Latest Eye biometrics News

MIRLIN software toolkit enables iris recognition systems with 2 million matches per second
posted on 02/09/2009

Smart Sensors Limited has introduced version 2 of its MIRLIN software toolkit, enabling security system developers to create iris recognition systems capable of 2 million matches per second, four times faster than other current technologies. Functions include image acquisition, enrollment, and verification or determination of identity (ID) from human irises. Smart Sensors, which is based in the SETsquared business incubator at the University of Bath, is a spin-out from the University of Bath. Analyzing a digital image of the iris using techniques similar to those employed in video encoding, the Smart Sensors patented solution requires less processing power than alternative methods and the software code can operate in only around 300 Kilobytes of memory on a silicon chip. As a result, systems can be based on small, low-cost microcontrollers with less processing power than an ordinary personal computer. This makes the technology suitable for use in fixed or battery-operated, handheld e... [more]

ID card scheme is fundamentally flawed and should be shelved
posted on 22/07/2009

TSSI Systems says it is not enough for the home secretary to only scrap plans to make ID cards compulsory, the whole scheme should go. “The scheme has been ill conceived from the start. Apart from the outrageous costs, people’s privacy is still at risk,” said John Barker, General Manager, TSSI Systems Ltd. “The scheme has already cost up to £200 million of tax payers money and is predicted to cost over £4.9 billion in the next 10 years, a preposterous amount of money in today’s trying times. But it is the security of personal data which should be the primary concern surrounding ID cards especially with frequent cases of government data loss, which is reason enough to abolish the entire scheme.” “The scheme may never have worked in the first place as the correct security measures were not in place. As biometrics alone is not enough, a strong verification technology needs to be applied. In order for an ID card scheme to work the data needs to be stored as an algorithmic encryption, th... [more]

Manchester ID cards raise risks to personal data security
posted on 07/05/2009

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced plans to introduce optional ID cards for Manchester citizens from Autumn 2009. All passport holders aged 16 and over will be able to apply for an ID card through their local post office, pharmacy or retailer at an introductory cost of £30. Whilst there has been widespread condemnation over the total cost of the scheme, security experts are warning of the potential risk to personal data security. Jamie Cowper, Director of Marketing EMEA, at PGP Corporation, has made these comments: “The purpose of ID cards is to increase security in the UK, but they may in fact have the opposite effect. Post offices, pharmacies and shops are certainly convenient places to apply for a card, but the public will need to be convinced of their security credentials before handing over their personal details for processing. “Even if these high street outlets can prove they are able to process and record this data in a highly secure manner, there remains serious... [more]

Biometric Training Programmes for Physical Access Control Companies
posted on 24/03/2009

While the market is increasingly becoming aware of the strengths of biometric technology and its commercial applications it continues to suffer from low product awareness (fingerprint and hand geometry continue to have the major share on the lower end of the market) and poor delivery capability. To address this problem, Simply Biometrics recently launched biometric training programmes aimed at Time and Attendance and Physical Access Control companies for the complete range of biometric hardware including Iris, Hand Geometry, Fingerprint and Vein Recognition. Recent market trends across both Physical Access Control and Time and Attendance market indicate increasing appetite for biometric solutions from end customers. The increasing robustness of the technology coupled with an efficient supply chain and market led prices means that the customers now benefit from low solution life cycle costs and increased operational efficiency when compared with legacy systems. Simply Biometrics, S... [more]

Biometrics customers are increasingly basing their purchase decision on product reliability and customer support
posted on 03/03/2009

Biometrics has rapidly emerged as a reliable and robust answer to the identity challenges of the 21st century. The use of biometric technology is fast gaining prominence in the commercial sector with time and attendance and physical access control being the primary drivers. Recent surveys indicate that the acceptance of the use of biometrics (fingerprint) grew to approximately 67% worldwide. With the increasing proliferation of the technology, the market recently has seen a sharp increase in the number of vendors offering a range of low cost biometric hardware and software products. The flooding of the market with low cost biometric hardware has in many ways created a dilemma for the biometric OEMs and distributors alike – balancing customer expectations with the quality and cost. While the short term benefits of these products are lower upfront costs whether they offer any long term benefits still remains to be seen. Besides the upfront hardware and software costs the life cycl... [more]

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