Iris imaging device

Abstract

The iris imaging device according to the present invention comprises: a front imaging unit arranged to face forwards in a first direction; an iris imaging camera and a lighting unit arranged to face in a second direction different from the first direction; a mirror member having at least one reflecting mirror for reflecting or refracting the imaging optical axis of the iris imaging camera and the lighting optical axis of the lighting unit so as to face in the first direction; a rotation driving unit for rotating the mirror member in order to adjust the direction of the reflecting mirror; and a control unit for analyzing a user's image captured by the front imaging unit so as to identify the position of the user's eyes, controlling the rotation driving unit in order to rotate the mirror member such that the imaging optical axis and the lighting optical axis face the eyes in the identified position, and operating the lighting unit and the iris imaging camera so as to image the illuminated eyes, thereby acquiring iris images.

Description

Iris photographing device

[0001] The present invention relates to an iris photographing device, and more particularly, to an iris photographing device capable of adjusting a photographing direction according to the height of an approaching user.

[0002] In security systems and other applications, methods for user authentication are known, such as examining the iris folds. Authentication methods using irises offer the advantage of high authentication accuracy and contactless operation.

[0003] However, in order to improve the recognition rate, the image of the iris to be used for user authentication must have the user's eye positioned within the focal length of the camera, must be illuminated precisely toward the eye, and in particular, the camera's optical axis and the visual axis of the user's eye must be aligned.

[0004] That is, when an iris authentication device is fixedly installed at a specific height on a wall, when a tall user looks at the camera of the iris authentication device, the user's visual axis is formed in a direction looking down at the camera, so the camera's shooting optical axis must be adjusted to look up toward the user's eyes.

[0005] Conversely, when a short user looks at an iris authentication device, the user's visual axis is formed in a direction looking up at the camera, so the camera's optical axis must be adjusted to look down toward the user's eyes.

[0006] As a method for adjusting the camera's shooting optical axis to suit the user's eye level, reference may be made to Patent Publication No. 2002-0064342 (August 7, 2002) (Title: Iris imaging device) (hereinafter referred to as "prior art"). Although the prior art aims to broadly detect a user approaching from the left and right, it also includes a function for tilting the iris imaging camera in the vertical direction.

[0007] Specifically, the iris imaging device (10) of the prior art includes a wide-angle camera (25) for capturing an image of a subject; a distance sensor (24) for measuring a distance to the subject; a telephoto camera (22) for capturing an iris of the subject from an image captured by the wide-angle camera (25) and a distance measured by the distance sensor (24); and a tilt stand (20) on which the telephoto camera (22) and the distance sensor (24) are mounted so that the imaging direction of the telephoto camera (22) with respect to the iris and the distance measuring direction of the distance sensor (24) with respect to the subject are substantially aligned, and which tilts up and down around a tilt rotation axis. As a result, the telephoto camera (22) can capture an image of the iris of the subject based on the image captured by the wide-angle camera (25) and the distance measured by the distance sensor (24).

[0008] In addition, the iris imaging device (10) is provided with a reflector (23) that reflects the imaging direction of the telephoto camera (22), and is configured to rotate the imaging direction in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the operating direction of the tilt stage (20) by rotating the reflector (23).

[0009] The iris imaging device (10) according to the prior art can tilt the telephoto camera (22) up and down by rotating the tilt stand (20), and can adjust the imaging direction of the telephoto camera (22) in the horizontal direction by rotating the reflector (23).

[0010] However, the iris imaging device (10) according to the prior art can quickly change direction by using the reflection effect by the reflector (23) when adjusting the shooting direction of the telephoto camera (22) to the horizontal direction, but the tilt operation in the up-and-down direction is performed by the tilt motor (21) directly rotating the tilt stage (20), so the direction change speed can be relatively slow.

[0011] In addition, since at least two motors are provided for the movement of the telephoto camera (22), it is difficult to achieve precision in rotational movement due to the inevitable rotational and axial backlash occurring in each motor.

