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 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.

Abstract: A process for color graphics image processing, related to detection and segmentation of sweeps, is provided. An input graphics image is transformed into a three-dimensional histogram in an appropriate color space 104 (e.g., CIELUV). Two-dimensional histograms are estimated from the three-dimensional histogram 106. The two-dimensional histograms are processed to detect and segment sweeps 108. Sweep segment information from the processing of the two-dimensional histograms is combined 110. The combined sweep segment information is used to process the input graphics image to identify and segment sweeps 112. Post-processing may be optionally and selectively used to reject false alarms (i.e., areas falsely identified as sweeps) 114.

Abstract: A method and system for image processing, in conjunction with classification of images between natural pictures and synthetic graphics, using SGLD texture (e.g., variance, bias, skewness, and fitness), color discreteness (e.g., R—L, R—U, and R—V normalized histograms), or edge features (e.g., pixels per detected edge, horizontal edges, and vertical edges) is provided. In another embodiment, a picture/graphics classifier using combinations of SGLD texture, color discreteness, and edge features is provided. In still another embodiment, a “soft” image classifier using combinations of two (2) or more SGLD texture, color discreteness, and edge features is provided. The “soft” classifier uses image features to classify areas of an input image in picture, graphics, or fuzzy classes.

Abstract: A process for color graphics image processing, related to detection and segmentation of sweeps, is provided. An input graphics image is transformed into a three-dimensional histogram in an appropriate color space 104 (e.g., CIELUV). Two-dimensional histograms are estimated from the three-dimensional histogram 106. The two-dimensional histograms are processed to detect and segment sweeps 108. Sweep segment information from the processing of the two-dimensional histograms is combined 110. The combined sweep segment information is used to process the input graphics image to identify and segment sweeps 112. Post-processing may be optionally and selectively used to reject false alarms (i.e., areas falsely identified as sweeps) 114.

Abstract: A method and system for image processing, in conjunction with classification of images between natural pictures and synthetic graphics, using SGLD texture (e.g., variance, bias, skewness, and fitness), color discreteness (e.g., R_L, R_U, and R_V normalized histograms), or edge features (e.g., pixels per detected edge, horizontal edges, and vertical edges) is provided. In another embodiment, a picture/graphics classifier using combinations of SGLD texture, color discreteness, and edge features is provided. In still another embodiment, a “soft” image classifier using combinations of two (2) or more SGLD texture, color discreteness, and edge features is provided. The “soft” classifier uses image features to classify areas of an input image in picture, graphics, or fuzzy classes.