US6377699B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Iris imaging telephone security module and method
Assignee: Iridian Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1998-11-25
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Granted: 2002-04-23
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Expires: 2018-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A compact, handheld imaging apparatus which can be used to capture high-quality iris images for identification of a person. The handheld iris imager is non-invasive and non-contacting and comprises a camera, a cold mirror, a lens, and an illuminator. The imager has sensors and indicators which assist a user in aligning and focusing the device. The imager also automatically captures the image when proper positioning is achieved. A template of the image is then compared to a database of previously stored templates of images to identify the person. The imager is integrated into a telephone as a security module. The telephone cannot be unlocked and used unless a user has been identified and authorized by the imager.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde Musgrave
- 👤 James L. Cambier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/08; H04L63/0861; A; A01; A01K; A01K11/00; A01K11/006; G; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/70; G06V10/74; G06V10/75; G06V10/751; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/18; G06V40/19; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/667; H04M1/67
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A telephone security module comprising: iris acquisition means having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye; a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said iris acquisition means; a mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said iris acquisition means; an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror; a memory for storing an iris image obtained by said iris acquisition means; a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and a communications interface for transmitting said template to a central station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A telephone security module comprising: iris acquisition means having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye; a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said iris acquisition means; a mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said iris acquisition means; an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror; a memory for storing an iris image obtained by said iris acquisition means; a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and a communications interface for transmitting said template to a central station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The telephone security module according to claim 1 , wherein said iris acquisition means comprises a camera, and said mirror is a cold mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The telephone security module according to claim 2 , wherein said camera is sensitive to light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 1100 nm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The telephone security module according to claim 2 , wherein said mirror reflects light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 700 nm and passes light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The telephone security module according to claim 1 , wherein said illuminator emits light having a wavelength in a range between about 680 nm and about 900 nm towards the iris of the eye being imaged, the eye being out of contact with the iris imaging apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The telephone security module according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator to indicate when the image of the iris has been obtained.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The telephone security module according to claim 6 , further comprising a focus assessment processor coupled to said at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telephone security module according to claim 1 , wherein said processor unlocks a telephone responsive a signal received from said central station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
A system of identification of a person for unlocking a telephone, comprising: the telephone security module of claim 1 ; a second memory for storing at least one template of at least one image of an iris of at least one person's eye; and a second processor for comparing said template of said stored iris image with said at least one stored template of said second memory to identify the person, and for unlocking the telephone responsive to the result of said comparison.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 9 , wherein said second memory and said second processor are housed in a central station remote from the telephone security module.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 9 , wherein said second processor unlocks the telephone when said template of said stored iris image substantially matches said at least one stored template of said second memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
132 words
A telephone security module comprising: iris acquisition means having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye; a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said iris acquisition means; a mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said iris acquisition means; an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror; a first memory for storing at least one template of at least one image of an iris of at least one person's eye; a second memory for storing an iris image obtained by said iris acquisition means; a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and a comparator for comparing said template from stored iris image with said at least one template to identify the person.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
132 words
A telephone security module comprising: iris acquisition means having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye; a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said iris acquisition means; a mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said iris acquisition means; an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror; a first memory for storing at least one template of at least one image of an iris of at least one person's eye; a second memory for storing an iris image obtained by said iris acquisition means; a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and a comparator for comparing said template from stored iris image with said at least one template to identify the person.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The telephone security module according to claim 12 , wherein said iris acquisition means comprises a camera, and said mirror is a cold mirror.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The telephone security module according to claim 13 , wherein said camera is sensitive to light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 1100 nm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The telephone security module according to claim 13 , wherein said mirror reflects light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 700 nm and passes light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The telephone security module according to claim 12 , wherein said illuminator emits light having a wavelength in a range between about 680 nm and about 900 nm towards the iris of the eye being imaged, the eye being out of contact with the iris imaging apparatus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The telephone security module according to claim 12 , further comprising at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator to indicate when the image of the iris has been obtained.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The telephone security module according to claim 17 , further comprising a focus assessment processor coupled to said at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The telephone security module according to claim 12 , wherein said processor unlocks a telephone responsive to the results of said comparison.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
94 words
A telephone security module comprising: a camera having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye; a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said camera; a concave cold mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said camera; an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror; a memory for storing an iris image obtained by said camera; a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and a communications interface for transmitting said template to a central station.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
94 words
A telephone security module comprising: a camera having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye; a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said camera; a concave cold mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said camera; an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror; a memory for storing an iris image obtained by said camera; a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and a communications interface for transmitting said template to a central station.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The telephone security module according to claim 20 , wherein said camera is sensitive to light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 1100 nm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The telephone security module according to claim 20 , wherein said mirror reflects light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 700 nm and passes light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The telephone security module according to claim 20 , wherein said illuminator emits light having a wavelength in a range between about 680 nm and about 900 nm towards the iris of the eye being imaged, the eye being out of contact with the iris imaging apparatus.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The telephone security module according to claim 20 , further comprising at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator to indicate when the image of the iris has been obtained.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The telephone security module according to claim 24 , further comprising a focus assessment processor coupled to said at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telephone security module according to claim 20 , wherein said processor unlocks a telephone responsive a signal received from said central station.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
127 words
A telephone security module comprising: a camera having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye; a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said camera; a concave cold mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said camera; an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror; a first memory for storing at least one template of at least one image of an iris of at least one person's eye; a second memory for storing an iris image obtained by said camera; a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and a comparator for comparing said template from stored iris image with said at least one template to identify the person.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
127 words
A telephone security module comprising: a camera having a front surface for obtaining an image of an iris of an eye; a lens having a image plane disposed in front of said front surface of said camera; a concave cold mirror disposed on a side of said lens opposite said camera; an illuminator disposed along a side of said mirror; a first memory for storing at least one template of at least one image of an iris of at least one person's eye; a second memory for storing an iris image obtained by said camera; a processor for extracting a template from said stored iris image; and a comparator for comparing said template from stored iris image with said at least one template to identify the person.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The telephone security module according to claim 27 , wherein said camera is sensitive to light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 1100 nm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
The telephone security module according to claim 27 , wherein said mirror reflects light having a wavelength in a range between about 400 nm and about 700 nm and passes light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
The telephone security module according to claim 27 , wherein said illuminator emits light having a wavelength in a range between about 680 nm and about 900 nm towards the iris of the eye being imaged, the eye being out of contact with the iris imaging apparatus.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The telephone security module according to claim 27 , further comprising at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator to indicate when the image of the iris has been obtained.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The telephone security module according to claim 31 , further comprising a focus assessment processor coupled to said at least one of a visible indicator and an audible indicator.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The telephone security module according to claim 27 , wherein said processor unlocks a telephone responsive to the results of said comparison.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-04-22 | 2005-10-22 | 2006-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-22 | 2009-10-22 | 2010-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-22 | 2013-10-22 | 2014-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |