Scientists at the Faculty of Information Technology and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication have developed equipment which combines scanning the retina and the iris of the human eye. This unique device can be applied in two different markets which may develop independently – the market for biometrical identification systems and the market for medical devices to examine the eye, in particular the retina, using optical methods.

The main principle of the device is based on an appropriate combination of light of various wavelengths which illuminates the retina and iris within optical and opto-mechanical components and a camera system.

Figure No. 1: Ocular retina captured by the camera system.

Figure No. 2: Ocular iris captured by the camera system

Use in biometry

• small compact solution
• highly reliable results
• very high resistance against misuse
• user non-invasive
• appropriate for wide databases/groups of users

In the area of security and controlling access to buildings, computerized systems etc., there is a trend today towards using biometric characteristics instead of identification using passwords or identifying items. Biometric characteristics such as fingerprints, iris pattern or voice characteristics are unique, non-transferrable and hard to reproduce. A device for scanning the iris and retina can be used to recognize a person’s identity in security applications. The human iris ensures a high rate of biometric entropy, and in addition the retina ensures a low risk of misuse. Scanning both eye characteristics in combination thus results in a unique device which will ensure the maximum possible biometric security. If necessary, this system can be equipped with an option for detecting eye life, which enhances security. When the iridal and retinal images are received at the respective resolution, the (pre)processing and extraction of biometric signs starts. Images for biometric purposes can be of lower quality (i.e. camera resolution need not be high), since proximate information will suffice for biometric identification. After obtaining the biometric data, verification of the identification of the scanned person follows (comparing with the saved pattern or patterns). If recognition is successful, the user is granted access; otherwise, access is denied. The whole system includes the device, firmware and biometric software for recognizing a person based on his/her iris and retina.

Use in medicine

• multiple functions in one device
• faster and more reliable diagnosis
• monitoring the progress of a disease
• intuitive use

A device equipped for high-resolution scanning of both characteristics of the human eye can be used in medicine. Such a device is a separate instrument which can be placed on a desk. Using the device, an ophthalmologist can take images of the iris and retina using just one instrument (in addition, other functions can be integrated into the device, such as measuring intraocular pressure). The device has software developed using a system which assists doctors in determining a diagnosis and recognizing an eye disorder. One undoubted advantage of such system is that the expert system can “learn” to recognize a new disease based on acquired data and data entered by the medical practitioner. The acquired data is saved into a database so that it is possible to monitor in each patient whether any changes occur, both positive and negative.

The method and device are protected by the IPO CZ as a utility model: “Ophthalmological Diagnostic Device”; a Czech patent application and an International PCT application have been filed.

Source of photo: Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication Technologies