Charging device, charging method, program, and charging system

Abstract

Provided are a charging device, a charging method, a program, and a charging system which make it possible to more appropriately determine the entry and exit of a user to and from a station. The present invention is provided with an image acquisition means which acquires authentication biological information regarding a user who passes a ticket gate area, an identification means which identifies identification information regarding the user on the basis of the authentication biological information and registration biological information regarding the user, a detection means which detects that the identified user has moved at least a prescribed distance in a prescribed direction, and a determination means which determines, when it is detected that the identified user has moved at least the prescribed distance in the prescribed direction, that the user has passed the ticket gate area.

Description

Charging device, charging method, program, and charging system

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

[0002] The introduction of a facial recognition service is being considered at railway stations, where an area (hereinafter referred to as a "ticket gate area") is provided in place of a ticket gate device to perform facial recognition of users, and where boarding and disembarking stations are identified based on the facial recognition and fare is charged. If such a facial recognition service is introduced at a station, many users will pass through the ticket gate area to enter or exit the station. Cameras installed in the ticket gate area will then capture facial images of users passing through the ticket gate area. However, for example, if a user entering the station turns around in the ticket gate area, there is a possibility that the user will be mistakenly identified as a user exiting the station. Furthermore, since there is no ticket gate device, if a user mistakenly enters the ticket gate area and then immediately turns back and exits the ticket gate area, there is a possibility that the user will be mistakenly identified as having entered the station.

[0003] Patent Literature 1 describes a technology for estimating the position of a user within a gate installed at a station, airport, or the like, which allows only one user to pass through at a time and has a predetermined length in the user's direction of travel. Specifically, Patent Literature 1 describes a technology in which multiple cameras are installed at the gate, and a first facial image area of ​​the user included in a first image captured from a first direction and a second facial image area of ​​the user included in a second image captured from a second direction different from the first direction are detected. The technology then estimates the user's position at the gate based on changes in the relative positional relationship between the first facial image area and the second facial image area.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-164038

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that there is a gate that only one user can pass through at a time, and therefore does not need to consider the case where a user turns around after passing through the gate. Therefore, the technology described in Patent Document 1 cannot deal with erroneous authentication that occurs when a user turns around in a ticket gate area where many users come and go.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a charging device, a charging method, a program, and a charging system that can more appropriately determine a user's entry and exit into a station.

[0007] The billing device according to the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires authentication biometric information of a user passing through a ticket gate area, an identification unit that identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information, a detection unit that detects that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction, and a determination unit that determines that the identified user has passed through the ticket gate area when it is detected that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in the predetermined direction.

[0008] The billing method disclosed herein is a method in which a computer acquires authentication biometric information of a user passing through a ticket gate area, identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information, detects that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction, and determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate area when it detects that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in the predetermined direction.

[0009] The program of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer to perform the following processes: acquiring authentication biometric information of a user passing through a ticket gate area; identifying the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information; detecting that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction; and determining that the user has passed through the ticket gate area when it is detected that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in the predetermined direction.

[0010] The charging system according to the present disclosure comprises a camera installed in a ticket gate area, a user terminal carried by a user using the station, and a charging device capable of communicating with the camera and the user terminal, wherein the charging device comprises an acquisition unit that acquires authentication biometric information of a user passing through the ticket gate area, an identification unit that identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information, a detection unit that detects that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction, and a determination unit that determines that the identified user has passed through the ticket gate area when it is detected that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in the predetermined direction.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a charging device, a charging method, a program, and a charging system that can more appropriately determine whether a user has entered or exited a station.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a charging device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a charging method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a charging system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating a ticket gate area, a judgment line, and an authentication line according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a charging 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 flowchart showing another example of a charging method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a notification process in the charging 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 charging device 10 according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 . The charging device 10 identifies a user by biometric authentication on a train and determines whether the identified user has passed through a ticket gate area. Here, the ticket gate area is an area provided at each station in place of a ticket gate device where user biometric authentication is performed. Then, based on the results of the biometric authentication, the user's boarding station, disembarking station, etc. are identified. Identifying the boarding station, disembarking station, etc. makes it possible to charge the fare. The charging device 10 includes an image acquisition unit 11, an identification unit 12, a detection unit 13, and a determination unit 14 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 a camera (not shown) installed at least in the ticket gate area. Note that the user's body may also be photographed by cameras installed at multiple different locations in the station, such as on the platform.

