Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and recording medium

The system addresses the challenge of transitioning between biometric authentication program versions by allowing parallel operation, ensuring uninterrupted authentication and registration of new features, thus facilitating smooth upgrades and specialized adaptations.

WO2025203548A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-10-02NEC CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/JP2024/012985
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-29
Publication Date
2025-10-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing biometric authentication systems face challenges in seamlessly transitioning between different versions of authentication programs, leading to temporary disruptions during upgrades or specialized adaptations, such as accommodating users with colored contact lenses or varying facial orientations.

Method used

The proposed system allows for parallel operation of old and new biometric authentication programs, enabling simultaneous biometric authentication and registration of new features using separate extraction units, thereby facilitating smooth transitions and continued authentication during upgrades or specialized adaptations.

Benefits of technology

Enables continuous biometric authentication and registration of new features, allowing for program upgrades or specialized adaptations without disrupting the authentication process.

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Abstract

This information processing device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring first biological information of a subject; a first extraction means for extracting a first feature amount from the first biological information; a first comparison means for performing first comparison for the subject by using the first feature amount and a first registered feature amount registered in advance; a second extraction means for extracting a second feature amount from the first biological information; and a registration means for, when identification information corresponding to the subject is identified by the first comparison, registering the second feature amount in association with the identification information.
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Description

Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical fields of an information processing device, an information processing system, 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 system, an information processing method, and a recording medium that aim to improve the technology related to the above-mentioned prior art documents.

[0005] One aspect of the information processing device includes an acquisition means for acquiring first biometric information of a target, a first extraction means for extracting a first feature from the first biometric information, a first matching means for performing a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance, a second extraction means for extracting a second feature from the first biometric information, and a registration means for registering the second feature in association with the identification information when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching.

[0006] One aspect of the information processing system includes an acquisition means for acquiring first biometric information of a target, a first extraction means for extracting a first feature from the first biometric information, a first matching means for performing a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance, a second extraction means for extracting a second feature from the first biometric information, and a registration means for registering the second feature in association with the identification information when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching.

[0007] One aspect of the information processing method includes acquiring first biometric information of a target, extracting a first feature from the first biometric information, performing a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance, extracting a second feature from the first biometric information, and when a biometric that identifies the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second feature in association with the identification information.

[0008] One aspect of the recording medium has recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method of acquiring first biometric information of a target, extracting a first feature from the first biometric information, performing a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance, extracting a second feature from the first biometric information, and, if identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second feature in association with the identification information.

[0009] Another aspect of the information processing device includes an acquisition means for acquiring first biometric information of a target, a first matching means for performing a first matching of the target using the first biometric information in accordance with a first biometric authentication engine, and a registration means for, when identification information corresponding to the target is specified by the first matching, registering the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information in association with the identification information as registration information for a second biometric authentication engine that uses the same authentication method as the first biometric authentication engine.

[0010] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of a configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another example of an operation of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of a configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a arithmetic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a database. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a database. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another example of a configuration of a arithmetic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of a configuration of a arithmetic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another example of a configuration of a arithmetic device according to an embodiment.

[0011] First Embodiment A first embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, 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 the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using an information processing device 10.

[0012] In FIG. 1 , the information processing device 10 includes an acquisition unit 11, a first extraction unit 12, a first matching unit 13, a second extraction unit 14, and a registration unit 15. Note that the information processing device 10 may include only some of the acquisition unit 11, the first extraction unit 12, the first matching unit 13, the second extraction unit 14, and the registration unit 15. In this case, the information processing device 10 may include some of the acquisition unit 11, the first extraction unit 12, the first matching unit 13, the second extraction unit 14, and the registration unit 15, and one or more other devices different from the information processing device 10 may include the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 11, the first extraction unit 12, the first matching unit 13, the second extraction unit 14, and the registration unit 15. The information processing device 10 and one or more other devices may constitute an information processing system. In this case, the information processing system includes the information processing device 10 and one or more other devices. Therefore, it can be said that the information processing system includes the acquisition unit 11, the first extraction unit 12, the first matching unit 13, the second extraction unit 14, and the registration unit 15. Note that the information processing device 10 including the acquisition unit 11, the first extraction unit 12, the first matching unit 13, the second extraction unit 14, and the registration unit 15 may constitute a part of the information processing system. In this case, it can be said that the information processing system includes the acquisition unit 11, the first extraction unit 12, the first matching unit 13, the second extraction unit 14, and the registration unit 15.

[0013] The acquisition unit 11 acquires first biometric information of a target. The "target" is typically a human, but may also be a non-human animal. An example of a non-human animal is at least one of livestock and captive animals. The first biometric information may be used for biometric authentication of the target. Therefore, the target can be said to be a target of biometric authentication. The first biometric information is biometric information according to an authentication method related to the biometric authentication.

[0014] The authentication method related to biometric authentication may be, for example, at least one of face authentication, iris authentication, fingerprint authentication, palm print authentication, vein authentication, voiceprint authentication, and earacoustic authentication. If the authentication method is face authentication, the first biometric information may be a face image including the face of the target. If the authentication method is iris authentication, the first biometric information may be an iris image including the iris of the target, or an eye image including the eye of the target. If the authentication method is fingerprint authentication, the first biometric information may be a fingerprint image including the fingerprint pattern of the target. If the authentication method is palm print authentication, the first biometric information may be a palm print image including the palm print pattern of the target. If the authentication method is vein authentication, the first biometric information may be a vein image including the vein pattern of the target. If the authentication method is voiceprint authentication, the first biometric information may be the voice of the target. If the authentication method is earacoustic authentication, the first biometric information may be reflected sound from the ear of the target.

[0015] The first extraction unit 12 extracts a first feature from the first biometric information. If the first biometric information is an image (e.g., at least one of a face image, an iris image, an eye image, a fingerprint image, a palm print image, and a vein image), the first feature may be a feature related to the image. If the first biometric information is sound (e.g., at least one of a voice and a reflected sound), the first feature may be a feature related to the sound. Here, the first extraction unit 12 may extract the first feature from the first biometric information in accordance with one program related to one authentication method related to biometric authentication.

[0016] The first matching unit 13 performs a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance. As described above, the first feature is extracted from the first biometric information of the target. Therefore, it can be said that the first feature represents a feature of the target. Similarly, it can be said that the first registered feature represents a feature of one registered living organism. In the first matching, the first feature representing the feature of the target may be compared with the first registered feature representing the feature of one registered living organism, thereby determining whether the target is the one living organism. If it is determined that the target is the one living organism, the target may be identified as the one living organism as a specific individual. Note that, like the "target," the "living organism" is typically a human, but may also be a non-human animal.

[0017] The second extraction unit 14 extracts a second feature from the first biometric information. Here, the second extraction unit 14 may extract the second feature from the first biometric information in accordance with another program related to an authentication method for biometric authentication, which is different from the one program. Therefore, although the first feature and the second feature are extracted from the first biometric information, the first feature and the second feature may be different from each other.

[0018] When a biometric entity corresponding to the target (e.g., identification information corresponding to the target) is identified by the first matching, the registration unit 15 registers the second feature in association with the identification information related to the biometric entity corresponding to the target (i.e., identification information related to the target). The biometric entity corresponding to the target identified by the first matching refers to one biometric entity related to the first registered feature (in other words, one biometric entity having characteristics represented by the first registered feature). As described above, the first registered feature is registered in advance. Management information for managing the first registered feature is associated with the registered first registered feature. An example of the management information is identification information for distinguishing the first registered feature from other registered feature. Because the first registered feature represents characteristics of one biometric entity, the management information (e.g., identification information) associated with the first registered feature can be considered to be identification information related to one biometric entity. Therefore, the management information (e.g., identification information) associated with the first registered feature may correspond to an example of "identification information related to the biometric entity corresponding to the target."

[0019] Next, 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 first biometric information of a target (step S101). The first extraction unit 12 of the information processing device 10 extracts first features from the first biometric information acquired in the process of step S101 (step S102). The first matching unit 13 of the information processing device 10 performs first matching of the target using the first features extracted in the process of step S102 and pre-registered first registered features (step S103). The second extraction unit 14 of the information processing device 10 extracts second features from the first biometric information acquired in the process of step S101 in parallel with the processes of steps S102 and S103 (step S104).

[0020] After the process of step S103, the registration unit 15 of the information processing device 10 may determine whether or not a living body corresponding to the target has been identified by the first matching (step S105). If it is determined in the process of step S105 that a living body corresponding to the target has been identified by the first matching (step S105: Yes), the registration unit 15 associates the second feature extracted in the process of step S104 with identification information related to the living body corresponding to the target and registers it (step S106). On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of step S105 that a living body corresponding to the target has not been identified by the first matching (step S105: No), the operation shown in FIG. 2 may be terminated.

