JP2009205203A - Iris authentication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to register a further good image of eye (or eye image) while preventing displacement of a registration image in preliminary data registration by taking the eye image. <P>SOLUTION: In registration processing of iris data to an iris recognition dictionary 49, an iris circle/pupil circle extraction part 47 successively extracts an iris circle and a pupil circle from an eye image captured by an image capture part 44 while the user performs eye positioning, and the iris circle and pupil circle are successively displayed over the capture image that is the base of extraction on a display screen 46a so that the user can easily visibly confirm whether the iris and pupil are acquired at a correct position, and the iris is correctly detected. When the user confirms this display and determines that the drawn iris circle and pupil circle are matched to the actual iris and pupil in the eye image, the user presses down a registration start key at an input part 41 to perform the registration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is an iris authentication apparatus that authenticates an individual using an iris of an eye, which is a biological feature of an individual such as a person or an animal, and in particular, a user captures an eye image and registers data in advance. At this time, the present invention relates to a technique that can prevent registration of a registered image and register a better eye image (that is, an eye image).

  Conventionally, a fixed iris authentication device using an image of an iris portion of a human eye is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1 and the like, and a portable iris authentication device is disclosed in the following Patent Documents 2 to 4 and the like. .

Japanese Patent No. 3307936 JP 2005-292542 A JP 2005-327161 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-15588

  As described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 and the like, the conventional iris authentication device acquires an eye image in a user's living body with a camera, cuts out an iris portion from the acquired eye image, and generates iris data. Is extracted, and when the user's iris data registered in advance is matched, the user is authenticated as the user.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic configuration diagrams showing a conventional portable iris authentication device described in Patent Documents 2 to 4 and the like, and FIG. 9A is an external view of the portable iris authentication device. The figure and the figure (b) are the block diagrams of the iris authentication apparatus main body in the figure (a).

  The portable iris authentication device 10 is a device mounted on a mobile phone that is a mobile terminal device, and includes a housing unit 11. An iris authentication device body 20 is provided inside the housing unit 11. . A camera 22 a of the photographing unit 22, an illumination light source 23 a of the illumination unit 23, a display screen 25 a of the display unit 25, and the like are provided on the rear surface outside the housing unit 11. The illumination light source 23a shoots the eyes with the camera 22a and irradiates the eyes with light when acquiring an image of the eyes. Operate to shoot the eyes.

  The iris authentication apparatus main body 20 in the housing unit 11 includes an input unit 21 having a registration start key and the like, an imaging unit 22 having a camera 22a, an illumination unit 23 having an illumination light source 23a, and an eye image acquired by the imaging unit 22. The image capturing unit 24 captures (captures) a display unit 25 having a display screen 25a, an iris recognition unit 26, an iris recognition dictionary 27, and the like.

In the portable iris authentication apparatus 10, the authentication process is performed as follows.
The photographing unit 22 operates the lens, shutter, and the like of the camera 22a to photograph the eyes of the user who is a subject located in front of the camera 22a. The illumination unit 23 illuminates the user's face by causing the illumination light source 23a to emit light in synchronization with the timing at which the imaging unit 22 captures the eyes.

  The eye image captured by the imaging unit 22 is captured by the image capture unit 24, and the image data is displayed on the display screen 25 a of the display unit 25 and is also sent to the iris recognition unit 26. The iris recognition unit 26 extracts the iris data from the eye image captured by the image capture unit 24 and compares it with the iris data stored and registered in advance in the iris recognition dictionary 26 to determine whether the user is the user. recognize.

  In the conventional iris authentication apparatus 10, in the above authentication process, the user himself / herself takes a photograph of the eye and authenticates it. However, when registering iris data, it is common for a skilled operator to perform registration using the iris authentication device 10 or a dedicated terminal device from the viewpoint of management of registration data and the necessity of determining whether the captured image is good or bad. Therefore, the user himself did not perform the registration work.

  However, in the future, for example, with the diversification of usage methods of mobile terminal devices and the like, the user himself will acquire eye images and register iris data using the iris authentication device 10 mounted on the mobile terminal device. It is envisaged to do. In this case, it is considered that the following two problems (1) and (2) occur in the registration work.

