Store Entry Face Capture Without Pre-Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing store management systems require cumbersome member registration procedures for face authentication, which are troublesome for users.

Innovation Solution

A system that captures a customer's face image at entry, payment, or exit points, notifies the customer of the image capture, and permits access based on successful image capture without requiring prior registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If face authentication is performed using pre-registered face images, then store security is enhanced, but the member registration procedure becomes troublesome for users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestore securityVSAvoidmember registration procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring customers to register their face images in advance before entering the store, the system captures the face image at the moment of entry/exit and uses this captured image for authentication. This inverts the traditional registration-first approach, eliminating the troublesome pre-registration procedure while maintaining security through real-time face verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The notification unit informs customers in advance that their face image will be captured for authentication purposes. This preliminary notification prepares customers for the capture process, ensuring they understand and consent to the action, thereby streamlining the entry process while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If face images are captured and stored for authentication, then access control is improved, but customer privacy concerns may arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess controlVSAvoidprivacy concerns

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and processes only the essential face image data needed for authentication, storing it temporarily for the purpose of verifying customer identity at entry/exit points. The captured images are used solely for access control and are not retained indefinitely, minimizing privacy intrusion while maintaining effective access control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The notification unit provides feedback to customers about the face image capture process, informing them that their image will be captured and used for authentication. This transparent communication builds customer trust and reduces privacy concerns by ensuring they understand how their data will be used

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260011178A1Store management system, store management method, computer program and recording medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 NEC CORP

AI summary

A store management system includes: an acquisition unit that obtains a face image of a customer from an imaging apparatus that captures the face image of the customer at a timing at which the customer intends at least one of to enter a store, to make payment, and to leave the store; a notification unit that notifies the customer that the face image is to be obtained or is obtained by the acquisition unit; and a permission unit that permits the customer at least one of to enter the store, to make payment, and to leave the store on condition that the face image is obtained by the acquisition unit and that the customer is notified by the notification unit. It is thus possible to suitably manage the customer's entrance into the store or the like.