A Primer on Iris Recognition Technology
Iris recognition is based on the most mathematically unique biometric – the iris of the eye. The human iris is absolutely unique, even between twins or an individual's right and left eyes. The iris itself is stable throughout a person's life (approximately from the age of one). The physical characteristics of the iris do not change with age. None of the other biometric solutions, including fingerprint, facial recognition, retina scan, and voice recognition provide the level of accuracy, speed, or cost-effectiveness found with iris recognition technology.
Iris recognition biometric technology positively determines the identity of an individual by capturing a high-resolution digital photograph of the individual's iris. The unique features contained in the iris are compared against a database and the identity of the individual determined.
The technology is non-intrusive - the individual does not need to touch anything to use the system. Automatic voice prompting, auto focus, plus enrollment and recognition speed make the system easy to use. An individual is detected automatically upon approaching the digital camera. A glance at the camera lens from 3-10" distance allows the camera to photograph the iris image, which is digitally processed into a 512-byte record. No PINs, passwords, or cards are required.
Iris recognition technology is strictly voluntary. Participants agree to enroll, thereby eliminating privacy concerns. The user voluntarily decides to participate in iris recognition for authentication by looking at the camera. They also must be within a designated capture zone, which is approximately 3-10 inches away from the camera. The technology cannot work without the explicit cooperation of the end-user. To verify the identity of an enrolled person, all they need to do is look into a camera for a few seconds. A video image is taken of their iris in a manner that is completely non-invasive and inherently safe – just like getting your picture taken with a digital camera. And, unlike other biometric technologies, there is no need to touch anything – thereby avoiding the possible spread of illness, i.e., SARS, colds, flu, etc.
Iris recognition is proven to have the highest biometric accuracy, with no false matches in over two million cross-comparisons, according to Biometric Product Testing Final Report (19 March 2001, Center for Mathematics and Scientific Computing, National Physics Laboratory, U.K.)
Where is Iris Recognition Used?
Because of its accuracy, reliability and ease of use, iris recognition biometric technology is gaining popularity across the globe in areas such as public safety, aviation, education and health care.
For example, the technology is now used in over two dozen large county correctional systems across the United States. Iris scanning enables sheriffs departments to quickly determine positive identity on an individual inmate and eliminates the possibility of releasing the wrong person due to mistaken identity.
Airports are now allowing frequent passengers to register their iris scans in an effort to streamline boarding procedures. There is discussion that banks may someday make iris scans a routine part of ATM transactions, and some have begun taking the first steps in testing out these systems.
In addition to the government and transportation markets, iris recognition is playing an emerging role in healthcare. Healthcare solutions based on iris recognition protect access to patient medical records at hospitals in locations such as Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and Alabama. Also, in Germany, infant nursing stations are equipped with iris recognition to ensure that only parents, doctors and nurses have access to the room that holds newborn children and to avoid potential abductions.
The technology was also used by the United Nations in Afghanistan, where iris recognition helped to distribute a one-time grant of human aid to refugees returned to their homeland. Four voluntary repatriation centers in Pakistan were equipped with cameras to process the refugees anonymously and quickly so that they could receive funds, food and travel supplies.
How will Iris Recognition be utilized by Senior Safety Net?
Senior Safety Net is a secure nationwide network operated and maintained by the Nation’s Missing Children Organization and National Center for Missing Adults (NMCO/NCMA). Using web-based technology, remote iris recognition cameras operated by law enforcement agencies, advocacy groups, and community agencies will capture the digital iris photographs and other demographic information at regular and special community events, such as fairs and sporting events. The key biometric identification data will be forwarded and stored in a secure central database, operated and controlled by NMCO/NCMA, located in Phoenix, Arizona and in a back up database in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Senior Safety Net will provide authorized law enforcement agencies and organizations a low cost iris recognition system to enhance their existing identification programs. Participation is entirely voluntary, just as it is now with fingerprint, bracelet and photo ID card programs. The iris recognition equipment is portable and simple to use, making it ideal for use at remote locations such as nursing homes.
Learn more about how iris biometric recognition technology works
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/cctv/White Papers/Iris52005.pdf