Patent Application
20240290138
The present invention relates to a database enrolment system for enrolling an unauthorised person in a database of authorised persons.
Many products or services are age-restricted to prevent customers who are too young from buying or using them (for example alcohol, knives, poisons, lottery tickets, movies, casinos). It is a legal requirement for vendors to ensure that customers are old enough to purchase age restricted products or services. Face recognition systems are known that can predict the age of a customer which can be used to automatically authorize a person to buy a restricted product or service.
However, sometimes a customer may look younger than their true age. When this happens an authorised person may be required to manually verify the customer's age. On subsequent visits to the same premises, an authorised person will be required to manually verify the same customer's age which can be inconvenient and inefficient. Face recognition systems which include a database of authorised persons may be used to recognise such persons as pre-authorised to buy the age restricted product or service.
Such face recognition systems for recognising authorised persons may also be used to authorize access to a restricted area. An example of such an application is a camera system located next to an entrance to a building or a secure area. The camera system may be directly linked to a processing unit that can access a database of authorised persons. The system may permit ingress by an individual into the building or secure area when said individual is identified as an existing database member.
However, enrolment of unauthorised persons in such a database typically requires an authorised person to manually enrol the unauthorised person. This enrolment procedure can involve a lengthy procedure to formally photograph the unauthorised person and add their information to the database.
GB2586242B proposes a method of entering a facial image of an individual into a database of recognised and authorised individuals. The method in GB2586242B includes determining whether an image contains a facial image of an authorised first individual and a second individual, detecting a security gesture in the image being made by the first individual, and then entering the facial image of the second individual to the database.
The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.
In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a database enrolment system for enrolling an unauthorised person in a database of authorised persons, wherein the system comprises: a camera for imaging a field of view, a processing unit in communication with the database of authorised persons and comprising a face recognition subsystem, wherein the database contains information relating to the faces of authorised persons, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform an enrolment routine for enrolling an unauthorised person in the database, wherein the enrolment routine comprises: detecting an initialisation scene, wherein detecting the initialisation scene includes: using the face recognition subsystem to detect the face of an authorised person in the field of view and to detect the face of an unauthorised person in the field of view, wherein the face of the authorised person is detected on a first side of the face of the unauthorised person in the field of view; detecting a subsequent confirmation scene, wherein detecting the subsequent confirmation scene includes: using the face recognition subsystem to detect the face of the authorised person and the face of the unauthorised person in the field of view, wherein the face of the authorised person is detected on a second side of the face of the unauthorised person in the field of view; and when the initialisation scene and the confirmation scene are detected, transmitting enrolment information relating to the face of the unauthorised person to the database for enrolment as an authorised person.
According to embodiments of the first aspect, an authorised person may simply and efficiently request enrolment of an unauthorised person in the database by standing next to the unauthorised person in the field of view of the camera and then moving to a second position by trading places with the unauthorised person.
Advantageously, the database enrolment system of the first aspect increases accuracy of the enrolment system by reducing the likelihood of erroneous entries into the database. By requiring the detection of an unauthorised person and an authorised person in the initialisation scene and then the detection of the same unauthorised person and authorised person in a scene in swapped positions, the likelihood of misinterpreting an enrolment request is reduced compared to conventional systems which analyse single images. This may improve usability and efficiency of the enrolment system because manual intervention from users is less likely to be required to correct erroneous entries into the database. In addition, the database enrolment system may be more resistant to intentional or unintentional false requests for entries into the database because the expected sequence of events (i.e. the detection of an authorised face and an unauthorised face in swapped positions) must be detected in two subsequent scenes.
Using the face recognition system to detect the face of an authorised person and the face of an unauthorised person in the field of view may comprise: detecting a first face in the field of view and classifying the first face as authorised or unauthorised by comparing the first face to the information in the database, and detecting a second face in the field of view and classifying the second face as authorised or unauthorised by comparing the second face to the information in the database.
