Portable authentication device and method using iris patterns
First Claim
1. A system for providing access to a vehicle or other asset, comprising:
- an imager comprising;
iris acquisition means having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye;
a lens having an image plane disposed in front of the front surface of the iris acquisition means;
a mirror disposed on a side of the lens opposite the iris acquisition means;
an illuminator disposed along a side of the mirror;
a first memory for storing an iris image obtained by the iris acquisition means;
a processor for extracting a template from the stored iris image; and
a communications interface for transmitting the template to the controller system; and
a controller system comprising;
communications interface for receiving the template from the imager;
a second memory for storing at least one template of at least one image of an iris of at least one person'"'"'s eye;
a processor for comparing the received template with the at least one template in the second memory to identify the person; and
a lock interface coupled to the processor for receiving a command from the processor responsive to the results of the comparison.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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 transmitted to a receiver in a vehicle or other asset and compared to a database of previously stored templates of images to identify the person. The imager is part of a security module to protect access to an asset such as a vehicle or residence. The vehicle or residence cannot be unlocked and used unless a user has been identified and authorized by the imager and a controller system.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A system for providing access to a vehicle or other asset, comprising:
-
an imager comprising;
iris acquisition means having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye;
a lens having an image plane disposed in front of the front surface of the iris acquisition means;
a mirror disposed on a side of the lens opposite the iris acquisition means;
an illuminator disposed along a side of the mirror;
a first memory for storing an iris image obtained by the iris acquisition means;
a processor for extracting a template from the stored iris image; and
a communications interface for transmitting the template to the controller system; and
a controller system comprising;
communications interface for receiving the template from the imager;
a second memory for storing at least one template of at least one image of an iris of at least one person'"'"'s eye;
a processor for comparing the received template with the at least one template in the second memory to identify the person; and
a lock interface coupled to the processor for receiving a command from the processor responsive to the results of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of providing access to a vehicle or other asset responsive to the identification of a person, comprising:
-
(a) storing image information of the iris of at least one person'"'"'s eye in a memory in a controller system;
(b) illuminating an eye of an unidentified person having an iris with an imager;
(c) obtaining an image of the iris of the unidentified person;
(d) determining if the image is an image of sufficient quality for a step (f) of extracting;
(e) repeating steps (b) through (d) until the image of sufficient quality is obtained;
(f) extracting an iris template if the image is of sufficient quality;
(g) transmitting the iris template from the imager to the controller system;
(h) at the controller system, receiving the iris template from the imager and comparing the iris template with the stored image information to identify the unidentified person; and
(i) providing access to the vehicle or other asset responsive to a result of the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification