Iris Concealment in Image Processing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems fail to effectively prevent the abuse of iris information in images, as they do not adequately conceal or protect the unique patterns within the iris area, making it susceptible to unauthorized access and misuse.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that detects the iris area in images, performs image processing to conceal the iris information, and adds meta-data indicating the processing performed, thereby rendering the iris information unobtainable and preventing its abuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image processing is performed to conceal iris information, then security and privacy protection is improved, but image quality and information retention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the iris area and performing concealment processing before the image is stored or transmitted. The processing information is added in advance to the image data, ensuring that when the image is later accessed, the iris information is already protected and the receiving system can immediately recognize the protected status without needing additional security layers.
2Reliability
If processing information is added to the image, then traceability and control of processed images is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing information directly with the image data by embedding it into the same data structure. The processing information is combined with the pixel data in a unified format, allowing the image and its metadata to be handled as a single entity throughout the system, reducing the need for separate tracking mechanisms and simplifying system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing information serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a marker for traced images, provides instructions for further processing, and enables identification of protected content. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each purpose, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining traceability.
3Reliability
If iris area is detected and processed, then protection effectiveness is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing image processing only on the detected iris area rather than the entire image. The system identifies the specific coordinates of the iris region and applies concealment operations solely to those pixels, leaving the rest of the image unchanged. This localized approach significantly reduces the number of processing operations required while maintaining protection effectiveness for the critical biometric data.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus 1 includes: a detecting unit 11 that detects an iris area IA including an iris from a person image IMG1 in which at least an eye of the target person is included; an image processing unit 12 that converts the person image to a protected image IMG2 in which an iris information relating to a pattern of the iris is not obtainable by performing an image processing on at least a part of the iris area of the person image; and an adding unit 13 that adds meta data indicating that the image processing is performed on at least a part of the iris area to the protected image.