JP2008010006A - Photographing device, personal identification method, and photographing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform photographing according to features of each person for more accurately identifying the person. <P>SOLUTION: The photographing device 1 is provided with a distance exposure storage part 204 storing a first body image photograph conditions such as a photographing distance and an exposure time in association with a personal ID for each person, a photograph controlling part 201 photographing an identification target based on the photograph conditions corresponding to an inputted ID for acquiring a second body image of the identification target, a halation determination part 206 determining whether an area of a halation part of the acquired second body image is larger than a predetermined area or not, and a corrected exposure time calculation means calculating a corrected exposure time so that the halation part area is smaller than the predetermined area when it is determined that the halation part area is larger. The photograph controlling part 201 carries out photographing again by using the calculated corrected exposure time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus for acquiring an image in which personal features appear and a personal identification system using the photographing apparatus.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a technique for identifying an individual based on a human physical characteristic and determining whether or not the person is the person himself / herself.

  However, in the case of personal identification that combines lighting and shooting, there are differences in features such as the thickness and color of the skin differing from person to person, so the image obtained by shooting is too bright (so-called whiteout). May occur. In that case, identification of individuals may not be successful.

  In view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to perform photographing according to the characteristics of each individual and to identify the individual more accurately.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention performs identification of a person by collating a first body image acquired by imaging in advance with a second body image acquired by imaging when performing the identification. In addition, an imaging device that performs imaging for acquiring the second body image, and for each individual, imaging conditions when imaging the body of the individual to acquire the first body image Is stored in association with the ID issued to the individual, input means for inputting the ID of the individual to be identified, and the second body of the individual to be identified In order to acquire an image, it has an imaging means for imaging the body of the individual based on the imaging condition corresponding to the input ID.

  Alternatively, an imaging unit for imaging an individual's body, the first body image of the individual acquired by imaging by the imaging unit, and an imaging condition at the time of the imaging correspond to an ID issued to the individual And output means for outputting to the storage means.

  Alternatively, an imaging device that takes an image of the object by forming an image of light reflected by the object with a light receiving means, and has a brightness that is higher than a predetermined value in a region of all or a part of the image acquired by the imaging A determining means for determining whether or not a whiteout portion, which is a large portion, is larger than a predetermined area; and an exposure time when the determining means determines that the whiteout portion is larger than the predetermined area. Photographing control means for correcting the image so that the larger the area of the whiteout portion is, the shorter the area is, and controlling the photographing again.

  Alternatively, when it is determined by the determining means that the area of the whiteout portion is larger than the predetermined area, the exposure time is corrected so as to be shorter as the area of the whiteout portion is larger. A corrected exposure time calculating means for calculating a corrected exposure time that is an exposure time such that the area of the portion is smaller than the predetermined area; and the corrected exposure time calculated by the corrected exposure time calculating means Corrected exposure time storage means for storing in association with the ID to be identified, input means for inputting the ID, and imaging control means for controlling the imaging to be performed again with the corrected exposure time corresponding to the input ID. And an output means for outputting an image acquired by re-taking the shooting as a shooting result.

  The personal identification system according to the present invention is a personal identification system for identifying an individual, and for each individual, the first body image obtained by photographing the body of the individual in advance and the photographing Output means for outputting the first body image and the photographing condition to a storage means for storing the photographing condition in association with the ID issued to the individual, and the individual to be identified Corresponding to the ID of the person input by the input means in order to obtain the second body image of the person who is the object of identification when performing the identification A photographing means for photographing the body of the person based on the photographing conditions, the first body image corresponding to the ID of the individual to be identified, and the individual obtained by photographing by the photographing means By matching said second body image, the individual is a, and identifying means for identifying whether a person.

  Preferably, the storage unit stores an imaging distance at the time of imaging for acquiring the first body image for each individual in association with the ID of the individual, and the identification unit stores in the storage unit By comparing the stored shooting distance corresponding to the ID of the individual to be identified and the shooting distance at the time of shooting for acquiring the second body image, the individual is himself / herself. Or not.

