Information processing device, information processing method, and recording medium

Abstract

This information processing device comprises: an acquisition means that acquires biological information about a target; and a control means that controls the operation of a storage unit for storing a medium having information pertaining to the target on the basis of the result of biological authentication of the target using the biological information.

Description

Information processing device, information processing method, and recording medium

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

[0002] One such device proposed is one in which a first personal authentication unit authenticates a person who is permitted to enter a security room and permits them to borrow a key, and a second personal authentication unit authenticates a person who borrows the key and permits them to enter the security room (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2010-039921 A

[0004] An object of this disclosure is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium that aim to improve the technology related to the prior art documents mentioned above.

[0005] One aspect of an information processing device includes an acquisition means for acquiring biometric information of a target, and a control means for controlling the operation of a storage unit that stores a medium containing information about the target based on the result of biometric authentication of the target using the biometric information.

[0006] One aspect of the information processing method acquires biometric information of a target, and controls the operation of a storage unit that stores a medium containing information about the target based on the result of biometric authentication of the target using the biometric information.

[0007] One aspect of the recording medium has a computer program recorded on it that causes a computer to execute an information processing method that acquires biometric information of a subject and controls the operation of a storage unit that stores a medium containing information about the subject based on the results of biometric authentication of the subject using the biometric information.

[0008] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a arithmetic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of a arithmetic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of an authentication unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation of an authentication unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of a arithmetic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of a arithmetic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a storage unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of a arithmetic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is an example of a table showing the usage status of media. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of a storage unit according to an embodiment.

[0009] First Embodiment A first embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In the following, the first embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 10.

[0010] First, the premise will be explained. Security areas (also referred to as security zones) are often set in facilities. When multiple security areas are set, a security level may be set for each security area. For example, a security area with security level 0 may be an area such as an entrance that anyone can enter. Note that the security level of an area that is not set as a security area may also be set to security level 0. For example, a security area with security level 1 may be an area available to guests, such as a reception area. For example, a security area with security level 2 may be a security area such as an office that only employees or staff are allowed to enter. For example, a security area with security level 3 may be a security area such as a place where highly confidential information and / or materials are stored that only employees or staff with special permission are allowed to enter.

[0011] For example, when an employee or staff member enters a security area with security level 3, the employee or staff member may be required to present a security card that is different from an employee or staff ID card. The security card is often stored within the facility (e.g., in a security area with security level 2) and is prohibited from being taken outside the facility. The information processing device 10 is configured to be able to manage such security cards.

[0012] Next, an information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1 , the information processing device 10 includes an acquisition unit 11 and a control unit 12. The acquisition unit 11 acquires biometric information of a target. The biometric information of the target may be biometric information used for biometric authentication of the target. Examples of the biometric information include at least one of a face image, an iris image, a fingerprint image, a palm print image, a vein image, and sound information. Examples of biometric authentication include at least one of face authentication, iris authentication, fingerprint authentication, palm print authentication, vein authentication, voiceprint authentication, ear acoustic authentication, and multimodal biometric authentication.

[0013] The control unit 12 controls the operation of the storage unit 300, which stores a medium 30 containing information about the target, based on the results of biometric authentication using the target's biometric information. Here, the medium 30 may function as a certificate to prove that the target is permitted to enter a predetermined security area. Additionally, if the entrance to the predetermined security area is locked, the medium 30 may function as a key to unlock the entrance. For example, the medium 30 may be an object on which a barcode or two-dimensional code indicating information about the target is printed. For example, the medium 30 may have a magnetic tape indicating information about the target. For example, the medium 30 may have an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip on which information about the target is recorded. The medium 30 may have, for example, a card shape. The medium 30 may have, for example, a ring shape or a band shape that can be worn on the wrist, etc. An example of the medium 30 is the security card described above.

[0014] Examples of information about the target include at least one of identification information (e.g., employee number or staff number), name, affiliation, job title, and position. Note that the storage unit 300 may store only one medium 30. In this case, there may be a number of storage units 300 corresponding to the number of media 30. The storage unit 300 may store a plurality of media 30. Note that biometric authentication using the target's biometric information may be performed by the information processing device 10, or may be performed by a device other than the information processing device 10.

[0015] The results of biometric authentication may indicate, for example, whether the subject possesses a predetermined qualification. Furthermore, by checking the qualification information associated with the subject identified as a result of biometric authentication, it may be possible to indicate whether the subject possesses the predetermined qualification. The "person possessing the predetermined qualification" may be, for example, at least one of the following: a person to whom the medium 30 has been issued (in other words, a person authorized to enter a predetermined security area); a person belonging to a department authorized to enter a predetermined security area; and a person responsible for the maintenance and management of the storage unit 300 and the medium 30. For example, if the results of biometric authentication indicate that the subject possesses the predetermined qualification, the control unit 12 may control the storage unit 300 to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state (i.e., the control unit 12 may unlock a locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, for example, if the results of biometric authentication indicate that the subject possesses the predetermined qualification, the control unit 12 may control the storage unit 300 to eject the medium 30 associated with the subject. As a result, the subject can obtain the medium 30. For example, if the result of biometric authentication indicates that the subject does not have predetermined qualifications, the control unit 12 may control the storage unit 300 to maintain the locked state (i.e., the control unit 12 does not need to unlock the locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, for example, if the result of biometric authentication indicates that the subject does not have predetermined qualifications, the control unit 12 may control the storage unit 300 not to eject the medium 30 related to the subject.

