
Iris Acquisition Device
RYA N RAKVIC
1
,RANDY BROUSSARD
1
,LAU REN KENNELL
1
,
R
OBERT IVES
1
,ROBERT BELL
2
1
The John Hopkins University, Applied Physics
Laboratory, Annapolis, MD, USA
2
Biometrics Alliance, Severna Park, MD, USA
Synonyms
Iris camera; Iris image capture device; Iris reader; Iris
scanner
Definition
An iris acquisition device is a device that acquires an iris
image and compares and matches it to a collection of
other iris images. Consumer enthusiasm and technolo-
gical advancement have fostered the creation of many
types of iris acquisition devices that vary in many
dimensions. The following essay, surveys and reports
iris acquisition devices that exist in the market today.
Introduction
Today, the popularity of iris acquisition devices is
gaining momentum mainly due to the fact that they
are considered perhaps the most accurate way to iden-
tify a human. In addition, iris acquisition devices have
the ability to accommodate a large group size, return
responses faster than any other security metric, and
adapt and utilize a range of advancing technological
resources.
Many factors help determine the performance and
popularity of an iris acquisition device. The heart of a
device is represented by the
▶ iris recognition algo-
rithm, and the resulting accuracy is evaluated with a
combination of performance metrics, including false
acceptance rate (FAR) and false rejection rate (FRR).
The most popular algorithm in use today was invented
by iris recognition pioneer John Daugman [1]. The
response time of an algorithm is also an important
factor in determining the overall popularity of such
systems.
Like any young technological product, iris recogni-
tion systems have been drastically evolving, driven
both by consumer demands and technological
improvements. Today, a differentiating factor amongst
iris recognition systems is the variance in the product
form.
Current iris recognition systems vary in terms of
size, weight,
▶ focal distance, and hardware and soft-
ware portability. The advancement of technology has
dramatically impacted iris recognition systems, pro-
viding the opportunity to create smaller, more portable
autonomous system s. However, the need for larger and
more powerful traditional systems still exists. For ex-
ample, in an airport setting where space and power are
not limi tations, the primary objective is having the
most secure system possible.
The current deployment of iris recognition systems
ranges from government to industrial to even private
use. Other uses are automated international border
crossing, airport and aviation security, database and
computer access, hospital access, and countless other
private industrial settings. For example, in the UK, five
airports are currently using iris recognition systems for
security. In the United Arab Emirates, the largest sys-
tem is employed to prevent deportees from re-entering
the country illegally, with over ten billion iris compar-
isons performed daily. An in-depth list of deployments
is given by Daugman [2].
This chapter summarizes the key aspects of the iris
recognition systems that are deployed or available for
deployment at the present time. The objective here is
not to perform a rigorous performance analysis of
current iris recognition systems, but to survey and
report on information that is publicly available.
When specific information is not available, comments
are made on the highlights of each iris recognition
system. In par ticular, sufficient information was not
always available to report system performance. Addi-
tionally, knowledge of the recognition algorithm that is
employed by the iris system is not always available.
Besides commenting on the key aspects, the current
deployment of each iris system, including a represen-
tative quotation when appropriate is also highlighted.
Iris Acquisition Devices
The following list of iris acquisition devices is in alpha-
betical order. Table 1 lists the iris products while giving
brief comments about each one. To our knowledge,
this information is comprehensive; however there
may be some products that are inadvertently not listed
below.
Iris Acquisition Device
I
761
I