[0012] In addition, in the iris imaging device (10) according to the prior art, the iris lighting fixtures (12, 13) are configured to independently rotate by fan motors (12a, 13a) arranged therein so as to perform horizontal illumination, and the lighting fixtures (14, 15) for the wide-angle camera are arranged in a three-directionally inclined form so as to perform vertical illumination. This lighting structure has the disadvantage that a plurality of motors for the lighting fixtures are required, and a plurality of lighting fixtures facing each direction are required to implement horizontal and vertical illumination.

[0013] [Reference] Publication No. 2002-0064342 (August 7, 2002)

[0014] The present invention aims to provide an iris photographing device capable of quickly adjusting the optical axis of an iris photographing camera in the vertical direction according to the height of a user who wishes to perform iris authentication.

[0015] In addition, the present invention seeks to provide a lighting means capable of illuminating at various heights using a minimum number of LEDs.

[0016] In addition, the present invention seeks to provide a method for improving the position adjustment precision of an iris photographing camera.

[0017] An iris photographing device according to the present invention may include a forward photographing unit arranged to face a first direction facing forward; an iris photographing camera and an illumination unit arranged to face a second direction different from the first direction; a mirror member having at least one reflector for reflecting or refracting a photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera and an illumination optical axis of the illumination unit to face the first direction; a rotation driving unit for rotating the mirror member to adjust a direction of the reflector; and a control unit for analyzing an image of a user captured by the forward photographing unit to identify a position of an eye of the user, controlling the rotation driving unit to rotate the mirror member so that the photographing optical axis and the illumination optical axis are directed toward the eye at the identified position, and operating the illumination unit and the iris photographing camera to obtain an iris image captured by capturing the illuminated eye.

[0018] Here, the lighting unit may include a first LED and a second LED arranged on both sides of the iris photographing camera, and the first LED and the second LED may be arranged so that their respective illumination axes intersect within the photographing range of the iris photographing camera.

[0019] In addition, the mirror member may have two or more reflectors, and the two or more reflectors may be installed on one side of the mirror member, and may be installed to rotate integrally with and simultaneously with the mirror member.

[0020] In addition, the lighting unit may include a first LED and a second LED arranged on both sides of the iris photographing camera, and the mirror member may include a reflector for the iris photographing camera, a reflector for the first LED, and a reflector for the second LED, which are installed to rotate integrally and simultaneously with the mirror member.

[0021] In addition, the forward photographing unit may include a first infrared camera and a second infrared camera arranged at a predetermined distance, and the control unit may apply stereo image analysis and triangulation analysis to a first infrared image captured by the first infrared camera and a second infrared image captured by the second infrared camera to calculate a distance and an elevation from an arbitrary infrared camera to the eye, and may adjust a focal length of the iris photographing camera based on the calculated distance and may also calculate an amount of rotation of the mirror member based on the measured elevation.

[0022] In addition, the front camera unit may further include a facial imaging visible light camera, and the control unit may analyze a visible light image captured by the facial imaging visible light camera to obtain a facial image for facial authentication of the user's face.

[0023] In addition, the rotary drive unit may include a drive motor that rotates the mirror member by a predetermined number of steps, and the mirror member or the rotary drive unit may further include a means for suppressing play in the rotational direction of the drive motor; and a means for suppressing play in the rotational axis direction of the drive motor.

[0024] In addition, the mirror member may further include a light blocking member that blocks or allows optical coupling of a light emitting element-light receiving element pair, and the control unit may define the rotation amount of the mirror member from the point in time when the optical coupling is changed by the light blocking member to the position where the photographing optical axis is directed toward the eye.

[0025] In addition, the iris photographing device may further include a human body detection sensor that detects the approach of a user, and the control unit may maintain the front photographing unit, the iris photographing camera, and the lighting unit in a sleep mode while the approach of a user is not detected by the human body detection sensor, and may drive at least one of the front photographing unit, the iris photographing camera, and the lighting unit when the approach of a user is detected by the human body detection sensor.