[0016] The information processing device 10 may be housed in a housing different from that of the storage unit 300, or may be housed in the housing of the storage unit 300. When the information processing device 10 is housed in a housing different from that of the storage unit 300, the control unit 12 may control the storage unit 300 using, for example, at least one of wired communication and wireless communication. After the storage unit 300 is unlocked, if the medium 30 is not removed from the storage unit 300 within a predetermined time, the control unit 12 may control the storage unit 300 to transition from an unlocked state to a locked state (i.e., the control unit 12 may lock the unlocked storage unit 300).

[0017] Next, an example of the operation of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, the acquisition unit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires biometric information of a target (step S101). The control unit 12 of the information processing device 10 controls the operation of the storage unit 300 based on the result of biometric authentication of the target using the biometric information acquired in the processing of step S101 (step S102).

[0018] In this way, the information processing device 10 may perform an information processing method in which it acquires biometric information of a target and, based on the results of biometric authentication of the target using the biometric information, controls the operation of a storage unit that stores a medium containing information about the target.

[0019] The information processing device 10 described above may be realized by a computer reading a computer program recorded on a recording medium. In this case, the recording medium may have recorded thereon a computer program for causing the computer to execute an information processing method for acquiring biometric information of a target and controlling the operation of a storage unit that stores a medium having information about the target based on the result of biometric authentication of the target using the biometric information.

[0020] (Technical Effect) In the information processing device 10, the storage unit 300 that stores the medium 30 is controlled based on the result of biometric authentication using the subject's biometric information. For example, if the result of biometric authentication indicates that the subject has predetermined qualifications, the control unit 12 may control the storage unit 300 to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state. For example, if the result of biometric authentication indicates that the subject does not have predetermined qualifications, the control unit 12 may control the storage unit 300 to maintain the locked state.

[0021] For example, when a person with a certain qualification acquires a medium 30 (e.g., a security card), the presence of a specific person (e.g., a person responsible for managing the security card) may be required for identity verification. In contrast, in the information processing device 10, the storage unit 300 is controlled based on the results of biometric authentication, so when a person with a certain qualification acquires a medium 30, the presence of a specific person is not required. Therefore, the information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment can reduce the workload and improve work efficiency.

[0022] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Hereinafter, the second embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the second embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0023] 3 , the information processing device 100 includes a calculation device 110, a storage device 120, a communication device 130, an input device 140, and an output device 150. The calculation device 110, the storage device 120, the communication device 130, the input device 140, and the output device 150 may be connected via a data bus 160.

[0024] The arithmetic device 110 may include a processor 1101. The arithmetic device 110 may include other processors in addition to the processor 1101. That is, the arithmetic device 110 may include one or more processors. The processor 1101 may be a multi-core processor. When the arithmetic device 110 includes a single processor 1101 that is a multi-core processor, it can be said that the arithmetic device 110 logically includes multiple processors.

[0025] The processor 1101 may be, for example, at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), and a quantum processor.

[0026] The storage device 120 may include a memory 1201. The storage device 120 may include other memories in addition to the memory 1201. That is, the storage device 120 may include one or more memories. The memory 1201 may be, for example, at least one of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and an optical disk array. Therefore, the storage device 120 may include the memory 1201 as a non-transitory recording medium.

[0027] The storage device 120 can store desired data. A computer program 1201a to be executed by the arithmetic device 110 may be stored in the memory 1201 of the storage device 120. The storage device 120 may temporarily store data that is temporarily used by the arithmetic device 110 when the arithmetic device 110 is executing the computer program 1201a.

[0028] The computer program 1201a may be recorded on a computer-readable, non-transitory recording medium. In this case, the computer program 1201a may be stored in the memory 1201 by reading the recording medium using a recording medium reading device (not shown) included in the information processing device 100. The recording medium may be at least one of an optical disk, a magnetic medium, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, and any other medium capable of storing a program. The computer program 1201a may be acquired (in other words, downloaded) from a device (not shown) external to the information processing device 100 via the communication device 130. The acquired computer program 1201a may be stored in the memory 1201.

[0029] The communication device 130 may be capable of communicating with a device external to the information processing device 100. The communication device 130 may perform wired communication or wireless communication. For example, if the information processing device 100 is housed in a housing different from the housing of the storage unit 300 (see FIG. 1 ), the communication device 130 may communicate with the storage unit 300 by at least one of wired communication and wireless communication.

[0030] The input device 140 is a device capable of accepting information input to the information processing device 100 from outside. The input device 140 may include an operation device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc.) that can be operated by a user of the information processing device 100. The input device 140 may include a recording medium reading device that can read information recorded on a recording medium that is detachable from the information processing device 100, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Note that when information is input to the information processing device 100 via the communication device 130 (in other words, when the information processing device 100 acquires information via the communication device 130), the communication device 130 may function as an input device.

[0031] The output device 150 is a device capable of outputting information to the outside of the information processing device 100. The output device 150 may output visual information such as text or images, auditory information such as sound, or tactile information such as vibration, as the information. The output device 150 may include, for example, at least one of a display, a speaker, a printer, and a vibration motor. The output device 150 may be capable of outputting information to a recording medium that is detachable from the information processing device 100, such as a USB memory. Note that when the information processing device 100 outputs information via the communication device 130, the communication device 130 may function as the output device.

[0032] The processor 1101 of the arithmetic device 110, together with the memory 1201 of the storage device 120 in which the computer program 1201a is stored (in other words, together with the memory 1201 and the computer program 1201a stored in the memory 1201), may execute the processing to be performed by the information processing device 100. For example, the processor 1101 may execute the computer program 1201a, thereby realizing a logical functional block in the arithmetic device 110 (for example, in the processor 1101) for executing the processing to be performed by the information processing device 100.

[0033] 4, the arithmetic device 110 may have an acquisition unit 111 and a control unit 112 as logically realized functional blocks or as physically realized processing circuits. At least one of the acquisition unit 111 and the control unit 112 may be realized in a form in which a logical functional block and a physical processing circuit (i.e., hardware) are mixed.

