Iris Image Capture Stabilization Without Auto Focus

Solution Overview

Problem

Smartphones and similar portable devices lack auto focus and zoom functions, making it difficult to capture high-quality iris images due to increased thickness and cost when these features are integrated.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for capturing iris images that detect reflection regions and output guide information to adjust the image, stabilizing eye movement and minimizing reflection, using a camera with a processor to detect eye regions, determine reflection presence, and provide visual, auditory, or vibration feedback for adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If auto focus and zoom functions are integrated into the portable terminal for iris recognition, then the image quality is improved, but the thickness and cost of the device increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing camera's captured images to automatically detect eye regions, reflection regions, and eye movement patterns. The processor analyzes multiple captured images to identify stable iris images without requiring additional optical components, allowing the camera to serve multiple functions including iris recognition preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical optical systems (auto focus lenses, zoom mechanisms) with computational image processing. The processor uses software-based algorithms to detect eye regions, analyze reflection patterns, and determine eye movement stability, substituting physical optical adjustments with digital image analysis to achieve the same iris recognition objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If auto focus and zoom functions are integrated into the portable terminal for iris recognition, then the image quality is improved, but the device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing camera's captured images to automatically detect eye regions, reflection regions, and eye movement patterns. The processor analyzes multiple captured images to identify stable iris images without requiring additional optical components, allowing the camera to serve multiple functions including iris recognition preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical optical systems (auto focus lenses, zoom mechanisms) with computational image processing. The processor uses software-based algorithms to detect eye regions, analyze reflection patterns, and determine eye movement stability, substituting physical optical adjustments with digital image analysis to achieve the same iris recognition objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If multiple images are captured to find stable iris images, then the image quality is improved, but the time required for capture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidcapture time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously captures images and simultaneously processes them to detect eye movement patterns. Rather than capturing a fixed number of images sequentially, the processor analyzes each captured image in real-time to determine if it meets the stability criteria, maintaining continuous useful action until a suitable image is obtained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user through the display unit, showing detected eye regions and guiding users to adjust their position or remove reflections. This real-time feedback allows users to correct issues immediately, reducing the number of retry captures needed and minimizing total capture time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9922250B2Method of capturing iris image, computer-readable recording medium storing the method, and iris image capturing apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses are provided for capturing an image in a portable terminal. An image is received at the portable terminal. An eye region is detected in the image. An eye center of the eye region is determined. It is determined whether a reflection region is detected in the eye region. When the reflection region is detected, a shape of the reflection region is determined, and guide information for preventing the reflection region is output based on the shape of the reflection region.