indicating that the user has ridden without authorization; acquiring the user's authentication biometric information; identifying the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list; determining whether the user has ridden without authorization based on the identified identification information and the rogue ride list; if the user has ridden without authorization, acquiring the user's location information; and sending the user's location information to a specified contact point.

[0010] The fare fraud tracing system of the present disclosure comprises cameras installed at multiple different locations in a station, an operation terminal that manages the operation of a railway including the station, a station employee terminal carried by a station employee at the station, and a fare fraud tracing device capable of communicating with the cameras, the operation terminal, and the station employee terminal, and the fare fraud tracing device comprises a memory unit that stores a user list in which a user's identification information is associated with the user's registration biometric information, and a fare fraud list in which the user's identification information is associated with fare fraud information indicating that the user has ridden a train without authorization, an acquisition unit that acquires the user's authentication biometric information, an identification unit that identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list, a determination unit that determines whether the user has ridden a train without authorization based on the identified identification information and the fare fraud list, a location acquisition unit that acquires the user's location information if the user has ridden a train without authorization, and a transmission unit that transmits the user's location information to at least one of the operation terminal and the station employee terminal.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a fare fraud tracing device, a fare fraud tracing method, a program, and a fare fraud tracing system that can support appropriate action against users who have committed fare fraud.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fare fraud tracing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a fare fraud tracing method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fare fraud tracing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an operation terminal according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a station staff terminal according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fare fraud tracing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a user list according to the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a fare fraud list according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of a fare fraud tracing method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer according to the present disclosure.

[0013] Embodiment 1 An example of the configuration of a fare fraud tracing device 10 according to the present disclosure will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 . The fare fraud tracing device 10 performs biometric authentication of users on trains and supports appropriate measures against users who have committed fare fraud. Specifically, in a train where each station has an area (hereinafter referred to as a "ticket gate area") where users' biometric authentication is performed instead of ticket gates, the fare fraud tracing device 10 identifies the boarding and disembarking stations based on biometric authentication and processes the fare payment. The fare fraud tracing device 10 also traces users who commit fare fraud using biometric authentication and supports appropriate measures against users who commit fare fraud. The fare fraud tracing device 10 includes an image acquisition unit 11, an identification unit 12, a memory unit 13, a determination unit 14, a position acquisition unit 15, and a transmission unit 16 as acquisition units.

[0014] The image acquisition unit 11 acquires the user's biometric information for authentication. Here, the user's biometric information for authentication is acquired from a body image generated by photographing the user's body. The user's body to be photographed is at least a part of the user's body, such as the user's face, fingers, eyes, ears, or palm. The user's body is photographed by cameras (not shown) installed at multiple different locations in the station, such as the ticket gate area and platform.

[0015] The identification unit 12 identifies the user's identification information by comparing the user's authentication biometric information with the registration biometric information in the user list stored in the storage unit 13. The method of acquiring the user's registration biometric information is the same as the method of acquiring the authentication biometric information described above.

[0016] The storage unit 13 stores a user list, a fare evasion list, etc. The user list is information in which a user's identification information is associated with the user's biometric information for registration. The fare evasion list is information in which a user's identification information is associated with fare evasion information indicating that the user has fare evaded a train.

[0017] The determination unit 14 determines whether or not the user whose identification information is identified by the identification unit 12 has committed fare fraud, based on the fare fraud list stored in the memory unit 13. Specifically, the determination unit 14 refers to the fare fraud list stored in the memory unit 13, extracts fare fraud information associated with identification information that matches the identification information identified by the identification unit 12, and determines whether or not the user has committed fare fraud, based on the fare fraud information.

[0018] The location acquisition unit 15 acquires location information of the user when the determination unit 14 determines that the user has ridden a train illegally. Specifically, the location acquisition unit 15 acquires, as the user's location information, the locations of cameras installed at multiple different locations in the station that have recently captured images of the user.

[0019] The transmitter 16 transmits the user's location information acquired by the location acquirer 15 to a predetermined contact point. Here, the predetermined contact point is, for example, at least one of an operation terminal (not shown) that manages the operation of the railway and a station staff terminal (not shown) carried by a station staff member at the station.

