阅读说明：本技术 生物认证结算系统、结算系统和收银系统 (Biometric authentication settlement system, settlement system and cash register system ) 是由 清水宏 桥本康宣 于 2017-08-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种在使用生物认证的结算中、顾客的结算机构选择自由度高、对顾客友好的技术。本发明提供的生物信息认证结算系统的特征在于,包括：用于获取顾客的生物信息的生物信息获取装置；用于接受对结算机构的结算系统的指定的接受部；用于对结算系统发送所述生物信息和结算金额的发送部；使用所发送的所述生物信息进行认证的认证部；和结算部,其在所述认证结果是认证成功并且接收到对结算机构的指定的情况下进行所述结算金额的结算。(The invention provides a technique which is highly flexible in selection of a settlement institution for a customer and friendly to the customer in settlement using biometrics authentication. The present invention provides a biometric information authentication settlement system, comprising: a biological information acquisition means for acquiring biological information of the customer; an accepting unit for accepting designation of a settlement system of the settlement institution; a transmitting part for transmitting the biological information and the settlement amount to a settlement system; an authentication unit that performs authentication using the transmitted biometric information; and a settlement unit that performs settlement of the settlement amount when the authentication result is successful and a designation of an institution is received.)

1. A biometric authentication settlement system, comprising:

a biological information acquisition means for acquiring biological information of the customer;

an accepting unit for accepting designation of a settlement system of the settlement institution;

a transmitting part for transmitting the biological information and the settlement amount to a settlement system;

an authentication unit that performs authentication using the transmitted biometric information; and

a settlement unit that performs settlement of the settlement amount if the authentication result is authentication success and a designation of a settlement institution is received.

2. A settlement system for settling a settlement amount in accordance with a settlement request, comprising:

an account DB storing account information of each customer in association with biometric information;

an authentication unit that authenticates biometric information received from a cashier system of a store with reference to the account DB; and

and a permission unit that permits settlement when the authentication is successful as a result of the authentication.

3. The settlement system according to claim 2, wherein:

the settlement unit is configured to perform settlement processing using a settlement amount received together with the biometric information when the settlement is permitted by the permitting unit.

4. The settlement system according to claim 2, wherein:

also comprises a settlement part which is used for settling the account,

the permitting unit returns a message indicating permission of settlement to the transmission source of the biological information when the settlement is permitted,

the settlement unit performs settlement processing using the settlement amount when receiving, from the transmission source, the settlement request and the settlement amount transmitted by the transmission source based on the reply.

5. A cashier system for use as a checkout interface for merchandise purchased by customers in a store, comprising:

a biological information acquisition means for acquiring biological information of the customer;

an accepting unit for accepting designation of a settlement system of the settlement institution;

a transmitting section for transmitting the biological information and the settlement amount to a predetermined settlement system; and

and a presentation unit for receiving the authentication result and the settlement result and presenting the results to the customer.

6. The cashier system of claim 5 wherein:

the receiving unit receives a designation of the settlement institution from all credit card companies contracted with the store in which the cashier system is arranged,

the transmission unit transmits the biometric information and the settlement amount to the settlement system of the credit card company when the designation of the settlement system of the credit card company as the settlement institution is accepted.

7. The cashier system of claim 5 wherein:

the transmitting unit transmits the biometric information to each of settlement systems of all credit card companies contracted with the store in which the cashier system is disposed,

the receiving unit receives designation of the settlement institution from the settlement system to which the settlement approval is returned in response to the transmission,

the transmission unit transmits the settlement amount to the settlement system when the designation of the settlement system as the settlement institution is accepted.

8. The cashier system of claim 5 wherein:

also comprises a cash register processing part which is used for receiving cash from the cash register,

the cashier processing unit further acquires authentication information different from the biometric information when the settlement amount is equal to or greater than a first threshold value,

the transmitting unit also transmits the authentication information to the settlement system.

9. The cashier system of claim 8 wherein:

the cashier processing unit further acquires second authentication information different from the biometric information and the authentication information when the settlement amount is equal to or more than a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value,

the transmitting unit further transmits the second authentication information to the settlement system.

10. The cashier system of claim 6, wherein:

further comprises a short-range wireless communication device for reading credit card information held by a customer within a predetermined distance from the cashier system,

the credit card information includes company identification information, which is information for determining the settlement system,

the receiving unit receives designation of the settlement institution from a settlement system specified by the company identification information included in the credit card information read by the short-range wireless communication device.

11. The cashier system of claim 7, wherein:

further comprises a short-range wireless communication device for reading credit card information held by a customer within a predetermined distance from the cashier system,

the credit card information includes company identification information, which is information for determining a settlement system,

the transmitting unit transmits the biometric information to all settlement systems specified by the company identification information included in the credit card information read by the short-range wireless communication device.

12. The settlement system according to claim 2, wherein:

the account information includes ID information of a credit card,

the authentication unit receives at least a part of the ID information of the credit card together with the biometric information, and performs authentication in a record group including the received part of the ID information of the credit card.

13. The cashier system of claim 5 wherein:

further comprises an ID reading device for reading the ID information of the credit card within a specified distance from the cashier system,

the transmitting unit transmits, to the settlement system, ID information of a credit card of a settlement system of a transmission destination among the ID information of the credit card read by the ID reading device, together with the biometric information, at a timing when the biometric information is acquired by the biometric information acquiring device.

14. The settlement system according to claim 2, wherein:

the account information includes an address of the customer,

the authentication unit compares the biometric information in order from a customer who has registered an address closer to the address of the store from which the biometric information is transmitted in the account information.

15. The settlement system according to claim 2, wherein:

the biometric information is an image of the customer's face,

storing a comparison face image as the biological information in the account DB,

the authentication unit includes an account management unit that determines whether or not the comparison face image matching the received face image is stored in the account DB,

the account management unit, when determining that the matching face image is stored, adds a record in which the received face image is stored as a matching face image together with the received update date and time,

the latest face image for comparison is used for the determination.

16. The settlement system of claim 15, wherein:

when a comparison face image is newly stored, the account management unit identifies a temporal change in the comparison face image group recorded in the storage unit and uses the temporal change in the comparison face image group for the determination.

17. The cashier system of claim 5, further comprising:

a reading device for reading user setting information within a predetermined range from the cashier system; and

a cash register processing part for processing the cash register,

the user setting information includes a priority order of settlement systems of the settlement institution,

the cash register processing unit determines a settlement system of the settlement institution in accordance with a priority order in the user setting information,

the transmitting unit transmits the biometric information and the settlement amount to the settlement system determined by the cash register processing unit as the settlement institution.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a settlement technique using biometrics authentication.

Background

When credit settlement is performed in a store, it is necessary to present a credit card, input a PIN (personal identification Number) code, and the like, which is cumbersome. To avoid this, there is a technique of performing settlement using biometric authentication such as face authentication. For example, patent document 1 discloses the following technique: the credit card company system transmits a house card to a member store, not a customer, based on a house card issuance request made by a customer who has received an introduction of the member store. On the member store side, the terminal of the member store is provided with a regular customer arrival store notification means for receiving the arrival store confirmation of the customer and notifying the inside of the store by at least one arrival store confirmation means such as face recognition by a store clerk, a conversation including a secret number between the customer and the store clerk, portable terminal ID authentication of the customer, biometric authentication of the customer, and the like, and a settlement means (digest) for making a payment request of the customer using a house card stored on the store side on the condition that the arrival store of the customer is notified by the arrival store notification means of the regular customer. "

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the technique disclosed in patent document 1, the user can pay easily without displaying the house card. However, the card used is limited to 1 kind of house card of the store newly issued on the spot. That is, the customer cannot pay with a credit card held. Further, recently, customers have a plurality of credit cards and use the credit cards according to stores, purchased articles, and various situations. In addition, the shop side also cooperates with a plurality of credit card companies to meet the user's request. However, patent document 1 does not consider such a situation at all. Thus, the customer has a low degree of freedom in the selection of the settlement institution.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique that allows a settlement institution for a customer to select a highly flexible settlement institution for settlement using biometric authentication and is friendly to the customer.

Group of techniques for solving the problems

The invention provides a biological information authentication settlement system, which is characterized by comprising: a biological information acquisition means for acquiring biological information of the customer; an accepting unit for accepting designation of a settlement system of the settlement institution; a transmitting part for transmitting the biological information and the settlement amount to a settlement system; an authentication unit that performs authentication using the transmitted biometric information; and a settlement unit that performs settlement of the settlement amount when the authentication result is successful and a designation of an institution is received.

Further, the present invention provides a settlement system for settling a settlement amount in accordance with a settlement request, comprising: an account DB storing account information of each customer in association with biometric information; an authentication unit that authenticates biometric information received from a cashier system of a store with reference to the account DB; and a permission section that permits settlement when the result of the authentication is that the authentication is successful.

Further, the present invention provides a cash register system used as a settlement interface for a commodity purchased by a customer in a store, comprising: a biological information acquisition means for acquiring biological information of the customer; an accepting unit for accepting designation of a settlement system of the settlement institution; a transmitting section for transmitting the biological information and the settlement amount to a predetermined settlement system; and a presentation unit for receiving the authentication result and the settlement result and presenting the results to the customer.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that is highly flexible in the selection of a settlement institution for a customer and friendly to the customer in settlement using biometrics authentication. Problems, structures, and results other than those described above will be described with reference to the following embodiments.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system configuration of the biometric information authentication settlement system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 (a) is an explanatory view explaining the first embodiment, (B) and (C) are explanatory views explaining the fifth embodiment, and (D) is an explanatory view explaining an example of the account database of the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 3 (a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the first embodiment and (B) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the connection relationship of the respective structures of the modified example of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the credit card operator and the card-holding member and the affiliated store.

Fig. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the cashier system of the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 (a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the designation acceptance screen according to the first embodiment, and (B) is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modification thereof.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the settlement processing selected first in the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the post-selection settlement processing of the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the biological information acquisition process of the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the authentication process of the first embodiment.

Fig. 11 (a) is an explanatory view explaining a configuration of the biological information acquiring apparatus according to the modification of the first embodiment, and (B) and (C) are explanatory views explaining an example of the acquired face image.

Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system configuration of the biometric information authentication and settlement system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart of the settlement processing selected first in the cashier system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart of the post-selection settlement processing in the cashier system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of the biometric information authentication and settlement processing according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 16 (a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining a card ID example of the third embodiment, (B) is an explanatory database example for explaining an identification number database example of the third embodiment, and (C) is an explanatory diagram for explaining an authentication database example of a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart of the settlement processing selected first in the cashier system according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart of post-selection settlement processing in the settlement system according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the authentication information acquisition process performed by the cashier processing unit according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of the biometric information authentication and settlement system according to the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a change with time of biological information.

Fig. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system configuration of the biometric information authentication and settlement system according to the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart of biological information update processing of the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of the seventh embodiment.

Fig. 25 is a flowchart of the settlement processing selected first in the modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 26 is a flowchart of the post-selection settlement processing according to the modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 27 is a flowchart of the settlement processing selected first in another modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 28 is a flowchart of post-selection settlement processing according to another modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same function unless otherwise specified, and repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

< first embodiment >

In the first embodiment of the present invention, biometric information of a customer is used to designate an account of a settlement system such as a credit card company. That is, when shopping and settlement are performed in a store, the biometric information of the customer is transmitted to the settlement system, and whether or not the settlement is possible is determined based on the biometric information, and the settlement is performed if possible. In the following, the present embodiment will be described by taking an example in which a face image is used as biometric information of a customer.

Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a system configuration of a biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 of the present embodiment includes a cashier system 200 and a settlement system 300. The cashier system 200 is connected to the settlement system 300 via a network 400 such as the internet.

