Abstract:
A self service terminal ( 10 ) including a human iris identification system is described. The iris identification system comprises a camera ( 30 ) for recording an image of a human iris via a lens ( 32 ), a processor ( 54 ) for processing the recorded image, and a plurality of visual indicators ( 72,74,76  or  82,84,86 ) associated with the lens ( 32 ) for directing a user&#39;s eye towards the lens ( 32 ) of the camera ( 30 ), thereby enabling the camera ( 30 ) to record a clear image of the user&#39;s eye. A method of directing a user&#39;s eye towards a lens ( 32 ) of a camera ( 30 ) used in a human iris identification system is also described.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a self service terminal (SST). In particular the invention relates to an SST including a human iris identification system. 
     Iris identification systems are used in SSTs such as ATMs (automated teller machines) for identifying a user of the terminal without the user having to, provide an identification card. 
     In such a system, a user must first be enrolled. Enrolment involves obtaining an image of the iris of a user and processing this image to produce an iris signature (or code). The iris code is stored in a database of authorized users. 
     When an authorized user wishes to use an ATM implementing iris identification, the user looks at a camera associated with the ATM, and the camera records an image of the user&#39;s iris. This recorded image is processed to produce an iris code. The user&#39;s iris code is compared with the database of stored iris codes to find the closest match. If the closest match meets a predetermined acceptance criterion (for example, greater than a 99.999% probability of being correct) then the closest match is assumed to be the user, and the user is identified accordingly. 
     This system works effectively if users keep their eyes motionless and wide open so that a clear image of their iris can be obtained and recorded. Where users can be trained to use iris identification (for example where iris identification ATMs are located on military bases or on naval ships and are used by military personnel) there is generally very little problem in identifying a user. However, when iris identification ATMs are used by the general public, the ATMs may have difficulty in identifying a user because of the user&#39;s continuous head and/or eye movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above problem. 
     According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a self service terminal including a human iris identification system, the system comprising a camera for recording an image of a human iris via a lens, and a processor for processing the recorded image, characterized by a plurality of visual indicators associated with the lens for directing a user&#39;s eye towards the lens of the camera. 
     It should be appreciated that the visual indicators are associated with the lens by being in general alignment with an optical axis which passes through the user&#39;s eye and the lens; for example, the visual indicators may be in registration with the axis which passes through the user&#39;s eye and the lens. It should also be appreciated that the term lens is used herein in a broad sense, to include different types of light gathering optics. A lens may include more than one optical element. The light gathering optics may deflect received light into the camera; for example, a mirror arrangement may be used to deflect and convey light to the camera. 
     Each visual indicator may comprise a single indicator element at least partially surrounding the center of the lens; alternatively, each indicator may comprise two or more indicator elements, each element being generally equidistant from the center of the lens. 
     Preferably, each visual indicator is spaced from the center of the lens by a different amount. Preferably, each visual indicator defines an axis which is co-axial with an axis through the center of the lens. 
     Preferably, each visual indicator is selectively energizable, so that, in use, the indicators may be successively energized, starting with the indicator furthest from the center of the lens and finishing with the indicator closest to the center of the lens, thereby guiding a user&#39;s eye to the center of the lens. 
     Where each visual indicator uses a single element, the element may be generally circular, and each visual indicator may have a different diameter so that the indicators are generally concentric about the center of the lens. 
     The effect of the visual indicators is to provide a series of sequentially illuminated lights for guiding a user&#39;s eye towards the lens of the camera. 
     Preferably, the visual indicators are removed (de-energized) when the user has been identified. 
     In one embodiment, the color of the visual indicators may change once identification has been established, for example from red light to green light. 
     The visual indicators may be permanently illuminated or they may pulsed so that they flash. As identification nears completion, the frequency of the flashing may be changed by the iris identification system. For example, the frequency of the flashing may be increased as the identification system progresses towards identifying the user. 
     An advantage of the invention is that as the visual indicators appear to advance towards the center of the lens, the user&#39;s eyes are guided to the center of the lens thereby aligning the user&#39;s iris with the camera. No previous training is required to enable a user to use this system. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a human iris identification system, the system comprising a camera for recording an image of a human iris via a lens, and a processor for processing the recorded image, characterized by a plurality of visual indicators associated with the lens for directing a user&#39;s eye towards the lens of the camera. 
     According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of directing a user&#39;s eye towards a lens of a camera used in a human iris identification system, the method characterized by the steps of: providing a plurality of visual indicators, each visual indicator being spaced from the center of the lens by a different amount, and successively energizing individual indicators starting with the indicator furthest away from the center of the lens so that a user&#39;s eye is directed towards the lens. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following specific description, given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an SST incorporating an iris identification unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the SST of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic view of a typical arrangement and orientation of details of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic view of visual indicators displayed on a panel used in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic view of alternative visual indicators displayed on a panel used in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, which shows an SST  10  in the form of an ATM, the ATM  10  includes a user interface  12  which comprises: a visual indicator display  14  in the form of an LCD panel, a key pad  16  for entering transaction details, a cash dispenser slot  18  through which bank notes (valuable media) are dispensed to a user, a display screen  20  for providing transaction information to the user, additional keys (FDKs)  22  disposed at opposite sides of the screen  20  for enabling the user to select preset functions which are displayed on the screen  20  and aligned with the FDKs  22 , a receipt printer slot  24  through which a receipt for a transaction may be delivered to the user, and a sensor  26  for detecting when a user is present at the ATM  10 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the ATM of FIG.  1 . FIG. 2 shows a user interface module block  40  including a camera  30 , the visual indicator display  14 , the key pad  16 , the transaction display  20 , and a receipt printer module  44 . The receipt printer module  44  is associated with slot  24  in the user interface  12  of the ATM  10 . FIG. 2 also shows a cash dispenser module  46  which is associated with the cash dispenser slot  18 , and a biometrics sensing processor unit  48  which operates in association with the camera  30  to implement biometrics sensing of the user. 
