2D Mirror Gimbal Control for Arm's-Length Iris Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional iris scanning devices are typically stationary, require separate imaging sensors for each eye, and necessitate the user to position their eyes close to the sensor, leading to discomfort and difficulty in iris tracking.
Innovation Solution
A portable iris scanning device with a gimbal-mounted mirror and dual cameras (RGB and IR) that adjusts orientation based on facial features to capture iris images at arm's length, using a single camera for both eyes, allowing iterative adjustments for optimal imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional iris scanning devices are mounted in a fixed location with separate imaging sensors, then iris tracking capability is achieved, but user comfort deteriorates due to requiring eyes to be positioned within several centimeters of the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging sensors (first and second imaging sensors) into a single handheld device with a common optical path through the use of a beam splitter and dichroic mirror. This merging allows the device to capture images of both irises simultaneously while maintaining compact form factor, thereby improving user comfort without sacrificing tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitter and dichroic mirror as intermediary optical elements that enable light from the user's eyes to be directed to multiple imaging sensors through a single optical path. This intermediary mechanism allows the device to maintain fixed mounting capability for tracking while enabling handheld operation at comfortable distances
2Measurement precision
If conventional iris scanning devices require eyes to be positioned close to the sensor, then imaging precision is improved, but device flexibility deteriorates due to fixed location mounting requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed mounting to handheld portability by implementing a dynamic system where the device can be moved and repositioned freely. The imaging system maintains precision through active tracking algorithms that follow the user's eyes, while the portable design provides flexibility for operation at various distances and positions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical constraint of fixed mounting with an optical-tracking-based system. Instead of relying on physical positioning to maintain imaging precision, the system uses software algorithms to track and follow the user's eyes, thereby enabling handheld operation while maintaining image quality
3Reliability
If conventional iris scanning devices use separate imaging sensors for each eye, then iris tracking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging functions into a unified optical system where a single optical path serves both imaging sensors through the use of beam splitters and dichroic mirrors. This merging reduces the number of separate optical trains while maintaining the capability to capture both irises simultaneously with high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal optical path that serves multiple imaging sensors through the use of beam splitting and wavelength separation. The same optical path is used to capture images for both irises, making the system more efficient and less complex while maintaining scanning accuracy
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
Enables comfortable, flexible iris scanning at a distance, improving user experience and ensuring high-quality biometric identification through iterative image capture and adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror mounted on the gimbal is oriented to cause the image of the eye of the user to be captured
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An iris scanning device includes a first camera that captures an image of a face of a user and a second camera that captures an image of an eye of the user subsequent to the image of the face being captured. The iris scanning device includes a gimbal having a mirror mounted thereon and a facial feature detector that identifies facial features of the user based upon the image of the face. The iris scanning device further includes control circuitry that adjusts an orientation of the gimbal based upon the facial features, where the image of the eye is captured upon the orientation of the gimbal being adjusted, and where the mirror mounted on the gimbal is oriented to cause the image of the eye to be captured. An iris of the eye of the user may be located in a central region of the image of the eye.