Iris imaging system and method for the same

1. An iris imaging system, comprising:

at least one light source configured to illuminate an iris with a spectrum of light; and

at least one image capturing device comprising at least one of an indium-gallium-arsenide, a lead sulphide and a lead selenide based detector, the at least one image capturing device configured to:

capture an image of the iris via light reflected from the iris at the spectrum; and

provide a signal representing one or more features of the iris in response to the light reflected from the iris.

2. The system of claim 1 , comprising a controller configured to control movement of the image capturing device.

3. The system of claim 1 , comprising a processor configured to:

localize the iris using the signal representing one or more features of the iris;

compare the features with a database of a plurality of iris patterns; and

recognize the iris based upon the comparison.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the image capturing device comprises a camera.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the spectrum of light comprises an infrared spectrum.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the light source is configured to illuminate at about 1300 nm.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the light source is configured to illuminate at about 1550 nm.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a broadband source.

9. An iris imaging system, comprising:

at least one light source configured to illuminate an iris at a spectrum of light greater than about 1100 nm; and

at least one image capturing device comprising a detector, the device configured to:

capture an image of the iris via light reflected from the iris at the spectrum greater than about 1100 nanometers; and

provide a signal representing one or more features of the iris in response to the light reflected from the iris.

10. The system of claim 9 , comprising a controller configured to control movement of the image capturing device.

11. The system of claim 9 , comprising a processor configured to:

localize the iris using features of the iris;

compare the features with a database of iris patterns; and

recognize the iris based upon the comparison.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the light source comprises a broadband light source.

13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the light source is configured to illuminate at about 1300 nm.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the light source is configured to illuminate at about 1550 nm.

15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one image capturing device is configured to capture an image of the iris at a bandwidth in a range between about 1300 nm and about 1550 nm.

16. The system of claim 9 , wherein the detector comprises indium-gallium-arsenide.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one image capturing device comprises a camera.

18. A method of fabricating an iris imaging system, comprising:

providing at least one light source for illuminating an iris with a spectrum of light; and

providing an image capturing device comprising at least one of an indium-gallium-arsenide detector, a lead sulphide, and a lead selenide based detector for capturing an image of the iris and for providing a signal representing one or more features of the iris.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said providing an image capturing device comprises providing one or more fixed or pan-tilt mounts for the image capturing device.

20. The method of claim 18 , comprising providing a processor configured to:

localize the iris using features of the iris;

compare the features with a database of iris patterns; and

recognize the iris based upon the comparison.

21. A method of fabricating an iris imaging system, comprising:

providing at least one light source for illuminating an iris with a spectrum of light; and

providing an image capturing device configured to illuminate the iris at a spectrum of light greater than about 1100 nm for capturing an image of the iris and for providing a signal representing one or more features of the iris.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein said providing an image capturing device comprises providing one or more fixed or pan-tilt mounts for the image capturing device.

23. The method of claim 21 , comprising providing a processor configured to:

localize the iris using features of the iris;

compare the features with a database of iris patterns; and

recognize the iris based upon the comparison.