[0020] 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a fare fraud tracing method according to the present disclosure. First, the image acquisition unit 11 acquires a user's authentication biometric information (step S11). Next, the identification unit 12 compares the user's authentication biometric information with the registered biometric information in the user list to identify the user's identification information (step S12). Next, the determination unit 14 determines, based on the fare fraud list, whether the user whose identification information is identified by the identification unit 12 has ever engaged in fare fraud (step S13). Next, if the determination unit 14 determines in step S13 that the user has engaged in fare fraud, the location acquisition unit 15 acquires the user's location information (step S14). Next, the transmission unit 16 transmits the location information to at least one of the operation terminal and the station attendant terminal (step S15), thereby terminating this process.

[0021] In the fare fraud tracing device 10 according to the present disclosure, when it is determined that a user has committed fare fraud, the user's location information is transmitted to at least one of the operation terminal and the station staff terminal. This makes it easy for station staff to contact the user based on the user's location information and notify the user that they have committed fare fraud. This makes it possible to support appropriate measures against users who have committed fare fraud.

[0022] Second Embodiment Next, with reference to FIG. 3 , an example of the configuration of a fare fraud tracing system 100 according to the present disclosure will be described. The fare fraud tracing system 100 includes cameras 200_1 to 200_n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1) installed at multiple different locations in a station, an operation terminal 300 that manages the operation of the railway, station staff terminals 400_1 to 400_m (m is an integer equal to or greater than 1) carried by station staff at the station, and a fare fraud tracing device 500. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the cameras 200_1 to 200_n will be simply referred to as cameras 200. Similarly, unless otherwise specified, the station staff terminals 400_1 to 400_m will be simply referred to as station staff terminals 400. The cameras 200, the operation terminal 300, and the station staff terminal 400 are capable of communicating with the fare fraud tracing device 500 via a network N.

[0023] The cameras 200 are installed in multiple different locations, such as the ticket gate area and platform of the station, and capture images of multiple users U_1 to U_k (k is an integer equal to or greater than 1). Hereinafter, when users U_1 to U_k are not particularly distinguished from one another, they will be simply referred to as user U. The ticket gate area has an area where no ticket gate devices equipped with bars or the like are installed, and the cameras 200 capture images of multiple users U in at least this area. The body images generated by the cameras 200 capturing images of the bodies of the users U are transmitted to the fraudulent fare tracing device 500. The fraudulent fare tracing device 500 then acquires biometric information for authentication from the body images, performs biometric authentication of the users U on the train, and supports appropriate action against the users U who have committed fraudulent fare riding. Below, an example will be described in which facial information of the users U is used as the biometric information of the users U.

[0024] 4 shows an example of the configuration of operation terminal 300. Operation terminal 300 manages various operations in a station. Specifically, operation terminal 300 includes a storage unit 310, a memory 320, a communication unit 330, an output unit 340, and a control unit 350.

[0025] The storage unit 310 is a storage device that stores programs 311 for realizing each function of the operation terminal 300. The storage unit 310 also stores payment information 312 including the payment history of the user U. The memory 320 is a volatile storage device such as RAM, and is a storage area for temporarily holding information when the control unit 350 is operating. The communication unit 330 is a communication interface with the network N.

[0026] The output unit 340 outputs the information processing results of the control unit 350. For example, the output unit 340 has a display unit 341 and an audio output unit 342. The display unit 341 is a display device that displays the information processing results of the control unit 350. The operation terminal 300 may also include an input unit (not shown) that accepts input, and the display unit 341 and the input unit may be integrated into one unit, such as a touch panel. The audio output unit 342 includes a speaker (not shown) and outputs the information processing results of the control unit 350 as audio.

[0027] The control unit 350 is a processor, i.e., a control device, that controls each component of the operation terminal 300. The control unit 350 loads the program 311 from the storage unit 310 into the memory 320 and executes the program 311. In this way, the control unit 350 realizes the functions of a settlement unit 351 and an output control unit 352.

[0028] The payment unit 351 makes payment for user U who has used the station. Specifically, the payment unit 351 acquires information necessary for payment from the fare fraud tracing device 500 based on the user ID, which is identification information of the user U, and makes payment. The payment unit 351 also associates the payment information of user U with the user ID and registers it in the payment information 312 of the storage unit 310. The payment unit 351 may also associate the payment information of user U with the user ID and supply it to the communication unit 330, which then transmits it to the fare fraud tracing device 500.

