[Technical Field]
[0001]
The present invention relates to an information
processing apparatus, an information processing method,
and a storage medium.
[Background Art]
[0002]
Patent Literature 1 discloses a ticketless
boarding system to perform procedures through face
authentication at a plurality of check points (a checkin
lobby, a security inspection site, a boarding gate,
and the like) by using biometric information on a
passenger (face image).
[Citation List]
[Patent Literature]
[0003]
PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2007-79656
[Summary of Invention]
[Technical Problem]
[0004]
In the boarding system using biometric
authentication as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a
user may try to pass through a boarding gate that is
different from an available boarding gate. In such a
case, passage by the user will be refused. In the
current system, however, it is difficult for the user on
refusal of passage at a certain boarding gate to quickly
determine which boarding gate to go to out of a number
of boarding gates.
[0005]
Accordingly, in view of the problem described above,
the present invention intends to provide an information
processing apparatus, an information processing method,
3
and a storage medium that can guide a user to the
appropriate boarding gate.
[Solution to Problem]
[0006]
According to one example aspect of the present
invention, provided is an information processing
apparatus including: a matching unit that has a first
mode to match biometric information on a user acquired
at a first gate of a plurality of boarding gates with a
first group of registered biometric information on an
expected passenger related to the first gate and a second
mode to match the biometric information with a second
group of registered biometric information on all
expected passengers related to the plurality of boarding
gates; and a control unit that, when a matching result
in the first mode is that the matching is successful,
permits the user to pass through the first gate, and
when a matching result in the second mode is that the
matching is successful, outputs guide information that
guides the user to a second gate associated with
registered biometric information which successfully
matches the biometric information out of the second group
of registered biometric information.
[0007]
According to another example aspect of the present
invention, provided is an information processing method
including: performing a first mode to match biometric
information on a user acquired at a first gate of a
plurality of boarding gates with a first group of
registered biometric information on an expected
passenger related to the first gate; performing a second
mode to match the biometric information with a second
group of registered biometric information on all
expected passengers related to the plurality of boarding
gates; and when a matching result in the first mode is
that the matching is successful, permitting the user to
pass through the first gate, and when a matching result
in the second mode is that the matching is successful,
4
outputting guide information that guides the user to a
second gate associated with registered biometric
information which successfully matches the biometric
information out of the second group of registered
biometric information.
[0008]
According to yet another example aspect of the
present invention, provided is a storage medium storing
a program that causes a computer to perform: performing
a first mode to match biometric information on a user
acquired at a first gate of a plurality of boarding gates
with a first group of registered biometric information
on an expected passenger related to the first gate;
performing a second mode to match the biometric
information with a second group of registered biometric
information on all expected passengers related to the
plurality of boarding gates; and when a matching result
in the first mode is that the matching is successful,
permitting the user to pass through the first gate, and
when a matching result in the second mode is that the
matching is successful, outputting guide information
that guides the user to a second gate associated with
registered biometric information which successfully
matches the biometric information out of the second group
of registered biometric information.
[0009]
According to yet another example aspect of the
present invention, provided is an information processing
apparatus including: a matching unit that matches
biometric information on a user acquired by a display
terminal with registered biometric information related
to a person boarding a vehicle from a boarding gate; and
a control unit that causes the display terminal to
display information indicating a change of the boarding
gate when change information on the boarding gate is
associated with the registered biometric information
with which a result of matching of the biometric
information is that the matching is successful.
5
[Advantageous Effects of Invention]
[0010]
According to the present invention, it is possible
to provide an information processing apparatus, an
information processing method, and a storage medium that
can guide a user to the appropriate boarding gate.
[Brief Description of Drawings]
[0011]
[Fig. 1]
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an
example of an overall configuration of an information
processing system according to a first example
embodiment.
[Fig. 2]
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of
information stored in a boarding reservation information
DB according to the first example embodiment.
[Fig. 3]
Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of
information stored in a user information DB according to
the first example embodiment.
[Fig. 4]
Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of
information stored in a sorted-by-day passenger
information DB according to the first example embodiment.
[Fig. 5]
Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of
information stored in a sorted-by-gate passenger
information DB according to the first example embodiment.
[Fig. 6]
Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example
of a hardware configuration of a management server
according to the first example embodiment.
[Fig. 7]
Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example
of a hardware configuration of a boarding gate apparatus
according to the first example embodiment.
[Fig. 8]
6
Fig. 8 is a sequence chart illustrating an example
of an acquisition process for boarding reservation
information in the information processing system
according to the first example embodiment.
[Fig. 9]
Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of
a registration process to the sorted-by-day passenger
information DB in the management server according to the
first example embodiment.
[Fig. 10]
Fig. 10 is a sequence chart illustrating an example
of a process during a check-in procedure in the
information processing system according to the first
example embodiment.
[Fig. 11]
Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of
a registration process to the sorted-by-gate passenger
information DB in the management server according to the
first example embodiment.
[Fig. 12]
Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of
an update process of the sorted-by-gate passenger
information DB in the management server according to the
first example embodiment.
[Fig. 13]
Fig. 13 is a sequence chart illustrating an example
of a process in a boarding gate in the information
processing system according to the first example
embodiment.
[Fig. 14]
Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
screen displayed on the boarding gate apparatus
according to the first example embodiment.
[Fig. 15]
Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
screen displayed on an operation terminal according to
the first example embodiment.
[Fig. 16]
7
Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an
example of an overall configuration of an information
processing system according to a second example
embodiment.
[Fig. 17]
Fig. 17 is a sequence chart illustrating an example
of a guide process to a boarding gate in the information
processing system according to the second example
embodiment.
[Fig. 18]
Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of
illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a
signage terminal according to the second example
embodiment.
