Image comparison apparatus, image comparison method, image comparison center apparatus, and image comparison system

• US 20020090116A1
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Iwao, Hiroyuki, Miichi, Kunihiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,190,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/118
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/16 Human faces, e.g. facial parts, sketches or expressions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

To provide an image comparison apparatus, an image comparison method, an image comparison center apparatus, and an image comparison system, which has a high check function in which when an image of a photograph object is acquired, images of the photograph object are acquired not only at a press of a button for check confirmation but also in a period before that, and check confirmation can be made. The present invention is concerned with an image comparison apparatus in which an image of a photograph object is acquired by using a photograph unit, and in a case where a button for check confirmation is pressed down, the acquired image is compared with information concerning previously memorized registration images, and a comparison result is outputted, and which is characterized in that an object detection sensor for detecting the existence of the photograph object is provided, the photograph unit acquires a plurality of images of the photograph object during a period from detection of the photograph object by the object detection sensor to a press of the button, and in a case where the button is pressed down, at least one of the plurality of acquired images is compared with information concerning the previously memorized registration images.

Claims

1. An image comparison apparatus in which an image of a photograph object is acquired by using photograph means, and in a case where a button for check confirmation is pressed down, the acquired image is compared with information concerning previously memorized registration images, and a comparison result is outputted, wherein:

an object detection sensor for detecting existence of the photograph object is provided;

the photograph means acquires a plurality of images of the photograph object during a period from detection of the photograph object by the object detection sensor to a press of the button; and

in a case where the button is pressed, at least one of the plurality of acquired images is compared with the information concerning the previously memorized registration image.

5. An image comparison apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case where an image acquired immediately after the button for check confirmation is pressed down is a check poor image, a check is made in order of timing near a timing of a press of the button by using an image from the plurality of images acquired before the press of the button.

9. An image comparison apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display means for displaying a check state is provided.

13. An image comparison apparatus according to claim 5, wherein display means for displaying a check state is provided.

2. An image comparison method, comprising:

a step of detecting existence of a photograph object;

a step of capturing a plurality of images of the photograph object in a case where the photograph object is detected;

a step of detecting a press of a button for check confirmation;

a step of comparing at least one of the plurality of captured images with information concerning previously memorized registration images when the press of the button is detected; and

a step of outputting a comparison result.

6. An image comparison method according to claim 2, wherein in a case where an image acquired immediately after the button for check confirmation is pressed down is a check poor image, a check is made in order of timing near a timing of a press of the button by using an image from the plurality of images acquired before the press of the button.

10. An image comparison method according to claim 2, wherein display means for displaying a check state is provided.

14. An image comparison method according to claim 6, wherein display means for displaying a check state is provided.

3. An image comparison center apparatus in which a captured image is compared with information concerning registration images previously memorized in memory means, and a comparison result is outputted, wherein:

a plurality of captured images of a same object are successively compared with the information concerning the registration images memorized in the memory means;

as a result of the comparison, a proper judgment result is outputted in a case where there is a similar image satisfying a check judgment threshold; and

an improper judgment result is outputted in a case where there is no similar image satisfying the check judgment threshold in the plurality of images.

7. An image comparison center apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in a case where an image acquired immediately after the button for check confirmation is pressed down is a check poor image, a check is made in order of timing near a timing of a press of the button by using an image from the plurality of images acquired before the press of the button.

11. An image comparison center apparatus according to claim 3, wherein display means for displaying a check state is provided.

15. An image comparison center apparatus according to claim 7, wherein display means for displaying a check state is provided.

4. An image comparison system in which an image of a photograph object is captured by using photograph means, the captured image is compared with information concerning registration images previously memorized in memory means, and a comparison result is outputted, wherein:

a plurality of captured images of a same object are successively compared with the information concerning the registration images memorized in the memory means;

as a result of the comparison, a proper judgment result is outputted in a case where there is a similar image satisfying a check judgment threshold; and

an improper judgment result is outputted in a case where there is no similar image satisfying the check judgment threshold in the plurality of images.

8. An image comparison system according to claim 4, wherein in a case where an image acquired immediately after the button for check confirmation is pressed down is a check poor image, a check is made in order of timing near a timing of a press of the button by using an image from the plurality of images acquired before the press of the button.

12. An image comparison system according to claim 4, wherein display means for displaying a check state is provided.

16. An image comparison system according to claim 8, wherein display means for displaying a check state is provided.