(b) Description of the Related Art General security methods use fingerprints, voice, and vein patterns, and recent high-tech security methods use iris information which is superior to existing security media.

As to the conventional iris-based identification algorithm, the PCT published application no. W094/9446 discloses a method for capturing an iris image, encoding a corresponding texture with an iris code, performing an XOR operation on the original data and the encoded data, finding a Hamming distance of the XOR- operated data, applying a statistical test for identification thereto, and outputting results. In this instance, the iris code is generated by filtering the iris texture through a predetermined filter which divides the height of iris data into four bands and records information on the bands with iris codes in bits.

Also, in order to obtain information of a code position from the iris, the method establishes an origin of a polar coordinate between the pupil and the iris, defines a range from 45 to 135 degrees and another range from 225 to 315 degrees, specifies regular intervals up to the boundary of the iris with a plurality of semi-rings, and accordingly identifies the user.

The above-described identification system is defined to establish a polar coordinate system on the divided iris image wherein the polar coordinate system has an origin on the boundary of the pupil and measures coordinates of the radius of the pupil by using percentages of distances between the boundary of the pupil and

the circular boundary provided between the iris and the sclera, but the identification system may erroneously detect the iris image when the iris is changed as time passes.

In detail, a typical example of the changed iris is the cholesterol ring (or a sodium ring) phenomenon. As shown in FIGs 1a and 1b, a cholesterol ring 10 is generated on the boundary of the iris to thus partially cover the boundary of the iris as a person becomes old. Therefore, when the user attempts to capture the iris image, the user fails to obtain the full iris image because of the cholesterol ring 10, and the process of capturing an iris image having the cholesterol ring 10 and comparing the same to the original iris information may increase erroneous detection rates.

The cholesterol ring 10 occurs as the person gets old or sick, and is visible not by the person and other persons but by eye-photographing or a magnifier in the hospital.

Further, another example of erroneous detection caused by using original iris information previously stored in the conventional iris-based identification system includes the case in which the pupil is changed and the case in which pigment patterns on the iris are changed, as shown in FIGs. 2 and 3. That is, the pupil is moved by muscle manipulation of the iris, which is very sensitive to the body's neural reaction. Therefore, when the person feels sick, the pupil is gradually varied, extended, or reduced to be a little distorted from the original complete form, and the iris in this case is also distorted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an identification system and method having an iris information re-storage function for comparing a captured iris image with a pre-stored iris information and re-storing the original iris information when a compared and matched rate is less than a predetermined value, and a recording medium for storing a computer program source of the method.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide an identification system and method having an iris information re-storage function for providing information on variations of an iris and pupil and elimination of pigments to the user when the user receives an original iris information re-store guide, thereby notifying

the user of generated and progressed diseases, and a recording medium for storing a computer program source of the method.

In one aspect of the present invention, an identification system having an iris information re-storage function for storing an iris image of a plurality of classes as a per-class original iris image for each user, and a pupil image as original pupil information and an iris image as original iris information, comprises: an image input unit for acquiring an iris image; a controller for dividing the iris image captured by the image input unit into concentric bands with respect to the pupil, designating a reference level to the concentric bands, storing the concentric bands, dividing a confirmation copy captured by the image input unit into concentric bands, comparing the concentric bands with pre-stored original iris information, checking whether a compared and matched rate is reduced to be less than the reference level, and re- storing the original iris information; and a message output unit for outputting an original iris information re-storage message according to control by the controller.

The controller establishes a predetermined area of the iris image captured as a confirmation copy to be an independent area, establishes an independent percentage to the independent area, and compares the same with original iris information.

The controller divides the area of the iris into areas, assigns priorities to the areas, and establishes the areas to have different percentages to re-store original iris information.

The controller detects a pupil image from an eye image captured as a confirmation copy, compares the pupil image with pre-stored original pupil information, and outputs a message for re-storing original pupil and iris information when the pupil is varied and a compared and matched rate is reduced to be less than a predefined reference level.

The message output unit includes a buzz generator.