[0026] The present invention can provide an iris photographing device capable of quickly adjusting the optical axis of an iris photographing camera in the vertical direction according to the height of a user who wishes to perform iris authentication.

[0027] Additionally, the present invention enables illumination to be directed at various heights using a minimum number of LEDs.

[0028] In addition, the present invention can improve the positioning accuracy of an iris photographing camera by controlling backlash caused by a motor that can act on a rotating member.

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an iris imaging device according to the prior art.

[0030] Figure 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of an iris photographing device according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the principle of measuring the distance and elevation angle to the user's eyes using two infrared cameras.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a drawing conceptually showing the structure of a mirror member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 is a drawing showing the principle of measuring the amount of rotation of a mirror member.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the external appearance of an iris photographing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a drawing of the mirror member viewed from the rear, as an example of a means for suppressing play in the rotational direction and rotational axis direction of the mirror member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Hereinafter, an iris photographing device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0037] In the drawings below, the same reference numerals denote the same components. The sizes of each component in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and understanding. In addition, the embodiments described below are merely exemplary and various additional modifications are possible. In the description of each component in this specification, unless there is a description that clearly designates the order of arrangement with respect to each other, each component may be arranged in any suitable order. Similarly, in the description of steps for performing a specific function in this specification, unless there is a description that clearly designates the order, each step may be performed in any suitable order. In addition, the singular expression may include the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and the referring term "said" and similar terms may apply to both the singular and the plural. In addition, the terms "unit," "member," "module," and "means" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented solely in hardware, solely in software, or a combination of hardware and software. The lines connecting the components depicted in the drawings or related elements are merely representative of functional, physical, and / or circuit connections, and actual implementations may include various alternative or additional functional, physical, and / or circuit means. Any use of examples or exemplary terms is solely for the purpose of illustrating the technical idea of ​​the invention, and the scope of the invention should not be limited by such examples or exemplary terms, unless otherwise defined by the claims.

[0038] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an iris photographing device according to the present invention. Referring to the drawing, the iris photographing device (100) according to the present invention may include a front photographing unit (110), an iris photographing camera (120), a lighting unit (130), a mirror member (150), a rotation driving unit (140), and a control unit (170).

[0039] The front photographing unit (110) is positioned to face the horizontal-forward direction (defined as the X-axis direction or the first direction in this specification), so as to be able to photograph a user who wishes to photograph his or her iris in order to attempt user authentication through the iris photographing device (100). The front photographing unit (110) may be equipped with, for example, at least two infrared cameras, for example, two infrared cameras (111, 112). In addition, the front photographing unit (110) may include at least one facial photographing visible light camera (115).

[0040] Each of the two infrared cameras (the first infrared camera and the second infrared camera) (111, 112) may be arranged to face forward (i.e., the direction along the X-axis with a specific position of the iris photographing device as the origin) along the horizontal direction of the iris photographing device (100), and may be arranged in a fixed state with a photographing optical axis (which may correspond to an optical axis through a lens of the camera, extending from an imaging element of the camera) and captures infrared rays of a predetermined wavelength to generate an infrared image of the user. The iris photographing device (100) may further include an infrared illuminating unit (135) that irradiates infrared rays toward the front in order to capture an infrared image by the infrared camera.

[0041] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the infrared camera (111, 112) have a sufficient angle of view to be able to widely view the front of the iris photographing device, so that the entire face of a user approaching the front of the iris photographing device (100) can be photographed. In particular, it is preferable that the infrared camera (111, 112) have a sufficient angle of view to be able to sufficiently photograph the faces of users ranging from short to tall even when fixed to the iris photographing device (100).

[0042] Referring to Fig. 3, the principle of measuring the distance and elevation angle to the user's eyes using an infrared camera is explained.

[0043] Two infrared cameras (111, 112) can be positioned at a predetermined distance apart along the Y-axis, and their respective photographing optical axes can be positioned parallel to each other. Accordingly, images captured by each infrared camera (111, 112) can implement a stereo image.