  The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the photographing apparatus 1, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view near the center of the photographing apparatus 1, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the situation of photographing the left cheek, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the photographing apparatus, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an output value of the distance measuring sensor 27 and an actual distance.

  An imaging apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes an imaging apparatus main body 2 and a main body cover 3 as shown in FIGS. This imaging apparatus 1 is an apparatus for imaging a blood vessel pattern of a part of a human body. When photographing, the main body cover 3 is attached to the front surface 20a of the photographing apparatus main body 2 in advance. For example, when photographing the left cheek of a human face, as shown in FIG. 3, the left cheek is directed to the front of the photographing apparatus 1 and the left cheek and the front of the photographing apparatus 1 are parallel (that is, The left cheek, which is the photographing surface, intersects perpendicularly to the photographing direction axis) and the distance between them is about 2 cm to 9 cm. Hereinafter, a case where a blood vessel pattern of a human cheek is photographed will be described as an example.

  The imaging device main body 2 includes a casing (housing) 20, an imaging unit 21, a circuit board 22, an irradiation unit 23, an interface 24, a shutter button 25, a distance measuring sensor (distance sensor) 27, a lamp 28, and the like. The photographing apparatus main body 2 can be connected to the personal computer 6 through the interface 24 as shown in FIG.

  The casing 20 has a box-like shape, and the front surface 20a is open.

  The imaging unit 21 includes a lens 211, an image sensor 212, and the like. As the image sensor 212, for example, a CCD type image sensor or a CMOS type image sensor is used.

  The circuit board 22 is provided with a control circuit for performing control and D / A conversion of each part of the photographing apparatus 1 to be described later, a ROM, a RAM, a CPU, and the like storing computer programs (firmware) and data. It has been. The CPU performs arithmetic processing based on a command from the personal computer 6 or the shutter button 25, a computer program, data, or the like. With such a configuration, the photographing apparatus 1 includes a photographing control unit 201, an image processing unit 202, a photographing condition storage unit 203, a distance exposure storage unit 204, a distance calculation unit 205, and a whiteout determination unit 206 as illustrated in FIG. , And the functions of the LED drive units 261 and 262 are realized.

  The irradiation part 23 has LED as a light source. As these LEDs, those emitting infrared rays are used.

  The current supplied to these LEDs is obtained from the personal computer 6 via the interface 24. When USB is used as an interface, current can be obtained after communication with the personal computer 6.

  Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body cover 3 includes a filter plate 31 made of a synthetic resin plate or a glass plate and a lens cover 32 made of a synthetic resin plate. The main body cover 3 is attached to the front surface 20a of the casing 20 by screws or the like (not shown). As the filter plate 31, for example, a material having a property of cutting visible light and light having a shorter wavelength than that (that is, light having a wavelength of about 800 nm or less) and transmitting infrared light is used.

  The distance measuring sensor 27 is attached in the photographing direction, measures the distance between the distance measuring sensor 27 itself and the object to be imaged, that is, the subject, and is used for user identification processing described later. As the distance measuring sensor 27, an optical or ultrasonic distance measuring sensor (distance sensor) is used.

  Since the positional relationship between the distance measuring sensor 27 and each part of the photographing apparatus 1 is known in advance, the distance from each part of the photographing apparatus 1 to the subject is also obtained based on the distance obtained by the distance measuring sensor 27. In the present embodiment, the reference for the distance to the subject is defined as the front surface 3 c of the main body cover 3. That is, the distance from the photographing device 1 to the subject is defined as the distance from the front surface 3c of the main body cover 3 to the subject.

  When the cheek, which is the subject, is located a few centimeters away from the imaging device 1 (see FIG. 3), the distance measuring sensor 27 is, for example, near the base of the ear, near the tip of the cheekbone (near the corner of the eye corner) It is set so that the distances at three points near the bottom can be measured.