Detecting the subsequent confirmation scene may comprise comparing the faces detected in the initialisation scene to the faces detected in the confirmation scene, and determining if the same first and second faces are detected in the second image.
The camera may be configured to film or video the field of view whereby multiple images of the field of view are captured at a predetermined frame rate. In other examples, the camera may be configured to take images which are stills captured a predetermined time apart or upon receipt of a command to capture an image. The initialisation scene may be contained in a first image or frame received by the processing unit from the camera and the confirmation scene may be contained in a second image or frame received by the processing unit from the camera.
The enrolment routine may comprise receiving one or more intermediate images or frames of the field of view containing intermediate scenes between detecting the initialisation scene and detecting the confirmation scene. In this way, the system is configured to allow the authorised person and the unauthorised person time to swap places before confirming enrolment of the unauthorised person. The system may be configured to provide a predetermined time between detecting the initialisation scene and detecting the confirmation scene during which the users are instructed by the system to change places to confirm enrolment.
Detecting the initialisation scene may comprise using the face recognition subsystem to detect the face of the unauthorised person and the face of the authorised person in the field of view, wherein the face of the authorised person is detected on a first side of the field of view and the face of the authorised person is detecting on a second side of the field of view. In this example, the detecting the confirmation scene may comprise using the face recognition subsystem to detect the face of the unauthorised person and the face of the authorised person in the field of view, wherein the face of the authorised person is detected on the second side of the field of view and the face of the authorised person is detected on the second side of the field of view.
The first side of the field of view may be a half of an image of the field of view separated from a second half of the image of the field of view by a centre line. The first and second halves may be left and right halves of the field of view. In this example, the authorised and unauthorised persons must move to from one side of the field of view to the other in order to enrol the unauthorised user in the database. In this way, the detection of erroneous enrolment requests may be reduced because both the authorised user and the unauthorised user must move to trigger the enrolment.
The database enrolment system may further comprise an indicator unit configured to indicate commands and/or a current status of the system to the authorised person and/or the unauthorised person. The indicator may comprise any one or more of: a graphical display or screen, a lighting system, for example an LED or LEDs, or an audio source.
The enrolment routine may comprise using the indicator unit to indicate when the initialisation scene is detected. In this example, the indicator unit may also be configured to instruct the authorised person and the unauthorised person to swap places when the initialisation scene is detected.
The enrolment routine may comprise using the indicator unit to indicate when the confirmation scene is detected. In some embodiments, the enrolment routine may comprise indicating to a user, with the indicator unit, when the unauthorised user has been enrolled in the database of authorised persons. In this way, the users may be informed when to trade places and when the system has determined that an enrolment request has been received.
In some examples, the enrolment routine may comprise using the indicator unit to indicate when the enrolment routine has entered a failure mode i.e., when the enrolment routine has not been successfully completed and the confirmation scene has not been successfully detected. For example, a failure mode may include any failure mode disclosed herein such as: a timer reaching a predetermined time limit for detection of the confirmation scene, detection of too many faces the field of view, detection of a false face in the field of view. For example, if a failure mode is detected then an LED may flash or change colour (e.g. red), a buzzer may sound, or a message may be displayed on a screen.
When the indicator unit includes a screen, the screen may be configured to display the field of view of the camera wherein faces in the field of view detected by the face recognition subsystem are highlighted in the field of view on the screen. For example, the face detected by the face recognition subsystem may be displayed on the screen inside a box. The face of the authorised person and the face of the unauthorised person may be displayed inside colour codes squares. For example, an authorised person may be shown in a green square and an unauthorised person may be shown in a red square.
The database enrolment system may comprise a user interface configured to receive user commands. The user interface may include the indicator unit. For example, the user interface may be a graphical user interface included in a display. The display may include a touch screen or buttons or a keyboard for receiving user commands.