[0044] The control unit (170) uses the first infrared image captured by the first infrared camera (111) and the second infrared image captured by the second infrared camera (112) to apply stereo image analysis and triangulation to the user's face or a specific part of the face (for example, the central part of one or both eyes of the user), thereby measuring the distance (D) from the position of any infrared camera (or the central position of two infrared cameras) to the specific part of the user's face. (See (a) of FIG. 3)

[0045] Meanwhile, the control unit (170) can calculate the elevation ('E' or 'e') from the position of any infrared camera (or the central position between two infrared cameras) to the user's eye by applying stereo image analysis and triangulation to at least one infrared image. (See (b) of FIG. 3)

[0046] The facial imaging visible light camera (115) can be positioned with its optical axis fixed to face forward within the iris imaging device, and can capture the entire face of a user approaching the front of the iris imaging device (100). It is also desirable for the facial imaging visible light camera (115) to have a sufficiently wide angle of view to capture the faces of users ranging from short to tall, even when it is fixed to the iris imaging device (100).

[0047] The iris photographing device (100) may further include a lighting means (not shown) to support facial photographing by the facial photographing visible light camera (115).

[0048] Meanwhile, in another embodiment, at least one of the first and second infrared cameras may be implemented as a visible light camera capable of capturing visible light. In this case, the visible light camera can perform the function of a facial imaging visible light camera (115), thereby reducing the number of cameras required for the iris imaging device (100).

[0049] The iris photographing camera (120) is a camera for photographing the iris of a user who approaches the horizontal front of the iris photographing device (100), and may be equipped with a telephoto lens to photograph the iris of the user's eye located within a range of 15 to 100 cm of the iris photographing device (100).

[0050] In particular, the iris photographing camera (120) according to the present invention may be arranged in a vertical direction (i.e., a direction along the Z-axis that is perpendicular to the X-axis and vertical, or a second direction) inside the iris photographing device (100). Preferably, the iris photographing camera (120) may be arranged to face upward. Since the iris photographing camera (120) is a high-performance camera including a telephoto lens, it can generally be implemented in a form with a long overall length. Therefore, in order to reduce the thickness of the iris photographing device (100) in the X-axis direction, the iris photographing camera (120) is preferably arranged so that its length direction faces a direction perpendicular to the X-axis, for example, the Z-axis direction, particularly, the upward direction.

[0051] The lighting unit (130) may include one or more light sources arranged so that the lighting optical axis (corresponding to the center line of the light irradiated from the light source of the lighting unit) faces the Z-axis direction, similar to the iris photographing camera (120), as a means for irradiating light of a predetermined wavelength. The light source may be, for example, one or more LEDs that irradiate visible light and / or infrared light.

[0052] The lighting unit (130) may include, for example, a first LED (131) and a second LED (132) arranged horizontally on both sides with the iris photographing camera (120) as the center. Each of the first LED (131) and the second LED (132) may include one or more light-emitting elements. The first LED (131) and the second LED (132) may have their respective illumination optical axes parallel to the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120), or preferably, may be arranged to be slightly inclined toward each other so that they intersect within the photographing range of the iris photographing camera (120).

[0053] Meanwhile, the iris photographing device (100) according to the present invention is characterized by having a mirror member (150) to change the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120) facing vertically upward (i.e., Z-axis direction) and the illumination optical axis of the lighting unit (130) to horizontally forward (i.e., X-axis direction).

[0054] The mirror member (150) is positioned vertically above the iris photographing camera (120) and the lighting unit (130), and may include at least one reflector (which may be a mirror or a prism) for reflecting and bending the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120) and the illumination optical axis of the lighting unit (130) so that they face the X-axis direction. The reflector may be implemented as one reflector to simultaneously reflect at least two LEDs (131, 132) of the iris photographing camera (120) and the lighting unit (130), or may be implemented as one reflector (153) associated with the iris photographing camera (120) and two reflectors (151, 152) associated with each of the first LED (131) and the second LED (132). When multiple reflectors are provided, it is preferable that their reflection planes are arranged on the same plane (although not consecutively), so that the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120) reflected by each reflector and the illumination optical axis of the lighting unit (130) can be adjusted simultaneously in the same direction.