[Fig. 19]
Fig. 19 is a function block diagram of an
information processing apparatus according to a third
example embodiment.
[Fig. 20]
Fig. 20 is a function block diagram of an
information processing apparatus according to a fourth
example embodiment.
[Description of Embodiments]
[0012]
Exemplary example embodiments of the present
invention will be described below with reference to the
drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same elements or
corresponding elements are labeled with the same
references, and the description thereof may be omitted
or simplified.
[First Example Embodiment]
[0013]
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an
example of the overall configuration of an information
processing system 1 according to the present example
embodiment. The information processing system 1
according to the present example embodiment is a computer
system that supports a series of procedures performed in
8
a first country and a second country that is different
from the first country, respectively, for a user
(passenger) U who is scheduled to depart the first
country from an airport DA in the first country by an
aircraft and enter the second country via an airport in
the second country, for example. The information
processing system 1 is operated by a public institution
such as an immigration control bureau or a trustee
entrusted with the operation from such an institution,
for example.
[0014]
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the information
processing system 1 includes a management server 10, a
check-in terminal 20, an automatic baggage check-in
machine 30, a security inspection apparatus 40, an
automated gate apparatus 50, a boarding gate apparatus
60, operation terminals 62, and cameras 70. The
management server 10 is connected to a reservation system
2 of an airport company via a network NW1. Further, the
management server 10 is connected to respective
apparatuses within the airport DA via a network NW2.
The networks NW1 and NW2 are each formed of a local area
network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a mobile
communication network, or the like. The connection
scheme may be a wireless scheme without being limited to
a wired scheme.
[0015]
The management server 10 is an information
processing apparatus that manages various inspection
procedures when the user U enters or departs the country.
The management server 10 is installed in a facility of
an airport company, an airline company, or the like
operating the airport DA, for example. Note that the
management server 10 is not necessarily required to be
a single server and may be configured as a group of
servers including a plurality of servers. For example,
a server responsible for some of the functions of the
management server 10 may be installed in the first
9
country, and another server responsible for the
remaining functions of the management server 10 may be
installed in the second country.
[0016]
The management server 10 includes a storage unit
11, an information acquisition unit 12, a database
management unit 13, a matching unit 14, and a control
unit 15.
[0017]
The storage unit 11 stores information used in each
unit of the management server 10. For example, the
storage unit 11 includes a boarding reservation
information DB 11a, a user information DB 11b, a sortedby-
day passenger information DB 11c, and sorted-by-gate
passenger information DBs 11d.
[0018]
The boarding reservation information DB 11a is a
database that aggregates and stores boarding reservation
information transmitted from reservation systems 2 of
the airline companies, respectively.
[0019]
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of
information stored in the boarding reservation
information DB 11a. The boarding reservation
information DB 11a has data items of a reservation number,
a flight number, an airline code, a passenger name, a
departure place, a destination, a flight date, a seat
number, a nationality, a passport number, a family name,
a first name, a date of birth, and a sexuality. Note
that these data items are examples, and other data items
may be further included. The reservation number is an
identifier that uniquely identifies boarding reservation
information. The airline code is an identifier that
uniquely identifies an airline company.
[0020]
The user information DB 11b is a database that
stores information on the user U who has completed a
check-in procedure.
10
[0021]
Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of
information stored in the user information DB 11b. The
user information DB 11b has data items of a user ID, a
registered face image, a feature amount, a passenger
name, a reservation number, a departure place, a
destination, a flight date, an airline code, a flight
number, a seat number, a nationality, a passport number,
a family name, a first name, a date of birth, a sexuality,
and status. Note that these data items are examples,
and other data items may be further included.
[0022]
The user ID is an identifier that uniquely
identifies the user U. In the present example embodiment,
the user ID is issued provided that a result of matching
between a face image obtained by capturing the user U
having a passport in a check-in procedure and a passport
face image read from the passport is that the matching
is successful. In the present example embodiment, the
expression “matching is successful” means that a
matching score indicating a similarity between biometric
information on the user U and registered biometric
information on a registrant is greater than or equal to
a predetermined threshold. Further, the expression
“matching is unsuccessful” means that a matching score
is less than the predetermined threshold.
[0023]
The registered face image is a face image
registered for the user U. In the present example
embodiment, the registered face image is registered
during a check-in procedure. The registered face image
may be registered in a procedure operation that is first
performed out of a series of procedure operations
performed when departing a country. It is preferable
that a registered face image be registered based on
consent from the user U and then deleted at a
predetermined time. The feature amount is a value
extracted from biometric information (registered face
11
image).
[0024]
The registered face image in the present example
embodiment is registered, in the same manner as the user
ID, provided that a result of matching between a face
image obtained by capturing the user U having a passport
in the first procedure operation (check-in procedure)
and a passport face image read from the passport is that
the matching is successful.
[0025]
Further, as the registered face image, a face image
captured in the first procedure operation at the place
is used. The reason therefor is that a face image
captured in the first procedure operation is newer than
a passport face image and that the quality (appearance)
is closer to an image captured in a subsequent
authentication process than the passport face image.
Instead of a target face image (captured face image),
however, a passport face image may be set as a registered
face image (registered biometric information).
[0026]
The management server 10 matches face images
(biometric information) captured at the automatic
baggage check-in machine 30, the security inspection
apparatus 40, the automated gate apparatus 50, and the
boarding gate apparatus 60 with registered face images
stored in the user information DB 11b, respectively, and
thereby performs identity verification as to whether or
not the user U is a person who possesses an appropriate
boarding thicket. The details will be described later.
[0027]
Note that, although the term of biometric
information in the present example embodiment means a
face image and a feature amount extracted from the face
image, biometric information is not limited to a face
image and a face feature amount. That is, biometric
authentication may be performed by using an iris image,
a fingerprint image, a palmprint image, an auricle image,
12
or the like as the biometric information on the user U.
