Systems and methods for illuminating an iris with visible light for biometric acquisition

1. An apparatus for acquiring biometric information of an individual, the apparatus comprising:

a light source, directing a visible light beam towards an iris of an eye at a first angle that avoids a light-sensitive portion of the eye's retina, the visible light beam illuminating the iris for biometric acquisition and matching, the visible light beam having an incident intensity level that (i) would cause discomfort to the eye if directed at the light-sensitive portion of the retina, and(ii) is sufficient to illuminate striations of the iris for the biometric acquisition at a reflected intensity level that exceeds that of visible light reflected from the cornea due to other light sources; and

a sensor, acquiring iris biometric data from the illuminated iris for the biometric matching.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a point light source directing the visible light beam at the eye, the visible light beam having a full width half brightness (FWHB) of less than 90 degrees.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first angle is 30 degrees or greater relative to a line of sight of the eye.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a mobile device, the light source and the sensor incorporated on the mobile device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light source is mounted on a frame or device worn over the individual's eye, face or head.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light source directs the visible light beam towards a non-nasal side of the eye.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light source directs the visible light beam comprising non-isotropic illumination at the eye.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an illuminated screen or second visible light source for constricting the pupil.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light source directs the visible light beam of sufficient intensity to illuminate the whole iris via light diffusion within a portion of the eye.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light source directs the visible light beam towards the eye, the visible light having an intensity level below a threshold limit for safe exposure to the eye.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light source may be arranged so as to avoid illumination of the eye as the user adjusts the apparatus for use, until the apparatus is positioned within a suitable spatial region for biometric acquisition.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a channel for shaping visible light from the light source into the visible light beam for illuminating the iris.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a screen providing visual cues to suitably position the light source relative to the eye for the biometric acquisition.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an audio feedback module providing audio cues to suitably position the light source relative to the eye for the biometric acquisition.

15. A method for acquiring biometric information of an individual, comprising:

directing, by a light source of a biometric acquisition apparatus, a visible light beam towards an iris of an eye at a first angle that avoids a light-sensitive portion of the eye's retina, the visible light beam illuminating the iris for biometric acquisition and matching, the visible light beam having an incident intensity level that (i) would cause discomfort to the eye if directed at the light-sensitive portion of the retina and (ii) is sufficient to illuminate striations of the iris for the biometric acquisition at a reflected intensity level that exceeds that of visible light reflected from the cornea due to other light sources; and

acquiring, by a sensor of the biometric acquisition apparatus, iris biometric data from the illuminated iris for the biometric matching.

16. The method of claim 15 , comprising directing the visible light beam from one of: a mobile biometric acquisition device on which the sensor is mounted, and a device worn over the individual's eye, face or head.

17. The method of claim 15 , comprising directing the visible light beam towards the non-nasal side of the eye.

18. The method of claim 15 , comprising directing the visible light beam comprising non-isotropic illumination at the eye.

19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising using an illuminated screen or second visible light source to constrict the pupil.