Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and methods relevant to image sensors configured for dual mode operation. The invention comprises an image sensor having an image sensor substrate having an array of pixels formed thereon. The array of pixels comprises (i) a first pixel region comprising a first array of pixels, which first array of pixels comprising pixels configured for peak sensitivity to wavelength(s) below 700 nm, and (ii) a second pixel region comprising a second array of pixels, which second array of pixels comprising pixels of a first pixel type and pixels of a second pixel type. Pixels of the first pixel type may be configured for peak sensitivity to wavelength(s) between 700 nm and 1000 nm. Pixels of the second pixel type may be configured for peak sensitivity to wavelength(s) below 700 nm. The invention additionally provides apparatuses incorporating the image sensor and methods for fabricating said image sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and methods relevant to image sensors configured for dual mode operation. The invention comprises an image sensor having an image sensor substrate having an array of pixels formed thereon. The array of pixels comprises (i) a first pixel region comprising a first array of pixels, which first array of pixels comprising pixels configured for peak sensitivity to wavelength(s) below 700 nm, and (ii) a second pixel region comprising a second array of pixels, which second array of pixels comprising pixels of a first pixel type and pixels of a second pixel type. Pixels of the first pixel type may be configured for peak sensitivity to wavelength(s) between 700 nm and 1000 nm. Pixels of the second pixel type may be configured for peak sensitivity to wavelength(s) below 700 nm. The invention additionally provides apparatuses incorporating the image sensor and methods for fabricating said image sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and computer program products for secure biometric image processing. The invention involves acquiring a first image of a first field of view corresponding to a biometric camera. A first set of image information defining the first image is received at a processor implemented first high security operating environment, which first set of image information includes a second sub-set of image information relevant for biometric feature extraction or comparison. A second image of the first field of view corresponding to the biometric camera is rendered on a display, which second image is defined by a third set of image information such that the third set of information excludes the second sub-set of image information.

Abstract: The invention comprises an imaging apparatus housed within a mobile device housing, and configured to enable multiple image acquisition modes. The apparatus includes an image sensor, a first optical assembly, a second optical assembly and a controller. The first optical assembly of the invention is positioned over a first image capture region of the imaging surface, and defines a first field of view—such that the first optical assembly images onto the first image capture region, any object plane within the first field of view. The second optical assembly is positioned over a second image capture region of the imaging surface, and defines a second field of view—such that the second optical assembly images onto the second image capture region, any object plane within the second field of view. The invention additionally includes a corresponding method for enabling multiple image acquisition modes in an imaging apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to technologies for eye based biometric authentication. The invention provides methods, apparatuses and computer programs for initiating an action based on characteristics of acquired biometric information. In an embodiment, the invention comprises (i) receiving at least one image comprising an image of at least part of an eye, (ii) determining whether the at least part of an eye has birefringent characteristics, and (iii) initiating a predefined action responsive to (a) the at least part of an eye exhibiting birefringent characteristics that are inconsistent with a predefined set of birefringent characteristics or (b) a determined lack of birefringent characteristics typical of a real eye, wherein the predefined action comprises any one or more of denying biometric enrollment, denying biometric authentication, denying access to a resource, denying a request for unlocking of a resource, or transmitting or recording information identifying a spoof.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and computer program products for spoof detection in iris based biometric recognition. In an embodiment, the invention comprises (i) obtaining a first image of an iris at an imaging apparatus configured to a first exposure setting (ii) obtaining a second image of the iris at the imaging apparatus configured to a second exposure setting (iii) comparing incidence of reflection patterns within the first and second iris images and (iv) determining authenticity of the imaged iris based on a result of comparing the incidence of reflection patterns within the first and second iris images.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for iris based biometric recognition. The method includes receiving an image from an image sensor and determining whether the received image includes an iris. The steps of receiving and determining are repeated until the received image includes an iris. Responsive to determining that a received image includes an iris, iris information corresponding to such received image is compared with stored iris information corresponding to at least one iris and a match decision or a non-match decision is rendered based on an output of the comparison. The invention additionally provides a system and computer program product configured for iris based biometric recognition.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for configuring an imaging apparatus having an image sensor and an optical assembly. The method modifies a first imaging configuration of the imaging apparatus to achieve a second imaging configuration of said imaging apparatus, by interposing a refractive optical element between an image-side surface of the optical assembly and an imaging surface. In another embodiment, the method modifies a first imaging configuration of the imaging apparatus to achieve a second imaging configuration of said imaging apparatus by removing the refractive optical element from between an image-side surface of the optical assembly and an imaging surface. The invention additionally includes an imaging apparatus configured for switching from a first imaging configuration to a second imaging configuration. At least one of the first imaging configuration and the second imaging configuration may be configured for iris imaging.