[0015] The identification unit 12 compares the user's authentication biometric information with the registration biometric information in a user list stored in a storage unit (not shown) to identify the user's identification information. The user list is information in which the user's identification information is associated with the user's registration biometric information. 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 detection unit 13 detects that a user whose identification information has been identified has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction. Specifically, the detection unit 13 acquires a body image of the user from images sequentially acquired by a camera installed in the ticket gate area and tracks the user. More specifically, for example, the detection unit 13 determines the user's movement direction based on a change in the position of the user's body image relative to the background of the images sequentially acquired by the camera. Alternatively, the detection unit 13 determines the user's movement direction based on a change in the size of the user's body image in the images sequentially acquired by the camera. For example, if the size of the user's body image gradually increases, the detection unit 13 determines the user's movement direction as a direction toward the camera. Furthermore, for example, the detection unit 13 determines the user's movement distance using a table that previously associates the background of the images acquired by the camera with the distance from a reference position in the ticket gate area.

[0017] When the detection unit 13 detects that the user has moved in a predetermined direction for a predetermined distance or more, the determination unit 14 determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate area.

[0018] 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a billing method according to the present disclosure. First, the image acquisition unit 11 acquires the user's biometric authentication information (step S11). Next, the identification unit 12 compares the user's biometric authentication information with the registered biometric information in the user list to identify the user's identification information (step S12). Next, the detection unit 13 acquires the user's body image from images sequentially acquired by a camera installed in the ticket gate area, tracks the user, and detects the user's movement direction and movement distance (step S13). Next, the determination unit 14 determines whether the detection unit 13 has detected that the user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction (step S14). Next, if the determination unit 14 determines in step S14 that the detection unit 13 has detected that the user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction (step S14; Yes), the determination unit 14 determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate area (step S15), and ends this process.

[0019] In the charging device 10 according to the present disclosure, if a user identified in a ticket gate area moves a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction, the user is determined to have passed through the ticket gate area. Therefore, even if a user performs an action such as turning around in a ticket gate area where there is no ticket gate device and many users pass by, the user can be determined to have passed through the ticket gate area if the user then moves a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction. This prevents erroneous determinations caused by actions such as turning around by the user in the ticket gate area, and allows for proper determination of the user's passage through the ticket gate area. Therefore, the user's entry and exit into and exit from the station can be more properly determined.

[0020] Embodiment 2 Next, an example of the configuration of a billing system 100 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . The billing system 100 includes a camera 200 installed in a ticket gate area, user terminals 300_1 to 300_m (m is an integer equal to or greater than 1) carried by users U_1 to U_k (k is an integer equal to or greater than 1), and a billing device 400. Hereinafter, when no distinction is made between the user terminals 300_1 to 300_m, they will simply be referred to as user terminals 300. Similarly, when no distinction is made between the users U_1 to U_k, they will simply be referred to as user U. The camera 200 and the user terminal 300 are capable of communicating with the billing device 400 via a network N. The billing device 400 may be an operation terminal that manages the operation of a railway in which the billing system 100 has been introduced.

[0021] The camera 200 is installed at least in the ticket gate area of ​​the station and captures images of multiple users U_1 to U_k. The ticket gate area includes an area where no ticket gate device equipped with a bar or the like is installed. An example of a ticket gate area is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the ticket gate area R1 is an area including the boundary L1 between the inside and outside of the station. The camera 200 is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the ticket gate area R1. At least two cameras 200 are installed in the ticket gate area R1: one camera 200 that captures the inside side of the station of the ticket gate area R1, and another camera 200 that captures the outside side of the station of the ticket gate area R1. If the angle of view of the camera 200 is sufficiently wide, a single camera 200 may be installed to capture both the inside and outside sides of the station of the ticket gate area R1. The camera 200 may also be installed in multiple different locations in the station, such as on the platform, and capture the body of the user U. The body image generated by the camera 200 capturing the body of the user U is transmitted to the charging device 400. The charging device 400 then performs biometric authentication on the user U on the train and appropriately determines whether the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1. Based on the results of the biometric authentication, the charging device 400 identifies the boarding station, disembarking station, etc. of the user U and charges the fare. The following describes an example in which facial information of the user U is used as the biometric information of the user U.

