Patent ID: 7627147

Claim:
A system for obtaining iris biometric information, comprising: an array of cameras defining an image capture volume for capturing a plurality of images of an iris; a trigger sensor for sensing the presence of a subject entering or about to enter the image capture volume, the trigger sensor being separate and distinct from the array of cameras; and an image processor, coupled to the array of cameras, for determining at least one suitable iris image for processing from the images generated from the plurality of images for the image capture volume, the trigger sensor being coupled to the array of cameras, and configured to trigger the capturing of images when the presence of a subject is sensed; and at least one illumination controller for synchronizing with the array of cameras at least one illumination source for illuminating the iris with a plurality of photons; wherein a light intensity of the illumination source is increased during a strobe to maintain a predetermined signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), while an average irradiance of the illumination source remains below a safety threshold.