Iris Recognition Biometric Ultimate Guide

Iris recognition technology is based on the iris features in the eyes and completes identity recognition by extracting its feature information.

What is iris recognition in biometrics?

Iris recognition is an identification technology that uses the unique features in the iris image to create feature points and compare users. DNA determines the characteristics of each person’s iris. After the fetal development stage, the iris information is also formed, and it will remain unchanged throughout your life.

History of Iris Recognition

In 1987, ophthalmologists Leonard Flom and Arin Safir proposed the concept of using iris images to identify identity;

In the 1980s, prisons in Paris used iris features to identify prisoners;

In 1991, the automatic iris recognition system was implemented by JOHNSON of the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States. The algorithm used is called the DAUGMAN core algorithm.

It was not until John Dogman of Cambridge University in the United Kingdom developed a new mathematical coding method that the iris recognition system was truly used

Mechanism of iris recognition

Iris biometric recognition technology mainly uses two technologies, namely, precision optical technology and computer image processing. The camera captures the eye image, and then measures and records the iris feature information in the eye. It is compared with the data stored in the database to identify the individual identity.

Iris Recognition Technology Standards

Iris recognition involves the basic familiarity of users, so operability, accuracy and security need to comply with certain international standards

1. ISO/IEC 19794-6:2011 Information technology – Biometric data exchange format – Part 6: Iris image data. This standard specifies the exchange format of iris image data
2. ISO/IEC 29794-6:2015 – Information technology – Biometric sample quality. This standard mainly specifies biometric samples
3. ISO/IEC 24713-2:2009 – Information technology – Biometric application programming interface – Part 2: CBEFF for data exchange. This section specifies the framework for exchanging biometric data between different systems
4. ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011 – Data format for exchanging fingerprints, faces and other biometric information. This standard does not specifically specify iris recognition, but provides a format for interoperability

How Does Iris Recognition Work?

1. Collect iris images: Use a camera or scanner device to collect iris photos and save the images
2. Iris positioning: It is necessary to locate the position of the iris in the collected image and mark the position
3. Iris feature extraction: Extract the features of the iris, digitize the feature points through the iris algorithm, and form a unique code.
4. Comparison and recognition: compare the data collected on site with the data saved in the database to complete the iris recognition process

Can iris recognition be fooled?

Due to the uniqueness and complexity of the pattern, iris recognition technology is currently considered the safest and most reliable technology;
Here we emphasize non-malicious and non-human intervention situations;

1. Attack: rewrite the iris image or attack the generated iris code; use invisible eyes to replace others
2. Iris image quality: the collected image quality is low
3. Deception: use 3D printed iris replica products

Currently, these fraud methods can be judged by liveness recognition.

Iris Recognition Pros and Cons

利点

1. Uniqueness: Everyone’s iris is unique, so iris technology has a high degree of uniqueness
2. Stability: Once formed, it will not change easily
3. Live detection: Iris recognition requires live detection, and only real irises can be detected, which increases the security of recognition
4. Complexity: Iris has a lot of detailed features, which can be used to create templates; it is not easy to be attacked
5. Fast speed: Iris recognition is very fast, usually in a few seconds

Shortcomings

1. High cost: Iris recognition technology requires dedicated equipment and algorithms to complete, and the cost of the equipment is relatively high
2. Physical factors: For people with eye defects, this technology is not suitable
3. User acceptance: Some people are worried about the leakage of identity information data

What is the Iris scanner application?

Immigration Control

In order to facilitate the rapid collection of a large amount of immigration data, border immigration systems are increasingly using iris systems to enhance security, simplify processes and improve management efficiency; passengers can quickly complete their entry information by registering their passports and entering their iris information in the self-controlled passport booth;

At the same time, government departments can also use the iris data of the immigration system to create their own national identity database to prepare for later monitoring and spot checks;

National ID

Iris recognition can also help national digital identity, register iris data once, and compare other information to complete identity registration. Even if there is no other information, it is completely possible to use iris information as your personal ID, so iris recognition is unique and stable;

Crime & Prison

Iris recognition is usually used for access control of prisons; the security level of prisons is relatively high, and iris recognition is complex and has liveness detection, which is suitable for such places with high security levels;

At the same time, prisons use iris recognition to manage prisoners, and they do not need any additional information, reducing the chance of harm

Airports & Border Control

Some airports have provided iris recognition for tourists to register for entry and exit. Register your user information in advance and the recognition process can be automatically completed.

Banking & Financial Institutions

Banks and financial institutions use iris recognition in some places with high security factors, such as databases and safes. Some companies also register bank accounts by registering iris information;

Healthcare & Medical Facilities

Iris scanner recognition can also establish an electronic medical record system for hospitals to reduce the problems of poor communication between doctors and patients and long registration time;

Identify irises and automatically upload medical records;

Retail & Commercial Businesses

Using iris recognition for payment is a prospect. Considering the high price, some businesses are currently doing sample testing

The Future of Iris Recognition Technology

The market for iris recognition will only grow larger and larger. Driven by technology, iris technology will be combined with other biometric features to form a complete multimodal biometric recognition system

FAQ:

Iris vs. Retina Recognition
Iris recognition is mainly performed by scanning and analyzing an individual’s iris image. Retina recognition is performed by scanning and analyzing an individual’s retinal vascular patterns. ,

Will wearing cosmetic contact lenses or contact lenses affect iris recognition?Wearing cosmetic contact lenses or contact lenses may affect the accuracy of iris recognition, because cosmetic contact lenses or contact lenses will change the appearance and surface texture of the eyeball, thereby affecting the quality of the iris image and the accuracy of feature extraction

.What is dynamic iris recognition?
Dynamic iris recognition, also known as video-based iris recognition, captures a video sequence of the iris as the eye moves or blinks.