[ cashier system ]

The cashier system 200 is disposed in a store or the like, and serves as a settlement interface for the product purchased by the customer 101 in the store. In the present embodiment, the settlement amount of the customer 101 and the biometric information of the customer 101 are transmitted to the settlement system 300, and a settlement request is made to the settlement system 300. In addition, at the time of settlement, for example, a receipt is issued, and the completion of settlement is notified to the customer 101. The cashier system 200 includes, for example, a cashier processing portion 210, a pos (point of sale) terminal 220, a biometric information acquisition device 230, and a communication device 240.

The POS terminal 220 reads the barcode of the product 221 and transmits the barcode to the cashier processing unit 210.

The biological information acquisition device 230 acquires the face image as biological information of the customer 101, and sends it to the cashier processing unit 210. In the present embodiment, for example, a camera or the like is used as the biological information acquisition device 230.

The cash register unit 210 accumulates the amounts of the products 221 of the customers 101, calculates the total amount, and presents the total amount to the customers 101. Then, settlement is performed using the card selected by the customer 101. In the present embodiment, the biological information and the total amount (settlement amount) are transmitted to the settlement system 300. When receiving a notification of completion of settlement from the settlement system 300, the customer is notified. In the present embodiment, for example, a receipt is issued.

To achieve this, the cash register processing unit 210 of the present embodiment includes a receiving unit 211, a transmitting unit 212, a presenting unit 213, and a counting unit 214.

The totalizing unit 214 reads and accumulates the amount of money managed in association with each product code transmitted from the POS terminal 220. The amount of money is accumulated by customer 101 unit from the time of receiving an instruction to start reading to the time of receiving an instruction to end reading. Further, the product code and the amount of money are stored in association with each other in advance.

The receiving unit 211 receives the designation of the settlement system 300 of the settlement institution by the customer 101. Specifically, the designation of a credit card company for payment by the customer 101 is accepted from among settlement companies which have signed up from the store and for which the customer 101 holds a card. In the present embodiment, there are a method of accepting selection and designation before authentication (hereinafter referred to as "prior selection") and a method of accepting selection and designation after authentication (hereinafter referred to as "subsequent selection").

In the case of the first selection, the receiving unit 211 receives designation of a settlement institution from the settlement systems (contract settlement systems) 300 of all settlement companies contracted with the store. In this case, for example, the receiving unit 211 generates a designation acceptance screen for accepting designation of the contract settlement system 300, presents the designation acceptance screen to the customer 101, and accepts designation of the customer 101.

In the case of the post-selection, the contract settlement system 300 receives a settlement institution designation from the settlement system (settlement approval system) 300 that has returned a successful authentication. In this case, for example, the receiving unit 211 presents only information for specifying the approval settlement system 300 on the specification acceptance screen, and receives the specification of the customer 101 therefrom.

The transmitting unit 212 transmits the settlement amount and the biometric information to the predetermined settlement system 300.

If the customer 101 selects the settlement amount, the transmission unit 212 transmits the settlement amount and the biometric information to the reception unit 211 in response to the settlement system 300 designated by the customer 101.

On the other hand, in the case of the post-selection, the transmission unit 212 transmits the biometric information and the settlement amount to all the contracted settlement systems 300. Thereafter, a settlement request is transmitted to the settlement system 300 designated by the customer 101 via the receiving unit 211.

For example, depending on the settlement company, an upper limit may be set for the total settlement amount in a predetermined total period unit. In addition, the upper limit amount may vary among the customers 101. Therefore, even if the authentication of the biometric information is successful, the settlement may not be permitted if the upper limit of the settlement amount is exceeded. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the settlement amount is transmitted even before authentication.

In the case where such restrictions do not exist, the transmission unit 212 may be configured to transmit only the biometric information to all the contracted settlement systems 300 before authentication, and to transmit a settlement request together with the settlement amount to the settlement system 300 specified by the customer 101 after successful authentication, at the time of post-selection.

The presentation unit 213 presents the authentication result and the settlement result to the customer 101. Printing a receipt in the case of settlement completion, and the like.

The communication device 240 performs short-range communication with, for example, a portable terminal 250 or the like held by the customer 101. For example, the NFC (Near Field Communication) device 242 and the Near Field Communication device 243 are provided.

[ Settlement System ]

The settlement system 300 is disposed in a credit card operator (settlement company; credit card company), performs settlement in accordance with a settlement request transmitted from the cashier system 200 of a contracted store, and makes a response such as completion or non-settlement. The settlement system 300 of the present embodiment includes an account Database (DB)310 in which accounts of the customers 101 are registered, a settlement processing unit 320, and an authentication unit 330.

As shown in fig. 2a, the account DB310 registers biometric information (in the present embodiment, a face image) 312 of the customer 101 in association with account information 311). The account information 311 includes an account ID313, an authentication password 314, customer information 315, settlement amount information 316, and the like. In the present embodiment, the account ID313 includes, for example, a card ID (card number) of a credit card. The authentication password 314 is authentication information such as an authentication password of a credit card, for example. The customer information 315 includes personal information such as debit bank account information, the age, sex, address, telephone number, and mail address of the customer 101. The settlement amount information 316 includes, for example, the settlement amount and the upper limit amount at that time for each date, each settlement requester's store.

The authentication unit 330 performs authentication of biometric information transmitted from the cashier system 200 via the settlement processing unit 320. In the present embodiment, the biometric information transmitted from the cashier system 200 is sequentially checked against the biometric information 312 registered in the account DB310, and if there is matching biometric information, it is regarded that the authentication has succeeded. At this time, information identifying a record having the matching biometric information 312, for example, the account ID313 of the record is specified. Otherwise, the authentication is considered to be unsuccessful if the two disagreements are not matched.

The settlement processing unit 320 receives a settlement request from the cashier system 200 and returns a result to the settlement request transmission source. To achieve this, the settlement processing unit 320 of the present embodiment includes a permission unit 322 and a settlement unit 323.

The permitting unit 322 determines whether or not to permit settlement when the authentication unit 330 successfully authenticates. Specifically, the upper limit amount of the account ID313 designated by the authentication unit 330 is compared with the settlement amount, and if the settlement amount is within the upper limit amount, the settlement permission information is transmitted to the cashier system 200 of the transmission source. In other cases, information indicating that settlement is not possible is transmitted.

The settlement unit 323 settles the settlement amount of the customer 101 in response to the settlement request. If the selection is performed first, the settlement is performed if the permission unit 322 permits the selection. In the case of the post-selection, the settlement is performed after receiving the settlement request. In the present embodiment, for example, the settlement amount is added to the settlement amount information 316 of the account ID313 designated by the authentication unit 330. Further, information, date, and the like for specifying the cashier system 200 of the transmission source are added together with the settlement amount.

In fig. 1, the cashier system 200 and the settlement system 300 are illustrated as 1 in number, but the number of the cashier systems and the settlement systems is not limited to one. For example, as shown in fig. 3 (a), a plurality of the substrates may be used. The cashier system 200 and the settlement system 300 may be directly connected to each other without a network.

[ biometric information authentication settlement System ]

Fig. 3 (a) is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between the cashier system 200 and the settlement system 300 according to the present embodiment.

The cashier system 200 exists in each store in each place. Here, a store system a201, a store system B202, a store system C203, and a store system D204 are shown as an example. The store system a201, the store system B202, and the store system C203 are connected to a settlement system a301, a settlement system B302, and a settlement system C303, respectively, via a network 400.

In this case, a plurality of cashier systems 200 may be connected to the same accounting system 300. Further, one cashier system 200 may be connected to a plurality of settlement systems 300, and an arbitrary settlement system 300 may be selected as a settlement institution law at the time of payment by the customer. The latter has, for example, the same meaning as the method of selecting a credit card for payment for settlement.

Further, as in the store system D204, a local system directly connected to the settlement system D304 and the settlement system E305 may be provided without passing through the network 400. In the case of the local system, when the member registration is performed in the settlement system D304 and/or the settlement system E305, a fee may be previously deposited by prepayment or the like, and the fee may be paid in the local system every time a product is purchased. In the case of a local system, since the system is not connected to the network 400, it is possible to construct a system that can reduce the risk of illegal use of a credit card and the like.

[ mechanism of Credit card Settlement ]

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a credit card operator (settlement company) and a card holder member, which is a customer 101, and a member store, which is a shop, in general settlement using a credit card.

The credit card operator 390 includes a plurality of international brands 391, a card issuer 392 that issues cards using the international brands, and an acquirer 393 that performs extension and management of member stores.

International brand 391 is signed up with, for example, an issuer 392 such as a bank and an acquirer 393. Through this contract, card issuer 392 and acquirer 393 are able to issue cards of international brand 391.

The customer 101 holds a credit card as a card-holding member by entering into a member agreement with the card issuer 392.

The member store 290 also can deal with payment using a credit card in the store by making a member store contract with the card issuing institution 392.

The settlement of the affiliated store 290 when the affiliated store signs up with the card issuer 392 is as follows. The customer 101 purchases a product with a credit card in the member store 290. When the affiliate store 290 notifies the card issuer 392 that the customer 101 made a purchase, the card issuer 392 pays the affiliate store 290 instead of the card holder, i.e., the customer 101. Customer 101 then returns the fee to issuer 392 in a one-time or staged payment. Thereby, the purchase of goods and payment of fees using the credit card are completed.

The same applies to the case where the member store 290 has made a member store contract with the acquirer 393. That is, the affiliate store 290 notifies the acquirer 393 that the customer 101 made a purchase with a credit card. Accordingly, the acquirer 393 pays the affiliate 290 instead of the card holder member, i.e., the customer 101. Then, the customer 101 returns the fee in a one-time or periodic payment manner. In this case, since the customer 101 has made a card-holding member contract with the card issuer 392, the charge of the customer 101 is returned to the card issuer 392. The issuer 392 makes the payment for the fee to the acquirer 393. Thereby, the purchase of goods and payment of fees using the credit card are completed.

In the present embodiment, the functions of the settlement system 300 are appropriately shared by the international brand 391, the card issuer 392, and the acquirer 393. In addition, the cashier system 200 is held by the member store 290.

[ hardware configuration ]

Next, a hardware configuration of the cashier system 200 of the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the cashier system 200 according to the embodiment.

The cashier system 200 includes a CPU260, a bus 261, a flash memory 262, an SD-RAM263, a GPS264, a first display 265, an external memory Interface (IF)266, a network IF268, a cashier key 269, a second display 271, a camera 272, a card reader 274, a barcode reader 275, an NFC IF275, a near-field wireless communication IF277, and a wireless LAN IF 278.

A bus 261 extends from the CPU260, and hardware that is controlled by the CPU260 and acquires information is connected to the bus 261. The external memory 267 is connected to the external memory IF266, and the CPU260 accesses the external memory 267 via the external memory IF 266.

The above functions are realized by the CPU260 deploying and executing programs stored in the external memory 267 and the flash memory 262 to the SD-RAM 263.

The second display 271 is a display with a touch panel facing the customer 101. The second display 271 is provided facing the customer 101, and displays the total result (total amount, settlement amount) at the time of purchase of the product or displays selectable settlement companies (the settlement system 300). Further, the selection by the customer 101 is received from the display.

The card reader 274 reads additional information in a credit or debit card or the like.

The camera 272 is the biological information acquisition device 230, and captures the face of the customer 101 to acquire a face image.

The camera 272 may be a general camera, that is, a camera for capturing a color image in the visible light band, in order to capture the face of the customer. The camera 272 may employ various systems such as a camera for capturing an infrared band, a camera of a TOF system for projecting infrared rays and simultaneously capturing both a visible light band and an infrared band, or a distance to an object in units of pixels.

Particularly, in the case of a camera in the infrared band, it is preferable that the matching face image registered in the accounting system 300 is also captured in the vicinity of the cashier processing unit 210 in order to make the positional relationship between the customer 101 and the camera and the lighting conditions at the time of capturing the image the same. By shooting in a store, for example, camouflaged purchase by acquiring a self-timer photograph or the like posted to a general SNS (social media) and presenting the biometric information acquisition device 230 can be prevented.