  Specifically, the distance from the photographing apparatus 1 to one point of the subject is finally obtained by the following method. The distance measuring sensor 27 outputs a measurement value of 8 bits, that is, 256 gradations, as a measurement result of the distance to one point on the surface (photographing surface) of the subject.

  Although the correspondence between the measured value (output value) and the actual distance varies slightly depending on the type of subject, the actual distance to the subject tends to be shorter as the measured value is larger. For example, the relationship between the measured value and the actual distance when the surface of the human body is measured is as shown in the function “D = F (x)” shown in FIG. Such a function is obtained by actually performing measurement while gradually changing the distance between the photographing apparatus 1 and the cheek. Then, by substituting the measured value into a function corresponding to the type of the subject, the distance from the photographing apparatus 1 to one point of the subject is obtained.

  The distance calculation unit 205 in FIG. 5 uses the above-described method, that is, based on the function shown in FIG. 6 and the measurement values (output values) for the three cheek points, from the imaging device 1 to the three cheek points. Calculate the distance. The average of these distances is taken as the distance from the photographing apparatus 1 to the subject. The distance value obtained in this way is provided as distance information 70 to the imaging control unit 201 and the whiteout determination unit 206.

  The imaging control unit 201 instructs the LED driving units 261 and 262 to start supplying current to the LEDs 51a to 51d and 52a to 52d at the moment when the shutter button 25 is pressed and the shutter is released. Then, it instructs to stop the supply of current in accordance with the exposure time. Thereby, each LED emits light in synchronization with the shutter and shutter speed (exposure time). The instruction to release the shutter may be issued by the personal computer 6 instead of the shutter button 25.

  When the shutter is released and each LED emits light, the light is applied to the cheek that is the subject. However, since visible light or the like is cut by the filter plate 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), only the infrared ray is irradiated to the subject. Generally, human or animal blood vessels have a property of absorbing infrared rays. Therefore, the portion of the cheek surface that has blood vessels under the skin does not reflect the irradiated infrared rays very much, but the portion without blood vessels reflects well.

  Reflected light from the subject passes through the filter plate 31 and enters the casing 20, and forms an image on the image sensor 212 by the lens 211. The image sensor 212 generates imaging data by converting it into a signal. The image processing unit 202 performs image processing on the imaging data to generate an image of a cheek blood vessel pattern. Note that the image processing may be performed by the personal computer 6.

  As the shutter, a mechanical shutter such as a lens shutter or a screen shutter, an optical shutter such as a liquid crystal shutter, and the like can be used. Further, for example, it may be configured such that accumulation of electric charges by the image sensor 212 is started in synchronization with a photographing command, accumulation is terminated after the exposure time has elapsed, and the accumulated electric charges are read out. In other words, the exposure time in such a configuration means the charge accumulation time. Alternatively, these mechanical, optical, or electrical shutters may be combined.

(Automatic exposure control function)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of photographing processing when the automatic exposure control function is used, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the distance exposure table TL1, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the cheek image FA1. 10 shows an example of the exposure correction table TL2.

  The photographing apparatus 1 has a function (hereinafter, “exposure”) for automatically controlling exposure (exposure) time for each individual (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “user”) as a subject in order to suppress occurrence of whiteout. "Automatic exposure control function") is provided. Next, the contents and processing procedures of such functions will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The distance exposure storage unit 204 shown in FIG. 5 stores a distance exposure table TL1 and an exposure correction table TL2 (see FIG. 10). In the distance exposure table TL1, a standard exposure time corresponding to the distance between the photographing apparatus 1 and the subject is determined as shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the exposure time is set to be longer as the distance from the photographing apparatus 1 to the subject (cheek) is longer. For example, when the distance to the photographing apparatus 1 is 2.5 cm, the exposure time is set to 80 ms (milliseconds), and when it is 8.5 cm, it is set to 95 ms.

