1. A gate apparatus comprising: an imaging means for imaging a person passing through a passage leading to a gate; an acquisition means for acquiring 5 a detection result from a detection means which is provided on a floor of the passage and detects presence of the person; and a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the detection result acquired by the acquisition means. 10 2. The gate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires a detection result of detection of presence of the person by using a sensor being provided on the floor of the passage and arranged in a same position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the gate. 15 3. The gate apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging means is installed beside the passage, the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region in the guide pattern, and the control means causes the imaging means to execute imaging when sensors 20 exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.

4. A gate apparatus comprising: an imaging means for imaging a verification target person in a place requiring identity verification; 25 an acquisition means for acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is provided at a stepping position for a person in the place requiring identity verification and detects presence of the person; and a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the detection result acquired by the acquisition means. 30

5. The gate apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the acquisition means acquires a detection result of detection of presence of the person by using a sensor being provided in the place requiring identity verification and arranged in a same position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the stepping position for a person. 33

6. The gate apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the imaging means is installed beside the place requiring identity verification, the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide 5 pattern, and the control means causes the imaging means to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.

7. The gate apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising 10 an estimation means for estimating, based on an image of the person imaged by the imaging means, a line of sight or a face orientation of the person, wherein the control means controls the imaging timing by using an estimation result by the estimation means. 15 8. The gate apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an output means for performing predetermined output when the control means has determined that it is not appropriate timing for imaging to be executed.

9. A gate system comprising: 20 a gate apparatus; and a foot mark that detects presence of a person and is provided on a floor of a passage, wherein the gate apparatus includes an imaging means for imaging a person passing through the passage leading to 25 a gate, an acquisition means for acquiring a result of detection of the person in the passage using the foot mark, and a control means for controlling, by using the result of the detection acquired by the acquisition means, imaging timing of the imaging means. 30

10. The gate system according to claim 9, wherein the acquisition means of the gate apparatus acquires a detection result of detection of presence of the person by using a sensor being provided on the floor of the passage and arranged in a same position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the gate. 34

11. The gate system according to claim 10, wherein the imaging means of the gate apparatus is installed beside the passage, the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region in the guide 5 pattern, and the control means of the gate apparatus causes the imaging means to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.

12. A gate system comprising: 10 a gate apparatus; and a foot mark that detects presence of a person and is provided in a place requiring identity verification, wherein the gate apparatus includes an imaging means for imaging a person as a verification target in the place requiring 15 identity verification, an acquisition means for acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is provided at a stepping position for a person in the place requiring identity verification and detects presence of the person, and a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the 20 detection result acquired by the acquisition means.

13. The gate system according to claim 12, wherein the acquisition means of the gate apparatus acquires a detection result of detection of presence of the person by using a sensor being provided in the place requiring identity 25 verification and arranged in a same position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the stepping position for a person.

14. The gate system according to claim 13, wherein the imaging means of the gate apparatus is installed beside the place requiring identity 30 verification, the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide pattern, and the control means of the gate apparatus causes the imaging means to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person. 35

15. The gate system according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the gate apparatus further includes an estimation means for estimating, based on an image of the person imaged by the imaging means, a line of sight or a face orientation of the 5 person, and the control means of the gate apparatus controls the imaging timing by using an estimation result by the estimation means.

16. The gate system according to any one of claims 9 to 15, further comprising 10 an output means for performing predetermined output when the control means of the gate apparatus has determined that it is not appropriate timing for imaging to be executed.

17. A control method for a gate apparatus, comprising: by a gate apparatus, 15 acquiring a detection result from a sensor, the sensor which detects, in a passage leading to a gate, presence of a person passing through the passage and is provided on a floor of the passage; and controlling, based on the detection result, imaging timing of a camera that images the person passing through the passage, in order to acquire a face image used for face authentication. 20

18. The control method for a gate apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising, by the gate apparatus, acquiring a detection result of detection of presence of the person by using a sensor being provided on the floor of the passage and arranged in a same position as a guide pattern 25 indicating a route to the gate.

19. The control method for a gate apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the camera is installed beside the passage, the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide 30 pattern, and the control method further comprises, by the gate apparatus, causing the camera to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person. 36

20. A control method for a gate apparatus, comprising: by a gate apparatus, acquiring a detection result from a sensor which is provided in a stepping position for a person in a place requiring identity verification and detects presence of the person 5 in the place requiring identity verification; and controlling, based on the detection result, imaging timing of a camera that images a person as a verification target in the place requiring identity verification in order to acquire a face image used for face authentication. 10 21. The control method for a gate apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising, by the gate apparatus, acquiring a detection result of detection of presence of the person by using a sensor being provided in the place requiring identity verification and arranged in a same position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the stepping position for a person. 15

22. The control method for a gate apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the camera is installed beside the place requiring identity verification, the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide pattern, and 20 the control method further comprises, by the gate apparatus, causing the camera to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.

23. The control method for a gate apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 22, further 25 comprising: by the gate apparatus, estimating, based on an image of the person imaged by the camera, a line of sight or a face orientation of the person; and controlling the imaging timing by using an estimation result. 30

24. The control method for a gate apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 23, further comprising, by the gate apparatus, performing predetermined output when having determined that it is not appropriate 37 timing for imaging to be executed.

25. A program for causing a computer to execute: a procedure for detecting presence of a person detected by using a sensor which is 5 provided on a floor of a passage leading to a gate; and a procedure for controlling, based on a detection result, imaging timing of a camera that images the person passing through the passage in order to acquire a face image used for face authentication. 10 26. The program according to claim 25 for further causing a computer to execute a procedure for acquiring a detection result of detection of presence of the person by using a sensor being provided on a floor of the passage and arranged in a same position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the gate. 15 27. The program according to claim 26, wherein the camera is installed beside the passage, the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide pattern, and the program for further causing a computer to execute 20 a procedure for causing the camera to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.

28. A program for causing a computer to execute: a procedure for acquiring a detection result from a sensor being provided at a stepping 25 position for a person in a place requiring identity verification and detecting presence of the person in the place requiring identity verification; and a procedure for controlling, based on the detection result, imaging timing of a camera that images a person as a verification target in the place requiring identity verification in order to acquire a face image used for face authentication. 30

29. The program according to claim 28 for further causing a computer to execute a procedure for acquiring a detection result of detection of presence of the person by using a sensor being provided in the place requiring identity verification and arranged in a same position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the stepping position for a person. 38

30. The program according to claim 29, wherein the camera is installed beside the place requiring identity verification, the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide 5 pattern, and the program for further causing a computer to execute a procedure for causing the camera to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person. 10 31. The program according to any one of claims 25 to 30 for further causing a computer to execute: a procedure for estimating, based on an image of the person imaged by the camera, a line of sight or a face orientation of the person; and a procedure for controlling the imaging timing by using an estimation result in the 15 estimating procedure.