(1) Guidance to an appropriate shooting position Conventionally, when a skilled operator registers an iris, it is possible to determine whether the shooting position is appropriate only by looking at the shot eye image. The person cannot judge that by looking at the eye image. For this reason, an iris photographed at a photographing position unsuitable for registration may be registered.

(2) Eye condition at the time of shooting It is desirable that the iris image to be registered is widened as much as possible and most of the iris is reflected in the eye image. Actual captured images may be different. For example, when the registration start key is pressed, the iris data of the actually captured image is registered with a time delay later than this, so there is no blink of eyes between the registration start key press and registration. When this is done, the registration start key press timing differs from the actual captured image. For this reason, there may be a case where an image or the like whose eyes are not opened differently from the image confirmed on the display screen 25a is registered.

  For the reasons described above, if an eye image that is not suitable for registration is registered, erroneous recognition and inability to recognize frequently occur during recognition.

  An iris authentication apparatus according to the present invention includes an illuminating unit that irradiates light to an individual's eyes, an imaging unit that acquires an image of the eye by capturing the eye irradiated with the light, and a plurality of images acquired by the imaging unit. Extraction means for sequentially extracting iris circles and pupil circles from the eye images, and the sequentially extracted iris circles and pupil circles are respectively displayed on a display screen so as to be superimposed on the acquired plurality of eye images. It has a display means, an input means capable of inputting that the individual has confirmed the contents of the display screen, a registration means for registering data, and a recognition means.

  When the input is made, the recognizing means extracts iris data from the eye image obtained by the photographing means, registers the extracted iris data in the registration means, and the new eye obtained by the photographing means at the time of authentication. New iris data is extracted from the image, and the extracted new iris data is compared with the iris data registered in the registration means to recognize the new eye image.

  Another iris authentication apparatus according to the present invention is obtained by an illuminating unit that irradiates light to an individual's eyes, an imaging unit that captures the light-irradiated eye and acquires the eye image, and the imaging unit. In addition, a capture unit that captures and stores a plurality of images of the eyes positioned by the individual, an extraction unit that sequentially extracts iris circles and pupil circles from the stored plurality of eye images, and the sequentially extracted Display means for displaying an iris circle and a pupil circle on the display screen so as to overlap each of the stored images of the eyes, and an input means capable of inputting that the individual has confirmed the contents of the display screen; A registration means for registering data; a selection means for reading out the stored plurality of eye images and selecting an eye image to be registered when the input is made; and a recognition means. .

  The recognition means extracts iris data from the selected eye image and registers it in the registration means, and extracts new iris data from the new eye image acquired by the photographing means at the time of authentication, The extracted new iris data and the iris data registered in the registration means are collated to recognize the new eye image.

  According to the iris authentication device of the present invention, when the iris is registered, the position of the iris circle / pupil circle displayed on the display screen is always displayed superimposed on the actual eye image. It is possible to intuitively grasp whether the iris is correctly detected. Therefore, an eye image can be registered from an ideal shooting position. As a result, by registering the eye image at the correct position, the iris data is correctly acquired from the eye image, and the accuracy of the matching process is improved.

  According to another iris authentication apparatus of the present invention, when a user performs an input for starting registration on the assumption that the iris has been acquired correctly, an input timing for starting the registration and an actual captured image are obtained. Even when the images are different, the optimal image is selected from the stored eye images and registered, so that iris data is correctly acquired, and erroneous recognition and recognition failure can be reduced.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are only for explanation and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

(Configuration of Example 1)
FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic configuration diagrams of a portable iris authentication device showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is an external view of the portable iris authentication device, and FIG. FIG. 2B is a configuration diagram of the iris authentication apparatus main body in FIG.

  The portable iris authentication device 30 of the first embodiment is mainly for solving the conventional problem (1), and as shown in FIG. 1A, a portable terminal device (for example, a mobile phone). Is a device that authenticates the human iris and has a casing 31. An iris authentication device main body 40 as shown in FIG. 1B is provided inside the housing unit 31. On the front side (that is, the front side) of the casing 31, a camera 42a including a lens, a shutter, and the like, an illumination light source 43a that generates light, a display screen 46a such as a liquid crystal, and a shooting start key (not shown) And an input unit 41 and so on.

