Iris Recognition

In an eye image, the iris is bounded by the pupil opening on its interior and the white sclera on its exterior. The visible iris pattern is largely determined by a meshwork of muscle ligaments. The iris pattern is a promising biometric characteristic because it is thought to be unique to each eye, with a high degree of discrimination ability [1]. In fact the left and right irises from the same person are distinct, and as a result the biometric association is specific to each eye, not just each person. One important feature of the iris is that unlike face or voice biometrics, the iris pattern remains highly consistent over an individual’s lifetime, formed during gestation and permanently settled by early childhood [2]. These properties make the iris a good candidate for reliable recognition, especially when dealing with cooperative individuals.