[0029] The output control unit 352 controls the output unit 340 and causes the output unit 340 to output the information processing result. For example, the output control unit 352 causes the display unit 341 to display the location and an alarm of a user U who has ridden illegally, and causes the audio output unit 342 to output an alarm by voice.

[0030] 5 shows an example of the configuration of the station employee terminal 400. The station employee terminal 400 is a terminal owned by a station employee, and may be a mobile terminal, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, etc. Specifically, the station employee terminal 400 includes a storage unit 410, a memory 420, a communication unit 430, an output unit 440, and a control unit 450.

[0031] The storage unit 410 is a storage device that stores a program 411 for implementing each function of the station employee terminal 400. The memory 420 is a volatile storage device such as RAM, and is a storage area for temporarily storing information when the control unit 450 is operating. The communication unit 430 is a communication interface with the network N.

[0032] The output unit 440 outputs the information processing result of the control unit 450. For example, the output unit 440 has a display unit 441 and an audio output unit 442. The display unit 441 is a display device that displays the information processing result of the control unit 450. The station employee terminal 400 may be provided with an input unit (not shown) that accepts input, and the display unit 441 and the input unit may be configured integrally like a touch panel. The audio output unit 442 includes a speaker (not shown) and outputs the information processing result of the control unit 450 by audio.

[0033] The control unit 450 is a processor, i.e., a control device, that controls each component of the station employee terminal 400. The control unit 450 loads the program 411 from the storage unit 410 into the memory 420 and executes the program 411. In this way, the control unit 450 realizes the function of the output control unit 451.

[0034] The output control unit 451 controls the output unit 440, causes the output unit 440 to output the information processing result, and notifies the information processing result to the user U. For example, the output control unit 451 causes the display unit 441 to display the location and an alarm of a user U who has committed fare fraud, and causes the audio output unit 442 to output an alarm by voice.

[0035] 6 shows an example of the configuration of the fare illicit tracing device 500. The fare illicit tracing device 500 includes a storage unit 510, a memory 520, a communication unit 530, and a control unit 540.

[0036] The storage unit 510 is a storage device that stores a program 511 for realizing each function of the fraudulent riding tracing device 500. The memory 520 is a volatile storage device such as RAM, and is a storage area for temporarily holding information when the control unit 540 is operating. The communication unit 530 is a communication interface with the network N.

[0037] The storage unit 510 stores a user list 512. FIG. 7 shows an example of the user list 512. As shown in FIG. 7, the user list 512 is information in which a user ID 512A, which is identification information of a user U, registration face information 512B, and user information 512C are associated with each other. The user list 512 may also include management information such as the date and time when the registration face image was captured. The user information 512C may include the name of the station where the user U entered the railway (entry station), the name of a transfer station, the name of the station where the user U exited the railway (exit station), payment information, etc. The user information 512C may also include the name, address, and telephone number of the user U. Information necessary for payment includes the number and expiration date of the card used for payment, etc. The user information 512C may be input to a registration terminal (not shown) by the user U operating an input unit (not shown) of the registration terminal. The registration terminal may also be equipped with a card reader and may acquire user information 512C of user U by reading, for example, a driver's license or a credit card. Then, the registration terminal transmits user information 512C of user U to the fraudulent riding tracing device 500.

[0038] The user list 512 is pre-stored in the storage unit 510. When the fraudulent fare tracing device 500 receives a registration face image and user information from either the camera 200 or a registration terminal (not shown), the registration face information 512B is acquired from the registration face image. Next, the fraudulent fare tracing device 500 associates the user ID 512A, the registration face information 512B, and the user information 512C and stores them in the storage unit 510 as the user list 512. As an example, the face information may be a collection of feature points extracted from the face image. Specifically, a face area included in the registration face image is detected, feature points are extracted from the detected face area, and information on the extracted feature points is used as the registration face information 512B. The fraudulent fare tracing device 500 also generates a user ID 512A for the user U. A password may be transmitted to the fraudulent fare tracing device 500 from the registration terminal (not shown). In this case, the user ID 512A, the password, the registration face information 512B, and the user information 512C may be associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 510 as the user list 512. Furthermore, when management information such as the date and time of photographing the registration face image is transmitted from either the station attendant terminal 400 or a registration terminal (not shown), the fraudulent fare tracing device 500 may associate the user ID 512A, the registration face information 512B, the user information 512C, and the management information and store them in the storage unit 510 as the user list 512.

