How it relates to biometric identification

In the world of biometric identification, there are few systems as reliable as those using a secure biometric retina scanner device and iris recognition solutions. Over the years both have grown immensely popular and have been used in various industries to improve security and make secure access more dependable. These models have certain characteristics that impact their performance depending on the environment in which they are used and the purpose for which they are being installed.

When it comes to similarities, both scanners are considered contactless, although they are not both non-invasive. The retinal scanner, for instance, requires a light to be shone in the eyes while the iris scanner biometric device solution does not.

Since the world of biometrics is intricate and sometimes misunderstood, the iris and retinal scanners appear to be the same thing, as the names are often interchanged, but the reality is that there are quite a few differences between the two.

The retinal scanner

Much like our fingerprints are unique to us, every person on the planet has a unique retina. The retina is a thin tissue made up of neural cells and it is the arrangement of the blood capillaries supplying the retina with blood which makes each retina unique. This incredible network is so detailed that even twins do not have the same retinas. In some cases, the retina can be altered due to medical conditions but they are never altered so much that they are completely changed. Why is this important? Well, for starters, when it comes to retina scanning, this permanent pattern means the retina cannot be copied. The retina’s blood vessels are able to easily absorb light which makes them easily identifiable in the right light. For the retina to be scanned, a low-energy beam of infrared light is projected into the retina as the eye is placed in the scanner’s eyepiece. The light is barely noticeable and the scan takes only a few seconds to complete. The beam is designed to trace a standard path on the retina which ensures that the same part of the retina is traced again and again when scanned in the future.

The pattern of the retina is then converted into a computer code which is then stored safely on a database, with the data being pulled the next time the retina is scanned. Retina scanning is not only used for access control but it is also used to identify certain diseases.

Why is retina scanning important for biometrics?

Mostly used by government agencies and big, corporate business, retina scanning is known for its immense reliability and the unbeatable security that it provides. While biometric retinal scanners are slowly being introduced into other industries, the fact that these scanners can be very expensive which is what prevents the scanner from joining mainstream security technology.

The iris scanner biometric device solution.

Iris recognition is a form of automated biometric identification which makes use of mathematical pattern recognition. These techniques create video images of the iris, with the complex patterns being the focus of the data being collected.

The iris is the colourful circular structure within the eye and its purpose is to control the size and the diameter of the pupil, and in turn control the amount of light which reaches the retina. Based on the amount of light entering the eye, the iris can expand or contract the pupil. The larger the pupil the more light can enter.

Iris recognition relies heavily on camera technology equipped with gentle infrared lighting to get all of the necessary details from the iris to create the pattern which will be used as recognition. The digital templates created with the scan are encoded from the patterns using both statistical and mathematical algorithms. Once this is done, the positive identification of individuals is possible each time the iris is scanned.

The digital templates are stored in a secure database and it takes mere seconds to sort through the millions of templates and locate the one that matches the person being scanned. These systems have hundreds of millions of templates from people all over the world, making them perfect for border control and national Identification systems.

Two great benefits other than the iris is unique and impossible to replicate, is that the iris is internally protected so it cannot be damaged and the number of false matches is next to nothing.

Why is iris scanning important for biometrics?

Iris recognition biometrics is used in healthcare, time and attendance systems, immigration and border control facilities, and they are ideal for secure access control. They are immensely reliable, quick to use and highly accurate. They are also fantastically priced which means companies of all kinds can have access to this particular type of security system. Iris biometrics is also well known for being durable and as such provide years and years of reliable use after the initial data is collected.

Before thinking about purchasing a security retina scanner device, it is essential to know the differences between these 2 types of biometrics because you need to have all of the information to invest in a system that will do what you need it to while also giving you a high return on your investment. For more information about these biometrics and the related systems, you can contact our team for expert advice and guidance.