[0034] When the acquisition unit 111 and the control unit 112 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111 and the control unit 112 may be realized by a single processor (for example, the processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111 and the control unit 112 may be realized by different processors. The "acquisition unit 111" and the "control unit 112" are components corresponding to the "acquisition unit 11" and the "control unit 12" in the first embodiment, respectively.

[0035] The acquisition unit 111 acquires biometric information of the target. The control unit 112 controls the operation of the storage unit 300, which stores the medium 30 containing information about the target, based on the result of biometric authentication using the target's biometric information. The result of biometric authentication may indicate, for example, whether the target has a predetermined qualification. For example, if the result of biometric authentication indicates that the target has a predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state (i.e., the control unit 112 may unlock a locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, for example, if the result of biometric authentication indicates that the target has a predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to eject the medium 30 related to the target. For example, if the result of biometric authentication indicates that the target does not have a predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to maintain the locked state (i.e., the control unit 112 does not need to unlock a locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, for example, if the results of biometric authentication indicate that the subject does not have the specified qualifications, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 so as not to eject the medium 30 related to the subject.

[0036] (Technical Effects) According to the information processing device 100 of the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the workload and improve the work efficiency, similar to the information processing device 10 of the first embodiment described above.

[0037] Third Embodiment A third embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Hereinafter, the third embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the third embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the first and second embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0038] The information processing device 100 according to the third embodiment may include a calculation device 110a instead of the calculation device 110. The calculation device 110a may include one or more processors, similar to the calculation device 110. As shown in Fig. 5 , the calculation device 110a may include an acquisition unit 111, a control unit 112, an authentication unit 113, and a determination unit 114, which may be logically implemented functional blocks or physically implemented processing circuits. At least one of the authentication unit 113 and the determination unit 114 may be implemented in a form in which logical functional blocks and physical processing circuits are mixed.

[0039] Note that when the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, and the determination unit 114 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, and the determination unit 114 may be realized by a single processor (for example, the processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, and the determination unit 114 may be realized by different processors. Alternatively, parts of the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, and the determination unit 114 may be realized by a single processor, and the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, and the determination unit 114 may be realized by one or more processors different from the single processor.

[0040] The authentication unit 113 may perform biometric authentication of the target using the target's biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit 111. Here, the biometric authentication process performed by the authentication unit 113 will be specifically described.

[0041] (1) First Aspect of Biometric Authentication Processing For example, biometric authentication processing in a case where biometric information (e.g., at least one of a face image, an iris image, a fingerprint image, a palm print image, a vein image, and sound information) is registered in the storage device 120 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the authentication unit 113 may include a feature extraction unit 1131 and a matching unit 1132.

[0042] The target biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit 111 may be input to the feature extraction unit 1131. The feature extraction unit 1131 may extract features from the target biometric information. For example, biometric information registered in the storage device 120 (hereinafter referred to as "registered biometric information") may also be input to the feature extraction unit 1131. The feature extraction unit 1131 may extract features from the registered biometric information. When the biometric information is an image (for example, a face image, an iris image, etc.), the feature extraction unit 1131 may extract features based on the luminance value of each pixel in the image. When the biometric information is sound information, the feature extraction unit 1131 may extract features based on each sampling value of a sound signal.

[0043] The feature extraction unit 1131 may input the feature extracted from the target biometric information and the feature extracted from the registered biometric information to the matching unit 1132. The matching unit 1132 may calculate a matching score by comparing the feature extracted from the target biometric information with the feature extracted from the registered biometric information. The matching score may mean a score indicating the degree of match between the feature extracted from the target biometric information and the feature extracted from the registered biometric information. The matching score may mean a score indicating the degree of similarity between the feature extracted from the target biometric information and the feature extracted from the registered biometric information.

[0044] The authentication unit 113 may determine whether the matching score calculated by the matching unit 1132 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that the matching score is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the authentication unit 113 may determine that the subject is a person associated with the registered biometric information. On the other hand, if it is determined that the matching score is smaller than the predetermined threshold, the authentication unit 113 may determine that the subject is not a person associated with the registered biometric information.

[0045] (2) Second Aspect of Biometric Authentication Processing For example, biometric authentication processing in a case where a feature comparable to a feature related to biometric information of a target is registered in the storage device 120 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the authentication unit 113 may include a feature extraction unit 1131 and a matching unit 1132.

[0046] The target biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit 111 may be input to the feature extraction unit 1131. The feature extraction unit 1131 may extract features from the target biometric information. The feature extraction unit 1131 may input the features extracted from the target biometric information to the matching unit 1132. The matching unit 1132 may further receive, for example, features registered in the storage device 120 (hereinafter referred to as "registered features") as appropriate. The matching unit 1132 may calculate a matching score by comparing the features extracted from the target biometric information with the registered features.

[0047] The authentication unit 113 may determine whether the matching score calculated by the matching unit 1132 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that the matching score is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the authentication unit 113 may determine that the target is a person associated with the registered biometric information. As a result, the target may be specifically identified. On the other hand, if it is determined that the matching score is smaller than the predetermined threshold, it may determine that the target is not a person associated with the registered biometric information.

[0048] 5, if the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to maintain the locked state (i.e., the control unit 112 does not need to unlock a locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, if the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 not to eject the medium 30 related to the target. In this case, the result of the biometric authentication can be said to indicate that the target does not have the predetermined qualifications.

