Face Authentication System Using Segmented Visitor Database

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information processing systems using face authentication for customer management face challenges with increased processing time as the number of registered customers grows, and struggle to apply face authentication effectively in self-checkout POS systems, particularly in settlement processes.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that includes cameras for capturing face images, processors for executing face authentication between visitor and registered member face information, and interfaces for storing and retrieving authentication data, allowing for efficient face authentication and settlement processing by associating face information with registered member information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If face authentication is performed against a large database of registered customers, then authentication accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs face authentication against the visitor database in advance of the settlement process. By completing the authentication query before settlement is needed, the system prepares the authentication result beforehand, so that when settlement occurs, the face matching has already been performed and stored, eliminating time delays during the actual settlement transaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the customer database into two segments: a visitor database used for face authentication and a member database used for settlement processing. This segmentation allows the system to perform authentication against a smaller visitor database subset rather than the entire member database, reducing processing time while maintaining authentication accuracy for the relevant customer群体.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Extent of automation

If face authentication is used in self-checkout POS systems, then automation is improved, but reliability of settlement process deteriorates due to erroneous recognition rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of settlementVSAvoidsettlement process reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs face authentication against the visitor database before the settlement process begins. By completing the authentication query in advance, the system ensures that the customer's identity is verified before any settlement operations occur, preventing erroneous recognitions from affecting settlement reliability while maintaining full automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The visitor database serves as an intermediary layer between the customer's face and the settlement process. The system first matches the face against the visitor database to obtain authentication results, then uses these results to proceed with settlement. This intermediary step separates the authentication function from the settlement function, allowing automated processing while maintaining reliability through pre-verified identity confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If face authentication is performed with large databases, then comprehensive customer coverage is improved, but processing speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer database coverageVSAvoidauthentication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the customer database into a visitor database for authentication and a member database for settlement. By performing face authentication against the smaller visitor database subset rather than the entire customer database, the system maintains comprehensive coverage of relevant customers while significantly improving authentication speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs face authentication against the visitor database before settlement is needed. By completing the authentication query in advance when processing resources are more available, the system achieves comprehensive customer coverage through thorough database searching while improving speed by eliminating delays during the actual settlement transaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3040894B1Information processing system, and storage medium which stores information processing program

Publication Date: 2020.03.25 TOSHIBA TEC KK

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AI summary

According to one embodiment, an information processing system includes a first interface, a first processor, a second interface, and a second processor. The first interface acquires information including face information of a visitor. The first processor stores, in a database, registered information of a member corresponding to the registered face information which was successfully authenticated with the face information of the visitor, in association with the face information of the visitor. The second interface acquires information including face information of a person of settlement. The second processor executes a settlement process by using the registered information of the member corresponding to the face information of the visitor which was successfully authenticated with the face information of the person of settlement.