  The “gain” in the distance exposure table TL1 is an output gain of the output signal S10 output from the image sensor 212 to the image processing unit 202. In FIG. 5, the adjustment signal S11 for adjusting the output gain is sent from the imaging control unit 201 or the like based on the distance exposure table TL1. The output gain can also be adjusted manually. The amplifier 208 amplifies the output signal S10. The amplifier 208 can be omitted. The gain of the amplifier 208 may be variable, the gain may be adjusted by the adjustment signal S11, and the output gain of the output signal S10 may be adjusted. In that case, the amplifier 208 may be integrally formed inside the image sensor 212. If the output signal S10 is digital data, a data converter or the like may be used instead of the amplifier 208. Here, the output gain is set to be the same regardless of the distance.

  The distance measurement sensor (distance sensor) 27 and the distance calculation unit 205 in FIG. 5 measure the distance between the imaging apparatus 1 and the user's cheek, which is the subject, before capturing, and acquire distance information 70 (FIG. 7). # 10, # 11). After the measurement, the distance measuring sensor 27 is stopped in order to prevent the light emitted from the distance measuring sensor 27 from interfering with the light emitted from the LED (# 12).

  The imaging control unit 201 calculates the exposure time based on the distance information 70 and the distance exposure table TL1 (# 13). Then, the user's cheek is photographed with the exposure time (# 15). Thereby, a cheek image FA1 as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained. In FIG. 9, for the sake of simplicity, the depiction of the blood vessel pattern under the skin appearing in the cheek image FA <b> 1 is omitted, and the appearance of the left cheek is depicted instead. A blood vessel pattern appears in the actual cheek image FA1. The same applies to the cheek image FA2 of FIG. 15 described later.

  The whiteout determining unit 206 determines how much whiteout has occurred in the obtained cheek image FA1 (# 17, # 18). Such determination is performed as follows. First, the brightness of pixels in a predetermined area of the cheek image FA1 is obtained. The predetermined area means a whole or a partial area of the preset cheek image FA1. In the example of FIG. 9, a region indicated by 7 × 5 dotted circles is a predetermined region. Each circle indicates one pixel located at a position apart from each other. That is, in the example of FIG. 9, 7 × 5 scattered pixels are predetermined regions.

  It is examined whether or not the brightness of each pixel included in the predetermined area (that is, the pixel indicated by 7 × 5 circles) is higher than a predetermined value. For example, when the lightness is expressed by 256 gradations of 0 to 255, the predetermined value is “255”. Depending on the characteristics of the image sensor 212, a value around “250” may be set as a predetermined value.

  The area of a predetermined region that is higher than a predetermined value is obtained. Since each pixel has the same area, the area of the region can be obtained by counting the number of pixels. The area or the number of pixels obtained in this way represents the degree of occurrence of whiteout.

  Returning to FIG. 7, when the number of pixels higher than the predetermined value is smaller than the predetermined number (for example, less than 2) (No in # 18), the cheek image FA1 needs to be corrected for the exposure time. It is determined that no over-exposure occurs. Therefore, the imaged cheek image FA1 is directly output to the personal computer 6 or the like as the imaged result.

  If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (Yes in # 18), it is determined that the cheek image FA1 has whiteout that requires correction of the exposure time. In this case, correction for shortening the exposure time is performed in order to suppress overexposure (# 19), and the user's cheek is imaged again with the exposure time (# 15).

  The exposure time is corrected as follows based on the number of whiteout pixels (area of whiteout), the distance information 70, and the exposure correction table TL2. In the exposure correction table TL2, as shown in FIG. 10, an adjustment value G added to correct the exposure time according to the distance D between the photographing apparatus 1 and the subject at the time of photographing and the number N of whiteout pixels. Is stipulated.

  For example, when the distance D = 4 indicated by the distance information 70 and the number N of whiteout pixels = 3, the adjustment value G = −5 is obtained from the exposure correction table TL2. This adjustment value G is added to the exposure time at the time of the last photographing. That is, when the previous exposure time = 85, 5 is subtracted and the exposure time is corrected to 80.