In addition, in the case of using a TOF type camera that acquires the distance to the subject on a pixel-by-pixel basis, the uneven shape of the face can be used as biometric authentication information. Thus, for example, camouflaging using a photograph of the customer 101 can be prevented.

In the case of using a camera in the infrared band, information that can be captured only by a camera in a store, such as a pattern of subcutaneous capillaries in the face, is used. Therefore, information that is more difficult to reproduce can be used for authentication, and security can be further improved.

Further, the biological information acquired by the camera 272 is not limited to the face. For example, the image may be a whole body image, hands, feet, or a body of the customer. The authentication method may be determined based on a ratio of sizes of components of the face. That is, any one of all the biometric information that can be recognized by photographing with a camera may be used.

Further, as hardware for realizing the biological information acquisition device 230, not only the camera 272 but also a device for acquiring other biological information such as the fingerprint sensor 273 may be provided. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with a device for acquiring biometric information such as a palm print or iris. In this case, there is a case where it is necessary to perform an active authentication operation by a customer, such as a visual inspection device, when a fingerprint, a palm print, or iris authentication is presented to the scanner.

The barcode reader 275 is the POS terminal 220, and reads the barcode attached to the product 221 to acquire data necessary for determining the price of the product 221.

The NFC IF276, the short range wireless communication IF277, and the wireless LAN IF278 are the communication device 240 described above. NFCIF276 supports services using a non-contact IC chip such as electronic money mounted on portable terminal 250 such as a smartphone. The short-range wireless communication IF277 is an interface for short-range wireless communication, and reads the ID of the mobile terminal 250 within a range of about m radius to perform bidirectional communication. The communication standard uses Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, for example. The wireless LAN IF278 performs wireless communication with the portable terminal 250 and the like in a wide range of the store, similarly to the short-range wireless communication IF 277.

The flash memory 262 is a nonvolatile memory that stores a program for operating the cashier system 200, constants to be held as needed, and the like.

The SD-RAM263 is a work area of a program when the cashier system 200 works.

The GPS264 measures the absolute position of the cashier system 200 on the earth. For example, the present invention is used in a mobile store that moves by a motor vehicle or the like.

The first display 265 is a display with a touch panel facing a clerk. The clerk visually confirms the product charge when it is added up, or displays a product list on the display and selects the product when there is no bar code product.

The external memory IF266 is an I/F with respect to the detachable external memory 267, and is used for externally exporting a work log of the cashier system 200 or inputting software for updating a program of the cashier system 200.

The network IF268 connects the cashier system 200 to the network 400. The cashier system 200 is connected to the settlement system 300 via the network IF 268. That is, the network IF268 realizes the transmission section 212.

The cashier key 269 has a function of a start switch of the cashier system 200. Basically, the cashier system 200 only works if a dedicated key is inserted into the cashier key 269. When there is no key, the cashier processing unit 210 may not be operated at all, or only a portion that does not involve money, such as operation confirmation, log reading, and software upgrading, may be operated.

The settlement system 300 basically has the same hardware configuration as the cashier system 200. That is, at least the CPU, the memory, the storage device, and the communication interface are provided. Each function of the settlement system 300 is realized by loading a program stored in advance in a storage device into a memory and executing the program. In addition, the account DB310 is stored in a storage device or the like.

[ assignment of acceptance Picture ]

Here, the designation acceptance screen 510 displayed on the second display 271 when the acceptance unit 211 accepts a selection or designation from the customer 101 will be described. Fig. 6 (a) shows an example of the designation acceptance screen 510.

First, the designation acceptance screen 510 in the case of the previous selection will be described. The receiving unit 211 generates screen data for specifying the receiving screen 510 using the data held in advance in accordance with the instruction of the cashier, and displays the screen data on the second display 271. The screen data includes, for example, a settlement institution list 512 for listing and displaying a list of settlement institutions and a settlement amount 513.

The settlement institution list 512 displays information (identification information) 511 capable of identifying each contracted settlement system 300 in an aligned manner. The identification information 511 is, for example, a logo or the like of a settlement company that owns each settlement system 300. The identification information 511 is held in the flash memory 262 or the external memory 267 in advance.

In the present embodiment, a default settlement institution may be set in advance. The default settlement institution is the settlement system 300 that is automatically designated without the customer 101 selecting the settlement system 300. In this case, the default settlement institution identification information 511d may be displayed so as to be distinguishable from the identification information 511 of the other settlement system 300. In the example of fig. 6 (B), the display size of the identification information 511d of the default settlement institution is made larger than the display size of the identification information 511 of the other settlement system 300.

In the case of the latter selection, only the identification information 511 of the contracted settlement system 300 that has succeeded in authentication is displayed as the settlement institution list 512 on the designation acceptance screen 510.

The customer 101 selects a desired settlement institution by touching a button including the identification information 511 displayed on the second display 271. Thus, the receiving unit 211 receives the selection of the accounting mechanism by the customer 101.

[ flow of settlement processing: first selection)

Next, the flow of settlement processing in the biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the settlement processing selected in advance in the present embodiment.

When the customer 101 is in turn, the cashier instructs the cashier processing unit 210 to start inputting of the purchase of the product by the customer. When the instruction to start is received (step S1001), the cashier processing unit 210 acquires the amount of the product code transmitted from the POS terminal 220, and sequentially adds up the amounts until the instruction to end the reception. When receiving an instruction to end from the cashier, the cashier processing unit 210 counts the purchase amount (step S1002).

On the other hand, after the start instruction, the cashier processing unit 210 instructs the biological information acquisition device 230 to acquire the face image of the customer 101. Upon receiving the instruction, the biological information acquisition device 230 acquires the face image of the customer 101 (step S1003), and transmits the face image to the cash register unit 210.

Next, the presentation unit 213 displays the designation acceptance screen 510 on the second display 271 together with the settlement mechanism list 512, with the total amount of the purchase amount as the settlement amount (step S1004).

The cashier presents the second display 271 to the customer 101 to prompt the selection of the settlement institution. The customer 101 selects a settlement institution from the identification information 511 displayed as the settlement institution list 512.

When the receiving unit 211 receives the selection of the settlement institution from the customer 101 (step S1005), the transmitting unit 212 transmits the settlement amount, the face image, and the settlement request to the settlement system 300 corresponding to the selected identification information 511 (step S1006). In fig. 7, it is assumed that a settlement institution having the settlement system a301 is selected from among the settlement systems a301, B302, and C303.

In the settlement system a301 that receives the settlement amount and the transmission of the face image, the authentication unit 330 first performs authentication by comparing the transmitted face image with the face image for comparison in the account DB310 (step S1007). If the authentication is unsuccessful, a reply indicating that the authentication is unsuccessful is transmitted to the cashier system 200 of the transmission source (step S1008).

On the other hand, if the authentication is successful, the permission section 322 judges whether or not the settlement is possible using the settlement amount (step S1009). If the settlement is not possible, a reply indicating that the settlement is not possible is transmitted to the cashier system 200 of the transmission source.

In the cashier system 200 that has received the response indicating that the authentication is unsuccessful or the settlement is not possible (step S1010), the process returns to step S1004, and the presentation unit 213 displays the designation acceptance screen 510 again to wait for selection. At this time, the settlement system a301 that does not permit settlement is excluded from the displayed settlement institution list 512. When the settlement impossibility reply is received, the presentation unit 213 may display a message indicating impossibility on the second display 271.

On the other hand, if the settlement is possible, the settlement unit 323 performs the settlement (step S1011), and transmits a reply indicating the completion of the settlement to the cashier system 200 of the transmission source (step S1012).

In the cashier system 200, the presentation unit 213 displays the settlement completion on the second display 271 (step S1013), and ends the product purchase flow.

When the notification of non-settlement is received from all contract settlement systems 300, the presentation unit 213 notifies the customer 101 of the message, and ends the process.

The acquisition of the face image may be performed at any timing from the start instruction of step S1001 to the transmission of step S1006.

When a default settlement institution is set, the settlement institution list 512 is displayed in step S1004 so as to clearly show the default settlement institution. The receiving unit 211 may be configured to determine that a default settlement institution is selected when no instruction for selection is received from the customer 101 for a predetermined period.

[ flow of settlement processing: after selection)

Next, the flow of the settlement processing in the case of the post-selection will be described with reference to fig. 8.

The cashier instructs the cashier processing unit 210 to start inputting of the purchase of the product by the customer. When the start instruction is received (step S1101), the cashier processing unit 210 acquires the amount of money of the product code transmitted from the POS terminal 220, and sequentially adds up the amounts until the reception end instruction. When receiving an instruction to end from the cashier, the cashier processing unit 210 counts the purchase amount (step S1102).

On the other hand, after the start instruction, the cashier processing unit 210 instructs the biological information acquisition device 230 to acquire the face image of the customer 101. Upon receiving the instruction, the biological information acquisition device 230 acquires the face image of the customer 101 (step S1103) and transmits the face image to the cash register unit 210.

When the contract completion is completed, the transmitting unit 212 transmits the acquired face image and the settlement amount to the contract completion/settlement system 300 (step S1104).

In each settlement system 300 that has received the face image, the authentication unit 330 performs authentication (step S1105). When the authentication is unsuccessful, the cashier system 200 of the transmission source returns an unsuccessful meaning (step S1106). In this case, no message may be returned.

If the authentication is successful, the permission unit 322 determines whether or not the settlement is allowed (step S1107). When it is determined that the cash is not available, the cashier system 200 of the transmission source transmits a message indicating that the cash is not available. In this case, no message may be returned.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the settlement is possible, the settlement system 300 transmits information indicating that the settlement is possible to the cashier system 200 of the transmission source (step S1108).

When it is determined that settlement is possible, the settlement system 300 stores information (store system ID) identifying the cashier system 200 of the transmission source, the account ID313 determined that settlement is possible, and the settlement amount in association with each other. The store system ID is acquired from, for example, a header of data transmitted from the cashier system 200.

In the cashier system 200 that has received the permission to settle, the presentation unit 213 presents the designation acceptance screen 510 on the second display 271 as the settlement institution list 512 of the settlement system 300 that permits settling, together with the settlement amount (step S1109).

The cashier prompts the customer 101 on the second display 271 to prompt selection of the settlement institution. The customer 101 selects a settlement institution from the settlement institution list. In fig. 8, it is assumed that a settlement institution having a settlement system a301 is selected.

When the receiving unit 211 receives the selection of the settlement institution from the customer 101 (step S1110), the transmitting unit 212 transmits a settlement request to the corresponding settlement system a301 (step S1111).

In the settlement system a301 that has received the settlement request, the settlement unit 323 performs settlement (step S1112), and transmits the settlement completion to the cashier system 200 of the transmission source (step S1113). The settlement is performed using the account ID313 associated with the store system ID of the cashier system 200 of the transmission source.

In the cashier system 200, the cashier processing unit 210 displays the completion of the settlement on the second display 271 (step S1114), and ends the product purchase flow.

In step S1107, when there are 1 settlement systems 300 that permit settlement, the presentation unit 213 may be configured to display only information identifying the settlement system 300 and to transmit a settlement request to the settlement system 300 even if the selection is not accepted. Alternatively, the settlement system 300 may be configured to receive an instruction as to whether to perform settlement with the settlement system.

If the number of settlement systems 300 permitted to settle is 0 in step S1107 (step S1115), the presentation unit 213 presents the message to the customer 101 and ends the process.

In addition, when a default settlement means is set regardless of whether the first selection or the second selection, the biometric information, the settlement amount, and the settlement request are first transmitted to the settlement system 300 of the settlement means, and only when the selection is not possible, the processing such as the selection of the settlement means may be performed.

[ biological information acquisition Process ]

Next, details of the biological information (face image) acquisition processing in the biological information acquisition device 230 will be described.