[0055] Here, the mirror member (150) according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of reflectors (151, 152, 153) are integrally combined into one part so that the position and / or direction can be manipulated simultaneously.

[0056] That is, the mirror member (150) can be implemented to be able to rotate around a rotation axis that follows a horizontal direction (i.e., Y-axis direction) that is perpendicular to the X-axis and Z-axis directions. Accordingly, as the mirror member (150) rotates, the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120) reflected by the reflectors (151, 152, 153) and the illumination optical axis of the lighting unit (130) can be vertically moved up and down.

[0057] Rotation of the mirror member (150) can be implemented by a rotation drive unit (140). The rotation drive unit (140) can include a drive motor that can rotate the mirror member (150) by a predetermined step angle.

[0058] In addition, the mirror member (150) or the rotary drive member (140) may further include a means (155) for suppressing play occurring along the rotational direction of the mirror member or the rotary drive member. The means (155) may include, for example, a spring installed to push or pull the mirror member (150) from the frame (160) in one direction of the rotational direction.

[0059] In addition, the mirror member (150) or the rotary driving member (140) may further include a means (156) for suppressing play occurring along the rotational axis direction (i.e., Y-axis direction) of the mirror member or the rotary driving member. The means (156) may include, for example, a protruding member (156) protruding from the mirror member (150) and a support groove (161) formed in the frame (160) to support the protruding member (156) moving along the rotational direction by bringing it into close contact in the Y-axis direction.

[0060] Meanwhile, the mirror member (150) may further include a means for specifying an initial position of rotation with the Y-axis as the rotation axis. The means may include a light-blocking member (157) installed on the mirror member (150) and a pair (162) of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements arranged on a frame (160).

[0061] The light-blocking member (157) may be implemented to allow optical coupling of the light-emitting element-photoreceiving element pair (162) when the mirror member (150) is in the standby position (without blocking the optical coupling), and to block optical coupling of the light-emitting element-photoreceiving element pair (162) after the mirror member (150) begins to rotate and leaves the standby position and passes the initial position (or may be implemented in the opposite manner). The standby position or initial position of the mirror member (150) may be, for example, a position where the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120) and / or the illumination optical axis of the lighting unit (130) are at their lowest (allowable by the device) (i.e., a position where the reflector faces the lowest).

[0062] Meanwhile, the iris photographing device (100) of the present invention may further include a human body detection sensor (180). The human body detection sensor (180) is implemented to detect ultrasonic waves, audible sounds, infrared rays, body temperature, etc., thereby enabling detection of a user approaching the front of the iris photographing device (100).

[0063] The control unit (170) controls the operation of each of the above components, for example, the human body detection sensor (180), each camera of the front photographing unit (110), the iris photographing camera (120), the lighting unit (130), and the rotation driving unit (140). The control unit (170) can perform the following control functions.

[0064] (1) Finding the position of the user's eyes

[0065] Most of the components of the iris photographing device (100) can be maintained in a sleep state normally, and the control unit wakes up at predetermined intervals to drive the human body detection sensor (180) to check whether a user has approached the front. If the control unit (170) determines that a user has approached the front, it drives the first and second infrared cameras (111, 112) of the front photographing unit to take pictures of the front, and analyzes the first and second infrared images taken to determine the distance and elevation angle to the user's eyes.

[0066] Meanwhile, by operating a facial imaging visible light camera (115) and displaying the captured visible light image through a display (not shown) facing the user, the user can be made aware that his or her face is being captured.

