Las Vegas
Several new security products utilizing biometric technologiestechnologies that identify individuals using unique biological data such as fingerprints or iris patternswere introduced at Comdex Fall 2001, the annual technology conference and exhibition held here last month.
LG Electronics, based in Seoul, South Korea, introduced its new biometrics security system, Iris Access 3000. The system captures and processes eye recognition information in less than one second by using "illuminated infrared light," the company stated. The light is "safe for the eye," meeting safety standards for U.S. and European markets.
According to LG, the identification process "operates perfectly with eyeglasses and contact lenses from a distance of 3 to 10 inches."
The company cited industry research indicating that the biometrics market will grow to $1.8 billion by 2004″an annual growth rate of 61 percent."
It further noted that: "Vertical industries including banking, health care and government agencies are increasingly turning to iris scanners, voice recognition software and fingerprint scanners as simple, cost-effective means of securing networks and improving accountability for information and facility access."
Iris Access 3000, to be sold globally via distributors, is comprised of several components, said the company.
An Enrollment Optical Unitplaced on a desk or table adjacent to the servercontains all the elements necessary to initiate the enrollment process by illuminating the iris and acquiring an image.
A Remote Optical Unit provides voice message and light indication to inform the user regarding his or her recognition status.
An Identification Control Unit creates an iris code from the input iris image and compares this code with "pre-memorized" iris records. If a match is found, this unit allows access.
A Door Interface Board checks and controls the releasing and locking of a door that is being secured by the system.
The Super Server is an enrollment, monitoring and management station, said LG. These roles can be performed using a single PC, as well as via separate PCs.
Pricing information was not provided. Further information is available at www.lgusa.com.
Meanwhile, BioPay, LLC, based in Herndon, Va., announced BioPay 4.0, a software program that utilizes fingerprint identification to eliminate check transaction fraud. The company claims it has compiled the nations largest non-governmental electronic fingerprint database.
According to BioPay, the new software uses biometric technology to capture a customers fingerprint, store a template of the fingerprint image, then record check cashing or check purchasing transactions associated with that person.
