COMBINED IRIS IMAGER AND WAVEFRONT SENSOR

• US 20090046899A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tascent, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aoptix Technology Parkway
• Inventors: Northcott, Malcolm J., Graves, J. Elon
• Granted Patent: US 8,025,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/117
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/19 Sensors therefor

Abstract

An iris imaging system used for biometric identification provides a combined iris imager and wavefront sensor. The detector array allows for independent readout of different regions, such that a wavefront sensor region can be read out fast while allowing signal to integrate on the iris imaging region. Alternatively, the entire array may be used for wavefront sensing during an acquisition phase, and then at least a portion of the array may be switched to be used for iris imaging during a subsequent imaging phase. An optical periscope optionally allows various optics to be inserted in front of the combined iris imager and wavefront sensor. In another embodiment, the glint image of an on-axis or near on-axis illumination source is picked off at the image plane and directed to the wavefront sensor optics, while allowing all of the light from the iris field to pass through to the iris imaging camera.

Claims

1. An iris imaging system for biometric identification, the system comprising an optical detector array positioned at an image plane of the iris imaging system, the detector array having a first and second regions, the first region receiving glint light reflected from a target eye and the second region receiving an image of the iris of the target eye;

wherein the first region senses a wavefront of the glint light reflected from the target eye and the second region images the iris of the target eye.

2. The iris imaging system of claim 1, wherein a signal output from the first region determines a tip-tilt correction for the iris imaging system.

3. The iris imaging system of claim 1, wherein a signal output from the first region determines a focus correction for the iris imaging system.

4. The iris imaging system of claim 1, wherein the detector array allows for independent readout of the first and second regions, and the first region is read out more rapidly than the second region.

5. The iris imaging system of claim 1, further comprising an optical periscope positioned in front of the detector array;

the optical periscope comprising;

a first optical element to direct glint light from the target eye; and

wavefront sensor optics to receive the glint light directed by the first optical element and to redirect the glint light to the detector array via a second optical element.

6. The iris imaging system of claim 5, wherein the wavefront sensor optics comprise a birefringent lens.

7. The iris imaging system of claim 5, wherein the wavefront sensor optics comprise a beam splitter arrangement that forms two adjacent images of different focus.

8. A method of imaging an iris of an eye using an iris imaging system:

sensing a wavefront of light reflected from the eye using substantially all of a detector array;

establishing an initial tip-tilt and focus position for the iris imaging system based on the sensed wavefront;

switching a majority of the detector array from wavefront sensing to iris imaging while maintaining a portion of the detector array for wavefront sensing; and

imaging the iris with the majority of the detector array.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein sensing a wavefront of light reflected from the eye comprises identifying glint light received by any part of the detector array.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein establishing an initial tip-tilt and focus position for the iris imaging system comprises centering a glint reflection from the eye on the detector array.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the portion of the detector array maintained for wavefront sensing is read out more rapidly than the majority of the detector array switched to iris imaging.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein imaging the iris with the majority of the detector array comprises integrating an iris image signal on the majority of the detector array.

13. A method of imaging an iris of an eye using an iris imaging system:

sensing a wavefront of light reflecting from the eye using substantially all of a detector array;

performing tip-tilt and focus correction based on the sensed wavefront of the light reflection from the eye;

switching substantially all of the detector array from wavefront sensing to iris imaging; and

imaging the iris with substantially all of the detector array to obtain a first iris image.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

switching at least a portion of the detector array from iris imaging to wavefront sensing;

sensing the wavefront of light reflecting from the eye using the at least a portion of the detector array;

correcting tip-tilt and focus aberrations based on the sensed wavefront of the light reflecting from the eye by the at least a portion of the detector array;

switching the at least a portion of the detector array from wavefront sensing to iris imaging; and

imaging the iris with substantially all of the detector array to obtain a second iris image.

15. An iris imaging system for biometric identification, the system comprising:

an illumination source providing a glint reflection occurring within a pupil of a target eye;

a pickoff splitter placed near a focal plane of the iris imaging system, the pickoff splitter having a reflecting spot surrounded by a transparent surface, the reflecting spot reflecting the glint light, the transparent surface passing light reflected from the iris of the target eye;

a wavefront sensor assembly for sensing the wavefront of the glint light reflected from the reflecting spot of the pickoff splitter; and

an image sensor for imaging the iris of the target eye from the light reflected from the iris of the target eye and passed through the transparent surface of the pickoff splitter.

16. The iris imaging system of claim 15, wherein the illumination source is near on-axis with respect to an imaging axis of the iris imaging system.

17. The iris imaging system of claim 15, wherein the reflecting spot does not prevent light reflected from the iris from reaching the image sensor.