Iris imaging telephone security module and method

Abstract

A compact, handheld imaging apparatus which can be used to capture high-quality iris images for identification of a person. The handheld iris imager is non-invasive and non-contacting and comprises a camera, a cold mirror, a lens, and an illuminator. The imager has sensors and indicators which assist a user in aligning and focusing the device. The imager also automatically captures the image when proper positioning is achieved. A template of the image is then compared to a database of previously stored templates of images to identify the person. The imager is integrated into a telephone as a security module. The telephone cannot be unlocked and used unless a user has been identified and authorized by the imager.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of unlocking a telephone responsive to the identification of a person, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) storing image information of the iris of at least one person's eye;    (b) illuminating an eye of an unidentified person having an iris;    (c) obtaining an image of said iris of said unidentified person;    (d) determining if said image is an image of sufficient quality for a step (f) of comparing;    (e) repeating steps (b) through (d) until said image of sufficient quality is obtained;    (f) extracting a template from said obtained image;    (g) comparing said template of said obtained image with said stored image information to identify said unidentified person; and    (h) unlocking the telephone responsive to a result of said step of comparing.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of activating an indicator if said image is of insufficient quality.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said indicator is at least one of an audible indicator and a visible indicator.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of activating an indicator if said image is of sufficient quality.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said indicator is at least one an audible indicator and a visible indicator.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of activating an indicator responsive to said step of comparing.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said indicator is at least one of an audible indicator and a visible indicator.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of determining if said image is an image of sufficient quality comprises the step of focus assessment processing said image.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said telephone is unlocked if said step of comparing identifies said person.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of encrypting said template.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting said encrypted template to a central station.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of decrypting said encrypted template at said central station.  
     
     
         13 . A method of authorizing use of a telephone comprising: 
 capturing an image of an iris of a user of a telephone;    processing the image of the iris of the user of the telephone to extract a template;    in response to authenticating the user of the telephone by comparing the extracted template with at least one of a plurality of templates of authorized telephone users, unlocking the telephone.    
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein capturing an image of an iris of a user of a telephone comprises: 
 positioning an iris before a camera;    illuminating the iris; and    obtaining at least one image of the iris.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein capturing an image of an iris of a user of a telephone comprises creating a virtual image of the iris with a concave cold mirror.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of templates of authorized telephone users is stored in a database.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein obtaining the at least one image of the iris of the user of the telephone further comprises: 
 determining if the at least one image of the iris of the user of the telephone is of sufficient quality to extract a template from by determining if a focus score calculated for the obtained image exceeds a predetermined value.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein obtaining the at least one image of the iris of the user of the telephone further comprises: 
 in response to determining that a focus score calculated for the obtained image is less than a predetermined value, activating an indicator.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein obtaining the at least one image of the iris further comprises: 
 in response to determining that a focus score calculated for the obtained image is less than a predetermined value, a second image of the iris of the user is automatically obtained.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein authenticating the user of the telephone comprises: 
 encrypting the template extracted from the obtained iris image;    transmitting the encrypted template to a central station;    decrypting the encrypted template at the central station;    comparing the decrypted template to at least one of a plurality of pre-existing templates stored in at least one of a memory and a database of authorized telephone users stored at the central station; and    determining that the decrypted template is substantially identical to at least one of the plurality of pre-existing templates stored at the central station.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein unlocking the telephone comprises at least one of enabling placement of a call and sending a signal to a telephone processor of the telephone, directing the telephone processor to activate the telephone.