[0039] The storage unit 510 stores a fare fraud list 513. FIG. 8 shows an example of the fare fraud list 513. As shown in FIG. 8, the fare fraud list 513 is information in which a user ID 513A, which is identification information of a user U, is associated with fare fraud information 513B. The fare fraud information 513B includes the number of times the user U has fare fraudulently boarded a train, the amount of fare fraudulently boarded a train, and points, which are indicators of the degree of fare fraud. Here, points are set according to at least one of the number of times and the amount of fare fraudulently boarded a train. For example, the more times the fare fraudulently boarded a train, the higher the point value. More specifically, for example, if the number of fare fraudulent boardings is 1 to 2, the point is set to 1, and if the number of fare fraudulent boardings is 3 or more, the point is set to 2. Furthermore, the higher the amount of fare fraudulently boarded a train, the higher the point value.

[0040] The control unit 540 is a processor, i.e., a control device, that controls each component of the fare fraud tracing device 500. The control unit 540 loads the program 511 from the storage unit 510 into the memory 520 and executes the program 511. As a result, the control unit 540 realizes the functions of an image acquisition unit 541, an identification unit 542, a detection unit 543, a change unit 544, a determination unit 545, a position acquisition unit 546, and a transmission unit 547.

[0041] The image acquisition unit 541 acquires authentication face information of the user U. Specifically, the image acquisition unit 541 acquires authentication face information from an authentication face image transmitted from the camera 200. The method of acquiring authentication face information from an authentication face image is the same as the method of acquiring registration face information 512B from a registration face image, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] The identification unit 542 compares the authentication face information of the user U with the registration face information 512B of the user list 512 to identify the user ID 512A of the user U. Furthermore, if the authentication face information of the user U does not match the registration face information 512B of the user list 512, the identification unit 542 issues a temporary user ID as identification information for the user U, associates the temporary user ID with the authentication face information, and provisionally registers the associated temporary user ID in the user list 512. In other words, if a user U not registered in the user list 512 passes through the ticket gate area, the identification unit 542 associates the authentication face information of the user U with the temporary user ID and provisionally registers the associated temporary user ID in the user list 512. Note that a match in the face information (match present) refers to a case where the degree of match is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Whether or not the face information matches corresponds to whether face authentication was successful.

[0043] The detection unit 543 detects whether the user U, whose user ID 512A is identified by the identification unit 542, has boarded a train without authorization. For example, the detection unit 543 traces the user U using authentication face information acquired from authentication face images received from the multiple cameras 200. The detection unit 543 then identifies the user U's entry station, transfer station, and exit station from the tracing results, and calculates the fare based on the entry station, transfer station, and exit station. The detection unit 543 then detects whether the user U has boarded a train without authorization based on the calculated fare and the payment information 312 stored in the memory unit 310 of the operation terminal 300. Furthermore, the detection unit 543 detects that the user U has boarded a train without authorization, for example, when the user U has passed through the entry station, transfer station, or exit station and therefore any of the entry station, transfer station, and exit station of the user U cannot be identified. The detection unit 543 also traces the user U who has been provisionally registered in the user list 512 by the identification unit 542, and similarly to the above, detects whether or not the user U has ridden illegally.

[0044] If the user U did not commit fare fraud, the change unit 544 reduces the points included in the fare fraud information 513B of the user U in the fare fraud list 513. Furthermore, if the user U committed fare fraud, the change unit 544 increases the points included in the fare fraud information 513B of the user U in the fare fraud list 513. Furthermore, if a user U provisionally registered in the user list 512 committed fare fraud, the change unit 544 associates the temporary user ID of the user U with the fare fraud information and registers them in the fare fraud list 513. Furthermore, if a user U provisionally registered in the user list 512 did not commit fare fraud, the change unit 544 deletes the temporary user ID and authentication face information of the user U from the user list 512.