When the database enrolment system comprises a user interface, the enrolment routine may comprise requesting confirmation of enrolment from an authorised person when the confirmation scene is detected. The unauthorised person may be enrolled in the database upon receipt of a confirmation of enrolment at the user interface. In this way, the likelihood of false enrolments to the database may be reduced.
In other examples, the processing unit may be further configured to recognise gestures made by persons in the field of view. The processing unit may be configured to recognise a predetermined gesture performed by the authorised person to confirm enrolment of the unauthorised person. In this way, the likelihood of false enrolments to the database may be reduced without requiring an authorised person to manually enter a password.
The enrolment routine may comprise determining if the authorised person is permitted to enrol unauthorised persons in the database. The enrolment routine may comprise transmitting the information relating the face classified as unauthorised to the database for enrolment only if the if the authorised person is determined as permitted to enrol unauthorised persons.
For example, the enrolment routine may comprise: requesting confirmation of enrolment by requesting a user (who may be the authorised person or a third party) to enter a password into the user interface, and transmitting the enrolment information to the database when the password has been entered. In another example, the enrolment routine may comprise: requesting confirmation of enrolment by requesting the user (who may be the authorised person or a third party) to scan a tag.
The enrolment routine may comprise requesting a user (who may be the authorised person or a third party) to indicate that they are permitted to authorize enrolment of the unauthorised person in the database by entering a password or scanning a tag. The status of the authorised person as permitted to authorize enrolment into the database of authorised persons may be stored in the database as an attribute of the authorised person designating that authorised person as an administrator. The database may further comprise information relating to the faces of administrators who are authorised persons permitted to enrol unauthorised persons in the database. In these examples, the enrolment routine may comprise: determining if the authorised person is an administrator permitted to enrol unauthorised persons in the database and transmitting the enrolment information to the database if the authorised person is determined to be an administrator.
The enrolment routine may comprise enrolling an administrator in the database by detecting an identifiable token or tag in the field of view and the face of a person holding the identifiable token or tag. In this example, the enrolment routine may comprise transmitting enrolment information relating to the face of person holding the token to the database for enrolment as an administrator. Other methods may also be used to enrol administrators in the database, For example, a separate back-end system may be used to enrol administrators in the database.
In some examples, detecting the initialisation scene may comprise determining if the authorised person is an administrator. Therefore, in this case the enrolment routine will not proceed to detect a confirmation scene until a face of and administrator is detected first.
The database may comprise information relating to the faces of administrators who are authorised persons permitted to enrol unauthorised persons in the database; and the enrolment routine may comprise: determining if the authorised person is an administrator by comparing the face of the authorised person to the information in the database.
By requiring the presence of an administrator to be confirmed or detected, the database enrolment system may have increased security because it is only configured to allow permitted persons (administrators) to enrol unauthorised persons into the database. This is more secure because even if a password or tag is required to confirm entry to the database, the administrator must also be present and recognised by the system.
The processing unit may be configured to begin a timer when the initialisation scene is detected. The enrolment routine may comprise transmitting the enrolment information to the database if the initialisation scene and the confirmation scene are detected while the time is within a predetermined enrolment time limit.
In this way, users of the system may decide not to enrol an unauthorised person in the database by simply walking away and not trading places. This helps to reduce the likelihood of false enrolments in the database where faces may be detected as having swapped places after a long time has passed by chance or in crowded locations.
The predetermined enrolment time limit may be adjustable, for example via a user interface.
In some examples, an initialisation scene may be detected multiple times while an authorised person and an unauthorised person stand in the field of view. The enrolment routine may comprise starting the timer after detection of final initialisation scene in a sequence of initialisation scenes. In other words, the processing unit may be configured to restart the timer upon detection of an initialisation scene wherein the authorised person is detected on the first side of the unauthorised person.
In examples, wherein the system includes an indicator unit, the indicator unit may be configured to indicate to the users that the timer has been started. For example, a light may flash each second. The indicator unit may be configured to display on a graphical display a time remaining on the timer until the predetermined enrolment time limit elapses.
