Method and apparatus for obtaining iris biometric information from a moving subject

• US 7,627,147 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2006
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Princeton Identity Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation (SRI International, Inc.)
• Inventors: LoIacono, Dominick, Matey, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tucker; Wesley
• Application Number:
  US11/377,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20060274919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 382115-123
• US Class Current: 382/117
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/40 Software arrangements specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. user interfaces or toolboxes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/945 User interactive design; Environments; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/19 Sensors therefor

Abstract

A method and apparatus for obtaining iris biometric information that provides increased standoff distance and capture volume is provided herein. In one embodiment, a system for obtaining iris biometric information includes an array of cameras defining an image capture volume for capturing an image of an iris; and an image processor, coupled to the array of cameras, for determining at least one suitable iris image for processing from the images generated for the image capture volume. The image capture volume may include a plurality of cells, wherein each cell corresponds to at least one of the cameras in the array of iris image capture cameras.

Claims

1. A system for obtaining iris biometric information, comprising:

an array of cameras defining an image capture volume for capturing a plurality of images of an iris;

a trigger sensor for sensing the presence of a subject entering or about to enter the image capture volume, the trigger sensor being separate and distinct from the array of cameras; and

an image processor, coupled to the array of cameras, for determining at least one suitable iris image for processing from the images generated from the plurality of images for the image capture volume, the trigger sensor being coupled to the array of cameras, and configured to trigger the capturing of images when the presence of a subject is sensed; and

at least one illumination controller for synchronizing with the array of cameras at least one illumination source for illuminating the iris with a plurality of photons;

wherein a light intensity of the illumination source is increased during a strobe to maintain a predetermined signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), while an average irradiance of the illumination source remains below a safety threshold.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the image capture volume further comprises a plurality of cells, wherein each cell corresponds to at least one of the cameras in the array of iris image capture cameras.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each cell corresponds to a single one of the cameras in the array of iris image capture cameras.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a subset of adjacent cells are spaced apart from one another.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a subset of the cells overlap.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the cells correspond to the resolution of the cameras in the array of iris image capture cameras.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the cells correspond to the depth-of-field of the cameras in the array of iris image capture cameras.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the image processor further comprises:

a memory containing an iris-based biometric system software that, when executed, analyzes at least one image obtained by the array of iris image capture cameras.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein each camera in the plurality of cameras has a fixed position and focal length.

4. The system of clan 2, wherein at least a subset of the cells are immediately adjacent one another.

11. A method for obtaining iris biometric information, comprising:

defining an image capture volume from an array of cameras;

sensing with a trigger sensor the presence of a subject entering or about to enter the image capture volume, the trigger sensor being separate and distinct from the cameras;

obtaining a plurality of images of an iris from the array defining the image capture volume, the obtaining being triggered by the sensing of the presence of the subject by the trigger sensor; and

processing at least one of the plurality of images with an image processor to determine at least one suitable image within the plurality of images; and

synchronizing with the array of cameras at least one illumination source for illuminating the iris with a plurality of photons using at least one illumination controller;

wherein a light intensity of the illumination source is increased during a strobe to maintain a predetermined signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), while an average irradiance of the illumination source remains below a safety threshold.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of defining an image capture volume further comprises:

defining a plurality of cells that correspond to each camera within the array of iris image capture cameras.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising aligning the cells such that at least a subset of cells are immediately adjacent to each other.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising aligning the cells such that at least a subset of adjacent cells are spaced apart from each other.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising aligning the cells such that at least a subset of cells overlap.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein obtaining iris biometric information further comprises designing a system for obtaining iris biometric information comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of design constants for a minimally constrained environment;

calculating at least one calculated parameter; and

providing a design for an iris biometrics system that operates within the plurality of design constraints, the design being based on the at least one calculated parameter.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the minimally constrained environment comprises at least one of:

a security checkpoint, an office, a boarding bridge, a corridor, and an automobile.