Authentication device, vehicle, authentication method, and recording medium

Abstract

Provided are an authentication device, a vehicle, an authentication method, and a recording medium that are capable of improving the accuracy of biometric authentication when boarding a mobile body.　This authentication device comprises: an identification means that uses biometric information or personal identification information presented from a user boarding a mobile body to identify said user; an adjustment means that adjusts, by using information which has been set in advance for the identified user, a seat of the mobile body such that a site for obtaining biometric information of the user becomes a prescribed positional relationship with respect to a camera capable of photographing the user sitting on the seat of the mobile body; and an authentication means that uses the camera to photograph the site of the user, and performs biometric authentication.

Description

Authentication device, vehicle, authentication method, and recording medium

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle device control device that can quickly control in-vehicle devices or functions of in-vehicle devices. The in-vehicle device control device described in this document performs first authentication based on a signal transmitted from a wireless device held by the user, and performs second authentication based on biometric data of the user. Then, at each stage of the first authentication and second authentication, the in-vehicle device or functions of the in-vehicle device are controlled using first setting data and second setting data.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 129970

[0004] By introducing biometric authentication as in Patent Document 1, it becomes possible to control in-vehicle devices or functions of in-vehicle devices for each user, but there is a problem that if the accuracy of the biometric authentication is low, the functions may be restricted. In this regard, Patent Document 1 states that the meters, steering wheel, HUD (Head-Up Display), seats, mirrors, and air conditioning system will be adjusted, but since these adjustments are aimed at driving, there is no guarantee that the accuracy of the biometric authentication will improve.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide an authentication device, a vehicle, an authentication method, and a recording medium that can contribute to improving the accuracy of biometric authentication when boarding a moving object.

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided an authentication device comprising: an identification means for identifying a user boarding a moving body using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user; an adjustment means for adjusting the seat of the moving body using pre-set information about the identified user so that a part of the body that captures the user's biometric information is in a predetermined positional relationship with a camera that can photograph the user seated in the seat of the moving body; and an authentication means for photographing the part of the user with the camera and performing biometric authentication.

[0007] According to a second aspect, there is provided a vehicle equipped with the above-described authentication device.

[0008] According to a third aspect, there is provided an authentication method that identifies a user boarding a moving object using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user, adjusts the seat of the moving object using pre-set information about the identified user so that the part of the user's body from which biometric information is taken is in a predetermined positional relationship with a camera, photographs the part of the user's body from which biometric information is taken with the camera, and performs biometric authentication.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: identifying a user boarding a moving object using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user; adjusting the seat of the moving object using pre-set information about the identified user so that the part of the user's body from which biometric information is collected is in a predetermined positional relationship with a camera; and photographing the part of the user's body with the camera and performing biometric authentication.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an authentication device, a vehicle, an authentication method, and a recording medium that can contribute to improving the accuracy of biometric authentication when boarding a moving object.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one configuration of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one configuration of a vehicle of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one configuration of an authentication device of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of user setting information held by the authentication device of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another configuration of a vehicle of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another configuration of an authentication device of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another configuration of a vehicle of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another configuration of an authentication device of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer constituting the authentication device of the present disclosure.

[0012] First, an overview of one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this disclosure, the drawings relate to one or more embodiments. The reference numerals in the drawings attached to this overview are attached to each element for convenience as an example to facilitate understanding, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the illustrated form. Furthermore, connecting lines between blocks in the drawings and the like referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of main signals (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. A program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and, if necessary, a display device. Furthermore, this computer device is configured to be able to communicate with internal or external devices (including computers) via the communication interface, whether wired or wireless. Although ports or interfaces are present at the input / output connection points of each block in the drawings, they are not shown.

[0013] In one embodiment, the present disclosure can be realized by an authentication device 10 including an identification unit 11, an adjustment unit 12, and an authentication unit 13, as shown in FIG. 1 . More specifically, the identification unit 11 identifies a user boarding a moving object using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user. The adjustment unit 12 adjusts the seat of the moving object using pre-set information about the identified user so that the body part of the user from which biometric information is captured is in a predetermined positional relationship with a camera C. Then, the authentication unit 13 photographs the body part of the user with the camera C and performs biometric authentication.

