JPH0535935A - Passport and immigration system utilizing passport - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten a waiting time and to settle congestion by automatically performing various checks in an immigration inspection office. CONSTITUTION:A passport 1 is constituted of an identification information storage part for specifying bearers, a storage part storing confirmation image information for confirming bearers, a nonvolatile storage means having a control information storage part for an immigration, a case 2 storing the storage means and an interface part 6 to the storage means. This system is constituted of a person recognition means for entering persons and departing persons, an information reading means reading person confirmation image information, identification information and control information stored in the passport 1, a legitimacy decision means comparing the image information obtained from the person confirmation means with the image information within the passport and deciding the legitimacy of the passport 1 and the legitimacy of bearers based on the read identification information and control information and a control information writing means writing the control information for immigration in the control information storage part of the passport 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a passport and an immigration control system using the passport for automatically performing immigration control which is carried out at an airport, a port or the like where international flights take off and land. In addition, the passport is configured to have a storage means such as an IC card, and various kinds of information written in the storage means in the passport are read, various checks are performed, and immigration processing is performed to determine the validity. It relates to an automatic passport and immigration control system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, overseas travel has become popular and more than 10 million people have been traveling abroad each year.
Congestion at immigration control stations is becoming more common, and waiting times are becoming longer. The current immigration control is
Using a passport (passport) in the form of a book held by an immigrant and an immigration card in which certain items are entered in advance, various items (such as passport number, issuing country and date, valid (Period, name, height), authenticity of the photograph attached to it, confirmation of the person on the photograph and the description, whether the person who owns it matches, and whether the person is prohibited from entering or leaving the country Confirmation of whether or not it is confirmed, confirmation of entry items on the immigration card, judgment of validity, etc. are all carried out manually by the immigration inspector.

[0003]

Therefore, in order to solve the congestion at the immigration inspection point, and to reduce the waiting time and the troublesome entry / departure card entry, check the passport and the person who carries it. The challenge is to automatically process immigration cards. In addition, the current notebook-shaped passports are made of paper, and various items printed on the passports are easily rewritten and easily used as counterfeit passports. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to confirm the person who owns it.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a passport is configured by using a nonvolatile storage means capable of writing and reading various data such as an IC card which has become widespread in recent years. It is an object of the present invention to provide a passport and an immigration control system using the passport, which are capable of automatically performing immigration processing including various checks in the above and totalizing management data.

[0004]

According to the present invention for solving such a problem, first, the passport structure is identified by an identification information storage section for storing identification information for identifying a holder, and the sameness with the holder. Non-volatile storage means each having a person image information storage section for storing person confirmation image information for confirming, and a management information storage section for storing management information for immigration control, and the storage made of a portable noncombustible material. And a case for accommodating the means and an interface section for enabling data access to the storage means from outside the case. In addition, an immigration control system using a passport with such a configuration is installed at the immigration inspection point, a person confirmation means for confirming the person of the immigration person, and a memory installed at the immigration inspection point and provided in the passport. Information reading means for reading the person confirmation image information, identification information and management information stored in the means, and comparing the image information obtained from the person confirmation means with the person image information read from the information reading means. , A legitimacy determining means for determining the legitimacy of the passport and the legitimacy of the holder based on the identification information and management information read from the information reading means, and for immigration control in the management information storage unit of the storage means of the passport. Management information writing means for writing the management information of 1.

[0005]

