Iris Recognition

Sathya Swathi Mabbu

Long N Vuong

Topics
Technique

of iris recognition

Attacks
Implementation
Advantages

& Disadvantages

Why Iris Recognition?

Iris

patterns are unique.

Iris patterns do not change with age.
Non Contact approach.
Simplicity and ease of
implementation.
Speed the process of matching the
iris patterns is very fast.

Technique
Step 1: Capturing the image of the eye using a
camera.
Step 2: Differentiating the outline of the iris and the
sclera, and the pupil from the iris.
sclera

iris
pupil

Step 3: Encoding the image using demodulation (also

removes reflections, intrusion of eye lid lashes,
contact lens outline etc.,). Code is 256 bytes.

Iris pattern - Comparison

Test

of Statistical Independence
Compare the iris codes (256*8=2048
bits) of the eyes using the following
formula
[Code A (XOR) Code B] AND Mask A AND Mask B
H.D =
Mask A AND Mask B

This is called Hamming Distance (H.D).

Speed Performance
On

a 300 MHz workstation, the execution

times for the steps in iris recognition are listed
below,

Operation Time
Image focus 15 millisec
Scrub specular reflections 56 millisec
Localize eye and iris 90 millisec
Fit pupillary boundary 12 millisec
Detect both eyelids 93 millisec
Remove lashes and contact lens edges 78 millisec
Demodulation and IrisCode creation 102 millisec
XOR comparison of two IrisCodes 10 micro sec

100,000

second.

comparisons can be performed in a

IrisCode is a registered trademark of Iridian Technologies

Attacks
1. Iris patterns
printed on contact
lens
Countermeasure:
2D Fourier
Transform

Attacks cont
Digital

Replay attack
Countermeasure: Encryption of iris code,
database security.
Example: Iridian Technologies has
established
3DES Encryption as the standard.

Attacks cont
Picture

of an iris
Countermeasure: Liveness test ( on
command eye movement, pupillary light
reflex , red eye effect, light absorption
properties of living tissue, hippus etc.,)
RED EYE EFFECT

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IRIS RECOGNITION SYSTEM

The Process and Analysis

Unit
Each image is given to the P&A Unit for recognition:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Splits the colored image and tests the morphology

Transforms the image in a 3D image
Transforms the image in the frequencies domain
Transforms the image in a multidimensional objects,
then the algorithm executes the last analysis to
recognize a person

The Largest National

Deployment
Iris

recognition border-crossing system in

the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Advantages of the Iris for

Identification
Highly

protected, internal organ of the

eye
Externally visible, patterns imaged from a
distance
Iris patterns possess a high degree of
randomness
Patterns apparently stable throughout life
Encoding and decision-making are
tractable

Disadvantages of the Iris for

Identification
Small

target to acquire from a distance

Moving targetwithin anotheron yet
another
Located behind a curved, wet, reflecting
surface
Obscured by eyelashes, lenses, reflections
Illumination should not be visible or bright

Why iris recognition is not so famous?

Convenience
Acceptance
Cost

Q&A