[0049] If the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the target can be said to be a registrant. For example, the storage device 120 may store registrant information indicating one or more registrants. The registrant information may include information (e.g., a flag) indicating whether or not the registrant has a predetermined qualification, registered for each registrant. Note that the registrant information may include registrants registered for each predetermined qualification. For example, there may be registrant information in which registrants with a first predetermined qualification are registered, and registrant information in which registrants with a second predetermined qualification are registered. In other words, registrant information may be prepared for each predetermined qualification.

[0050] If the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination unit 114 may determine whether the target has a predetermined qualification, for example, based on the registrant information. The determination unit 114 may transmit information indicating the determination result to the control unit 112.

[0051] If the determination result indicates that the subject has a predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state (i.e., the control unit 112 may unlock a locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, for example, if the determination result indicates that the subject has a predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to eject the medium 30 related to the subject. On the other hand, if the determination result indicates that the subject does not have the predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to maintain the locked state (i.e., the control unit 112 does not need to unlock a locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, for example, if the determination result indicates that the subject does not have the predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 not to eject the medium 30 related to the subject.

[0052] (Technical Effects) According to the information processing device 100 of the third embodiment, it is possible to reduce the workload and improve the work efficiency, similar to the information processing device 100 of the second embodiment described above.

[0053] Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the fourth embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the first to third embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0054] In the fourth embodiment, the information processing device 100 may constitute a part of an information processing system 1. As shown in FIG. 8 , the information processing system 1 may include the information processing device 100 and an authentication device 200. The information processing device 100 and the authentication device 200 may be configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network NW. The authentication device 200 may be a server device (e.g., a cloud server). In the fourth embodiment, the information processing device 100 may not have an authentication unit (e.g., the authentication unit 113). The network NW may be a wide area network such as the Internet, or a narrow area network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0055] The acquisition unit 111 may acquire biometric information of the target. The calculation device 110 may transmit the biometric information of the target acquired by the acquisition unit 111 to the authentication device 200 via the communication device 130. The authentication device 200 may perform biometric authentication of the target using the biometric information of the target transmitted from the information processing device 100.

[0056] For example, when biometric information (e.g., at least one of a face image, an iris image, a fingerprint image, a palm print image, a vein image, and sound information) is registered in the authentication device 200, the authentication device 200 may perform biometric authentication by processing similar to the "first aspect of biometric authentication processing" described in the above-mentioned third embodiment. For example, when feature amounts comparable to feature amounts related to the biometric information of a target are registered in the authentication device 200, the authentication device 200 may perform biometric authentication by processing similar to the "second aspect of biometric authentication processing" described in the above-mentioned third embodiment.

[0057] For example, registrant information indicating one or more registrants may be stored in authentication device 200. The registrant information may include information (e.g., a flag) indicating whether or not each registrant has a predetermined qualification.

[0058] The authentication device 200 may determine whether the matching score is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that the matching score is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the authentication device 200 may determine whether the subject has a predetermined qualification, for example, based on the registrant information. If it is determined that the subject has the predetermined qualification, the authentication device 200 may transmit an authentication result indicating that the subject has the predetermined qualification to the information processing device 100.

[0059] If the matching score is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and the subject is determined not to have the predetermined qualification, the authentication device 200 may transmit an authentication result indicating that the subject does not have the predetermined qualification to the information processing device 100. If the matching score is determined to be smaller than the predetermined threshold, the authentication device 200 may transmit an authentication result indicating that the subject does not have the predetermined qualification to the information processing device 100. Alternatively, if the matching score is determined to be smaller than the predetermined threshold, the authentication device 200 may transmit an authentication result indicating that the matching score is smaller than the predetermined threshold to the information processing device 100.

[0060] The control unit 112 of the information processing device 100 may control the operation of the storage unit 300 based on the authentication result transmitted from the authentication device 200. If the authentication result indicates that the target is a person with a predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state (i.e., the control unit 112 may unlock the locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, for example, if the authentication result indicates that the target is a person with a predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to eject the medium 30 related to the target.

[0061] If the authentication result indicates that the subject does not have the predetermined qualifications, or if the authentication result indicates that the matching score is smaller than the predetermined threshold, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to maintain the locked state (i.e., the control unit 112 does not need to unlock a locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, for example, if the authentication result indicates that the subject does not have the predetermined qualifications, or if the authentication result indicates that the matching score is smaller than the predetermined threshold, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 not to eject the medium 30 related to the subject.

[0062] (Technical Effects) According to the information processing device 100 of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to reduce the workload and improve the work efficiency, similar to the information processing device 100 of the second embodiment described above.

[0063] Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the fifth embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the first to fourth embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0064] The information processing device 100 according to the fifth embodiment may include a calculation device 110b instead of the calculation device 110. The calculation device 110b may have one or more processors, similar to the calculation device 110. As shown in Fig. 9 , the calculation device 110b may include an acquisition unit 111, a control unit 112, an authentication unit 113, a determination unit 114, and an alarm unit 115, which may be logically realized functional blocks or physically realized processing circuits. The alarm unit 115 may be realized in a form in which logical functional blocks and physical processing circuits are mixed.

[0065] Note that when the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, the determination unit 114, and the alarm unit 115 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, the determination unit 114, and the alarm unit 115 may be realized by a single processor (e.g., the processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, the determination unit 114, and the alarm unit 115 may be realized by different processors. Alternatively, some of the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, the determination unit 114, and the alarm unit 115 may be realized by a single processor, and the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, the determination unit 114, and the alarm unit 115 may be realized by one or more processors different from the single processor.

[0066] For example, when biometric information (e.g., at least one of a face image, an iris image, a fingerprint image, a palm print image, a vein image, and sound information) is registered in the storage device 120, the authentication unit 113 may perform biometric authentication by processing similar to the "first aspect of biometric authentication processing" described in the above-mentioned third embodiment. For example, when feature amounts comparable to feature amounts related to the target biometric information are registered in the storage device 120, the authentication unit 113 may perform biometric authentication by processing similar to the "second aspect of biometric authentication processing" described in the above-mentioned third embodiment.