[0067] (2) Control of the optical axis of the iris camera

[0068] Once the distance to the user's eyes is determined, the control unit (170) can adjust the focal length of the iris photographing camera (120) to the determined distance. If the range of the focal length of the iris photographing camera (120) is sufficiently wide, the focal length of the iris photographing camera (120) may not be adjusted, and may even guide the user to adjust the position of his or her face within the range of the focal length.

[0069] Meanwhile, once the elevation angle to the user's eye is determined, the direction of the mirror member (150) is adjusted so that the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120) faces the user's eye. In other words, the rotation step with the Y-axis of the mirror member (150) as the rotation axis is controlled.

[0070] The mirror member (150) is in a standby position while the iris photographing device (100) is in a sleep state, and when the rotation driving unit (140) starts to rotate the mirror member (150), the light blocking member (157) of the mirror member blocks the optical coupling of the light emitting element-light receiving element pair (162), and this point in time is defined as the initial position, and the amount of rotation is measured.

[0071] That is, the control unit (170) calculates the angle between the initial position and the user's eye (i.e., optical axis rotation required) by using, for example, the angle from the horizontal direction of the mirror member to the initial position of the mirror member and the elevation angle to the user's eye calculated from infrared images.

[0072] To be precise, the angle to the initial position of the mirror member and the elevation angle to the eye have different vertices defining the angles, but in the present invention, they are considered to be the same or are calculated and utilized interchangeably. That is, either the position of one infrared camera or the position of one reflector can be a common vertex.

[0073] Meanwhile, since the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120) is reflected by the reflector (153) and reaches the user's eye, the optical axis rotation requirement can be achieved even if the reflector (153) is rotated by half of the optical axis rotation requirement. Accordingly, the rotational amount (or reflector rotation amount) for rotating the mirror member (150) can be half of the optical axis rotation requirement.

[0074] The control unit (170) controls the operation of the rotation drive unit (140) to rotate the mirror member (150) by the calculated reflector rotation amount.

[0075] (3) Iris image acquisition and user authentication processing

[0076] When the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120) is adjusted to face the user's eye, the control unit (170) drives the lighting unit (130) to illuminate the user's eye and operates the iris photographing camera (120) to photograph the user's eye.

[0077] The control unit (170) analyzes an image including the user's eye captured by the iris camera (120) to extract an iris image including the iris area, and outputs the extracted iris image to a subsequent authentication processing device (not shown) or performs a user authentication procedure on its own using the iris image.

[0078] Additionally, the control unit (170) may perform a facial authentication procedure using a facial image of the user captured by a facial imaging camera (115) when the user is detected by the human body detection sensor (180).

[0079] According to the iris photographing device (100) according to the present invention configured and implemented as described above, in order to adjust the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120) to various eye heights from a short user to a tall user, the camera itself is not rotated, but only the reflector that reflects the optical axis of the camera is rotated, so that the photographing optical axis can be rotated at twice the speed of the rotation amount of the reflector, enabling rapid photographing optical axis adjustment, and since only the light reflector is rotated, a small motor that uses less energy can be utilized.

[0080] In addition, the mirror member (150) according to the present invention implements a reflector (153) for an iris photographing camera and two reflectors (151, 152) for each of two iris illumination LEDs in a minimum size and can rotate each of them simultaneously, so that the photographing optical axis and at least two illumination optical axes can be adjusted simultaneously with only one motor.

[0081] In addition, the mirror member (150) according to the present invention can suppress play occurring along the rotational direction and play occurring along the rotational axis direction, which occur in the rotational axis of the mirror member (150) and the rotational axis of the motor that rotates the mirror member (150), and thus can improve the precision of controlling the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera (120).

[0082] FIG. 4 is a drawing conceptually showing the structure of a mirror member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] A mirror member (150) according to one embodiment of the present invention has a generally elongated shape along the Y-axis direction, and includes a reflector (153) for an iris photographing camera and reflectors (151, 152) for each of two LEDs arranged in a row. These reflectors (151, 152, 153) are attached to the mirror member (150) in such a way that their reflective surfaces are substantially flush with each other.