[0022] 5 shows an example of the configuration of the user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 includes a storage unit 310, a memory 320, a communication unit 330, an output unit 340, and a control unit 350.

[0023] The storage unit 310 is a storage device that stores a program 311 for implementing each function of the user terminal 300. The memory 320 is a volatile storage device such as RAM, and is a storage area for temporarily storing information when the control unit 350 is operating. The communication unit 330 is a communication interface with the network N.

[0024] The output unit 340 outputs the information processing result 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 result of the control unit 350. The user 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 result of the control unit 350 as audio.

[0025] The control unit 350 is a processor, i.e., a control device, that controls each component of the user 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 function of the output control unit 351.

[0026] The output control unit 351 controls the output unit 340, causing the output unit 340 to output the information processing result, thereby notifying the user U of the information processing result. For example, the output control unit 351 causes the display unit 341 to display the result of the facial authentication and a determination that the user has passed through the ticket gate area R1. The output control unit 351 also causes the audio output unit 342 to output the result of the facial authentication and a sound that the user has passed through the ticket gate area R1.

[0027] 6 shows an example of the configuration of the billing device 400. The billing device 400 includes a storage unit 410, a memory 420, a communication unit 430, and a control unit 440.

[0028] The storage unit 410 is a storage device that stores a program 411 for realizing each function of the billing device 400. The memory 420 is a volatile storage device such as a RAM, and is a storage area for temporarily storing information when the control unit 440 is operating. The communication unit 430 is a communication interface with the network N.

[0029] The storage unit 410 also stores a user list 412. FIG. 7 shows an example of the user list 412. As shown in FIG. 7, the user list 412 is information in which a user ID 412A, which is identification information of a user U, registration face information 412B, and user information 412C are associated with each other. The user list 412 may also include management information such as the date and time when the registration face image was captured. The user information 412C 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 412C may also include the name, address, and telephone number of the user U. The payment information may include the number and expiration date of the card used for payment, etc. The user information 412C 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 read, for example, a driver's license or a credit card to obtain user information 412C of user U. Then, the registration terminal transmits user information 412C of user U to charging device 400.

[0030] The user list 412 is pre-stored in the storage unit 410. When the billing device 400 receives a registration face image and user information from either the camera 200 or a registration terminal (not shown), the billing device 400 acquires the registration face information 412B from the registration face image. The billing device 400 then associates the user ID 412A, the registration face information 412B, and the user information 412C and stores them in the storage unit 410 as the user list 412. As an example, the face information may be a collection of feature points extracted from a 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 412B. The billing device 400 also generates a user ID 412A for the user U. A password may also be transmitted to the billing device 400 from the registration terminal (not shown). In this case, user ID 412A, password, registration face information 412B, and user information 412C may be associated with each other and stored in storage unit 410 as user list 412. Furthermore, when management information such as the date and time of capturing a registration face image is transmitted from either user terminal 300 or a registration terminal (not shown), billing device 400 may associate user ID 412A, registration face information 412B, user information 412C, and the management information and store them in storage unit 410 as user list 412.

[0031] The control unit 440 is a processor, i.e., a control device, that controls each component of the billing device 400. The control unit 440 loads the program 411 from the storage unit 410 into the memory 420 and executes the program 411. In this way, the control unit 440 realizes the functions of an image acquisition unit 441, an identification unit 442, a detection unit 443, a determination unit 444, a notification unit 445, and a billing unit 446.

[0032] The image acquisition unit 441 acquires authentication face information of the user U. Specifically, the image acquisition unit 441 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 412B from a registration face image, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0033] The identification unit 442 compares the authentication face information of the user U with the registration face information 412B in the user list 412 to identify the user ID 412A of the user U. Note that the face information matches (matches) when the degree of match is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Whether the face information matches corresponds to whether face authentication was successful.

[0034] The detection unit 443 detects that the user U, whose user ID 412A is identified by the identification unit 442, has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction. Specifically, the detection unit 443 acquires a body image of the user U from images sequentially acquired by the camera 200 installed in the ticket gate area R1, and tracks the user. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , a judgment line L2 is provided at a location a first distance D1 away from the boundary L1 between the inside and outside of the station in the ticket gate area R1. The detection unit 443 then detects that the body image of the user U acquired from the image captured by the camera 200 has crossed the judgment line L1, which appears in the background.

