British Telecommunications Public Limited Company

British Telecommunications Corporation

David John McCartney

Christopher Henry Seal

Maurice Merrick Gifford

David B Payne

Giles R Chamberlin

Security check method and apparatus reduces problems that can arise if the user security data set becomes known by unauthorized persons. To address this problem only part of the user data set is recorded in insecure sections of the system. For example, a security check preventing unauthorized remote access to a shared computer is provided by capturing a user data set representing a user's iris, operating the user's personal computer to select only a portion of the captured data set requested by the shared computer and transmitting the portion along a telecommunications line. The shared computer derives partial data sets from stored user data sets using a similar selection to that used by personal computer and compares the partial data set it has derived with the partial data set transmitted by the personal computer in deciding whether to grant access. Point-of-sale devices and cards recording only partial user data sets are also disclosed.

Security check provision

Security check method and apparatus reduces problmes that can arise if the user security data set becomes known by unauthorized persons. To address this problem only part of the user data set is recorded in insecure sections of the system. For example, a security check preventing unauthorized remote access to a shared computer is provided by capturing a user data set representing a user's iris, operating the user's personal computer to select only a portion of the captured data set requested by the shared computer and transmitting the portion along a telecommunications line. The shared computer derives partial data sets from stored user data sets using a similar selection to that used by personal computer and compares the partial data set it has derived with the partial data set transmitted by the personal computer in deciding whether to grant access. Point-of-sale devices and cards recording only partial user data sets are also disclosed.

An imaging apparatus suitable for capturing a image of one or more of a user's facial features is disclosed. The apparatus includes a spherical cold mirror which presents a concave surface to the user and is disposed between the user and the camera. The user is able to conclude that he is close enough to the camera for successful image capture when the reflection he sees in the mirror is the right way up. In a preferred embodiment, markings are provided on the front surface of the mirror to aid the user in placing his eye within a predetermined range of distances from the camera. The imaging apparatus is suitable for use in iris recognition apparatuses and provides a relatively inexpensive alternative to known apparatuses.

Imaging apparatus

In a method of using iris recognition to determine whether a person is authorised to pass a security check, the person is first identified by comparing a captured and digitised iris code with iris codes stored in a database of iris codes for authorised persons. Then, the iris code for an identified person is compared with all previously recorded iris codes for that person. If there is an exact match, the identified iris code is deemed irregular since the chances of obtaining an exact match are significantly low. As a result, either further identifying information is requested or access to resources or systems is denied to the person.

Security apparatus and method

A personal identification apparatus for providing information characteristic of an eye includes a housing with an entrance window through which a user looks at a target object. An image capture device within the housing operates to provide an image signed representing features of the eye and responsive to non-visible light reflected from the eye. In addition to the illumination source for the non-visible light reflected from the eye the apparatus also includes an optical element substantially transparent to the non-visible light and which has a first region less transparent to visible light from the target object than a second region. The arrangement of the apparatus is such that the image capture device views the eye through the second region of the optical element and the eye views the target object through the first region of the optical element.

Personal identification

An optical apparatus records light reflected from one or more of a user's facial features. While the image is captured, visible light from a display or other scene to be viewed by the user passes to the user's eye. A portable iris pattern capture device is used. Near-infrared light is directed towards the user's eye from where it is reflected back into the apparatus. Visible light from an LCD display mounted at the rear of the apparatus travels out to the user's eye from the apparatus. A hot mirror inside the apparatus directs the near-infrared light reflected from the user's eye to a camera unit, and does not significantly attenuate the visible light emanating from the display.

A transmission holographic element (30) comprises a holographic material (330) deposited onto a substrate (31) to form a composite substrate structure. The substrate (31) is coated with a mirror coating (32) prior to the deposit of the holographic material (33) which is reflecting at the reading wavelength and non-reflecting at the recording wavelength. This allows the use of substrates that need not be of good optical quality because when the holographic element is exposed to light at the reading wavelength, light is reflected by the mirror coating before passing through the substrate. In addition, the mirror coating is protectred from damage during processing since it is between the substrate (31) and holographic material (33).

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Ipswich, United Kingdom

David John McCartney