[0021] In this way, the information processing device 10 may perform an information processing method that acquires first biometric information of a target, extracts a first feature from the first biometric information, performs a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance, extracts a second feature from the first biometric information, and, if a biometric organism corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registers the second feature in association with identification information related to the biometric organism corresponding to the target.

[0022] 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 of acquiring first biometric information of a target, extracting first feature amounts from the first biometric information, performing first matching of the target using the first feature amounts and first registered feature amounts that have been registered in advance, extracting second feature amounts from the first biometric information, and, when a biometric entity corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second feature amounts in association with identification information related to the biometric entity corresponding to the target.

[0023] (Technical Effect) For example, for a program related to one authentication method of biometric authentication, at least one of bug fixes, improvements, addition of new functions, and security improvements may be performed, thereby developing a new version of the program or a program specialized for a specific situation. For example, for a program related to facial recognition, a program may be developed that can properly authenticate a target not only from a facial image captured from the front of the target's face, but also from a facial image captured from a side other than the front. For example, for a program related to iris recognition, a program may be developed that can properly authenticate not only a target with naked eyes, but also a target wearing colored contact lenses. Note that a program related to one authentication method of biometric authentication may refer to a biometric authentication engine. Note that a biometric authentication engine may refer to hardware related to biometric authentication and a core program for controlling components (e.g., hardware parts and program parts).

[0024] In order to use a new version of a program, it is often necessary to replace at least a part (i.e., hardware) of the biometric authentication system or biometric authentication device, or to upgrade the program. In addition, it is often necessary to register or re-register the user's biometric information. In such cases, the registration or re-registration temporarily disables biometric authentication. In response to this, the inventors of the present application propose allowing both an old version of a program and a new version of a program to coexist in a single biometric authentication system or a single biometric authentication device.

[0025] By having both an old version and a new version of the program coexist in one biometric authentication system or one biometric authentication device, it is possible to continue biometric authentication of a user using the old version of the program. However, the features extracted from the target biometric information using the old version of the program may differ from the features extracted from the target biometric information using the new version of the program. In this case, the registered features that are compared with the features extracted from the target biometric information in biometric authentication using the old version of the program may differ from the registered features that are compared with the features extracted from the target biometric information in biometric authentication using the new version of the program. In other words, the registered features used in the old version of the program cannot be used in the new version of the program. Therefore, even if the old version of the program and the new version of the program coexist, the registration or re-registration of a user's biometric information may still occur.

[0026] In the information processing device 10, as described above, when a biometric data corresponding to a target is identified through the first matching (in other words, when a target is identified through biometric authentication by the first extraction unit 12 and the first matching unit 13), the registration unit 15 registers the second feature extracted from the target's first biometric information by the second extraction unit 14 in association with the identification information related to the biometric data. That is, in the information processing device 10, the second extraction unit 12, which is different from the first extraction unit 12, extracts the second feature using the target's first biometric information used for biometric authentication by the first extraction unit 12 and the first matching unit 13. Then, when a target is identified through biometric authentication by the first extraction unit 12 and the first matching unit 13, the registration unit 15 registers the second feature. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can perform biometric authentication of the target and registration of a new feature (here, the second feature) of the target in parallel. In other words, the information processing device 10 can perform biometric authentication of the target and registration related to the target in parallel. Therefore, according to the information processing device 10, it is possible to perform at least one of upgrading the program and introducing a program specialized for a specific situation while continuing the biometric authentication of the target.

[0027] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Below, the second embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using an information processing device 20. Note that, for the second embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the description of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0028] In FIG. 3, the information processing device 20 includes an acquisition unit 21, a matching unit 22, and a registration unit 23.

[0029] The acquisition unit 21 acquires first biometric information of a target. The matching unit 22 performs first matching of the target using the first biometric information in accordance with a first biometric authentication engine. In the first embodiment, features (e.g., first registered features) are registered in advance. In the second embodiment, features may be registered in advance, or biometric information such as an image or sound may be registered in advance.

[0030] If the feature is registered in advance, the matching unit 22 may extract the feature (corresponding to the first feature in the first embodiment) from the first biometric information. The matching unit 22 may perform the first matching using the feature extracted from the first biometric information and the feature registered in advance (the first registered feature in the first embodiment). If the biometric information is registered in advance, the matching unit 22 may extract the feature (corresponding to the first feature in the first embodiment) from the first biometric information. The matching unit 22 may extract the feature (the first registered feature in the first embodiment) from the registered biometric information. The matching unit 22 may perform the first matching using the feature extracted from the first biometric information and the feature extracted from the registered biometric information.

[0031] When a biometric information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, the registration unit 23 registers the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information as registration information for the second biometric authentication engine in association with identification information related to the biometric information corresponding to the target. The "information based on the first biometric information" may be, for example, a feature (corresponding to the second feature in the first embodiment) extracted from the first biometric information by an extraction method according to the second biometric authentication engine. The second biometric authentication engine is an engine that uses the same authentication method as the first biometric authentication engine but is different from the first biometric authentication engine. The first biometric authentication engine may correspond to an older version of the program in the first embodiment, and the second biometric authentication engine may correspond to a newer version of the program in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the second feature extracted from the target's first biometric information is registered. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the target's first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information may be registered.

[0032] Next, the operation of the information processing device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the acquisition unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires first biometric information of a target (step S201). The matching unit 22 of the information processing device 20 performs first matching of the target using the first biometric information in accordance with a first biometric authentication engine (step S202).

[0033] The registration unit 23 of the information processing device 20 may determine whether a biometric information corresponding to the target has been identified by the first matching (step S203). If it is determined in the processing of step S203 that a biometric information corresponding to the target has been identified by the first matching (step S203: Yes), the registration unit 23 registers the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information as registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine in association with identification information related to the biometric information corresponding to the target (step S204). On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of step S203 that a biometric information corresponding to the target has not been identified by the first matching (step S203: No), the operation shown in FIG. 4 may be terminated.

[0034] In this way, the information processing device 20 may perform an information processing method in which it acquires first biometric information of a target, performs first matching of the target using the first biometric information in accordance with a first biometric authentication engine, and, if a biometric corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registers the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information as registration information for a second biometric authentication engine that uses the same authentication method as the first biometric authentication engine, in association with identification information related to the biometric corresponding to the target.

[0035] 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 record a computer program for causing the computer to execute an information processing method to acquire first biometric information of a target, perform first matching of the target using the first biometric information in accordance with a first biometric authentication engine, and, if a biometric corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, register the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information as registration information for a second biometric authentication engine that uses the same authentication method as the first biometric authentication engine, in association with identification information related to the biometric corresponding to the target.

[0036] (Technical Effect) The information processing device 20 can perform biometric authentication according to a first biometric authentication engine and registration of registration information related to a second biometric authentication engine in parallel. Here, the second biometric authentication engine may be, for example, a newer version of an engine (in other words, a program) than the first biometric authentication engine. The second biometric authentication engine may be, for example, a program related to biometric authentication specialized for a specific situation. Therefore, according to the information processing device 20, similar to the information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to perform at least one of upgrading the program and installing a program specialized for a specific situation while continuing biometric authentication of the target.

[0037] Third Embodiment A third embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Below, the third embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, 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 descriptions for the first and second embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0038] 5 , 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. Note that the information processing device 100 does not necessarily have to include at least one of the input device 140 and the output device 150.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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, a 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. The storage device 120 is capable of storing desired data. The memory 1201 of the storage device 120 may store a computer program 1201a executed by the arithmetic device 110. The storage device 120 may temporarily store data temporarily used by the arithmetic device 110 when the arithmetic device 110 is executing the computer program 1201a.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The communication device 130 may be capable of communicating with devices external to the information processing device 100. The communication device 130 may perform wired communication or wireless communication.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 6, the arithmetic device 110 may include, as logically realized functional blocks or physically realized processing circuits, an acquisition unit 111, a first extraction unit 112, a first collation unit 113, a second extraction unit 114, and a registration unit 115. Note that at least one of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first collation unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, and the registration unit 115 may be realized in a form in which a logical functional block and a physical processing circuit (i.e., hardware) are mixed.

[0048] Note that when the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, and the registration unit 115 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, and the registration unit 115 may be realized by a single processor (e.g., processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, and the registration unit 115 may be realized by different processors. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, and the registration unit 115 may be partially realized by a single processor, and the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, and the registration unit 115 may be realized by one or more other processors different from the single processor.