  The iris authentication apparatus main body 40 provided in the housing unit 31 includes an imaging unit (for example, an imaging unit) 42 connected to an input unit 41, and the imaging unit 42 includes an illumination unit (for example, an illumination unit). 43 and a capture means (for example, an image capture unit) 44 are connected. The imaging unit 52 includes a camera 42a, and has a function of acquiring an eye image by operating the lens, shutter, and the like of the camera 42a to capture an eye that is a subject located in front of the camera 42a. Yes. The illuminating unit 43 includes an illumination light source 43a, and has a function of causing the light source 43a to emit light and irradiating light to the eye in synchronization with the timing of photographing the eye by the photographing unit 42. The image capture unit 44 includes a storage unit such as a memory, and captures an image of the eye acquired by the imaging unit 42. This includes a display unit (for example, a display unit) via the display control unit 45. 46 is connected, and extraction means (for example, an iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit) 47 is connected.

  The display unit 46 has a display screen 46a and displays an eye image or the like on the display screen 46a. The iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47 has a function of sequentially extracting the iris circle / pupil circle from the eye image captured by the image capture unit 44. A display control unit 45 is connected to the display unit 46 and the iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47. The display control unit 45 has a function of controlling the display unit 46 in order to display the extraction result of the iris circle / pupil circle by the iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47 on the display screen 46a.

  The image capturing unit 44 is connected to a recognition unit (for example, an iris recognition unit) 48, and further, a registration unit (for example, an iris recognition dictionary) 49 is connected to the iris recognition unit 48. The iris recognition unit 48 extracts iris data from the eye image captured by the image capture unit 44 and registers it in the iris recognition dictionary 49, and extracts iris data from the eye image captured by the image capture unit 44 during authentication. The extracted iris data and the iris data registered in the iris recognition dictionary 49 are collated to recognize whether or not the user is the user.

  Each component necessary for such an iris authentication function is configured by software incorporated in the iris authentication device body 40 or an individual circuit.

(Operation of Example 1)
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a use state in the portable iris authentication device 30 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2A shows that the user 50 registers and authenticates the iris 51 a of the eye 51. At this time, a side view showing a method of positioning the eye 51 within the photographing range of the portable iris authentication device 30 and FIG. 5B are enlarged plan views of a part of FIG. In FIG. 2, symbol D is the distance between the eye 51 located near the focal length of the lens of the camera 42a and the lens, and symbol M is the movement angle of the eye 51 with respect to the optical axis of the camera 42a. The eye 51 has a pupil 51b at the center of an iris 51a which is a black eye.

  3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of screen display on the display screen 46a of FIG. The display screen 46a is provided with a display area 46b where an eye image can be displayed. The iris circle I and the pupil circle P extracted from the iris 51a and the pupil 51b by the iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47 are displayed in the display area 46b. Is drawn.

  When using the portable iris authentication device 30 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the user 50 holds the casing 31 with a hand 52 and performs the registration process of the iris 51a in order to perform the registration process of the iris 51a. The camera 42a is brought close to one eye 51 of its own, and a shooting start key (not shown) provided in the input unit 41 is pressed to start shooting. Then, from the start of the positioning operation of the eye 51 with respect to the camera 42 a, the light source 43 a of the illumination unit 43 emits light and irradiates the vicinity of the eye 51, and the camera 42 a of the photographing unit 42 is activated and near the eye 51. Is captured and an image is acquired, and the image capture unit 44 starts capturing the image. Further, the images being aligned are sequentially displayed on the display screen 46 a of the display unit 46 under the control of the display control unit 45.

  The iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47 determines whether the iris circle I and the pupil circle P, which are circular portions of the iris 51a and the pupil 51b, exist in the captured image captured by the image capture unit 44. Whether or not is detected by extraction processing. As a method for detecting the circular shapes of the iris 51a and the pupil 51b, for example, a general algorithm in the image processing field such as edge detection and Hough transform may be used.