[0028]
The sorted-by-day passenger information DB 11c is
a database that stores passenger information on a
scheduled flight date (flight date) basis. The sortedby-
day passenger information DB 11c stores information
on all the users (expected passengers) U who are expected
to pass through any of a plurality of boarding gates in
the airport DA and then board an aircraft.
[0029]
Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of
information stored in the sorted-by-day passenger
information DB 11c. The sorted-by-day passenger
information DB 11c has data items of a flight number, an
airline code, a passenger name, a departure place, a
destination, an estimated time of departure, a boarding
gate ID, a registered face image, a feature amount, and
a reservation number. Note that these data items are
examples, and other data items may be further included.
The boarding gate ID is identification information that
uniquely identifies a boarding gate.
[0030]
Each sorted-by-gate passenger information DB 11d
is a database that stores passenger information on a
boarding gate basis. In the present example embodiment,
sorted-by-gate passenger information DBs 11d are
provided in association with boarding gates at N points,
respectively.
[0031]
Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of
information stored in the sorted-by-gate passenger
information DB 11d. The sorted-by-gate passenger
information DB 11d has data items of a flight number, an
airline code, a passenger name, a departure place, a
destination, an estimated time of departure, a
registered face image, a feature amount, and a
reservation number. Note that these data items are
examples, and other data items may be further included.
13
[0032]
The information acquisition unit 12 acquires
information from the reservation system 2 and
apparatuses at respective touch points. The database
management unit 13 performs a registration process, an
update process, and a searching process on the databases
of the storage unit 11.
[0033]
The matching unit 14 performs at least one of
matching processes performed in a first mode, which is
to match biometric information on the user U acquired at
a first gate of a plurality of boarding gates with a
first group of registered biometric information on an
expected passenger related to the first gate, and a
second mode, which is to match biometric information on
the user U with a second group of registered biometric
information on all the expected passengers related to
the plurality of boarding gates. In the present example
embodiment, the first group of registered biometric
information corresponds to a plurality of face images
stored in the sorted-by-gate passenger information DB
11d. Further, the second group of registered biometric
information corresponds to a plurality of face images
stored in the sorted-by-day passenger information DB 11c.
[0034]
The control unit 15 permits the user to pass
through the first gate if the matching result in the
first mode is that the matching is successful, and the
control unit 15 outputs guide information that guides
the user to the second gate associated with registered
biometric information which successfully matches
biometric information out of the second group of
registered biometric information if the matching result
in the second mode is that the matching is successful.
[0035]
The check-in terminal 20 is installed in a checkin
lobby or a check-in counter within the airport DA of
the first country (departure country). Hereafter, a
14
procedure area where the check-in terminal 20 is
installed is referred to as “touch point P1”. The checkin
terminal 20 is a self-service terminal used by the
user U to operate it by himself/herself to perform a
check-in procedure (boarding procedure). After
completion of a check-in procedure at the touch point
P1, the user U moves to a baggage check-in place or a
security inspection site.
[0036]
The automatic baggage check-in machine 30 is
installed in a region adjacent to a baggage check-in
counter (manned counter) or a region near the check-in
terminal 20 within the airport DA. Hereafter, a
procedure area where the automatic baggage check-in
machine 30 is installed is referred to as “touch point
P2”. The automatic baggage check-in machine 30 is a
self-service terminal used by the user U to operate it
by himself/herself to perform a procedure of checking in
baggage that is not carried in or is not allowed to be
carried in a passenger cabin. After completion of a
baggage check-in procedure, the user U moves to the
security inspection site. In a case of the user U having
no baggage to check in, the procedure at the touch point
P2 is omitted.
[0037]
The security inspection apparatus 40 is installed
in a security inspection site within the airport DA
(hereafter, referred to as “touch point P3”). The term
“security inspection apparatus” in the present example
embodiment is used as a meaning including all of a metal
detector that checks whether or not the user U is wearing
a metal object that can be a dangerous article by using
a metal detector, an X-ray inspection apparatus that
uses X-ray to check whether or not there is a dangerous
article in carry-on baggage or the like, a passage
control apparatus that determines whether or not to
permit passage of the user U at the entrance or exit of
the security inspection site, or the like. After
15
completion of a security inspection procedure performed
by the security inspection apparatus 40 at the touch
point P3, the user U moves to the immigration site.
[0038]
The automated gate apparatus 50 is installed in
the immigration site within the airport DA (hereafter,
referred to as “touch point P4”). The automated gate
apparatus 50 is an apparatus that automatically performs
an immigration procedure for the user U. After
completion of the immigration procedure at the touch
point P4, the user U moves to a departure area where
duty-free shops or boarding gates are provided.
[0039]
The boarding gate apparatus 60 is a gate apparatus
installed for each boarding gate (hereafter, referred to
as “touch point P5”) in the departure area. The boarding
gate apparatus 60 confirms that the user U is a passenger
for an aircraft that is available for boarding through
the boarding gate. After completion of the procedure at
the touch point P5, the user U boards the aircraft and
departs the country to the second country.
[0040]
Each operation terminal 62 is a terminal used by
a staff member S of an airline company or the like for
operation at the touch point P5. The operation terminal
62 is a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a
smartphone, or the like, for example. Note that,
although only the operation terminal 62 used by the staff
member S deployed at the touch point P5 is depicted for
simplified illustration in the present example
embodiment, such operation terminals are installed
similarly at other touch points P1 to P4.
[0041]
Each camera 70 is a digital camera, for example,
and is installed at respective touch points P1 to P5.
