Iris imaging using reflection from the eye

Abstract

A rapid iris acquisition, tracking, and imaging system can be used at longer standoff distances and over larger capture volumes, without the active cooperation of subjects. The captured iris images can be used for biometric identification. Light illuminates the subjects' eyes. Reflections from the eyes are used to steer a high resolution camera to the eyes in order to capture images of the irises.

1 . An iris imaging system comprising:
 an acquisition subsystem comprising:
 a first light sources for producing a first optical beam, and 
 first optics having a first aperture, for directing the first optical beam through the first aperture to illuminate a moving object within a capture volume and further for receiving through the first aperture a retro-reflection of the first optical beam from the moving object to identify an approximate location of the object; and 
   an imaging subsystem comprising:
 a second light source for producing a second optical beam to illuminate the moving object, 
 second optics having a second aperture spatially separated from the first aperture, so that the second aperture does not receive the retro-reflection of the first optical beam, the second optics for producing an image of the illuminated moving object, and 
 a camera for capturing the image of the moving object with sufficient resolution for image recognition of the image. 
   
   
   
       2 . The iris imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the first light source comprises a plurality of light sources. 
   
   
       3 . The iris imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the second light source comprises a plurality of light sources. 
   
   
       4 . The iris imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the first light source comprises a bank of LED devices. 
   
   
       5 . The iris imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the second light source comprises a bank of LED devices.