Biometric identification

1. A system for biometrically authenticating a user, comprising:

one or more processors;

means for obtaining image data that are representative of at least one user-associated biometric feature and at least one user-associated identifier, the means for obtaining image data acquiring a first image indicative of the at least one user-associated biometric feature and at at least one first wavelength, and acquiring a second image of the at least one user-associated identifier at at least one second wavelength different from the at least one first wavelength, the first image and the second image being acquired approximately simultaneously;

means for extracting said at least one biometric feature in said image data;

means for extracting said at least one identifier in said image data;

means for performing a search for a reference biometric feature associated with said at least one identifier;

means for comparing said extracted biometric feature with said reference biometric feature; and

means for authenticating said user in accordance with a result of said comparison,

wherein the one or more processors cause one or more of the biometric feature extracting means to extract the at least one biometric feature, the identifier extracting means to extract the at least one identifier, the search performing means to perform the search, the comparing means to compare the extracted biometric feature with the reference biometric feature, and the authenticating means to authenticate the user.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said image data belongs to the same image.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said image data is distributed between at least two images representing said biometric feature and said identifier, respectively.

4. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a single image data acquisition unit configured to acquire said image data.

5. The system according to claim 3 , further comprising at least two image data acquisition units configured to acquire said image data.

6. The system according to claim 5 , further comprising:

means for acquiring the first image which is representative of said biometric feature using a first image data acquisition unit, and

means for acquiring the second image which is representative of said identifier using a second image data acquisition unit different from the first image data acquisition unit.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said biometric feature is at least one of a user's fingerprint, a user's vein pattern and a user's face.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said biometric feature is an iris of the user.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said identifier is imprinted onto a user's skin portion using at least one of tattooing, engraving and depositing an adhesive carrier.

10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said identifier is imprinted onto a subcutaneous feature arranged beneath a skin feature of the user.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said identifier is imprinted onto an ophthalmic lens or a spectacle frame worn by the user.

12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said identifier comprises a link to a remote server.

13. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said biometric feature and said identifier are superimposed.

14. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said identifier is displayed on a screen of a user-associated portable electronic device.

15. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising means for providing the user with a carrier for the identifier, said means comprising:

means for acquiring image data that are representative of the user-associated biometric feature,

means for generating the user-associated identifier,

means for storing said acquired data as the reference biometric feature and said identifier in a table which associates said acquired data with said identifier, and

means for imprinting said identifier into said carrier.

16. The system according to claim 14 , wherein said imprinting means includes at least one of:

means for tattooing the identifier onto a skin feature of the user,

means for engraving the identifier onto a skin feature of the user,

means for printing said identifier onto an adhesive carrier and gluing said carrier on a skin feature of the user,

means for storing said identifier in a portable electronic device which is configured to display said identifier and is associated with the user, and

means for engraving said identifier onto an ophthalmic lens or a spectacle frame associated with the user.

17. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of an ophthalmic lens and a spectacle frame associated with the user, wherein said ophthalmic lens and said spectacle frame carry said user-associated identifier.

18. A method for biometrically authenticating a user, comprising:

obtaining image data, from an image data acquisition device, that are representative of at least one user-associated biometric feature and at least one user-associated identifier, the image data being obtained by acquiring a first image indicative of the at least one user-associated biometric feature and at at least one first wavelength, and acquiring a second image of the at least one user-associated identifier at at least one second wavelength different from the at least one first wavelength, the first image and the second image being acquired approximately simultaneously;

extracting said at least one biometric feature in said image data;

extracting said at least one identifier in said image data;

performing a search for a reference biometric feature associated with said at least one identifier;

comparing said extracted biometric feature with said reference biometric feature; and

authenticating said user in accordance with a result of said comparison.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising instructions to cause a processor of a system for biometrically authenticating a user to execute the method of claim 18 .

20. A system for biometrically authenticating a user, comprising:

an image data acquisition device configured to obtain image data that are representative of at least one user-associated biometric feature and at least one user-associated identifier, the image data acquisition device acquiring a first image indicative of the at least one user-associated biometric feature and at at least one first wavelength, and acquiring a second image of the at least one user-associated identifier at at least one second wavelength different from the at least one first wavelength, the first image and the second image being acquired approximately simultaneously; and

a biometric authentication system extracting said at least one biometric feature in said image data, extracting said at least one identifier in said image data, performing a search for a reference biometric feature associated with said at least one identifier, comparing said extracted biometric feature with said reference biometric feature, and authenticating said user in accordance with a result of said comparison.