32. The program according to any one of claims 25 to 31 for further causing a computer to execute a procedure for performing predetermined output when it is determined that it is not 20 appropriate timing for imaging to be executed.

33. A gate apparatus comprising: a first acquisition means for acquiring, from an imaging means, an image in which a person passing through a passage leading to a gate is imaged; 25 a second acquisition means for acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is provided on a floor of the passage and detects presence of the person; and a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the detection result acquired by the second acquisition means. 30 34. A control method for a gate apparatus comprising: by a gate apparatus, acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is provided on a floor of a passage and detects presence of a person passing through the passage leading to a gate; controlling, by using the acquired detection result, imaging timing of an imaging means 39 for imaging a person passing through a passage leading to a gate; and acquiring an image in which the person is imaged with the imaging timing from the imaging means. 5 35. A program for causing a computer to execute: a procedure for acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is provided on a floor of a passage and detects presence of a person passing through the passage leading to a gate; a procedure for controlling, by using the acquired detection result, imaging timing of an 10 imaging means for imaging a person passing through a passage leading to a gate; and a procedure for acquiring an image imaging the person with the imaging timing from the imaging means.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The some non-limiting embodiments relate to a gate system, a gate apparatus, a control
method therefor, and a program.
10
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
With advancement of an image recognition technique, in recent years, an authentication
apparatus using a face image of a person entering or exiting from a facility or the like that
15 requires security management has been increasingly in practical use, and various techniques for
improving the recognition accuracy of such an apparatus have been proposed.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes a person recognition apparatus that
recognizes a face image of a person in security management. In order to solve a problem
causing a decrease in a recognition rate due to a change in a standing position or a posture of a
20 recognition target person, the person recognition apparatus displays, on a display unit, a moving
image of a face of a recognition target person being imaged, a guide line that guides the
recognition target person to stand naturally in the center of a field of view of a camera, as well as
a guide, provided inside the guide line, that indicates an actually detected face position and size.
[0003]
25 Further, in a face image recognition apparatus according to Patent Document 2, a
recognition target person stops at a position related to his/her height on a floor with a height
difference, a camera captures and inputs a face image of the recognition target person, and a
monitor projects, on the monitor, the face image of the recognition target person input by the
camera in such a way that the recognition target person can make a fine adjustment of his/her
30 position while checking his/her own face image on the monitor. Thus, it is possible to acquire a
face image of a recognition target person irrespective of his/her height, and acquire a face image
of the recognition target person in a state that the person stands still.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
3
PATENT DOCUMENTS
[0004]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-151978
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-266153
5
SUMMARY
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0005]
According to techniques described in the foregoing literatures, a recognition target
10 person is guided to come to a standstill and an image of a face of the person is displayed on a
monitor when the face image of the recognition target person is acquired. However, in a
situation where a large number of people use a face image recognition apparatus, such as when
people are passing through customs or entering a boarding gate in an airport or the like, it is
unfavorable to guide each person to stop for face authentication due to time-consuming and an
15 increase of congestion. To address this problem, a gate is provided in a place requiring a check,
and face authentication using a face image acquired by imaging a face of a person moving in
front of the gate is performed.
[0006]
When such a gate for performing identity authentication such as face authentication is
20 introduced, since an existing facility may have only a limited space for a place of installing a
gate, it may be difficult to provide a long passage to guide a target person for authentication to
walk through. In such a case, contrivance is necessary that prevents a decrease in
authentication accuracy even when an image of an authentication target person is used, which
image is acquired as the person is walking through a short passage.
25 [0007]
An object of the some non-limiting embodiments is to improve an authentication
accuracy in a case where a camera installed in a place requiring identity verification images an
image suitable for identity authentication.
30 SOLUTION TO PROBLEM
[0008]
Each of aspects of the some non-limiting embodiments adopt each of the following
configurations to solve the above described problem.
[0009]
4
A first aspect relates to a gate apparatus.
A first gate apparatus according to the first aspect includes:
an imaging means for imaging a person passing through a passage leading to a gate;
an acquisition means for acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is
5 provided on a floor of the passage and detects presence of the person; and
a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using a
detection result acquired by the acquisition means.
[0010]
A second gate apparatus according to the first aspect includes:
10 an imaging means for imaging a verification target person in a place requiring identity
verification;
an acquisition means for acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is
provided at a stepping position for a person in the place requiring identity verification and
detects presence of the person; and
15 a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the
detection result acquired by the acquisition means.
[0011]
A third gate apparatus according to the first aspect includes:
a first acquisition means for acquiring, from an imaging means, an image in which a
20 person passing through a passage leading to a gate is imaged;
a second acquisition means for acquiring a detection result from a detection means
which is provided on a floor of the passage and detects presence of the person; and
a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the
detection result acquired by the second acquisition means.
25 [0012]
A second aspect relates to a control method for a gate apparatus executed by at least one
computer.
A first control method for a gate apparatus according to the second aspect includes:
by a gate apparatus,
30 detecting presence of a person by using a sensor which is provided on a floor of a
passage leading to a gate; and
controlling, based on a result of detection, imaging timing of a camera that images the
person passing through the passage, in order to acquire a face image used for face authentication.
[0013]
5
A second control method for a gate apparatus according to the second aspect includes:
by a gate apparatus,
acquiring a detection result from a sensor which is provided at a stepping position for a
person in a place requiring identity verification and detects presence of the person in the place