[0045] The determination unit 545 determines whether or not the user U whose user ID 512A has been identified by the identification unit 542 has ever committed fare fare fraud, based on the fare fare fraud list 513. Specifically, the determination unit 14 refers to the fare fare fraud list 513, extracts the fare fare fraud information 513B associated with the user ID 513A that matches the user ID 512A identified by the identification unit 12, and determines whether or not the user has ever committed fare fare fraud, based on the fare fare fraud information 513B.

[0046] When the determination unit 545 determines that the user U has ridden a train illegally, the location acquisition unit 546 acquires location information of the user U. Specifically, the location acquisition unit 546 acquires, as the location information of the user U, the locations of the cameras 200 installed at multiple different locations in the station that have most recently photographed the user U.

[0047] The transmitter 547 transmits the location information of user U acquired by the location acquisition unit 546 to at least one of the operation terminal 300 and the station employee terminal 400. Specifically, the transmitter 547 determines whether to transmit the location information of user U to the operation terminal 300 or the station employee terminal 400, based on the points in the fare fraud information 513B in the fare fraud list 513. More specifically, if the points are equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the transmitter 547 transmits the location information of user U to both the operation terminal 300 and the station employee terminal 400, and if the points are lower than the predetermined value, the transmitter 547 transmits the location information of user U to the operation terminal 300.

[0048] Next, an example of a fare fraud tracing method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 . First, an example of a registration change process for the fare fraud list 513 in the fare fraud tracing method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . First, the image acquisition unit 541 acquires authentication face information from the authentication face image generated by the camera 200 (step S101). Next, the identification unit 542 compares the authentication face information of the user U with the registration face information 512B of the user list 512 to determine whether the user U is a user already registered in the user list 512 (step S102). In step S102, if the authentication face information of the user U matches the registration face information 512B of the user list 512 (step S102; Yes), the identification unit 542 identifies the user ID 512A of the user U (step S103). Furthermore, in step S102, if the authentication face information of user U does not match the registration face information 512B in the user list 512 (step S102; No), the identification unit 542 issues a temporary user ID and associates the temporary user ID with the authentication face information and provisionally registers the temporary user ID in the user list 512 (step S104). Next, the detection unit 543 determines whether the user U identified in step S103 or the user U provisionally registered in step S104 has committed fare evasion (step S105). If it is determined in step S105 that user U has committed fare evasion (step S105; Yes), the detection unit 543 registers the user ID and fare evasion information of the user U in the fare evasion list 513 in the storage unit 510 (step S106). Alternatively, if the user ID of the user U has already been registered in the fare evasion list 513, the change unit 544 increases the points included in the fare evasion information 513B of the user U in the fare evasion list 513 (step S106). If it is determined in step S105 that the user U has not fare evasion (step S105; No), the detection unit 543 deletes the provisionally registered temporary user ID and authentication face information of the user U from the user list 512 in the storage unit 510 (step S107).Alternatively, if the user ID of the user U has already been registered in the fare fraud list 513, the change unit 544 reduces the points included in the fare fraud information 513B of the user U in the fare fraud list 513 (step S107).

[0049] Next, an example of a support process for the fare evasion tracing method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . First, the image acquisition unit 541 acquires authentication face information from the authentication face image generated by the camera 200 (step S201). Next, the identification unit 542 compares the authentication face information of the user U with the registration face information in the user list 512 to identify the user ID 512A of the user U (step S202). Next, the determination unit 545 determines whether the user U, whose user ID 512A is identified by the identification unit 542, has ever engaged in fare evasion (step S203). If the determination unit 545 determines in step S203 that the user U has never engaged in fare evasion (step S203; No), this process ends. If the determination unit 545 determines in step S203 that the user U has ever engaged in fare evasion (step S203; Yes), the location acquisition unit 546 acquires location information of the user U (step S204). Next, the transmitting unit 547 refers to the fare evasion list 513 and determines how many points are included in the fare evasion information 513B of the user U (step S205). If the point is 1 in step S205 (step S205; 1), the transmitting unit 547 transmits the location information to the operation terminal 300 (step S206). If the point is 2 in step S205 (step S205; 2), the transmitting unit 547 transmits the location information to both the operation terminal 300 and the station attendant terminal 400 (step S207), and ends this process.