[0014] The authentication device 10 configured as described above operates as follows: First, the authentication device 10 identifies a user who boards a moving object using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user (step S01 in FIG. 2).

[0015] Next, the authentication device 10 uses pre-set information about the identified user to adjust the seat of the mobile body so that the camera C capable of photographing the user seated in the seat of the mobile body and the part of the body that collects the user's biometric information are in a predetermined positional relationship (step S02 in Figure 2).

[0016] Finally, the authentication device 10 photographs the body parts of the user with the camera C and performs biometric authentication (step S03 in FIG. 2).

[0017] As described above, according to the authentication device 10 of this embodiment, before biometric authentication of a user is performed, the seat of the vehicle is adjusted so that the camera C and the part of the vehicle that captures the user's biometric information are in a predetermined positional relationship. For example, if the user has a low seat height, the authentication device 10 raises the seat surface before the user sits down, as shown in Fig. 3. This improves the accuracy of biometric authentication when boarding a vehicle.

[0018] In addition, the personal identification information used by the identification means 11 to identify the user may be a signal sent from a smartphone or smart key carried by the user, a personal number, a two-dimensional code, etc.

[0019] [First embodiment] Next, a first embodiment in which an authentication device according to the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle will be described. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing one configuration of a vehicle according to the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 4, a vehicle V equipped with a camera C1, a camera C2, and an authentication device 100 is shown.

[0020] The camera C1 is a camera arranged in the vehicle cabin for performing, for example, iris authentication or face authentication. The camera C2 is a camera capable of photographing a user about to get into the vehicle V. As the camera C2, a camera that photographs the outside of the vehicle V, such as a camera for monitoring the periphery of the vehicle or a camera for a digital exterior mirror, can be used.

[0021] 5 is a diagram showing one configuration of the authentication device 100. The authentication device 100 includes an identifying unit 101, an adjusting unit 102, an authenticating unit 103, and a user setting storage unit 104.

[0022] The identification unit 101 identifies a user riding on a moving object using an image captured by the camera C2, and notifies the adjustment unit 102 of information about the identified user. The method for identifying the user is not particularly limited, but facial recognition or gait recognition can be used as a method using biometric information. Alternatively, a simple method can be used to identify the user using the user's belongings or a two-dimensional code.

[0023] The adjustment unit 102 reads the settings of the identified user from the user setting storage unit 104 and adjusts the height and position of the seat (seat) S of the vehicle V. When the adjustment of the height and position of the seat S is completed, the adjustment unit 102 notifies the authentication unit 103 that the adjustment is complete. At this time, it is desirable that the adjustment unit 102 completes the adjustment of the seat S after the user opens the door of the vehicle V and before sitting in the seat S of the vehicle V. Alternatively, the adjustment of the seat S may be started upon detecting that the user is approaching the vehicle V from an image captured by the camera C2. In this way, it is possible to avoid making the user wait or having to adjust the seat S after the user sits down.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of user setting information stored in the user setting storage unit 104. In the example of FIG. 6, the amount of forward and backward sliding of the seat is set for three pre-registered users according to their sitting height and physique. The user setting information may be written as either a numerical value representing the user's physique, such as sitting height, or a control value for moving the seat S, such as sliding amount. In addition to the information shown in FIG. 6, if reclining of the seat S is required, the reclining angle may also be set.

[0025] For example, if the position of camera C1 is set assuming a person with a seat height of 86 cm, the adjustment unit 102 lowers the seat S by 4 cm for the user with user ID 0001. Similarly, the adjustment unit 102 raises the seat S by 4 cm for the user with user ID 0002. The adjustment unit 102 also moves the seat S forward or backward by the slide amount stored in the user setting storage unit 104 for each user. Note that if the slide amount is a positive value, the adjustment unit 102 moves the seat S backward by a specified distance. Note that if the slide amount is a negative value, the adjustment unit 102 moves the seat S forward by a specified distance. In this way, the adjustment unit 102 adjusts the seat of the moving object so that the camera C1 and the part of the user from which biometric information is collected are at a specified distance.