The storage means in the passport stores various information for functioning as a passport. At the immigration inspection site, the information reading means reads the person confirmation image information for person confirmation stored in the storage means in the passport, the identification information, and the management information. The legitimacy determination means determines the legitimacy of the passport and the legitimacy of the owner based on the image information obtained from the person confirmation means, the person image information read from the information reading means, the identification information, and the management information Is determined. Further, the management information writing means writes the management information indicating the entry / exit history into the storage means in the passport when the entry / exit permission is determined.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a structural conceptual view showing an example of a passport according to the present invention, showing a main part in an open state.
In this embodiment, face photograph image information is used as person confirmation image information for person confirmation.
In the figure, 1 is a portable passport body, 2 is a case made of non-combustible material (for example, metallic or non-combustible plastic material), and a non-volatile storage means such as an IC card is housed inside the case. . In addition, a face photograph 3 of the owner is pasted on the front of the case 2. Face photo 3
For example, a normal photograph may be cut, pasted, and sealed, but it may be, for example, a photograph directly imprinted on the surface of the case, or a photograph imprinted using holography. Whichever is used, it is desirable to make a device that makes replacement and forgery difficult. 4 is a column in which identification information for identifying the owner is described, for example, a passport number (passport number) for identifying the owner, name, gender, date of birth, height, nationality, permanent address, address, , Issuance date of passport, expiration date, issuing office and place of issuance, owner's own signature (signature), etc. are described. These pieces of identification information are described when the passport is issued (created). Further, each of these pieces of information is written in a non-volatile storage means (memory) in the case 2. Similarly, as person confirmation image information for person confirmation, the image information of the face photograph 3 and the image information of the owner's own signature are also written in the non-volatile storage means in the case 2 when the passport is issued. As person confirmation image information for person confirmation, in addition to the image information of the face photograph and self-signature,
For example, fingerprint information or voiceprint information of the person can be used. The identification information is protected so that it cannot be rewritten thereafter. 5 is a column in which management information for immigration control is described. For example, the date of departure,
The date of entry, flight number or ship name of use, boarding place, purpose of travel, place of departure, main destination country name, own station, etc. are entered. Items (contents) entered in this management information entry field
Corresponds to the departure card that is written each time you leave or enter the country, or the items that are written on the entry card, and it may be a separate sheet such as these cards, or it can be removed. Like this, 1
The management information may be newly written in the entry column after the travel ends. Then, the management information described here is described when the airline ticket is received, for example, at the counter of the airline company or the counter of the travel agency, and the data writing device or the like provided therein allows the management information in the case 2 to be stored. It shall be written in the non-volatile storage means. An interface portion 6 is provided on the upper end surface of the case 2 and allows data access to the storage means housed in the case from the outside of the case.
Although it is assumed here that a connector to be connected to an external circuit is attached, an interface that performs wirelessly using a wireless signal, an infrared signal, or the like may be used. The interface unit 6 is constructed so that various kinds of information stored in the storage means in the case 2 can be read from the outside of the case and necessary information can be written. Reference numeral 7 denotes a page on which additional information, a visa (visa) or entry / exit history information (for example, date / time of entry / exit) is written or printed, which is attached to the case 2 in a notebook form.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the internal structure of the storage means in the case 2. Reference numeral 8 is a storage area for identification information, 9 is a storage area for image information for personal identification such as a facial photograph or fingerprint, and image information for self-sign (signature). All of these personal identification image information are provided when a passport is created. It is written and protected so that it cannot be rewritten after that. Reference numeral 10 is a storage area for immigration control information, and an area having an appropriate capacity is prepared so as to support a plurality of travels. The management information written in this area is
It is written by a data writer, etc. when receiving an air ticket at the airline counter or the travel agency counter. Further, among these management information, for example, information such as the date of departure and the date of entry is the information written as the entry / exit history information by the information writing means of the entry / exit processing unit, which will be described later. The data is stored in the area 10a. The immigration control information written in the other area 10 is configured to remain at least after the departure and until the entry. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a configuration of an immigration control system according to the present invention using a passport having a configuration as shown in FIG. 1. Here, a video camera is used as a means for confirming a person, and a person is used as a storage means. It is assumed that face image information is stored as the confirmation image information. In the figure, DP is an immigration inspection station, and M
O1, MO2 ... indicate people who are leaving Japan.
Reference numeral 21 is a video camera that captures at least the facial part of these departures. When a fingerprint is used as the information for identifying the person, the fingerprint detecting means is provided separately from the video camera. 22 is the departure processing department. Although only one set of video cameras and departure processing units are shown here, they are provided for each of a plurality of departure gates. In the embarkation processing section 22, reference numeral 23 is an information reading means for reading the information written in the storage means in the passport when the passport 1 is attached or inserted. As the information reading means, for example, a card reader of an IC card can be used, and person confirmation image information (face image information), passport holder identification information, immigration control information, etc. stored in the storage means. Is read at high speed. Reference numeral 24 is an information writing means for writing departure history data such as the date of departure, time, etc. in the management information storage area 10a (FIG. 2) of the storage means. Writing the departure history data here corresponds to pressing the departure stamp on the passport when leaving the country. For example, a printing means (not shown) is provided, and the passport 1 is written together with the writing of the departure history data in the storage means. Entry page of visa, etc.
The departure history data may be printed on. Reference numeral 25 denotes a legitimacy determining means, image information for person confirmation obtained from the video camera 21 or fingerprint detecting means, face photograph image information read from the information reading means 22 or fingerprint image information, identification information, immigration control. A function to enter information, etc., and various information sent from the management computer 4 side, and determine whether the passport 1 is valid, the proprietor's legitimacy, illegal immigrants, and illegal residents. have. AR is an immigration station, MI
1, MI2 ... indicates people who are about to enter the country.
Here, as in the case of the immigration inspection point DP, a video camera 31 that captures at least the face portion of an immigrant and an immigration processing unit 32 are provided for each gate. The internal configuration of the immigration processing unit 32 is substantially the same as that of the immigration processing unit 22. The information writing means 34 provided here is for writing data such as the date of entry, time, etc. in the management information storage area of the storage means. To write this data, the entry seal is entered in the passport upon entry into the country. It corresponds to pressing.
Therefore, a printing means (not shown) may be provided, and the entry history data may be printed on the entry page 7 of the passport 1 such as the visa while the entry history data is written in the storage means. Each departure processing section 22 and entry processing section 32 are connected to the management computer 4 via a data bus. In this management computer, the information read by the information reading means 23 is used to use the data processing means 61 for performing a predetermined counting process for immigration control and the justification determining means 25 for the justification determination. It has a means 62 for downloading the management information to the validity judging means 25 side.