[0067] If the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the alarm unit 115 may control the output device 150 to issue an alarm. If the matching score is determined to be smaller than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to maintain the locked state (i.e., the control unit 112 does not need to unlock a locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, if the matching score is determined to be smaller than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 not to eject the medium 30 related to the target.

[0068] If the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination unit 114 may determine whether the target has a predetermined qualification, for example, based on the registrant information. The determination unit 114 may transmit information indicating the determination result to the control unit 112.

[0069] If the determination result indicates that the subject does not have the predetermined qualification, the alarm unit 115 may control the output device 150 to issue an alarm. Note that the alarm issued when it is determined that the matching score is smaller than the predetermined threshold and the alarm issued when the determination result indicates that the subject does not have the predetermined qualification may be different or the same.

[0070] If the determination result indicates that the subject does not have the predetermined qualifications, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to maintain the locked state (i.e., the control unit 112 does not need to unlock the locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, if the determination result indicates that the subject does not have the predetermined qualifications, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 not to eject the medium 30 related to the subject.

[0071] (Technical Effect) In the information processing device 100 according to the fifth embodiment, an alarm is issued when a person without a predetermined qualification attempts to obtain the medium 30 (for example, a security card). Therefore, the information processing device 100 according to the fifth embodiment can prevent a person without a predetermined qualification from obtaining the medium 30.

[0072] (Modification) A modification of the information processing device 100 according to the fifth embodiment will be described. In this modification, the target biometric authentication may be performed by a device (e.g., an authentication device 200) different from the information processing device 100. In this case, the information processing device 100 does not need to include the authentication unit 113 and the determination unit 114.

[0073] An example will be described below in which biometric authentication of a target is performed by an authentication device 200 different from the information processing device 100. The acquisition unit 111 may acquire biometric information of the target. The calculation device 110 may transmit the biometric information of the target acquired by the acquisition unit 111 to the authentication device 200 via the communication device 130. The authentication device 200 may perform biometric authentication of the target using the biometric information of the target transmitted from the information processing device 100.

[0074] The authentication device 200 may determine whether the matching score is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that the matching score is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the authentication device 200 may determine whether the subject has a predetermined qualification, for example, based on the registrant information. If it is determined that the subject has the predetermined qualification, the authentication device 200 may transmit an authentication result indicating that the subject has the predetermined qualification to the information processing device 100.

[0075] If the matching score is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and the subject is determined not to have the predetermined qualification, the authentication device 200 may transmit an authentication result indicating that the subject does not have the predetermined qualification to the information processing device 100. If the matching score is determined to be smaller than the predetermined threshold, the authentication device 200 may transmit an authentication result indicating that the subject does not have the predetermined qualification to the information processing device 100. Alternatively, if the matching score is determined to be smaller than the predetermined threshold, the authentication device 200 may transmit an authentication result indicating that the matching score is smaller than the predetermined threshold to the information processing device 100.

[0076] If the authentication result sent from the authentication device 200 indicates that the subject does not have the specified qualifications, or if the authentication result indicates that the matching score is smaller than a specified threshold, the alarm unit 115 may control the output device 150 to issue an alarm.

[0077] Sixth Embodiment A sixth embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the sixth embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the first to fifth embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0078] The information processing device 100 according to the sixth embodiment may include a calculation device 110c instead of the calculation device 110. The calculation device 110c may include one or more processors, similar to the calculation device 110. As shown in FIG. 10 , the calculation device 110c may include an acquisition unit 111, a control unit 112, an authentication unit 113, a determination unit 114, an alarm unit 115, a card detection unit 116, and a card determination unit 117, which may be logically realized functional blocks or physically realized processing circuits. At least one of the card detection unit 116 and the card determination unit 117 may be realized in a form in which logical functional blocks and physical processing circuits are mixed.

[0079] When the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, the judgment unit 114, the alarm unit 115, the card detection unit 116, and the card judgment unit 117 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, the judgment unit 114, the alarm unit 115, the card detection unit 116, and the card judgment unit 117 may be realized by a single processor (for example, the processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, the judgment unit 114, the alarm unit 115, the card detection unit 116, and the card judgment unit 117 may be realized by different processors. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, the judgment unit 114, the alarm unit 115, the card detection unit 116, and part of the card judgment unit 117 may be realized by a single processor, and the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 111, the control unit 112, the authentication unit 113, the judgment unit 114, the alarm unit 115, the card detection unit 116, and the card judgment unit 117 may be realized by one or more processors different from the single processor.

[0080] As in the fifth embodiment described above, when the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the alarm unit 115 may control the output device 150 to issue an alarm. Also, when the determination result by the determination unit 114 indicates that the target does not have a predetermined qualification, the alarm unit 115 may control the output device 150 to issue an alarm.

[0081] If the determination result by the determination unit 114 indicates that the target is a person with a predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state (i.e., the control unit 112 may unlock the locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, for example, if the determination result indicates that the target is a person with a predetermined qualification, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to eject the medium 30 related to the target.

[0082] When the storage unit 300 is unlocked and the medium 30 is removed from the storage unit 300, or when the medium 30 is ejected from the storage unit 300, the card detection unit 116 may detect the removed or ejected medium 30. For example, the card detection unit 116 may obtain information about the object held by the medium 30 by detecting the medium 30. The card detection unit 116 may transmit the information about the object obtained from the medium 30 to the card determination unit 117.