[0084] The mirror member (150) can be rotated by a rotary driving unit (140) including a motor.

[0085] Meanwhile, the mirror member (150) may be provided with a means (155, 156) for suppressing play in the rotational direction and / or play in the rotational axis direction that occurs in the rotational axis of the mirror member or the rotational axis of the motor.

[0086] The means (155) for suppressing play along the rotational direction may be, for example, a spring installed to push or pull the mirror member (150) from the frame (160) in one direction of the rotational direction. By suppressing the rotation of the mirror member (150) in an arbitrary direction by the spring, play (or backlash) occurring along the rotational direction of the mirror member (150) is suppressed. Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, a member that provides mechanical elasticity, such as a spring, is used, but a method using magnetic force or electromagnetic force may also be considered.

[0087] The means (156) for suppressing play along the rotation axis direction may include, for example, a protruding member (156) formed on the mirror member (150) and a support groove (161) formed on the frame (160) to support the protruding member by contacting and closely contacting it from both sides along the rotation axis direction. By minimizing the play between the protruding member (156) and the support groove (161), the play along the rotation axis direction of the mirror member (150) can be suppressed. Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the play is suppressed through the protruding member (156) and the support groove (161) that are mechanically close to each other, but a non-contact method using magnetic or electromagnetic force may also be considered.

[0088] The drawing also shows an example of a pair of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements (162) arranged on a frame (160) and a light-blocking element (157) formed on a mirror member.

[0089] Figure 5 is a drawing showing the principle of measuring the amount of rotation of a mirror member. It is explained that the rotation axis of the mirror member coincides with the Y-axis.

[0090] Figure 5 (a) shows a state in which the mirror member (150) is fixed in a standby position when the iris photographing device (100) is in a sleep state. The mirror member (150) may be rotated so that the reflector (indicated by '153') faces downwards. In this position, the light-blocking member (157) does not block the optical coupling of the light-emitting element-light-receiving element pair (162).

[0091] Figure 5 (b) shows a state in which, after the user's eye height is measured, the mirror member (150) begins to rotate by the calculated optical axis rotation required amount. The point in time when the light blocking member (157) blocks the optical coupling of the light emitting element-light receiving element pair (162) is defined as the initial position, and the rotation amount of the mirror member (150) can be measured from this point in time.

[0092] Here, although the standby position and the initial position are illustrated and described as being set as separate positions, the standby position and the initial position may be the same position, and preferably, the initial position at which the optical coupling of the light-emitting element-light-receiving element pair (162) is blocked or allowed may be set as the standby position.

[0093] Figure 5 (c) shows a state in which the mirror member (150) continues to rotate until the optical axis rotation requirement is reached.

[0094] Figure 6 is a drawing showing an example of the external appearance of an iris photographing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The iris photographing device (100) according to the present invention is built into a frame, which is generally configured in the shape of a rectangular box.

[0095] A mirror member (150) is arranged horizontally and horizontally on the upper side inside the frame, and reflectors (151, 152) for lighting units (131, 132) are arranged on both end sides of the mirror member (150), and a reflector (153) for an iris photographing camera (120) is arranged between them.

[0096] On the lower side of the reflector (153), an iris camera (120) is positioned facing upward.

[0097] On the lower side of the reflectors (151, 152), the first LED (131) and the second LED (132) are respectively arranged to face upward. Here, the first LED (131) and the second LED (132) are arranged slightly inclined toward each other so that their respective illumination axes intersect within the shooting range of the iris photographing camera (120).

[0098] At any position in the frame, first and second infrared cameras (111, 112) facing forward in the horizontal direction and a facial imaging visible light camera (115) are placed. In addition, a human body detection sensor (180) may also be placed at any position.

[0099] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an example of a means for suppressing play along the rotational axis direction of a mirror member and a light blocking member according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the mirror member as viewed from the rear of the surface on which the reflector is arranged.