The processing unit may be configured to use the face recognition subsystem to detect additional faces which belong to people other than the authorised person and the unauthorised person. The processing unit may be configured to restart the enrolment routine upon detection of an additional face in the field of view.
The enrolment routine may comprise: detecting a surplus face in the initialisation scene or in the confirmation scene, and when the surplus face is detected, restarting the enrolment routine. The surplus face may be a third face which belongs to a person who is not the authorised person or the unauthorised person and is simultaneously present in the field of view with the face of the authorised person and the face of the unauthorised person. By detecting surplus face/faces in the field of view the likelihood of erroneous enrolments of incorrect persons to the database may be reduced. This is particularly useful when the system is being used in a crowded location.
The database enrolment system may be configured to indicate that a surplus face has been detected in the field of view using an indicator unit. For example, the indicator unit may comprise an LED which is configured to flash if a surplus face has been detected in the field of view. In this way, users may be informed that enrolment is not possible because someone else is standing in the field of view.
The enrolment routine may comprise detecting an abort scene, wherein detecting the abort scene includes: using the face recognition subsystem to detect a third face in the field of view, and when the abort scene is detected, restarting the enrolment routine. The abort scene may be an intermediate scene or an intermediate image of the field of view which is received after the initialisation scene is detected and before the confirmation scene is detected. By detecting different faces in the field of view after detection of the initialisation scene, the system may be able to detect when new users are attempting to use the enrolment system before a previous enrolment routine was completed. This may also reduce the likelihood of false enrolments requests being detected in crowded locations.
The enrolment routine may comprise using the indicator unit to indicate to a user if an abort scene has been detected. For example, the indicator unit may comprise an LED which is configured to flash if an abort scene has been detected. In other examples, the indicator unit may comprise a screen which is configured to display a message indicating that too many faces are present in the field of view if an abort scene is detected.
The processing unit may be configured to detect and track the authorised person and the unauthorised person in the field of view between the initialisation scene and the confirmation scene. Tracking the authorised person and the unauthorised person in may comprised using the face recognition subsystem detect the faces of the authorised persons in intermediate scenes contained in images of the field of view which are received from the camera after detection of the initialisation scene. In some examples, tracking the authorised person and the unauthorised person may include using an object tracking algorithm to follow the movement of the authorised person and the unauthorised person between scenes. In this way each person may be tracked between scenes even if they look away from the camera.
The enrolment routine may comprise restarting the enrolment routine if the authorised person cannot be detected in one or more intermediate scenes contained in images of the field of view which are received from the camera after detection of the initialisation scene. This can reduce the likelihood of false enrolment requests being detected since the authorised person and the unauthorised person must remain in the field of view for the duration of the enrolment routine.
The facial recognition subsystem is configured to detect false faces (which may also be referred to as “spoof” faces) in the field of view. For example, the facial recognition subsystem may be configured to determine if a picture of a face (e.g. on a display or on paper) is present in the field of view. The processing unit may be configured to restart the enrolment routine when the face recognition subsystem detects a false face. The ability to detect false faces in the field of view may increase security of the enrolment system by preventing spoof enrolment requests being made by showing a picture of an unauthorised or authorised person to the camera.
The detection of false faces in the field of view may include any known spoof detection methods. For example, the detection may include “liveness detection” wherein movement of the facial features is detected. Other examples may include using stereo cameras to check that the face detected in the field of view is three dimensional.
The processing unit may be configured to determine a distance between the faces detected in the field of view from the camera. In such an embodiment, a face may only be classified as the authorised person or the unauthorised person, if the face is determined to be within a maximum threshold distance from the camera. In this way, the likelihood of erroneous enrolment requests being detected may be reduced in crowded locations because faces which are too far away from the camera cannot trigger the enrolment routine.
A face detected in the field of view may only be classified as the authorised person or the unauthorised person if the detected face is determined to be at least a minimum distance of the camera. This also may increase the accuracy of the enrolment system since people who are too close to the camera for accurate identification cannot trigger the enrolment routine.
