Iris imaging telephone security module and method

• US 6,377,699 B1
• Filed: 11/25/1998
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Iridian Technologies, Inc. (Advent International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Iridian Technologies, Inc. (Advent International Corporation)
• Inventors: Cambier, James L., Musgrave, Clyde
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHTA, BHAVESH M
• Application Number:
  US09/199,369
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115, 382/116, 382/117-118, 379/93.02, 379/93.03, 379/445, 380/247, 713/186, 455/410, 455/411, 340/5--
• US Class Current: 382/117
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/006 Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals identification systems for access to feeding pens A01K1/0209; ear tags with electronic identification means A01K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/19 Sensors therefor
• 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: H04M 1/67 by electronic means

Abstract

A compact, handheld imaging apparatus which can be used to capture high-quality iris images for identification of a person. The handheld iris imager is non-invasive and non-contacting and comprises a camera, a cold mirror, a lens, and an illuminator. The imager has sensors and indicators which assist a user in aligning and focusing the device. The imager also automatically captures the image when proper positioning is achieved. A template of the image is then compared to a database of previously stored templates of images to identify the person. The imager is integrated into a telephone as a security module. The telephone cannot be unlocked and used unless a user has been identified and authorized by the imager.

Claims

1. A telephone security module comprising:

iris acquisition means having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye;

a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said iris acquisition means;

a mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said iris acquisition means;

an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror;

a memory for storing an iris image obtained by said iris acquisition means;

a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and

a communications interface for transmitting said template to a central station.

2. The telephone security module according to claim 1, wherein said iris acquisition means comprises a camera, and said mirror is a cold mirror.

3. The telephone security module according to claim 2, wherein said camera is sensitive to light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 1100 nm.

4. The telephone security module according to claim 2, wherein said mirror reflects light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 700 nm and passes light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm.

5. The telephone security module according to claim 1, wherein said illuminator emits light having a wavelength in a range between about 680 nm and about 900 nm towards the iris of the eye being imaged, the eye being out of contact with the iris imaging apparatus.

6. The telephone security module according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator to indicate when the image of the iris has been obtained.

7. The telephone security module according to claim 6, further comprising a focus assessment processor coupled to said at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator.

8. The telephone security module according to claim 1, wherein said processor unlocks a telephone responsive a signal received from said central station.

9. A system of identification of a person for unlocking a telephone, comprising:

the telephone security module of claim 1;

a second memory for storing at least one template of at least one image of an iris of at least one person'"'"'s eye; and

a second processor for comparing said template of said stored iris image with said at least one stored template of said second memory to identify the person, and for unlocking the telephone responsive to the result of said comparison.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said second memory and said second processor are housed in a central station remote from the telephone security module.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein said second processor unlocks the telephone when said template of said stored iris image substantially matches said at least one stored template of said second memory.

12. A telephone security module comprising:

iris acquisition means having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye;

a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said iris acquisition means;

a mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said iris acquisition means;

an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror;

a first memory for storing at least one template of at least one image of an iris of at least one person'"'"'s eye;

a second memory for storing an iris image obtained by said iris acquisition means;

a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and

a comparator for comparing said template from stored iris image with said at least one template to identify the person.

13. The telephone security module according to claim 12, wherein said iris acquisition means comprises a camera, and said mirror is a cold mirror.

14. The telephone security module according to claim 13, wherein said camera is sensitive to light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 1100 nm.

15. The telephone security module according to claim 13, wherein said mirror reflects light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 700 nm and passes light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm.

16. The telephone security module according to claim 12, wherein said illuminator emits light having a wavelength in a range between about 680 nm and about 900 nm towards the iris of the eye being imaged, the eye being out of contact with the iris imaging apparatus.

17. The telephone security module according to claim 12, further comprising at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator to indicate when the image of the iris has been obtained.

18. The telephone security module according to claim 17, further comprising a focus assessment processor coupled to said at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator.

19. The telephone security module according to claim 12, wherein said processor unlocks a telephone responsive to the results of said comparison.

20. A telephone security module comprising:

a camera having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye;

a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said camera;

a concave cold mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said camera;

an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror;

a memory for storing an iris image obtained by said camera;

a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and

a communications interface for transmitting said template to a central station.

21. The telephone security module according to claim 20, wherein said camera is sensitive to light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 1100 nm.

22. The telephone security module according to claim 20, wherein said mirror reflects light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 700 nm and passes light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm.

23. The telephone security module according to claim 20, wherein said illuminator emits light having a wavelength in a range between about 680 nm and about 900 nm towards the iris of the eye being imaged, the eye being out of contact with the iris imaging apparatus.

24. The telephone security module according to claim 20, further comprising at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator to indicate when the image of the iris has been obtained.

25. The telephone security module according to claim 24, further comprising a focus assessment processor coupled to said at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator.

26. The telephone security module according to claim 20, wherein said processor unlocks a telephone responsive a signal received from said central station.

27. A telephone security module comprising:

a camera having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye;

a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said camera;

a concave cold mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said camera;

an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror;

a first memory for storing at least one template of at least one image of an iris of at least one person'"'"'s eye;

a second memory for storing an iris image obtained by said camera;

a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and

a comparator for comparing said template from stored iris image with said at least one template to identify the person.

28. The telephone security module according to claim 27, wherein said camera is sensitive to light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 1100 nm.

29. The telephone security module according to claim 27, wherein said mirror reflects light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 700 nm and passes light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm.

30. The telephone security module according to claim 27, wherein said illuminator emits light having a wavelength in a range between about 680 nm and about 900 nm towards the iris of the eye being imaged, the eye being out of contact with the iris imaging apparatus.

31. The telephone security module according to claim 27, further comprising at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator to indicate when the image of the iris has been obtained.

32. The telephone security module according to claim 31, further comprising a focus assessment processor coupled to said at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator.

33. The telephone security module according to claim 27, wherein said processor unlocks a telephone responsive to the results of said comparison.