Image processing algorithms underpinning iris and facial recognition systems

Purpose – To study the mathematical image coding approaches used in two types of biometric systems, and the physical nature of those biometrics.Design/methodology/approach – Gives details of algorithms used to encode data from images in established and new automatic iris recognition systems. Then examines face recognition techniques based on geometry, texture and three‐dimensional data.Findings – Most commercial iris recognition systems are based on the algorithms developed by one man, John Daugman. Whilst iris systems can be used to check a person's identity against a large database of enrolled people, face recognition systems are currently only capable of use in one‐to‐one recognition mode, or in identification mode against a very small database. The iris is very distinctive and stable over time, but the face is much more variable and therefore difficult to identify with accuracy.Originality/value – Provides the general scientific reader with some insight into the specialised field of biometric recognition.