In the present embodiment, the biometric information acquisition device 230 repeatedly tries a predetermined maximum number of times until an authenticable face image is successfully acquired. That is, the biological information acquisition device 230 repeatedly performs shooting while determining whether or not the acquired face image can be authenticated. Whether authentication is possible is determined, for example, based on whether or not a feature for authentication can be extracted. For example, when the acquired biological information (face image) is insufficient in light quantity, forms a shadow, or is partially blocked, it is determined that authentication is not possible because the feature cannot be extracted.

If it is determined that authentication is not possible, the biometric information acquisition device 230 changes the imaging conditions and tries again. Here, for example, the shooting angle and the light amount are changed. In addition, when the authenticatable face image cannot be acquired even if the predetermined maximum number of attempts is repeated, it is regarded that the acquisition has failed, and the acquisition of the face image is abandoned. In this case, the customer 101 is notified that another method, for example, an ID of a credit card, is used for authentication.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a biological information acquisition process in the biological information acquisition device 230 according to the present embodiment.

The biological information acquisition means 230 acquires a face image (step S1301). Then, it is determined whether the acquired face image can be authenticated using the above-described method (step S1302).

When it is determined that the authentication is possible, the acquired face image is registered in a predetermined area (step S1303), and the process ends. Here, the cashier system 200 transmits the data for authentication with the settlement system 300, and stores the data in the SD-RAM263 or the like, for example.

On the other hand, when it is determined that authentication is not possible, the biological information acquisition device 230 determines whether or not imaging has been repeated a predetermined number of times or more (step S1304). If the number of times is less than the predetermined number of times, the biological information acquisition device 230 changes the shooting conditions (step S1305), and the process proceeds to step S1301.

When the predetermined number of times is reached in step S1304, the biological information acquisition device 230 notifies the message (step S1306), and the biological information acquisition process is terminated.

When the face image cannot be acquired and the biometric information acquisition process is ended, the cashier system 200 prompts the customer 101 to input information other than the face image as authentication information and accepts the input information. Then, the transmission unit 212 transmits the received authentication information to the settlement system 300 instead of the face image.

Here, the processing of the biological information acquisition device 230 of the cashier system 200 is explained. However, the same applies to the case of acquiring the face image registered in the settlement system 300.

[ authentication processing ]

Next, the flow of the authentication process performed by the authentication unit 330 of the settlement system 300 will be described. Fig. 10 is a process flow of the authentication process.

The authentication unit 330 accesses the account DB310 and reads the records in a predetermined order (step S1401).

The read recorded biological information 312 (face image for collation) is collated with the received face image (step S1402). If they match (yes in step S1403), it is determined that the authentication has succeeded, and information indicating the success of the authentication and the account ID313 of the record are output (step S1404), and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, in the case of inconsistency in step S1403, it is determined whether or not the collation of all records is completed (step S1405). When the authentication is completed, information indicating that the authentication is unsuccessful is output (step S1406), and the process ends.

If the matching of all the records has not been completed in step S1405, the process returns to 1401, and the next record is read to continue the process.

The comparison performed by the authentication unit 330 is not limited to the comparison between the transmitted face image and the image data of the biometric information 312 registered in the account DB 310. For example, feature information may be extracted from the transmitted face image according to a predetermined algorithm and compared with feature information extracted from the biological information 312.

In addition, the order in which the records at the time of collation are read from the account DB310 may be read in the order of the account ID313, for example. In the case where sorting can be performed in the account DB310 according to the above-described features, binary search (binary search) may be performed. For example, comparison with the first and last recorded biometric information 312 of the account DB310 is first performed, and then comparison with the recorded biometric information 312 near the center of the entire account DB310 is performed. When the order of the feature of the transmitted face image is close to the order of the preceding record compared with the record near the center, the biometric information 312 of the record near the center is compared with the first and the records near the center. By using the binary search, the matching search can be performed at a higher speed than the sequential comparison from the beginning.

As described above, the biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 according to the present embodiment includes the biometric information acquisition device 230 that acquires the biometric information of the customer, the receiving unit 211 that receives the designation of the settlement system 300 of the settlement institution, the transmitting unit 212 that transmits the biometric information and the settlement amount to the settlement system 300, the authenticating unit 330 that performs the authentication process using the transmitted biometric information, and the settlement unit 323 that performs the settlement of the settlement amount when the authentication result is the authentication success and the designation of the settlement institution is received.

It is a matter of course that each customer holds a plurality of credit cards and uses them according to various situations depending on the kind of store, the kind of purchased article, and the like. In addition, even in the current situation where online shopping is widespread, the stores are constantly required to perform the same procedures without using cash, such as the presentation of a credit card issued by a card issuing company and the input of a PIN (Personal Identification Number).

In the present embodiment, biometric information of the customer 101 is used as substitute information corresponding to the credit card ID. The credit card company performs a match with the biometric information of the customer 101 transmitted from the store to extract the credit card ID and uses it to perform settlement.

In addition, in the store, the user can select a credit card for settlement from a plurality of credit cards held.

According to the present embodiment, the authentication of the customer 101 is performed using the face image, which is the biometric information of the customer 101, in the settlement. Therefore, the customer 101 can perform the settlement of the product without presenting a credit card or a portable information terminal, only by queuing the product at the cash register. In the settlement using the biometric authentication, the settlement can be performed only using the biometric information, and therefore, the user 101, which is the user, is highly convenient.

Further, since the receiving unit 211 that receives the designation of the settlement system 300 of the settlement institution is provided, the customer 101 can select a desired card during settlement even when holding a plurality of cards. Thereby being capable of providing higher convenience.

When a store has an exclusive or recommended default settlement institution, it is possible to automatically perform search authentication of biometric information and perform settlement by the default settlement institution when the identification information 511 is touched or when the time elapses without touching any part.

In addition, in the case of the post-selection, the credit card company which is not used by the customer does not appear in the menu, so that the customer can reliably select the usable settlement institution without erroneously selecting the settlement institution.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since each credit card company performs authentication of matching a specified credit card with biometric information registered at the time of contract, not only in a specific store but also in all stores into which the system is introduced, all credit cards supporting biometric authentication can be used.

< modification example >

In the present embodiment, the case where the biological information acquisition device 230 acquires the face image of the customer 101 from 1 direction such as the front side is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the direction may be acquired from a plurality of directions.

Fig. 11 (a) shows an example of the biological information acquisition device 230 in this case. Here, for example, a case where 6 cameras 231 as the biological information acquisition devices 230 are provided on the front, left and right, rear, right front oblique side, and left front oblique side of the subject, that is, the customer 101, is illustrated.

As shown in fig. 11 (B) and 11 (C), the face images 234 are acquired from different directions, and all of them are transmitted to the settlement system 300.

In the settlement system 300, all the transmitted face images 234 are collated with the biological information 312 (collation face image) recorded for each record. Thereby, the authentication accuracy is improved.

In this case, the settlement system 300 may register face images of the customer 101 acquired from a plurality of directions as comparison face images.

For example, the customer 101 is not necessarily facing the biological information acquisition device 230 before the cashier processing unit 210 of the store. According to the present configuration, the probability of being authenticated also increases in such a case.

< second embodiment >

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, only 1 type of biometric information is acquired for authentication. However, in the present embodiment, a plurality of authentication schemes are used according to the amount of money. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with a focus on the structure different from that of the first embodiment.

The configuration of the biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 according to the present embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of authentication means are used according to the amount of money, the configuration relating to this processing is different.

Specifically, the cashier system 200 includes a plurality of authentication information acquisition units, as shown in fig. 12. The cash register processing unit 210 includes a money amount determination unit 215 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.

Here, as an example, as shown in fig. 12, the case where the plurality of authentication information acquisition units further include a second biometric information acquisition device 232 that acquires second biometric information other than the face image, and an ID reading device 233 that reads a card number (card ID) of a credit card will be described.

The authentication information acquisition means is not limited to these. In addition, the card ID may also be acquired using the NFC device 242. In this case, the ID reading device 233 may not be provided.

In addition, in the account DB310 of the settlement system 300, all the biometric information that may be transmitted from the cashier system 200 is registered as the biometric information 312. That is, the collation face image 351, the second biometric information 352, and the card ID353 are registered. In addition, the card ID353 may be a part or all of the account ID 313.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of authentication means are used as the purchase amount (settlement amount) increases. Specifically, if the settlement amount is less than the first threshold amount of a dollar, authentication is performed using only the face image, if the settlement amount is not less than the first threshold amount of a dollar, and is less than the second threshold amount of B dollars (B > a dollars), authentication is performed using the face image and the second biometric information, and if the settlement amount is not less than the B dollars, authentication is performed further using the card ID. A, B is an integer of 0 or more.

The processing flow of the cashier system 200 in this case will be described with reference to fig. 13. Basically, the flow of processing in the cashier system 200 in the previously selected settlement processing described with reference to fig. 7 is the same. The same reference numerals are attached to the same processes.

When the customer 101 is in turn, the cashier instructs the cashier processing unit 210 to start inputting of the purchase of the product by the customer. When the instruction to start is received (step S1001), the cashier processing unit 210 acquires the amount of the product code transmitted from the POS terminal 220, and sequentially adds up the amounts until the instruction to end the reception. When receiving an instruction to end from the cashier, the cashier processing unit 210 counts the purchase amount (step S1002). The total settlement amount is set to Sum.

After the start instruction, the cashier processing unit 210 instructs the biological information acquisition device 230 to acquire the face image of the customer 101. Upon receiving the instruction, the biological information acquisition device 230 acquires the face image of the customer 101 (step S1003), and transmits the face image to the cash register unit 210.

The amount determination unit 215 determines whether or not the settlement amount is less than a yuan (step S2101). If the number of A elements is less, the process proceeds directly to step S1004. Then, the receiving unit 211 displays a designation acceptance screen 510 including a settlement institution list 512 and a settlement amount 513, and accepts the selection of the customer 101. The subsequent processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

On the other hand, when the number of A-members is equal to or larger than the number of A-members (step S2101: NO), the cashier processing unit 210 causes the second biological information acquisition device 232 to acquire the second biological information (step S2102). For example, in the case where the second biological information acquisition device 232 is a fingerprint scanner, the cashier processing portion 210 displays a message prompting acquisition of fingerprint information of the customer 101 on the first display 265. Upon receiving the message, the cashier presents the fingerprint sensor to the customer 101 to acquire fingerprint information.

Thereafter, the amount of money determination unit 215 determines whether or not the amount of B-dollars is less (step S2103). If the number of B cells is less, the process proceeds to step S1004. However, the selected settlement system 300 transmits the face image and the second biometric information (fingerprint) as authentication information together with the settlement amount and the settlement request.

When the B-tuple is equal to or larger, the cashier processing unit 210 further acquires the card ID (step S2104). Therefore, the cashier processing unit 210 prompts acquisition of the card ID by, for example, blinking a lamp of the ID reading device 233. Thereby, the cashier requests the customer 101 to read the card ID. Then, when the card ID is acquired, the process proceeds to step S1004. However, the selected settlement system 300 transmits the face image, the second biometric information, and the card ID as authentication information together with the settlement amount and the settlement request.

In addition, in the settlement system 300, authentication is performed using the transmitted authentication information. That is, when a plurality of types of authentication information are transmitted, only when all the transmitted authentication information are successfully authenticated, the authentication is regarded as successful.

Fig. 14 shows a flow of processing in the case of the post-selection. In this case, the same processing flow as that described with reference to fig. 8 is basically performed. However, when the settlement amount is determined after the total purchase amount, the acquired authentication information is added in accordance with the settlement amount.

That is, in the case of less than a-tuple, only the face image is acquired as the authentication information. In addition, in the case where the a-tuple is equal to or larger than the B-tuple, the face image and the second biometric information are acquired as the authentication information. Then, in the case of the B-tuple or more, the face image and the second biometric information and the card ID are acquired as the authentication information. Then, the acquired authentication information is transmitted to all the contract settlement systems 300, and a settlement permission is requested.