FIG. 4 shows the immigration processing section 22 and the immigration processing section 32.
FIG. A passport mounting portion 41 to which the passport 1 having the structure shown in FIG. 1 owned by each departure person is attached or inserted, a display means 42 for outputting an operation message to the departure person, and a passport holder if necessary. Information input means 43 such as a keyboard operated by
It has a video camera 21 that captures the face of the person who owns the passport, and a warning light 46 that informs the user when an entry / exit prohibition is determined, or when an operation error occurs. Reference numeral 50 denotes a gate, which is configured to be driven based on the determination result of the correctness determination means 25 (35). When the image information of the fingerprint is used as the image information for confirming the person, a fingerprint detecting means for detecting the fingerprint by placing a finger or inserting the finger is provided.

FIG. 5 shows an immigration processing section (immigration processing section) 22.
It is a functional block diagram which shows the detail of (32). Inside the passport 1, 11 is a storage means for storing various kinds of information, and the immigration processing section 2 through the interface section 6.
2 (32) information reading means 23, information writing means 2
Is combined with 4. Reference numeral 20 is an image memory for inputting person image information for person confirmation from a video camera 21 or a fingerprint detecting means, performing predetermined image processing, and storing image information such as a face or fingerprint of a passport holder, 30.
Is a microprocessor coupled to the information reading means 23 and the information writing means 24, 44 is a message output means for displaying an operation message or the like on the display means 42, 45 is a database, which is downloaded from the management computer 4 side, for example, an illegal passport It stores information such as numbers, illegal departures, and illegal residents. In the microprocessor 30, reference numeral 51 is an image image comparison means for comparing the image information from the image memory 20 with the person confirmation image information of the face photograph or fingerprint read through the information reading means 23. For comparison of image images here, known image image comparison methods are used, such as comparing the entire patterns of faces or fingerprints as they are, or extracting the contours and features of a face or fingerprints and comparing them. Reference numeral 52 is a read information check means, which checks whether the identification information read through the information read means 23 has been rewritten. As such a check, a method of adding a parity bit to data and performing a parity check, storing special type information and checking it, and the like are used. Reference numeral 53 is an identification information comparing means, which is information about a passport number that is determined to be valid, and identification information of the owner, which is either an illegal passport number stored in the database 45, information about illegal immigrants, illegal residents, or the like. Compare for disagreement. 55 is an additional information requesting means, which is an information reading means 2
3, When there is some trouble in the image / image comparison means 51, the read information check means 52, the identification information comparison means, etc., and it is determined that additional information is required accordingly,
The request for additional information is output to the message output means 44.
The message output means 44 is configured to output a required message or operation guide to the display means 42 in response to a request for additional information or a request from each means.