[0083] When the storage unit 300 is unlocked or when the medium 30 is ejected from the storage unit 300, the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. When the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the target is specifically identified by biometric authentication. The card determination unit 117 may acquire information about the target specifically identified by biometric authentication.

[0084] The card determination unit 117 may compare the information about the target acquired from the medium 30 with the information about the target specifically identified by biometric authentication. For example, the card determination unit 117 may determine whether the information about the target acquired from the medium 30 matches the information about the target specifically identified by biometric authentication.

[0085] If the determination result by the card determination unit 117 indicates that the information about the target acquired from the medium 30 does not match the information about the target specifically identified by biometric authentication, the alarm unit 115 may control the output device 150 to issue an alarm. On the other hand, if the determination result by the card determination unit 117 indicates that the information about the target acquired from the medium 30 matches the information about the target specifically identified by biometric authentication, the alarm unit 115 does not need to issue an alarm.

[0086] (Technical Effect) For example, if multiple media 30 are stored in one storage unit 300, there is a possibility that one person with a predetermined qualification may mistakenly obtain a medium 30 belonging to another person with the predetermined qualification. In the information processing device 100 according to the sixth embodiment, the card determination unit 117 determines whether information about the target obtained from the medium 30 matches information about the target specifically identified by biometric authentication. If the information about the target obtained from the medium 30 does not match information about the target specifically identified by biometric authentication, the alarm unit 115 issues an alarm. Therefore, the information processing device 100 according to the sixth embodiment can prevent the wrong medium 30 from being obtained.

[0087] The target biometric authentication may be performed by a device (for example, the authentication device 200) different from the information processing device 100. In this case, the information processing device 100 does not need to include the authentication unit 113 and the determination unit 114.

[0088] Seventh Embodiment A seventh embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the seventh embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the first to sixth embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0089] In the seventh embodiment, a storage unit 300a stores media 30a that do not have information about the target (in other words, media 30a that have no information recorded thereon, i.e., are blank). As shown in FIG. 11 , the storage unit 300a may include a data recording device 310 and a data erasing device 320.

[0090] The data recording device 310 is configured to be able to record predetermined information (i.e., data) on the medium 30a. The data erasing device 320 is configured to be able to erase the predetermined information (i.e., data) recorded on the medium 30a. Note that the specific configurations of the data recording device 310 and the data erasing device 320 may be changed depending on the manner in which the predetermined information is recorded on the medium 30a.

[0091] For example, if the predetermined information is recorded on the medium 30a by printing the predetermined information on the medium 30a, the data recording device 310 may be a printer. In this case, the data erasing device 320 may be a device that can remove the ink used to print the predetermined information from the medium 30a.

[0092] For example, if medium 30a has a magnetic tape capable of recording predetermined information, data recording device 310 may be a device equipped with a magnetic head capable of recording predetermined information on the magnetic tape. In this case, data erasure device 320 may be a device equipped with a magnetic head capable of erasing predetermined information recorded on the magnetic tape. In this case, data recording device 310 and data erasure device 320 may be the same device. In other words, a device equipped with a magnetic head may function as both data recording device 310 and data erasure device 320.

[0093] For example, if the medium 30a has an IC chip capable of recording predetermined information, the data recording device 310 may be a device equipped with an IC chip writer capable of recording predetermined information on the IC chip. In this case, the data erasure device 320 may be a device equipped with an IC chip writer capable of erasing the predetermined information recorded on the IC chip. In this case, the data recording device 310 and the data erasure device 320 may be the same device. In other words, a device equipped with an IC chip writer may function as both the data recording device 310 and the data erasure device 320.

[0094] For example, if the result of biometric authentication indicates that the subject has predetermined qualifications, the control unit 112 of the information processing device 100 may control the data recording device 310 to record information about the subject on the medium 30a. For example, when the data recording device 310 has completed recording the information about the subject on the medium 30a, it may send a signal indicating completion of recording to the information processing device 100. Note that the information about the subject recorded on the medium 30a may be valid only for a predetermined time after the information about the subject is recorded on the medium 30a.

[0095] The control unit 112 of the information processing device 100, which has received the signal indicating the completion of recording, may control the storage unit 300a so that the target can obtain the medium 30a on which the information about the target is recorded (for example, the control unit 112 may unlock the locked storage unit 300a). Alternatively, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300a to eject the medium 30a on which the information about the target is recorded.

[0096] For example, if the results of biometric authentication indicate that the subject does not have the specified qualifications, the control unit 12 may control the data recording device 310 so as not to record information about the subject on the medium 30a.

[0097] When the medium 30a on which information about the object is recorded is returned to the storage unit 300a, the control unit 112 may control the data erasure device 320 to erase the information about the object recorded on the medium 30a. Note that when the medium 30a on which information about the object is recorded is returned to the storage unit 300a, the data erasure device 320 may automatically (i.e., independently of the control of the control unit 112) erase the information about the object recorded on the medium 30a.

[0098] (Technical Effects) In the seventh embodiment, no information is recorded on the medium 30a stored in the storage unit 300a. Therefore, even if a person without the required qualifications obtains the medium 30a from the storage unit 300 by fraudulent means, the person cannot use the medium 30a to enter a specified security area. Furthermore, in the seventh embodiment, if the result of biometric authentication indicates that the subject has the required qualifications, information about the subject is recorded on the medium 30a. This makes it possible to prevent the medium 30a from being mistakenly picked up. Therefore, the information processing device 100 according to the seventh embodiment can improve security.