The process after receipt of the settlement approval is the same as that in fig. 8, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted here.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of authentication information used varies depending on the settlement amount. That is, as the settlement amount increases, the kinds of authentication information used increase.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a system with high convenience for customers can be provided. Further, in the present embodiment, the number of authentication information is increased as the purchase amount increases. Therefore, as the purchase amount increases, higher security can be ensured.

In the above embodiment, the authentication information is added in the order of the face image, the second biometric information, and the card ID as the purchase amount increases, but the order of adding the authentication information is not limited to this. The face image and the fingerprint shown as an example are not limited to the biometric information. Other biometric information may also be used.

The method is not limited to the method of gradually adding the authentication information according to the settlement amount in the above-described processing flow. For example, the acquired authentication information may be set in advance for each settlement amount range, the range to which the settlement amount belongs may be determined, and the authentication information may be acquired in an amount set in accordance with the determination result.

< third embodiment >

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the biometric information (face image) and the card ID are acquired without depending on the amount of the settlement, rather than changing the number of acquired authentication information according to the amount of the settlement. However, the card ID is acquired from information of all cardholders near the cashier processing unit 210. Then, the card ID is not used for authentication, but is used to reduce the number of settlement systems 300 of transmission destinations of face images and the like.

In the present embodiment, the card ID is registered in the portable terminal 250 having a credit card and ID information carried by the customer 101 in a pocket or a bag.

The biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 of the present embodiment basically has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. However, as described above, the information sent to the computing system 300 is different. Thus, the cashier system 200 differs in structure and processing. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with a focus on the structure different from that of the first embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the processing of the cashier system 200 according to the present embodiment.

The layout screen of the store shows the use status of the mobile terminal 250 held by the customer 101. Here, among the components of the cashier system 200, the cashier processing unit 210 and the short-range wireless communication device 243 are shown.

The short-range wireless communication device 243 acquires credit card information held by the portable terminal 250 located within the communication distance 244 by short-range wireless communication. The communication distance 244 is determined by the specification of the short-range wireless communication device 243. Alternatively, it may be set in advance. For example, of the order of a few m. Hereinafter, the mobile terminal 250 within the range of the communication distance 244 is referred to as a neighboring terminal 250 n.

In the shop, in the short-range present embodiment, the short-range wireless communication apparatus 243 acquires necessary information within the card ID of the credit card of the holder of the neighboring terminal 250n, which is registered in advance in the neighboring terminal 250 n. The card ID is registered in advance in, for example, a memory, a storage device, or the like of the portable terminal 250.

As shown in fig. 16 (a), the card ID520 includes a company identification number 521, which is company identification information for identifying the credit card company, i.e., the settlement system 300, and a customer identification number 522, which is information unique to the customer 101. In the present embodiment, only the company identification number 521 is acquired.

For example, as the card ID520, a number represented by a 16-digit decimal number is registered. The first 6 digits are a company identification number 521 indicating the issuing company of the credit card. In the standard-defined wording, the first 6 digits are referred to as a Bank Identification Number (BIN) or an Issuer Identification Number (IIN). The card company (card issuer) is known from the first 6 digits.

The numerical value from the first 6 digits to the last digit preceding the last digit is the customer identification number 522. Specifically, these numerical values indicate the account number corresponding to the account ID313 of each customer. The last 1 bit is a checksum value corresponding to the entire value of the card ID520 number, and is a value for determining whether or not the entire card ID520 number is valid.

The short-range wireless communication apparatus 243 of the present embodiment reads the first 6 bits of the card ID520 held by the neighboring terminal 250 n.

In the present embodiment, the cashier processing unit 210 holds an identification number Database (DB)217 that associates the company identification number 521 with each contracted settlement system 300 as shown in fig. 16 (B). Then, the reception unit 211 and the transmission unit 212 refer to the identification number DB217 as necessary, and identify the settlement system 300 identified by the company identification number 521 that has been read. As shown in fig. 16 (B), for example, the identification number DB217 registers a settlement system ID524 for identifying the settlement system 300 in association with the company identification number 521.

For example, in the case of the previous selection, the receiving unit 211 displays only the settlement systems 300 identified by the company identification number 521 read by the short-range wireless communication device 243 as a list of settlement facilities. In the case of the latter selection, the transmission unit 212 transmits the face image only to the settlement system 300 specified by the company identification number 521 read by the short-range wireless communication device 243.

The processing flow of the cashier system 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 17 and 18. Fig. 17 is a processing flow in the case of the first selection. The processing in the case of the previous selection is basically the same as the processing flow in the cashier system 200 of the processing described with reference to fig. 7.

When the customer 101 is in turn, the cashier instructs the cashier processing unit 210 to start inputting of the purchase of the product by the customer. When the start instruction is received (step S1001), the cashier processing unit 210 acquires the amount of the product code transmitted from the POS terminal 220, and sequentially adds up the amounts until the reception end instruction. When receiving an instruction to end from the cashier, the cashier processing unit 210 counts the purchase amount (step S1002).

After the start instruction, the cashier processing unit 210 instructs the biological information acquisition device 230 to acquire the face image of the customer 101. Upon receiving the instruction, the biological information acquisition device 230 acquires the face image of the customer 101 (step S1003), and transmits the face image to the cash register unit 210.

After the start instruction, the cashier processing unit 210 instructs the short-range wireless communication device 243 to acquire the company identification number 521 of the neighboring terminal 250 n. Upon receiving the instruction, the short-range wireless communication device 243 performs short-range wireless communication with the neighboring terminal 250n, acquires the company identification number 521 (step S3101), and transmits the company identification number to the cashier processing unit 210.

The receiving unit 211 refers to the identification number DB217 and specifies the settlement system 300 associated with each acquired company identification number 521 (step S3102). Then, the settlement institution list 512 is generated using the specified settlement system 300, and the designation acceptance screen 510 including the generated settlement institution list 512 and the settlement amount is displayed to accept the selection of the customer (step S3103). Then, the biometric information and the settlement amount and the settlement request are transmitted to the selected settlement system 300. The subsequent processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 18 shows a process flow in the case of the post-selection. In this case, the same processing flow as that described with reference to fig. 8 is basically performed.

When the customer 101 is in turn, the cashier instructs the cashier processing unit 210 to start inputting of the purchase of the product by the customer. When the cash register processing unit 210 receives the start instruction (step S1101), the money amounts of the product codes transmitted from the POS terminal 220 are acquired, and the money amounts are sequentially added until the reception ends. When receiving the instruction to end from the cashier, the cashier processing unit 210 sums the purchase amounts (step S1102) to obtain the settlement amount.

When receiving the start instruction, the cashier processing unit 210 instructs the biological information acquisition device 230 to acquire the face image of the customer 101. Upon receiving the instruction, the biological information acquisition device 230 acquires the face image of the customer 101 (step S1103) and transmits the face image to the cash register unit 210.

Further, after the start instruction, the cashier processing unit 210 instructs the short-range wireless communication device 243 to acquire the company identification number 521 of the neighboring terminal 250 n. Upon receiving the instruction, the short-range wireless communication device 243 performs short-range wireless communication with the neighboring terminal 250n, acquires the company identification number 521 (step S3201), and transmits the company identification number to the cashier processing unit 210.

When the face image and the company identification number 521 of the neighboring terminal 250n are acquired and summed up, the transmitter 212 refers to the identification number DB217 and specifies the accounting system 300 associated with each acquired company identification number 521 (step S3202). Then, the settlement amount and the face image are transmitted to the determined all-settlement system 300 (step S3203). The subsequent processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

As described above, the card ID520 specifies the credit card information of the customer 101 in detail in order from the highest order. In this embodiment, the contact communication standard of the short-range wireless communication device 243 is set so that the highest 6 bits of the card ID520 can be read, in order to read only the company identification number 521. Further, encryption may be performed using a key at the time of reading. This ensures security and prevents unauthorized reading of card information using wireless communication.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the card ID information of the customer 101 near the cashier processing unit 210 is automatically read by the short-range wireless communication device 243. Then, it is used to screen transmission targets of biological information and the like.

Since it is difficult for the short-range wireless communication device 243 to determine the distance to the neighboring terminal 250n, the company identification numbers 521 of all the neighboring terminals 250n of the portable terminal 250 of the customer 101 including the cashier processing unit 210 are read. Accordingly, for example, when the holder of 5 neighboring terminals 250n holds credit cards of 3 settlement companies, the company identification number 521 of 15 companies at maximum, such as 3 × 5, is read. In this way, the number of 15 settlement systems 300 for searching for face images can be determined from the plurality. Therefore, the transmission destination of the biological information is screened, and thus the face image search can be efficiently performed. In practice, there may be duplicate settlement companies, so further qualification is possible.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a settlement system with high convenience for the user. Further, since the transmission destination of the biological information is limited, the processing speed is increased and the reliability is improved.

< modification example >

In the above embodiment, the short-range wireless communication device 243 is configured to read only the company identification number 521 of the card ID520, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be configured to acquire more bits. For example, a part or all of the customer identification number 522 may be read. In this case, the customer identification number 522 is used not to reduce the number of the settlement systems 300 to be transmitted but to narrow the search range in the settlement system 300.

The read customer identification number 522 is transmitted to the settlement system 300 together with the settlement amount and the face image. The transmitted customer identification number 522 constitutes a part of the account ID313 of each record of the account DB310 of the settlement system 300.

In the settlement system 300, when the authentication unit 330 performs authentication with reference to the account DB310, the search records are sorted by a part or all of the transmitted customer identification numbers 522, and authentication is performed in the sorted records. This also enables high-speed processing in the settlement system 300 and improves reliability.

However, as described above, the customer identification number 522 is information constituting a part of the account ID 313. Therefore, high security is required for the communication of this information. In this case, for example, the cashier processing unit 210 may be configured so that the card ID520 cannot be read by the short-range wireless communication device 243 unless the cashier key 269 is inserted. In addition, the wireless communication content may be encrypted. The encryption key may be held as electronic information by the cash register key 269. The encryption key is a key set between the cashier system 200 and each of the settlement systems 300, and is encrypted information provided by a third party so that the third party cannot obtain the encrypted information illegally, such as purchase or copy.

In addition, the short-range wireless communication device 243 is designed to read only a part of the value of the card ID520, and is set so as not to read all the bits of the card ID, thereby preventing a security accident such as a leakage of the credit card ID.

Further, the number of digits of the card ID520 read by the short-range wireless communication device 243 may be selected. For example, the following 3 kinds of read modes are set according to the number of read bits, and can be selected from them.

A) Company identification number 521 only

B) Company identification number 521 and part of customer identification number 522 (e.g., 4 out of 9 digits)

C) Whole card ID520

In this case, the security level is changed for each of the 3 types of read modes. The reading mode is set in advance in the cashier system 200.

A) In the case of (2), the read information is used in selecting the settlement system 300 as described above. On the other hand, in the case of B) or C), the search range is limited when the search is performed by the accounting system 300.

Accordingly, the security level increases in the order of a), B), and C), but there are advantages in that the reliability of authentication and the search speed increase. This ensures security against information leakage when reading the card ID520 from the mobile terminal 250 of a customer other than the customer 101 who is in line at the cash register. That is, the security level at the time of reading the card ID520 is changed by the cashier in accordance with the transaction state of the customer, and various operation flows for ensuring security and improving convenience can be realized.

In addition, the portable terminal 250 may be configured to limit the reading range without relying on an external request from the cashier system 200 or the like, for example. For example, even in the above-described C) mode, when a request to read all the parts of the card ID520 is received, only the company identification number 521 or a part of the company identification number 521 and the customer identification number 522 is allowed to be read from the mobile terminal 250. This can be achieved by making the portable terminal 250 return only a predetermined number of bits in response to a request for a credit card ID using short-range wireless communication.