The message output unit includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) for outputting a guide message to a screen so that the user may re-store original iris information and pupil information.

In another aspect of the present invention, an identification method having an iris information re-storage function comprises: (a) acquiring an iris image and a pupil image from a user, dividing the iris image into areas, establishing priorities to the

divided areas, and storing the images as original iris information and pupil information to thus perform a registration process; (b) receiving a confirmation copy of the iris image acquired for identification, comparing the confirmation copy of the iris image with pre-stored iris information, and identifying the user to thus perform an identification process; and (c) outputting a message for re-storing the original iris information when a compared and matched rate of the confirmation copy of the iris image and the pre-stored iris information is reduced to be less than a predefined reference level to thus perform a re-storage guide process.

The identification process comprises: establishing a predetermined area of the iris image captured as a confirmation copy to be an independent area, establishing an independent percentage to the independent area, and comparing the percentage-established independent area with original iris information.

The identification method further comprises: dividing the iris area into predetermined areas, establishing priorities to the divided areas, establishing different percentages to the divided areas, and re-storing original iris information to thus perform a re-registration process.

The re-registration process further comprises: detecting a pupil image from an eye image captured as a confirmation copy, comparing the pupil image with pre- stored original pupil information, and outputting a message for re-storing original pupil and iris information when the pupil is varied and a compared and matched rate is reduced to be less than a predefined reference level to thus perform a message output process.

The message output process comprises: outputting a guide message for re- storing original iris information and pupil information to the user as a buzz, character message, or voice message.

In still another aspect of the present invention, provided is a recording medium storing a computer program source for an identification method having an iris re-storage function wherein the identification method comprises: (a) acquiring an iris image and a pupil image from a user, dividing the iris image into areas, establishing priorities to the divided areas, and storing the images as original iris information and pupil information to thus perform a registration process; (b) receiving a confirmation copy of the iris image acquired for identification, comparing the confirmation copy of the iris image with pre-stored iris information, and

identifying the user to thus perform an identification process; and (c) outputting a message for re-storing the original iris information when a compared and matched rate of the confirmation copy of the iris image and the pre-stored iris information is reduced to be less than a predefined reference level to thus perform a re-storage guide process.

The identification process comprises: establishing a predetermined area of the iris image captured as a confirmation copy to be an independent area, establishing an independent percentage to the independent area, and comparing the percentage-established independent area with original iris information.

The identification method further comprises: dividing the iris area into predetermined areas, establishing priorities to the divided areas, establishing different percentages to the divided areas, and re-storing original iris information to thus perform a re-registration process.

The re-registration process further comprises: detecting a pupil image from an eye image captured as a confirmation copy, comparing the pupil image with pre- stored original pupil information, and outputting a message for re-storing original pupil and iris information when the pupil is varied and a compared and matched rate is reduced to be less than a predefined reference level to thus perform a message output process.

The message output process comprises: outputting a guide message for re- storing original iris information and pupil information to the user as a buzz, character message, or voice message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention: FIGs. 1a and 1b show a case for requiring re-storage of iris information because of variation of the outer iris; FlGs. 2a and 2b show a case for requiring re-storage of pupil information because of variation of the pupil ; FIGs. 3a and 3b show a case for requiring re-storage of iris information because of disappearance of pigment patterns of the iris;

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram for an identification system having an iris information re-storage function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 shows a diagram for dividing an iris image into concentric bands; FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an identification method using iris information, the method including an iris (and pupil) information re-storage process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 shows a flowchart for an iris (and pupil) information re-storage process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for dividing an iris image into bands according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following detailed description, only the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by the inventor (s) of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive. To clarify the present invention, parts which are not described in the specification are omitted, and parts for which the same descriptions are provided have the same reference numerals.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram for an identification system having an iris information re-storage function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the identification system includes an image input unit 100, a controller 110, a display 120, a function establisher 130, and a storage unit 140.

The image input unit 100 includes a camera for taking image signals from the iris, and an image capturer for capturing the image signals provided by the camera and image-processing the image signals.

