Image processing method and system for iris recognition

An image processing method for iris recognition of a predetermined subject, comprising:

• a) identifying a first iris region from a first reference image of the predetermined subject illuminated by an IR illumination source, wherein said first reference image is overexposed until skin portions of the reference image are saturated;
• b) identifying a second iris region from a second reference image of the predetermined subject acquired under a normal exposure condition;
• and
• c) generating and storing information for said identified first and second iris regions;
• in response to ambient light exceeding a threshold:
• d) acquiring through an image sensor, an image illuminated by an IR illumination source, wherein said image comprises one or more eye regions and is overexposed until skin portions of the image are saturated;
• e) identifying one or more iris regions within said one or more eye regions;
• f) using said stored information for the first iris region for comparing the one or more iris regions identified at step e) to the first iris region;
• and
• g) detecting, based on the comparison, whether the one or more iris regions identified at step e) belong to said predetermined subject;
• and
• in response to ambient light not exceeding a threshold:
• h) acquiring a normally exposed image, said image comprising one or more eye regions;
• i) identifying one or more iris regions within said one or more eye regions;
• j) using said stored information for the second iris region for comparing the one or more iris regions identified at step i) to the second iris region;
• and
• k) detecting, based on the comparison, whether the one or more iris regions identified at step i) belong to said predetermined subject.