In addition, the object may not be the mobile terminal 250. For example, when the credit card is a card capable of performing communication by receiving wireless power supply in a range of a certain short distance, the same function may be provided to the credit card to read the card ID520 having a predetermined number of bits.

< modification example >

In the above embodiment, the short-range wireless communication device 243 reads information of all the neighboring terminals 250n within the communication distance 244. However, the communication distance 244 may be set to be small, and only the information of the mobile terminal 250 of the customer 101 who performs the settlement by the cashier processing unit 210 may be read.

With this configuration, when selecting the settlement institution list in advance, the presented settlement institution list can be further sorted. In addition, in the case of the post-selection, the number of transmitted settlement systems 300 can be reduced.

Further, when a plurality of card IDs 520 are stored in the mobile terminal 250 of the customer 101, the accompanying information 523 may be stored as shown in fig. 16 (a). The incidental information 523 includes, for example, information specifying a card to be preferentially used by the customer 101 in normal use and information on a card to be preferentially used for each store. For example, the incidental information 523 is user setting information set by the user. When the short-range wireless communication device 243 reads the card ID520, the accompanying information 523 is also read.

When the priority order is registered, selection processing such as first selection and second selection is not required. That is, the cashier processing unit 210 receives the company identification numbers 521 and the priorities of the plurality of card IDs 520 read by the short-range wireless communication device 243. Then, the settlement amount and the face image are transmitted together with the settlement request to the settlement system 300 corresponding to the company identification number 521 having the highest priority of the incidental information 523, among the plurality of company identification numbers 521.

At this time, when the settlement system 300 receives the settlement impossible information, the settlement amount and the like are transmitted to the next higher priority settlement system 300. This process is repeated in order from the higher-priority company identification number 521 until settlement is allowed or a notification of the completion of settlement is received.

In addition, a plurality of priority orders registered as the incidental information 523 may be set according to the settlement amount. Further, the incidental information may not be the priority order itself. For example, an algorithm may be used that selects the optimum settlement means using information such as the integration rate set for each card, the frequency of use of each card, and the remaining usage limit.

In this case, the cashier processing unit 210 calculates the settlement system 300 most suitable for settlement at that time from among the plurality of settlement systems 300 corresponding to the plurality of company identification numbers 521 read out in accordance with the algorithm read out by the short-range wireless communication device 243 as the incidental information 523.

The incidental information 523 may be a settlement institution (default settlement institution) preset for each store, each store group unit, or the like.

This makes it possible to perform biometric authentication search only in the settlement system 300 specified by the card ID520 transmitted from the mobile terminal 250, and thus more efficient biometric authentication can be performed.

The storage location of the incidental information 523 need not be in the mobile terminal 250 or the credit card. For example, the cashier processing unit 210 of each store may manage and store the customer 101.

In addition, the incidental information 523 may also be stored in a database on the cloud. By storing the information on the cloud, the customer 101 can make a settlement with reference to the priority information regardless of the shop in which the customer purchases. The database on the cloud may be managed, for example, by a dedicated service system that manages and provides the priority order of each customer independently of the cashier system 200 and the settlement system 300.

< fourth embodiment >

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the number of authentication information increases as the purchase amount increases. However, in the present embodiment, the cashier system 200 includes 2 communication devices having different communication distances, and acquires the authentication information in accordance with the amount of money by a different reading method such as automatic reading or reading by an active operation of the customer 101.

The biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 of the present embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the NFC device 242 is the communication device 240 that is not in contact but has a communication distance (for example, 0.01m or less) to the extent that the terminal is in contact. The short-range wireless communication device 243 is a communication device 240 having a communication distance of about several m to several tens of m. However, in the present embodiment, the communication distance of the short-range wireless communication device 243 is set so that only the information of the portable terminal 250 of the customer 101 who has settled very close to the cashier processing unit 210 can be acquired.

Fig. 19 is a diagram for explaining the authentication information acquisition process performed by the cashier processing unit 210 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, 101 denotes a customer, and 102 denotes a cashier.

When the purchase amount is less than C dollars, the cashier processing unit 210 of the present embodiment acquires only the face image and transmits the face image to the predetermined settlement system 300. When the purchase amount is not less than C and less than D (C < D), the company identification number 521 acquired by the short-range wireless communication device 243 is received and transmitted to the corresponding settlement system 300. Further, when the purchase amount is equal to or larger than the D dollar, the cashier system 200 prompts the customer 101 to contact the NFC 241. The cashier processing unit 210 acquires the customer identification number 522 via the NFC241, and transmits the acquired customer identification number to the accounting system 300.

In the present embodiment, with the configuration described above, when the settlement amount is slightly higher, for example, equal to or higher than C and less than D, the short-range wireless communication device 243 reads the company identification number 521 from the mobile terminal 250 carried by the customer 101. At this time, the customer 101 does not need to take out the portable terminal 250 from a pocket or a bag. When the settlement amount is higher, for example, equal to or larger than the D dollar, the customer 101 takes out the mobile terminal 250 and contacts the NFC device 242. Thereby, the NFC device 242 reads the customer identification number 522. C, D is an integer of 0 or more.

In the above example, the short-range wireless communication device 243 reads the company identification number 521 and the NFC device 242 reads the customer identification number 522, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The first 4 bits of the card ID520 may be read or all the bits may be read according to the respective communication distances. When the distance to the mobile terminal 250 can be measured by the communication device 240, it is also possible to switch between reading a part of the numerical value or all the digits of the card ID520 in accordance with the distance by the same communication device 240. That is, when the distance is equal to or more than the predetermined distance, the predetermined number (company identification number 521) of a part of the digits may be read, and when the distance is less than the predetermined distance, all the digits may be read.

In addition, the portable terminal 250 or the credit card side may be configured to determine the number of bits that can be transmitted in the card ID520 in advance according to the type of communication or the communication distance in the communication with the communication device 240.

Specifically, the number of read bits of the information of the card ID520 recorded in the mobile terminal 250 is limited according to the communication method or the communication distance. For example, a design is adopted in which the numerical value of all the bits of the card ID520 can be read in the contact method and the very short range wireless communication, and the numerical value corresponding to the first 6 bits of the company identification number 521 can be read at the middle distance.

With this configuration, security can be ensured, and unauthorized card number reading using wireless communication can be prevented. In addition, the range of performing biometric authentication can be limited, and the number of times of biometric authentication processing can be reduced. Thus, more efficient face authentication can be performed while ensuring necessary security.

In addition, the number of read digits of the card ID520 may be dynamically changed in consideration of both security and search efficiency according to the situation in the store. The cash register unit 210 may be configured to change the read digit number of the card ID520 in accordance with the settlement amount. For example, when purchasing a high-priced product, the customer 101 is prompted to actively bring the mobile terminal 250 into contact with the NFC device 242, and the NFC device 242 reads all the card IDs. This enables more reliable authentication. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a security accident particularly in the case of purchasing high-priced goods.

< fifth embodiment >

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, when the biometric information and the settlement amount are transmitted from the cashier system 200 to the accounting system 300, the position information of the store is further transmitted. In the settlement system 300, the position information of the store is used to make the search efficient at the time of the authentication process. That is, in the present embodiment, the customer 101 determines the search order using a situation in which the probability of staying near the shop is high.

That is, in the present embodiment, the authentication process of the customer in the accounting system 300 is optimized in accordance with the basic action range of the customer 101. This enables efficient face authentication and retrieval.

Before the detailed description of the present embodiment, an outline will be described. Fig. 20 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the processing of the present embodiment. Stores 702a to 702e and customers' homes 701a and 701d are shown. When no special distinction is required, the shop 702 and the home 701 will be collectively referred to.

In the map shown in fig. 20, for example, when the store 702 is a convenience store, there is a high probability that the customer 101 resides near the store 702, for example, at home 701 within a range of a predetermined distance r from the store 702.

In the present embodiment, this is used to transmit the position information of the store 702 to the accounting system 300 together with the face image and the settlement amount. In the settlement system 300, the address information of the customer 101 registered in the account DB310 is used to perform collation processing in order from the record of the customer 101 closer to the position information of the store 702. This enables a quick search result determination and improves the search efficiency.

The biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 of the present embodiment basically has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. However, as described above, the cashier system 200 transmits the position information of the store 702. On the settlement system 300 side, the search range is limited using the position information. Therefore, the structure for realizing these operations is different. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with a focus on the structure different from that of the first embodiment.

The cashier system 200 of the present embodiment holds its own position information. The positional information is held in, for example, the external memory 267, the flash memory 262, or the like. In the case of a mobile store, the GPS264 may be used to acquire its own position information.

The transmitting unit 212 of the present embodiment also transmits the position information to the accounting system 300 when transmitting the face image and the settlement amount.

As shown in fig. 2 (B), the account DB310 of the settlement system 300 includes address data 317 of the customer 101 in the customer information 315.

In the authentication process, the authentication unit 330 of the present embodiment first refers to the position information and compares the position information with the customer 101 registered with the address data 317 near the position information. For example, when the store 702 is a local store such as a convenience store, the situation where the possibility that the customer 101 is a nearby resident is high is utilized.

As shown in fig. 20, the authentication unit 330 may be configured to refer to the position information, select a record of the customer 101 in which address data within a predetermined distance r from the store 702 is registered, and compare the record with priority.

In the example of fig. 20, when the store is 702a, a record of the customer 101 living in the home 701a having address data within a radius r around the store 702a is extracted. In this case, the record of the customer 101 who lives in the home 701d outside the radius r is not selected. Conversely, if the shop is 702d, the record of the customer 101 who lives in the home 701d is selected, and the record of the customer 101 who lives in the home 701a is not selected.

If the selected records cannot be collated, the authentication unit 330 collates the records of the other customers 101 one by one in a normal flow.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the accounting system 300 is transmitted with the position information of the store. In the settlement system 300, the search range is narrowed down using the position information.

According to the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a settlement system which is highly convenient for the customer 101. Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a highly reliable settlement system with quick response, which enables efficient search.

For example, even when the store is a mobile store such as an automobile, other than a store installed at a fixed location, the priority of biometric authentication can be improved for customers who are located within a radius of distance r from the store by using the location information obtained by the GPS or the like included in the cashier processing unit 210 of the store. This can improve the search efficiency.

< modification example >

In the present embodiment, the customer 101 may be configured to register information (store information) of a store, which has a high possibility of confirming its own visit, in the account DB310 of the settlement system 300 in advance.

That is, as shown in fig. 2 (C), the highly frequently visited store information is registered as, for example, the frequently used store information 318 among the customer information 315 in the account DB 310.

In this case, the cashier system 200 transmits the store information to the settlement system 300 together with the face image and the settlement amount when requesting authentication.

In the settlement system 300, the extracted and accepted store information is registered as a record set of the frequent store information 318, and the collation processing is performed preferentially from these records. Only when the authentication is unsuccessful within the extracted record, the other records are authenticated.

For example, the store may prepare an application program that can register the own store as a regular store in the settlement system 300 requested by the customer 101, and assist the registration.

< sixth embodiment >

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the biometric information (face image for collation) 312 registered in the account DB310 is updated.

As shown in fig. 21, there is a case where biological information changes with the passage of time. Particularly in the case of a face image, such temporal changes are significant. In the present embodiment, such biometric information is used for authentication. Therefore, it is preferable to appropriately update the data of the biometric information 312 for authentication stored in the account DB 310. For example, the latest biometric information is basically acquired and updated every predetermined update period.

As shown in fig. 22, the biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 according to the present modification basically has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the data of the biological information 312 is updated as described above. Therefore, the settlement system 300 of the present embodiment further includes an account management unit 340. As shown in fig. 2D, the biometric information 331 of the account DB310 according to the present embodiment includes the biometric information itself (the face image 312a for comparison) and the update date and time 312 b.