  If the iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47 determines that the iris circle I / pupil circle P exists in the captured image (= the image displayed on the display screen 46a), its center coordinates and diameter ( (Radius or diameter) data is sent to the display controller 45. In response to this, the display control unit 45 displays the iris circle I / pupil circle P in the display area 46b so as to overlap the captured image of the eye 51, as shown in the display screen 46a of FIG.

  FIG. 3A shows a state in which the detected iris circle I and pupil circle P completely coincide with the positions of the iris 51a and pupil 51b of the actual eye image. The eye image at such a display is suitable for registration. The display of the iris circle I and the pupil circle P is preferably drawn with a line having a color tone that is clearly distinguished from the eye image. In addition, it is best to display both the iris circle I and the pupil circle P, but there is no problem even if only one of them is displayed.

  On the other hand, depending on the position of the eye 51 in the image (that is, the movement angle M of the eye 51 with respect to the optical axis of the camera 42a), the detection of the iris circle I and the pupil circle P is not performed correctly, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the positions of the iris circle I and the pupil circle P may not coincide with the eye 51 and the iris 51a / pupil 51b in the image. In the first embodiment, the iris circle I and the pupil circle P are positively displayed on the display screen 46a even in such a case. As a result, the user 50 can intuitively grasp that the iris 51a is not correctly detected.

  When the user 50 looks at the display of FIG. 3B, the iris 51a / pupil 51b in the actual eye image does not match the display of the detected iris circle I and pupil circle P. Therefore, it is determined that the iris 51a is not correctly detected, and the direction of the movement angle M of the eye 51 is changed until these displays match as shown in FIG. Meanwhile, the positioning operation is continued.

  When the user 50 confirms that the display on the display screen 46a is as shown in FIG. 3A, the user 50 determines that the eye 51 has been correctly positioned, and the registration start key (not shown) of the input unit 41 is determined. Press. As a result, the captured image data of the eye 51 when the key of the user 50 is pressed is sent from the image capture unit 44 to the iris recognition unit 48. When the iris recognition unit 48 calculates iris data from the eye image and stores the iris data in the iris recognition dictionary 49, registration is completed.

  As described above, in the registration process of the first embodiment, the iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47 uses the eye image captured by the image capture unit 44 while the user 50 is aligning the eye 51. The iris circle I and the pupil circle P are sequentially extracted, and the iris circle I and the pupil circle P are sequentially displayed on the display screen 46a so as to be superimposed on the captured image that is the basis of the extraction. It is easy to visually recognize whether the iris 51a is correctly detected. When the user 50 confirms the display and determines that the drawn iris circle I and pupil circle P match the iris 51a and pupil 51b of the actual eye image, the registration start key is pressed to register. I do.

  On the other hand, when the user 50 authenticates the eye 21 using the portable iris authentication device 30, the camera 42a of the photographing unit 42 is brought close to one eye 51 of the user and the position of the eye 51 with respect to the camera 42a is determined. Do. When the user 50 presses an authentication start key (not shown) of the input unit 41, the eye 51 is irradiated by the light source 43a, and the eye 51 is photographed by the camera 42a. The captured eye image is captured by the image capture unit 44 and sent to the iris recognition unit 48. The iris recognition unit 48 extracts the iris data from the captured image and registers the iris data in the iris recognition dictionary 49. And whether or not the user 50 is the user is recognized.

(Effect of Example 1)
According to the first embodiment, when the iris 51a is registered, the positions of the iris circle I and the pupil circle P displayed on the display screen 46a are always superimposed on the actual eye image. It is possible to intuitively grasp whether the iris 51a is correctly detected. Therefore, an eye image can be registered from an ideal shooting position. As a result, by registering the eye image at the correct position, the iris data is correctly acquired from the eye image, and the accuracy of the matching process is improved.

  Note that the technique of the first embodiment is more effective when it is a high-performance portable terminal device and the time from the registration start key pressing to the image capture is very short.

(Configuration of Example 2)
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the iris authentication apparatus main body in the portable iris authentication apparatus showing the second embodiment of the present invention, and is common to the elements common to the elements in FIG. 1B showing the first embodiment. The code | symbol is attached | subjected.