[0026] When the authentication unit 103 receives a notification from the adjustment unit 102 that the adjustment of the height and position of the sheet S has been completed, the authentication unit 103 acquires the user's biometric information using the image captured by the camera C1 and performs user authentication. As described above, the identification unit 101, the adjustment unit 102, and the authentication unit 103 correspond to the above-mentioned identification means 11, the adjustment means 12, and the authentication means 13, respectively.

[0027] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 7, first, the authentication device 100 detects a person approaching the vehicle from an image captured by the camera C2 or the like (step S001).

[0028] Next, the authentication device 100 identifies the user from the image captured by the camera C2 (step S002).

[0029] If the user is successfully identified (Yes in step S003), the authentication device 100 reads the settings of the identified user from the user setting storage unit 104 and adjusts the height and position of the seat S of the vehicle V (step S004).

[0030] After the adjustment of the height and position of the sheet S is completed, the authentication device 100 photographs the user with the camera C1 and performs biometric authentication (step S005). If the biometric authentication fails, the authentication device 100 outputs an alert, urges the user to re-authenticate, restricts functions, etc.

[0031] 7, even if the user cannot be identified (No in step S003), the user is photographed by the camera C1 and biometric authentication is performed (step S005). In this case, the seat S has not been adjusted, which may result in a decrease in authentication accuracy. In this case, the user can improve authentication accuracy by adjusting the height or position of the seat themselves as necessary. Of course, if the person does not have the authority to drive the vehicle V, no particular problem will arise because the biometric authentication in step S005 will result in an alert being output, a re-authentication reminder, functional restrictions, etc.

[0032] 8, if a user has registered user settings in advance, the authentication device 100 operates as described above, and when the user approaches the vehicle V and is identified, the height and position of the seat S are adjusted before the user sits in the seat S of the vehicle V. Therefore, biometric authentication using the camera C1 is also performed with high accuracy, allowing the user to smoothly start driving the vehicle V.

[0033] Furthermore, it is also desirable that the authentication device 100 maintains the adjustment details of the seat S when the user who has successfully passed biometric authentication has finished driving after identifying the user as described above. This makes it possible to omit the need to adjust the seat S when the user gets into the same vehicle V again. In particular, in the case of a private car, the same user often uses the vehicle V repeatedly, so maintaining the settings of the last user as described above allows for smooth entry and exit and biometric authentication.

[0034] Furthermore, the biometric information for user identification in the authentication device 100 can be different from the biometric information for personal authentication in the authentication unit 103. For example, face authentication or gait authentication can be performed as the biometric information for user identification, and iris authentication or ear authentication can be performed as the biometric information for personal authentication. That is, the authentication device 100 can be configured to identify the user using first biometric information, and to perform biometric authentication of the user using second biometric information different from the identification means.

[0035] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, the sheet S is adjusted, but by adjusting the position and orientation of the camera C1, it is also possible to make the part of the body from which the user's biometric information is acquired have a predetermined positional relationship with the camera C1. Below, a second embodiment in which the position and orientation of the camera C1 are adjusted will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0036] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another configuration of a vehicle according to the present disclosure, which differs from the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4 in that the authentication device 100a controls not the seat S but the support device (stay) for the camera C1.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an authentication device 100a. The authentication device 100a includes an identification unit 101, an adjustment unit 102a, an authentication unit 103, and a user setting storage unit 104. The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that the adjustment unit 102a controls the support device (stay) of the camera C1 instead of the sheet S, thereby making it possible to change the height of the camera C1. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0038] Fig. 11 is another flowchart showing the operation of the present disclosure. The difference from the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7 is that in step S004a, the authentication device 100a reads the settings of the identified user from the user setting storage unit 104 and adjusts the height and zoom amount of the camera C1.