[0035] The detection unit 443 may acquire a body image of the user U from an image captured by a camera 200 that is installed on a wall or the like on the side of the ticket gate area R1, separate from the camera 200 for capturing the face image for authentication, and captures the ticket gate area R1 from the side, and detect the direction and distance of movement of the user U. The detection unit 443 may then detect at least one of the following: that the user U has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction toward the train, or that the user U has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction away from the station. In this case, the determination line L1 may not be provided.

[0036] The determination unit 444 determines that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1 when the detection unit 443 detects that the user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction. Specifically, for example, when the detection unit 443 detects that the user U has moved beyond the determination line L1, the determination unit 444 determines that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1. Furthermore, when the detection unit 443 detects that the user U has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction toward the train, the determination unit 444 may determine that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1, i.e., that the user U has entered the station. When the detection unit 443 detects that the user U has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction away from the station, the determination unit 444 may determine that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1, i.e., that the user U has exited the station.

[0037] The notification unit 445 issues a predetermined notification when a user U passing through the authentication line L3 shown in FIG. 4 is not looking ahead. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the authentication line L3 is provided at a location a second distance D2 away from the boundary L1 between the inside and outside of the station in the ticket gate area R1. The notification unit 445 detects a user U located outside the authentication line L3 in the ticket gate area R1 shown in FIG. 4 from an image captured by the camera 200, and then detects the face of the detected user U. Then, if the notification unit 445 cannot detect the face of the detected user U, it issues a predetermined notification to the user U. For example, the notification unit 445 lights up or flashes the authentication line L3 as the predetermined notification. Furthermore, the notification unit 445 may display a predetermined notification, such as a message such as "Please look ahead," on a display device (not shown) provided in the ticket gate area R1. The notification unit 445 may also cause a voice output device (not shown) provided in the ticket gate area R1 to output a predetermined notification, for example, a message such as "Please look ahead."

[0038] In addition, the notification unit 445 transmits to the user terminal 300 carried by the user U information such as the result of the facial authentication of the user U by the identification unit 442, which indicates that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1.

[0039] The charging unit 446 performs charging processing on the user U when the determination unit 444 determines that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1. Specifically, the charging unit 446 acquires user information 412C corresponding to the user U's user ID 412A from the user list 412, and performs charging processing based on the entry station, transfer station, exit station, and payment information included in the user information 412C. Note that the charging unit 446 may perform charging processing for the initial fare when it is determined that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1 of the entry station, and may perform charging processing for the additional fare when it is determined that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1 of the exit station. Alternatively, the charging unit 446 may not perform charging processing when it is determined that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1 of the entry station, and may perform charging processing for the full fare when it is determined that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1 of the exit station.

[0040] Next, an example of a billing method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 8 . First, the image acquisition unit 441 acquires authentication face information from the authentication face image generated by the camera 200 (step S101). Next, the identification unit 442 compares the authentication face information of the user U with the registration face information 412B in the user list 412 to identify the user U's user ID 412A (step S102). Next, the detection unit 443 acquires a body image of the user U identified in step S102 from images sequentially acquired by the camera 200 installed in the ticket gate area R1, tracks the user U (step S103), and detects the movement direction and movement distance of the user U. Next, the determination unit 444 determines whether the detection unit 443 has detected that the user U has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction (step S104). In step S104, if the determination unit 444 determines that the detection unit 443 has not detected that the user U has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction (step S104; No), this process ends. On the other hand, in step S104, if the determination unit 444 determines that the detection unit 443 has detected that the user U has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction (step S104; Yes), the determination unit 444 determines that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1 (step S105). Next, the billing unit 446 bills the user U who has been determined to have passed through the ticket gate area R1 in step S105 (step S106). Next, the notification unit 445 transmits the result of the face authentication of the user U in step S102, the determination that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1 in step S105, etc. to the user terminal 300 carried by the user U (step S107), and this process ends.

[0041] Next, an example of a notification process of the billing method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . First, the notification unit 445 detects a user U located outside the authentication line L3 in the ticket gate area R1 from an image captured by the camera 200 (step S201). Next, the notification unit 445 determines whether or not the face of the detected user U can be detected (step S202). If the face of the user U can be detected in step S202 (step S202; Yes), the process ends. On the other hand, if the face of the user U cannot be detected in step S202 (step S202; No), the notification unit 445 issues a predetermined notification to the user U (step S203), and the process ends.