[0050] In the fare fraud tracing system 100 according to the present disclosure, when it is determined that a user U has committed fare fraud, the location information of the user U is transmitted to at least one of the operation terminal 300 and the station staff terminal 400. This makes it easier for station staff to contact the user U based on the location information of the user U and notify the user U that he or she has committed fare fraud. This makes it possible to support appropriate measures against the user U who has committed fare fraud.

[0051] Furthermore, the transmitting unit 547 determines whether to transmit the location information of user U to the operation terminal 300 or the station employee terminal 400, based on the points in the fare fraud information 513B in the fare fraud list 513. As a result, for example, if the points in the fare fraud information 513B are high and the fare fraud is highly malicious, the location information of user U is transmitted not only to the operation terminal 300 but also to the station employee terminal 400. This makes it possible to prioritize measures against users U with a high level of maliciousness. Furthermore, if the points in the fare fraud information 513B are low and the fare fraud is low in severity, the location information of user U is transmitted only to the operation terminal 300. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the workload of station employees by transmitting the location information of user U to the station employee terminal 400 even when the fare fraud is low in severity.

[0052] Furthermore, if the user U does not fare-fraud, the points of the fare-fraud information 513B are reduced by the change unit 544. This makes it possible to prevent the user U, who previously fare-fraudulently committed a fare-fraud but has since stopped fare-fraudulently committing a fare-fraud, from being contacted by station staff or the like for an extended period of time.

[0053] Furthermore, if the user U is not registered in the user list 512, the identification unit 542 provisionally registers the temporary user ID and the authentication face image of the user U in the user list 512. This allows the detection unit 543 to trace and detect whether or not a user U who is not registered in the user list 512 has boarded a train illegally. This makes it possible to deal with cases where an unregistered user U passes through a ticket gate area that does not have bars or the like that are installed at normal ticket gates and boards a train illegally.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being configured as hardware, but the present invention is not limited to this. The functions (processing) of the fraudulent fare tracing device 10, 500, the operation terminal 300, or the station attendant terminal 400 may be realized by a computer 700 having the following configuration, for example.

[0055] 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer 700 that realizes the processing of the fraudulent riding tracing device 10, 500, the operation terminal 300, or the station staff terminal 400. As shown in FIG. 11 , the computer 700 includes a memory 701 and a processor 702.

[0056] The memory 701 is configured, for example, by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 701 is used to store programs executed by the processor 702, data used for various processes, and the like. The memory unit 13 of the fare fraud tracing device 10, the memory unit 310 of the operation terminal 300, the memory unit 410 of the station staff terminal 400, and the memory unit 510 of the fare fraud tracing device 500 may be realized by the memory 701. However, these may also be realized by any other storage device.

[0057] The processor 702 performs processing of each device by reading and executing programs from the memory 701. The processor 702 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a microprocessor unit (MPU), or a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 702 may include multiple processors.

[0058] The program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0059] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0060] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may not relate to only one particular embodiment, but may also relate to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0061] The fare fraud tracing device 10 and fare fraud tracing system 100 described above may be introduced into a single railway company. In this case, another railway company may hold identification information of a railway company whose fare fraud tracing device 500 of the fare fraud tracing device 10 and the fare fraud tracing system 100 can access the fare fraud list 513. This allows the other railway companies to take appropriate measures based on the fare fraud information 513B of the user U when the user U travels between multiple railway companies. The fare fraud tracing device 10 and the fare fraud tracing system 100 may also be introduced in common by multiple railway companies.