When the face image is transmitted for collation and the authentication is successful, the account management unit 340 replaces the registered collation face image 312a of the record with the face image for which the authentication is successful. In addition, the replaced date and time is registered as the updated date and time 312 b.

Further, after the authentication is successful, a new face image may be additionally registered in association with the update date and time 312b, instead of being replaced. In this case, in the subsequent authentication, the verification face image 312a associated with the latest update date and time 312b is used for authentication.

When the face image is transmitted for collation, the latest face image is always registered. However, there may be an account to which the face image is not transmitted for a predetermined period. The account management unit 340 of the present embodiment executes the biological information update process at predetermined time intervals so as to update the comparison face image 312a also for such an account.

The flow of the biological information update process will be described below. Fig. 23 is a process flow of the biometric information update process performed by the account management unit 340 according to the present embodiment. The biological information update processing is executed at regular intervals.

The account management unit 340 scans the account DB310 and extracts a record in which the elapsed time from the update date and time 312b of the biometric information exceeds a predetermined update period (step S6101).

The account management unit 340 sends a message to each contact address of the extracted record so that the latest biometric information is sent (step S6102). Specifically, for example, a message requesting transmission of the latest biological information together with the date and time of acquisition of the biological information is transmitted to the mail address, and the same contents are transmitted to the registered address. At this time, the additional account ID313 and the like are transmitted.

The above processing is repeated at predetermined time intervals.

When receiving biometric information and the like together with the account ID313 from each customer 101, the account management unit 340 first performs authentication by matching the biometric information with the currently registered biometric information. Then, when the authentication is successful, the biometric information (the comparison face image 312a) of the account ID313 is replaced with the latest biometric information, and the update date and time 312b is replaced with the biometric information acquisition date and time.

As described above, according to the system of the present embodiment, the latest face image for collation can be always held in the settlement system 300. This can further improve the authentication accuracy.

< modification example >

Further, the secular change of the biometric information may be dealt with by performing a matching in consideration of the change at the time of authentication, not by updating the biometric information. In this case, the account management unit 340 may not be provided.

First, the principle of this modification will be explained. In this modification, a case where a face image is used as the biometric information will be described as an example.

As shown in fig. 21, the biological information such as a human face includes an element that changes in a certain direction according to age increase and time elapse, and an element that does not change regardless of age. For example, in the case of a face image, whitening of hair and eyebrows is an age-related change. On the other hand, the positional relationship of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and the like in the face does not change unless otherwise specified. In the present embodiment, such differences in elements are considered in authentication.

Here, it is assumed that the face image 234t0 captured and acquired at time t0 using a portable information terminal such as a camera-equipped mobile phone is registered in the account DB310 as the biological information (face image for collation) 312.

The face image 234t1 is a face image at time t1 after a predetermined time has elapsed from time t 0. Here, an image in which beard and cheek are grown slightly thin is shown. Further, in the face image 234t2 at time t2 after the elapse of time, the eyebrows are whitened, and the cheeks are further thinned. Such a change is caused over time, and has a certain directivity.

In the authentication process in the authentication unit 330, such a difference due to secular change is ignored. That is, when the face image 234t1 or the face image 234t2 is transmitted, the authentication unit 330 determines that the person is the same person, not the different person, and determines that the authentication is successful.

On the other hand, in the face image 235, compared with the face image 234t0, the eyebrows are the same color, and the cheeks are not thinned, but the positional relationship between the eyes and the eyebrows, and between the nose and the mouth are different. Accordingly, when the face image 235 is transmitted, the authentication unit 330 obtains a determination result that the person is different because the factor is not different depending on age and time.

In the present modification, as in the above-described embodiment, the account DB310 may be additionally stored together with the registration date and time each time a new face image is transmitted for authentication. Accordingly, the account DB310 becomes a database including the direction vector of the change element with the passage of time, and even after the passage of time, more reliable face image authentication can be performed by considering the direction vector together.

< seventh embodiment >

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the settlement can be performed without using a cash register to perform the product registration and the counting process. That is, after the customer 101 enters the store, the product is taken out from the shelf as a purchased product, and the counting procedure by the cashier is omitted, and when leaving the store, the face authentication is automatically performed, and the settlement is executed.

Before the detailed description of the present embodiment, the outline of the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the face images of the customers 101 are acquired by cameras 711 installed at a plurality of places in the store 710. In addition, the shopping basket 717 photographs the products together with the face image. Then, the customer 101 who recognizes the matching face image places the product in the shopping basket 717 and sums up the amount of the product.

Then, in a settlement area 715 provided in an area immediately before the exit 713, the settlement amount is indicated to the mobile terminal 250 of the customer 101 by the short-range wireless communication device 243, and the settlement is performed upon receiving a selection of a settlement company.

The biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described below. The biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. The biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a plurality of cameras 711. The cash register processing unit 210 has the configuration of the first embodiment. However, a per-customer counting unit 216 is provided instead of the counting unit 214.

The plurality of cameras 711 are disposed at a plurality of places in the store 710, and can capture images of, for example, the entrance 712, each product shelf 714, and the like, and positions in the vicinity thereof. Each camera 711 acquires images at an extremely short predetermined time interval and transmits the images to the cash register processing unit 210.

The customer-by-customer counting unit 216 analyzes the image transmitted from the camera 711 disposed at the entrance 712, and extracts the customer 101 of the new store. The extraction is performed by, for example, processing such as intercepting a region recognized as a face, and acquiring a face image of each customer 101. Then, the face image acquired at the portal 712 is set as an ID (face image ID), and images arranged near the product shelves 714 in the store 710 are analyzed to identify a product in the shopping basket 717 held by a person of the face image recognized as the same person as the face image ID, and the product is sequentially registered as a purchase product in association with the face image ID. This process is performed for each customer 101 identified by the face image ID.

When the customer 101 arrives at the settlement area 715, the sub-customer counting unit 216 counts the total amount of all the products registered in association with the face image ID at that time as the settlement amount. In addition, the face image is acquired with the biological information acquisition means 230. Whether or not the customer 101 has reached the settlement area 715 is determined by analyzing an image from the camera 711 arranged to capture the settlement area 715.

The subsequent processing is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the settlement amount and the display position of the settlement institution list are the customer's portable terminal 250. That is, the cashier processing unit 210 causes the short-range wireless communication apparatus 243 to display the settlement amount and the settlement institution list on the mobile terminal 250 in the settlement area 715. Then, the receiving unit 211 receives the selection of the settlement institution via the short-range wireless communication device 243.

For example, when the face image is previously selected, the transmission unit 212 transmits the face image acquired by the biological information acquisition device 230 and the settlement amount to the selected settlement system 300. In addition, in the case of the latter selection, the settlement amount and the face image are transmitted to the entire settlement system 300. In the present embodiment, the biological information acquisition device 230 may not be provided. It may be configured to transmit the face image serving as the face image ID to the settlement system 300 instead.

Further, for example, a gate may be provided at the exit, and only the customer 101 may pass through the exit when the settlement is completed.

In the present embodiment, the motion of the customer 101 is captured and analyzed by the camera 711. Therefore, biometric authentication is also more effective when authentication is performed using information such as a face image and a body type obtained by using the camera 711. In the above embodiments, the case where the face image authentication is used as the biometric authentication method has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any of all biometric authentication methods may be used.

Hereinafter, a shopping flow of the customer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 24. In fig. 24 (a), the customer 101 enters the store from the entrance 712 of the store with the mobile terminal 250. The customer 101 simply passes through the entrance 712, but at this time the camera 711 captures biometric authentication information such as a face image of the customer 101 and the appearance of the customer 101.

Next, in fig. 24 (b), the customer 101 takes the product 716 on the product shelf 714. When the customer 101 determines to purchase the product 716 after actually confirming the product, the product 716 is placed in a shopping basket 717 as shown in fig. 24 (c). The camera 711 captures this action (including also the action of giving up the purchase and returning the product to the shelf). The sub-customer counting unit 216 analyzes the captured image, and records information that the customer 101 purchased the product 716.

Then, as shown in fig. 24 (d), when the customer 101 finishes shopping, the customer 101 moves to the cash register. In this embodiment, there is no clerk at the checkout counter. Further, the purchased product 716 is not individually read by the POS terminal 220 or the like.

At stage (c) in fig. 24, the purchase of the item 716 is ordered. Therefore, when the customer 101 leaves the store from the exit 713 before the cash register unit 210 provided in the settlement area 715 of the exit, the cash register unit 210 calculates the total amount of the commodities 716 put in the shopping basket 717 and captures the face image of the customer 101 using the biological information acquisition device 230. The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the customer 101 completes settlement by selecting only the settlement institution before the cash register processing unit 210 provided in the settlement area 715. In this case, when the priority order of the settlement institution is registered in the mobile terminal 250, the settlement institution does not need to be selected. That is, the customer 101 enters the store through the entrance 712, puts the product 716 in the shopping basket 717 from the product shelf 714, and leaves the store through the exit 713 as it is, thereby making it possible to settle the purchase of the product.

The camera 711 acquires an image so as to be able to recognize a series of operations of the customer 101, such as taking a product 716 from the product shelf 714 and putting the product 716 in the shopping basket 717.

The sub-customer counting unit 216 performs temporary registration of the purchase of the product, and calculates the total amount of the product temporarily registered at the timing when the customer 101 passes through the settlement area 715 to determine the settlement amount.

In the case of the latter selection, the authentication of the face image may be performed immediately after the image capturing using the image captured by the camera 711 provided at the entrance 712. That is, the face image is acquired at the timing when the customer 101 enters the store, and the face image is transmitted to all contract settlement systems 300 and is authenticated in advance. In this case, since the settlement amount cannot be transmitted, the determination of whether to permit settlement based on the amount is not performed.

With this configuration, the waiting time for the authentication process in the settlement area 715 can be reduced. Thus, the settlement processing of the customer 101 can be completed in a shorter time. Thus, the customer 101 can smoothly exit the store through the exit 713.

Further, when it is difficult to perform face authentication by imaging with the camera 711 of the entrance 712, the customer 101 may be configured to perform face authentication by using an image captured by the camera 711 in the vicinity when picking up the product 716 while moving in the store. Further, the plurality of cameras 711 may be configured to perform authentication each time a face image is acquired. In this case, the authentication accuracy can be improved by using a plurality of captured images.

< modification example >

In addition, the above embodiments have been described taking as an example a case where the customer 101 makes a settlement when purchasing a product in a store. However, the environment in which the biometric information authentication and settlement system 100 is used is not limited to this. For example, the authentication method can be used for authentication at the time of entry to an event venue such as a sports venue.

In an event venue or the like, in order to prevent ticket resale, there is a case where a face photograph is registered on a dedicated website when a ticket is purchased, and when the event venue is entered the same day, a worker takes the face photograph and performs collation with the registered photograph. However, since the comparison is performed manually, the accuracy is in error, and time and labor are consumed. This modification solves this problem.

Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the customer 101 registers a face image as a face image for collation with a ticket selling company when acquiring a ticket. Further, the cashier system 200 is assumed to be provided with an opening/closing control device that controls opening/closing of a gate of a mobile conference room.

Fig. 25 is a flowchart of the authentication processing at the time of entry in the case of the previous selection in the present modification. As described above, the present modification determines whether or not the gate is allowed to pass through at the entrance of an event venue such as a stadium based on biometrics authentication.

When it is the turn of the customer 101 and the customer 101 to come in front of the cashier processing unit 210, the cashier processing unit 210 causes the biological information acquisition device 230 to acquire the face image of the customer 101 (step S9001).

The receiving unit 211 displays the settlement institution list 512 listing the contracted settlement systems 300 on the second display 271 (step S9002). In the present modification, the contracted settlement system 300 is a ticket selling company of the event. Here, it is assumed that the ticket selling company has settlement systems a301, B302, and C303.