In some examples, the enrolment routine may comprise removing an unauthorised person from the database.
For example, the enrolment routine may comprise: detecting an initialisation scene, wherein detecting the initialisation scene includes: using the face recognition subsystem to detect the face of a first authorised person in the field of view and to detect the face of a second authorised person in the field of view, wherein the face of the first authorised person is detected on a first side of the face of the second authorised person in the field of view; detecting a subsequent confirmation scene, wherein detecting the subsequent confirmation scene includes: using the face recognition subsystem to detect the face of the first authorised person and the face of the second authorised person in the field of view, wherein the face of the first authorised person is detected on a second side of the face of the second authorised person in the field of view; and when the initialisation scene and the confirmation scene are detected, transmitting information relating to the face of the second authorised person to the database for removal from the database as an authorised person. Specifically, after removal of the second authorised person from the database, the second authorised person would now be considered as an unauthorised person.
In this example, the first authorised person is preferably an administrator who is registered as a person with permissions to enrol unauthorised persons and remove unauthorised persons to/from the database. Therefore, the enrolment routine may comprise determining that the first authorised person is an administrator, and detecting the initialisation scene, only if the first authorised person is an administrator.
In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer implemented method of enrolling an unauthorised person in a database of authorised persons using an enrolment routine, wherein the enrolment routine comprises: receiving an image of a field of view from a camera; detecting an initialisation scene, wherein detecting the initialisation scene includes: using a face recognition subroutine to detect the face of an authorised person and the face of an unauthorised person in the field of view, wherein the face of the authorised person is positioned in the field of view on a first side of the face of the unauthorised person; detecting a subsequent confirmation scene, wherein detecting the subsequent confirmation scene includes: using the face recognition subroutine to detect the face of the authorised person and the face of the unauthorised person in the field of view, wherein the face of the authorised person is positioned in the field of view on a second side of the face of the unauthorised person; and when the initialisation scene and the confirmation scene are detected, transmitting enrolment information relating to the face of the unauthorised person to the database for enrolment as an authorised person.
The computer implemented method of the second aspect may comprise any of the optional features of the enrolment routine described herein for the first aspect of the present invention.
Additional aspects of the invention may relate to systems configured to execute the computer-implemented method of the second aspect of the invention. Specifically, the system may comprise a processor which is configured to execute the respective computer-implemented methods of the second aspect of the invention.
Additional aspects of the invention may provide a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of a computer-implemented method of the second aspect of the present invention. Further aspects of the invention may provide a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon the computer program of the previous aspects of the invention.
The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying FIGS. in which:
Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying FIGS. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.
The database enrolment system 1 comprises a camera 2 for capturing images and a processing unit 3 for analysing the images. The processing unit 3 is communicably coupled to a database of authorised persons and is configured to perform an enrolment routine, whereby an unauthorised person is enrolled in the database as an authorised person, if a specific series of events is detected in the images. The specific series of events includes the authorised person 7 and unauthorised person 8 being detected and then swapping places in the field of view 6.
The camera 2 is configured to capture images of people and objects positioned in a field of view 6 of the camera 2 and transmit the images to the processing unit 3. The camera 2 is configured to capture a live stream of the field of view 6 wherein multiple images of the field of view 6 are captured at a predetermined frame rate and continuously transmitted to the processing unit 3. In other examples the camera 2 may be configured to take images which are stills captured a predetermined time apart or upon command by the processing unit 3.
The database contains information relating to the faces of authorised persons. In some examples, the database may comprise pictures of the faces of authorised persons and information about each person. In other examples, the database may contain numerical features associated with the faces of the authorised persons.
