Iris capture device having expanded capture volume

A system for imaging an area of an object positioned behind a light transmissive structure using an illuminator that produce specular reflections on said light transmissive structure comprising:

• a single lens system having a sensor for capturing an image of said object behind said light transmissive structure;
• a single illuminator positioned having a known separation from said lens system;
• an object distance between said lens system and said object to be imaged;
• and
• a minimum angular separation defined an angle formed between an illumination axis and a lens system axis, wherein said minimum angular separation ensures that no specular reflections fall onto an area of an object to be imaged.

A method for imaging an area of an object positioned behind a light transmissive structure using illuminators which produce specular reflections on said light transmissive structure while avoiding specular reflections from falling onto said area of said object to be imaged, said method comprising:

• providing a first lens system;
• providing a second lens system positioned a predetermined distance from said first lens system;
• providing a first illuminator positioned outboard of said second lens system for operating with said first lens system to capture an image of either a left eye or a right eye;
• providing a second illuminator positioned outboard of said first lens system for operating with said second lens system to capture an image of either a left eye or a right eye;
• separating said first illuminator from said first lens system a distance apart from one another to ensure a minimum angular separation so that no reflections due to eyeglasses fall within an iris image area;
• separating said second illuminator from said second lens system a distance apart from one another to ensure a minimum angular separation so that no reflections due to eyeglasses fall within an iris image area;
• illuminating said area with said first illuminator and checking to see if said first illuminator has produced a specular reflection that obscures said area of said object;
• if said first illuminator has produced a specular reflection that obscures said area of said object then illuminating said area with said second illuminator;
• obtaining an image of said area while said first illuminator is on using said first imager if said first illuminator has produced a specular reflection that has not obscured said area;
• and
• obtaining an image of said area while said second illuminator is on using said second imager if said first illuminator has produced a specular reflection that has obscured said area.