[0049] The "acquisition unit 111," "first extraction unit 112," "first collation unit 113," "second extraction unit 114," and "registration unit 115" are components corresponding to the "acquisition unit 11," "first extraction unit 12," "first collation unit 13," "second extraction unit 14," and "registration unit 15" in the first embodiment, respectively. The information processing device 100 may constitute a part of an information processing system. In this case, it can be said that the information processing system includes the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first collation unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, and the registration unit 115.

[0050] The acquisition unit 111 acquires first biometric information of a target. The first extraction unit 112 extracts a first feature from the first biometric information. The first matching unit 113 performs a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance. The second extraction unit 114 extracts a second feature from the first biometric information. When a biometric corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, the registration unit 115 registers the second feature in association with identification information related to the biometric corresponding to the target.

[0051] Here, the database in which the first registered feature is registered may be different from the database in which the registration unit 115 registers the second feature. For example, the first registered feature may be registered in the database 210. As shown in FIG. 7A, the first registered feature may be registered in association with a registered ID. The registered ID may function as management information for managing the first registered feature. The registered ID may also function as identification information for identifying a living body having the feature represented by the first registered feature. When a living body corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, the registration unit 115 may acquire a registered ID for the identified living body (in other words, a registered ID associated with the first registered feature) based on the database 210. The registration unit 115 may associate the second feature with the acquired registered ID and register it in the database 220 shown in FIG. 7B. Note that the databases 210 and 220 may be registered in, for example, the storage device 120.

[0052] Alternatively, the database in which the first registered feature is registered and the database in which the registration unit 115 registers the second feature may be the same. For example, the first registered feature may be registered in a "feature 1" column of the database 230 shown in FIG. 8. When a living body corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, the registration unit 115 may identify a registered ID for the identified living body (in other words, a registered ID associated with the first registered feature) based on the database 230. The registration unit 115 may associate the second feature with the identified registered ID and register it in a "feature 2" column of the database 230. Note that the database 23 may be registered in, for example, the storage device 120.

[0053] (Technical effect) According to the information processing device 100 of the third embodiment, similar to the information processing device 10 of the first embodiment, it is possible to perform at least one of upgrading the program and introducing a program specialized for a specific situation while continuing biometric authentication of the target.

[0054] Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, 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 descriptions of the first to third embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0055] The information processing device 100 according to the fourth 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. 9 , the calculation device 110a may include an acquisition unit 111, a matching unit 113a, and a registration unit 115 as logically realized functional blocks or as physically realized processing circuits. At least one of the acquisition unit 111, the matching unit 113a, and the registration unit 115 may be realized in a form in which a logical functional block and a physical processing circuit (i.e., hardware) are mixed.

[0056] When the acquisition unit 111, the matching unit 113a, and the registration unit 115 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111, the matching unit 113a, and the registration unit 115 may be realized by a single processor (e.g., processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the matching unit 113a, and the registration unit 115 may each be realized by different processors. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the matching unit 113a, and part of the registration unit 115 may be realized by one processor, and the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 111, the matching unit 113a, and the registration unit 115 may be realized by one or more other processors different from the one processor. The "acquisition unit 111," "matching unit 113a," and "registration unit 115" are components corresponding to the "acquisition unit 21," "matching unit 22," and "registration unit 23" in the second embodiment, respectively. The "collation unit 22" may have the functions of both the "first extraction unit 12" and the "first collation unit 13" in the first embodiment.

[0057] The acquisition unit 111 acquires first biometric information of a target. The matching unit 113a performs first matching of the target using the first biometric information in accordance with the first biometric authentication engine. When a biometric corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, the registration unit 115 registers the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information as registration information for the second biometric authentication engine in association with identification information related to the biometric corresponding to the target.

[0058] Note that the database in which the registration information regarding the first biometric authentication engine (e.g., at least one of features and biometric information) is registered may be different from or the same as the database in which the registration information regarding the second biometric authentication engine (e.g., the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information) is registered.

[0059] (Technical effect) According to the information processing device 100 of the fourth embodiment, similar to the information processing device 10 of the second embodiment, it is possible to perform at least one of upgrading the program and introducing a program specialized for a specific situation while continuing biometric authentication of the target.

[0060] Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, 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 descriptions of the first to fourth embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0061] The information processing device 100 according to the fifth embodiment may include a calculation device 110b instead of the calculation device 110. Like the calculation device 110, the calculation device 110b may include one or more processors. As shown in FIG. 10 , the calculation device 110b may include an acquisition unit 111, a first extraction unit 112, a first matching unit 113, a second extraction unit 114, a registration unit 115, and a second matching unit 116 as logically realized functional blocks or as physically realized processing circuits. At least one of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, and the second matching unit 116 may be realized in a form in which a logical functional block and a physical processing circuit (i.e., hardware) are mixed.

[0062] When the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, and the second matching unit 116 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, and the second matching unit 116 may be realized by a single processor (for example, the processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, and the second matching unit 116 may be realized by different processors. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, and part of the second matching unit 116 may be realized by a single processor, and the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, and the second matching unit 116 may be realized by one or more other processors different from the single processor.

[0063] In the fifth embodiment, the first extraction unit 112 and the first matching unit 113 may operate according to a first biometric authentication engine (Eng. 1). The second extraction unit 114 and the second matching unit 116 may operate according to a second biometric authentication engine (Eng. 2). Below, we first describe the registration operation of registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine. Then, we describe biometric authentication according to the second biometric authentication engine.

[0064] (Registration Operation) The registration operation of the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine will be described. The acquisition unit 111 acquires first biometric information of a target. The first extraction unit 112 extracts first features from the first biometric information in accordance with the first biometric authentication engine. The first matching unit 113 performs first matching of the target using the first features and the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine in accordance with the first biometric authentication engine.

[0065] The database may have features registered as registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine. In this case, the first matching unit 113 may perform the first matching using the first feature and the registered feature (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "registered feature"). For example, the first matching unit 113 may calculate a first matching score using the first feature and the registered feature. For example, the first matching unit 113 may determine whether the first matching score is equal to or greater than a first threshold. If it is determined that the first matching score is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the first matching unit 113 may determine that the target corresponds to one of the biometrics related to the registered feature used to calculate the first matching score. In other words, a case in which the first matching score is equal to or greater than the first threshold corresponds to an example of "a case in which a biometric corresponding to the target is identified by first matching" in the first to fourth embodiments. On the other hand, if the first matching score is determined to be smaller than the first threshold, the first matching unit 113 may determine that the target does not correspond to one of the living bodies related to the registered feature used to calculate the first matching score. Alternatively, if the first matching score is determined to be smaller than the first threshold, the first matching unit 113 may determine that the registered information related to the target is not registered in the database.

[0066] Alternatively, biometric information (e.g., at least one of an image and a sound) may be registered in the database as registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine. In this case, the first extraction unit 112 may first extract features from the registered biometric information (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "registered biometric information") according to the first biometric authentication engine. Then, the first matching unit 113 may perform first matching using the first features and the features extracted from the registered biometric information. For example, the first matching unit 113 may calculate a first matching score using the first features and the features extracted from the registered biometric information. For example, the first matching unit 113 may determine whether the first matching score is equal to or greater than a first threshold. If it is determined that the first matching score is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the first matching unit 113 may determine that the target corresponds to one biometric related to the registered biometric information used to calculate the first matching score. On the other hand, if the first matching score is determined to be smaller than the first threshold, the first matching unit 113 may determine that the target does not correspond to one of the biometric information related to the registered biometric information used to calculate the first matching score. Alternatively, if the first matching score is determined to be smaller than the first threshold, the first matching unit 113 may determine that the registered information related to the target is not registered in the database.

[0067] As described above, if the first matching score is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the subject is identified as a specific individual. Identifying the subject as a specific individual through the first matching may be referred to as a "first matching success" and / or a "first biometric authentication success." On the other hand, if the first matching score is less than the first threshold, the subject is not identified as a specific individual. Not identifying the subject as a specific individual through the first matching may be referred to as a "first matching failure" and / or a "first biometric authentication failure."

[0068] If the first matching is successful, the registration unit 115 may acquire identification information (e.g., the “registration ID” in the third embodiment) related to one biometric characteristic corresponding to the target. Here, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine may be a feature. In this case, the second extraction unit 112 may extract a second feature from the first biometric information (i.e., the first biometric information used in the first matching described above) in accordance with the second biometric authentication engine. The registration unit 115 may associate the second feature with the acquired identification information and register it in the database. Alternatively, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine may be biometric information. In this case, the registration unit 115 may associate the first biometric information (i.e., the first biometric information used in the first matching described above) with the acquired identification information and register it in the database. Note that the database in which the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is registered may be different from or the same as the database in which the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine is registered.