For example, the camera 70 is attached to a ceiling, a
wall, a pillar, or the like so that the camera 70 can
capture the face or the entire body of the user U. The
16
type of the camera 70 may be stationary or movable. The
camera 70 sequentially transmits captured images to the
management server 10. The management server 10 can use
captured images for the purpose of face authentication
of the user U, monitoring within the airport DA, or the
like.
[0042]
Next, the hardware configuration example of each
device forming the information processing system 1 will
be described with reference to the drawings. Note that,
since devices that are the same in the name and differ
only in the reference in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are devices
having substantially the same function, the detailed
description thereof will be omitted in the subsequent
drawings.
[0043]
Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example
of the hardware configuration of the management server
10. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the management server 10
includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a random
access memory (RAM) 102, a read only memory (ROM) 103,
a storage 104, a communication interface (I/F) 105, a
display device 106, and an input device 107 as a computer
that performs calculation, control, and storage.
Respective devices are connected to each other via a bus,
a wiring, a drive device, or the like.
[0044]
The CPU 101 is a processor having functions of
performing a predetermined operation in accordance with
a program stored in the ROM 103 or the storage 104 and
controlling each unit of the management server 10. The
RAM 102 is formed of a volatile storage medium and
provides a temporary memory area required for the
operation of the CPU 101.
[0045]
The ROM 103 is formed of a nonvolatile storage
medium and stores necessary information such as a program
used for the operation of the management server 10. The
17
storage 104 is formed of a nonvolatile storage medium
and stores a program used for operating the management
server 10 and data. The storage 104 is formed of a hard
disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), for
example.
[0046]
The communication I/F 105 is a communication
interface based on a specification such as Ethernet
(registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), 4G,
or the like and is a module used for communicating with
another device.
[0047]
The display device 106 is a liquid crystal display,
an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or the
like used for displaying a moving image, a still image,
a text, or the like and is used for presenting
information to the user.
[0048]
The input device 107 is a keyboard, a pointing
device, a button, or the like and accepts a user
operation. The display device 106 and the input device
107 may be integrally formed as a touch panel.
[0049]
The CPU 101 loads a program stored in the ROM 103,
the storage 104, or the like into the RAM 102 and
executes the program to perform a predetermined
calculation process. Further, based on the program, the
CPU 101 controls each unit of the management server 10,
such as the communication I/F 105. With the above
components, the CPU 101 implements the functions of the
storage unit 11, the information acquisition unit 12,
the database management unit 13, the matching unit 14,
the control unit 15, or the like.
[0050]
Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example
of the hardware configuration of the boarding gate
apparatus 60. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the boarding
gate apparatus 60 includes a CPU 601, a RAM 602, a ROM
18
603, a storage 604, a communication I/F 605, a display
device 606, an input device 607, a biometric information
acquisition device 608, a medium reading device 609, and
a gate 610. Respective devices are connected to each
other via a bus, a wiring, a drive device, or the like.
[0051]
The biometric information acquisition device 608
is a device that acquires a face image of the user U as
biometric information on the user U. The biometric
information acquisition device 608 is a digital camera
that captures a face of the user U standing in front of
the boarding gate apparatus 60, for example, and captures
the face of the user U and acquires the face image
thereof.
[0052]
The medium reading device 609 is a device that
reads information stored in a medium carried by the user
U. The medium reading device 609 may be, for example, a
code reader, an image scanner, a contactless integrated
circuit (IC) reader, an optical character reader (OCR)
device, or the like. Further, a recording medium may
be, for example, a paper airline ticket, a mobile
terminal displaying a receipt of an e-ticket, or the
like.
[0053]
The gate 610 transitions from a closed state for
a standby period to block passage of the user U to an
open state to permit passage of the user U when identity
verification of the user U at the boarding gate apparatus
60 is successful. The scheme of the gate 610 is not
particularly limited and may be, for example, a flapper
gate in which one or more flappers provided to one side
or both sides of a passage are opened and closed, a turn
style gate in which three bars are revolved, or the like.
[0054]
Note that the hardware configuration illustrated
in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 is an example, a device other than
the above may be added, or some of the devices may not
19
be provided. Further, some of the devices may be
replaced with another device having substantially the
same function. Further, some function in the present
example embodiment may be provided by another device via
the network NW, or the functions in the present example
embodiment may be distributed to a plurality of devices
and implemented therein. In such a way, the hardware
configuration illustrated in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 can be
changed as appropriate.
[0055]
Next, the operation of the apparatuses in the
information processing system 1 according to the present
example embodiment will be described with reference to
the drawings.
[Acquisition Process for Boarding Reservation
Information]
[0056]
Fig. 8 is a sequence chart illustrating an example
of an acquisition process of boarding reservation
information in the information processing system 1.
This process is performed between the reservation system
2 of the airline company and the management server 10.
[0057]
First, in response to acquiring boarding
reservation information on a flight basis (step S101),
the reservation system 2 of the airline company transmits
the boarding reservation information to the management
server 10 (step S102).
[0058]
In response to receiving the boarding reservation
information from the reservation system 2, the
management server 10 registers the boarding reservation
information to the boarding reservation information DB
11a (step S103).
[0059]
The process of step S101 to step S103 is performed
every time boarding reservation information is
transmitted to the management server 10 from the
20
reservation system 2 of each airline company.
Accordingly, boarding reservation information for a
plurality of airline companies is unitarily stored in
the boarding reservation information DB 11a.
[Registration Process to Sorted-by-Day Passenger
Information DB]
[0060]
Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of
a registration process to the sorted-by-day passenger
information DB 11c in the management server 10. For
example, this process is performed everyday based on a
predetermined time in the management server 10. A case
of generating the sorted-by-day passenger information DB
11c that stores boarding reservation information on the
next day at the end of the day will be described with
Fig. 9.
