Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using polarized light (e.g., infrared (IR) light) to improve eye-related functions such as iris recognition. An eye camera system includes one or more IR cameras that capture images of the user's eyes that are processed to perform iris recognition, gaze tracking, or other functions. At least one polarizing element may be located in the path of the light which is used to capture images of the user's eye. The user's eye may be illuminated by IR light emitted by one or more LEDs. At least one of the LEDs may be an LED with a polarizing filter. Instead or in addition, at least one polarizer may be located at the eye camera sensor, in the eye camera optics, or as or in an additional optical element located on the light path between the eye camera and the user's eye.

Abstract: 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.