  If the adjustment value G obtained in this way falls within the frame indicated by the thick line in the exposure correction table TL2, optimal shooting may not be possible even if the exposure time is corrected. . Therefore, in this case, the shooting process may be stopped as a shooting error. Then, the distance between the photographing apparatus 1 and the subject is changed, and photographing can be performed again from the beginning.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the newly obtained cheek image FA1 is determined to be overexposed (# 17, # 18), and if the overexposed pixel is smaller than the predetermined number (in # 18). No), the cheek image FA1 is output to the personal computer 6 or the like as a photographing result. If the number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (Yes in # 18), photographing is repeated until the whiteout is reduced (here, less than 2). However, the number of times of photographing is counted (# 16), and if the number of times of photographing exceeds a predetermined number (for example, three times) (Yes in # 15), the photographing process is stopped because it is impossible to photograph. .

[User identification processing]
11 is a diagram showing an example of programs and data stored in the magnetic storage device 6d, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the feature information database 6DB, and FIG. 13 is a diagram for registering the feature information 71 and the shooting condition information 72 FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of user identification processing, and FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cheek image FA2.

  A user identification system 100 for identifying an individual (user) can be configured by the photographing apparatus 1 and the personal computer 6. Hereinafter, the user identification process will be described by taking as an example the case of logging on to the personal computer 6 of FIG.

  The magnetic storage device 6d of the personal computer 6 stores a feature information database 6DB as shown in FIG. In the feature information database 6DB, as shown in FIG. 12, feature information 71 (71a, 71b,...) For each user is stored in association with a user ID for identifying the user. A user who wishes to use the personal computer 6 needs to register (store) the feature information 71 and the shooting condition information 72 in advance in the feature information database 6DB in association with his / her user ID.

  The feature information 71 is information related to features such as the user's body and wrinkles. In the present embodiment, information regarding the left cheek blood vessel pattern is used as the feature information 71. The photographing condition information 72 indicates the optimum photographing condition for photographing a blood vessel pattern image on the left cheek for the user.

  The registration of the feature information 71 and the shooting condition information 72 is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. First, the user images the blood vessel pattern of his / her left cheek with the imaging device 1 (# 21). The shooting procedure is as described above with reference to FIG. Before or after shooting, the user's own user ID is input to the keyboard of the personal computer 6 (# 22). If you do not have a user ID, ask your system administrator to issue your user ID in advance. Or get it issued after shooting.

  If the photographing is successful, the personal computer 6 receives the cheek image FA1 obtained by the photographing from the photographing device 1 (# 23). Then, the image data of the cheek image FA1 is stored as feature information 71 in the feature information database 6DB in association with the input or issued user ID (# 24). Alternatively, information indicating features such as the thickness, length, number, or arrangement of blood vessels obtained by analyzing the cheek image FA1 may be stored as the feature information 71.

  The photographing conditions for acquiring the cheek image FA1, that is, the exposure time corrected to suit the user and the information indicating the distance between the photographing device 1 and the left cheek are received from the photographing device 1 (# 25). These pieces of information are stored in the feature information database 6DB as shooting condition information 72 in association with the user ID (# 26).

  As shown in FIG. 11, a user identification program 6PG is installed in the magnetic storage device 6d. By executing this program, a process for determining (identifying) whether or not the user who is logging on to the personal computer 6 is a correct user is realized by the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. .

  When the switch of the personal computer 6 is turned on, a logon screen is displayed on the personal computer 6. Here, the user inputs his / her user ID (# 31), and the imaging apparatus 1 captures his / her left cheek to obtain a cheek image FA2 as shown in FIG. 15 (# 32). The acquired cheek image FA2 is transmitted to the personal computer 6.

  Note that imaging for acquiring the cheek image FA2 is performed based on the imaging condition information 72 corresponding to the input user ID with reference to the feature information database 6DB of FIG. That is, shooting is performed with an exposure time optimum for the user corresponding to the input user ID. Further, at the time of such shooting, the position of the user's left cheek is guided as follows so that the distance between the shooting device 1 and the user's left cheek becomes the optimum distance indicated in the shooting condition information 72.