[0039] The authentication device 100a operating as described above also achieves the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Specifically, if a user has registered user settings in advance, the user approaches the vehicle V, is identified, and adjustment of the height and zoom amount of the camera C1 is completed before the user sits in the seat S of the vehicle V. Therefore, biometric authentication using the camera C1 is also performed with high accuracy, allowing the user to smoothly start driving the vehicle V, etc.

[0040] In the above explanation, the zoom amount of camera C1 is adjusted instead of adjusting the distance to the subject by sliding the sheet S, but it is also possible to change the configuration so that the position of camera C1 can be changed by making the support device (stay) of camera C1 movable.

[0041] [Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, the user is identified using the camera C2. However, instead of the camera C2, the user can also be identified using radio waves emitted from a smartphone or smart key carried by the user.

[0042] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing another configuration of a vehicle according to the present disclosure. The difference from the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4 is that a wireless antenna ANT is connected to the authentication device 100b instead of the camera C2. In this embodiment, the identification unit 101 (not shown) of the authentication device 100b identifies the user based on a signal received by the wireless antenna ANT instead of the camera C2. The operation after the user is identified is the same as in the first and second embodiments, and therefore will not be described further.

[0043] [Fourth Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, a configuration is adopted in which the user is identified by the camera C2 and pre-set user settings are read out, but it is also possible to change to a configuration in which the pre-set user settings are omitted.

[0044] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of an authentication device 100c. The first difference from the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is that the authentication device 100c includes a physique estimation unit 101c and a physique-specific setting storage unit 104c instead of the identification unit 101 and the user setting storage unit 104. The second difference from the first embodiment is the operation of the adjustment unit 102c. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the following description will focus on these differences.

[0045] The physique estimation unit 101c estimates the user's physique from an image captured by the camera C2. For example, the physique estimation unit 101c estimates the user's height as the user's physique. The physique estimation unit 101c also notifies the adjustment unit 102c of the estimated user's height.

[0046] The physique-specific setting storage unit 104c stores setting values ​​(operation amounts) of the seat S for each physique. For example, the physique-specific setting storage unit 104c stores physique-specific setting information that defines the operation amounts of the height and slide amount of the seat S for each height.

[0047] When the adjustment unit 102c receives an estimated value of the height of the user from the physique estimation unit 101c, it refers to the physique-specific setting storage unit 104c, reads out the height and slide amount of the seat S corresponding to the height of the user, and adjusts the height and slide amount of the seat S.

[0048] As described above, the present disclosure can be modified to an embodiment that does not require prior user setting. While the above embodiment has been described as estimating the user's physique from an image, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the user's sitting height is directly estimated from the height, waist position, stride length, etc. In this case, the physique-specific setting storage unit 104c may store the adjustment values ​​of the seat S (seat height adjustment value, forward / backward sliding amount) for each estimated sitting height.

[0049] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and further modifications, substitutions, and adjustments can be made without departing from the basic technical concept of the present disclosure. For example, the network configurations, element configurations, and data representation formats shown in the drawings are examples intended to aid in understanding the present disclosure, and are not limited to the configurations shown in these drawings.

[0050] For example, in the above embodiment, a user riding on a moving object is identified using an image captured by the camera C2, but the biometric information applicable to the present disclosure is not limited to biometric information that can be captured by a camera. For example, a configuration in which a fingerprint sensor or palm print sensor is provided instead of the camera C2 to identify the user may also be adopted.

[0051] (Hardware Configuration) In each embodiment of the present disclosure, each component of each device represents a functional unit block. Some or all of the components of each device are realized by an arbitrary combination of an information processing device 900 and a program, for example, as shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 that realizes each component of each device. The information processing device 900 includes, as an example, the following configuration: - CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901 - ROM (Read Only Memory) 902 - RAM (Random Access Memory) 903 - Program 904 loaded into RAM 903 - Storage device 905 that stores the program 904 - Drive device 907 that reads and writes to a recording medium 906 - Communication interface 908 that connects to a communication network 909 - Input / output interface 910 that inputs and outputs data - Bus 911 that connects each component

[0052] Each component of each device in each embodiment is realized by the CPU 901 acquiring and executing a program 904 that realizes the function. That is, the CPU 901 in FIG. 14 executes a user-specific program and a seat adjustment program, and performs an update process for each calculation parameter stored in the RAM 903, the storage device 905, etc. The program 904 that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in the storage device 905 or the ROM 902 in advance, for example, and is read by the CPU 901 as needed. The program 904 may be supplied to the CPU 901 via the communication network 909, or may be stored in advance on the recording medium 906, and the drive device 907 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 901.