[0100] At any position of the mirror member (150), a protruding member (156) that constitutes a means for suppressing play along the rotational axis direction of the mirror member (150) may be formed, and a support groove (161) formed in the vertical direction may be provided in the frame (160) so that the protruding member (156) that rotates together with the mirror member can move while fitted therein.

[0101] At any other arbitrary position of the mirror member (150), a light-blocking member (157) may be formed. A pair (162) of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element may be arranged on a frame (160) at a corresponding position of the light-blocking member (157) (not shown).

[0102] At another arbitrary position of the mirror member (150), a means (155) such as a spring for restraining rotation of the mirror member (150) may be provided (not shown) to restrain play along the rotational direction of the mirror member.

Claims

1. A forward shooting unit positioned to face the first direction facing forward; An iris photographing camera and a lighting unit arranged to face a second direction different from the first direction; A mirror member having at least one reflector for reflecting or refracting the photographing optical axis of the iris photographing camera and the illumination optical axis of the lighting unit so as to face the first direction; A rotary driving unit that rotates the mirror member to adjust the direction of the reflector; and An iris photographing device, comprising: a control unit for analyzing an image of a user captured by the front photographing unit to identify the position of the user's eyes, controlling the rotation driving unit to rotate the mirror member so that the photographing optical axis and the illumination optical axis face the eye at the identified position, and operating the lighting unit and the iris photographing camera to obtain an iris image captured by capturing the illuminated eye.

2. In paragraph 1, The above lighting unit includes a first LED and a second LED arranged on both sides centered around the iris photographing camera, An iris photographing device, characterized in that the first LED and the second LED are arranged so that their respective illumination axes intersect within the photographing range of the iris photographing camera.

3. In paragraph 1, The above mirror member has two or more reflectors, An iris photographing device, characterized in that the two or more reflectors are installed on one side of the mirror member and are installed to rotate integrally and simultaneously with the mirror member.

4. In paragraph 3, The above lighting unit includes a first LED and a second LED arranged on both sides centered around the iris photographing camera, An iris photographing device characterized in that the mirror member comprises a reflector for the iris photographing camera, a reflector for the first LED, and a reflector for the second LED, which are installed to rotate integrally and simultaneously with the mirror member.

5. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned forward shooting unit includes a first infrared camera and a second infrared camera positioned at a predetermined distance, An iris photographing device characterized in that the control unit calculates the distance and elevation from any infrared camera to the eye by applying stereo image analysis and triangulation analysis to the first infrared image captured by the first infrared camera and the second infrared image captured by the second infrared camera, and adjusts the focal length of the iris photographing camera based on the calculated distance and also calculates the amount of rotation of the mirror member based on the measured elevation.

6. In paragraph 5, The above front shooting unit further includes a facial shooting visible light camera, An iris photographing device, characterized in that the control unit analyzes a visible light image captured by the facial photographing visible light camera to obtain a facial image for facial authentication of the user's face.

7. In paragraph 1, The above rotary driving unit includes a driving motor that rotates the mirror member by a predetermined number of steps, The above mirror member or the above rotary driving member, Means for suppressing the rotational play of the above driving motor; and An iris photographing device, characterized in that it further includes means for suppressing play in the rotational axis direction of the driving motor.

8. In paragraph 1, The above mirror member further includes a light blocking member that blocks or allows optical coupling of the light emitting element-light receiving element pair, An iris photographing device, characterized in that the control unit defines the amount of rotation of the mirror member from the point in time when the optical coupling is changed by the light blocking member to the position where the photographing optical axis faces the eye.

9. In paragraph 1, The above iris photographing device further includes a human body detection sensor that detects the user's approach, The above control unit, While the user's approach is not detected by the human body detection sensor, the front camera, the iris camera and the lighting unit are maintained in sleep mode. An iris photographing device characterized in that when the user's approach is detected by the human body detection sensor, at least one of the front photographing unit, the iris photographing camera, and the lighting unit is driven.

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