[0061]
First, the management server 10 determines whether
or not the current time is the time to perform a
registration process to the sorted-by-day passenger
information DB 11c (step S201).
[0062]
Herein, if the management server 10 determines that
the current time is the time to perform a registration
process (step S201, YES), the process proceeds to step
S202. In contrast, if the management server 10
determines that the current time is not the time to
perform a registration process (step S201, NO), the
standby state is maintained.
[0063]
Next, from the boarding reservation information DB
11a, the management server 10 extracts boarding
reservation information in which a scheduled flight date
is the next day (step S202).
[0064]
Next, the management server 10 allocates boarding
gates on a flight basis for the boarding reservation
information extracted in step S202 (step S203).
21
[0065]
The management server 10 then registers, to the
sorted-by-day passenger information DB 11c, the boarding
reservation information in which boarding gates are
allocated on a flight basis (step S204) and ends the
process. Accordingly, the sorted-by-day passenger
information DB 11c that manages information on
passengers (passenger information) related to all the
aircrafts scheduled for flights on the next day is
generated.
[Check-in Procedure]
[0066]
Fig. 10 is a sequence chart illustrating an example
of a process during a check-in procedure in the
information processing system 1. This process is
performed when the user U uses the check-in terminal 20
to perform a check-in procedure.
[0067]
First, once an airline ticket medium such as a
boarding ticket is held over the reading unit of the
medium reading device (not illustrated), the check-in
terminal 20 acquires boarding reservation information on
the user U from the airline ticket medium (step S301).
[0068]
Next, once a passport is held over the reading unit
of the medium reading device (not illustrated), the
check-in terminal 20 acquires passport information on
the user U from the passport (step S302). The acquired
passport information includes a passport face image of
the user U, identity verification information, a
passport number, information on a passport issuance
country, or the like.
[0069]
Next, the check-in terminal 20 captures the face
of the user U by using a biometric information
acquisition device (not illustrated) (step S303) and
transmits the face image, the boarding reservation
information, the passport information, and a matching
22
request to the management server 10 (step S304). Note
that it is preferable that the check-in terminal 20
display a screen for obtaining consent from the user U
before capturing the face image.
[0070]
In response to receiving information from the
check-in terminal 20, the management server 10 matches
a face image captured by the check-in terminal 20
(hereafter, referred to as a “target face image”) with
a face image recorded in the passport of the user U
(hereafter, referred to as a “passport face image”) in
a one-to-one manner (step S305).
[0071]
Next, the management server 10 transmits a matching
result of a process of matching between the target face
image and the passport face image to the check-in
terminal 20 (step S306).
[0072]
Next, based on a matching result received from the
management server 10, the check-in terminal 20
determines whether or not a check-in procedure of the
user U is ready to be performed (step S307).
[0073]
Herein, if the matching result received from the
management server 10 is that the matching is successful
and the check-in terminal 20 thus determines that a
check-in procedure of the user U is ready to be performed
(step S307, YES), the process proceeds to step S308.
[0074]
In contrast, if the matching result received from
the management server 10 is that the matching is
unsuccessful and the check-in terminal 20 thus
determines that a check-in procedure of the user U is
not ready to be performed (step S307, NO), the check-in
terminal 20 notifies the user U of an error message (step
S309). The process then ends.
[0075]
In step S308, the check-in terminal 20 performs a
23
check-in procedure such as confirmation of an itinerary,
selection of a seat, or the like based on an input
operation made by the user U. Next, the check-in
terminal 20 transmits a registration request for user
information to the management server 10 (step S310).
The registration request includes status information
indicating that a check-in procedure is completed, a
reservation number that identifies boarding reservation
information, or the like.
[0076]
Next, in response to receiving a registration
request from the check-in terminal 20, the management
server 10 issues a user ID (step S311). The user ID is
set to a unique value based on a date and time at
processing or a sequence number, for example.
[0077]
Next, the management server 10 registers, to the
user information DB 11b, user information in which a
target face image is used as a registered face image
(step S312). The user information includes boarding
reservation information and passport information.
[0078]
Next, the management server 10 updates the sortedby-
day passenger information DB 11c by using, as a key,
the reservation number included in the user information
registered in the user information DB 11b (step S313).
Specifically, the face image of the user U, the user ID,
or the like are added to the passenger information in
the sorted-by-day passenger information DB 11c.
[0079]
Next, the management server 10 creates guidance
information for the user U based on the passenger
information in the sorted-by-day passenger information
DB 11c (step S314). Next, the management server 10
transmits the guidance information to the check-in
terminal 20 (step S315). The guidance information
includes a flight name (flight number) of an aircraft to
board, an estimated time of departure, and a currently
24
allocated boarding gate number.
[0080]
Then, in response to receiving the guidance
information from the management server 10, the check-in
terminal 20 prints the guidance information on a boarding
ticket (step S316) and ends the process. The user U is
able to determine the currently allocated boarding gate
by referencing the guidance information printed on the
boarding ticket. Note that the boarding ticket and the
guidance information may be provided to the user U
through a method other than printing on a paper medium.
For example, the boarding ticket and the guidance
information may be provided to the user U as an
electronic ticket to an application or the like of a
smartphone possessed by the user U.
[0081]
In the present example embodiment, the reason why
a face image captured at the place (target face image)
is used as the registered face image is that a captured
image has quality (appearance) closer to an image
captured in a subsequent authentication process than a
passport face image, or the like. Instead of a target
face image (captured face image), however, a passport
face image may be set as a registered face image
(registered biometric information).
[Registration Process to Sorted-by-Gate Passenger
Information DB 11d]
[0082]
Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of
a registration process to the sorted-by-gate passenger
information DB 11d in the management server 10. This
process is performed at the time an aircraft associated
with a boarding gate departs from the airport DA, for
example.