     The ATM  10  further comprises processor means in the form of a controller unit  50  which communicates with components of the user interface module block  40 , with an operator panel  52  mounted inside the ATM  10 , with the cash dispenser module  46 , and with the biometrics sensing processor unit  48 . 
     The operator panel  52  contains circuitry for enabling the operator to interact with the ATM  10 . Standard operator panels  52  are used on commercially available ATMs and are well known in the art. Similarly, the cash dispenser module  46  will not be described as it is a standard feature of a conventional ATM. 
     The controller unit  50  includes a processor unit  54  and a non-volatile memory  56 . The processor unit  54  and memory  56  may be implemented by a microcomputer having non-volatile RAM; suitable computers and memories are readily available commercially. 
     FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic view of a typical arrangement of the camera  30 , the LCD panel  14 , and a user  100 . The camera  30  has a lens  32  and is coupled to the controller unit  50 . The camera  30  and lens  32  are oriented along an optical axis (shown by line  60 ) which passes through the center area of LCD panel  14 . The angle of axis  60  is selected so that it passes through the eye-level of an average height user  100 . The camera  30  and lens  32  have some degree of adjustability to enable images to be recorded from users of different heights. Suitable systems comprising camera  30 , lens  32 , and biometrics unit  48  are available from “SENSAR” of 121 Whittendale Drive, Moorestown, N.J., USA 08057. 
     In use, when user  100  approaches ATM  10  the sensor  26  senses that a user  100  is present. This causes the display screen  20  to display text instructing the user  100  to look at LCD panel  14 . Sensor  26  also causes LCD  14  to display visual indicators as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     LCD panel  14  has a transparent center area  70  through which the camera  30  and lens  32  view the user  100 ; that is, the center area  70  is the entry point for light from a user&#39;s eye. In registration with the center area  70  are three concentric visual indicators, each having a single element. Each indicator has a center located in the center area  70 , and has a different diameter to the other indicators. 
     Indicator  72  has the largest diameter and is colored red. Indicator  74  has the smallest diameter and is colored green. Indicator  76  has a diameter approximately mid-way between that of indicators  72  and  74 , and is colored amber. 
     Initially, the red indicator  72  is illuminated, shortly thereafter the amber indicator  76  is also illuminated, shortly thereafter the green  74  is also illuminated. This has the effect of guiding the user&#39;s eyes to the center area  70  (through which axis  60  passes), thereby aiding capture of a clear image of the user&#39;s eye. The image is conveyed via controller unit  50  to the biometrics sensing unit  48  and an iris code is generated. 
     The controller unit  50  accesses a remote database (not shown) which compares the user&#39;s iris code with stored iris codes to identify the user  100 . Various algorithms are available for processing an image of an iris to create an iris code. 
     Once the user  100  has been identified, the three visual indicators  72 , 74 , 76  are de-energized, so that the user&#39;s attention may be drawn to screen  20 , where the user  100  is presented with a menu of the various transactions available at the ATM  10 . 
     FIG. 5 shows alternative visual indicators in the form of pairs of elements. Each pair of elements (for example, elements  82   a,b ) form a visual indicator which is centered on area  70 . When these indicators are used, the energizing sequence is the same as for FIG. 4, but the indicator which is furthest from the center  70  is de-energized when a closer indicator is energized. Thus, indicator  82  (elements  82   a  and  82   b ) is energized first, then indicator  82  is de-energized and indicator  86  is energized, then indicator  86  is de-energized and indicator  84  is energized. 
     Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiments within the scope of the present invention, for example, the shape, color, and configuration of the visual indicators may be changed. The time delay between energizing indicators may be varied or it may depend on what stage of identification the biometrics unit has reached. Visual indicators having more than two elements per indicator may be used. The camera may be located in any convenient location, for example, on the top surface of the ATM. The LCD  14  may be incorporated into a covering for the camera  30  and lens  32 ; so that the camera  30 , lens  32 , and LCD  14  form a single unit. The function of the sensor  26  may be implemented by the camera  30 . It will be appreciated that a simplified camera and lens arrangement have been illustrated, in other embodiments, much more complex optical arrangements may be used; for example, the lens may be a combination of optical elements such as mirrors and/or standard lens arrangements. If the lens deflects received light, then the optical axis will not be straight. In such an embodiment, the visual indicators associated with the lens, will be associated with the part of the lens adjacent to the entry point of light from a user&#39;s eye, that is, the point at which a user looks to have an image of his/her iris recorded. In other embodiments, the iris identification system may be used in conjunction with a user entering an identification token, such as a card, so that the iris identification system verifies the identity of the user.