Iris Recognition Camera Illumination for Living Eye Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current iris recognition systems face challenges in distinguishing between living and fake eyes, particularly when counterfeit eyes are designed to mimic the reflection patterns of real eyes, leading to erroneous identification.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using IR LEDs and a light source mounted on an iris recognition camera to change ambient brightness, measuring changes in pupil size to iris size, IR LED reflection patterns, iris area changes during blinking, and gaze point movements to determine if the iris is from a living eye, utilizing a combination of light source cycling, IR LED pulsing, and external signal generators for accurate identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single light source is used for iris image capture, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of living eye identification is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination system into multiple independent light sources: a first light source for capturing iris images and a second light source for creating reflection images. This segmentation allows each light source to perform a specific function, enabling the system to distinguish living eyes from fake eyes by comparing images taken under different lighting conditions, thereby improving identification reliability without requiring an overly complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different lighting conditions to different regions or aspects of the iris imaging process. The first light source provides illumination optimized for capturing the iris pattern, while the second light source creates specific reflection patterns. This local quality differentiation enables the system to extract multiple features from the same iris subject under different lighting qualities, enhancing the ability to verify living eye status.
2Reliability
If multiple light sources are added to improve living eye identification, then the reliability increases, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the illumination system so that multiple light sources serve both individual and combined functions. The first and second light sources can operate independently for their respective purposes (iris capture and reflection imaging), but they also work together to provide comprehensive illumination for enhanced verification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, controlling complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching between different light source configurations. The control unit alternates between activating the first light source alone, the second light source alone, or both together in different sequences. This periodic action allows the system to capture multiple types of images over time from the same scene, enabling sophisticated analysis to distinguish living from fake eyes without requiring all light sources to be active simultaneously, thus managing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If reflection images are pre-placed on fake eyes, then the ease of creating fake eyes increases, but the reliability of iris recognition decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing the iris image under the first light source before introducing the second light source for reflection imaging. The control unit sequences the illumination phases so that the base iris pattern is recorded first, then additional reflection patterns are superimposed. This preliminary capture of the authentic iris structure creates a reference that makes it difficult for fake eyes with pre-placed reflections to deceive the system, as the timing and characteristics of genuine reflections can be verified against the preliminary image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the control unit analyzes the relationship between images captured under different lighting conditions. By comparing the iris image from the first light source with the reflection image from the second light source, the system provides feedback on whether the reflection patterns are consistent with a living eye. This feedback loop enables the system to detect inconsistencies in fake eyes that have pre-placed reflections, maintaining high recognition accuracy despite the ease with which such fakes can be manufactured.
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 effectively differentiates between living and fake eyes by analyzing changes in pupil size, IR LED reflection, iris area, and gaze point, enhancing the accuracy of iris recognition and preventing identity theft.
Implementation Method 1
whether a ratio of pupil size to iris size changes by a change of the ambient brightness
Implementation Method 2
whether the number or location of IR LEDs reflected in an iris and/or a pupil changes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for identifying a living eye, in which IR LED lighting and lighting for varying the ambient illumination are installed on the front surface or one side of an iris recognition camera so as to determine whether an iris of an eye is an iris of a living eye when capturing an iris image by the iris recognition camera, using one or more criteria of whether the ratio of the sizes of the iris and pupil changes by the variation of the ambient illumination, whether the number or location of the IR LEDs focused on the iris and/or the pupil changes, whether the region of the iris image changes by eye blinking, and whether the direction of the gaze changes.