5 requiring identity verification; and
controlling, based on the detection result, imaging timing of a camera that images a
person as a verification target in the place requiring identity verification in order to acquire a
face image used for face authentication.
[0014]
10 A third control method for a gate apparatus according to the second aspect includes:
by a gate apparatus,
acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is provided on a floor of a
passage and detects presence of a person passing through the passage leading to a gate;
controlling, by using the acquired detection result, imaging timing of an imaging means
15 for imaging a person passing through a passage leading to a gate; and
acquiring an image in which the person is imaged with the imaging timing from the
imaging means.
[0015]
A third aspect relates to a gate system.
20 A first gate system according to the third aspect includes:
a gate apparatus; and
a foot mark provided on a passage, wherein
the gate apparatus includes
an imaging means for imaging a person passing through the passage leading to
25 a gate,
a detection means for detecting presence of the person by using the foot mark
provided at a stepping position for a person, the person passing through the passage, and
a control means for controlling, by using a detection result of the detection
means, imaging timing of the imaging means for imaging the person passing through the
30 passage.
[0016]
A second gate system according to the third aspect includes:
a gate apparatus; and
a foot mark that detects presence of a person and is provided in a place requiring
6
identity verification, wherein
the gate apparatus includes
an imaging means for imaging a person as a verification target in the place requiring
identity verification,
an acquisition means for acquiring 5 a detection result from a detection means which is
provided at a stepping position for a person in the place requiring identity verification and
detects detecting presence of the person, and
a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the
detection result acquired by the acquisition means.
10 [0017]
Note that, another aspect of the some non-limiting embodiments may be a program that
causes at least one computer to execute a method according to the second aspect, or a
computer-readable storage medium that stores such a program. The storage medium includes a
tangible non-transitory medium.
15 The computer program includes a computer programming code that causes, when
executed by a computer, the computer to execute a control method for a gate apparatus thereon.
[0018]
Note that, any combination of the above components or any conversion of an expression
of the some non-limiting embodiments among, a method, an apparatus, a system, a storage
20 medium, or a computer program is effective as an aspect of the some non-limiting embodiments.
[0019]
Further, various components of the some non-limiting embodiments need not
necessarily be individually independent from each other, a fact that a plurality of components is
formed into a single member, a single component is formed of a plurality of members, a certain
25 component is a part of another component, a part of a component overlaps a part of another
component, or the like is applicable.
[0020]
While a method or a computer program according to the some non-limiting
embodiments describes a plurality of steps in order, the order of description is not intended to
30 limit the order of executing a plurality of steps. As a result, when a method or a computer
program according to the some non-limiting embodiments is executed, the order of the plurality
of steps may be changed within a range that will not disrupt the operation of the steps.
[0021]
Further, a plurality of steps of a method or a computer program according to the some
7
non-limiting embodiments need not necessarily be executed with an individually different timing
from each other. For example, execution of a step may allow another step to occur during the
same, or an execution timing of a step may overlap a part or a whole of an execution timing of
another step.
5
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0022]
According to the some non-limiting embodiments, a camera installed in a place
requiring identity verification can image an image suitable for identity authentication and
10 authentication accuracy can be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023]
The abovementioned purpose, and other purposes, characteristics and advantages will
15 be further clarified by the following suitable example embodiments and the following associated
drawings.
[0024]
Fig. 1 illustrates a conceptual configuration example of a gate system according to an
example embodiment.
20 Fig. 2 is a plan view of a gate system as viewed from above.
Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a guide pattern.
Fig. 4 illustrates a functional configuration example of a gate apparatus according to the
present example embodiment.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer that
25 achieves a gate apparatus.
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the gate apparatus according to
the present example embodiment.
Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a guide pattern, a stepping position for a person, and a
detection result.
30 Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a specific operation example of the gate apparatus
assumed when the guide pattern of Fig. 7 is used.
Fig. 9 illustrates another example of a guide pattern.
Fig. 10 illustrates an example of a guide pattern, a stepping position for a person, and a
detection result.
8
Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a specific operation example of a gate apparatus
assumed when the guide pattern of Fig. 10 is used.
Fig. 12 is a top view of a gate apparatus illustrating another example of a guide pattern.
Fig. 13 illustrates a functional configuration example of the gate apparatus according to
5 the present example embodiment.
Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the gate apparatus according
to the present example embodiment.
Fig. 15 illustrates a functional configuration example of the gate apparatus according to
the present example embodiment.
10 Fig. 16 is a front view of a camera unit.
Fig. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the gate apparatus according
to the present example embodiment.
Fig. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the gate system according to
the present example embodiment.
15 Fig. 19 illustrates a functional configuration example of the gate apparatus according to
the present example embodiment.
Fig. 20 explains distribution of sensors in a guide pattern.
Fig. 21 illustrates a distribution region of reaction of sensors in the guide pattern.
20 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0025]
Example embodiments will be described below with reference to drawings. Note that
a similar sign is given to a similar component in all drawings and overlapping description is
omitted as appropriate.
25 [0026]
In the example embodiments, the term “acquisition” includes at least one of the
operations of an own apparatus: fetching data or information stored in another apparatus or a
storage medium (positive acquisition) and inputting data or information output from another
apparatus or a storage medium (passive acquisition). An example of positive acquisition is
30 issuing a request or an inquiry to another apparatus and receiving the response, or accessing
another apparatus or a storage medium to read out data. An example of passive acquisition is
receiving information broadcasted (or transmitted/notified via push notice). Further, the term
“acquisition” may refer to selectively acquiring a piece of data or information from received data
or information, or selectively receiving broadcasted data or information.
9
[0027]
(First example embodiment)

