Abstract: The invention relates to the domain of biometric based identity authentication of an individual. In particular, the invention provides methods, systems and computer program products for convenient and secure biometric authentication of a user of a service, at a point-of-service. The invention relies on network interactions between a user communication device, a point-of-service terminal and a service-access-control system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the domain of biometric based identity authentication of an individual. In particular, the invention provides methods, systems and computer program products for convenient and secure biometric authentication of a user of a service, at a point-of-service. The invention relies on network interactions between a user communication device, a point-of-service terminal and a service-access-control system.

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 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 provides apparatuses, methods and computer program products for obtaining and processing images of one or more features of a subject's eye for biometric recognition. The invention comprises receiving a first image of a first image region within a field of view of an imaging apparatus and receiving a second image of a second image region within the field of view of the imaging apparatus. Thereafter it is determined whether image information extracted from the first image matches stored iris information corresponding to at least one iris. Responsive to the first determination rendering a non-match decision, performing a second determination comprising determining whether image information extracted from the second image matches the stored iris information.

Abstract: The invention relates to image based biometric recognition. In one aspect, the invention includes: performing a first biometric determination based on a first image by comparing information extracted from the first image against stored biometric information; performing a second biometric determination based on a second image by comparing information extracted from the second image against stored biometric information; combining outputs of the first and second biometric determinations; and, rendering a match decision or a non-match decision based on the combining of outputs. The first image may be an image of a field of view of an imaging apparatus under illumination from a first illumination source located at a first position relative to the field of view. The second image may be an image of the field of view under illumination from a second illumination source located at a second position relative to the field of view.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, method and computer program product for eye based biometric recognition. The invention comprises (i) emitting a first set of radiation wavelengths from a first illumination source in a first strobing pattern, wherein the first set of radiation wavelengths fall within near infrared (NIR) spectrum and (ii) emitting a second set of radiation wavelengths from a second illumination source. At least part of the second set of radiation wavelengths fall within the visible spectrum and at least part of the second set of radiation wavelengths are distinct from the first set of radiation wavelengths. Additionally, one or more of timing, duration and intensity of illumination emitted by the second illumination source are modulated such that combined radiation emitted by the first illumination source and the second illumination source are perceived by a subject's eye as a continuous signal having a substantially constant intensity and color.

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 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 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 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 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 methods, systems and computer program products for secure iris image processing. The invention involves acquiring a first image of a first field of view corresponding to an iris 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 iris feature extraction and/or comparison. A second image of the first field of view corresponding to the iris 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.