Abstract: The invention provides an image capture system, apparatus and method for capturing a biometric image in high ambient light environments. Reflections from ambient light can introduce unwanted environmental pattern noise that can interfere with extracting information from a captured biometric image. The invention performs attenuation of ambient light without requiring employment of shielding to prevent ambient light from reflecting off of a surface being imaged. As a result, the invention can be deployed into environments with varied indoor or outdoor lighting characteristics.

Abstract: The apparatus represents a device having one or two sensors for capturing a single image or two images having the subject's eyes, and processor(s) in a housing with the one or two sensors and/or in a computer system which receives the single image or two images. Such processor(s) determine a head tilt angle between a virtual line extending between the two eyes of the subject in accordance with a predefined features associated with the eyes and a dimension characterizing zero head tilt in the single image or two images, segment left and right iris images, and rotate the segmented left and right iris images in accordance with the angle to substantially remove head tilt when present. The apparatus may also determine head tilt using predefined features associated with a single eye in the image. The resulting iris image(s) are utilized for enrollment or identification.

Abstract: A system for animal identification includes: an image capture apparatus for obtaining an image of an eye of an animal including a pupil region and an iris region; and a template generation apparatus. The template generation apparatus is for: extracting a set of pixel data from the image, the set of pixel data representing an upper region of interest of the iris region above the pupil region and a lower region of interest of the iris region below the pupil region, the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest have parallel side boundaries that are spaced apart a distance that is substantially independent of a degree of dilation of the pupil region; and transforming the set of pixel data representing the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest into a template of the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest.

Abstract: A system for animal identification includes: an image capture apparatus for obtaining an image of an eye of an animal including a pupil region and an iris region; and a template generation apparatus. The template generation apparatus is for: extracting a set of pixel data from the image, the set of pixel data representing an upper region of interest of the iris region above the pupil region and a lower region of interest of the iris region below the pupil region, the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest have parallel side boundaries that are spaced apart a distance that is substantially independent of a degree of dilation of the pupil region; and transforming the set of pixel data representing the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest into a template of the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest.

Abstract: A system for animal identification includes: an image capture apparatus for obtaining an image of an eye of an animal including a pupil region and an iris region; and a template generation apparatus. The template generation apparatus is for: extracting a set of pixel data from the image, the set of pixel data representing an upper region of interest of the iris region above the pupil region and a lower region of interest of the iris region below the pupil region, the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest have parallel side boundaries that are spaced apart a distance that is substantially independent of a degree of dilation of the pupil region; and transforming the set of pixel data representing the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest into a template of the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest.

Abstract: The apparatus represents a device having one or two sensors for capturing a single image or two images having the subject's eyes, in which a dimension, such as the horizontal axis, with respect to pixels in the single image or two first images characterizing zero head tilt, and processors in one or more of a housing with the one or two sensors or in a computer system which receives the single image or two images. Such processors determine a head tilt angle between a virtual line extending between the two eyes of the subject in accordance with predefined features, such as pupil or iris center, in the single image or two images and the dimension characterizing zero head tilt, segment left and right iris images from the single image or two images, and rotate the segmented left and right iris image in accordance with the angle to substantially remove head tilt when present.

Abstract: A system for animal identification includes: an image capture apparatus for obtaining an image of an eye of an animal including a pupil region and an iris region; and a template generation apparatus. The template generation apparatus is for: extracting a set of pixel data from the image, the set of pixel data representing an upper region of interest of the iris region above the pupil region and a lower region of interest of the iris region below the pupil region, the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest have parallel side boundaries that are spaced apart a distance that is substantially independent of a degree of dilation of the pupil region; and transforming the set of pixel data representing the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest into a template of the upper region of interest and the lower region of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for transforming a biometric template so that each application uses a unique template format. One transformed template cannot be successfully matched to a second template extracted from the same biologic entity unless the second template is transformed so that its format is identical to that of the first template. Thus a template generated in a format corresponding to application A could not be used to authenticate a user for application B because the enrollment database for application B would have a different format than the enrollment database for application A.

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 transmitted to a receiver in a vehicle or other asset and compared to a database of previously stored templates of images to identify the person. The imager is part of a security module to protect access to an asset such as a vehicle or residence. The vehicle or residence cannot be unlocked and used unless a user has been identified and authorized by the imager and a controller system.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting fast biometric database searches using iris recognition and digital certificates. Authentication of a computing platform is provided based on a digital certificates attached thereto. Fast database searching and identification of a person at the computing platform are provided based on the digital certificate which is used to point to a database partition having stored biometric images and an obtained biometric image, such as an iris template, which is compared to the stored biometric images in order to identify the person. Access to the database containing stored biometric images may be granted based on the results of the digital certificate authentication process. The use of digital certificates narrows the database search to only those individuals who have authorized access to a particular computing platform by using the digital certificates.