[0083]
First, the management server 10 references the
sorted-by-day passenger information DB 11c or a database
(not illustrated) storing flight information of an
25
aircraft and determines whether or not there is a flight
for which the remaining time to an estimated time of
departure is within a predetermined time (step S401).
[0084]
Herein, if the management server 10 determines that
there is a flight for which the remaining time to an
estimated time of departure is within a predetermined
time (step S401, YES), the process proceeds to step S402.
In contrast, if the management server 10 determines that
there is no flight for which the remaining time to an
estimated time of departure is within a predetermined
time (step S401, NO), the standby state is maintained.
[0085]
In step S402, the management server 10 identifies
a boarding gate that has been allocated to the flight of
interest.
[0086]
Next, the management server 10 acquires passenger
information on the flight of interest from the sortedby-
day passenger information DB 11c (step S403). For
example, the management server 10 acquires passenger
information on all the passengers who are boarding the
flight, NH03, scheduled to depart at 14:00.
[0087]
The management server 10 then registers the
passenger information acquired in step S403 to the
sorted-by-gate passenger information DB 11d related to
the boarding gate identified in step S402 (step S404)
and ends the process.
[Update Process of Sorted-by-Gate Passenger Information
DB 11d]
[0088]
Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of
an update process of the sorted-by-gate passenger
information DB 11d in the management server 10. This
process is performed when a boarding gate stored in the
sorted-by-day passenger information DB 11c has been
changed, for example.
26
[0089]
First, the management server 10 determines whether
or not there is a flight for which the boarding gate has
been changed in the sorted-by-day passenger information
DB 11c (step S501).
[0090]
Herein, if the management server 10 determines that
there is a flight for which the boarding gate has been
changed (step S501, YES), the process proceeds to step
S502. In contrast, if the management server 10
determines that there is no flight for which the boarding
gate has been changed (step S501, NO), the process ends.
[0091]
In step S502, the management server 10 determines
whether or not the flight for which the boarding gate
has been changed is the flight next departing from the
changed boarding gate.
[0092]
Herein, if the management server 10 determines that
the flight for which the boarding gate has been changed
is the next departing flight (step S502, YES), the
process proceeds to step S503. In contrast, if it is
determined that the flight for which the boarding gate
has been changed is not the next departing flight (step
S502, NO), the process ends.
[0093]
In step S503, from the sorted-by-day passenger
information DB 11c, the management server 10 acquires
passenger information related to the flight next
departing from the changed boarding gate.
[0094]
The management server 10 then updates the sortedby-
gate passenger information DB 11d related to the
changed boarding gate in accordance with passenger
information acquired in step S503 (step S504), and the
process ends. In such a way, when a boarding gate
corresponding to a certain flight has been changed, the
sorted-by-gate passenger information DB 11d
27
corresponding to the boarding gate is updated in turn.
[Identity Verification at Boarding Gate and Guide to
Correct Boarding Gate]
[0095]
Fig. 13 is a sequence chart illustrating an example
of a process at a boarding gate of the information
processing system 1. This process is performed when the
user U tries to pass through a boarding gate.
[0096]
First, the boarding gate apparatus 60 continuously
or periodically captures images of an area in front of
the boarding gate apparatus 60 by using the biometric
information acquisition device 608 and acquires, as a
target face image, a face image of the user U standing
in front of the boarding gate apparatus 60 in a captured
image (step S601).
[0097]
Next, the boarding gate apparatus 60 transmits the
target face image of the user U captured by the biometric
information acquisition device 608 to the management
server 10 together with a matching request (step S602).
Accordingly, the boarding gate apparatus 60 requests the
management server 10 to match the target face image of
the user U captured by the biometric information
acquisition device 608 with a plurality of registered
face images registered in the database of the management
server 10 in a one-to-N manner.
[0098]
Next, in response to receiving the target face
image and the matching request from the boarding gate
apparatus 60, the management server 10 performs one-to-
N matching between the target face image of the user U
and registered face images stored in the sorted-by-gate
passenger information DB 11d (step S603).
[0099]
Next, the management server 10 determines whether
or not the matching result of the matching process in
step S603 is that the matching is successful (step S604).
28
[0100]
Herein, if the management server 10 determines that
the matching result is that the matching is successful
(step S604, YES), the management server 10 transmits the
matching result of the successful matching to the
boarding gate apparatus 60 (step S605), and the process
proceeds to step S613.
[0101]
In contrast, if the management server 10 determines
that the matching result is that the matching is
unsuccessful (step S604, NO), the process proceeds to
step S606.
[0102]
In step S606, the management server 10 performs
one-to-N matching between the target face image of the
user U and the registered face image stored in the
sorted-by-day passenger information DB 11c.
[0103]
Next, the management server 10 determines whether
or not the matching result of the matching process in
step S606 is that the matching is successful (step S607).
[0104]
Herein, if the management server 10 determines that
the matching result is that the matching is successful
(step S607, YES), the process proceeds to step S608.
[0105]
In contrast, if the management server 10 determines
that the matching result is that the matching is
unsuccessful (step S607, NO), the management server 10
transmits the matching result of the unsuccessful
matching to the boarding gate apparatus 60 (step S612),
and the process proceeds to step S613.
[0106]
In step S608, the management server 10 identifies
a boarding gate to guide to, that is, a boarding gate
available to the user U. Next, the management server 10
creates guide information for the user U and business
contact information for the staff member S at another
29
boarding gate, respectively (step S609).