  Before shooting, the distance between the shooting device 1 and the user's left cheek is measured periodically (for example, every second) by the distance measuring sensor 27 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). When the difference between the measured distance and the distance indicated in the shooting condition information 72 is a predetermined value (for example, about 0.1 to 0.3 cm) or more, the lamp 28 is blinked. When the distance between the photographing device 1 and the user's left cheek approaches the optimum distance and becomes less than a predetermined value, the lamp 28 stops blinking and remains lit. At the same time, the posture of the left cheek may be determined based on the distance between the photographing device 1 and the three points on the left cheek, and the front of the photographing device 1 and the left cheek may be guided in parallel.

  A speaker may be provided in the photographing apparatus 1 instead of the lamp 28, and a sound such as “Please move closer by 1 cm” or “Please move a little further” may be output to guide the position of the subject. A liquid crystal panel may be provided to display and guide messages, graphics, photos, or videos. You may make it guide by the speaker of a personal computer 6, or a display apparatus.

  Returning to FIG. 14, the personal computer 6 searches the feature information database 6DB for feature information 71 corresponding to the input user ID (# 33). Then, by comparing the blood vessel pattern feature indicated by the feature information 71 with the blood vessel pattern feature of the cheek image FA2 and determining whether or not they match, it is determined whether or not the user is the correct user. Is discriminated (# 34).

  If it is determined that the user is a correct user (Yes in # 35), the user can log on to the personal computer 6 and can use the personal computer 6 (# 36). If it is not determined that the user is correct (No in # 35), a message indicating that the user cannot log on and that the operation is to be performed is displayed on the personal computer 6 (# 37).

  Individual identification is not limited to the case of logging on as described above, but can be performed for, for example, identification (time card) at the time of payment or time leaving or leaving in an electronic payment system.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to take an image according to the characteristics of each individual and obtain an image with less whiteout. Thereby, an individual can be identified more correctly.

  Note that the shooting condition information 72 when shooting (# 21 in FIG. 13) for obtaining the cheek image FA1 is associated with the user ID and stored in the shooting condition storage unit 203 (see FIG. 5) of the shooting apparatus 1. You may make it do. Then, even if the personal computer 6 is not connected to the photographing apparatus 1, the photographing condition information 72 is searched based on the user ID input from the operation button provided on the photographing apparatus 1, and immediately optimum for the user. Shooting can be performed under various shooting conditions. Therefore, it is convenient when, for example, a blood vessel pattern is photographed for periodic physical examination. It is also easy to carry around and take pictures in various places.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the longer the distance to the subject, the longer the exposure time, and the gain (amplification) of the output of the image sensor 212 is constant regardless of the distance. And the exposure time may be constant. That is, the output gain may be used as the imaging condition. Alternatively, both may be set as shooting conditions.

  In this embodiment, the blood vessel pattern of the human cheek is photographed by the imaging device 1 and used for identification of the user. Of course, identification by the blood vessel pattern of other parts of the body is also possible. For example, all surfaces such as the forehead, head, belly, back, buttocks, neck, limbs, arms, and legs can be photographed. In this case, the imaging apparatus 1 may be configured by changing the LED arrangement, LED luminous intensity, automatic exposure adjustment conditions (see FIGS. 8 and 10), and the like according to the part to be imaged. It is also used for animal photography.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the exposure correction table TL3. In the present embodiment, the exposure time for each user (see FIG. 12) is obtained by correcting the standard exposure time based on the whiteout area (number of whiteout pixels) when the user is photographed. However, it can also be obtained based on the age or gender of the user.

  In this case, for example, for each user, information indicating the age and sex of the user is stored in the database in association with the user ID. In general, whiteout tends to appear more in women than in men. In addition, the appearance of overexposure has a characteristic tendency depending on the age or generation. Therefore, an exposure correction table TL3 as shown in FIG. 16 is prepared in the distance exposure storage unit 204 (see FIG. 5). The adjustment value G (g11, g12,..., G63,...) For adjusting (correcting) the exposure time actually shoots a large number of men and women of all ages, for each combination of sex and generation (or age). This is obtained by analyzing the statistics of the exposure time.

