1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a face image obtaining apparatus for obtaining a face image to be attached to a personal paper or the like belonging to an individual, in particular, ID card, magnetic card, or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a face image obtaining apparatus having hand-related biological information obtaining function, as well as providing a face image of the user.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, unattended face image obtaining apparatuses for providing face images of the users are installed on the street. Such apparatuses provide recorded face images to the users by printing on plain papers or stickers.
In addition, a face image obtaining apparatus capable of obtaining biological information of the user such as fingerprint and the like, as well as face image, is proposed as described, for example, in International Patent Publication No. WO2005/050508. In the apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned patent publication, a face image of the user is recorded first, then the biological information. The apparatus records monitoring photographs, including a face image of the user, before and after obtaining biological information in order to provide a proof record when the user is switched for counterfeiting purpose. Such monitoring photographs may have a deterrent effect on the counterfeiting user switching. But, it is difficult to prevent such counterfeiting user switching at the site where the biological information and face image are obtained.
In order to prevent such counterfeiting user switching, a face image obtaining apparatus in which the face image and biological information are obtained at the same time has also been considered. If, for example, a fingerprint is obtained as the biological information, it is not an easy task for the user not accustomed to taking a fingerprint to obtain a face image and a proper fingerprint applicable to fingerprint authentication at the same time. When a user initially failed to obtain a fingerprint, if reacquisition of the fingerprint is authorized, the counterfeiting user switching may not be prevented.
In the mean time, another face image obtaining apparatus is also proposed as described, for example, in International Patent Publication No. WO2005/050508. In the apparatus, biological information is obtained before a face image, and when obtaining the face image, the biological information is obtained again to verify the identity of the user.
The face image obtaining means described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-141429 may prevent the counterfeiting user switching, but has a problem that the biological information needs to be reacquired when recording the face image, which increases the burden on the user.
The present invention has been developed in view of the problem described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a face image obtaining apparatus capable of reliably obtaining biological information applicable to authentication, and preventing counterfeiting user switching without increasing the burden on the user.