[0042] In the billing system 100 according to the present disclosure, if a user U identified in the ticket gate area R1 moves a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction, the user U is determined to have passed through the ticket gate area R1. Therefore, even if a user U performs an action such as turning around in the ticket gate area R1 where there is no ticket gate device and many users U pass by, if the user U then moves a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction, the user U can be determined to have passed through the ticket gate area R1. This prevents erroneous determinations caused by actions such as turning around by the user U in the ticket gate area R1, and makes it possible to properly determine whether the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1. Therefore, it is possible to more properly determine whether the user U has entered and exited the station.

[0043] Furthermore, when the determination unit 444 determines that the user U has passed through the ticket gate area R1, the billing unit 446 performs billing processing on the user U. Therefore, billing processing on the user U can be performed appropriately.

[0044] Furthermore, the detection unit 443 detects that the body image of the user U acquired from the image captured by the camera 200 exceeds the determination line L1 reflected in the background. This allows the detection unit 443 to detect that the user U has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction with a small processing load.

[0045] Furthermore, the notification unit 445 issues a predetermined notification when the user U passing through the authentication line L3 is not looking ahead. This makes it possible to more reliably perform face authentication in the ticket gate area R1.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as a hardware configuration, but the present invention is not limited to this. The above-described functions (processing) of the billing device 10, 400, or the user terminal 300 may be realized by a computer 600 having the following configuration, for example.

[0047] 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer 600 that realizes the processing of the billing device 10, 400, or the user terminal 300. As shown in FIG.

[0048] The memory 601 is configured, for example, by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 601 is used to store programs executed by the processor 602, data used for various processes, and the like. The memory unit (not shown) of the billing device 10, the memory unit 310 of the user terminal 300, the memory unit 310 of the user terminal 300, and the memory unit 410 of the billing device 400 may be realized by the memory 601. However, these may also be realized by any other storage device.

[0049] The processor 602 reads and executes programs from the memory 601 to perform processing of each device. The processor 602 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a microprocessor unit (MPU), or a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 602 may include multiple processors.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Supplementary Note 1) A charging device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires authentication biometric information of a user passing through a ticket gate area; an identification unit that identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information; a detection unit that detects that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction; and a determination unit that determines that the identified user has passed through the ticket gate area when it is detected that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in the predetermined direction. (Supplementary Note 2) The charging device according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a charging unit that charges the user when the determination unit determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate area. (Supplementary Note 3) The charging device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the detection unit detects at least one of the following: that the identified user has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction toward a train, and that the identified user has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction away from a station. (Supplementary Note 4) The charging device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the ticket gate area includes a boundary between the inside and outside of a station, a determination line is set at a location a first distance away from the boundary, and the detection unit detects that the user has crossed the determination line. (Supplementary Note 5) The charging device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the ticket gate area includes a boundary between the inside and outside of a station, an authentication line is set at a location a second distance away from the boundary, and the charging device further comprises a notification unit that issues a predetermined notification when a user passing through the authentication line is not looking ahead. (Supplementary Note 6) A charging method, wherein a computer acquires authentication biometric information of a user passing through the ticket gate area, specifies identification information of the user based on the authentication biometric information and the user's enrollment biometric information, detects that the specified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction, and determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate area when it detects that the specified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in the predetermined direction.and a determination unit configured to determine that the user has passed through the ticket gate area when it is detected that the identified user has moved in the predetermined direction by more than the predetermined distance. (Supplementary Note 7) A program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: acquiring authentication biometric information of a user passing through a ticket gate area, specifying identification information of the user based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information, detecting that the specified user has moved in a predetermined direction by more than a predetermined distance, and determining that the user has passed through the ticket gate area when it is detected that the specified user has moved in the predetermined direction by more than the predetermined distance. (Supplementary Note 8) A charging system comprising: a camera installed in the ticket gate area, a user terminal carried by a user using a station, and a charging device capable of communicating with the camera and the user terminal, wherein the charging device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires authentication biometric information of a user passing through the ticket gate area, an identification unit that specifies identification information of the user based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information, a detection unit that detects that the specified user has moved in the predetermined direction by more than the predetermined distance, and a determination unit that determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate area when it is detected that the specified user has moved in the predetermined direction by more than the predetermined distance. Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 5 that are dependent on Supplementary Notes 1 may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 6 to 8 in the same dependency relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 5. 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.

