Dual Liquid Lens Iris Recognition Focus Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing iris recognition systems face challenges in efficiently acquiring focused images, particularly when the subject's iris is partially hidden due to blinking or other reasons, leading to prolonged recognition times.

Innovation Solution

The system employs two imaging units with liquid lenses that change focal length based on applied voltage, allowing for rapid adjustment and acquisition of in-focus images. One imaging unit captures an image, and the second unit, with a delayed focal change, increases the likelihood of capturing a suitable image even if the first is unsuitable due to blinking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple images are photographed at different focus positions, then the likelihood of obtaining a focused image is improved, but the time required for iris recognition increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelikelihood of obtaining focused imageVSAvoidtime required for iris recognition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary focus detection using a first imaging unit before the main imaging unit captures the final image. This preliminary action identifies the optimal focus position in advance, allowing the main camera to capture a focused image on the first attempt without needing to retake multiple images, thereby reducing recognition time while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A focus detection imaging unit acts as an intermediary between the subject and the main imaging unit. This intermediary device detects the optimal focus position and transmits this information to control the main imaging unit, enabling the system to obtain focused images efficiently without requiring multiple capture attempts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the camera focuses on a predetermined position, then the imaging process is simplified, but the image may be out of focus if the subject distance changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging process complexityVSAvoidimage focus accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the focus position based on real-time detection by the first imaging unit. Instead of using a fixed predetermined focus position, the focus point is continuously adapted to match the actual subject distance, ensuring accurate focus while maintaining a relatively simple imaging process through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly reduces the time required to acquire images suitable for iris recognition, as it ensures that an in-focus image can be obtained quickly, even if the initial image is unsuitable due to eyelid closure.

Implementation Method 1

The system employs two imaging units with liquid lenses that change focal length based on applied voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid lens effect:

Data Source

PatentEP4113968B1Image acquiring device, image acquiring method, and image acquiring program
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 NEC CORP
  • EP4113968B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4113968B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4113968B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The image acquiring device 10 includes the voltage control unit 30 which generates first voltage information that can identify voltage applied to the first variable-focus lens 20A included in the first imaging unit 20 installed in a position where a subject can be photographed and whose focal length changes in accordance with an applied voltage, and generates second voltage information that can identify voltage applied to the second variable-focus lens 21A included in the second imaging unit 21 installed in the position where the subject can be photographed and whose focal length changes in accordance with an applied voltage, and the image judgment unit 40 which inputs images from the first imaging unit 20 and the second imaging unit 21, and selects one image taken at an in-focus position among input images, wherein the voltage control unit 30 generates information, as the first voltage information, that can identify each voltage in a time series of voltages whose values change with time, and generates information, as the second voltage information, that can identify that each of the voltages identified by the first voltage information is applied to the second variable-focus lens 21A after a predetermined period of delay.