  The iris authentication apparatus main body 40A in the portable iris authentication apparatus of the second embodiment is for solving the problem (2) in addition to the conventional problem (1), and the iris authentication apparatus main body of the first embodiment. In place of the image capture unit 44 and the iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47 in FIG. 40, an image capture unit 44A and an iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47A having different functions are provided, and new selection means (for example, An image selection unit) 61 is added.

  The image capture unit 44A includes a storage unit 44a such as a memory, and captures and stores in the storage unit 44a a plurality of images of the eye 51 positioned by the user 50, acquired by the imaging unit 42. A display control unit 45, an iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47A, and an image selection unit 61 are connected to the display control unit 45. The iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47A has a function of sequentially extracting the iris circle I and the pupil circle P from the plurality of eye images stored in the storage unit 44a. The image selection unit 61 reads a plurality of eye images from the storage unit 44a retroactively by a predetermined time from the time when a registration start key (not shown) of the input unit 41 is pressed, and is suitable for registration (that is, an eye image suitable for registration). A function of selecting an eye image to be registered).

  In the second embodiment, an image stored in the storage unit 44a of the image capture unit 44A is traced back a predetermined time from the time when the user 50 presses the registration start key by the image selection unit 61. The eye image to be registered is selected from the captured images that have been searched and stored. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. In addition, each configuration necessary for the iris authentication function is configured by software incorporated in the iris authentication apparatus main body 40A or an individual circuit, as in the first embodiment.

(Operation of Example 2)
5 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the iris authentication apparatus main body 40 of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 shows general fluctuations in the movement amount of the iris center coordinates and the movement amount of the iris diameter. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the general variation of the size of the iris diameter, the iris expression rate, and the degree of focus, and FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of the iris expression rate.

  When using the portable iris authentication apparatus 30 according to the second embodiment, the user 50 brings the camera 42a of the photographing unit 42 close to the one eye 51 of the photographing unit 42 in the input unit 41 in substantially the same manner as the first embodiment. A shooting start key (not shown) is pressed to start shooting. Then, the vicinity of the eye 51 is photographed by the camera 42a of the photographing unit 42, and an image is acquired. The image capturing unit 44A starts capturing the image and stores it in the storage unit 44a. The images being aligned are sequentially displayed on the screen 46a. The iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47A determines whether the iris circle I and the pupil circle P of the iris 51a and the pupil 51b exist in the captured image stored in the storage unit 44a of the image capture unit 44. Is detected by the extraction process.

  As in the first embodiment, when the iris circle / pupil circle extraction unit 47A determines that the iris circle I / pupil circle P exists in the captured image (= the image displayed on the display screen 46a), the center coordinates thereof , And diameter (radius or diameter) data is sent to the display control unit 45. In response to this, the display control unit 45 displays the iris circle I / pupil circle P in the display area 46b so as to overlap the captured image of the eye 51, as shown in the display screen 46a of FIG. When the user 50 confirms that the display on the display screen 46a is as shown in FIG. 3A, the user 50 determines that the eye 51 has been correctly positioned, and the registration start key (not shown) of the input unit 41 is determined. Press.

  As described above, the process until the user 50 confirms the display of FIG. 3A and presses a registration start key (not shown) of the input unit 41 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, captured images for a certain period of time are always stored in the storage unit 44a of the image capture unit 44A. Specifically, the storage unit 44a stores, for example, about 10 image frames and the center coordinates of the iris circle I and the pupil circle P for about 1 second. In the following description, it is assumed that ten images are stored in the storage unit 44a of the image capture unit 44A. However, it is not always necessary to have ten images, and any number is possible.

  For about 10 image frames stored in the image capture unit 44A, the image selection unit 61 determines that each image frame has the center coordinates and diameters of the iris circle I and the pupil circle P relative to the previous image frame ( The amount of change (difference), the degree of focus, and the iris expression rate of how much the radius or diameter) has changed are obtained.