[0053] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 900 and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components provided in each device may be realized by any combination of a single information processing device 900 and a program. In other words, each unit (processing means, function) of the authentication device shown in the first to fourth embodiments can be realized by a computer program that causes a processor installed in the device to execute each of the above-mentioned processes using its hardware.

[0054] In addition, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by other general-purpose or dedicated circuits, processors, etc., or a combination of these. These may be configured by a single chip, or by multiple chips connected via a bus.

[0055] Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits and programs.

[0056] When some or all of the components of each device are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in a form in which each device is connected via a communication network.

[0057] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. In other words, those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the above-described embodiments to construct various modified forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0058] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0059] [Supplementary Note 1] An authentication device comprising: an identification means for identifying a user boarding a moving object using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user; an adjustment means for adjusting the seat of the moving object using pre-set information about the identified user so that the body part of the user from which biometric information is collected is in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to a camera; and an authentication means for photographing the body part of the user with the camera and performing biometric authentication. [Supplementary Note 2] The adjustment means of the authentication device described above may be configured to complete the adjustment of the seat after the user opens the door of the moving object and before sitting in the seat of the moving object. [Supplementary Note 3] The identification means of the authentication device described above may be configured to acquire the biometric information of the user with a camera that photographs the outside of the moving object. [Supplementary Note 4] The identification means of the authentication device described above may be configured to identify the user using first biometric information, and the authentication means may be configured to perform biometric authentication of the user using second biometric information different from that of the identification means. [Appendix 5] The adjustment means of the authentication device described above can be configured to set the camera and the part that captures the user's biometric information in a predetermined positional relationship by adjusting the height of the seat surface and the amount of forward and backward movement of the seat surface. [Appendix 6] The adjustment means of the authentication device described above can be configured to adjust the seat of the mobile body so that the camera and the part that captures the user's biometric information are at a predetermined distance. [Appendix 7] The adjustment means of the authentication device described above can be configured to maintain the seat adjustment even after the user gets off the mobile body. [Appendix 8] The adjustment means of the authentication device described above can be configured to adjust the position of the camera instead of adjusting the seat so that the camera and the part that captures the user's biometric information are in a predetermined positional relationship.[Supplementary Note 9] Instead of the identification means of the above authentication device, there is provided a second camera capable of capturing an image of a user about to board the moving body, and an estimation means for estimating the user's physique from the image captured by the second camera, wherein the adjustment means can be configured to adjust the seat of the moving body so that the camera and the body parts that capture the user's biometric information have a predetermined positional relationship based on the user's physique instead of pre-set information about the identified user. [Supplementary Note 10] A vehicle equipped with the above authentication device. [Supplementary Note 11] An authentication method comprising: identifying a user who will board a moving body using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user; adjusting the seat of the moving body so that the body parts that capture the user's biometric information have a predetermined positional relationship with the camera using pre-set information about the identified user; and photographing the body parts of the user with the camera to perform biometric authentication. [Supplementary Note 12] A recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: identify a user boarding a vehicle using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user; adjust the seat of the vehicle using pre-defined information about the identified user so that the body part of the user from which biometric information is collected is in a predetermined positional relationship with the camera; and photograph the body part of the user with the camera and perform biometric authentication. Note that the embodiments described in each of the above supplementary notes can be combined with each other after making necessary modifications. For example, a configuration that combines the contents of Supplementary Note 2 and Supplementary Note 3, in which the seat adjustment is completed after the user opens the door of the vehicle and before sitting in the seat of the vehicle, and a camera is used to photograph the exterior of the vehicle, is also within the scope of the disclosure of this specification. Note that the embodiments of Supplementary Note 11 to Supplementary Note 12 can be expanded into the embodiments of Supplements 2 to 9, as in Supplementary Note 1.

