News on Samsung’s Galaxy Note7 was all about the new security feature, Iris Scanner. A tiny camera that can scan your eyes and unlock your phone within seconds. So, what is Iris scanning? This is basically an automated method of biometric identification that uses mathematical pattern recognition of images of an individual’s iris, either from one or both eyes.
To obtain these images, an authentication device scans the iris—which is the thin, colored ring of the eye that opens and shuts the pupil like a camera shutter, thus regulating the amount of light that reaches the retina.
Each individual has a uniquely different and highly intricate iris pattern in each eye, which is completely developed at a very young age and remains unchanged throughout one’s lifetime. This, combined with the fact that iris patterns are almost impossible to replicate, makes iris scanning one of the most secure and reliable biometric techniques available.
We would have been accustomed to watching movies and television programs on the use of this security feature, usually depicting access to restricted areas to selected individuals. Currently its also being used for access control in pharmaceutical dispensing, border control and airport security.
Eye On Data
With the introduction of the Iris scanner into its new Note7, does the average consumer really need such an extraordinary application? While we don’t think its necessary now, but all the personal and sensitive data in your smartphone and upcoming application of the smartphone for paying, smart home and autonomous driving, will require a sophisticated level of security. Current premium phones already have biometric security function-like the fingerprint scanner. Unfortunately most users use this application to just unlock their smart devices and have yet to fully ‘unlock’ its potential. Over here in Malaysia, smartphone users and merchants have yet to embrace mobile payment as a service unlike Korea or Singapore, also it was reported that Malaysians are very lackadaisical when it comes to personal information, two key areas where a top-notch security feature on mobile phone would be essential.
As we become more dependent on these devices, we would need some form of protection if were to lose our phones and also from the invasive methods practiced by individuals, groups and even governments covertly accessing data. Assuming we realise this, lets look at the Galaxy Note7, its Iris Scanner, and find out what makes this different.
How It Works
Setting the application up is simple, once a user registers his or her iris information, it is stored as an encrypted code. When a user attempts to access content, such as a protected app, the infrared (IR) LED and Iris camera work together to capture the iris pattern for recognition, extract and digitize the pattern, and compare the digitized pattern with the encrypted code to verify access.
A dedicated iris camera, which utilizes a special image filter to receive and recognize the reflected images of the irises is coupled with a red IR LED light to make the scanning perfect. The technology is similar to the ones you see in movies, works the same way and highly reliable with no side effects to your eyes.
This red light allows for the best range for iris scanning. Furthermore, unlike traditional visible (or RGB) images, which can be affected by iris color or ambient light, infrared images display clear patterns and have low light reflection.
Do I need One?
It may look cool, waiting for the office lift, you flip out the Galaxy Note7 it scans your eyes and you have access to your intimate files. But most users are already satisfied with password encryption, finger scan and have resorted to store most of their private information on cloud. So this added security could be redundant for now. Undoubtedly, the new Note7 is the most secure smartphone in the market today, but it seems as though Samsung rushed to include the iris scanner as a marketing gimmick, having run out of ideas.