The person in charge prompts the second display 271 for the customer 101 to remind the ticket sales company to be selected. The customer 101 selects a ticket selling company that purchased tickets by itself from the settlement institution list 512. Here, it is assumed that a sales company having the settlement system a301 is selected.

When the receiving unit 211 receives a selection of a ticket selling company from the customer 101 (step S9003), the transmitting unit 212 transmits the face image to the corresponding computing system a301 (step S9004).

In the settlement system a301 that has received the transmission of the face image, the authentication unit 330 collates the transmitted face image with the collation face image and performs authentication (step S9005). Then, the result is transmitted to the cashier system 200 of the transmission source (step S9006). That is, if authentication is unsuccessful, a reply indicating that authentication is unsuccessful is transmitted, and if authentication is successful, a reply indicating that authentication is successful is transmitted.

When the cash register processing unit 210 receives a reply of unsuccessful authentication, the message is displayed on the second display 271 (step S9007), the process returns to step S9002, the settlement institution list is displayed again, selection is accepted, and the process is repeated. In this case, the settlement institution list is generated excluding the settlement system a301 that does not permit settlement.

At this time, in the case where the authentication is unsuccessful in all the contract settlement systems 300, the message is displayed on the second display 271 (step S9008) to notify the customer 101, and the process is terminated.

When receiving a reply of successful authentication from the accounting system 301 (step S9009), the cashier processing unit 210 instructs the opening/closing control device to open the gate (step S9010), and ends the process.

Next, the flow of the settlement processing in the case of the post-selection will be described with reference to fig. 26.

When it is the turn of the customer 101 or the customer 101 before the cashier processing portion 210, the cashier processing portion 210 causes the biological information acquisition device 230 to acquire the face image of the customer 101 (step S9101).

The transmitting unit 212 transmits the acquired face image to the contract settlement system 300(a301, B302, C303) (step S9102). In addition, the contracted settlement system 300 is a ticket selling company for the event.

In each settlement system 300 that has received the face image, the authentication section 330 performs authentication (step S9103). In each settlement system 300, whether or not the authentication is successful is transmitted to the cashier system 200 (step S9104).

When the cashier processing unit 210 receives a reply of successful authentication from at least 1 of the settlement systems 300 (step S9105), it instructs the opening/closing control device to open the gate (step S9106), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the cashier processing unit 210 does not receive a reply of successful authentication from any of the settlement systems 300 within a predetermined period, it is determined that the authentication is unsuccessful, and the message is displayed on the second display 271 (step S9107), whereby the customer 101 is notified and the processing is terminated.

According to this modification, at the gate where the ticket is normally presented, confirmed, and passed, the specific operation of confirming the ticket can be automatically performed by the biometric authentication, and the work at the gate can be reduced. Therefore, a person can more smoothly pass through the gate. This is particularly effective in the case of using a face image that can be captured with a camera as the biological information.

The face authentication-based service is originally a behavior that human beings perform very naturally. For example, it is conceivable that a past behavior such as receiving discount service when shopping from the vicinity of home, making the person in store familiar with the service, or purchasing an item on credit (post-payment without any certificate) will be performed electronically and easily and accurately in the future, and the present invention is used in various fields.

< modification example >

In the above embodiments, the settlement system 300 manages the biometric information of the customer in association with the account of the customer, but is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a service system 800 independent of each cashier system 200 and each settlement system 300 may be provided, and the service system 800 may perform biometric authentication of the customer 101.

Fig. 3 (B) shows a system configuration in this case.

In this case, the service system 800 manages the card ID520 as a part of the account ID313 in association with the biometric information (face image for collation) 312. Then, authentication is performed when the face image is transmitted from the cashier system 200.

Fig. 16 (C) shows an example of the authentication DB810 managed by the service system 800. As shown in the figure, the authentication DB810 includes settlement company information 811, an account ID812, and authentication biometric information 813. The settlement company information 811 is information for identifying each settlement system 300. For example, the company identification number 521 of the card ID is used. In addition, the account ID812 is information identifying the account of the customer 101. The account ID313 of the account DB310, the customer identification number 522, or the like is used. The biometric information for authentication 813 is, for example, a face image for comparison.

In the case of the previous selection, as shown in fig. 27, the cashier system 200 transmits the settlement amount and the face image, and the settlement request and the settlement company information to the service system 800 (step S1006).

When the face image is received from the cashier system 200 in the service system 800, authentication is performed by determining whether or not the authentication biometric information 813 matching the face image is registered in the authentication DB810 (step S9201). At this time, the check is performed in the record associated with the settlement company information transmitted together.

When registered, the account ID812 registered in association with the biometric information for authentication 813 is specified (step S9203). Then, the designated account ID812, the settlement amount, the settlement request, and information (store information) identifying the cashier system 200 of the transmission source are transmitted to the settlement system 300 identified by the received settlement company information together with information indicating the success of the authentication (step S9204). In fig. 27, it is assumed that settlement system a301 is selected.

If the authentication is not registered, information indicating that the authentication has not been successful is returned to the cashier system 200 of the transmission source (step S9202).

When the settlement system a301 receives the settlement amount, the settlement request, the account ID, and the store information, it determines whether or not settlement is possible (step S1009), and if settlement is possible, settlement is performed (step S1011). Then, information indicating the completion of the settlement is transmitted to the transmission source service system 800 (step S1012). In addition, in the service system 800, relay is performed to transmit the information to the cashier system 200 of the transmission source (step S9206). Further, the settlement system a301 may be configured to directly transmit information indicating completion of settlement to the store specified by the store information.

On the other hand, in the case where the payment is not available in step S1009, information indicating that the payment is not available is transmitted to the service system 800 in the same manner as described above, and the service system 800 relays the information to the cashier system of the transmission source (step S9205).

On the other hand, the flow in the case of the post-selection will be described with reference to fig. 28. In this case, the cashier system 200 transmits the settlement amount and the face image to the service system 800 (step S1104).

When the face image is received from the cashier system 200, the service system 800 determines whether or not the biometric information 813 for authentication matching with the face image is registered, and performs authentication (step S9301). If the authentication is unsuccessful, the message is returned to the cashier system 200 that requested the source (step S9302).

If the authentication is successful, the service system 800 specifies the settlement company information 811 registered in association with the authentication biometric information 813 (step S9303). Then, the settlement amount and the account ID812 are transmitted to the settlement system 300 of each of the designated settlement companies (step S9304).

In the settlement system 300, the transmitted settlement amount and account ID812 are used to determine whether settlement is allowed or not (step S1107). Then, the result is transmitted to the service system 800 of the transmission source (steps S1107 and S1108).

In the service system 800, the result is relayed to the cashier system 200 of the request source (steps S9305, S9306). At this time, the settlement company information 811 is transmitted together with the settlement companies that can settle the settlement.

In the cashier system 200, the settlement institution list 512 of the settlement system 300 specified by the settlement company information 811 returned from the service system 800 is generated (step S1109), and the selection of the customer 101 is received (step S1110). Then, the selected settlement company information and settlement request of the settlement system 300 are transmitted to the service system 800 (step S1111).

When the settlement company information and the settlement request are accepted as a reply to the authentication success transmitted before in the service system 800, the system goes to the settlement system 300 (step S9307). In this case, the account ID812, which has received the settlement permission in step S9306, and information (store information) identifying the cashier system 200 of the transmission source are transmitted together. Fig. 28 shows an example of the case where settlement system a301 is selected.

When the settlement amount, the settlement request, the account ID812, and the store information are received in the settlement system a301, settlement is performed (step S1112), and a reply is made to the service system 800 (step S1113). In the service system 800, the reply is relayed to the cashier system 200 of the request source (step S9308).

In the case of the latter option, data other than the authentication process may be directly transmitted and received between the settlement system 300 and the cashier system 200. In this case, the settlement system a301 transmits data to the cashier system 200 of the store specified by the store information, and the cashier system 200 replies to the transmission.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent registration of biological information such as a face image for collation in the plurality of settlement systems 300.

Further, the service system 800 may further hold priority information of each customer 101. The priority information is information for determining the priority of the use settlement company for each customer 101.

When the information is selected later, the service system 800 determines the settlement system 300 according to the priority information of the customer when the plurality of settlement systems 300 permit the selection in step S1108. This can omit the process of returning information to the cashier system 200 and accepting selection.

The priority information may be held in the mobile terminal 250 of the customer 101, and the information may be read and transmitted to the service system 800 together with the settlement amount and the like. In the service system 800, the settlement system 300 is determined according to the transmitted priority information.

The embodiment and the modification of the present invention described above are not limited to these examples. For example, a part of the structures of a certain embodiment and modification can be replaced with other embodiments and modifications. In addition, the configurations of the other embodiment and the modification can be added to the configurations of the certain embodiment and the modification. All of which fall within the scope of the present invention.

Further, numerical values, messages, and the like appearing in the text and the drawings are only examples, and the effects of the present invention are not impaired even if they are used differently.

In addition, the functions of the invention and the like may be implemented in hardware by, for example, designing the functions in an integrated circuit. The present invention can also be realized by software by interpreting and executing an operation program for realizing each function by a microprocessor unit, a CPU, or the like. Further, the scope of software implementation is not limited, and both hardware and software may be used.

Description of the reference numerals

100: biometric information authentication settlement system, 101: a customer, 102: the cashier's staff is provided with a cash register,

200: cashier system, 201: store system a, 202: store system B, 203: store system C, 204: store system D, 210: cashier processing unit, 211: receiving unit, 212: transmission unit, 213: presentation unit, 214: summation portion, 215: amount determination unit, 216: per-customer totalization unit, 217: identification number DB, 220: POS terminal, 221: commercial product, 230: biological information acquisition device, 231: a camera, 232: second biological information acquisition means, 233: ID reading device, 234: face image, 234t 0: face image, 234t 1: face image, 234t 2: face image, 235: face image, 240: communication device, 242: NFC device, 243: short-range wireless communication apparatus, 244: communication distance, 250: portable terminal, 250 n: a neighboring terminal is connected to the base station,

260: CPU, 261: bus, 262: flash memory, 263: SD-RAM, 264: GPS, 265: first display, 266: external memory IF, 267: external memory, 268: network IF, 269: cashier key, 271: second display, 272: camera, 273: fingerprint sensor, 274: card reader, 275: barcode reader, 277: short-range wireless communication IF, 278: wireless LANIF, 290: the member store is provided with a plurality of member stores,

300: settlement system, 301: settlement system, 301: settlement system a, 302: settlement system B, 303: settlement system C, 304: settlement system D, 305: settlement system E, 310: account DB, 311: account information, 312: biological information, 312 a: face image for collation, 312 b: update date and time, 313: account ID, 314: authentication password, 315: customer information, 316: settlement amount information, 317: address data, 318: common store information, 320: settlement processing unit, 322: permission portion, 323: settlement unit, 330: authentication unit, 331: biological information, 340: account management unit, 351: face image for collation, 352: second biological information, 353: the number of the card ID is set to be,

390: credit card operator, 391: international brand, 392: card issuing mechanism, 393: the order receiving mechanism is used for receiving the order,

400: the network(s) of the network(s),

510: designation of acceptance screen, 511: identification information, 511 d: identification information, 512: settlement institution list, 513: settlement amount, 520: card ID, 521: company identification number, 522: customer identification number, 523: incidental information, 524: the settlement system ID is set to the system ID,

701: from home, 701 a: from home, 701 d: from home, 702: store, 702 a: store, 702 b: store, 702 c: store, 702 d: store, 702 e: store, 710: store, 711: a camera, 712: inlet, 713: an outlet, 714: merchandise rack, 715: settlement area, 716: commercial product, 717: a shopping basket is provided with a shopping basket body,

800: service system, 810: DB for authentication, 811: settlement company information, 812: account ID, 813: biometric information for authentication.