The controller 110 divides the iris image captured by the image input unit 100 into concentric bands with respect to the pupil, designates a reference level to the concentric bands, stores the same, divides a confirmation copy captured by the image input unit 100 into concentric bands, compares the concentric bands to pre-

stored original iris information, checks whether a compared and matched rate is reduced to be less than respective reference levels, and restores the original iris information.

In detail, the controller 110 divides a predetermined part of the iris image captured as a confirmation copy into concentric bands, establishes the concentric bands to be independent areas, establishes an independent percentage to the independent area, and compares the independent area with the original iris information.

When re-storing the original iris information, the controller 110 divides the total iris area into areas for respective steps, and assigns priorities to the divided areas, and allocates different percentages to the divided area so that the original iris information may be re-stored.

The controller 110 detects a pupil image from an eye image captured as a confirmation copy, compares the pupil image with pre-stored original pupil information, and outputs a message so that the original pupil and iris information may be re-stored when the pupil is changed and the compared and matched rate is reduced to be less than a predefined reference level.

The message output unit 120 outputs an original iris information re-storage message according to control by the controller 110.

The message output unit 120 includes a buzz generator for outputting a buzz, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) for outputting a guide message on a screen so that the user may re-store original iris information or pupil information.

The function establisher 130 includes a function key for allowing the user to determine whether to register the input iris image as original iris information or use the same as a confirmation copy, and a plurality of various keys.

The storage unit 140 registers and stores a plurality of iris images classified as at least one class to be original iris images per class for each person depending on the radius of the pupil according to control by the controller 110.

The above-configured identification system will be described in detail with reference to drawings.

As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 110 divides an iris into concentric bands of a constant size with respect to the pupil g to generate a plurality of classes a to f, and stores generated original iris information in the storage unit 140.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for a process for comparing inputs and analyzing results to perform an identification stage, and a process for re-inputting original iris information in an identification method using iris information, the method describing a process for receiving at least one confirmation copy of the iris image, comparing the same with registered original iris images per class, analyzing comparison results, and accordingly identifying the users.

As shown in FIG. 6, the identification process includes: acquiring at least one confirmation copy of the iris image from a user who desires identification in Steps S100 and S104; searching the class to which the acquired confirmation copy of the iris image belongs and an original iris image of the corresponding class, and checking an area rate in Steps S105 and S108 ; dividing the confirmation copy of the iris image into bands, establishing blocks, and performing data conversion when the area rate is found to be greater than a predefined value according to a checked result, comparing the converted data with main data, sub data, and aux data for respective blocks of the original iris image to analyze the compared and matched rate (ql = Q; denoted as image brightness) and the band dependency (qx) for the respective data, and re-storing the original iris information when the area rate is found to be less than a predefined reference level in Steps S108 to S136; and determining whether the confirmation copy of the iris image satisfies the condition (Q>Min) of the predefined security level (Min) according to the analyzed result, and outputting an identified or unidentified status in Steps S140 to S148.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart for an iris (and pupil) information re-storage process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the controller 110 receives an iris and pupil image captured by the image input unit 100, divides the captured iris image into concentric bands, and matches band images with the original iris information stored in the storage unit 140 to determine whether the compared and matched rate is less than a predefined reference level in Step S310. When the compared and matched rate is found to be less than the predefined reference level, the controller 110 instructs to re-store the original iris information through the display 120 in Step S320. For example, the controller 110 generates a buzz or outputs a guide message so that the user may re-store the original iris information.

When the user instructs re-storage of original iris information through the function establisher 130, the controller 110 switches the total system to a re-storage manual mode, captures the user's iris (and pupil) through the image input unit 100 to generate original iris (and pupil) information, deletes the original iris (and pupil) information stored in the storage unit 140, and stores the new original iris (and pupil) information therein. That is, the controller 110 divides and area of the iris into concentric bands, defines each band to be another independent acquired image, applies a percentage to the independent image, specifies a percentage-based checking level, and generates a warning on the display 120 and controls the total system for the purpose of re-storage when the percentage fails to reach the specified percentage-based checking level.