[0069] (Matching Operation) The following describes biometric authentication (in other words, matching operation) according to the second biometric authentication engine. The acquisition unit 111 may acquire second biometric information of a target. The second extraction unit 114 may extract a fourth feature from the second biometric information according to the second biometric authentication engine. The second matching unit 116 may perform second matching of the target using the second feature and registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine according to the second biometric authentication engine.

[0070] The database may have registered features as registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine. In this case, the second matching unit 116 may perform the second matching using the fourth feature and the registered feature (hereinafter referred to as "registered feature") as appropriate. For example, the second matching unit 116 may calculate a second matching score using the fourth feature and the registered feature. For example, the second matching unit 116 may determine whether the second matching score is equal to or greater than a second threshold. If it is determined that the second matching score is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the second matching unit 116 may determine that the subject corresponds to one biometric entity related to the registered feature used to calculate the second matching score. On the other hand, if it is determined that the second matching score is smaller than the second threshold, the second matching unit 116 may determine that the subject does not correspond to one biometric entity related to the registered feature used to calculate the second matching score. Alternatively, if it is determined that the second matching score is smaller than the second threshold, the second matching unit 116 may determine that the registration information relating to the target is not registered in the database.

[0071] Alternatively, biometric information (e.g., at least one of an image and a sound) may be registered in the database as registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine. In this case, the second extraction unit 114 may first extract features from the registered biometric information (hereinafter referred to as "registered biometric information") according to the second biometric authentication engine. Then, the second matching unit 116 may perform second matching using the fourth feature and the feature extracted from the registered biometric information. For example, the second matching unit 116 may calculate a second matching score using the fourth feature and the feature extracted from the registered biometric information. For example, the second matching unit 116 may determine whether the second matching score is equal to or greater than a second threshold. If it is determined that the second matching score is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the second matching unit 116 may determine that the subject corresponds to one biometric associated with the registered biometric information used to calculate the second matching score. On the other hand, if the second matching score is determined to be smaller than the second threshold, the second matching unit 116 may determine that the target does not correspond to one of the biometric information related to the registered biometric information used to calculate the second matching score. Alternatively, if the second matching score is determined to be smaller than the second threshold, the second matching unit 116 may determine that the registered information related to the target is not registered in the database.

[0072] As described above, if the second matching score is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the subject is identified as a specific individual. Identification of the subject as a specific individual through the second matching may be referred to as "second matching is successful" and / or "second biometric authentication is successful." On the other hand, if the second matching score is less than the second threshold, the subject is not identified as a specific individual. Failure to identify the subject as a specific individual through the second matching may be referred to as "second matching is unsuccessful" and / or "second biometric authentication is unsuccessful."

[0073] Note that even when second matching is performed using a second biometric authentication engine, first matching using a first biometric authentication engine may be performed. When both first matching and second matching are performed on a target, the information processing device 100 may determine that the target's identity has been verified on the condition that at least one of the first matching and the second matching is successful. In other words, the information processing device 100 may determine that the target's identity has been verified if (i) both the first matching and the second matching are successful, (ii) the first matching is successful but the second matching is unsuccessful, or (iii) the first matching is unsuccessful but the second matching is successful.

[0074] (Technical effect) According to the information processing device 100 of the fifth embodiment, similar to the information processing device 10 of the first embodiment and the information processing device 10 of the second embodiment, it is possible to perform at least one of upgrading the program and introducing a program specialized for a specific situation while continuing biometric authentication of the target.

[0075] Sixth Embodiment A sixth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Below, the sixth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, 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 descriptions of the first to fifth embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0076] The information processing device 100 according to the sixth embodiment may include a calculation device 110c instead of the calculation device 110. Like the calculation device 110, the calculation device 110c may include one or more processors. As shown in FIG. 11 , the calculation device 110c may include an acquisition unit 111, a first extraction unit 112, a first matching unit 113, a second extraction unit 114, a registration unit 115, a second matching unit 116, and a score calculation unit 117 as logically realized functional blocks or physically realized processing circuits. Note that at least one of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the score calculation unit 117 may be realized in a form that combines logical functional blocks and physical processing circuits (i.e., hardware).

[0077] When the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the score calculation unit 117 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the score calculation unit 117 may be realized by a single processor (e.g., processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the score calculation unit 117 may be realized by different processors. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and part of the score calculation unit 117 may be realized by a single processor, and the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the score calculation unit 117 may be realized by one or more other processors different from the single processor.

[0078] The score calculation unit 117 may calculate a first affinity score indicating the affinity between the first biometric information of the target acquired by the acquisition unit 111 and the first biometric authentication engine. Note that the higher the affinity between the first biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine, the larger the calculated first affinity score. Note that the score calculation unit 117 may calculate the first affinity score only when the first matching is successful.

[0079] The above-mentioned "affinity" will be further explained using specific examples. The affinity between the first biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine varies mainly depending on the quality of the first biometric information and the specifications and performance of the first biometric authentication engine. For example, the first biometric authentication engine may be an engine related to facial recognition. In this case, examples of the specifications of the first biometric authentication engine include at least one of the range of compatible face orientations and whether or not the engine is compatible with obstructions. For example, the orientation of a target's face relative to a camera often changes each time an image is captured. For example, when a target is registered using a face image captured from the front, it may be difficult to correctly identify the target if the target's face orientation when the face image is captured as the first biometric information deviates from the front orientation. For example, it may be difficult to correctly identify the target if the target is wearing an obstruction such as a mask or sunglasses. For example, in a biometric authentication engine with a relatively narrow range of compatible face orientations, the closer the target's face orientation in the face image is to the front orientation, the higher the affinity with the face image (corresponding to the first biometric information). For example, in a biometric authentication engine that does not support obstructions, the fewer obstructions there are in the target's face, the higher the affinity with the face image (corresponding to the first biometric information).

[0080] If the first biometric authentication engine is an engine related to face authentication, the first biometric information may be a face image. In this case, examples of the quality of the first biometric information include at least one of resolution and lighting conditions. For example, if the number of pixels included in the face area in a face image is relatively small, it is more difficult to correctly identify the target than if the number of pixels included in the face area is relatively large. For example, if relatively strong light, such as sunlight, is shining on at least one of the target and the camera, it is more difficult to correctly identify the target than if relatively strong light is not shining on the target and the camera. Note that if relatively strong light is shining on the camera, backlighting may be included. Therefore, it can be said that the higher the resolution, the higher the affinity between the first biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine. Furthermore, if the target's face in the face image is too bright or too dark, it can be said that the affinity between the first biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine is low.

[0081] If the first biometric authentication engine is an engine related to face authentication, the first biometric information may be a face image. For example, if the face authentication engine is robust to resolution, it may be deemed to have high affinity even if the number of pixels is relatively small. If the face authentication engine is robust to lighting conditions, it may be deemed to have high affinity even if the image contains relatively strong light such as sunlight. If the face authentication engine is robust to backlight, it may be deemed to have high affinity even if the image is backlit. If the face authentication engine is robust to brightness of the face in the image, it may be deemed to have high affinity even if the target face in the face image is too bright or too dark.

[0082] For example, when the first biometric authentication engine is an engine related to face authentication and the first biometric information is a face image, the score calculation unit 117 may calculate the first affinity score as follows. For example, the score calculation unit 117 may calculate multiple evaluation values ​​indicating evaluations of the resolution of the face image, the brightness of the face area, the face orientation, and the degree of obstruction. The score calculation unit 117 may calculate, for example, the sum of the multiple evaluation values, the average of the multiple evaluation values, or the weighted average of the multiple evaluation values ​​as the first affinity score. Note that "affinity" may mean, for example, "ease of identifying the target."

[0083] The score calculation unit 117 may calculate a first affinity score indicating the affinity between the first feature extracted from the target first biometric information by the first extraction unit 112 and the first biometric authentication engine. For example, when the first feature is expressed as a vector, the score calculation unit 117 may calculate the L2 norm (also referred to as Euclidean distance) of the first feature as the first affinity score. The higher the affinity between the first feature and the first biometric authentication engine, the larger the calculated first affinity score.

[0084] If the first matching is successful, the registration unit 115 may acquire identification information (e.g., “registration ID” in the third embodiment) related to one biometric information corresponding to the target. In this case, the registration unit 115 may determine whether the first affinity score is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. Here, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine may be a feature. If it is determined that the first affinity score is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value, the second extraction unit 112 may extract a second feature from the first biometric information in accordance with the second biometric authentication engine. The registration unit 115 may associate the second feature with the acquired identification information and register it in the database. Alternatively, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine may be biometric information. If it is determined that the first affinity score is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value, the registration unit 115 may associate the first biometric information with the acquired identification information and register it in the database. If the first affinity score is smaller than the first predetermined value, the registration unit 115 does not need to register the registration information (for example, the second feature amount or the first biometric information) related to the second biometric authentication engine.