[0062] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following notes. (Note 1) A fare fraud tracing device comprising: a storage unit that stores a user list in which a user's identification information is associated with the user's registration biometric information, and a fare fraud list in which the user's identification information is associated with fare fraud information indicating that the user has committed fare fraud; an acquisition unit that acquires a user's authentication biometric information; an identification unit that identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list; a determination unit that determines whether the user has committed fare fraud based on the identified identification information and the fare fraud list; a location acquisition unit that acquires location information of the user if the user has committed fare fraud; and a transmission unit that transmits the user's location information to a predetermined contact point. (Note 2) The fare fraud tracing device according to Note 1, wherein the fare fraud information includes an indicator indicating the degree of fare fraud, and the transmission unit determines the predetermined contact point based on the indicator. (Supplementary Note 3) The fare fraud tracing device according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects whether the user whose identification information has been identified by the identification unit has committed fare fraud, wherein the fare fraud information includes an index indicating the degree of fare fraud, and further comprising a modification unit that modifies the index if the user has not committed fare fraud. (Supplementary Note 4) The fare fraud tracing device according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising, if the user's identification information and the user's registration biometric information are not registered in the user list, the specification unit provisionally registers the user's temporary identification information and the user's authentication biometric information in the user list in association with each other.(Supplementary Note 5) A method for tracing fare evasion, comprising: a computer storing in a memory a user list in which a user's identification information is associated with the user's registration biometric information; and a fare evasion list in which the user's identification information is associated with fare evasion information indicating that the user has ridden fare evasion; acquiring the user's authentication biometric information; identifying the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list; determining whether the user has ridden fare evasion based on the identified identification information and the fare evasion list; if the user has ridden fare evasion, acquiring location information of the user; and sending the user's location information to a specified contact point. (Supplementary Note 6) A program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: storing in a memory a user list in which a user's identification information is associated with the user's registration biometric information; and a fare-failure list in which the user's identification information is associated with fare-failure information indicating that the user has ridden a train without authorization; acquiring the user's authentication biometric information; identifying the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list; determining whether the user has ridden a train without authorization based on the identified identification information and the fare-failure list; acquiring the user's location information if the user has ridden a train without authorization; and sending the user's location information to a specified contact point.(Supplementary Note 7) A fare fraud tracing system comprising: cameras installed at multiple different locations in a station; an operation terminal that manages railway operations including the station; a station employee terminal carried by a station employee at the station; and a fare fraud tracing device capable of communicating with the cameras, the operation terminal, and the station employee terminal, wherein the fare fraud tracing device comprises: a memory unit that stores a user list in which a user's identification information is associated with the user's registration biometric information, and a fare fraud list in which the user's identification information is associated with fare fraud information indicating that the user has ridden fare fraudulently; an acquisition unit that acquires the user's authentication biometric information; an identification unit that identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list; a determination unit that determines whether the user has ridden fare fraudulently based on the identified identification information and the fare fraud list; a location acquisition unit that acquires location information of the user if the user has ridden fare fraudulently; and a transmission unit that transmits the user's location information to at least one of the operation terminal and the station employee terminal. Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 4 that are dependent on Supplementary Notes 1 may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 5 to 7 in the same dependency relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 4. Some or all of the elements described in any Supplementary Note may be applied to various hardware, software, recording means for recording software, systems, and methods.

[0063] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-006662, filed January 19, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0064] It is possible to provide a fare fraud tracing device, a fare fraud tracing method, a program, and a fare fraud tracing system that can support appropriate action against users who have committed fare fraud.

[0065] 10,500 Riding fraud tracing device 100 Riding fraud tracing system 200_1 to 200_n Camera 300 Operation terminal 400_1 to 400_m Station staff terminal 11,541 Image acquisition unit 12,542 Identification unit 13,510 Storage unit 14,545 Determination unit 15,546 Position acquisition unit 16,547 Transmission unit 543 Detection unit 544 Change unit 512 User list 513 Riding fraud list U_1 to U_k User

Claims

1. A fare evasion tracing device comprising: a storage means for storing a user list in which user identification information and the user's registered biometric information are associated, and a fare evasion list in which the user's identification information and fare evasion information indicating that the user has evaded fare are associated; an acquisition means for acquiring the user's authentication biometric information; an identification means for identifying the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list; a determination means for determining whether the user has ever evaded fare based on the identified identification information and the fare evasion list; a position acquisition means for acquiring the user's position information when the user has ever evaded fare; and a transmission means for transmitting the user's position information to a predetermined contact destination.

2. The fare evasion tracing device according to claim 1, wherein the fare evasion information includes an index indicating the degree of fare evasion, and the transmission means determines the predetermined contact destination based on the index.

3. The fare evasion tracing device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection means for detecting whether the user whose identification information has been identified by the identification means has evaded fare, wherein the fare evasion information includes an index indicating the degree of fare evasion, and further comprising a change means for changing the index when the user has not evaded fare.

