NEWS
NEWS IN BRIEF Foreign visitors entering the Republic of Korea now go through an immigration clearance process that features Lumidigm Smartcore multi-biometric acquisition stations (MBAS) with Lumidigm multispectral imaging sensors. Visitors submit their arrival card and passport to the immigration officer. They then place the index fingers of each hand on the two Lumidigm fingerprint sensors for simultaneous fingerprint verification. The MBAS also photographs the face of each visitor during the transaction. The Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has started trialing the collection of biometric fingerprint and facial images from visa applicants in Nigeria.
PRODUCT NEWS Aoptix has released a software development kit (SDK) for its Stratus MX hardware and app package. Stratus MX transforms the iPhone 4 or 4S into a full-fledged biometric scanning tool. Fingerprints, irises, voice and face can all be identified via Stratus MX.Open architecture Stratus MX, along with the SDK, now provides the basis for an ecosystem of smart mobile identity products and apps. SutiSoft Inc, provider of web-based and mobile business solutions, has released fingerprint matching software used in its BioPass security products. Authentication is based on more than a dozen unique parameters. It allows users to place fingerprints on the device in any angle, while capturing and storing the fingerprint minutiae in the database. It supports Windows 64-bit and 32-bit, Linux 64-bit and 32-bit and Solaris operating systems. Neurotechnology has unveiled NCheck Bio Attendance 2.0, a biometric system designed to automate time and attendance control. The new version of NCheck features the addition of face recognition to the existing fingerprint capability, allowing for check-in and checkout using a basic webcam. The software also features client-server architecture, making it possible to connect multiple installations into a single system. Neurotechnology has also updated its entire product line, including the addition of facial recognition to MegaMatcher Accelerator 6.0 high-speed, multi-biometric, all-in-one software and hardware solution. Now facial recognition can be used in any combination with fingerprint and iris biometrics for large-scale projects that require high-speed, high-volume
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Biometric Technology Today
identification capabilities. Updates to the company’s fingerprint, face, iris and voice identification SDKs now include SDKs for the embedded versions of these technologies, enabling development of PC, embedded or mixed biometric systems that support Windows, Linux, Mac OSX and Android platforms. Kaba Access and Data Systems (ADS) has announced the Standalone Identity Access Management System (AD102 Kit) as part of the I.AM Series Identity Access Management product line. The solution includes a Standalone Controller (AD102) and Fingerprint Key (AR402), and provides the benefits of biometric access control in a nonnetworked package. The AD102 kit supports up to two entry points with a single reader. The kit is aimed at residential or commercial applications, including doors, gates, garages, warehouses, gun safes, jewellery cabinets, data rooms, remote sites, and second properties. Spanish firm Facephi has launched a new version of its facial recognition SDK. SDK 4.1 is available in:Silverlight, ASP .NET, Windows Forms and WPF. It comprises an algorithm whose function is to exclude non-human faces such as drawings, sculptures, avoiding the extraction of useless patterns. Accuracy and face detection is improved up to 60%. Russian firm STC has released a new generation of its VoiceKey biometric engine for voice verification, which enables greater accuracy of verification while improving user experience and the robustness of the technology. The false acceptance rate is reduced to 0.1%, with a false rejection rate of less than 5% for a short utterance via cellular channel. Preprocessing functionality, including noise cancellation and acoustic environment adaptation, enhances VoiceKey performance; voice verification can now be carried out even in noisy environments, outdoors, in the street (with signal to noise ratio down to 7dB). Precise Biometrics has launched Precise BioMatch Mobile, software optimised for embedding fingerprint verification on smartphones and tablets. It supports Android and in future will also support other mobile operating systems. Fingerprint Cards, manufacturer of fingerprint sensors for mobile devices, has already licensed the product. GenKey, provider of large-scale ID solutions, has released a new version of its biometric SDK technology, including FastAFIS and BioHASH.
COMPANY NEWS South African Bytes Systems Integration (Bytes SI) has partnered with authentication service provider OneVault and will integrate OneVault’s hosted voice biometric solutions into its solution offerings. Slabb Inc has partnered with Marquis Software to provide over 50 self-service, interactive kiosks to the State of Arkansas, Department of Community Correction, US. The contract with the State included an order for registration kiosks that can authenticate the client biometrically by fingerprint scanning. Morpho (Safran) has launched the SmartGate Plus trial at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand. SmartGate Plus is Morpho’s next generation automated border control solution based on the use of biometric technology. New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS) will be testing the system during an operational trial at Auckland Airport with over 2,000 passengers per week expected to trial SmartGate Plus. Morpho (Safran) is also to provide Interpol with a range of biometric solutions. The partnership covers the supply of automated biometric identification systems to Interpol, provision of state-of-the-art security solutions for the future Interpol Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI), as well as collaboration on the subject of border security. Validity Natural ID fingerprint sensors have been integrated into Fujitsu Lifebook corporate notebooks computers, available now in Japan. Xelios Biometrics and ScriptPro have entered into a multi-year licensing agreement. Xelios will supply biometric authentication technology to be used in ScriptPro’s pharmacy automation and management systems. ScriptPro will use Xelios Biometrics technology during the prescription dispensing process to identify authorised pharmacy staff and track and store information about who handles a prescription. The goal is to provide ScriptPro customers with a biometric alternative to replace ID cards and PIN codes. NXT-ID Inc subsidiary 3D-ID is working with a Florida police department to evaluate its biometric facial recognition identification systems. 3D-ID has partnered with the Palm Bay Police Department, which is using the FaceMatch system to enrol inmates in local detention centres.
September 2013