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 telecommunications device as a security module. The telecommunications device cannot be unlocked and used unless a user has been identified and authorized by the imager.

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.

Abstract: The use of an anonymous biometric authentication system and method that use biometrics to anonymously authenticate an individual and grant certain privileges based on the anonymous authentication is provided. The system and method permit enrollment of an individual by submission of a first biometric and associated identity documents or credentials to an enrollment authority. The enrollment authority verifies the identity of the identity of the individual submitting the biometric using the credentials which are then returned to the individual or discarded. The first biometric is stored in a database for later retrieval in anonymously authenticating an individual seeking to exercise certain privileges. No other personal identity information is stored along with the biometric during the enrollment process.

Abstract: A system and method of identification of an animal based on features of the iris of an eye are disclosed. An image of the animal's eye is captured using an iris acquisition device that combines a camera, an optical system, an illumination source, and a viewing screen, preferably in one small, hand-held device. A biometric template based on the features of the animal's iris is extracted from the captured iris image. The identity of the animal is determined by comparing the obtained biometric template with a previously-obtained and stored biometric template, collected under conditions which permit independent verification of identity, and stored in a database along with identification information.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for simulating a predicted post-operative topography of a cornea of an eye based on a pre-operative topography of the cornea and a proposed laser ablation procedure. A digital data processing system receives data defining a pre-operative topography of the cornea as a function of location and obtains parameters of the proposed laser ablation procedure from which the digital data processing system can determine the amount of cornea expected to be ablated as a function of location on the cornea. Based on the data and the parameters, the digital data processing system produces an output representing a simulated post-operative topography of the cornea as a function of location.

Abstract: An X-ray generator and associated method are disclosed. The X-ray generator and method are provided for inspection of objects which are conveyed into an inspection station which includes an X-ray device and image processing device. The X-ray device directs high-energy, short-pulse X-rays toward an object as the object moves into a desired position. This X-ray radiation is received by a video camera and the resulting image is then digitized and transmitted to an image processing device which analyzes the information and determines whether or not the object conforms to a predetermined standard threshold. One aspect of the apparatus includes a rejection device which will remove objects which do not pass inspection thresholds.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for obtaining the corneal topography of an object using computer analyzed rasterstereographic images. The object may be nontransparent and diffusing, or it may be transparent and nondiffusing, such as a cornea. Rasterstereographic images of a cornea are produced by staining the cornea with a fluorescein solution which projects a light and dark line pattern onto the cornea through a grid. When obtaining the topography of a cornea, several different filters are used for producing and obtaining a grid image. An image processor uses unique software to store and analyze data extracted from the grid pattern. A video camera, an illuminator, the filters, and the grid may be mounted on a microscope. One embodiment uses a grid with vertical lines. Another embodiment uses a grid having intersecting horizontal and vertical lines for exhibiting surface details in a two-dimensional x-y plane.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for obtaining the corneal topography of an object using computer analyzed rasterstereographic images. The object may be nontransparent and diffusing, or it may be transparent and nondiffusing, such as a cornea. Rasterstereographic images of a cornea are produced by staining the cornea with a fluorescein solution which projects a light and dark line pattern onto the cornea through a grid. When obtaining the topography of a cornea, several different filters are used for producing and obtaining a grid image. An image processor uses unique software to store and analyze data extracted from the grid pattern. A video camera, an illuminator, the filters, and the grid may be mounted on a microscope.

Abstract: Flow systems for photometric analysis of particles, such as biological cells, particularly for obtaining multidmensional slit-scan type contours, as well as other images. In one broad approach, fluorochrome-stained cells in suspension flow through a focused slit of laser excitation light defining a planar excitation region in the X-Y plane. As each fluorochrome-stained cell flows through the excitation region, fluorescence emissions are generated at the intersection of the excitation region and the cell. To generate a slit-scan type contour along the Z axis, fluorescence emissions are monitored as the cell flows through the excitation region and a plurality of substantially planar parallel cross-sections of the cell along the Z axis are excited to fluorescence. To generate slit-scan type contrours along the cellular X and Y axes, various optical system embodiments define various combinations of cellular linear portions within the Z axis cross-section.