  The optimum exposure time for acquiring images such as the cheek images FA1, FA2 (see FIGS. 9 and 15) is referred to the exposure correction table TL3, and the adjustment value G corresponding to the age and sex of the user. You may ask based on. The obtained exposure time is stored as shooting condition information 72 in the feature information database 6DB (see FIG. 12) or the shooting condition storage unit 203 in association with the user ID of the user.

  In addition to age and gender, exposure time may be corrected by combining factors such as occupation or daily sport.

  In the present embodiment, the exposure time is changed according to the degree of whiteout of the user, but other shooting conditions may be changed. For example, the light intensity of the light source (LED) or ambient brightness may be changed. In this case, a table for obtaining the optimum LED altitude or the like corresponding to the distance exposure table TL1 and the exposure correction table TL2 (see FIGS. 8 and 10) may be prepared.

  In the present embodiment, the distance between the imaging device 1 and the subject (user's cheek) is used for guiding the position of the subject. However, it is used together with the cheek image as feature information 71 when performing user identification processing. Is also possible.

  That is, the method of determining the distance between the imaging device 1 and the left cheek when imaging for the cheek image FA1 is taken as the user's eyelid (feature), and the distance is stored in association with the user ID. . Then, when the difference between the distance when the photographing for the cheek image FA2 (# 32 in FIG. 14) and the distance indicated in the feature information 71 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (for example, several millimeters), FIG. In Steps # 34 and # 35 shown in FIG. If not, it is determined that the user is not correct.

  In the present embodiment, the cheek images FA1 and FA2 are collated by the personal computer 6 in the user (individual) identification process, but the collation process may be performed by the photographing apparatus 1. That is, some or all of the functions of the personal computer 6 may be provided in the photographing apparatus 1.

  Shooting for acquiring the cheek images FA1 and FA2 may be performed by separate imaging devices 1. However, in this case, it is desirable to use the imaging device 1 having the same configuration.

  In addition, the configuration of the whole or each part of the photographing apparatus 1 and the personal computer 6, the subject of photographing, the arrangement and intensity of LEDs, the arrangement of optical systems such as lenses, the processing contents, the processing order, the contents of the database or table, etc. It can be appropriately changed in accordance with the purpose.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is useful in that photographing can be performed according to the characteristics of each individual and the individual can be identified more accurately.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of an imaging device. It is a section side view near the center of an imaging device. It is a figure which shows the example of the condition of imaging | photography of the left cheek. It is a figure which shows the example of a user identification system. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a functional structure of an imaging device. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the output value of a ranging sensor, and actual distance. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an imaging | photography process at the time of using an automatic exposure control function. It is a figure which shows the example of a distance exposure table. It is a figure which shows the example of a cheek image. It is a figure which shows the example of the table for exposure correction | amendment. It is a figure which shows the example of the program and data which are memorize | stored in the magnetic storage apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a feature information database. It is a figure explaining the example of the flow of a process for registering feature information and imaging condition information. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a user identification process. It is a figure which shows the example of a cheek image. It is a figure which shows the example of the table for exposure correction | amendment.

Claims (6)