[0085] The first predetermined value is a value that determines whether or not to register registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine. The first predetermined value may be set as a predetermined fixed value or as a variable value corresponding to some physical quantity or parameter. The first predetermined value may be set, for example, as follows: First, a relationship between the first affinity score and the possibility of erroneous authentication may be determined. Next, based on the relationship, a range of first affinity scores within which the possibility of erroneous authentication is within an acceptable range may be determined. Then, the lower limit of the determined range of first affinity scores may be set as the first predetermined value.

[0086] (Technical Effect) For example, when a biometric authentication engine is upgraded, the new version of the biometric authentication engine often has more powerful performance and functions than the older version. Therefore, the new version of the biometric authentication engine often can handle not only the states and situations that the older version of the biometric authentication engine can handle, but also the states and situations that the older version of the biometric authentication engine cannot handle. Therefore, biometric information that has a relatively high affinity with the older version of the biometric authentication engine can be considered to have a relatively high affinity with the new version of the biometric authentication engine.

[0087] Here, the first biometric authentication engine corresponds to an older version of the biometric authentication engine, and the second biometric authentication engine corresponds to a newer version of the biometric authentication engine. When the first affinity score is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, it can be said that the first biometric information has a relatively high affinity with the first biometric authentication engine. Therefore, it can be considered that the first biometric information also has a relatively high affinity with the second biometric authentication engine. In the sixth embodiment, when the first affinity score is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value, registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is registered. Therefore, according to the information processing device 100 according to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to improve the quality of registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine.

[0088] Seventh Embodiment A seventh embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Below, the seventh embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, 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 descriptions of the first to sixth embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0089] Like the information processing device 100 according to the sixth embodiment, the information processing device 100 according to the seventh embodiment may include a calculation device 110c shown in Fig. 11 instead of the calculation device 110. In the seventh embodiment, an example of a method for updating registration information related to a second biometric authentication engine after the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is registered will be described.

[0090] If the first matching is successful, the registration unit 115 may acquire identification information (e.g., "registration ID" in the third embodiment) related to one biometric information corresponding to the target. In this case, the registration unit 115 may determine whether the first affinity score is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. If it is determined that the first affinity score is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value, the registration unit 115 may associate the second feature or the first biometric information with the acquired identification information and register it in, for example, the database 240 shown in FIG. 12 . In this case, the registration unit 115 may also associate the first affinity score with the acquired identification information and register it in the database 240. Note that the first affinity score registered in the database 240 is a value greater than the first predetermined value.

[0091] Thereafter, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire second biometric information of the target. The first extraction unit 112 may extract a third feature from the second biometric information in accordance with the first biometric authentication engine. The first matching unit 113 may perform first matching of the target using the third feature and registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine in accordance with the first biometric authentication engine. If the first matching is successful, the score calculation unit 117 may calculate a second affinity score indicating the affinity between the second biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine. Note that the score calculation unit 117 may calculate the second affinity score indicating the affinity between the third feature and the first biometric authentication engine.

[0092] If the first matching is successful, the registration unit 115 may acquire identification information (e.g., the “registration ID” in the third embodiment) related to one biometric information corresponding to the target. The registration unit 115 may acquire an affinity score (i.e., a first affinity score) associated with the acquired identification information from the database 240. The registration unit 115 may determine whether the second affinity score calculated this time by the score calculation unit 117 is greater than the first affinity score registered in the database 240. Here, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine may be a feature. If it is determined that the second affinity score is greater than the first affinity score, the second extraction unit 112 may extract a fourth feature from the second biometric information (i.e., the second biometric information used in the first matching) in accordance with the second biometric authentication engine. The registration unit 115 may associate the fourth feature with the acquired identification information and register it in the database 240. Alternatively, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine may be biometric information. If it is determined that the second affinity score is greater than the first affinity score, the registration unit 115 may associate the second biometric information (i.e., the second biometric information used in the above-described first matching) with the acquired identification information and register it in the database 240. Note that if the second affinity score is equal to or less than the first affinity score, the registration unit 115 does not need to register registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine (e.g., the fourth feature or the second biometric information).

[0093] (Technical Effect) In the seventh embodiment, after registration information related to a second biometric authentication engine is registered, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is updated with biometric information or feature values ​​having a higher affinity score. Therefore, the information processing device 100 according to the seventh embodiment can further improve the quality of the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine.

[0094] Eighth Embodiment An eighth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Hereinafter, the eighth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the eighth embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the descriptions of the first to seventh embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0095] The information processing device 100 according to the eighth embodiment may include a calculation device 110b shown in Fig. 10 instead of the calculation device 110. In the sixth and seventh embodiments, whether to register the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is determined based on an affinity score (e.g., at least one of the first affinity score and the second affinity score). In the eighth embodiment, whether to register the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is determined based on a matching score (e.g., the first matching score) calculated by the first matching unit 113 instead of the affinity score.

[0096] As described in the fifth embodiment, for example, the first matching unit 113 may calculate a first matching score by using the first feature (i.e., the first feature extracted from the first biometric information by the first extraction unit 112) and the enrollment information related to the first biometric authentication engine. Here, the first matching score may mean at least one of "a score indicating the degree of match between the first feature and the enrollment information related to the first biometric authentication engine (specifically, the enrollment feature or the feature extracted from the enrolled biometric information)" and "a score indicating the degree of similarity between the first feature and the enrollment information related to the first biometric authentication engine (specifically, the enrollment feature or the feature extracted from the enrolled biometric information)."

[0097] For example, a first biometric authentication engine may be initially installed in the information processing device 100. In this case, in order to use biometric authentication according to the first biometric authentication engine, biometric information of a user corresponding to a target or feature amounts extracted from the biometric information are registered in a database, for example, as part of usage settings. The registered biometric information or feature amounts can be considered to be suitable for the first biometric authentication engine (in other words, to have a relatively high affinity with the first biometric authentication engine).

[0098] When the first matching score is relatively high, it can be said that the first feature amount (in other words, the first biometric information having the feature represented by the first feature amount) is relatively similar to the enrollment information related to the first biometric authentication engine. In other words, when the first matching score is relatively high, it can be said that the first feature amount (in other words, the first biometric information having the feature represented by the first feature amount) has a relatively high affinity with the first biometric authentication engine. Therefore, it can be said that the matching score calculated by the first matching unit 113 is an index equivalent to the affinity score.

[0099] If the first matching is successful, the registration unit 115 may acquire identification information (e.g., “registration ID” in the third embodiment) related to one biometric feature corresponding to the target. In this case, the registration unit 115 may determine whether the first matching score is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value. Here, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine may be a feature. If it is determined that the first matching score is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value, the second extraction unit 112 may extract a second feature from the first biometric information in accordance with the second biometric authentication engine. The registration unit 115 may associate the second feature with the acquired identification information and register it in the database. Alternatively, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine may be biometric information. If it is determined that the first matching score is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value, the registration unit 115 may associate the first biometric information with the acquired identification information and register it in the database. If the first matching score is smaller than the second predetermined value, the registration unit 115 does not need to register the registration information (for example, the second feature amount or the first biometric information) related to the second biometric authentication engine.

[0100] The second predetermined value is a value that determines whether or not to register registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine. The second predetermined value may be set as a predetermined fixed value or as a variable value corresponding to some physical quantity or parameter. The second predetermined value may be set, for example, as follows: First, a relationship between the first matching score and the possibility of erroneous authentication may be obtained. Next, based on the relationship, a range of the first matching score within which the possibility of erroneous authentication is within an acceptable range may be obtained. Then, the lower limit of the obtained range of the first matching score may be set as the first predetermined value.

[0101] (Technical Effect) According to the information processing device 100 according to the eighth embodiment, similar to the information processing device 100 according to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to improve the quality of the enrollment information related to the second biometric authentication engine.

[0102] Ninth Embodiment A ninth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Hereinafter, the ninth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the ninth embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the descriptions of the first to eighth embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0103] The information processing device 100 according to the ninth embodiment may include a calculation device 110b shown in FIG. 10 instead of the calculation device 110. In the sixth and seventh embodiments, whether to register registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is determined based on an affinity score (e.g., at least one of the first affinity score and the second affinity score). In the ninth embodiment, whether to register registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is determined based on a matching score (e.g., the first matching score) calculated by the first matching unit 113 instead of the affinity score. In particular, the ninth embodiment describes an example of a method for updating registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine after the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine has been registered.