[0107]
Next, the management server 10 transmits the
matching result and the guide information to the boarding
gate apparatus 60 that has made the matching request
(step S610). Further, the management server 10
transmits the business contact information to the
operation terminal 62 corresponding to the boarding gate
identified in step S608 (step S611). The process then
proceeds to step S618.
[0108]
In step S613, the boarding gate apparatus 60
determines whether or not to permit passage of the user
U based on the matching result received from the
management server 10.
[0109]
Herein, if the boarding gate apparatus 60
determines to permit the passage of the user U (step
S613, YES), the gate 610 is opened (step S614). The
user U who has passed through the touch point P5 boards
the aircraft. The process then proceeds to step S616.
[0110]
In response, if the boarding gate apparatus 60
determines not to permit the passage of the user U (step
S613, NO), the process proceeds to step S615.
[0111]
In step S615, the boarding gate apparatus 60
displays the guide information received from the
management server 10 on the display device 606 and ends
the process.
[0112]
Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
screen displayed on the boarding gate apparatus 60.
Illustrated herein is a guiding screen that displays a
message (“Wrong boarding gate. Please go to boarding
gate No. 8.”) for guiding the user U to a correct
boarding gate and a map indicating a positional
relationship between a boarding gate where passage by
30
the user U is refused (first gate) and a boarding gate
that is available to the user U (second gate).
[0113]
Further, in the screen of Fig. 14, flight
information on the aircraft which the user U is boarding
(flight name / destination / boarding start time /
estimated time of departure) and information on the
current location of the user U, a distance to go, an
expected required time, the current time, and an expected
time to reach are also displayed. The distance to go is
acquired from a data table (not illustrated) storing
positional relationships between boarding gates, for
example. The required time is automatically calculated
from the distance to go and an average human walking
speed. The expected time to reach is calculated from
the current time and the required time.
[0114]
In step S616, the boarding gate apparatus 60
transmits a status update request related to the user U
to the management server 10.
[0115]
In response to receiving the status update request
from the boarding gate apparatus 60, the management
server 10 updates user information in the user
information DB 11b for the user U (step S617) and ends
the process. This may involve deletion of biometric
information on the user U (registered face image).
[0116]
In step S618, in response to receiving the business
contact information from the management server 10, the
operation terminal 62 displays the business contact
information on the screen and ends the process.
[0117]
Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
screen displayed on the operation terminal 62.
Illustrated herein is a business contact screen
displayed on the operation terminal 62 installed on the
correct boarding gate side when the user U tries to enter
31
a wrong boarding gate. The business contact screen of
Fig. 15 includes a business contact message (“There is
a passenger who made a mistake in the boarding gate. To
guide the passenger from the current location (boarding
gate No. 1) to the boarding gate No. 8, please respond
to the passenger when he arrives”) and user information.
[0118]
According to the present example embodiment, even
when the user U tries to pass through a boarding gate
that is different from a boarding gate available to the
user U, it is possible to guide the user to the
appropriate boarding gate. Further, a user who was
refused to pass through a boarding gate is able to
quickly determine which boarding gate to go to out of
multiple boarding gates based on guide information
provided by the present system. This improves userfriendliness
for the user U using the airport DA and can
contribute to smooth operation of aircrafts.
[Second Example Embodiment]
[0119]
The information processing system 1 according to
the present example embodiment will be described below.
Note that references common to the references given in
the drawings of the first example embodiment refer to
the same objects. Description of the features common to
those in the first example embodiment will be omitted,
and different features will be described in detail.
[0120]
The management server 10 of the present example
embodiment differs from the first example embodiment in
that the management server 10 further has a function of
determining whether or not a boarding gate has been
changed on a user U basis and a function of displaying
change information on the boarding gate on a signage
terminal 80 installed in a departure area of the airport
DA.
[0121]
Fig. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example
32
of an overall configuration of an information processing
system 3 according to the present example embodiment.
As illustrated in Fig. 16, the management server 10 of
the present example embodiment is connected to the
signage terminal 80 via the network NW2. The management
server 10 matches a face image (biometric information)
captured at the signage terminal 80 with registered face
images stored in the user information DB 11b,
respectively, and thereby performs identity verification
as to whether or not the user U is a person who possesses
the appropriate boarding ticket.
[0122]
Further, the management server 10 further includes
a determination unit 16 that determines whether or not
a boarding gate for an aircraft scheduled for the user
U to board has been changed. For example, the
determination unit 16 compares a boarding gate, which
was allocated at completion of the check-in procedure
performed by the user U, with the latest boarding gate
associated with an aircraft in the sorted-by-day
passenger information DB 11c and determines whether or
not there is a change in the boarding gate. The user
information DB 11b of the present example embodiment
includes, as the data items, a boarding gate ID
indicating a boarding gate already allocated at
completion of a check-in procedure to a flight to be
used by the user U. Note that a scheme to determine
whether or not there is a change in the boarding gate is
not limited to the above.
[0123]
Fig. 17 is a sequence chart indicating an example
of a guide process in the information processing system
3. This process is performed when the user U is standing
in front of the signage terminal 80, for example.
[0124]
First, the signage terminal 80 continuously or
periodically captures images of an area in front of the
signage terminal 80 by biometric information acquisition
33
device (not illustrated) and acquires, as a target face
image, a face image of the user U standing in front of
the signage terminal 80 in the captured image (step S701).
[0125]
Next, the signage terminal 80 transmits the target
face image of the user U to the management server 10
together with a matching request (step S702).
Accordingly, the signage terminal 80 requests the
management server 10 to match the captured target face
image of the user U with a plurality of registered face
images registered in the database in the management
server 10 in a one-to-N manner.
[0126]
Next, in response to receiving the target face
image and the matching request from the signage terminal
80, the management server 10 performs one-to-N matching
between the target face image of the user U and the
registered face images stored in the sorted-by-day
passenger information DB 11c (step S703).
