In　iris　recognition,　feature　extraction　can　be　influenced　by　factors　such　as　illumination　and　contrast,　and　thus　the　features　extracted　may　be　unreliable,　which　can　cause　a　high　rate　of　false　results　in　iris　pattern　recognition.　In　order　to　obtain　stable　features,　an　algorithm　was　proposed　in　this　paper　to　extract　key　features　of　a　pattern　from　multiple　images.　The　proposed　algorithm　built　an　iris　feature　template　by　extracting　key　features　and　performed　iris　identity　enrolment.　Simulation　results　showed　that　the　selected　key　features　have　high　recognition　accuracy　on　the　CASIA　Iris　Set,　where　both　contrast　and　illumination　variance　exist.　©　2008　Informa　UK　Ltd.