[0104] If the first matching is successful, the registration unit 115 may acquire identification information (e.g., "registration ID" in the third embodiment) related to one biometric information corresponding to the target. In this case, the registration unit 115 may determine whether the first matching score is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value. If it is determined that the first matching score is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value, the registration unit 115 may associate the second feature amount or the first biometric information with the acquired identification information and register it in the database. In this case, the registration unit 115 may also register the first matching score in the database in association with the acquired identification information. Note that the first matching score registered in the database is a value greater than the second predetermined value.

[0105] Thereafter, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire second biometric information of the target. The first extraction unit 112 may extract a third feature from the second biometric information in accordance with the first biometric authentication engine. The first matching unit 113 may perform first matching of the target in accordance with the first biometric authentication engine, using the third feature and enrollment information related to the first biometric authentication engine. In this case, the first matching unit 113 may calculate a second matching score using the third feature and enrollment information related to the first biometric authentication engine.

[0106] If the first matching is successful, the registration unit 115 may acquire identification information related to one biometric feature corresponding to the target (e.g., the “registration ID” in the third embodiment). The registration unit 115 may acquire a matching score (i.e., a first matching score) associated with the acquired identification information from a database. The registration unit 115 may determine whether the second matching score calculated this time by the first matching unit 113 is greater than the first matching score registered in the database. Here, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine may be a feature. If it is determined that the second matching score is greater than the first matching score, the second extraction unit 112 may extract a fourth feature from the second biometric information (i.e., the second biometric information used in the first matching) in accordance with the second biometric authentication engine. The registration unit 115 may associate the fourth feature with the acquired identification information and register it in the database. Alternatively, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine may be biometric information. If it is determined that the second matching score is greater than the first matching score, the registration unit 115 may register the second biometric information (i.e., the second biometric information used in the first matching described above) in the database in association with the acquired identification information. Note that if the second matching score is equal to or less than the first matching score, the registration unit 115 does not need to register registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine (e.g., the fourth feature or the second biometric information).

[0107] (Technical Effect) According to the information processing device 100 according to the ninth embodiment, similar to the information processing device 100 according to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to further improve the quality of the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine.

[0108] Tenth Embodiment A tenth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Hereinafter, the tenth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the tenth embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the descriptions of the first to ninth embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0109] The information processing device 100 according to the tenth embodiment may include a calculation device 110d instead of the calculation device 110. Like the calculation device 110, the calculation device 110d may include one or more processors. As shown in FIG. 13 , the calculation device 110d may include an acquisition unit 111, a first extraction unit 112, a first matching unit 113, a second extraction unit 114, a registration unit 115, a second matching unit 116, and a deletion unit 118 as logically realized functional blocks or physically realized processing circuits. Note that at least one of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the deletion unit 118 may be realized in a form in which logical functional blocks and physical processing circuits (i.e., hardware) are mixed.

[0110] When the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first collation unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second collation unit 116, and the deletion unit 118 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first collation unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second collation unit 116, and the deletion unit 118 may be realized by a single processor (for example, the processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first collation unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second collation unit 116, and the deletion unit 118 may be realized by different processors. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and part of the deletion unit 118 may be realized by a single processor, and the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the deletion unit 118 may be realized by one or more other processors different from the single processor.

[0111] If the first matching is successful, the registration unit 115 may acquire identification information (e.g., a "registration ID" in the third embodiment) related to one biometric feature corresponding to the target. The registration unit 115 may associate the second feature or the first biometric information with the acquired identification information and register it in a database. For example, after the registration unit 115 registers the second feature or the first biometric information in the database (in other words, after the registration unit 115 registers registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine for one biometric feature corresponding to the target), the deletion unit 118 may delete the registration information (e.g., at least one of the registration feature and the registration biometric information) associated with the identification information related to the one biometric feature corresponding to the target from the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine.

[0112] If the database in which the registration information for the first biometric authentication engine is registered is different from the database in which the registration information for the second biometric authentication engine is registered, the deletion unit 118 may delete all information associated with the identification information for one biometric corresponding to the target from the database in which the registration information for the first biometric authentication engine is registered. The information processing device 100 according to the tenth embodiment does not need to include the deletion unit 118. In this case, the registration unit 115 may have the function of the deletion unit 118.

[0113] (Technical Effect) The information processing device 100 according to the tenth embodiment deletes the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine for a target for which registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine has been registered. Therefore, the information processing device 100 according to the tenth embodiment can reduce consumption of storage space.

[0114] <First Modification> A first modification of the information processing device 100 according to the tenth embodiment will be described. In the first modification, similar to the eighth embodiment, when the first matching score is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value, registration information related to a second biometric authentication engine for a biometric corresponding to a target may be registered. For example, after the registration unit 115 registers the second feature or the first biometric information in the database (in other words, after the registration unit 115 registers registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine for a biometric corresponding to a target), the deletion unit 118 may delete registration information (e.g., at least one of the registered feature and the registered biometric information) associated with the identification information related to the biometric corresponding to the target from the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine.

[0115] In this case, it can be said that the deletion unit 118 deletes registration information (e.g., at least one of the registered feature amount and the registered biometric information) associated with the identification information related to one biometric element corresponding to the target from the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine when the first matching score is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value. This configuration can reduce consumption of storage space. The information processing device 100 according to the first modification does not need to include the deletion unit 118. In this case, the registration unit 115 may have the function of the deletion unit 118.

[0116] <Second Modification> A second modification of the information processing device 100 according to the tenth embodiment will be described. An operator of the information processing device 100 may input deletion information indicating registration information to be deleted from the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine to the information processing device 100 via the input device 140. For example, the registration information to be deleted indicated by the deletion information may be registration information related to at least one of a retiree, a worker on leave, a seconded employee, and a transferred employee. The deletion unit 118 may delete the registration information to be deleted from the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine based on the deletion information. This configuration can reduce consumption of storage space. The information processing device 100 according to the second modification does not necessarily have to include the deletion unit 118. In this case, the registration unit 115 may have the function of the deletion unit 118. When a worker on leave, a seconded employee, or a transferred employee whose registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine has been deleted returns to work, the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine of the returning employee may be registered according to a new registration procedure.

[0117] <Third Modification> A third modification of the information processing device 100 according to the tenth embodiment will be described. When the number of pieces of registration information registered in the database related to the first biometric authentication engine becomes equal to or less than a predetermined number (for example, zero), the deletion unit 118 may delete the first biometric authentication engine from the information processing device 100. This configuration makes it possible to reduce consumption of storage space. Note that when the database in which the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine is registered is different from the database in which the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is registered, the deletion unit 118 may delete the database related to the first biometric authentication engine.

[0118] <Fourth Modification> A fourth modification of the information processing device 100 according to the tenth embodiment will be described. The deletion unit 118 may delete registered information related to the first biometric authentication engine when a predetermined period (e.g., one month) has passed since the second biometric authentication engine was installed in the information processing device 100. This configuration can reduce consumption of storage space. Note that the information processing device 100 according to the fourth modification does not need to include the deletion unit 118. In this case, the registration unit 115 may have the function of the deletion unit 118.

[0119] <Fifth Modification> A fifth modification of the information processing device 100 according to the tenth embodiment will be described. The deletion unit 118 may delete the first biometric authentication engine when a predetermined period of time (e.g., one month) has elapsed since the second biometric authentication engine was installed in the information processing device 100. This configuration can reduce consumption of storage space. Note that if the database in which registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine is registered is different from the database in which registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is registered, the deletion unit 118 may delete the database in which registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine is registered.

[0120] <Sixth Modification> A fifth modification of the information processing device 100 according to the tenth embodiment will be described. As the number of biometrics registered with registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine increases and the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine for a biometric registered with registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is deleted, the number of failures of the first matching increases. The deletion unit 118 may delete the first biometric authentication engine if the first matching fails continuously for a predetermined period (e.g., one month). This configuration can reduce consumption of storage space. Note that if the database in which the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine is registered differs from the database in which the registration information related to the second biometric authentication engine is registered, the deletion unit 118 may delete the database in which the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine is registered.

[0121] Eleventh Embodiment An eleventh embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Hereinafter, the eleventh embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the eleventh embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the descriptions of the first to tenth embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0122] The information processing device 100 according to the eleventh embodiment may include a calculation device 110e instead of the calculation device 110. Like the calculation device 110, the calculation device 110e may include one or more processors. As shown in FIG. 14 , the calculation device 110e may include an acquisition unit 111, a first extraction unit 112, a first matching unit 113, a second extraction unit 114, a registration unit 115, a second matching unit 116, a score calculation unit 117, and a deletion unit 118 as logically realized functional blocks or physically realized processing circuits. Note that at least one of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, the score calculation unit 117, and the deletion unit 118 may be realized in a form in which logical functional blocks and physical processing circuits (i.e., hardware) are mixed.