The operation of the thus constructed apparatus will be described below. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the departure processing unit 22. At the time of departure, the departure person stands in front of the departure processing section 22 and opens the case 2 portion of the passport 1 and inserts it into the passport mounting portion 41. Then, the passport 1 is automatically taken inside and the storage means 11 can be accessed from the external circuit through the interface section 6. The embarkation processing unit 22 constantly monitors whether the passport 1 is correctly mounted in the passport mounting unit 41 (step 1). Then, when the normal mounting of the passport 1 is detected, the video signal from the video camera 21 is read. At this time, in front of the video camera 21,
Since the passport holder is standing to operate the embarkation processing unit 22, the face portion of the passport holder is photographed and the image memory 2 is displayed.
Image information about the face of the passport holder is automatically stored in 0. When the fingerprint image information is used, an operation such as placing or inserting a hand or a finger corresponding to the fingerprint detecting means is performed according to a message displayed on the display means 42, and the image information of the fingerprint is stored in the image memory 2.
It will be stored in 0. In addition, the information reading means 23
Reads the identification information and facial photograph image information or fingerprint image information, immigration control information, etc. stored in the storage means 11 in the passport 1 via the interface section 6 (step 2). The information read is:
The read information checking means 52 checks the validity (step 3). This check not only checks whether the data itself read using the parity data added to the data is valid, but also checks whether the expiration date of the passport is within the valid range. As a result of these checks, if the read data is valid, the face image information or the fingerprint image information stored in the image memory 20 is compared with the face photograph image or the fingerprint image stored in the storage unit 11. The image is compared by the image comparison means 51 (step 4,
5). The comparison of the image images here may use, for example, an image detection technique used for identifying bills or a technique for determining validity.

When a facial photograph image is used as the image information for confirming the person, the image information of the face of the passport holder, which is captured by the video camera, may be slightly different from the facial image, for example, the hairstyle has changed. Since it may be changed, it is desirable to extract a scanning line that crosses a part showing facial features such as eyes and mouth and compare the image data. If the face image information captured by the video camera and the face photograph image information read from the storage means or the fingerprint image information from the fingerprint detection means and the fingerprint image information read from the storage means match, then the identification information comparison means 53
In step 6, a comparison / search is performed to determine whether the read identification information corresponds to specific information stored in the database, for example, a person who is prohibited from leaving the country (step 6,).
7). If the comparison / search results do not correspond to the specific information, the legitimacy determination unit 25 determines the departure permit and writes the departure management information and the like read from the storage unit 11 into the database 45. Also, the contents of the image memory 20 are reset. The information writing unit 24 writes the departure history information such as the date of departure and the departure gate into the storage unit 11 in the passport 1 through the interface unit 6 in response to the determination of the departure permit. Further, the gate driving means 54
Receives the decision of the exit permit and drives the gate 50 open (step 8). In this step 8, the departure history information may be printed by the printing means (not shown) on the management information entry field 5 or the entry page 7 such as an additional record or a visa (visa). Storage means 1 in passport 1
When the writing of the departure history information to 1 is completed, the passport 1 is returned to the passport mounting section 41 of the departure processing section 22, and the display means 42 displays the message output means 44, for example, "Please take your passport". Message is displayed. These messages may be performed by voice output.

