US Patent 6930707 Digital camera apparatus with biometric capability

A digital camera contains biometric capability to identify a photographer, which is preferably provided by the camera's own optical sensors. The biometric feature is preferably the iris of a photographer's eye, which is recognized as unique for each individual. The camera captures an image of an iris, abstracts a set of distinguishing features, and matches this set to an on-board database. The iris image is preferably captured when the photographer brings his eye in the vicinity of the camera's viewing window, through a combination of mirrors, lenses, prisms, and the like. This capability may be used to record the identity of a photographer with the image, as an anti-theft or privacy device, or to personalize the camera settings.