Abstract: The invention comprises an iris imaging apparatus comprising an image sensor and an optical assembly. The optical assembly comprises an image-side surface and an object-side surface. The optical imaging lens assembly may be configured such that D1?6 mm, PXRES?10 pixels per mm, PXSIZE?1.75 ?m; and D2?500 mm. D1 is a distance between the object-side surface of the optical assembly and the imaging surface. D2 is a maximum distance between the object-side surface of the optical assembly and the object plane. PXRES is pixel resolution in the object plane, achieved by the image sensor in imaging the object plane, when the distance between the object-side surface of the optical assembly and the object plane is less than or equal to D2. PXSIZE is pixel size of the image sensor. The invention additionally includes methods for configuring an imaging apparatus for iris imaging.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and computer program products for secure biometric image processing. The invention involves acquiring a first image of a first field of view corresponding to a biometric camera. A first set of image information defining the first image is received at a processor implemented first high security operating environment, which first set of image information includes a second sub-set of image information relevant for biometric feature extraction or comparison. A second image of the first field of view corresponding to the biometric camera is rendered on a display, which second image is defined by a third set of image information such that the third set of information excludes the second sub-set of image information.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical imaging lens assembly comprising, in order from an object-side to an image side, a first aspherical positive lens element and a second aspherical negative lens element, each comprising an object-side surface and an image-side surface. Elements of the optical imaging lens assembly may be configured to satisfy the relations (i) T<1.2 f, (ii) 1.1<f/f1<1.5, (iii) ?1.5<f/f2<?0.6, (iv) 0.2<R1/f<0.5, and (v) ?0.25<K1<?0.05, wherein f is focal length of the lens assembly, f1 is focal length of the first lens element, f2 is focal length of the second lens element, R1 is radius of curvature on the object-side surface of the first lens element, K1 is conic of the object-side surface of the first lens element, and T is total track length of the optical lens.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical imaging lens assembly comprising, in order from an object-side to an image side, a first aspherical positive lens element and a second aspherical negative lens element, each comprising an object-side surface and an image-side surface. Elements of the optical imaging lens assembly may be configured to satisfy the relations (i) T<1.2 f, (ii) 1.1<f/f1<1.5, (iii) ?1.5<f/f2<?0.6, (iv) 0.2<R1/f<0.5, and (v) ?0.25<K1<?0.05, wherein f is focal length of the lens assembly, f1 is focal length of the first lens element, f2 is focal length of the second lens element, R1 is radius of curvature on the object-side surface of the first lens element, K1 is conic of the object-side surface of the first lens element, and T is total track length of the optical lens.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for iris based biometric recognition. The method includes receiving an image from an image sensor and determining whether the received image includes an iris. The steps of receiving and determining are repeated until the received image includes an iris. Responsive to determining that a received image includes an iris, iris information corresponding to such received image is compared with stored iris information corresponding to at least one iris and a match decision or a non-match decision is rendered based on an output of the comparison. The invention additionally provides a system and computer program product configured for iris based biometric recognition.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for compensating for sub-optimal orientation of an iris imaging apparatus during image capture. The iris imaging apparatus of the invention comprises an iris camera and a deviation sensor. The deviation sensor may be configured to detect deviations between a current orientation of the iris camera and a predetermined optimal orientation for the iris camera. Responsive to a detected deviation a correction is effected to compensate for the detected deviation.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for positioning an iris for iris image capture. An iris image sensor is configured to have an image capture region defining an intended position of the subject's iris for image capture. A feedback object and an optical system are provided. In one aspect, the optical system may comprise a lens element disposed such that, responsive to positioning of the subject's iris within the image capture region, the optical system forms a subject viewable in-focus upright image of the feedback object. In another aspect, the optical system may comprise an occluder, configured such that responsive to positioning of the subject's iris partially or wholly outside the image capture region, the optical system occludes at least a portion of the feedback object from the subject's view.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for positioning an iris for iris image capture. An iris image sensor is configured to have an image capture region defining an intended position of the subject's iris for image capture. An optical system comprising a reflective element is disposed such that, responsive to positioning of the subject's iris within the image capture region, the optical system forms a subject viewable in-focus upright image of the subject's iris. The optical system may be configured such that length of an optical path between the intended position of the subject's iris during image capture and the reflective element is less than half of a near point distance. The optical system may be further configured such that a distance between the image capture region and the in-focus upright image formed by the optical system is greater than or equal to the near point distance.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for acquiring an image of a subject's iris, within the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Near infrared radiation is generated from an incandescent light source, having wavelengths spread across 700 nm to 900 nm. The iris is illuminated for imaging by directing the generated near infrared radiation along an optical path between the incandescent light source and an intersection of a field of view region and depth of field region of an iris camera. Near infrared radiation scattered by the iris and transmitted along the iris camera's optical axis is received at the iris camera. An image of the iris is then acquired at the iris camera, based on radiation scattered by the iris and received at the iris camera.