METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EYE-SCAN AUTHENTICATION USING A LIQUID LENS

• US 20110096960A1
• Filed: 10/23/2009
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, Robert R., BRITZ, DAVID
• Granted Patent: US 8,233,673 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/117
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/004 based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/18 Eye characteristics, e.g. of the iris
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing eye-scan authentication using an adaptive liquid lens are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, the method receives a request for eye-scan authentication from a mobile endpoint device of a user, wherein the request comprises a first retinal image of the user captured using an adaptive liquid lens of the mobile endpoint device. The method obtains a second retinal image of the user, wherein the second retinal image is a stored retinal image of the user. The method authenticates the first retinal image against the second retinal image. In another embodiment, the method captures a first retinal image of a user via a mobile endpoint device of the user, wherein the mobile endpoint device comprises an adaptive liquid lens. The method then sends a request for eye-scan authentication from the mobile endpoint device over a network, wherein the request comprises the first retinal image.

Claims

1. A method for providing authentication in a network, comprising:

receiving a request for eye-scan authentication from a mobile endpoint device of a user, wherein the request comprises a first retinal image of said user captured using an adaptive liquid lens of said mobile endpoint device;

obtaining a second retinal image of the user, wherein said second retinal image is a stored retinal image of said user; and

authenticating said first retinal image against said second retinal image.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a positive response to the mobile endpoint device if said request for eye-scan authentication is successful, or providing a negative response to the mobile endpoint device if said request for eye-scan authentication has failed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said mobile endpoint device further comprises a fixed camera lens, wherein said adaptive liquid lens and said fixed camera lens are used to perform near field imaging.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said mobile endpoint device comprises a mobile phone.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said user is a subscriber of a network service provided by a service provider of said network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said authenticating is performed by said service provider.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said authenticating is performed by a third party.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said mobile endpoint device uses infrared radiation for illumination of a retina of said user in capturing said first retinal image.

9. A method for providing authentication, comprising:

capturing a first retinal image of a user via a mobile endpoint device of said user, wherein said mobile endpoint device comprises an adaptive liquid lens; and

sending a request for eye-scan authentication from said mobile endpoint device over a network, wherein the request comprises said first retinal image.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a positive response over said network if said request for eye-scan authentication is successful, or receiving a negative response over said network if said request for eye-scan authentication has failed.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said eye-scan authentication is performed by obtaining a second retinal image of the user, wherein said second retinal image is a stored retinal image of said user, and authenticating said first retinal image against said second retinal image.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said mobile endpoint device further comprises a fixed camera lens, wherein said adaptive liquid lens and said fixed camera lens are used to perform near field imaging.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said mobile endpoint device comprises a mobile phone.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said user is a subscriber of a network service provided by a service provider of said network.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said request for eye-scan authentication is processed by said service provider.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said request for eye-scan authentication is processed by a third party.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein said mobile endpoint device uses infrared radiation for illumination of a retina of said user in capturing said first retinal image.

18. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps of a method for providing authentication, comprising:

capturing a first retinal image of a user via a mobile endpoint device of said user, wherein said mobile endpoint device comprises an adaptive liquid lens; and

sending a request for eye-scan authentication from said mobile endpoint device over a network, wherein the request comprises said first retinal image.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a positive response over said network if said request for eye-scan authentication is successful, or receiving a negative response over said network if said request for eye-scan authentication has failed.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein said eye-scan authentication is performed by obtaining a second retinal image of the user, wherein said second retinal image is a stored retinal image of said user, and authenticating said first retinal image against said second retinal image.