[0127]
Next, the management server 10 determines whether
or not the matching result is that the matching is
successful (step S704). Herein, if the management
server 10 determines that the matching result is that
the matching is successful (step S704, YES), the process
proceeds to step S705.
[0128]
In contrast, if the management server 10 determines
that the matching result is that the matching is
unsuccessful (step S704, NO), the management server 10
transmits a matching result of the unsuccessful matching
to the signage terminal 80 (step S707), and the process
proceeds to step S712.
[0129]
In step S705, the management server 10 identifies
a boarding gate already allocated to a flight to be used
by the user U identified by the matching process. That
is, a boarding gate available to the user U at the
34
current time is identified.
[0130]
Next, the management server 10 references the user
information DB 11b and identifies the boarding gate
already allocated at the completion of the check-in
procedure for a flight scheduled for the user U to board
(step S706). The process then proceeds to step S708.
[0131]
In step S708, the management server 10 determines
whether or not the boarding gate corresponding to the
flight scheduled for the user U to board has been changed.
Herein, if the management server 10 determines that the
boarding gate has been changed (step S708, YES), the
process proceeds to step S709.
[0132]
In contrast, if the management server 10 determines
that the boarding gate has not been changed (step S708,
NO), the management server 10 transmits the matching
result of the successful matching and the boarding gate
information to the signage terminal 80 (step S711), and
the process proceeds to step S712.
[0133]
In step S709, the management server 10 creates gate
change information. Next, the management server 10
transmits the matching result of the successful matching
and the gate change information to the signage terminal
80 (step S710). The process then proceeds to step S712.

[CLAIMS]
[Claim 1]
An information processing apparatus comprising:
a matching unit that has a first mode to match
biometric information on a user acquired at a first gate
of a plurality of boarding gates with a first group of
registered biometric information on an expected
passenger related to the first gate and a second mode to
match the biometric information with a second group of
registered biometric information on all expected
passengers related to the plurality of boarding gates;
and
a control unit that, when a matching result in the
first mode is that the matching is successful, permits
the user to pass through the first gate, and when a
matching result in the second mode is that the matching
is successful, outputs guide information that guides the
user to a second gate associated with registered
biometric information which successfully matches the
biometric information out of the second group of
registered biometric information.
[Claim 2]
The information processing apparatus according to
claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the matching
unit to perform a matching process in the second mode
when the matching result in the first mode is that the
matching is not successful.
[Claim 3]
The information processing apparatus according to
claim 1, wherein the control unit sets a mode of
performing a matching process at the matching unit to
one of the first mode and the second mode based on an
external input operation.
[Claim 4]
The information processing apparatus according to
any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit
outputs, to an operation terminal associated with the
second gate, information on the user who was refused to
48
pass through the first gate.
[Claim 5]
The information processing apparatus according to
claim 4, wherein the information includes the biometric
information on the user.
[Claim 6]
The information processing apparatus according to
any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide information
includes map information indicating at least a
positional relationship between the first gate and the
second gate.
[Claim 7]
The information processing apparatus according to
any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the guide information
includes information on a required time when a user moves
from the first gate to the second gate.
[Claim 8]
The information processing apparatus according to
any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the guide information
includes path information from the first gate to the
second gate.
[Claim 9]
The information processing apparatus according to
any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the guide information
includes information on a boarding start time at the
second gate.
[Claim 10]
The information processing apparatus according to
any one of claims 1 to 9,
wherein nationality information on the user is
further associated with the registered biometric
information included in the first group of registered
biometric information and the second group of registered
biometric information, respectively, and
wherein the control unit changes displayed
language of the guide information based on the
nationality information associated with the registered
biometric information with which a result of matching of
49
the biometric information is that the matching is
successful.
[Claim 11]
The information processing apparatus according to
any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit
generates display data that causes the guide information
to be displayed on a screen.
[Claim 12]
The information processing apparatus according to
any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit
generates print data that causes the guide information
to be output on a paper medium.
[Claim 13]
The information processing apparatus according to
any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the biometric
information is a face image.
[Claim 14]
An information processing method comprising:
performing a first mode to match biometric
information on a user acquired at a first gate of a
plurality of boarding gates with a first group of
registered biometric information on an expected
passenger related to the first gate;
performing a second mode to match the biometric
information with a second group of registered biometric
information on all expected passengers related to the
plurality of boarding gates; and
when a matching result in the first mode is that
the matching is successful, permitting the user to pass
through the first gate, and when a matching result in
the second mode is that the matching is successful,
outputting guide information that guides the user to a
second gate associated with registered biometric
information which successfully matches the biometric
information out of the second group of registered
biometric information.
[Claim 15]
A storage medium storing a program that causes a
50
computer to perform:
performing a first mode to match biometric
information on a user acquired at a first gate of a
plurality of boarding gates with a first group of
registered biometric information on an expected
passenger related to the first gate;
performing a second mode to match the biometric
information with a second group of registered biometric
information on all expected passengers related to the
plurality of boarding gates; and
when a matching result in the first mode is that
the matching is successful, permitting the user to pass
through the first gate, and when a matching result in
the second mode is that the matching is successful,
outputting guide information that guides the user to a
second gate associated with registered biometric
information which successfully matches the biometric
information out of the second group of registered
biometric information.
[Claim 16]
An information processing apparatus comprising:
a matching unit that matches biometric information
on a user acquired by a display terminal with registered
biometric information related to a person boarding a
vehicle from a boarding gate; and
a control unit that causes the display terminal to
display information indicating a change of the boarding
gate when change information on the boarding gate is
associated with the registered biometric information
with which a result of matching of the biometric
information is that the matching is successful.