Fig. 1 illustrates a conceptual configuration example of a gate system 1 according to an
5 example embodiment.
The gate system 1 includes a gate apparatus 10, a guide pattern 30, and a face
authentication apparatus 50. The gate apparatus 10 includes a housing 14 and a camera unit 20.
The camera unit 20 includes an imaging unit 102 and a display unit 22.
[0028]
10 The face authentication apparatus 50 is connected to the gate apparatus 10 via a
communication network 3. The face authentication apparatus 50 checks a pre-registered feature
value of, for example, a face image of a person against a feature value extracted from a face
image or the like of the person acquired by an imaging unit 102 of the gate apparatus 10, thereby
performing authentication processing of the person.
15 [0029]
While the face authentication apparatus 50 performs authentication processing of a
person by using a face image of the person in the present example embodiment, another
authentication apparatus using other biometric authentication information may be used to
perform authentication processing. The other biometric authentication information includes
20 any one of the feature values of, for example, an iris, a vein, an auricle, a fingerprint, a gait and a
body build (a height, a shoulder width, a stature or a skeleton). This authentication apparatus
extracts a feature value of biometric authentication information from an imaged image of a
person and performs authentication.
[0030]
25 The gate apparatus 10 of the gate system 1 according to the present example
embodiment is installed, for example, at a boarding gate of an airport. Alternatively, the gate
apparatus 10 may be installed at an entrance/exit of a room that controls an entering or exiting
person. Or, the gate apparatus 10 may be installed, at a store or the like, as a settlement
terminal gate working in combination with a settlement terminal performing cashless settlement.
30 Or, the gate apparatus 10 may be installed as an entrance/exit gate of an unattended store without
staff on duty. In this way, the gate apparatus of the gate system 1 according to the present
example embodiment is installed in a place requiring identity verification (check point).
[0031]
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the gate system 1 as viewed from above. A housing 14 has a
10
predetermined height and extends over a predetermined distance along a passage 12 a person
passes through. On both sides of the passage 12 are installed, side by side, two housings 14,
one on each side, at a predetermined distance from each other, along the passage 12. The two
housings 14 are preferably installed in parallel to each other.
5 [0032]
An entrance 12a of the passage 12 is open. At the exit 12b of the passage 12 is
openably and closably provided an open/close flap door 16. In the example of this figure, two
open/close flap doors 16 are provided, each rotatably installed at one end of the housing 14. In
another example, one open/close flap door 16 may be rotatably installed at one end of either one
10 housing 14. In this example, the open/close flap doors 16 are installed so as to align end
surfaces 14a and 14b of the housing 14 at an exit 12b, or inward from end surfaces 14a and 14b
in such a way that end surfaces 16a and 16b of the open/close flap doors 16 will not project from
end surfaces 14a and 14b of the housing 14 at an exit when the open/close flap doors 16 open.
[0033]
15 Open/Close control of the open/close flap door 16 is performed, for example, depending
on an authentication result of the face authentication apparatus 50. The open/close flap door 16
may be normally in an open position or normally in a closed position. When the closed
position is a normal position, open/close control of the open/close flap door 16 does not take
place upon successful face authentication of a person by the face authentication apparatus 50,
20 and the open position is maintained so as to let the person pass through the passage 12. Upon
unsuccessful face authentication, open/close control takes place so as not to let a person pass
through the passage 12, with the open/close flap door 16 switched from the open position into
the closed position.
[0034]
25 When the closed position is the normal position, upon successful face authentication,
open/close control takes place so as to let a person pass through the passage 12, with the
open/close flap door 16 switched from the closed position into the open position. Upon
unsuccessful face authentication, open/close control of the open/close flap door 16 does not take
place, with the open/close flap door 16 maintained in the closed position so as not to let a person
30 pass through the passage 12.
[0035]
In this way, a space, formed by two housings 14, serving as the passage 12 is partitioned
into front side and rear side of the open/close flap door 16 to configure a gate. A guide pattern
30 is provided at a stepping position for a person who passes through the passage 12 steps, and at
11
least indicates a recommended standing position in order, for an imaging unit 102 provided
halfway in the passage 12 toward the open/close flap door 16, to acquire an image suitable for
face authentication. The guide pattern 30 may indicate a position in which a person places
his/her feet while walking in the passage 12 when the face of the person is imaged. In the same
position 5 as the guide pattern 30 is arranged a sensor that detects presence of a person.
[0036]
As described later, for example, the guide pattern 30 may have a shape of a footprint
(Fig. 3). A toe of a footprint indicates a direction in which a person moves his/her feet. For
example, an axis line connecting a toe and a heel through the center of the footprint in the guide
10 pattern 30 indicates an orientation of the toe of the footprint. Relationship between an optical
axis of an imaging unit 102 and the footprint in the guide pattern 30 is preferably such that the
optical axis of the imaging unit 102 is substantially in parallel to the direction of the axis line
indicating the orientation of the footprint, for example when viewed from above, and that the
optical axis passes between left and right footprints.
15 [0037]
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the camera unit 20 is installed beside the passage 12. The
imaging unit 102 is installed in such a way that an angle formed between the optical axis of the
imaging unit 102 and a travel direction of the passage 12 (a direction parallel to that of an inner
side face of the housing 14) will be in a range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees. The imaging unit 102
20 may be installed in such a way that the optical axis of the imaging unit 102 will cross diagonally
with the travel direction of the passage 12. For example, the imaging unit 102 may be installed
in such a way that an angle formed between the optical axis of the imaging unit 102 and the
travel direction of the passage 12 will be equal to or more than 30 degrees or equal to or less than
60 degrees.
25 [0038]
A sensor 34 is arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide
pattern 30. A control unit 106 causes the imaging unit 102 to execute imaging when sensors 34
exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors 34 have detected presence of a person.
[0039]
30 The sensor 34 is a photoelectronic sensor in this example. The sensor 34 may be a
pressure sensor in another example. An example of a pressure sensor is described later. A
photoelectronic sensor detects presence/absence of a subject depending on whether emitted
signal light is received as reflected light, by using a reflective sensor for example. That is, a
photoelectronic sensor detects whether a person is standing on the guide pattern 30. The sensor
12
34 according to the present example embodiment outputs an ON signal when detecting presence
of a person. Note that signals output from the sensor 34 are not limited thereto.
[0040]
Fig. 3 illustrates an example of the guide pattern 30. Fig. 3A is a top view of the guide
pattern 30. Fig. 3 5 B is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of the guide pattern 30 in Fig.
3A. The guide pattern 30 includes a plurality of sensors 34 dotting a foot mark region 32
having a shape of a footprint.
[0041]
A film of a coat or a print of a predetermined paint is formed in the foot mark region 32
10 in this example. In a layer of the film, a plurality of sensors 34 is embedded (Fig. 3B). The
film may be formed directly on a floor of the passage 12 or a sheet on which the film formed
may be laid on the floor of the passage 12.
[0042]