The processing unit 3 comprises a face recognition subsystem for detecting and identifying faces in the field of view 6. The processing unit 3 is configured to use the face recognition subsystem to identify when an authorised person 7 and unauthorised person 8 are present in the field of view 6 and perform the enrolment routine to determine if the specific series of events is detected in the images. If the specific series of events is detected in the images, the unauthorised person 8 is enrolled in the database as an authorised person.
The face recognition subsystem preferably includes an artificial neural network that is designed to recognise one or more faces in the camera field of view. Once a face or face(s) are detected in an image the exact location of the face stored (defined by pixel location) and any further processing may now be performed on each portion of the image containing a face.
The enrolment routine is described below in relation to
In summary, the enrolment routine comprises detecting an initialisation scene wherein an authorised person 7 is detected on a first side of the unauthorised person 8 and detecting a subsequent confirmation scene wherein an authorised person 7 is detected on a second side of the unauthorised person 8. If both the initialisation scene and the confirmation scene are detected, enrolment information relating to the face of the unauthorised person 8 is transmitted to the database for enrolment as an authorised person 7.
In
When one of the first 4 and second 5 faces is classified as authorised and the other of the first 4 and second 5 faces is classified as unauthorised, the image is classified by the processing unit 3 as an initialisation scene and the processing unit 3 starts a timer. An indicator unit (not shown) is used to indicate to the users that an authorised person 7 and an unauthorised person 8 have been detected in the field of view 6.
The indicator unit may comprise one or more LEDs to indicate a status of the system. In other examples, the system may comprise a screen and/or speaker for displaying instructions or emitting a sound. The display may display an image of the current field of view 6 wherein the first face 4 and second face 5 detected in the image are shown inside colour coded squares. For example, an authorised person 7 may be shown in a green square and an unauthorised person 8 may be shown in a red square.
After detecting the initialisation scene, the processing unit 3 analyses subsequent images to determine whether the same unauthorised person 8 and authorised person 7 are present and have swapped places.
In
When the processing unit 3 receives the subsequent images of the field of view 6 from the camera 2 the processing unit 3 uses the face recognition subsystem to detect the same first face 4 and the same second face 5 in the subsequent image. If the processing unit 3 has not detected the same first face 4 and the same second face 5 in the subsequent image, then the processing unit 3 will continue to analyse subsequent images for an image where this is the case.
If the processing unit 3 determines that the first face 4 and the second face 5 are present in a subsequent image, then the processing unit 3 determines whether the first face 4 is positioned on the right of the second face 5 (i.e. users of the system have swapped places). If the processing unit has not determined that the first face 4 and the second face 5 have swapped places then the processing unit 3 will continue to analyse subsequent images until an image is received where this is the case.
If the processing unit 3 determines that the first face 4 and the second face 5 have swapped places then the processing unit 3 classifies the image as containing a confirmation scene and requests confirmation from the users that the unauthorised person 8 should be enrolled in the database as an authorised person.
Confirmation may be received as a password being input into a user interface or by an authorised person 7 scanning a tag or barcode to authorize the enrolment. In other examples, a user may give confirmation of enrolment by performing a predetermined physical gesture in the field of view 6, which is recognised by the processing unit 3.
If the timer reaches a predetermined enrolment time limit (for example 10 seconds) and the processing unit 3 has not detected a confirmation scene then the processing unit 3 will restart the enrolment routine (i.e. the processing unit 3 will being analysing images received from the camera 2 for a new initialisation scene).
Additionally, if the processing unit 3 detects a surplus face in the field of view 6 which is not the first face 4 or the second face 5 the processing unit 3 may display a warning message and/or restart the enrolment routine. The surplus face may be detected in a same image as the first face 4 or the second face 5 or in any subsequent images received after detection of the initialisation scene.
In some examples, the processing unit 3 may be configured to detect an abort scene comprising a third face after the initialisation scene is detected and before the confirmation scene is detected. By detecting different faces in the field of view 6 after detection of the initialisation scene, the system may be able to detect when new users are attempting to use the enrolment system before the current enrolment routine is completed. If the processing unit 3 detects a third face in the field of view (i.e., an abort scene) then the processing unit 3 may display a warning message and/or abort and restart the enrolment routine. Additionally, the indicator unit may be used to indicate that an abort scene has been detected e.g., by flashing and LED or displaying a message explaining that an additional person has been detected in the field of view 6.