In order to identify an individual by collating the first body image acquired by photographing in advance with the second body image obtained by photographing when performing the identification, the second body image is used. An imaging device that performs imaging to acquire
For each individual, a photographing condition including a photographing distance when photographing the person's body to acquire the first body image and an exposure time set long according to the length of the photographing distance. Photographing condition storage means for storing in association with the ID issued to the individual;
Input means for inputting the ID of the individual to be identified;
In order to acquire the second body image of the individual to be identified, the body of the individual is photographed based on the photographing distance and the exposure time included in the photographing condition corresponding to the input ID. Photographing means;
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the area of the whiteout portion, which is a portion having a brightness greater than a predetermined value, of all or a part of the image acquired by the photographing means is larger than a predetermined area;
When it is determined by the determining means that the area of the whiteout portion is larger than the predetermined area, the exposure time is corrected so as to be shorter as the area of the whiteout portion is larger. Corrected exposure time calculating means for calculating a corrected exposure time that is an exposure time such that the area is smaller than the predetermined area;
Corrected exposure time storage means for storing the corrected exposure time calculated by the corrected exposure time calculation means in association with the ID of the individual who is the subject of photographing by the photographing means;
Photographing control means for controlling the photographing means so as to redo photographing at the corrected exposure time corresponding to the ID input by the input means;
A photographing apparatus comprising: In order to identify an individual by collating the first body image acquired by photographing in advance with the second body image obtained by photographing when performing the identification, the second body image is used. An imaging device that performs imaging to acquire
Corresponds to the ID issued to the individual, at least either age or gender, together with the photographing conditions including the photographing distance and exposure time when photographing the individual's body to acquire the first body image Photographing condition storage means for storing the information;
Input means for inputting the ID of the individual to be identified;
In order to obtain the second body image of the individual to be identified, an imaging unit that images the body of the individual based on the age or sex corresponding to the input ID and the imaging condition;
A photographing apparatus comprising: In order to identify an individual by collating the first body image acquired by photographing in advance with the second body image obtained by photographing when performing the identification, the first body image is used. An imaging device that performs imaging to acquire
Photographing means for photographing an individual's body;
The first body image of the individual acquired by photographing by the photographing unit and the photographing condition including the photographing distance and the exposure time at the time of photographing are associated with the ID issued to the individual in the storing unit. Output means for outputting to,
A photographing apparatus comprising: A personal identification method for identifying an individual,
For each individual, an ID issued to the individual including the first body image acquired by photographing the body of the individual in advance and the photographing condition including the photographing distance and the exposure time at the time of the photographing. In association with the storage means,
An input step of inputting the ID of the individual to be identified;
Based on the photographing distance and the exposure time included in the photographing condition corresponding to the input ID of the individual in order to acquire the second body image of the individual to be identified when performing the identification. A photographing step for photographing the individual's body,
A determination step of determining whether or not the area of the whiteout portion, which is a portion having a lightness greater than a predetermined value, of all or a portion of the image acquired by the photographing step is greater than a predetermined area;
When it is determined in the determination step that the area of the whiteout portion is larger than the predetermined area, the exposure time is corrected so as to be shorter as the area of the whiteout portion is larger. A corrected exposure time calculating step for calculating a corrected exposure time that is an exposure time such that the area is smaller than the predetermined area;
A corrected exposure time storage step of storing the corrected exposure time calculated in the corrected exposure time calculating step in association with the ID of the individual who is the subject of shooting;
A re-shooting control step for performing control so that shooting is performed again at the corrected exposure time corresponding to the ID input in the input step;
By collating the first body image corresponding to the ID of the individual to be identified with the second body image of the individual acquired in the photographing step, the individual is the person himself / herself. An identification step for identifying whether there is,
The personal identification method characterized by comprising. In order to identify an individual by collating a first body image acquired by photographing in advance with a second body image obtained by photographing when performing the identification, the second body image is used. A shooting method for shooting to obtain
Corresponds to the ID issued to the individual, at least either age or gender, together with the photographing conditions including the photographing distance and exposure time when photographing the individual's body to acquire the first body image A shooting condition storing step for storing the information;
An input step of inputting the ID of the individual to be identified;
An imaging step of imaging the body of the individual based on at least the age or gender corresponding to the input ID and the imaging conditions in order to obtain the second body image of the individual to be identified; ,
A photographing method characterized by comprising: In order to identify an individual by collating the first body image acquired by photographing in advance with the second body image obtained by photographing when performing the identification, the first body image is used. A shooting method for shooting to obtain
A shooting step for shooting the individual's body;
The first body image of the individual obtained by photographing in the photographing step and the photographing condition including the photographing distance and the exposure time at the time of the photographing are associated with the ID issued to the individual in the storage unit. An output step that outputs to
A photographing method characterized by comprising:

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