The controller 110 compares the iris image captured for identification with the original iris information divided into concentric bands, and rejects identification and outputs an"unidentified"message on the display 120 when at least two areas in which the compared and matched rate is reduced to be less than the predefined reference level are found in the divided areas. The reason for controlling the security level to include at least two areas is to facilitate error detection in order to discard forgery when variation generated by at least one band fails to reach the defined checking level, even though detection of the outermost area allows authentication since the iris is not quickly varied.

The controller 110 can also update the original iris information by a re- storage automatic mode in addition to the above-described re-storage manual mode.

In the automatic mode, the controller 110 compares a confirmation iris image to original iris information, and uses the finally acquired iris image to update the original iris information in the storage unit 140 when a band in which the compared and matched rate of less than a predefined reference level is provided from among the divided bands.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for dividing an iris image into bands and comparing the captured iris image in FIG. 7 to the original iris image according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 110 establishes a pupil boundary and an iris boundary in Steps S400 and S410, divides the pupil and the iris in areas in Step

S420 in a like manner of FIG. 5, establishes percentages of divided bands for the respective divided areas in Step S430, and stores the same in the storage unit 140.

An identification operation performed by the controller 110 will now be described.

Visible rays and/or invisible rays are selectively applied to an iris of a user depending on the image brightness which is around an iris to be identified to thereby acquire a confirmation copy of the iris image from the user who desires identification, and in this instance, a plurality of confirmation copies of the iris image with different radii of the pupil can be acquired if needed in order to prevent erroneous detection and forgery by lifeless things. The controller 110 then searches for the class corresponding to the confirmation copy from the original iris image to check an existence state of the class. When no original iris image of the corresponding class is found, an"unidentified"message is output. The confirmation copy of the iris image having the original iris image of the corresponding class is scaled to divide the image into bands, establish blocks, and convert the confirmation copy of the iris image into data. Absolute positions of the converted data of the confirmation copy of the iris image are compared one by one with absolute positions of main data, sub data, and aux data of the original iris image per block, according to band priorities of corresponding blocks.

The band priorities of the data blocks are reflected according to the comparison result to obtain compared and matched rates of components of each block which include main data, sub-data (in particular, an upper level, a lower level and/or a modifiable level), and anti-main data, and analyze band dependency. In this instance, high dependency of the data matched rate is assigned when the band priority of the compared data block is high.

A final result for determining identification is output when the confirmation copy of the iris image is found to satisfy the condition of the predefined security level according to the analyzed result, and it is checked whether the compared and matched rate is less than the predefined reference level when the confirmation copy of the iris image fails to satisfy the condition of the predefined security level. When the compared and matched rate is found to be less than the predefined reference level according to the checked result, a buzz is output or a guide message is output

through the display 120 so that the user may re-input an original iris image and store the same in the storage unit 140.

When the user uses the function establisher 130 to select a button for re- inputting the original iris information in response to the buzz or the guide message, the controller 110 captures the user's iris (and pupil) image through the image input unit 100 and updates the original iris information stored in the storage unit 140.

When the user does not perform the above-noted process and the compared and matched rate is reduced to be less than a predetermined identification level, the controller 110 outputs a final result for determining the identification state to the display 120.

The user identified by using the identification system receives an original iris information re-storage guide when the iris is varied, the pupil is varied, or the pigment is eliminated, and hence, the user can newly become aware of diseases.

While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Accordingly, erroneous detection caused by variations of the iris and pupil is prevented by displaying a message for the user to re-store original iris information when a compared and matched rate between a captured iris image and pre-stored iris information is reduced to be less than a predetermined value.

Also, the user can become aware of variations of the iris and the pupil and elimination of chromatophores which can then be checked through a close examination in the hospital after receiving an original iris information re-storage guide, and hence, the user can become aware of diseases generated or progressed without his awareness through the identification process.