15 Fig. 4 illustrates a functional configuration example of the gate apparatus 10 according
to the present example embodiment.
In the following figures, configuration of a part that is irrelevant to the essence of the
some non-limiting embodiments is omitted and not illustrated.
The gate apparatus 10 includes the imaging unit 102, an acquisition unit 104, and the
20 control unit 106. The imaging unit 102 images a person passing through a passage leading to a
gate through which a face authentication target person passes. The acquisition unit 104
acquires a detection result from the detection unit (sensor 34) that detects presence of a person.
The sensor 34 is provided on the floor of the passage 12. The floor of the passage 12 is not
only a surface of the passage 12 but may be inside a flooring of the passage 12 or beneath the
25 flooring of the passage 12. The sensor 34 is provided at a position on which a person who
passes through the passage 12 toward a gate steps. The control unit 106 controls, by using the
detection result of the sensor 34 acquired by the acquisition unit 104, imaging timing of the
imaging unit 102 that images a person passing through the passage 12.
[0043]
30 The imaging unit 102 is a camera including imaging elements such as a lens and a
charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor. The camera includes a mechanism that adjusts or
controls focusing, exposure correction, an aperture value, a shutter speed, an ISO sensitivity or
the like, or may be automatically controlled in order to improve a picture quality of an imaged
face image of a person thereby obtaining an optimum feature value for face image
13
authentication.
[0044]
An image generated by the imaging unit 102 is preferably imaged in real time and
transmitted to the face authentication apparatus 50. Note that an image transmitted to the face
5 authentication apparatus 50 need not be directly transmitted from the imaging unit 102 but may
be an image with a delay of a predetermined time period. An image imaged by the imaging
unit 102 may be stored temporarily in another storage apparatus (not illustrated) and read out by
the face authentication apparatus 50 from the storage apparatus sequentially or at predetermined
intervals. Further, an image transmitted to the face authentication apparatus 50 may favorably
10 be a moving image but may be a frame image at predetermined intervals, or a still image.
[0045]

