LOW COST IRIS RECOGNITION SYSTEM USING DAUGMAN ALGORITHM FOR PERSON IDENTIFICATION ASSIGNMENT SOLUTION

Introduction

Iris recognition is a method of biometric identification and authentication that use pattern-recognition techniques based on high resolution images of the irises of an individual's eyes. It is considered to be the most accurate biometric technology available today. The colored ring around the pupil of the eye is called the Iris as shown in Fig(1.1).

The iris pattern is unique for every individual. This feature is used for the identification of the individual and can give access to some automation. The human eye is usually brown as shown in Fig(1.2) and in some people looks blue.

The iris is a thin circular diaphragm, which lies between the cornea and the lens of the human eye. The iris is perforated close to its centre by a circular aperture known as the pupil. The function of the iris is to control the amount of light entering through the pupil. The average diameter of the iris is 12 mm, and the pupil size can vary from 10% to 80% of the iris diameter. The iris consists of a number of layers, the lowest is the epithelium layer, which contains dense pigmentation cells[8].

The stromal layer lies above the epithelium layer, and contains blood vessels, pigment cells and the two iris muscles as shown in Fig(1.3).The density of stromal pigmentation determines the colour of the iris. The externally visible surface of the multi-layered iris contains two zones, which often differ in colour. An outer ciliary zone and an inner pupillary zone, and these two zones are divided by the collarette which appears as a zigzag pattern. Iris is externally visible highly protected internal organ. Iris has unique patterns. It is not genetically connected unlike eye color. It is stable with age. It is impossible to alter surgically. Iris pattern is a living Password, Cannot be forgotten or copied. It works on blind person. User needs not to touch appliances. It is accurate, faster, and supports large data base.

1.2 History of Iris Recognition

The concept of Iris Recognition was first proposed by Dr. Frank Burch in 1939.It was first implemented in 1990 when Dr. John Daugman (shown in Fig1.4) created the algorithms for it.

These algorithms employ methods of pattern recognition and some mathematical calculations for iris recognition.

1.3 Methods of IRIS Recognition System

In identifying one’s iris, there are 2 methods for its recognition and are:

• Active
• Passive

The active Iris system requires that a user be anywhere from six to fourteen inches away from the camera as shown in Fig(1.5). The passive system allows the user to be anywhere from one to three feet away from the camera that locates the focus on the iris.The active system is expensive as compared to the passive system. Active system is more accurate than passive system.

1.4 RETINA VS IRIS

In biometrics, iris and retinal scanning are known as “ocular-based” identification technologies, meaning they rely on unique physiological characteristics of the eye to identify an individual. Even though they both share part

of the eye for identification purposes, these biometric modalities are quite different in how they work. Let’s take a closer look at both and then explain the similarities and differences in detail.

1.4.1 Retinal Scanning: The human retina is a thin tissue composed of neural cells that is located in the posterior portion of the eye as shown in Fig(1.6). Because of the complex structure of the capillaries that supply the retina with blood, each person’s retina is unique.The network of blood vessels in the retina is so complex that even identical twins do not share a similar pattern. Although retinal patterns may be altered in cases of diabetes, glaucoma or retinal degenerative disorders, the retina typically remains unchanged from birth until death.

A biometric identifier known as a retinal scan is used to map the unique patterns of a person’s retina. The blood vessels within the retina absorb light more readily than the surrounding tissue and are easily identified with appropriate lighting. A retinal scan is performed by casting an unperceived beam of low-energy infrared light into a person’s eye as they look through the scanner’s eyepiece. This beam of light traces a standardized path on the retina. Because retinal blood vessels are more absorbent of this light than the rest of the eye, the amount of reflection varies during the scan.

The pattern of variations is converted to computer code and stored in a database. retina scanning also has medical applications. Communicable illnesses such has AIDS, Syphilis, malaria , chicken pox as well as hereditary diseases a like leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell anemia impact the eyes. Pregnancy also affects the eyes. Likewice, indications of chronic health conditions such as congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis and cholesterol issues first appear in the eyes as shown in Fig(1.7).

1. 1.4.2 Iris Scanning: The iris (plural: irides or irises) is a thin, circular structure in the eye, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupils and thus the amount of light reaching the retina. “Eye color” is the color of the iris, which can be green, blue, or brown. In some case it can be hazel (a combination of light brown, green and gold), grey, violet, or even pink. In response to the amount of light entering the eye, muscles attached to the iris expand or contract the aperture at the center of the iris, known as the pupil. The larger the pupil, the more light can enter. Iris recognition is an automated method of biometric identification that uses mathematical pattern-recognition techniques on video images of the irides of an individual’s eyes, whose complex random patterns are unique and can be seen from some distance.
   

Unlike retina scanning, iris recognition uses  camera  technology  with  subtle infrared illumination to acquire images of the detail-rich, intricate structures of the iris. Digital templates encoded from these patterns by mathematical and statistical algorithms allow unambiguous positive identification of an individual. Databases of enrolled templates are searched by matcher engines at speeds measured in the millions of templates per second per (single-core) CPU, and with infinitesimally small False Match rates. Hundreds of millions of persons in countries around the world have been enrolled in iris recognition systems, for convenience purposes such as passport-free automated border-crossings, and some national ID systems based on this technology are being deployed. A key advantage of iris recognition, besides its speed of matching and its extreme resistance to False Matches, is the stability of the iris as an internal, protected, yet externally visible organ of the eye. Advantage of iris biometrics is stability of iris as internal, protected, externally visible organ.

1.4.3 Similarities and Differences: While both iris and retina scanning are ocular based biometric technologies, there are distinct similarities and differences that differentiate the two modalities. Iris Recognition uses a camera, which is similar to any digital camera, to capture an image of the Iris. The Iris is the colored ring around the pupil of the eye and is the only internal organ visible from outside the body. This allows for a non-intrusive method of capturing an image since you can simply take a picture of the iris from a distance of 3 to 10 inches away.

Retinal Scanning requires a very close encounter with a scanning device that sends a beam of light deep inside the eye to capture an image of the Retina. Since the Retina is located on the back of the eye, retinal scanning was not widely accepted due to the intrusive process required to capture an image.

Here is an overview of some similarities and differences between iris and retina scanning.

Similarities:

• Low occurrence of false positives.
• Extremely low (almost 0%) false negative rates.
• Speedy results: Identity of the subject is verified very quickly.
• Highly reliable because no two people have the same iris or retinal pattern.
• The capillaries in the iris and retina decompose too rapidly to use a amputated eye to gain access.

Differences:

• Retinal scan measurement accuracy can be affected by disease; iris fine texture remains remarkably stable.
• An iris scan is no different than taking a normal photograph of a person and can be performed at a distance; for retinal scanning the eye must be brought very close to an eyepiece (like looking into a microscope).
• Iris scanning is more widely accepted as commercial modality than retinal scanning.
• Retinal scanning is considered to be invasive, iris is not considered.

Iris scanning is more accurate and less expensive when compared to retinal scanning. Retinal databases of human beings are rare in the world. Retinal scanning requires infrared camera which is expensive since it acquires the information behind the pupil of the eye.