Method and apparatus for designing iris biometric systems for use in minimally constrained settings

Abstract

A method and apparatus for designing an iris biometrics system that operates in minimally constrained settings. The image acquisition system has fewer constraints on subjects than traditional methods by extending standoff distance and capture volume. The method receives design parameters and provides derived quantities that are useful in designing an image acquisition system having a specific set of performance requirements. Exemplary scenarios of minimally constrained settings are provided, such as a high volume security checkpoint, an office, an aircraft boarding bridge, a wide corridor, and an automobile.

1 . A method for designing an iris biometrics system, comprising: 
 receiving a plurality of design constraints for a minimally constrained environment;    calculating at least one calculated parameter; and    providing a design for an iris biometrics system that operates within the plurality of design constraints, the design being based on the at least one calculated parameter.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of design constraints comprise at least one of: a capture volume, a standoff distance, a number of subjects in the capture volume, an acquisition rate, a speed of subjects, a cooperation indication, or an attended indication.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a further plurality of design constraints comprise at least one of: a lens focal length, an illuminator power, a camera standoff, an illuminator standoff, a camera resolution, a camera sensitivity, and an illuminator wavelength.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one calculated parameter comprises at least one of: an amount of radiation absorbed by the iris, a captured image contrast, eye-safe levels of absorption, and a depth of field.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the minimally constrained environment comprises at least one of: a security checkpoint, an office, a boarding bridge, a corridor, and an automobile.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the iris biometrics system uses synchronized stroboscopic illumination.  
   
   
       7 . A system for providing iris biometrics, comprising: 
 a user interface for receiving a plurality of design constraints for a minimally constrained environment; and    a processor for calculating at least one calculated parameter and for providing a design for an iris biometrics system that operates within the plurality of design constraints and safety constraints, the design being based on the plurality of design constraints, the at least one calculated parameter, and the safety constraints.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of design constraints comprises at least one of: a capture volume, a standoff distance, a number of subjects in the capture volume, an acquisition rate, a speed of subjects, a cooperation indication, and an attended indication.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor calculates an occular radiance threshold level value (TLV) based on an exposure time, a wavelength, and an angular subtense.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor calculates an occular irradiance TLV based on an exposure time and a wavelength.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor calculates a laser occular irradiance TLV based on an exposure time and a wavelength.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor calculates an eye-safe level of absorption.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the iris biometrics system uses synchronized stroboscopic illumination.  
   
   
       14 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of a method for providing iris biometrics, comprising: 
 receiving a plurality of design constraints for a minimally constrained environment;    calculating at least one calculated parameter; and    providing a design for an iris biometrics system that operates within the plurality of design constraints, the design being based on the at least one calculated parameter.    
   
   
       15 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of design constraints comprise at least one of: a capture volume, a standoff distance, a number of subjects in the capture volume, an acquisition rate, a speed of subjects, a cooperation indication, or an attended indication.  
   
   
       16 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein a further plurality of design constraints comprise at least one of: a lens focal length, an illuminator power, a camera standoff, an illuminator standoff, a camera resolution, a camera sensitivity, and an illuminator wavelength.  
   
   
       17 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one calculated parameter comprises at least one of: an amount of radiation absorbed by the iris, a captured image contrast, eye-safe levels of absorption, and a depth of field.  
   
   
       18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the minimally constrained environment comprises at least one of: a security checkpoint, an office, a boarding bridge, a corridor, and an automobile.  
   
   
       19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the iris biometrics system uses synchronized stroboscopic illumination.