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer 1000 that
achieves the gate apparatus 10.
15 The computer 1000 includes a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage
device 1040, an input/output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.
[0046]
The bus 1010 is a data transmission path used by the processor 1020, the memory 1030,
the storage device 1040, the input/output interface 1050, and the network interface 1060
20 transmit/receive data to/from each other. Note that a method for interconnecting the processor
1020 and the like is not limited to a bus connection.
[0047]
The processor 1020 is a processor achieved by a central processing unit (CPU). a
graphics processing unit (GPU) or the like.
25 [0048]
The memory 1030 is a main storage achieved by a random access memory (RAM) or
the like.
[0049]
The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage achieved by a hard disk drive (HDD), a
30 solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, a read only memory (ROM) or the like. The storage
device 1040 stores program modules that achieve functions of the data apparatus 10 (for example,
the imaging unit 102, the acquisition unit 104, the control unit 106, and an estimation unit 108
described later). When the processor 1020 loads the programs modules onto the memory 1030
and executes the programs modules, functions related to the program modules are achieved.
14
The storage device 1040 also functions as various types of storage units.
[0050]
A program module may be recorded on a storage medium. A storage medium that
records a program module includes a medium available to a non-transitory tangible computer
5 1000 and a program code readable by the computer 1000 (processor 1020) may be embedded in
the medium.
[0051]
The input/output interface 1050 is an interface used to connect the gate apparatus 10 to
various input/output devices (such as the display unit 22).
10 [0052]
The network interface 1060 is an interface used to connect the gate apparatus 10 to
another apparatus on the communication network 3 (such as the face authentication apparatus
50). Note that the network interface 1060 may be unused.
[0053]
15
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the gate apparatus 10 according
to the present example embodiment. First, the acquisition unit 104 acquires a detection result
of the sensor 34 that detects presence of a person (step S101). The control unit 106 controls
imaging timing of the imaging unit 102 by using the detection result acquired in step S101 (step
20 S103).
[0054]
Fig. 7 illustrates an example of the guide pattern 30, a stepping position for a person
(illustrated by broken lines 40 in the figure), and a detection result. Fig. 8 is a flowchart
illustrating a specific operation example of the gate apparatus 10 assumed when the guide pattern
25 30 of Fig. 7 is used.
[0055]
A flow of Fig. 8 starts when entry of a person into the passage 12 is detected by an entry
sensor 18 of Fig. 2. Various conditions for termination of a flow are perceived and exemplified
below in a nonlimitative fashion. A flow may be terminated at least in any one of the following
30 conditions:
(1) A face image of a person is acquired by the imaging unit 102;
(2) Face authentication by the face authentication apparatus 50 has succeeded;
(3) The open/close flap door 16 is opened; and
(4) A face size and an interpupillary distance of an authentication target person have satisfied
15
predetermined criteria in a captured image.
[0056]
The acquisition unit 104 determines whether a ratio of the sensor 34b outputting an ON
signal is above a threshold (step S201). The ratio of the sensor 34b outputting the ON signal is
5 represented by a ratio of the number of sensors 34b outputting the ON signal to the total number
of sensors 34 embedded in the foot mark region 32 of Fig. 7. A threshold is specified that
determines how precisely a person is standing on the guide pattern 30 oriented in such a way that
a person’s face will be oriented to the imaging unit 102. Any deviation in a stepping position of
a person from the foot mark region 32 of the guide pattern 30 increases the number of sensors
10 34a not outputting the ON signal and decreases the ratio of the sensor 34b outputting the ON
signal.
[0057]
For example, when a person steps on the guide pattern 30 as in Fig. 7A, the guide
pattern 30 and the stepping position 40 for the person substantially overlap each other.
15 Accordingly, a ratio of the sensor 34b outputting the ON signal becomes equal to or more than
the threshold in step S201. The acquisition unit 104 passes the detection result to the control
unit 106. Since the ratio of the sensor 34b outputting the ON signal becomes equal to or more
than the threshold (YES in step S201), the control unit 106 instructs, based on this detection
result, the imaging unit 102 to perform imaging (step S203).
20 [0058]
When a person steps on the guide pattern 30 as in Fig. 7B, the guide pattern 30 and the
stepping position 40 for the person deviate from each other. Thus, a ratio of the sensor 34b
outputting the ON signal is below the threshold in step S201. The acquisition unit 104 passes
the detection result to the control unit 106. Since the ratio of the sensor 34b outputting the ON
25 signal is below the threshold (NO in step S201), the control unit 106 bypasses step S203 based
on this detection result.
[0059]
In addition to the ratio of the sensor 34b outputting the ON signal, determination of
imaging timing may be based on a distribution of sensors 34b outputting the ON signal. For
30 example, as illustrated in Fig. 20, concerning a plurality of sensors 34 arranged at the guide
pattern 30, a region of a footprint is divided by n in parallel with respect to a travel direction Y (a
direction connecting a heel and a toe of the footprint) to obtain a ratio of the number of sensors
34b outputting the ON signal to the number of sensors 34 included in each region W1 to Wn (n
being a natural number). The region of the footprint is divided by n in such a way that as many
16
sensors 34 as will allow a deviation between the footprint and the stepping position be detected
within the threshold, for example, will be included in the region W.
[0060]
When a distribution of the number of sensors 34b in each region W has a small
5 dispersion, it may be determined that it is imaging timing. For example, when regions W in
which a ratio of sensors 34b outputting the ON signal is equal to or more than a threshold P exist
in succession over a reference with respect to a travel direction, the distribution is determined to
have no dispersion.
[0061]
10 To be more precise, when regions W in which a ratio (%) of the sensor 34b outputting
the ON signal with respect to a travel direction is equal to or more than the threshold P exist in
succession over a reference range D0 with respect to a travel direction, it may be determined that
it is imaging timing. Fig. 21 illustrates a distribution of a response of a sensor 34b in Figs. 7a
and 7b. Note that a region W0 in Fig. 20 includes no sensors 34, so that the region W0 is
15 excluded in Fig. 21. A start point of a horizontal axis in a travel direction Y in Fig. 21 indicates
a state of reaction of sensors 34 in a region W1 at a heel of the footprint of the guide pattern 30
in Fig. 20. A right end of the horizontal axis in a travel direction Y in Fig. 21 indicates a state
of reaction of sensors 34 in a region Wn at a toe of the footprint of the guide pattern 30 in Fig.
20.
20 [0062]
Fig. 21A illustrates a left foot and Fig. 21B illustrates a right foot. A ratio of the
number of sensors 34b outputting the ON signal to the number of sensors 34 installed in regions
W1 to Wn is illustrated in a dot chain line and a broken line. In both Fig. 21A and Fig. 21B, a
dot chain line indicates a distribution of reaction of sensors 34b in Fig. 7A and a broken line
25 indicates a distribution of reaction of sensors 34b in Fig. 7B. The threshold P is indicated by a
two-dot chain line and a reference range D is indicated by an arrow of a two-dot chain line.
[0063]
With reference to Fig. 21, a ratio of the sensor 34b outputting the ON signal as indicated
by a dot chain line related to Fig. 7A exceeds, for the left foot in Fig. 21A and the right foot in
30 Fig. 21B, the threshold P in the regions W1 to Wn. In other words, a range D2 of regions in
succession exceeds the reference range D0, so that a distribution of the ratio is determined to
have no dispersion. In the present example indicated by a dot chain line related to Fig. 7A, it is
determined that it is imaging timing.
[0064]
17
On the other hand, a ratio of the sensor 34b outputting the ON signal as indicated by a
broken line related to Fig. 7B substantially varies at first glance, for the left foot in Fig. 21A and
the right foot in Fig. 21B, with respect to a travel direction.
[0065]
5 In particular, for the left foot in Fig. 21A, there is no region W in which a ratio of the
sensor 34b outputting the ON signal as indicated by a broken line related to Fig. 7B exceeds the
threshold P (a two-dot chain line). For the right foot in Fig. 21B, the range D1 including a
succession of regions W in which a ratio of the sensor 34b outputting the ON signal as indicated
