Eye vein verification

Eye vein verification is a method of biometric authentication that applies pattern-recognition techniques to video images of the veins in a user's eyes.^[1] The complex and random patterns are unique, and modern hardware and software can detect and differentiate those patterns at some distance from the eyes.

Introduction

The veins in the sclera — the white part of the eyes — can be imaged when a person glances to either side, providing four regions of patterns: one on each side of each eye. Verification employs digital templates from these patterns, and the templates are then encoded with mathematical and statistical algorithms. These allow confirmation of the identity of the proper user and the rejection of anyone else.^[2] Advocates of eye vein verification note that one of the technology’s strengths is the stability of the pattern of eye blood vessels; the patterns do not change with age, alcohol consumption, allergies, or redness. Eye veins are clear enough that they can be reliably imaged by the cameras on most smartphones.^[3] The technology works through contacts and glasses, though not through sunglasses. At least one version of eye vein detection uses infrared illumination as part of the imaging, allowing imaging even in low-light conditions.^[4]

History

Dr. Reza Derakhshani at University of Missouri, Kansas City, developed the concept of using the veins in the whites of the eyes for identification. He holds several patents on the technology, including a 2008 patent for the concept of using the blood vessels seen in the whites of the eye as a unique identifier.

More recent research has explored using vein patterns in both the iris and the sclera for recognition.^[5]

Uses

Eye vein verification, like other methods of biometric authentication, can be used in a range of security situations, including mobile banking, government security, and in healthcare environments.^[1][6] EyeVerify, a Kansas City, Kansas, company, markets eye vein verification with a system called Eyeprint.^[7] In 2012, EyeVerify licensed the technology developed and patented by Derakhshani. And Derakhshani now serves as chief science officer of EyeVerify.

Advantages

• Eye vein patterns are unique to each person^[8]
• Patterns do not change over time, and are still readable with redness^[8]
• Works with contacts and glasses
• Resistant to false matches

Disadvantages

• Phone must be held close to face
• Not supported on devices without cameras, nor on older smartphones

See also

• Iris recognition
• Finger Vein recognition
• Fingerprint recognition
• Biometrics
• Voice recognition
• Access control

References

1. Ungerleider, Neal (22 November 2013). "Your Next Password Might Be Your Eye". Fast Company. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
2. Stacy, Michael (22 February 2012). "Kansas City startup EyeVerify sees opportunity in the whites of your eyes". Silicon Prairie News. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
3. Miller, Michael (5 March 2014). "Beyond Passwords: Log In With Your Voice, Your Eyes, or Your Face". PC Mag. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
4. Davies, Chris (24 February 2013). "EyeVerify eye-vein biometrics hands-on". PC Mag. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
5. Zhou, Zhi; Du, Eliza; Thomas, N. Luke; Delp, Edward J. (2013). "A comprehensive multimodal eye recognition". Signal, Image and Video Processing. Springer Science+Business Media New York, NY, USA. 7 (4): 619. doi:10.1007/s11760-013-0468-8.
6. Blyskal, Jeff (2013-05-23). "CR Money Minute: Better smart phone banking security?". Consumer Reports News. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
7. "EyeVerify: Mobile Authentication Through Eye Vein Biometrics". Retrieved 2014-02-21.
8. Derakhshani, R.; Ross, A. (2007). "A Texture-Based Neural Network Classifier for Biometric Identification using Ocular Surface Vasculature". International Joint Conference on Neural Networks. IJCNN, Orlando, FL, USA. doi:10.1109/IJCNN.2007.4371435. Retrieved 2014-03-22.