[0123] When the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, the score calculation unit 117, and the deletion unit 118 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, the score calculation unit 117, and the deletion unit 118 may be realized by a single processor (e.g., processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, the score calculation unit 117, and the deletion unit 118 may be realized by different processors. Alternatively, some of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, the score calculation unit 117, and the deletion unit 118 may be realized by a single processor, and the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, the score calculation unit 117, and the deletion unit 118 may be realized by one or more other processors different from the single processor.

[0124] If the first matching is successful, the registration unit 115 may acquire identification information (e.g., a “registration ID” in the third embodiment) related to one biometric entity corresponding to the target. In this case, the registration unit 115 may determine whether the first affinity score is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. If it is determined that the first affinity score is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value, the registration unit 115 may associate the second feature or the first biometric information with the acquired identification information and register it in a database. For example, after the registration unit 115 registers the second feature or the first biometric information in a database (in other words, after the registration unit 115 registers registration information related to a second biometric authentication engine for one biometric entity corresponding to the target), the deletion unit 118 may delete registration information (e.g., at least one of the registration feature and the registration biometric information) associated with the identification information related to one biometric entity corresponding to the target from the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine.

[0125] In this case, it can be said that the deletion unit 118 deletes registration information (e.g., at least one of the registered feature amount and the registered biometric information) associated with identification information related to one biometric entity corresponding to the target from the registration information related to the first biometric authentication engine when the first affinity score is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. Note that the information processing device 100 according to the eleventh embodiment does not need to include the deletion unit 118. In this case, the registration unit 115 may have the function of the deletion unit 118.

[0126] (Technical Effect) According to the information processing device 100 of the eleventh embodiment, it is possible to suppress consumption of storage areas, similar to the information processing device 100 of the tenth embodiment. Note that the information processing device 100 of the eleventh embodiment can have the same configuration as the second to sixth modified examples of the tenth embodiment described above.

[0127] <Twelfth embodiment> A twelfth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Below, the twelfth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described using an information processing device 100. Note that, for the twelfth embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the descriptions of the first to eleventh embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0128] The information processing device 100 according to the twelfth embodiment may include a calculation device 110f instead of the calculation device 110. Like the calculation device 110, the calculation device 110f may include one or more processors. As shown in FIG. 15 , the calculation device 110e may include an acquisition unit 111, a first extraction unit 112, a first matching unit 113, a second extraction unit 114, a registration unit 115, a second matching unit 116, and a switching unit 119 as logically realized functional blocks or physically realized processing circuits. Note that at least one of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the switching unit 119 may be realized in a form in which logical functional blocks and physical processing circuits (i.e., hardware) are mixed.

[0129] When the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the switching unit 119 are realized as functional blocks, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the switching unit 119 may be realized by a single processor (e.g., processor 1101). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the switching unit 119 may be realized by different processors. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and part of the switching unit 119 may be realized by a single processor, and the remaining parts of the acquisition unit 111, the first extraction unit 112, the first matching unit 113, the second extraction unit 114, the registration unit 115, the second matching unit 116, and the switching unit 119 may be realized by one or more other processors different from the single processor.

[0130] The information processing device 100 according to the twelfth embodiment may have a normal mode in which first matching is performed according to a first biometric authentication engine, and an emergency mode in which second matching is performed according to a second biometric authentication engine. In the normal mode, the first extraction unit 112 and the first matching unit 113 may operate according to the first biometric authentication engine, thereby performing first matching. In the emergency mode, the second extraction unit 114 and the second matching unit 116 may operate according to the second biometric authentication engine, thereby performing second matching. The second biometric authentication engine may be a biometric authentication engine specialized for emergency situations. The information processing device 100 may have other modes in addition to the normal mode and the emergency mode. In other words, the information processing device 100 may have three or more modes.

[0131] An "emergency" may mean, for example, a case where a facility in which biometric authentication by the information processing device 100 is used is hit by a disaster. Incidentally, even if the same type of event (e.g., an earthquake) occurs, if the event is expected to have a large impact, it falls under the "emergency" according to the present embodiment, whereas if the event is expected to have a small impact, it may not fall under the "emergency" according to the present embodiment. Incidentally, the concept of a disaster is not limited to natural disasters but also includes man-made disasters. Examples of disasters include at least one of earthquakes, typhoons, floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, fires, infectious diseases, and radioactive contamination.

[0132] The switching unit 119 may determine whether or not an emergency is occurring. For example, the switching unit 119 may determine that an emergency is occurring in at least one of the following cases: the detected seismic intensity is equal to or greater than a predetermined seismic intensity; the automatic fire alarm system has sounded; a major tsunami warning has been issued; at least one of a heavy rain emergency warning and a flood warning has been issued; and an eruption warning has been issued. For example, the switching unit 119 may determine that an emergency is occurring when an operator of the information processing device 100 has input via the input device 140.

[0133] If it is determined that an emergency exists, the switching unit 119 may switch from the normal mode to the emergency mode. In this case, the switching unit 119 may control the second extraction unit 114 and the second matching unit 116 so that the second matching is performed. On the other hand, the switching unit 119 may control the first extraction unit 112 and the first matching unit 113 so that the first matching is not performed.

[0134] If it is determined that the current situation is not an emergency (in other words, that the current situation is normal), the switching unit 119 may maintain the normal mode. In this case, the switching unit 119 may control the first extraction unit 112 and the first matching unit 113 so that the first matching is performed. On the other hand, the switching unit 119 may control the second extraction unit 114 and the second matching unit 116 so that the second matching is not performed.

[0135] (Technical Effect) In the event of a disaster, entry to a facility may be restricted even after the event (e.g., an earthquake) has subsided. In addition, entry to a facility may require the wearing of at least one of a helmet, a dust mask, safety glasses, and protective clothing, for example. For example, when facial authentication is used as the authentication method, facial authentication may not be performed properly if there are relatively many obstructions to the face. Note that, in an emergency, biometric authentication may not be used for entry to a facility. However, if security is reduced by not using biometric authentication, there is a risk of theft or information leakage, for example. In response to this, the information processing device 100 according to the twelfth embodiment switches between a normal mode and an emergency mode using the switching unit 119. Therefore, the information processing device 100 according to the twelfth embodiment can perform biometric authentication appropriately even in an emergency. As a result, the occurrence of theft or information leakage, for example, can be reduced.

[0136] <Supplementary Notes> A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0137] (Supplementary Note 1) An information processing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring first biometric information of a target; a first extraction means for extracting a first feature from the first biometric information; a first matching means for performing a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance; a second extraction means for extracting a second feature from the first biometric information; and a registration means for, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second feature in association with the identification information.

[0138] (Supplementary Note 2) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the first extraction means and the first matching means operate according to a first biometric authentication engine, and the second extraction means operates according to a second biometric authentication engine of the same authentication method as the first biometric authentication engine.

[0139] (Supplementary Note 3) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 2 further comprises a score calculation means for calculating an affinity score indicating the affinity between the first biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine using the first feature, and the registration means registers the second feature in association with the identification information when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching and the affinity score is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value.

[0140] (Supplementary Note 4) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 2, further comprising: a score calculation means for calculating a first affinity score indicating the affinity between the first biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine using the first feature; wherein the registration means, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching using the first feature, registers the first affinity score in association with the identification information; the acquisition means acquires second biometric information of the target; the first extraction means extracts a third feature from the second biometric information; the score calculation means, when using the third feature, calculates a second affinity score indicative of the affinity between the second biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine; the second extraction means extracts a fourth feature from the second biometric information; and wherein the registration means, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching using the third feature and the second affinity score is greater than the first affinity score, registers the fourth feature in association with the identification information.

[0141] (Supplementary Note 5) The information processing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the first registered feature is registered in a first database, and the registration means registers the second feature in a second database different from the first database.

[0142] (Supplementary Note 6) The information processing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the registration means registers the second feature amount in a database in which the first registered feature amount is registered.

[0143] (Supplementary Note 7) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 2, further comprising a score calculation means for calculating an affinity score indicating the affinity between the first biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine using the first feature, wherein the registration means registers the second feature when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, and the registration means deletes the first registered feature when the affinity score is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value.

[0144] (Supplementary Note 8) The information processing device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein the acquisition means acquires second biometric information of the target; the second extraction means extracts a fourth feature from the second biometric information; and the information processing device includes a second matching means that performs a second matching of the target using the fourth feature and the second feature as a second registered feature that has been registered in advance.

[0145] (Supplementary Note 9) The information processing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, wherein the registration means deletes the first registered feature amount when the second feature amount is registered.