by a broken line related to Fig. 7B exceeds the threshold P is indicated by an arrow of a broken
10 line and is below the reference range D0 as indicated by a two-dot chain line. Accordingly, in
the present example indicated by a broken line related to Fig. 7B, it is determined that it is not
imaging timing.
[0066]
In this way, determination of imaging timing may be made based on a change in
15 distribution of sensors 34b outputting the ON signal with respect to a travel direction.
[0067]
Fig. 9 illustrates another example of the guide pattern 30. Fig. 9A is a top view of the
guide pattern 30. Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of the guide pattern 30 in
Fig. 9A. The guide pattern 30 includes the foot mark region 32 and a sheet-shaped pressure
20 sensor 34, and the sensor 34 has approximately the same shape as the foot mark region 32 and is
arranged in approximately the same location. The sensor 34 extends beneath the foot mark
region 32 while overlapping the foot mark region 32. The pressure sensor reacts to a pressure
applied when a person stands on the same and outputs a value related to an area of a reacting
region. Also in this example, as described earlier, determination that is based on distribution of
25 reacting regions may be perceived. For example, when a distribution of regions in which
sensors 34 are reacting has a small dispersion in a travel direction of a footprint of the guide
pattern 30, it may be determined that it is imaging timing.
[0068]
Fig. 10 illustrates an example of the guide pattern 30, a stepping position for a person
30 (illustrated by a broken line 40 in the figure), and a detection result. Fig. 11 is a flowchart
illustrating a specific operation example of the gate apparatus 10 assumed when the guide pattern
30 of Fig. 10 is used. Start and stop conditions for a flow in Fig. 11 are similar to those in Fig.
7.
[0069]
18
In this example, the acquisition unit 104 determines whether an area ratio of a reacting
region of the pressure sensor is equal to or more than a threshold (step S301). The area ratio of
the reacting region is indicated by an area ratio of a reacting region of the sensor 34 (indicated as
34b in the figure) provided in the same shape as the foot mark region 32 below the foot mark
region 32 5 in Fig. 10 to the entire area of the foot mark region 32. A non-reacting region of the
sensor 34 is indicated as 34a.
When a stepping position is deviated from the foot mark region 32 of the guide pattern
30, the area ratio decreases and when a person stands on the guide pattern 30 in a precise
position, the area ratio increases.
10 [0070]
For example, when a person stands on the guide pattern 30 as in Fig. 10A, the guide
pattern 30 substantially overlaps the stepping position 40 for a person. Thus, in step S301, an
area ratio of the reacting region 34b of the sensor 34 is equal to or more than a threshold. The
acquisition unit 104 passes the detection result to the control unit 106. Since the area ratio of
15 the reacting region 34b of the sensor 34 is equal to or more than the threshold (YES in step
S301), the control unit 106 instructs, based on this detection result, the imaging unit 102 to
perform imaging (step S303).
[0071]
When a person steps on the guide pattern 30 as in Fig. 10B, the guide pattern 30 and the
20 stepping position 40 for the person deviate from each other. Thus, an area ratio of a reacting
region 34b of the sensor 34 is below the threshold in step S301. The acquisition unit 104 passes
the detection result to the control unit 106. Since the area ratio of the reacting region 34b of the
sensor 34 is below the threshold (NO in step S301), the control unit 106 bypasses step S303
based on this detection result.
25 [0072]
Fig. 12 is a top view of the gate apparatus 10 illustrating an example of another guide
pattern 30.
In this example, the guide pattern 30 is provided in a shape that indicates to a person a
direction or a route in which the person must advance to guide the person toward the camera unit
30 20 provided beside the passage 12. In this example, the guide pattern 30 may be projected on a
floor of the passage 12 by using a projector (not illustrated) installed above the housing 14. In
this case, the guide pattern 30 may be an animation moving in a travel direction. In this
example, the above-described sensor 34 is provided in a region, among the floor regions of the
passage 12, in which it can be determined whether a person is stepping on a position to help the
19
imaging unit 102 acquire an image suitable for authentication processing.
[0073]
According to the present example embodiment, the sensor 34 is provided on the guide
pattern 30 provided in a position on which a person who passes through the passage 12 leading
5 to a gate steps, the guide pattern 30 guiding the person to orient his/her face toward the imaging
unit 102, and the acquisition unit 104 uses the sensor 34 to detect presence of a person in the
passage 12 and the control unit 106 controls imaging timing of a face image by the imaging unit
102 based on the detection result. This allows the gate apparatus 10 to image a face image of
an authentication target person with imaging timing that helps acquire a face image suitable for
10 face authentication. As a result, face authentication accuracy is improved.
[0074]
In this configuration, the imaging unit 102 (camera unit 20) is installed beside the
passage 12. It is thus difficult to image a person passing through the passage 12 from the front.
[0075]
15 Further, when an installation place of a gate of the gate apparatus 10 has a limited space,
the passage 12 may be shortened, which limits a time interval used to image a face image. This
makes it difficult to acquire a face image suitable for face authentication. Even in these cases,
the gate apparatus 10 according to the present example embodiment performs face authentication
processing without decreasing an accuracy.
20 [0076]
(Second example embodiment)
Fig. 13 illustrates a functional configuration example of a gate apparatus 10 according
to the present example embodiment. The gate apparatus 10 according to the present example
embodiment is similar to that of the foregoing example embodiment except that a configuration
25 is included to estimate a line of sight or a face orientation of an authentication target person.
[0077]
The gate apparatus 10 includes an estimation unit 108 in addition to the configuration of
the gate apparatus 10 in Fig. 4. The estimation unit 108 estimates, based on an image of a
person imaged by an imaging unit 102, a line of sight or a face orientation of the person. A
30 control unit 106 controls imaging timing by using an estimation result by the estimation unit 108.
[0078]
Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the gate apparatus 10
according to the present example embodiment. This flow is executed subsequently to step S103
of the flow according to the foregoing example embodiment in Fig. 6. Alternatively, this flow
20
may be executed subsequently to step S203 in Fig. 8 or step S303 in Fig. 11.
[0079]
The estimation unit 108 performs image recognition processing on an image of a person
imaged by the imaging unit 102 and estimates a line of sight or a face orientation of the person
with respect 5 to a camera (step S401). The control unit 106 determines whether imaging
conditions are satisfied based on whether the estimated line of sight or face orientation of the
person is toward a camera (YES in step S403). On the other hand, when the estimated line of
sight or face orientation of the person is not toward a camera (NO in step S403), the control unit
106 determines that imaging conditions are not satisfied.
10 [0080]
The imaging conditions may be that the person is imaged within a predetermined angle
range based on a state of a face facing a camera or the line of sight. When it is determined that
the estimated line of sight or face orientation of the person is toward the camera, the control unit
106 causes the imaging unit 102 to perform imaging (step S405).
15 [0081]
According to the present example embodiment, a line of sight or a face orientation of a
face authentication target person is estimated by the estimation unit 108, and imaged by the
imaging unit 102 when the line of sight or face orientation of the face authentication target
person is toward a camera. This configuration provides similar advantages as the foregoing
20 example embodiment and acquires a face image that is more suitable for face authentication.
This improves an accuracy of face authentication.
[0082]
Fig. 15 illustrates a functional configuration example of the gate apparatus 10 according
to the present example embodiment. The gate apparatus 10 according to the present example
25 embodiment is similar to that of the foregoing example embodiments except that a configuration
is included to perform predetermined output when it is not appropriate timing for imaging to be
executed.
[0083]
When the control unit 106 has determined that it is not appropriate timing for imaging to
30 be executed, an output unit 110 performs predetermined output. The predetermined output
includes displaying on a display unit 22 (Fig. 16) or outputting voice guidance from a
loudspeaker (not illustrated).

