TILT SHIFT IRIS IMAGING
This application relates to systems and methods for imaging the iris of an individual. The iris images may be taken with an off-axis imager attached to a head-mounted system such as a pair of eyeglasses. In some instances, the iris images may be used for biometric recognition and identification.
1 . A system for imaging the iris comprising an optical device and an off-axis imager attached to the optical device, wherein the off-axis imager comprises a lens and a camera body.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the optical device comprises a head-mounted device.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the head-mounted device comprises a pair of eyeglasses or goggles.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the head-mounted device comprises a pair of eyeglasses, the pair of eyeglasses comprising a frame having an upper rim and a lower rim, and a transparent display.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the optical device comprises an eyepiece.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the eyepiece is a monocle or binoculars.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the eyepiece is contained within a telescope, microscope, or a compound optical system used for viewing.
8 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the off-axis imager is attached to the lower rim of the frame.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the lens of the off-axis imager has a tilt ranging from about 2.0 to about 8.5 degrees.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the lens of the off-axis imager has a shift offset ranging from about 1.0 to about 2.5 mm.
11 . A method for imaging an iris comprising providing an optical device having an off-axis imager attached thereto and imaging an iris of an individual using the off-axis imager, wherein the off-axis imager comprises a lens and a camera body.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising obtaining biometric information from the imaged iris and processing the biometric information to verify the identity of the individual.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the biometric information is converted into an iris code.
14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising tilting the lens of the off-axis imager to adjust a focal plane of the camera body to be parallel with a plane of the individual's iris.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the lens is tilted between about 2.0 to about 8.5 degrees.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising shifting the lens of the off-axis imager between about 1.0 to about 2.5 mm.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein imaging the iris comprises partially or entirely imaging the iris of the individual.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein one or both irises of the individual are partially or entirely imaged.