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Biometric Watch

IRIS RECOGNITION



London, UK – William Gaillard, Corporate Communications Director for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported in a press release from Kuala Lumpur that London's Heathrow airport, one of the world's busiest airports, will boost security by installing cameras that read a passenger's eye and make identification foolproof. IATA represents 275 of the world's airlines. From next month, 2,000 North American frequent flyers on British Airways Plc and Virgin Atlantic will check in and clear passport control simply by looking into an iris-scanning camera that can verify their identity in seconds. He told Reuters "In the case of Heathrow, we will be using the iris scanning." He said the system, originally slated to be installed at two of Heathrow's four terminals, would be gradually expanded to cover the whole airport in the wake of the September 11 attacks in NYC. The Reuters report indicated that Heathrow normally deals with around 1,250 flights and 175,000 passengers a day. Gaillard said UK Customs, which is also involved in the project along with airport operator BAA Plc and immigration authorities, would have access to a database to cross-reference the pictures of passengers.



Iris recognition was featured in a New York Times article by Aileen Cho on August 5th, entitled “Airlines Are Clearing a Nonstop Path to the Plane”. A think tank type gathering at Baltimore Washington Airport made up of aviation industry designers and contractors were focusing on how to remove passenger bottlenecks and increase automation.



http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/05/technology/05AIRP.html



Iris recognition was also in the news on August 7th. Ivan Noble of the BBC News Online authored an article entitled “The eyes have it” in the science and technology section.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1477000/1477655.stm



Secaucus, NJ. - Panasonic's recently formed Biometrics Group announces the introduction of a highly versatile iris recognition camera system called Authenticam(TM). The new system combines Panasonic's extensive video camera expertise with Iridian Technologies' Private ID(TM) advanced iris recognition and authentication technology to offer a secure, cost-effective alternative to passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs). Panasonic Authenticam can be used in an extensive range of cyber-security applications such as network access, automated banking, credit card authorization, health records management and ID authentication, among others. Panasonic Authenticam captures an image of the user's iris and stores it in the host's computer system for verification. Panasonic Authenticam is bundled with Iridian Technologies' Private ID(TM) iris recognition software for the most accurate authentication for information access. Additional software called SecureSuite(TM) is also bundled with Panasonic Authenticam to allow multiple users to securely access PCs, files, folders, applications and password banks. I/O Software's SecureSuite enables users of the Panasonic Authenticam to securely log on to workstations that require exceptional information security for local and network access, and it secures access to restricted files or applications. SecureSuite is the most comprehensive software package available not only for the Panasonic Authenticam but also for a wide range of authentication devices and methods. It integrates seamlessly into the Microsoft Windows(R) 98, Me, NTTM, 2000, and XP operating systems. The Panasonic Authenticam also integrates with Iridian Technologies' KnoWho(TM) Server to manage large databases of enrolled users for enterprise-wide authentication for back office, legacy and Web applications. Panasonic Authenticam (model BM-ET100US) has a suggested list price of $239.00 including the software bundle. It will be marketed through Iridian Technologies here in the U.S. and sold through national distribution, including SoftwareSpectrum.com and TigerDirect.com.



http://www.panasonic.com/iris



Orlando, FL - Iridian Technologies, Inc. announced that its iris recognition technology has been certified ca smart with eTrust Single Sign-On, an automated password management and security solution from Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE:CA). Iridian partnered with CA to achieve the ca smart certification, a new CA brand-building seal of excellence that confirms the functional integration of Iridian's iris recognition technology with eTrust. CA's eTrust Single Sign-On is regarded as a leading-edge security solution, eliminating the need to manage multiple passwords and providing maximum flexibility by working across platforms, databases and applications. With the integration of Iridian's iris recognition technology via user authentication products such as the Authenticam(TM) camera, the eTrust Single Sign-On solution is greatly enhanced, providing the utmost in information security and convenience.



http://www.iridiantech.com


Moorestown, NJ. - Iridian Technologies report that they have been awarded two prestigious accolades -- the Best Software Application and Best Vendor at EnterpriseVision(TM) Summer 2001, which was held July 29-31 in Pasadena, CA. EnterpriseVision is produced by Vision Events(R), a Gartner, Inc. company. Iridian reports that the EnterpriseVision awards are significant because they are the only awards that are voted on solely by Systems Integrators.



http://www.iridiantech.com



http://www.visionevents.com



http://www.gartner.com


RETINAL SCANNING



Boston, MA. - Retinal Technologies, Inc., a developer of retinal scanning technology for biometric identification, announced the world's first hand-held, real-time retinal scanning system. The press release indicates that in the past, cost and implementation issues have prevented the widespread adoption of this biometric technology. The new system is touted as being inexpensive, lightweight and rugged. Originating in medical research in retinal diagnostics, the technology was developed over a five-year period by RTI Scientific Advisors Greg Heacock, Ph.D. and John Marshall, Ph.D. Heacock's doctoral thesis provided the device's base technology. Marshall is Frost Professor of Ophthalmology at London's St. Thomas' Hospital, and a world-renowned expert on light and the human eye. A number of U.S. patents, issued and pending, protect the inventions that combine to create RTI's retinal scanning system. RTI uses a patented aspheric lens array to capture a retinal image at distances as great as a meter from the user's eye. With the availability of new LED's (light emitting diodes) and CCD (charge coupled device) technology, the RTI system can be manufactured very inexpensively. Drawn from ophthalmic imaging science, the company maintains that this technology is completely safe and unobtrusive. They also indicate that no two retinas are alike--not even in identical twins. Because the vascular pattern in the retina does not change over the course of an individual's life, it is a permanent source for authenticating identity. Fraud-proof, it is virtually impossible to replicate the image produced by a human retina for unauthorized access to computer networks, medical records or physical facilities. Embedded in a mouse, keyboard or as a stand-alone peripheral, a retinal scanning system can secure e-commerce transactions, regulate access to medical and financial information and protect corporate enterprise-wide data and systems. Portable or kiosk-based retinal scanners can be used anywhere lengthy paper or card-based identification processes can be streamlined including airline ticket counters, immigration lines, sporting events and at the point-of-sale for retail and banking transactions. Secure access to schools, government facilities and office and industrial buildings can also be managed by retinal scanning technology. Because of their accuracy and stability over time, retinal images are an excellent basis for national ID programs and elections. Retinal scanning technology can also be employed for registering and tracking companion animals, livestock and racehorses. RTI intends to pursue commercializing its technology in these markets. David Muller Ph.D., chairman of RTI, indicates that they are now actively speaking with potential partners to bring this technology to market.



http://www.retinaltech.com

http://www.dss.state.ct.us/digital/news25/bhsug25.htm