WE CLAIM:
1. A gate apparatus comprising:
an imaging means for imaging a person passing through a passage leading to a gate;
an acquisition means for acquiring 5 a detection result from a detection means which is
provided on a floor of the passage and detects presence of the person; and
a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the
detection result acquired by the acquisition means.
10 2. The gate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the acquisition means acquires a detection result of detection of presence of the person
by using a sensor being provided on the floor of the passage and arranged in a same position as a
guide pattern indicating a route to the gate.
15 3. The gate apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the imaging means is installed beside the passage,
the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region in the guide
pattern, and
the control means causes the imaging means to execute imaging when sensors
20 exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.
4. A gate apparatus comprising:
an imaging means for imaging a verification target person in a place requiring identity
verification;
25 an acquisition means for acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is
provided at a stepping position for a person in the place requiring identity verification and
detects presence of the person; and
a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the
detection result acquired by the acquisition means.
30
5. The gate apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the acquisition means acquires a detection result of detection of presence of the person
by using a sensor being provided in the place requiring identity verification and arranged in a
same position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the stepping position for a person.
33
6. The gate apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
the imaging means is installed beside the place requiring identity verification,
the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide
5 pattern, and
the control means causes the imaging means to execute imaging when sensors
exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.
7. The gate apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising
10 an estimation means for estimating, based on an image of the person imaged by the
imaging means, a line of sight or a face orientation of the person, wherein
the control means controls the imaging timing by using an estimation result by the
estimation means.
15 8. The gate apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising
an output means for performing predetermined output when the control means has
determined that it is not appropriate timing for imaging to be executed.
9. A gate system comprising:
20 a gate apparatus; and
a foot mark that detects presence of a person and is provided on a floor of a passage,
wherein
the gate apparatus includes
an imaging means for imaging a person passing through the passage leading to
25 a gate,
an acquisition means for acquiring a result of detection of the person in the
passage using the foot mark, and
a control means for controlling, by using the result of the detection acquired by
the acquisition means, imaging timing of the imaging means.
30
10. The gate system according to claim 9, wherein
the acquisition means of the gate apparatus acquires a detection result of detection of
presence of the person by using a sensor being provided on the floor of the passage and arranged
in a same position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the gate.
34
11. The gate system according to claim 10, wherein
the imaging means of the gate apparatus is installed beside the passage,
the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region in the guide
5 pattern, and
the control means of the gate apparatus causes the imaging means to execute imaging
when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.
12. A gate system comprising:
10 a gate apparatus; and
a foot mark that detects presence of a person and is provided in a place requiring
identity verification, wherein
the gate apparatus includes
an imaging means for imaging a person as a verification target in the place requiring
15 identity verification,
an acquisition means for acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is
provided at a stepping position for a person in the place requiring identity verification and
detects presence of the person, and
a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the
20 detection result acquired by the acquisition means.
13. The gate system according to claim 12, wherein
the acquisition means of the gate apparatus acquires a detection result of detection of
presence of the person by using a sensor being provided in the place requiring identity
25 verification and arranged in a same position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the stepping
position for a person.
14. The gate system according to claim 13, wherein
the imaging means of the gate apparatus is installed beside the place requiring identity
30 verification,
the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide
pattern, and
the control means of the gate apparatus causes the imaging means to execute imaging
when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.
35
15. The gate system according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein
the gate apparatus further includes an estimation means for estimating, based on an
image of the person imaged by the imaging means, a line of sight or a face orientation of the
5 person, and
the control means of the gate apparatus controls the imaging timing by using an
estimation result by the estimation means.
16. The gate system according to any one of claims 9 to 15, further comprising
10 an output means for performing predetermined output when the control means of the
gate apparatus has determined that it is not appropriate timing for imaging to be executed.
17. A control method for a gate apparatus, comprising:
by a gate apparatus,
15 acquiring a detection result from a sensor, the sensor which detects, in a passage leading
to a gate, presence of a person passing through the passage and is provided on a floor of the
passage; and
controlling, based on the detection result, imaging timing of a camera that images the
person passing through the passage, in order to acquire a face image used for face authentication.
20
18. The control method for a gate apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising,
by the gate apparatus,
acquiring a detection result of detection of presence of the person by using a sensor
being provided on the floor of the passage and arranged in a same position as a guide pattern
25 indicating a route to the gate.
19. The control method for a gate apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
the camera is installed beside the passage,
the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide
30 pattern, and
the control method further comprises, by the gate apparatus,
causing the camera to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio
among the sensors detect presence of the person.
36
20. A control method for a gate apparatus, comprising:
by a gate apparatus,
acquiring a detection result from a sensor which is provided in a stepping
position for a person in a place requiring identity verification and detects presence of the person
5 in the place requiring identity verification; and
controlling, based on the detection result, imaging timing of a camera that
images a person as a verification target in the place requiring identity verification in order to
acquire a face image used for face authentication.
10 21. The control method for a gate apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising,
by the gate apparatus,
acquiring a detection result of detection of presence of the person by using a sensor
being provided in the place requiring identity verification and arranged in a same position as a
guide pattern indicating a route to the stepping position for a person.
15
22. The control method for a gate apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
the camera is installed beside the place requiring identity verification,
the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide
pattern, and
20 the control method further comprises, by the gate apparatus,
causing the camera to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a predetermined ratio
among the sensors detect presence of the person.
23. The control method for a gate apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 22, further
25 comprising:
by the gate apparatus,
estimating, based on an image of the person imaged by the camera, a line of sight or a
face orientation of the person; and
controlling the imaging timing by using an estimation result.
30
24. The control method for a gate apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 23, further
comprising,
by the gate apparatus,
performing predetermined output when having determined that it is not appropriate
37
timing for imaging to be executed.
25. A program for causing a computer to execute:
a procedure for detecting presence of a person detected by using a sensor which is
5 provided on a floor of a passage leading to a gate; and
a procedure for controlling, based on a detection result, imaging timing of a camera that
images the person passing through the passage in order to acquire a face image used for face
authentication.
10 26. The program according to claim 25 for further causing a computer to execute
a procedure for acquiring a detection result of detection of presence of the person by
using a sensor being provided on a floor of the passage and arranged in a same position as a
guide pattern indicating a route to the gate.
15 27. The program according to claim 26, wherein
the camera is installed beside the passage,
the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide
pattern, and
the program for further causing a computer to execute
20 a procedure for causing the camera to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a
predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.
28. A program for causing a computer to execute:
a procedure for acquiring a detection result from a sensor being provided at a stepping
25 position for a person in a place requiring identity verification and detecting presence of the
person in the place requiring identity verification; and
a procedure for controlling, based on the detection result, imaging timing of a camera
that images a person as a verification target in the place requiring identity verification in order to
acquire a face image used for face authentication.
30
29. The program according to claim 28 for further causing a computer to execute
a procedure for acquiring a detection result of detection of presence of the person by
using a sensor being provided in the place requiring identity verification and arranged in a same
position as a guide pattern indicating a route to the stepping position for a person.
38
30. The program according to claim 29, wherein
the camera is installed beside the place requiring identity verification,
the sensors are arranged at a plurality of points or in at least a partial region of the guide
5 pattern, and
the program for further causing a computer to execute
a procedure for causing the camera to execute imaging when sensors exceeding a
predetermined ratio among the sensors detect presence of the person.
10 31. The program according to any one of claims 25 to 30 for further causing a computer to
execute:
a procedure for estimating, based on an image of the person imaged by the camera, a
line of sight or a face orientation of the person; and
a procedure for controlling the imaging timing by using an estimation result in the
15 estimating procedure.
32. The program according to any one of claims 25 to 31 for further causing a computer to
execute
a procedure for performing predetermined output when it is determined that it is not
20 appropriate timing for imaging to be executed.
33. A gate apparatus comprising:
a first acquisition means for acquiring, from an imaging means, an image in which a
person passing through a passage leading to a gate is imaged;
25 a second acquisition means for acquiring a detection result from a detection means
which is provided on a floor of the passage and detects presence of the person; and
a control means for controlling imaging timing of the imaging means by using the
detection result acquired by the second acquisition means.
30 34. A control method for a gate apparatus comprising:
by a gate apparatus,
acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is provided on a floor of a
passage and detects presence of a person passing through the passage leading to a gate;
controlling, by using the acquired detection result, imaging timing of an imaging means
39
for imaging a person passing through a passage leading to a gate; and
acquiring an image in which the person is imaged with the imaging timing from the
imaging means.
5 35. A program for causing a computer to execute:
a procedure for acquiring a detection result from a detection means which is provided
on a floor of a passage and detects presence of a person passing through the passage leading to a
gate;
a procedure for controlling, by using the acquired detection result, imaging timing of an
10 imaging means for imaging a person passing through a passage leading to a gate; and
a procedure for acquiring an image imaging the person with the imaging timing from
the imaging means.