[0099] Eighth Embodiment An eighth embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Hereinafter, the eighth embodiment relating to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, with regard to the eighth embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the first to seventh embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0100] In the eighth embodiment, the medium 30 may record information indicating a department to which the target belongs as information about the target, but may not record information that identifies the target individual. In other words, in the eighth embodiment, the medium 30 does not need to have a one-to-one correspondence with a person (in other words, the target). For example, the medium 30 may be shared by multiple people belonging to a department. The medium 30 according to the eighth embodiment may be referred to as, for example, a group card or a shared card. In the eighth embodiment, one storage unit 300 may be provided in a department. The storage unit 300 provided in a department may store one or more media 30 that can only be used by people belonging to that department.

[0101] For example, as described above, the medium 30 may have information indicating a department recorded thereon. Therefore, the medium 30 can be said to be linked to the department. A plurality of people belong to a department. Therefore, the medium 30 can be considered to be linked to a plurality of people who belong to the department.

[0102] The information processing device 100 according to the eighth embodiment may include a calculation device 110d instead of the calculation device 110. The calculation device 110d may have one or more processors, similar to the calculation device 110. As shown in Fig. 12 , the calculation device 110d may include an acquisition unit 111, a control unit 112, an authentication unit 113, a determination unit 114, an alarm unit 115, and a card detection unit 116 as logically realized functional blocks or as physically realized processing circuits.

[0103] If the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination unit 114 may determine whether or not the subject belongs to a certain department, for example, based on the registrant information. The determination unit 114 may transmit information indicating the determination result to the control unit 112. Note that determining "whether or not the subject belongs to a certain department" is an example of determining "whether or not the subject has a predetermined qualification."

[0104] If the determination result indicates that the subject belongs to a certain department, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state (i.e., the control unit 112 may unlock the locked storage unit 300). Alternatively, for example, if the determination result indicates that the subject belongs to a certain department, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300 to eject the medium 30.

[0105] When the storage unit 300 is unlocked and the medium 30 is removed from the storage unit 300, or when the medium 30 is ejected from the storage unit 300, the card detection unit 116 may detect the removed or ejected medium 30. For example, the card detection unit 116 may obtain identification information (e.g., a medium ID) related to the medium 30 by detecting the medium 30. The card detection unit 116 may transmit the identification information related to the medium 30 to the control unit 112.

[0106] The control unit 112 may acquire information about the target specifically identified by biometric authentication (e.g., identification information, name, etc. related to the target). Here, it is assumed that a table 400 (see FIG. 13 ) showing the usage status of the medium 30 is stored in the storage device 120. The control unit 112 may update the table 400 based on the identification information about the medium 30 and information about the target transmitted from the card detection unit 116. For example, the control unit 112 may update the table 400 by linking the identification information about the medium 30 with at least one of the identification information and name of the target, which are examples of information about the target, and the acquisition date and time of the medium 30.

[0107] When the medium 30 is returned to the storage unit 300, the card detection unit 116 may detect the returned medium 30. For example, the card detection unit 116 may obtain identification information (e.g., a medium ID) related to the medium 30 by detecting the medium 30. The card detection unit 116 may transmit the identification information related to the medium 30 to the control unit 112. The control unit 112 may update the table 400 based on the identification information related to the medium 30 transmitted from the card detection unit 116. For example, the control unit 112 may leave blank the user and acquisition date and time associated with the identification information related to the returned medium 30 in the table 400.

[0108] The information processing device 100 according to the eighth embodiment may output information based on the table 400, for example, in response to a user request via the input device 140. This configuration allows the user of the information processing device 100 to understand the usage status of the medium 30. The storage device 120 may store history information indicating the usage history of the medium 30, separate from the table 400.

[0109] For example, the information processing device 100 according to the eighth embodiment may be configured to acquire attendance information from a time attendance management system (not shown). For example, if the determination result indicates that the subject belongs to a certain department, the alarm unit 115 may determine whether the subject is present at work based on the attendance information acquired from the time attendance management system. If it is determined that the subject is not present at work, the alarm unit 115 may control the output device 150 to issue an alarm. In this case, the information processing device 100 may transmit alarm information to a terminal device used by, for example, a security guard, so that the alarm is issued from the terminal device. This configuration may prevent, for example, a third party impersonating a person belonging to a certain department from illegally acquiring the medium 30.

[0110] (Technical Effect) For example, people belonging to a certain department may be replaced due to transfers or the like. If a medium 30 is prepared for each person, each time a person belonging to a certain department is replaced, it is necessary to issue or discard the medium 30, or update the information recorded thereon. In the eighth embodiment, the medium 30 is shared by multiple people belonging to a certain department. In this case, even if a person belonging to a certain department is replaced, it is sufficient to change the data used for biometric authentication, for example, and it is not necessary to issue a new medium 30. Therefore, according to the information processing device 100 according to the eighth embodiment, it is possible to reduce the management costs required for the medium 30.

[0111] Note that the target biometric authentication does not have to be performed by the information processing device 100. In this case, the target biometric authentication may be performed by a device (e.g., the authentication device 200) different from the information processing device 100. In this case, the information processing device 100 does not need to include the authentication unit 113 and the determination unit 114.

[0112] (Modification) A modification of the information processing device 100 according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. In this modification, the number of media 30 is assumed to be less than the number of people belonging to a single department who share the media 30. In this modification, the media 30 are stored in a storage unit 300b shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 14, the storage unit 300b may include a data modification device 330. In addition to the media 30, the storage unit 300b stores media 30b that can enter all security areas.

[0113] If the authentication unit 113 determines that the matching score is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination unit 114 may determine whether the target belongs to a certain department, for example, based on the registrant information. The determination unit 114 may transmit information indicating the determination result to the control unit 112.

[0114] If the determination result indicates that the target belongs to a certain department, the control unit 112 may determine, based on the table 400, whether or not the storage unit 300b contains media 30 shared by the certain department. If it is determined that the storage unit 300b contains media 30 shared by the certain department, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300b to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state (i.e., the control unit 112 may unlock the locked storage unit 300b). Alternatively, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300b to eject the media 30.