[0060] The disclosures of the above-cited patent documents are incorporated herein by reference and may be used as the basis or part of this disclosure, as necessary. Modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible within the scope of this disclosure (including the claims), and further based on its basic technical concept. Furthermore, various combinations and selections (including partial deletions) of various disclosed elements (including elements of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible within the scope of this disclosure. In other words, this disclosure naturally includes various modifications and alterations that would be possible by a person skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical concept. In particular, with regard to the numerical ranges described herein, any numerical value or subrange within that range should be construed as specifically described, even if not otherwise specified. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above-cited documents, when used in part or in whole in combination with the disclosures herein as part of this disclosure, in accordance with the spirit of this disclosure, are also deemed to be included in the disclosures of this application.

[0061] 10, 100, 100a, 100b, 100c Authentication device 11 Identification means 12 Adjustment means 13 Authentication means 101 Identification unit 102, 102a Adjustment unit 103 Authentication unit 104 User setting storage unit 101c Body size estimation unit 104c Body size setting storage unit 900 Information processing device 901 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 902 ROM (Read Only Memory) 903 RAM (Random Access Memory) 904 Program 905 Storage device 906 Recording medium 907 Drive device 908 Communication interface 909 Communication network 910 Input / output interface 911 Bus ANT Wireless antenna C, C1, C2 Camera S Seat V Vehicle

Claims

1. An authentication device comprising: an identification means for identifying a user boarding a moving object using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user; an adjustment means for adjusting the seat of the moving object using pre-set information about the identified user so that the body part of the user from which biometric information is taken is in a predetermined positional relationship with a camera; and an authentication means for photographing the body part of the user with the camera and performing biometric authentication.

2. The authentication device according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means completes adjustment of said seat by the time said user opens the door of said vehicle and sits in the seat of said vehicle.

3. The authentication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification means acquires the biometric information of the user using a camera that photographs the outside of the moving object.

4. An authentication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification means identifies the user using first biometric information, and the authentication means performs biometric authentication of the user using second biometric information different from that of the identification means.

5. An authentication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adjustment means adjusts the height of the seat surface of the seat and the amount of forward and backward movement of the seat surface to set the camera and the part of the seat that captures the user's biometric information in a predetermined positional relationship.

6. An authentication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adjustment means adjusts the seat of the moving body so that the camera is positioned at a predetermined distance from the part of the user that captures the biometric information.

7. The authentication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the adjustment means maintains the seat adjustment even after the user gets off the vehicle.

8. An authentication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adjustment means adjusts the position of the camera instead of adjusting the seat, so that the camera and the part of the body that captures the user's biometric information are in a predetermined positional relationship.

9. An authentication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising, instead of the identification means, a second camera capable of photographing the image of a user about to board the vehicle, and an estimation means for estimating the user's physique from the image photographed by the second camera, wherein the adjustment means adjusts the seat of the vehicle so that the camera and the part of the vehicle that captures the user's biometric information are in a predetermined positional relationship based on the user's physique instead of pre-set information about the identified user.

10. A vehicle equipped with an authentication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. An authentication method comprising: identifying a user boarding a vehicle using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user; adjusting the seat of the vehicle using pre-set information about the identified user so that the body part of the user from which biometric information is taken is in a predetermined positional relationship with a camera; photographing the body part of the user with the camera and performing biometric authentication.

12. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: a process of identifying a user boarding a vehicle using biometric information or personal identification information presented by the user; a process of adjusting the seat of the vehicle using pre-set information about the identified user so that the body part of the user from which biometric information is collected is in a predetermined positional relationship with the camera; and a process of photographing the body part of the user with the camera and performing biometric authentication.

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