Here, the center coordinates of the iris circle I and the pupil circle P change in FIG. 2 when the eye 51 of the user 50 moves with respect to the optical axis of the camera 42a. The diameter (radius or diameter) of the iris circle I and the pupil circle P is such that when the eye 51 of the user 50 moves away from the camera 42a and the distance D increases, the diameter decreases and the eye 51 approaches the camera 42a and the distance D increases. When becomes smaller, the diameter becomes larger. The larger the diameter of the iris circle I and the pupil circle P, the higher the iris authentication accuracy. The in-focus degree is a ratio at which the focal length of the lens of the camera 42a matches the distance D. The higher the in-focus degree, the clearer the image taken by the camera 42a and the higher the iris authentication accuracy. In FIG. 7, the iris expression rate is S <b> 1 where the area of the entire part of the iris 51 a (that is, the total area when the iris 51 a has no part hidden by the 瞼 53) is hidden by the 瞼 53. When the area of the iris portion (shaded portion in FIG. 7) is S2, the ratio is represented by the following formula (1). The larger this iris expression rate, the higher the iris authentication accuracy.
Iris expression rate = (S1-S2) / S1 x 100 (%) (1)
However, S1; area of all irises 51a, S2; area of iris part hidden by ridge 54

  FIG. 5 shows a general transition of the variation amount of the center coordinate or the variation amount of the diameter of the iris circle I or the pupil circle P detected from each image frame stored in the image capture unit 44A. FIG. 5 shows that, as a result of the user 50 viewing the iris circle / pupil circle extraction result, it is confirmed that the iris circle I / pupil circle P has been extracted to the correct position by the apparatus. Since the iris 51a is stopped together, it indicates that the amount of variation gradually decreases.

  FIG. 6 shows general transitions of the diameter (radius or diameter) of the iris circle I and pupil circle P detected from each image frame stored in the image capture unit 44A, the degree of focus, and the magnitude of the iris expression rate. It is shown. The diameter (radius or diameter), focus degree, and iris expression rate of the iris circle I / pupil circle P tend to gradually increase since the eye 51 is opened wide before registration.

  In the image selection unit 61, 10 images are obtained based on the center coordinates of the iris circle I, the moving amount of the diameter, the size of the diameter of the iris 51a, the degree of focus, and the iris expression rate obtained from each of the images. An image suitable for registration is automatically extracted from the inside based on the evaluation value.

  As for the movement amount of the center coordinates and the diameter of the iris circle I, as shown in FIG. 5, since the position of the eye image is stationary before registration, the movement amount and the change amount tend to be gradually reduced. The evaluation value is increased for the image taken. As shown in FIG. 6, the diameter of the iris 52a has a large value because the diameter of the iris 52a tends to gradually increase since the eyes are opened close to each other before registration. Increase the evaluation value for the image. As for the iris expression rate, as shown in FIG. 6, the iris expression rate tends to gradually increase before registration, so the iris expression rate tends to increase gradually. To increase the evaluation value.

  FIG. 7 shows the concept of the iris expression rate. Using the image of the iris portion of the target image frame, for example, the iris expression rate is obtained from the equation (1).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the degree of focus tends to gradually increase before the registration, as shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, the degree of focus tends to gradually increase. Increase the evaluation value. As a method for obtaining the degree of focus, for example, a generally known edge detection method or the like obtained by quantifying the edge strength of an image may be applied.

  In this way, the evaluation value obtained from each feature amount is comprehensively determined, and a final registered image is selected. As a comprehensive judgment method, the evaluation values may be summed up using one or more of each feature amount, or the final evaluation value may be obtained using an evaluation function with appropriate weighting according to each feature amount. May be calculated and determined based thereon.

  The image selection unit 61 determines a registered image by the above-described method. As a result of the determination, a plurality of images may be suitable. In this case, as long as it is determined to be suitable for registration, not only one but also a plurality of sheets may be extracted and registered. The image selection unit 61 sends image data suitable for registration from the image capture unit 44A to the iris recognition unit 48. The iris recognition unit 48 calculates iris data from the eye image, stores this iris data in the iris recognition dictionary 49, and completes registration.

  In the second embodiment, only the image before the registration start key is pressed has been described. However, the image after the registration start key is pressed may be used together.