[0115] If it is determined that the medium 30 shared by a department is not stored in the storage unit 300b (for example, if the medium 30 is being used by a person other than the subject), the control unit 112 may control the data modification device 330 to change the information recorded on the medium 30b to information appropriate for the subject belonging to the department. In this case, the data modification device 330 may change the information recorded on the medium 30b so that the subject belonging to the department can enter only security areas to which the subject is permitted to enter.

[0116] For example, when the data modification device 330 has completed modifying the information recorded on the medium 30b, the data modification device 330 may transmit a signal indicating the completion of the modification to the information processing device 100. Upon receiving the signal indicating the completion of the modification, the control unit 112 of the information processing device 100 may control the storage unit 300b so that the target can obtain the medium 30b (for example, the control unit 112 may unlock a locked storage unit 300b). Alternatively, the control unit 112 may control the storage unit 300b to eject the medium 30b. This configuration can improve convenience.

[0117] <Supplementary Notes> A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0118] (Supplementary Note 1) An information processing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring biometric information of a target; and a control means for controlling the operation of a storage unit for storing a medium having information about the target based on a result of biometric authentication of the target using the biometric information.

[0119] (Supplementary Note 2) The information processing device described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the control means controls the operation of the storage unit so that, when the subject identified using the biometric authentication has predetermined qualifications, the subject can obtain a medium having information about the subject.

[0120] (Supplementary Note 3) An information processing device as described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2, comprising: a detection means for detecting the medium that the object has acquired from the storage unit; a determination means for determining whether the detected medium corresponds to the object; and an alarm means for issuing an alarm when it is determined that the detected medium does not correspond to the object.

[0121] (Supplementary Note 4) The information processing device described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the control means controls the storage unit to generate a medium having information about the subject by recording information about the subject on a medium that does not have any information recorded thereon, when the subject identified using the biometric authentication has predetermined qualifications.

[0122] (Supplementary Note 5) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the control means controls the storage unit so that, when the medium having information about the object is returned to the storage unit, information about the object is erased from the medium having information about the object.

[0123] (Supplementary Note 6) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein one medium as a medium having information related to the target is linked to a plurality of people.

[0124] (Supplementary Note 7) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the control means links the one medium with the target and records the linked medium when the target identified using the biometric authentication has a predetermined qualification.

[0125] (Appendix 8) An information processing device as described in Appendix 6, wherein the one medium is a medium that enables entry to a predetermined security area, and in addition to the one medium, other media that enable entry to a plurality of security areas including the predetermined security area are stored in the storage unit, and when the subject identified using the biometric authentication is a person with predetermined qualifications and the one medium is not stored in the storage unit because it is being used by a person other than the subject, the control means changes the other medium so that it enables entry only to the predetermined security area.

[0126] (Supplementary Note 9) An information processing method comprising: acquiring biometric information of a target; and controlling, based on a result of biometric authentication of the target using the biometric information, an operation of a storage unit that stores a medium having information about the target.

[0127] (Supplementary Note 10) A recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, which includes acquiring biometric information of a target, and controlling the operation of a storage unit that stores a medium having information about the target based on a result of biometric authentication of the target using the biometric information.

[0128] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 8, which are dependent on Supplementary Note 1, may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 9 and 10 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 8. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 9, and 10, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be made dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0129] This disclosure may be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not contradict the gist or idea of ​​the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and information processing devices, information processing methods, and recording media that involve such modifications are also included in the technical idea of ​​this disclosure.

[0130] 1 Information processing system 10, 100 Information processing device 11, 111 Acquisition unit 12, 112 Control unit

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring biometric information of a subject; and a control means for controlling the operation of a storage unit for storing a medium having information about the subject based on the result of biometric authentication of the subject using the biometric information.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the operation of the storage unit so that, if the subject identified using the biometric authentication has predetermined qualifications, the subject can obtain a medium containing information about the subject.

3. An information processing device as described in claim 1, comprising: a detection means for detecting the medium acquired by the object from the storage unit; a determination means for determining whether the detected medium corresponds to the object; and an alarm means for issuing an alarm when it is determined that the detected medium does not correspond to the object.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the storage unit to generate a medium containing information about the subject by recording information about the subject on a medium that does not have any information recorded on it, if the subject identified using the biometric authentication is a person with specified qualifications.

5. An information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the control means controls the storage unit so that, when a medium containing information about the object is returned to the storage unit, the information about the object is erased from the medium containing the information about the object.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein one medium having information about the target is linked to multiple people.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the control means links the one medium with the subject in a case where the subject identified using the biometric authentication has a predetermined qualification and records the link.

8. An information processing device as described in claim 6, wherein the one medium is a medium that enables entry to a specified security area, the storage unit stores, in addition to the one medium, media that enable entry to multiple security areas including the specified security area, and if the subject identified using the biometric authentication is a person with specified qualifications and the one medium is not stored in the storage unit because it is being used by a person other than the subject, the control means changes the other medium so that it enables entry only to the specified security area.

9. An information processing device as described in claim 2, comprising: a detection means for detecting the medium acquired by the object from the storage unit; a determination means for determining whether the detected medium corresponds to the object; and an alarm means for issuing an alarm when it is determined that the detected medium does not correspond to the object.

10. An information processing method for acquiring biometric information of a subject, and controlling the operation of a storage unit that stores a medium containing information about the subject based on the results of biometric authentication of the subject using the biometric information.

11. A recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, which comprises acquiring biometric information of a subject, and controlling the operation of a storage unit that stores a medium containing information about the subject based on the results of biometric authentication of the subject using the biometric information.

Images