4. The fare evasion tracing device according to claim 1, wherein when the user's identification information and the user's registered biometric information are not registered in the user list, the identification means temporarily registers the user's temporary identification information and the user's authentication biometric information in the user list in association with each other.

5. A fare evasion tracing method, wherein a computer stores in a storage unit a user list in which user identification information and the user's registered biometric information are associated, and a fare evasion list in which the user's identification information and fare evasion information indicating that the user has evaded fare are associated, acquires the user's authentication biometric information, identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list, determines whether the user has ever evaded fare based on the identified identification information and the fare evasion list, acquires the user's position information when the user has ever evaded fare, and transmits the user's position information to a predetermined contact destination.

6. The unauthorized boarding information includes an indicator indicating the degree of unauthorized boarding, and the computer determines the predetermined contact based on the indicator. The unauthorized boarding tracing method according to claim 5.

7. The unauthorized boarding information includes an indicator indicating the degree of unauthorized boarding, and the computer detects whether the user identified by the identification information has committed unauthorized boarding. If the user has not committed unauthorized boarding, the computer changes the indicator. The unauthorized boarding tracing method according to claim 5.

8. When the computer determines that the user's identification information and the user's registered biometric information are not registered in the user list, the computer associates the user's temporary identification information with the user's authentication biometric information and temporarily registers them in the user list. The unauthorized boarding tracing method according to claim 5.

9. A program for causing a computer to execute: a process of storing in a storage unit a user list in which the user's identification information is associated with the user's registered biometric information, and an unauthorized boarding list in which the user's identification information is associated with unauthorized boarding information indicating that the user has committed unauthorized boarding; a process of acquiring the user's authentication biometric information; a process of specifying the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user list; a process of determining whether the user has ever committed unauthorized boarding based on the specified identification information and the unauthorized boarding list; a process of acquiring the user's location information when the user has ever committed unauthorized boarding; and a process of transmitting the user's location information to a predetermined contact.

10. The unauthorized boarding information includes an indicator indicating the degree of unauthorized boarding, and the computer is further caused to execute a process of determining the predetermined contact based on the indicator. The program according to claim 9.

11. The unauthorized boarding information includes an indicator indicating the degree of unauthorized boarding, and the computer is caused to execute a process of detecting whether the user identified by the identification information has committed unauthorized boarding, and a process of changing the indicator when the user has not committed unauthorized boarding. The program according to claim 9.

12. The program according to claim 9, further causing the computer to perform a process of temporarily registering, in the user list, by associating temporary identification information of the user and biometric information for authentication of the user, when the identification information of the user and the biometric information for registration of the user are not registered in the user list.

13. An unauthorized boarding tracing system comprising: cameras installed at a plurality of different locations in a station; an operation terminal that manages the operation of a railway including the station; a station staff terminal carried by a station staff of the station; and an unauthorized boarding tracing device capable of communicating with the cameras, the operation terminal, and the station staff terminal, wherein the unauthorized boarding tracing device includes: storage means for storing a user list in which identification information of a user and biometric information for registration of the user are associated, and an unauthorized boarding list in which the identification information of the user and unauthorized boarding information indicating that the user has boarded without authorization are associated; acquisition means for acquiring biometric information for authentication of the user; specifying means for specifying the identification information of the user based on the biometric information for authentication and the user list; determination means for determining whether or not the user has ever boarded without authorization based on the specified identification information and the unauthorized boarding list; position acquisition means for acquiring position information of the user when the user has ever boarded without authorization; and transmission means for transmitting the position information of the user to at least one of the operation terminal and the station staff terminal.

14. The unauthorized boarding tracing system according to claim 13, wherein the unauthorized boarding information includes an index indicating the degree of unauthorized boarding, and the transmission means determines to which of the operation terminal and the station staff terminal to transmit the position information of the user based on the index.

15. The unauthorized boarding tracing system according to claim 13, further comprising detection means for detecting whether or not the user identified by the specifying means has boarded without authorization, wherein the unauthorized boarding information includes an index indicating the degree of unauthorized boarding, and further comprising changing means for changing the index when the user has not boarded without authorization.

16. When the user's identification information and the user's registration biometric information are not registered in the user list, the specifying means associates the user's temporary identification information with the user's authentication biometric information and temporarily registers them in the user list. The unauthorized boarding trace system according to claim 13.

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