The passport loading section 41 is provided with a passport removal detecting means for detecting removal of the passport, and the gate driving means 54, after the passport removal detection means receives passport determination, attaches the passport 1 to the passport. The gate 50 may be configured to be driven open when it is detected that the gate 50 is removed from the portion 41. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation where the passport is left behind and the vehicle passes through the gate. When it is determined in step 3 that the read information is not valid, it is determined in step 5 that the image information read from the video camera or the fingerprint detection means and the image information read from the passport storage means do not match. If it is determined in step 7 that the read identification information corresponds to specific information such as the person who is prohibited from leaving the country, the validity determination unit 25 is determined.
In any case, it is determined that the departure is not permitted (step 9). When it is determined that the departure is not permitted in this way, a message to that effect is displayed, for example, on the display means 42 of the departure processing section and also on the warning light 46 and the like. The information is also transmitted to the management computer 4 side. This allows the immigration inspector to rush to the relevant gate immediately.

In this series of operations, the information read by the information read means 23 cannot be sufficiently read due to improper mounting of the passport, or the face captured by the video camera 21 in the image / image comparison means 51 is detected. It is conceivable that the image information of (1) may cause a problem such as a blur of the face. In this case, the additional information requesting means 55 requests the operation of inserting the passport to be redone based on the instruction from the image / image comparing means 51, the read information checking means 52, or the like, or the additional information requesting means 55 of the video camera 21. A message, such as prompting the user to stand up again or placing the finger again on the fingerprint detection means, is displayed on the display means 42 via the message output means 44. Also, in the event of a malfunction such as the passport not coming out of the passport mounting part or the exit permit being determined but the gate not opening, the keyboard 43 (Fig. 4) can be operated to call the immigration officer. Has become.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the immigration processing unit 32. The flow of the entire operation is almost the same as the flow of departure processing shown in FIG. The difference is that the entry permit is determined in step 8 and entry history information such as the entry date and entry gate name is written in the storage means 11 in the passport. By the immigration processing and immigration processing as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the identification information and immigration control information of the person who has departed or is permitted to enter the country are automatically constructed as the database 45 and the database on the management computer 4 side. It will be. Management computer 4
The download means 62 in the database stores various data for immigration control in the databases of a plurality of immigration processing departments.
For example, the data of illegal immigrants is downloaded so that it is always updated with the latest data. Further, the data processing means 61 in the management computer 4 uses the constructed database to perform various data processing for immigration control conventionally performed, for example, statistics on the number of immigrants, travel destinations, purposes, Statistical processing such as length of stay and time-series trend processing are performed. An immigrant who does not have a passport having the structure shown in FIG. 1 will be subject to the same immigration processing as the conventional immigration officer. These numbers will decrease as the system according to the invention becomes more prevalent in each country.

In the above embodiment, the face photograph 3 to be pasted on the passport is assumed to be a conventional photograph printed on photographic paper and used conventionally, and the storage means 11 is used.
Although the image information of the facial photograph is stored in the inside, for example, a photograph using holography that is difficult to forge or replace is used as the facial photograph, and the image of this holographic facial photograph 3 is used for the immigration processing section. You may make it provide the image reading means which optically reads.
In this case, since the face photograph image information is optically stored, it is not necessary to store the face photograph image information in the storage means 11. Information for identifying a person may be used in combination with information such as facial photograph image information, fingerprint image information, self-sign, or voiceprint.
In this case, for example, when comparing face image information, a similar range is set, and the similar range is set as a result of the match / mismatch between the self-signature (signature) image information and the self-signature described on the immigration card, or , Fingerprint image information may be combined and changed according to the result of matching / mismatching. That is, for example, when the face image, the self-signed image, and the fingerprint image information are used in combination, and when the face images are compared and the similar range is the same, the self-signed image information and the fingerprint image information are the same. Set a wide range,
When the self-signed image information does not match, but the fingerprint image information does match, the similarity range for comparison of face images is set to be slightly narrow. As a result, it is possible to smoothly perform the comparison judgment of the face images even when the face is slightly changed. Further, in the above embodiment, the immigration control information is written in advance in the storage means 11 in the passport at the counter of the airline company or the travel agency, but these immigration control information is stored in the immigration card as in the past. It should be noted that the data may be read by the input / output processing unit, written in the storage means 11 in the passport, or sent to the management computer side.

