Multi-camera biometric imaging with flexible illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biometric authentication systems face challenges in capturing high-quality images of the eye region due to complex optical paths and varying conditions, leading to reduced accuracy and efficiency in biometric authentication and gaze tracking.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flexible illumination method using multiple cameras and light sources, which dynamically adjusts lighting configurations based on objective criteria to optimize image quality and adapt to different poses and conditions, combined with the use of additional optical elements and multiple wavelengths for improved image capture and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single-camera systems are used for biometric authentication, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality and authentication accuracy deteriorate due to complex optical paths and varying conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple cameras positioned at different locations (e.g., first camera for direct eye imaging, second camera for imaging through optical elements). Each camera captures images from different perspectives, allowing the system to overcome the limitations of complex optical paths by segmenting the imaging function across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines images captured by multiple cameras to produce a final biometric image. The processing circuitry merges the direct view image with the image captured through optical elements, creating a composite image that leverages the strengths of each camera to achieve superior image quality and authentication accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple cameras and flexible illumination are implemented, then authentication accuracy and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements flexible illumination that can dynamically adjust lighting conditions based on the captured images. The system modifies illumination intensity, wavelength, or configuration in real-time to optimize image quality for different eye conditions, anatomies, and environmental settings, thereby improving authentication reliability without requiring multiple fixed illumination systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters such as illumination wavelength (e.g., switching between infrared and visible light), illumination intensity, and camera selection based on real-time analysis of image quality and eye characteristics. This allows the system to adapt to varying conditions and maintain high authentication accuracy across different scenarios.
3Measurement precision
If additional optical elements and multiple wavelengths are used, then image capture quality improves, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic switching between different illumination wavelengths (e.g., alternating between infrared and visible light sources) rather than continuous operation of all illumination channels. The system captures images at different wavelengths in sequence, processing and evaluating each set of images, which reduces overall energy consumption while still achieving high image capture quality when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for biometric authentication in which two or more cameras are used to capture images of biometric features or aspects for analysis to identify and authenticate a person. An imaging system includes at least two cameras that are used to capture images of a person's iris, eye, periorbital region, and/or other regions of the person's face, and one or more features from the captured images are analyzed to identify and authenticate the person or to detect attempts to spoof the biometric authentication. Information from two or more images may be combined to process aspects and features extracted from the combined images. Alternatively, one of the images to be used for biometric authentication may be determined, for example using one or more objective criteria to evaluate the quality of the captured images.