(Effect of Example 2)
According to the second embodiment, when the user 50 thinks that the iris 51a has been acquired correctly and presses the registration start key, the timing of pressing the registration start and the actual captured image are different in advance. Since an optimal image is selected and registered from the stored eye images, iris data is correctly acquired, and erroneous recognition and recognition inability can be reduced. Note that when the images after pressing the registration start key are used together, iris data can be acquired more correctly, and erroneous recognition and recognition failure can be further reduced.

(Configuration of Example 3)
In the third embodiment, the iris authentication apparatus main body 40A of FIG. 4 showing the second embodiment is configured to select an optimum image semi-automatically when the registration start key is pressed.

(Operation of Example 3)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of selecting a registered image according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 8, from the 10 captured images, the movement amount of the iris center coordinates, the change amount of the iris diameter, the size of the iris diameter, the iris expression rate, and the degree of focus are the same as in the second embodiment. By the method of automatically evaluating the feature amount, the image selection unit 61 automatically narrows down the images suitable for registration to several images by automatic selection, and displays the selected several images under the control of the display control unit 45. The state displayed on the display areas 46b-1 to 46b-4 of the screen 46a is shown. Viewing this display screen 46a, the user 50 selects an eye image to be registered. The number of images to be selected at this time is not necessarily one, and a plurality of images can be selected.

  When the user 50 selects the image and then presses the registration start key again, the image data of the selected eyes 51 is sent from the image capture unit 44A to the iris recognition unit 48. The iris authentication unit 48 calculates iris data from the received eye image, stores the iris data in the iris recognition dictionary 49, and ends registration.

  In the above description, four images are automatically selected from ten images, and the user 50 is allowed to select a registered image from the four images. However, the number of base captured images is set by increasing or decreasing appropriately. Alternatively, the number of sheets to be automatically selected is not limited to four and may be set as appropriate. In addition, various existing techniques can be applied to the interface such as icons on the display screen 46a for the user 50 to select a registered image.

(Effect of Example 3)
According to the third embodiment, the user selects a predetermined number of images semi-automatically, and the user 50 makes a final selection for an eye image with a high possibility of registration. Therefore, even if the apparatus is selected by mistake, an optimal image can be selected from the viewpoint of both the apparatus and the user 50, so that a higher quality image can be registered reliably.

(Configuration of Example 4)
In the fourth embodiment, the iris authentication apparatus main body 40A of FIG. 4 showing the second embodiment is configured to manually select the optimum image when the registration start key is pressed. That is, in the manner shown in FIG. 8 showing the third embodiment, all 10 images captured by the image capture unit 44A are displayed on the display screen 46a under the control of the display control unit 45, and the user 50 manually selects the images. In this configuration, an image to be used for final registration is selected.

(Operation of Example 4)
The user 50 aligns the eye 51 with the camera 42a of the photographing unit 42, confirms the display content of the display screen 46a, and presses the registration start key. From the time when the registration start key is pressed, the stored image stored in the storage means 44a of the image capture unit 44A is traced back, and all these images are displayed on the display screen 46a under the control of the display control unit 45. Viewing this screen, the user 50 selects an eye image to be registered. The image to be selected at this time is not necessarily one. A plurality of images may be selected, or all images may be registered.

  When the user 50 selects the image and then presses the registration start key again, the image data of the selected eye 51 is sent from the image capture unit 44A to the iris recognition unit 48. The iris authentication unit 48 calculates iris data from the received eye image, stores the iris data in the iris recognition dictionary 49, and ends registration.

