This paper offers three new, open-source, deep learning-based iris segmentation methods, and the methodology how to use irregular segmentation masks in a conventional Gabor-wavelet-based iris recognition. To train and validate the methods, we used a wide spectrum of iris images acquired by different teams and different sensors and offered publicly, including data taken from CASIA-Iris-Interval-v4, BioSec, ND-Iris-0405, UBIRIS, Warsaw-BioBase-Post-Mortem-Iris v2.0 (post-mortem iris images), and ND-TWINS-2009-2010 (iris images acquired from identical twins). This varied training data should increase the generalization capabilities of the proposed segmentation techniques. In database-disjoint training and testing, we show that deep learning-based segmentation outperforms the conventional (OSIRIS) segmentation in terms of Intersection over Union calculated between the obtained results and manually annotated ground-truth. Interestingly, the Gabor-based iris matching is not always better when deep learning-based segmentation is used, and is on par with the method employing Daugman's based segmentation.
As a considerable breakthrough in artificial intelligence, deep learning has gained great success in resolving key computer vision challenges. Accurate segmentation of the iris region in the eye image plays a vital role in efficient performance of iris recognition systems, as one of the most reliable systems used for biometric identification. In this chapter, as the first contribution, we consider the application of Fully Convolutional Encoder–Decoder Networks (FCEDNs) for iris segmentation. To this extent, we utilize three types of FCEDN architectures for segmentation of the iris in the images, obtained from five different datasets, acquired under different scenarios. Subsequently, we conduct performance analysis, evaluation, and comparison of these three networks for iris segmentation. Furthermore, and as the second contribution, in order to subsidize the true evaluation of the proposed networks, we apply a selection of conventional (non-CNN) iris segmentation algorithms on the same datasets, and similarly evaluate their performances. The results then get compared against those obtained from the FCEDNs. Based on the results, the proposed networks achieve superior performance over all other algorithms, on all datasets. Abstract In this paper, we present the evolution of the open source iris recognition system OSIRIS through its more relevant versions: OSIRISV2, OSIRISV4, and OSIRISV4.1. We developed OSIRIS in the framework of BioSecure Association as an open source software aiming at providing a reference for the scientific community. The software is mainly composed of four key modules, namely segmentation, normalization, feature extraction and template matching, which are described in detail for each version. A novel approach for iris normalization, based on a non geometric parameterization of contours is proposed in the latest version: OSIRISV4.1 and is detailed in particular here. Improvements in performance through the different versions of OSIRIS are reported on two public databases commonly used, ICE2005 and CASIA-IrisV4-Thousand. We note the high verification rates obtained by the last version. For this reason, OSIRISV4.1 can be proposed as a baseline system for comparison to other algorithms, this way supplying a helpful research tool for the iris recognition community. Traditional iris processing following Daugman’s approach [116] extracts binary features after mapping the textural area between inner pupillary and outer limbic boundary into a doubly dimensionless representation. This paper presents a multi-stage iris segmentation framework for the localization of pupillary and limbic boundaries of human eyes. Instead of applying time-consuming exhaustive search approaches, like traditional circular Hough Transform or Daugman's integrodifferential operator, an iterative approach is used. By decoupling coarse center detection and fine boundary localization, faster processing and modular design can be achieved. This alleviates more sophisticated quality control and feedback during the segmentation process. By avoiding database-specific optimizations, this work aims at supporting different sensors and light spectra, i.e. Visible Wavelength and Near Infrared, without parameter tuning. The system is evaluated by using multiple open iris databases and it is compared to existing classical approaches. Efficient and robust segmentation of less intrusively or non-cooperatively captured iris images is still a challenging task in iris biometrics. This paper proposes a novel two-stage algorithm for the localization and mapping of iris texture in images of the human eye into Daugman's doubly dimensionless polar coordinates. Motivated by the growing demand for real-time capable solutions, coarse center detection and fine boundary localization usually combined in traditional approaches are decoupled. Therefore, search space at each stage is reduced without having to stick to simpler models. Another motivation of this work is independence of sensors. A comparison of reference software on different datasets highlights the problem of database-specific optimizations in existing solutions. This paper instead proposes the application of Gaussian weighting functions to incorporate model-specific prior knowledge. An adaptive Hough transform is applied at multiple resolutions to estimate the approximate position of the iris center. Subsequent polar transform detects the first elliptic limbic or pupillary boundary, and an ellipsopolar transform finds the second boundary based on the outcome of the first. This way, both iris images with clear limbic (typical for visible-wavelength) and with clear pupillary boundaries (typical for near infrared) can be processed in a uniform manner.