System and method of animal identification and animal transaction authorization using iris patterns

Abstract

A system and method of identification of an animal based on features of the iris of an eye are disclosed. An image of the animal's eye is captured using an iris acquisition device that combines a camera, an optical system, an illumination source, and a viewing screen, preferably in one small, hand-held device. A biometric template based on the features of the animal's iris is extracted from the captured iris image. The identity of the animal is determined by comparing the obtained biometric template with a previously-obtained and stored biometric template, collected under conditions which permit independent verification of identity, and stored in a database along with identification information. A system and method of animal transaction authorization is also provided wherein the identification of an animal is authenticated, the identification of a person in the animal identity and tracking chain is authenticated, and an animal transaction is authorized of based on a match between the identity of the person in the animal identity and tracking chain and the identity of the animal. Preferably, the animal and person identification is accomplished using iris recognition techniques, and the animal and person identities are keyed to one another in a database to facilitate the matching between the animal and the person.