[0016]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the passport is provided with the non-volatile storage means for storing various information, and various checks can be automatically performed at the immigration inspection site. By doing so, it is possible to shorten the waiting time at the immigration inspection point, eliminate congestion, and reduce the number of immigration inspectors. In addition, various data collection and processing for immigration control can be performed easily. Further, since it is extremely difficult to modify or alter the passport, it is possible to prevent the passport from being illegally used. In addition, since the storage medium portion is made of a non-combustible material, it will not be burned out due to an accident or the like. Therefore, even if some accident occurs, the identity of the passport owner can be accurately and easily confirmed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural conceptual diagram showing an example of a passport according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an internal configuration of a storage unit housed in a case.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the configuration of an immigration control system according to the present invention using a passport having the configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an external configuration diagram of an immigration processing unit and an immigration processing unit.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing details of an immigration processing unit (immigration processing unit).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the departure processing section.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the entry processing unit 32.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 passport body 2 non-combustible material case 3 face photo 4 Identification information entry field 5 Immigration control information entry field 6 Interface section 21,31 video camera 22,32 Departure Processing Department 23,33 Information reading means 24, 34 Information writing means 25,35 Validity determination means 32 Immigration Department 4 management computer 41 Passport mounting section 42 display means 50 gates 54 Gate drive means 61 data processing means 62 Downloading means

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An identification information storage unit for storing identification information for identifying a holder, a person image information storage unit for storing person confirmation image information for confirming the identity with the holder, management for immigration control. Non-volatile storage means each having a management information storage section for storing information, a case made of a portable non-combustible material for accommodating the storage means, and an interface for enabling data access to the storage means from outside the case Passport with department. 2. The passport according to claim 1, wherein image information of a person's face is stored as person confirmation image information. 3. The passport according to claim 1, wherein image information of a fingerprint of a holder is stored as the person confirmation image information. 4. The passport according to claim 1, wherein the image information storage section for storing the person confirmation image information uses holography to optically store the image information. 5. An identification information storage unit for storing identification information for identifying a holder, a person image information storage unit for storing person confirmation image information for confirming the identity with the holder, and immigration control. A passport having a storage means having a management information storage section for storing management information for, a person confirmation means for confirming the person of the immigrant, and a person confirmation means for confirming the person of the immigration, Information reading means for reading the person confirmation image information, identification information, and management information stored in the storage means provided in the passport, image information obtained from the person confirmation means, and information read by the information reading means While comparing with the person confirmation image information, based on the identification information and management information read from the information reading means, the validity of the passport and the correctness of the holder Immigration system comprising a validity judging means for judging gender, and a management information writing means for writing management information for immigration in the management information storage unit of the storage means of the passport. 6. The embarkation / departure of claim 5, wherein image information of a person's face is used as the person confirmation image information, and a video camera for capturing at least the face portion of the immigrant is used as the person confirmation means. Management system. 7. The embarkation / departure of claim 5, wherein the person confirmation image information uses the image information of the owner's fingerprint, and the person confirmation means uses a fingerprint detection means for detecting the fingerprint of the immigrant. Management system. 8. A message display means for displaying the judgment result of the validity judgment means is provided, and if the message display means has some trouble in the reading operation in the information reading means and the person confirming means, it is related. The immigration control system according to claim 5, wherein the system is configured to display a message to be displayed. 9. The immigration control system according to claim 5, further comprising gate driving means for controlling the opening / closing of the gate based on the judgment result of the validity judging means. 10. Passport take-out detection means for detecting that the passport has been removed from the information reading means is provided, and the gate drive means receives the entry / exit permission decision from the validity determination means, and then the passport take-out detection means removes the passport. 10. The immigration control system according to claim 9, wherein when the removal is detected, the gate is driven to open. 11. A management computer connected to at least the information reading means is provided, and the management computer performs predetermined counting processing for immigration control using the information read by the information reading means. Immigration control system described in 5. 12. A management computer connected to at least a legitimacy determining means, wherein the management computer downloads management information used by the legitimacy determining means for legitimacy determination to the legitimacy determining means. Claim 5
Immigration control system described.