If the processing unit 3 receives confirmation that the unauthorised person 8 should be enrolled in the database, the processing unit 3 will transmit information relating the face of the unauthorised person 8 to the database for enrolment in the database as an authorised person.
After the unauthorised person 8 is enrolled in the database the indicator unit may indicate to the users that the operation is complete. For example, an LED may flash twice or switch from amber to green, or a chime may sound from a speaker to indicate that that the operation has been completed.
The indicator unit may also be configured to indicate if the operation has not been successfully completed. For example, if the enrolment operation fails e.g. because too many faces are detected in the field of view or if the timer has reached the predetermined time limit, then an LED may flash or turn red to indicate that the operation has not been completed. In other examples, a message may be displayed on a screen to with an error code or to explain why the operation has not been completed.
In some examples, the database may contain information relating to the faces of administrators who are authorised persons permitted to enrol unauthorised persons 8 in the database. For example, the administrators may be employees or managers in a shop. In this example, the processing unit 3 may only enrol the unauthorised person 8 in the database if the authorised person 7 is identified as an administrator.
Additionally the database may be configured to store additional information about the authorised persons. For example, when the authorised person 7 was enrolled. For example, the additional information may include information about when the authorised person was added to the database and who added them.
In some examples, the system 1 may be supplied with a token or tag for use by administrators to authorize enrolment of unauthorised people in the database. The token or tag may also be used to authorize a reset of the system 1 or to remove people from the database.
An administrator may be enrolled in the database by holding a visible token or tag in the field of view. In some instances the token or tag may be part of the system as whole. Alternatively, the token or tag may be, for example, an identification card, for example driving license or passport. In this example, the processing unit 3 may be configured to detect the identifiable token in the field of view 6 and the face of a person holding the token. The processing unit 3 may then transmit enrolment information relating to the face of person holding the token to the database for enrolment as an administrator. Other methods may also be used to enrol administrators in the database, For example, a separate back-end system may be used to enrol administrators in the database.
In some examples, an administrator may remove an authorised person from the database using the same process. For example, if the processing unit 3 determines that two faces in the field of view 6 comprise an administrator and an authorised person (i.e., a person who is already enrolled in the database) then a message may be displayed on the screen instructing the persons to swap places if they wish to remove the authorised person from the database.
If the processor detects subsequent images of the field of view 6 wherein the administrator and the authorised person have swapped sides, then the authorised person may be removed from the database. The authorised person would now be recognised by the system as an unauthorised person.
An example application for the database enrolment system 1 of
If a customer is not recognised as an authorised person, the processing unit 2 may use an age detection algorithm to determine if the customer appears old enough to buy the age-restricted goods or services. If the customer is not recognised as an authorised person and, optionally, does not look old enough, then a signal may be sent to an authorised person who is an administrator for the system 1 to check the customer's age, for example via checking of age-verifying document belonging to the customer.
If the authorised person 7 finds on checking a document of the customer, that the customer is old enough to purchase the age-restricted goods or services then the authorised person may enrol the customer in the database using the system 1 according to the above-described enrolment procedure. After enrolment the system can now recognise the same customer as an authorised person on subsequent visits to the shop or business.
In some examples, the database enrolment system 1 of
Another example application of the database enrolment system 1 of
Of course, other suitable applications of the database enrolment system 1 may be envisaged by the skilled person which may include a local, remote, or cloud based database.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.
Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.
Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example+/−10%.
A number of publications are cited above in order to more fully describe and disclose the invention and the state of the art to which the invention pertains. Full citations for these references are provided below. The entirety of each of these references is incorporated herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23154972.6 | Feb 2023 | EP | regional |