(Effect of Example 4)
According to the fourth embodiment, since the user 50 can confirm all the captured images in the image selection range by himself / herself, the user 50 who is relatively accustomed to the confirmation operation of the eye image can view the captured eye image more. An easy-to-use device can be provided when it is desired to check in detail. As a result, a higher quality image can be reliably registered.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various usage forms and modifications are possible.
In the embodiment, the example in which the iris authentication apparatus main bodies 40 and 40A are mounted on the mobile phone has been described. However, the iris authentication apparatus main bodies 40 and 40A are mounted on other portable terminal devices such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or the iris authentication apparatus main bodies 40 and 40A. These functions may be a fixed type device structure mounted on a personal computer or the like. In addition, the iris authentication device main bodies 40 and 40A may add other functional blocks other than those shown in the drawing in order to improve accuracy and expand applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic block diagram of the portable iris authentication apparatus which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition in the portable iris authentication apparatus 30 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen display in the display screen 46a of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the iris authentication apparatus main body in the portable iris authentication apparatus which shows Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the general fluctuation | variation of the movement amount of the iris center coordinate of FIG. 4, and the movement amount of the diameter of an iris. It is a figure which shows the general fluctuation | variation of the magnitude | size of the diameter of an iris of FIG. 4, an iris expression rate, and a focus degree. It is a conceptual diagram of the iris expression rate of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of selection of the registration image in Example 3 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the conventional portable iris authentication apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Iris authentication apparatus 40, 40A Iris authentication apparatus main body 41 Input part 42 Image | photographing part 42a Camera 43 Illumination part 43a Light source 44, 44A Image capture part 44a Storage means 45 Display control part 46 Display part 46a Display screen 47, 47A Iris circle and pupil Circle extraction unit 48 Iris recognition unit 49 Iris recognition dictionary 61 Image selection unit

Claims (11)

Lighting means for irradiating light to the eyes of the individual;
Photographing means for photographing the eye irradiated with the light and obtaining an image of the eye;
Extraction means for sequentially extracting iris circles and pupil circles from a plurality of images of the eyes acquired by the photographing means;
Display means for displaying the sequentially extracted iris circle and pupil circle on the display screen respectively superimposed on the acquired plurality of eye images,
An input means capable of inputting that the individual has confirmed the content of the display screen;
A registration means for registering data;
When the input is performed, iris data is extracted from the eye image acquired by the imaging unit and registered in the registration unit, and a new image is acquired from the new eye image acquired by the imaging unit during authentication. Recognizing means for extracting iris data and recognizing the new eye image by comparing the extracted new iris data with the iris data registered in the registration means;
An iris authentication apparatus characterized by comprising: Lighting means for irradiating light to the eyes of the individual;
Photographing means for photographing the eye irradiated with the light and obtaining an image of the eye;
Capture means for capturing and storing a plurality of images of the eyes, which are obtained by the photographing means and positioned by the individual;
Extraction means for sequentially extracting iris circles and pupil circles from the stored plurality of eye images;
Display means for displaying the sequentially extracted iris circle and pupil circle on the display screen, respectively superimposed on the stored images of the eyes;
An input means capable of inputting that the individual has confirmed the content of the display screen;
A registration means for registering data;
When the input is performed, a selection unit that reads the stored plurality of eye images and selects an eye image to be registered;
Extracting iris data from the selected eye image and registering it in the registration means, extracting new iris data from the new eye image acquired by the photographing means at the time of authentication, and extracting the new Recognizing means for recognizing the new eye image by comparing the iris data with the iris data registered in the registration means;
An iris authentication apparatus characterized by comprising:   The selection means reads the stored plurality of eye images from the capture means at a predetermined time before and after the input, and selects the eye images to be registered. Item 3. The iris authentication device according to Item 2.   The selection unit reads out the stored images of the plurality of eyes from the capture unit at a predetermined time before and after the input, displays the images on the display screen, and sets the registration target for the individual. The iris authentication apparatus according to claim 2, which prompts selection of an image of the eye.   The selecting means reads the stored plurality of eye images from the capture means at a predetermined time before and after the input to be registered, and selects the eye images to be registered. The iris authentication device according to claim 2.   The selection means reads the stored images of the plurality of eyes from the capture means at a predetermined time before and after the input to be registered, displays them on the display screen, and makes the registration to the individual. The iris authentication apparatus according to claim 2, which prompts the user to select an eye image.   7. The iris authentication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the eye image is selected based on a movement amount of iris center coordinates in each of the stored images of the plurality of eyes.   7. The iris authentication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the eye image is selected based on a change amount of an iris diameter in each of the stored images of the plurality of eyes.   7. The iris authentication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selection of the eye image is performed based on a size of an iris diameter in each of the stored images of the plurality of eyes.   The iris authentication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the eye image is selected based on an iris expression rate in each of the stored plurality of eye images.   7. The iris authentication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the eye image is selected based on a degree of focus in each of the stored images of the plurality of eyes.

Images