[0146] (Supplementary Note 10) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the registration means deletes the first registered feature when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the second biometric authentication engine was installed in the information processing device.

[0147] (Supplementary Note 11) The information processing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, wherein the registration means deletes the first registered feature when the first registered feature is included in deletion information indicating registered feature to be deleted.

[0148] (Supplementary Note 12) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 2, further comprising: a deletion unit that deletes the first biometric authentication engine when the number of registered features related to the first biometric authentication engine becomes equal to or less than a predetermined number.

[0149] (Supplementary Note 13) The information processing device described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the first matching means calculates a matching score using the first feature and the first registered feature, and the registration means registers the second feature in association with the identification information when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching and the matching score is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value.

[0150] (Supplementary Note 14) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the first matching means calculates a first matching score by using the first feature and the first registered feature; the registration means, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching using the first feature, registers the first matching score in association with the identification information; the acquisition means acquires second biometric information of the target; the first extraction means extracts a third feature from the second biometric information; the first matching means calculates a second matching score by using the third feature and the first registered feature; the second extraction means extracts a fourth feature from the second biometric information; and the registration means, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching using the third feature and the second matching score is greater than the first matching score, registers the fourth feature in association with the identification information.

[0151] (Supplementary Note 15) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the acquisition means acquires second biometric information of the target; the second extraction means extracts a fourth feature from the second biometric information; the information processing device includes a second matching means that performs second matching of the target using the fourth feature and the second feature as a second registered feature that has been registered in advance; and the second matching means operates in accordance with the second biometric authentication engine.

[0152] (Supplementary Note 16) The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 15, further comprising a switching means for switching between a normal mode in which the first extraction means and the first matching means operate in accordance with the first biometric authentication engine during normal times, and an emergency mode in which the second extraction means and the second matching means operate in accordance with the second biometric authentication engine during an emergency.

[0153] (Supplementary Note 17) An information processing system comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring first biometric information of a target; a first extraction means for extracting a first feature from the first biometric information; a first matching means for performing a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance; a second extraction means for extracting a second feature from the first biometric information; and a registration means for, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second feature in association with the identification information.

[0154] (Supplementary Note 18) An information processing method comprising: acquiring first biometric information of a target; extracting a first feature from the first biometric information; performing a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance; extracting a second feature from the first biometric information; and, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second feature in association with the identification information.

[0155] (Supplementary Note 19) A recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method of: acquiring first biometric information of a target; extracting first features from the first biometric information; performing first matching of the target using the first features and first registered features that have been registered in advance; extracting second features from the first biometric information; and, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second features in association with the identification information.

[0156] (Supplementary Note 20) An information processing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring first biometric information of a target; a first matching means for performing a first matching of the target using the first biometric information in accordance with a first biometric authentication engine; and a registration means for, when identification information corresponding to the target is specified by the first matching, registering the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information in association with the identification information as registration information for a second biometric authentication engine that uses the same authentication method as the first biometric authentication engine.

[0157] (Supplementary Note 21) An information processing method comprising: acquiring first biometric information of a target; performing a first matching of the target using the first biometric information in accordance with a first biometric authentication engine; and, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information in association with the identification information as registration information for a second biometric authentication engine that uses the same authentication method as the first biometric authentication engine.

[0158] (Supplementary Note 22) A recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method of: acquiring first biometric information of a target; performing a first matching of the target using the first biometric information in accordance with a first biometric authentication engine; and, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information in association with the identification information as registration information for a second biometric authentication engine that uses the same authentication method as the first biometric authentication engine.

[0159] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 16, which are dependent on Supplementary Note 1, may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 17, 18, and 19 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 16. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 17, 18, and 19, 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.

[0160] 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 systems, information processing methods, and recording media that involve such modifications are also included in the technical idea of ​​this disclosure.

[0161] 10, 20, 100 Information processing device 11, 111 Acquisition unit 12, 112 First extraction unit 13, 113 First collation unit 14, 114 Second extraction unit 15, 115 Registration unit

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring first biometric information of a target; a first extraction means for extracting a first feature from the first biometric information; a first matching means for performing a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance; a second extraction means for extracting a second feature from the first biometric information; and a registration means for, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second feature in association with the identification information.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first extraction means and the first matching means operate in accordance with a first biometric authentication engine, and the second extraction means operates in accordance with a second biometric authentication engine that uses the same authentication method as the first biometric authentication engine.

3. An information processing device as described in claim 2, further comprising a score calculation means for calculating an affinity score indicating the affinity between the first biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine using the first feature, and wherein the registration means registers the second feature in association with the identification information when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching and the affinity score is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value.

4. An information processing device as described in claim 2, further comprising a score calculation means for calculating a first affinity score indicating the affinity between the first biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine using the first feature; wherein the registration means, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching using the first feature, registers the first affinity score in association with the identification information; the acquisition means acquires second biometric information of the target; the first extraction means extracts a third feature from the second biometric information; the score calculation means, when using the third feature, calculates a second affinity score indicative of the affinity between the second biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine; the second extraction means extracts a fourth feature from the second biometric information; and the registration means, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching using the third feature and the second affinity score is greater than the first affinity score, registers the fourth feature in association with the identification information.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first registered feature is registered in a first database, and the registration means registers the second feature in a second database different from the first database.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein said registration means registers said second feature amount in a database in which said first registered feature amount is registered.

7. An information processing device as described in claim 2, further comprising a score calculation means for calculating an affinity score indicating the affinity between the first biometric information and the first biometric authentication engine using the first feature, wherein the registration means registers the second feature when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, and the registration means deletes the first registered feature when the affinity score is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value.

8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires second biometric information of the subject, the second extraction means extracts a fourth feature from the second biometric information, and the information processing device comprises a second matching means that performs a second matching of the subject using the fourth feature and the second feature as a second registered feature that has been registered in advance.

9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein said registration means deletes said first registered feature when said second feature is registered.

10. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the registration means deletes the first registered feature when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the second biometric authentication engine was installed in the information processing device.

11. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein said registration means deletes said first registered feature when said first registered feature is included in deletion information indicating registered feature to be deleted.

12. The information processing device according to claim 2, further comprising a deletion means for deleting the first biometric authentication engine when the number of registered features related to the first biometric authentication engine falls below a predetermined number.

13. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the first matching means calculates a matching score using the first feature and the first registered feature, and the registration means registers the second feature in association with the identification information when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching and the matching score is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value.

14. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first matching means calculates a first matching score using the first feature and the first registered feature; the registration means, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching using the first feature, registers the first matching score in association with the identification information; the acquisition means acquires second biometric information of the target; the first extraction means extracts a third feature from the second biometric information; the first matching means calculates a second matching score using the third feature and the first registered feature; the second extraction means extracts a fourth feature from the second biometric information; and the registration means, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching using the third feature and the second matching score is greater than the first matching score, registers the fourth feature in association with the identification information.

15. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the acquisition means acquires second biometric information of the subject, the second extraction means extracts a fourth feature from the second biometric information, the information processing device comprises a second matching means that performs a second matching of the subject using the fourth feature and the second feature as a second registered feature that has been registered in advance, and the second matching means operates in accordance with the second biometric authentication engine.

16. An information processing device as described in claim 15, further comprising a switching means for switching between a normal mode in which the first extraction means and the first matching means operate in accordance with the first biometric authentication engine during normal times, and an emergency mode in which the second extraction means and the second matching means operate in accordance with the second biometric authentication engine during an emergency.

17. An information processing system comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring first biometric information of a target; a first extraction means for extracting a first feature from the first biometric information; a first matching means for performing a first matching of the target using the first feature and a first registered feature that has been registered in advance; a second extraction means for extracting a second feature from the first biometric information; and a registration means for, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second feature in association with the identification information.

18. An information processing method comprising: acquiring first biometric information of a target; extracting first features from the first biometric information; performing a first matching of the target using the first features and pre-registered first registered features; extracting second features from the first biometric information; and, if identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second features in association with the identification information.

19. A recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method of: acquiring first biometric information of a target; extracting first features from the first biometric information; performing a first matching of the target using the first features and first registered features that have been registered in advance; extracting second features from the first biometric information; and, when identification information corresponding to the target is identified by the first matching, registering the second features in association with the identification information.

20. An information processing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring first biometric information of a subject; a first matching means for performing a first matching of the subject using the first biometric information in accordance with a first biometric authentication engine; and a registration means for, when identification information corresponding to the subject is identified by the first matching, registering the first biometric information or information based on the first biometric information in association with the identification information as registration information for a second biometric authentication engine that uses the same authentication method as the first biometric authentication engine.

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