[0054] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-018755, filed February 9, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 10, 400 Charging device 100 Charging system 200 Camera 300_1 to 300_m User terminal 11, 441 Image acquisition unit 12, 442 Identification unit 13, 443 Detection unit 14, 444 Determination unit 445 Notification unit 446 Charging unit 412 User list U_1 to U_k Users

Claims

1. A charging device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring authentication biometric information of a user passing through a ticket gate area; an identification means for identifying the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information; a detection means for detecting that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction; and a determination means for determining that the identified user has passed through the ticket gate area when it is detected that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in the predetermined direction.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, further comprising charging means for charging the user when the determining means determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate area.

3. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects at least one of the following: that the identified user has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction toward a train; and that the identified user has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction away from a station.

4. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the ticket gate area includes a boundary between the inside and outside of the station, a judgment line is set at a first distance from the boundary, and the detection means detects that the user has crossed the judgment line.

5. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the ticket gate area includes the boundary between the inside and outside of the station, an authentication line is set at a second distance from the boundary, and the charging device further comprises a notification means for issuing a predetermined notification when a user passing through the authentication line is not looking ahead.

6. A charging method in which a computer acquires authentication biometric information of a user passing through a ticket gate area, identifies the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information, detects that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction, and determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate area when it detects that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in the predetermined direction.

7. The charging method according to claim 6, wherein the computer charges the user when it determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate area.

8. The charging method according to claim 6, wherein the computer detects at least one of the following: that the identified user has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction toward a train; and that the identified user has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction away from a station.

9. The charging method described in claim 6, wherein the ticket gate area includes a boundary between the inside and outside of the station, a judgment line is set at a location a first distance away from the boundary, and the computer detects that the user has crossed the judgment line.

10. The charging method described in claim 6, wherein the ticket gate area includes the boundary between the inside and outside of the station, an authentication line is set at a second distance from the boundary, and the computer issues a predetermined notification when a user passing through the authentication line is not looking ahead.

11. A program that causes a computer to perform the following processes: acquiring authentication biometric information of a user passing through a ticket gate area; identifying the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information; detecting that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction; and determining that the user has passed through the ticket gate area when it is detected that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in the predetermined direction.

12. The program according to claim 11, which causes the computer to execute a process of charging the user when it is determined that the user has passed through the ticket gate area.

13. The program according to claim 11, which causes the computer to execute a process of detecting at least one of the following: that the identified user has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction toward a train; and that the identified user has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction away from a station.

14. The program described in claim 11, wherein the ticket gate area includes a boundary between the inside and outside of the station, a judgment line is set at a first distance from the boundary, and the computer is caused to execute a process to detect that the user has crossed the judgment line.

15. The program described in claim 11, wherein the ticket gate area includes the boundary between the inside and outside of the station, an authentication line is set at a second distance from the boundary, and when a user passing through the authentication line is not looking ahead, the program causes the computer to execute a process to make a predetermined notification.

16. A charging system comprising: a camera installed in a ticket gate area; a user terminal carried by a user using the station; and a charging device capable of communicating with the camera and the user terminal, wherein the charging device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring authentication biometric information of a user passing through the ticket gate area; an identification means for identifying the user's identification information based on the authentication biometric information and the user's registration biometric information; a detection means for detecting that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in a predetermined direction; and a determination means for determining that the identified user has passed through the ticket gate area when it is detected that the identified user has moved a predetermined distance or more in the predetermined direction.

17. The charging system according to claim 16, further comprising charging means for charging the user when the determination means determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate area.

18. The charging system according to claim 16, wherein the detection means detects at least one of the following: that the identified user has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction toward a train; and that the identified user has moved 2 to 10 meters or more in a direction away from a station.

19. The charging system described in claim 16, wherein the ticket gate area includes the boundary between the inside and outside of the station, a judgment line is set at a location a first distance away from the boundary, and the detection means detects that the user has crossed the judgment line.

20. The charging system described in claim 16, wherein the ticket gate area includes the boundary between the inside and outside of the station, an authentication line is set at a second distance from the boundary, and the charging system further comprises a notification means for issuing a predetermined notification when a user passing through the authentication line is not looking ahead.

Images